Happy New Year!

I know I haven't posted since Halloween-time, but I have been very busy at home. I have had a lot of freelance work since August, which has been wonderful for me and my family. With that and Duane's new job, we were able to have a very nice Christmas with each other and our respective families. Normally, I try to buy nice things for the people I love, but I have to draw the line at a certain amount, and I feel like a cheapskate. I know that it shouldn't matter how much I spend, but I like to get nice things for the families -- especially for all the nieces and nephews. And now that Rachel is more aware of what kinds of toys she enjoys, it was really nice to be able to buy her some nicer presents, instead of the many clothes she received from Santa last Christmas. And then Duane and I got to buy real presents for one another as well, and we didn't exchange anything last Christmas.

I have also fully transitioned into my new position at work, and it is much better than I had ever anticipated. I like being part of a smaller group of people. It is a strange feeling, not working IN the actual math department. I felt like a big part of that group. But the first day I went back downstairs to look for something, no one so much as said hi to me downstairs. A few of my friends always stop me to chat, but everyone else acts like I am an alien. I never would have thought I would be so easily dismissed by the people I used to work so closely with, but there you have it. To add to the weirdness, Kim and I sit farther apart than ever before. We see each other far less than usual (only once or twice a DAY!), so the adjustment has been strange. But the job itself is great! It took aware the part of my job I disliked the most and added some other operations aspects instead, and I have really enjoyed it. The people are nice, my boss couldn't be much more of an improvement (if you know what I was going through in the past, you would be chuckling right now), and I really don't mind going to work every day.

Duane has also fully transitioned into his new job, and on top of the perk of a bigger paycheck, he gets to decide when he wants to work OT, and he doesn't have to deal with the distraction of working with family anymore, which has improved his relationship with his parents quite a bit.

On top of all the work stuff, Rachel has blossomed into quite the little lady. Santa treated her very well, and she received her very first potty. She isn't ready for potty training just yet, but she takes a great interest in the concept of using the bathroom, so we decided to put the potty out so she can grow used to it. The first night it was out, she sat down on it and smiled. Maybe we will have her out of diapers by the time we decide to have another baby! (Don't get excited -- it won't be anytime soon.)

At her last doctors appointment, Rachel was 21 pounds (12th percentile), 32 inches (52nd percentile), and had a head circumference in the 90th percentile. So my child is long and lean with a BIG head! HA! Maybe she is a genius. She has developed so much in the last few months, adding more words to her vocabulary and developing new talents and interests. She really enjoys coloring, music (she also received a piano from Santa), and playing mommy. She carries her cabbage patch baby around with her and gives her a bottle. She still loves to play tea party too! Her latest words include "Happy," "Cheese," "Go-Go" (she calls most dogs this, because the sitter's dog is named "Cocoa"), and the sound effect "Shhhhh." She is very good at repeating what you want her to say, in her own way. By far, though, she is most interested in food. She can now reach our door handles, and she is accomplished at getting into the pantry and trying to get her graham crackers out.

As for our Christmas, Duane bought me a bed (the headboard and footboard) and a television for our bedroom. It has been WONDERFUL. I used to look at our bedroom and sigh, because it looked like a bachelor pad -- just a room with a bed in it. Now it feels like OUR bedroom. I got him, well, a motorcycle. He bought a motorcycle from his friend to replace his current motorcycle, which he might sell, or he might keep it as a streetbike. I also got him a new helmet, some cologne, and 2 tickets to an OSU men's basketball game.

I have been on a mission to lose some weight since Rachel was born, but I seem to have gone in the opposite direction lately. I started walking on our treadmill while I watch TV. I figure I am watching TV anyway, I might as well walk. It makes me feel pretty good about myself, though I haven't lost weight yet, so I am going to have to start a diet to cut down on the junk. So stay tuned for updates. I need to lose about 15 pounds before I will be happy with myself.

Duane and I decided to have a New Year's Eve party this year. It was quite an endeavor, because we never do anything halfway, but it was a lot of fun. Usually we make plans with one couple for NYE, and the plans generally fall through because the other couple is sick or something comes up. It is just our rotten luck. So we decided to have a full-fledged affair this year. I don't think we will do it again next year, but we hope that one of our friends will pick up the reins and it can be a rotating thing. We had a great time -- it was just a LOT to handle all at once, so it isn't something we would do every single year. And I think I am ready to move on to a more tame atmosphere too. After all, I am turning 30 this year. I can still have fun, but I'm definitely not in college anymore. My body suffers more for my decisions more than it used to.

The most exciting thing happening now is my LASIK eye surgery scheduled for this Thursday!!! I went in for a consultation, and I was a little disappointed with what I found out about the price. Then my friend referred me to Bloomberg Eye Centers and I was much more impressed. It is a big step for me, and even though the surgery is relatively routined, I am a bit worried. But the prospect of waking up in the middle of the night and being able to see the clock immediately, without reaching for my glasses, for the first time since I was 12 years old...well, I will take the risk. And for an extra $100 per eye, I am going to be able to have my vision retweaked at any point during my lifetime. It is my "motorcycle" of sorts. Duane doesn't understand fully because he has near-perfect vision, but for those of you out there who wear contacts or glasses, you know how frustrating it is to wake up in a blurry haze. And if we do plan to have another child, I would like the comfort of waking up for midnight feedings without having to find my glasses.

So moving forward, I will try to be better about updating my blog. Hopefully I didn't lose my faithful readers during the hiatus!