2011 Recap

Well, I figured I better write one last post, to close out the year. I've definitely fallen off the bandwagon of blogging. But, at least I'll end with a bang. Or a blog. A lot has happened this last year, which in some ways feels more like a few months and in some ways feels like forever. Fifteen days into the new year, we gained an addition to the family: Keaton Gray Kirtley. And what an awesome addition he has been, I must say. Keaton is such a fun, cheerful baby. He is easy going most of the time, although he does have quite a temper when he does not get his way. Like at bedtime when he thinks he isn't sleepy. And in the car when he finds it appalling that he is strapped to the "electric chair" we like to call a car seat. Besides the occasional temper tantrum, Keaton is truly a great baby. He almost never fusses, nothing that food or cuddle won't immediately cure. He is playful and very generous with his smiles. Before Keaton arrived, we wondered how we could love another as much as Cale. It was easy. 2011 wouldn't have been the same without 'ole Keater-pie.

This year Carl and I ran our first 10K, which may not sound like much to all you runners out there. But, it was the most I had ever ran before and probably the most I ever care to run, if you must know the truth. Yes, running is rewarding, after the fact. But, my comfort zone is about 2 miles. Much more than that and I start getting grumpy.

Cale stopped wearing diapers this year! And it was relatively easy, with the help of M&M's. We're still doing the night time pull-up as a safety precaution, but other than that he is going to the bathroom like the big boys. Except he still needs to work on his aim. And not getting side-tracked while he's peeing. I've been forced to become much more diligent cleaning the toilet...and the wall behind the toilet...and the tile beneath the toilet...and the stepstool Cale stands on...yes, maybe 2012 will bring more bathroom accuracy for him.

Carl put a zip-line in our backyard, along with a playground that he helped my dad build. We spent much of our time this summer out at that play park, as we call it.

I started a new job as a library media specialist at Dwight, which aside from having Keaton, is the most exciting thing that happened for me in 2011. I love my job now and am so lucky to be in this position. Really liking your job makes such a difference on your overall attitude. Carl says I complain much less often now. Like never. Now I only complain about him.

Cale started Noah's Ark in August of this year. We decided that it was time to get Cale's name on the list for preschool. We figured it would be several months until they had a spot available for him. But, two days after I filled out the paper work, we got a call saying there was an opening. So, we had to make the hard decision to leave our wonderful babysitter Nonna, and start a new school. It was a hard transition for Cale. He has become shy and uncertain in the latter part of this year. So, being with people he didn't know was especially hard, along with the different routines/structure of preschool vs. in-home child care. He cried when I dropped him off for awhile. And became incredibely clingy. But, it didn't take him long to fall in love with his teacher Ms. Amber. I literally mean "fall in love". He developed a bit of a crush on her and was highly offended and jealous when he saw a picture of she and her husband. So funny!

Just when Cale was really getting settled into his classroom and very comfortable with his teacher, they moved him up to the next classroom. So, we went through the whole crying/clinging thing again. Feeling comfortable is everything for Cale. He can't function until he's "comfortable". Gosh this child may end up being too much like me I'm afraid. But, after about a month, Cale began feel at ease with his classmates and began to really like his new teacher, which we refer to as the "New Ms. Amber" because her name is Amber, too! She's his comfort zone at school now. If she's there, we're good. If she's not, Cale gets nervous. Overall, Cale really likes school and has made lots of new, special friends.

We took many train rides this year. It started with a special train that came to Russellville last January, the zoo train, several Silver Dollar City train rides, and ended with a Christmas train ride early December.

Yes, this year was the year of trains. Toy trains, train videos on the Ipod, train movies, train shirts, food lined up like trains...you name it. Maybe next year will bring a new obsession. Something other than trains!

Keaton decided he couldn't let the year end without learning to walk. Right before Christmas he started toddling and is now walking all over. He's been getting into everything already and I'm sure walking will enable him to find even more mischief. I will just be glad when he doesn't have to taste everything in sight. It is tiresome and worrisome keeping track of what goes into his mouth. I've had many near panic attacks as I've found Keaton with random things in his mouth. But, he's still alive. So, we've done okay.

Being a family of four has made 2011 a great year. I wonder what 2012 has in store for us? Hopefully more sleep...please, more sleep.