Happy New Year 2011!
by: Asher
Saela decided to take a break this year and thus I am flying solo with my first New Year's Note. The Greens have undergone some big changes over the last year and what should be noted first and foremost is that God has a plan, it was pre-determined and everything happens for a reason. The second thing to note is that God is Gracious and Good.
Clearly our biggest change was a move to North Carolina. After some soul-searching and multiple conversations with Daddy, other physicians and God - Mommy decided to further her training by doing an interventional spine fellowship. This brought us to Winston-Salem, NC for 14 months. Mommy and I moved at the end of April and Daddy and Saela followed at the end of May. It was a difficult month to be away from each other but thankfully it passed quickly. During that time, Mommy took her second set of oral boards and passed!! She is very grateful to have those behind her. Mommy has really enjoyed learning over the past year and knows this was absolutely the right decision although it was initially fraught with some heartache. We certainly miss the proximity of our family and friends in Michigan.
Daddy and Saela arrived in NC just in time to celebrate my 1st birthday!! Over the last year I have learned to crawl, walk, run, crawl up the stairs, walk up the stairs, almost fall down the stairs, sign a few words, say a few words, say 2-3 word phrases (Mommy's current favorite is "I don't know" while turning up my hands and shrugging my shoulders), turn on the water in the tub, aggravate my sister, play with the dogs (by throwing a ball), point at body parts, name body parts, assist with dressing/undressing, get into trouble, get out of trouble by snuggling in for a cuddle... What I have not learned, much to "Mammy's" dismay, is to expand my food repertoire. She would really like me to try more things...I'm just not ready. I try to remind her that it took a long time for her to like broccoli too. The dogs don't mind that I throw a lot of food on the floor and just like last year - Mommy still uses them as a canine broom.
Speaking of Jax & Jilly...they are fairly status quo. The place we were fortunate to rent does have a fence but the yard leaves a little bit to be desired so their exercise has dropped off a wee bit. This occasionally gives Jax a little anxiety - but over all this has been fairly well controlled over the last year. He did have two seizures early in the year - but none for almost for 4 months now...knock on wood! Jilly has had another chocolate eating episode. She DEVOURED an entire bag of Godiva dark chocolate - so Daddy and Mommy spent Christmas Eve Eve inducing her to throw it up. Fun times for them. Jilly seems no worse for the wear and we are all certain that given the opportunity - she would do it all over again. They still love attention and cuddles and seem a little lost when Steve goes into the office in Raleigh for work.
In October, Daddy took a new position with IBM and has been enjoying learning about his new position. He does travel to the Research Triangle Park office (where he worked before he married Mommy) on occasion to attend meetings etc. with part of his team. With this move, he will be doing less traveling overseas and that eases Mommy's mind a bit. The biggest change for Daddy after our move (aside from missing his family) is the loss of proximity to his beloved Michigan State Spartans. Despite a depressing bowl game - I'm sure he would have loved to see some of the wins that led to a Spartan football 11-1 regular season. Now, basketball season is upon us and although Daddy likes to cuddle with Mommy and watch them on t.v....she knows that part of him (okay a lot of him) would rather be seeing the action in person.
Last but not least this brings me to my big Sis Saela ("Sae-a, Sissy"). I love her. Mommy and Daddy love to watch me imitate her and she can almost always put a big smile on my face and illicit a big belly laugh with her antics. This does not mean that I do not choose to irritate her sometimes - I mean what are little brother's for? Saela has grown in many ways over the year. Her biggest accomplishment - she is potty trained! Once Mommy decided to take away the diapers - it really only took 2 days to train her. She was just resistant to change - not like anybody else in the family that I know. She has moved into the pre-school room at school and is enjoying the change. She likes to test Mommy's and Daddy's patience...sometimes this results in a lot of time-outs and tears. Little by little, "reason" is starting to work with her and we hope over time the outbursts will become fewer and farther between. Then, it will be my turn. :)
From our home to yours we wish you God's Blessings in 2011.
Love the Greens
Steve, Brenna, Saela, Asher, Jax & Jilly
