2011 Year in Review

This year was relatively quiet compared to last year, which is fine by us.  We made a ton of good memories, and it has been so fun to watch Quinn learn and grow.  She has changed from a little baby to a toddler in 12 months... it is so cool!   It is amazing how much we all love that little girl.  She is bright, silly, and fun.  She is the center of our world, and we wouldn't have it any other way.  We will always remember 2011 fondly, and with great gratitude for all the exciting things we got to do with our healthy little Quinn.  

January: Quinn weaned off oxygen during the day.  She became stronger and more playful.  We did lots of fun activities inside, despite being on house arrest. 

February:  We went on walks on nice days.  Quinn started rolling and sitting.  She left the house to get her photos taken. Dalan had a birthday.

March:  Tubie went in, and we could see Quinn's face without her NG tube all the time. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day, and Quinn went pantless a lot of the time. 

April:  Tubie came out, and her button went in.  She started crawling, and calling her binkie her, "guy-guy."  We got off house arrest and got to visit with friends, and go to the farm and the zoo!  The Easter Bunny came!

May:  Quinn turned one!!!!  We were one of the top family fundraising teams in Utah for the March of Dimes!  We went on more outings, and we said good bye to the oxygen tanks completely.  

June:  I am on summer vacation and celebrate my 32nd birthday!  Quinn hangs out in her diaper while at home, and we get to go on even more outings!

July:  We start doing more and more activities, like the aquarium, Lagoon, parades, fairs, planetarium, etc..  We celebrate the 4th of July.  Quinn starts standing on her own!

August:  We went to San Fransisco, and Quinn goes on her first plane, boat, and train.  We go on lots of activities.  Quinn gets her first ear infections.  I go back to work.  We find out VaRonica and Nathan are having a baby!  We celebrate Quinn's Due Date Day!

September:  More activities, like the zoo and Oktoberfest.  Quinn and Odessa are blessed by the Reverend Nghia.  Quinn starts walking.

October:  We celebrate Halloween, and go on fall activities.  We enjoy the nice weather.  We go on drives.  Dalan and I celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. We cheer on the Utes!

November:  It gets colder, and our activities slow down.  Quinn turns 18 months old.  We celebrate Thanksgiving. 

December:  Christmas time!  Quinn meets Santa.  Quinn hosts a party.  Dalan and I get ready for all the Christmas festivities.  Raul causes mischief.  Santa comes!  Time with spent with family.

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Rockin' It Out

We have been rocking it out with Quinn for over a week now with mixed results.  Overall, I would say she has slept in her crib more and woken up less, but it has not been perfect.  There have been A plus nights, and nights when both Quinn and we have earned big, fat F's.

The first night was perfect. No rocking necessary.  Quinn just simply slept through the night in her crib.  I couldn't help, but  think, "we got this!

During night two, some rocking was required, but not much.  Again, I couldn't help, but  think, "we got this!

Night three and four, she ended up in our bed.  Fail.  After multiple hour long rocking sessions, it was just easier and more restful to have her in bed with us, plus it was Christmas Eve/Christmas, and we needed to be places and had things to do.

I believe she slept well/needed minimal rocking on Christmas night, but then she got a cold.  A pretty little cold, but it still meant she was stuffed up, and again it was easier to have her in bed with us, then sniffling and not sleeping in the rocking chair.   

So, after all that, we got back on track.  Except for the other night when she stayed up until midnight.  She just wasn't tired, I guess.  There were no extra naps, or coffee laced yogurts involved, just a baby who wasn't ready for bed.

Last night went well.  She slept from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am, needed a quick rocking, and then slept until 8:30 am in her crib.

So, like I said mixed results.  Not a total success, but I feel like most nights I can rock her quickly and get her back to sleep in her crib now rather than bringing her to bed with us. 

Oh, and yes we got a a new treadmill!  We got it all set up, but between my cold, Quinn's cold, and Dalan's stomach issues, it has yet to be really used. (We have not been the healthiest bunch this winter break.) But soon, and I will write up a proper update on the Carsellers get fit.    

Christmas Recap Part 4

...Our Christmas Day can easily be divided into four parts with lots of pictures from each part...

Part 4:  My Nana's House

Our last destination on Christmas was my Nana's house for more food, presents, and company.  We got to visit with my cousin Tommy, my aunt Linda and uncle Dave, my mom and dad, Cole and Natalie, Ali and McKay, and of course, my Nana!  Dinner was delicious, Quinn ate a ton of food and purred, "yum!" the whole time.

Then it was time for our annual White Elephant gift exchange.  It was a blast (as always) and people always bring the funniest things.  After the White Elephants, Santa came and left us each a little gift (and my phone/camera died).  We each had to "guess" what we were going to do with it.  Quinn guessed take a bath, but received a Big Bird book.  All the grandkids also got ornaments from Nana, and all the minors (Quinn and Tommy....he turns 18 next month) got gifts from everyone.  Quinn got books from Linda and Dave, and Reni and Tommy, an apron from Cole and Natalie, and a Belle doll and dress from Nana.  She left very happy and very spoiled.

