11 Months

Bishop is 11 months old today! I cannot believe it's been 11 months already and that he'll be ONE in a month!! Time has flown and it has been such a wonderful year--full of lots of smiles and giggles...one of the best!!

Bishop started walking behind "walkers" this past weekend and he LOVES it. The very first time he did it, he literally RAN behind the walker!! He's so proud and he always has a huge smile!!

He continues to climb up the stairs as fast as he can and he gets so excited to make it all the way up without help.

His neck seems so much better--and we go back to PT on Thursday, so hopefully things are moving in the right direction!

Bishop being silly! He loves to bite things and carry them around in his mouth.

Climbing stairs and So Big

Bishop has been climbing up the stairs any chance he can get lately! He's getting pretty good at it and he is so proud of himself when he gets to the top! It's really fun to watch him have so much fun--he just laughs and laughs on the way up!

The other new fun thing he's been doing is "So Big"-he'll raise his arms as high as he can and give you the biggest smile he has...he is so proud!

Happy New Year

Happy 2011!!

We spent the new year up on the North Shore. We weren't planning on going, but found a great last minute deal, so decided to go up and ski and swim with the Hennum's. We had a great time, although Bishop and Luke were sick. We were able to swim with the kids and ski, and it was great getting out of town for a few days!

Taking a pit stop on the way up so Bishop could stretch out and "drive"-he LOVED it!

Skiing at Giant's Ridge on New Years Eve

Bishop's first time "skiing" in the Chariot--he loved it and slept most of the time!

Hanging out in the cabin in his new outfit from Grandpa and Grandma Froehle

Swimming with Siena and Maia

Skiing at Gooseberry on New Years Day

Due to the fact that there was some stomach flu going around the adults made it up to watch the ball drop in NY (11pm) and then we were all out....at least for a few hours!

2010 was a wonderful year for our family!! The highlight was obviously the birth of Bishop!! He has brought so much joy into our lives, it's unbelievable! It's hard to imagine what our lives were like without him!! We experienced a lot of change in 2010-we sold our house, bought a house (while I was laid 0ff), moved and did a renovation, while living in the house (I don't recommend that with an infant)! :) Looking back, we have so much to be thankful for and we have a very healthy and happy family and nothing beats that! I am excited for 2011, as it will be another exciting year--I am SO excited to meet my niece and to continue to watch Bishop learn and grow!

Christmas 2010

What a WONDERFUL Christmas we had!!

Bishop with his Great Grandparents, the Lokens

Christmas Eve

Bishop was spoiled with lots of fun toys and clothes--and he loves them all! We went to Christmas eve service at Trinity and Bishop did great! He loves all the people and the music...he just smiles at everyone! At one point Luke stood in the outside aisle with him and he was enamored with the stone wall. He also tried giving people "high fives" as they walked back to their pews, but noone took him up on it! He is so interactive and fun these days--absolutely everything is more fun!

Bishop playing with one of his new toys!

Bishop being silly with one of his new toys!

Christmas day we celebrated with the Froehle's at the Danielson's, which was a lot of fun. Bishop LOVED their train and he crawled around in a circle trying to catch it!

Grandpa and Grandma Froehle

Uncle Jake

Of course, Christmas went WAY too fast and I was sad to see it end! We all had so much fun and it was great that we could all be together!! It was especially special for me this year because I was able to completely enjoy everything leading up to Christmas, as last year I was on bedrest.....it was WELL worth it though and it made me appreciate this Christmas even more!

The Bishop Christmas

Last Saturday we hosted "The Bishop Christmas"! It was a lot of fun and ALMOST all of the "Bishop's" could make it--we were 3 short! Santa even made a visit! :)

Sunday Rich and Eileen came to visit and watched BIshop for a few hours so Luke and I could go skiing...I hadn't been skiing in over 2 years, and it felt GREAT to get out! I definitely have a long way to go to get in shape, but I'm excited to get back into it!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!

December

I'm sorry I've been slacking on the blog the past 2 weeks....life has been crazy, looking for a job, getting ready for the Holidays, etc.

Here is a snapshot of the past 2 weeks:

Bishop's first time seeing Santa...it went really well, he didn't cry, which impressed Santa!

Bishop and Johnny visiting Santa

Bishop has his TOTS collar on for his torticollis. It doesn't bother him while he's wearing it and hopefully it's working!

Last Friday we hosted 24 of our best friends for dinner at our house. Thankfully, our friend, Raul, who is a chef did all the cooking--the food was AMAZING!! Everyone had a great time and it all worked out perfectly having everyone seated facing each other....I think we've started a new tradition (the old one was going to The Lexington).

Bishop was at Gpa and Gma B's for the weekend and it sounds like they ALL had a GREAT time! :) Bishop started pulling himself all the way up and he does it all the time now, it's so fun! Gpa B was teaching Bishop how to dribble and bounce pass...Bishop was enjoying that quite a bit and he's been practicing at home too!

We were supposed to have another Holiday Dinner on Saturday night, but the weather prevented us from doing that. Our two friends, Raul and Aric were stranded at our house until Sunday morning....it was fun to have them here (especially since Raul continued to cook for us)

We are gearing up for Christmas and we'll host Bishop Family Christmas at our house on Saturday--so that'll be fun.

Tough week

I know it's been a little while since I've posted and A LOT has happened in the past 2 weeks.

I found out last Thursday that I lost my job. We were all expecting the call and after MANY rounds of cuts, unfortunately, this time I didn't make it. Whether or not it's a good thing or not...I'm not alone. A lot of my good friends and colleagues lost their jobs right along with me. I was with Sanofi-aventis for 7 years and have had a roller coaster of emotions the past week. It's really hard not going to work everyday and not knowing what my future holds. Thankfully, the company is taking care of us, so that helps. My new job is looking for a job...and let me tell you, it's more than a full time job! I have been busier this past week than I would have ever thought.

The good news is I found something already and I've been offered a position. The tough part is it's a job that is completely different and not something I would have "sought out"...I had 2 interviews and was offered the job today--I asked for some time, as things moved along much faster than I had imagined and the hiring manager was gracious enough to allow me some time to think about it and get my bearings.

I'll be honest--2010 has been a very difficult and challenging year. The most challenging year, yet. But, I have SO much to be thankful for and a WONDERFUL husband and loving son, who I just can't get enough of!! I do believe everything happens for a reason and I believe something better is out there-it's just a matter of how long it'll take to find it!

On a different note--Bishop has had a tough week too. We found out last Thursday (same day I lost my job) that he needs a TOTS collar for his torticollis, which he was fitted for today. It's a plastic collar with hard plastic so he can't tilt his neck to one side. He'll wear it whenever he's awake (and being watched) and so far it doesn't seem to bother him (not much does)!! He also has had a little sickness and was sent home from daycare on Monday with a fever. He's doing MUCH better now.

We celebrated Eileen's (Luke's mom's) birthday with her and Rich on Tuesday night by spending the night in Cold Spring. It was such a nice night and it was extra special since we weren't able to be together for Thanksgiving.

Let me know if you hear of any sales jobs in Minnesota--I'm actively looking and appreciate any leads you may have. Although it's been a tough year, I do believe better things are in store and I'll end up in a better place overall!