2019: The Year in Review

Adam at 18 months old.

It's not even Christmas yet, and Adam is going through his 3rd really bad cold in about 2 months. I'm dealing with my second cold in 2 weeks. It's dark, dank days like these that I wonder, are we getting this many colds because of something I'm doing (or not doing)? Is it because I don't vacuum enough? Or sweep and mop the floors enough? Is it because I don't wash his hands often enough to keep the germs at bay? Or is this normal? Is this just because he's in daycare and would get sick no matter how clean we kept the house?

I'm reminded of a favorite Christmas song of mine, by Over the Rhine, called "Darlin' (Christmas is Coming)". It goes like this (or listen to it on YouTube here):

Darlin', darlin'
Darlin', darlin'
So it's been a long year
Every new day brings one more tear
Till there's nothing left to cry

My, my, how time flies
Like little children hiding their eyes
We'll make it disappear
Let's start a brand new year

Darlin', Christmas is coming
Salvation army bells are ringing
Darlin', Christmas is coming
Do you believe in angels singing'

Darlin', the snow is falling
Falling like forgiveness from the sky
(Darlin', darlin')
Darlin', darlin'

If I could have anything
What would I want this new year to bring
Well, I'd want you here with me

Tear these thorns from my heart
Help the healing to start
Let's set this old world free
Let's start with you and me

Darlin', Christmas is coming
Salvation army bells are ringing
Darlin', Christmas is coming
Do you believe in angels singing'
Darlin', the snow is falling
Falling like forgiveness from the sky


Indeed, it has been a long year. A year of growing pains, as well as immense joy. Here are our highlights from this year:

Adam

Adam at 11 months old.

This year has seen Adam learn to crawl, say his first word ("ball"), turn 1 years old (check out the blog post about the party here), gain confidence walking, start saying so many words we can no longer keep track, and generally keep us so happy at the end of each day that we look back at the photos from the day and sigh with how handsome and joyful a child he is.

In June, we transitioned Adam to a part-time Spanish immersion daycare, which he is really enjoying and so are we. The daycare has a theme each month, and has crafts and outdoors time every day. Shaun takes Adam on his bike to daycare and picks him up on the bike most days. Shaun has learned many of the Spanish songs that Adam learns at daycare, and plays them on guitar at home. Un poco a poco we are practicing Spanish. Adam can find the araña, mariposa, perro, gato, sol, and a few other words in Spanish. 

Adam is now 19 months old. He loves trains, trucks (especially fire trucks), dogs, buses, and his stuffed animals. This week (due to his cold) we let him start watching Thomas the Train (the classic version narrated by George Carlin) which he loves. We've a feeling we'll be knee deep in Thomas the train things for the next few years.

Adam in his train conductor outfit.

Shaun
Shaun finished his 3rd year teaching at Federal Way High School in June, and chose not to renew in the fall. Instead, he became a stay at home dad. During Adam's naps and time at daycare, Shaun writes. He is working with an editor to edit his novel and has sent it to many literary agents. He's also written several short stories and a poem, and has written movie and book reviews for the online magazine, Pop Matters, where he is now a "critic at large." Read some of his reviews here. In the spring, he will be taking a grant writing class to expand his skillset.

Shaun has enjoyed being home during this year of Adam growing into a little boy, right before our eyes. Although it's frustrating when the food that he just yesterday loved and would wolf down in unrestrained quantities Adam now will no longer touch, Shaun has learned to be incredibly patient and looks forward to each day with him. They are regulars at storytime at the library, toddler gym at the local community centers, the Zoo and the aquarium. Next year, they will be going to a music class together. 

Shaun playing on his new bass guitar (while cooking dinner!).

Shaun has also started a "dad band" with some guys from our church. They have a bassist, two guitarists, a keyboardist, and are looking for a drummer. These guys are serious - they plan to record and do a few gigs in 2020!

In the fall, Shaun surprised his mom Sandy with a 60th birthday party - and it was a great surprise party! He had been wanting to throw his mom that party for years. We were so pleased it turned out well and so many friends came to celebrate.

Sandy's 60th birthday - a successful surprise party!

Kaitlin
Kaitlin continues working at Getty Images (now for 4.5 years). The job has been challenging this year and has been a growing experience. Kaitlin now has a team that she likes working with at Getty Images and is looking forward to a fun and productive 2020.

Family selfie in Boston.

In June, Kaitlin spoke at a conference in Boston. It was her first speaking gig in a few years, and it was the largest audience yet. The conference was for travel bloggers, and since Kaitlin used to work in the travel industry and wrote a travel blog, she was invited to speak on the subject of SEO (search engine optimization), specifically for travel bloggers. It went well and Kaitlin is looking forward to doing more talks in the future. Shaun and Adam came along, and we had a good time traveling around the city. It sure is different traveling with children! Instead of going out to dinner and a show, we'd wake up early and hit the library, a park, or the children's museum. We also went on a food tour of Little Italy and Boston Market, and we saw part of the Harvard campus. Adam was a champion traveler!

In July, Kaitlin bought an electric bicycle, which she can take to and from work (about a 14 mile round trip) in about 40 minutes, without breaking a sweat. The commute to work is just too long, with a significant hill on the way home, for a regular bike to be an option. The e-bike actually is faster than the bus.

Kaitlin got back into volunteering at church, after a few years' hiatus, and now helps once a month in the nursery, with Adam. It's been fun to get to know other parents and their babies in the nursery as well. 

Happy New Year!
As we look forward to the new year (and new decade!), we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy (and healthy) new year.