Quinn going around "taking pictures" of everyone with my "new" camera from the White Elephant Exchange. 

Smile Tommy, Linda, and Grandma!

Red was the first to open the Mexican Fiesta White Elephant that included food and a sombrero. 

(Blurry)  Then Quinn stole it from Grandpa on her turn. 

And Ali stole it from Quinn.

Red with his sunglasses and purse from his next package after his fiesta was stolen. The purse is "Kate Spade."

Nana stole the nice white elephant from Patti!  The nerve. 

Quinn with her new orange blow up toy after the fiesta was stolen from her. 

 

Quinn being a pick pocket and stealing from Grandpa's new purse. 

We had such a Merry Christmas!  We were overwhelmed with everyone's generosity and love!  It was a fabulous day!

The end

Christmas Recap Part 3

...Our Christmas Day can easily be divided into four parts with lots of pictures from each part...

Part 3:  The Sellers' House.

After Quinn's nap, we changed out of our Christmas jammies and headed up to the Dalan's parents' house for some more Christmas cheer, presents, and food.  VaRonica and Nathan are in Montana this year with his family, so we had to celebrate without them.  Miss you guys!  We opened gifts, and once again were spoiled.  We all received a "goat" for a third country that was purchased in our name.  Quinn got some books and a ton of clothes, so she was in heaven.  She would run around with each outfit saying, "mine, mine," after she would open it.  Dalan was in heaven, because he got his favorite snack food ever....cheese balls!  And I was just so happy with all the fun and thoughtful books LaDene always picks out for me.  They were so generous!

Dalan's cousins- Randy, Mindy, Morgan, and Teagan, along with his Uncle Dave, and Aunt Mary Lou, then joined us.  This meant more presents, and a yummy potato and soup bar.  Quinn had a blast running around with her cousins. They were chasing, hiding, and tackling.  She loved it!!!!!

Books!

Doing it all by herself!

It is better when my grandma helps me!

What is it?

Run, Run...."Mine, mine!"

Morgan, Quinn, and Teagan. There are four (these three, plus Keaton in Texas...miss you guys!) great grandchildren on Dalan's mom's side with two more due in March! 

Presents!

Giving her new toy from Morgan and Teagan kisses!

 

 

 

 

...Part 4, coming soon....

Christmas Recap Part 2

...Our Christmas Day can easily be divided into four parts with lots of pictures from each part...

Part 2:  The Carlson's House.

Next, we headed over to my parents' house for more presents and brunch.  Santa still visits us there, so it is a big affair.  I got a new comforter set, Dalan got Beats by Dre, and Quinn got a new baby doll, and about a billion other things, including a Weebles tree house from Ali and McKay and a Cabbage Patch Kid from Cole and Natalie.  Quinn was more awake and ready to show off for the crowd. She ripped open packages and squealed and yelled in delight.  She stole candy from my mom, and shoved it in her mouth as fast a possible.  She also ate several candy canes off the tree.  She was a hoot.  I think her favorite gifts were the clothes though, she held them all up tho herself to model them.  She is a fashionista indeed.

Brunch was super yummy, and everyone was happy, and full of food and the Christmas spirit by the time we left.

Playing ball with Ali and Cole while waiting to open presents. 

A baby! Quinn loves to suck on her doll's bottle.  This from a kid who refused a bottle for the first year of her life. 

Ripping right into those gifts!

Quinn was SO excited about everything!!!!

Santa always has to make one mistake.  He accidentally put some make up in Cole's pile. 

"I love them so much!"

Eating stolen candy canes from the tree.

All tuckered out!

...Part three, Coming Soon...

Christmas Recap Part 1

...Our Christmas Day can easily be divided into four parts with lots of pictures from each part...

Part 1:  Our House.

On Christmas morning, we woke up Quinn at 8:00 am, and went downstairs to see if Santa had visited us the night before.  And oh boy!  Did he ever!  Quinn got lots of toys and books.  She got a Rockin' Elmo, a Cabbage Patch Kid, blocks, books, a pillow pet, and a special Cookie Monster doll from daddy.  Santa brought a new treadmill to Dalan and me.

Quinn liked opening presents and was quiet and calm throughout the whole morning.  After we opened gifts, she was content to look at books until it was time to go over to my parents' house.

Piper barking up the stairs for Dalan and Quinn to c'mon already!

Quinn coming down the stairs.  She was really interested in the ceiling for the first time ever. 

Amazed and befuddled by all the presents on the couch!

Wow!  What is going on?

Quinn officially discovered she loves candy this week!

Sleepy baby!  We are not morning people! 

Hooray for new books!

Quinn and some of her Santa loot.  

... Part 2, Coming Soon....