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This little man can not wait to be big.  He wants to do everything his big sister does whether he can or not.

He says so many words it's hard to remember how young he really is.  His favorite word right now is "mines".  I just heard you say awww.  But it is NOT cute when you hear it 100 times a day.  He also says banana, apple, kitty, Jordy, Abby, Daddy, puppy, bye bye, baby, Mama, down, up, blankie, no, go-go, le's go, and bath.  Ba ba means blankie, nuk or a cup depending on the immediate need at that time.

He still keeps us guessing with sleep.  Sometimes he'll go down really nice but wake up hours later screaming.  Otherwise he'll be a nightmare to put to sleep and then sleep until 7:00 am.  Two weeks ago he cried for midnight until three AM for no identifiable reason.

He has 8 teeth and a couple we can feel may be trying to pop through.

Taking in the view of downtown Chicago.

His favorite food is bananas.  He could probably eat 4 at one sitting if we let him.  He is always hungry but is getting pickier.  But like his sister, there is no fruit he will turn away.  He also will never turn down cheese.

He doesn't really play with any one toy.  He did take to carrying around one of Abby's dolls for a few days but prefers to rip all her books now and break everything in our home including his skull.

At home he mostly screams mines and cries a lot but he does a really loud adorable fake laugh when Abby is laughing about something.  He has started giving kisses and hugs.  He loves to climb and snuggle.  He is a handful but at the end of the day he snuggles in so close when you read to him and it recharges your battery for the next day.  Love this little crying mess of a man.

Putting it out there.

People don't often tell their goals to others because then they will have to work on it.  How dumb do you feel when someone asks you how is such and such going and you haven't done a thing?  This year I finally followed through on a resolution.  I got to my goal weight and worked out 3 times a week nearly every week.  Sure I didn't really start until August but I did it.  Eventually.  And I found an activity that I can do to reduce stress and get the kids out of the house.  Friday nights is our new gym night where I go to Zumba and they "play with the kids".  Both kids love it.  It helps that one of the ladies at the Kid's Club is "Grandma Barb".  What better motivation then an hour away from the kids when they are enjoying themselves.

This year I want to:
1) work out 4 x a week to maintain my weight and reduce stress.
2) Get a 3.5 GPA to maintain my scholarship.
3) Become a better couponer and stick to the budget.  Otherwise I won't be able to do any of the other things I want to do in the list below.

Other things I would like to do:
4) Purge this house of excessive stuff which includes a joint rummage sale with a good friend.
5) Get the backyard presentable.  This includes getting a patio put in since the deck is falling apart.
6) Read the entire New Testament in one year.
7) Repaint Abby's room.
8) Repaint the kitchen.
9) Finish the toy room.
10)Stay on budget for our annual vacation.

I know it sounds like some of these "other" things could be down all together in one weekend but not in this household.  So if we accomplish 2 of thse "other" things I will be one happy lady.

What is the biggest goal for you this year?  Did you meet a goal last year?  Happy New Year!

My new skinny face.  12# down!