January 3, 2008

• Happy Belated New Year!

  I didn't get a chance to update my Xanga yesterday, so Happy 2008 to all of you!

  So many things happened in 2007 that it seemed to fly by. I think it's safe to say that this was my most life-changing year so far, with the long-anticipated arrival of little Jack. Back in September 2000, when I turned 20, Johnny wrote in my birthday card that he couldn't wait to share this wonderful, exciting decade, one in which we would get married and welcome our child into the world. (Yes, we had big dreams for our relationship! ) Back then, it all seemed so crazy and far-off, but now it's here! And it is wonderful, like most of the other stages of our relationship. (I think our friends would agree that the angsty, breaking-up-every-two-minutes stage of the last half of senior year in college was decidedly not wonderful!) It's not without its "cons" -- we are certainly less free to twitter about like we did in the first three years of our marriage, the first couple of postpartum weeks are worthy of being blocked from my memory forever, and I worry constantly about whether I'm doing right by Jack -- but parenting is also a more beautiful experience than I'd counted on. Nothing makes me happier than seeing Jack smile or discover another exciting part of his world. Being a parent also makes me really appreciate my parents, especially my mom. For the first time, I realized that she feels the exact worry and love for me that I feel for Jack.

  Anyway, other things happened in 2007, too. I settled into the routine of things in the LA office, Johnny and I explored more of this city we call home, and perhaps most delightfully of all, I really got to know June as a person unto herself, not just as my kid sister! It is awesome to have a close friend to whom you don't have to explain anything, who really understands when you need to vent (because she probably has the same things to say!), and who isn't afraid to challenge you. Plus, I don't think anyone else loves Mike's Hard Lemonade as unabashedly as I do.  As much as I miss Chicago and New York, I am very happy to be so close to my family. I just wish my dad could be home more often!

  I don't really do New Year's resolutions, because I'm always trying to be a better person in some way. I'm looking forward to 2008 and all the happiness in store.

  Enough of the mushy stuff. Some pictures!

  My dad was home for New Year's, and Jack adored him. The two of them just couldn't get enough of each other!

  

  

  

  Of course, Jack loves Grandma, too, but that goes without saying.

  

  A rare picture of Charles and Jack!

  

  Jack and Aunt June

  

  Our New Year's Eve dinner -- June and my mom prepping the food

  

  My parents and June savoring the delicious puffy, gooey cheesy rolls that June made (they're like those cheese bread things that are served at Brazilian barbecue restaurants. SO GOOD!)

  

  Hot pot-ing it

   

  And finally, here I am with my new obsession: Guitar Hero. I bought it for Johnny,  but I am so addicted! (Oh, and the outfit in the first picture are my PJs. Don't worry, I don't wear striped pants outside the house! No one above the age of seven should wear striped pants out, unless they're vertically striped!)

  

  

  Hope you all got to ring in the new year with loved ones!

  • 12:38 am
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