2008, how I loved you so.

At a restaurant in Solvang New Year's Eve Day

Colten James, Mountain Man.

On Papa's back

Christmas Dinner

Christmas Morn

Okay, okay. I'm finally blogging. I haven't written anything since Thanksgiving, and it's been much too long of a break. I'm not sure where to begin, so I'll just start with Colten. He is now six months old! (Christmas is his half birthday, incidentally). He weighs well over 20 pounds now, has two bottom teeth poking up out of his gums, and can finally roll over by himself (sometimes). His first Christmas was great -- he got tons of clothes and a few good toys from Grandma and Grandpa and Great Grandma Hutchins. He especially likes things that make noise when you hit them on other things. I think he's going to be stoked on my piano when I finally get it to our new place (it's been at Tim's sister's for forever). Oh, and this is interesting: Tim and I think he may be left handed. He uses his left hand for reaching and grabbing and even sucking his thumb. So we'll see about that one. We're also just barely beginning to give him solid food here and there. I don't believe he actually needs it yet for nutrients - it's more just about getting him used to new tastes. He is just so much fun right now. He laughs hysterically at the strangest things (like when people sneeze), he flirts with strange women in retaurants, and he still prefers being held by me more than anything else. Today, New Years Eve, Tim and the baby and me took a drive out to the Santa Ynez Valley and walked around Solvang all afternoon. We decided it would be easier to wear Colten in his carrier rather than use the stroller, and he was stoked! Tim wore him for the first time on his back and Colten loved it. Tonight we're just hanging out around the house...we've attempted a fire in the fireplace but can't seem to keep it lit. It's nearly 9pm and people are already texting me Happy New Years messages like crazy. The baby's passed out on the couch, and I think Tim and I may play an exciting game of Scrabble here soon. I've got a number of good resolutions written out for 2009...they include things like maybe trying to plant a garden, going surfing sometimes, and spending more time in the backyard doing nothing. I've already got myself wildly over-committed for this next year. No need to make myself crazy trying to lose thirty pounds or anything as equally rash. Wow, I'm suddenly realizing how quickly 2008 went. I didn't do a whole lot...besides have a baby. And move. And I got to see some friends get married. And I guess we also did that whole aerospace certification thing for work. I also started tutoring again. And we went camping a few times. And I gained and then lost something like, I don't know, 70 pounds. So now that I think about it, maybe I did do a lot. And now that I'm really thinking about it, I'm sad to see 2008 go. What am I saying? 2008 has been the greatest year of my life. 2008 was the year that Colten came.