Loving Heart Mommy: Happy New Years Eve

Its the last day of the year and as many I know as well as myself, its been full of ups and downs, trials and tribulations, happiness, sadness, new life, new discoveries, and much much more.

The Beginning of 2011:

I started this year still pregnant with my "4th" angel, Collin. He was born February 19th of 2011. He's a bright smiling boy and one of the joy's of my year. I moved to Georgia to stay with my family and to also prepare for Collin's birth.

February:

Collin was born on February 19th as you can see below. My "H" was home for his birth.

My "3rd" son Gabriel (above) also turned "4" on February 24th! He's growing into a fine young boy!

~March~

I'm not sure what all went on this month. It was right after having Collin. I'm sure everyone knows how hectic life can be after a having a baby. My "H" was home for a bit before he was prepping to leave for Afghanistan his 2nd time around in April. I was busy with the baby and also healing up since this was my "4th" c-section. I healed up just fine but my Crohn's started to flare up since I was waiting for a prescription to get me back into remission of sorts.. It took a bit and I was off and on sick.

April ~ My "H" left for his 2nd tour in Afghanistan, he was due to be gone about 7 months...

May to October seem like a blur.........I'm sure we all get this way at times...

Time flies when you have children. Time flies when your not ready for whats about to come. Time doesn't fly when your worrying or waiting. I've learned this all too well this year.

~October ~

We moved to Surf City, NC. We get to see the ocean every day. Its calming, its nice, it was a good change. Leaving Georgia felt good..leaving behind all the pain and hoping to begin again new in NC.

My "H" returned from Afghanistan, it was all a big transition. Him getting used to civilian life again, me getting used to him actually being around on a day to day basis.

We were all pretty sick off and on with sinus colds, colds.. it was pretty painful until mid November! I worked on getting all the kids their checkups, shots, and myself situated with Doctors in the area.

~ November ~

Doctor appointments continued. I found out I was allergic to a list full of things, hence the constant sinus infections. I finally got on my re-start of the Humira pens for helping with my Crohn's Disease complications. My joint pain got a lot worse, I've been referred to a Arthritis Doctor who I will seen in January. I did discover I do have carpel tunnel syndrome in both of my wrists.

Helana was evaluated in October and her Pediatrician believed her to be autistic. I'd been having issues with her speech and her eating habits. She would only eat foods that were soft and pureed. She'd been eating baby food, yogurt (Stonyfield only...blended no pieces of fruit), mashed potatoes, soup broth as she would not chew anything food wise... I believed she was just picky and as far as speech she was always a quiet baby..I was very surprised to discover the diagnosis of Autism..I had a feeling but no one wants to believe anything may be wrong or not considered normal with their child. I've still got a lot to learn, every day is a challenge, we have our good days and our bad. Patience, love, and support is key when learning that your child is Autistic.

Our Thanksgiving dinner (above) this year, thanks to our local grocery store "Harris Teeter". It was a good deal and we were time consumed this Thanksgiving! We had a lot to be grateful for!

~ DECEMBER~

December was full of Christmas decorating fun! We didn't get a real tree this Christmas but I did find a cute 4 ft tree for the kids! They loved looking at the lights and helping decorate crafts from Michaels!

We also made gingerbread men cookies, had a nice cherry/pineapple ham, a few good sides and a German Chocolate cake!

Happy New Year! We are excited for 2012!