Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland

A year in review. Hard to believe it's time to think back over the past 12 months and reminiscence.  The last year has flown by... well sometimes it flew by, other times around 2 or 3 or 4 am it seemed to go a little slower... but really - looking back at those wakeful hours, they flew by too. 

  This year was the best year of my life. Don't get me wrong, I loved 2009 - being pregnant and having Makenzie, but even those joyous moment paled in comparison as I watched my little baby turn into a little girl.  2010 was the year of firsts... first smile, first laugh, first crawl, first walk, first tooth, first vacation... etc... It was such a joy to watch all of these big milestones in my daughter's life. One of the best parts of 2010 was witnessing my husband go from man to father.  There is a difference.  A man is confident, strong, and proud (amongst other qualities).  A daddy is all those things, but is also a little unsure, a softy, and proud for an entirly different reason. 
  I look forward to what 2011 has in store for the Probst Pride.  For me, it will hopefully be weight loss, relaxation, blogging more and more,  becoming an even better mommy and wife, and hopefully a new pregnancy to celebrate.
   Happy New Year Reader (12!!)

Sending and receiving Christmas cards are timeless ways to show your thoughtfulness during the holiday ~ quote from an advertisement

Christmas is over. It's time to undecorate the house, but before I do, I wanted to share with  you (reader 11!) my family Christmas card. A while back I blogged about our family photos that the amazing Scott did for us... we had a hard time picking just one photo for our card but after much deliberation we think we picked the perfect one!
 I ordered 50 of these little beauties from Vista Print and mailed them out on December 3rd.  I was told by many many people that our card was the first of the season for them.  That made me happy - considering I was balancing Makenzie's first birthday along side of all the Christmas preparations.  I was  very pleased with the cards that we received from so many of our family and friends... however... we only got 27 cards.  Two of the 27 came from my parents, and 3 came from Matt's parents... tucked along side some  Christmas Mexico money - so really we received from 24 families. Whats wrong with this picture? Where was everyone's holiday spirit? I have decided to keep all the cards from this year... most will have the photos cut out and put on Makenzie's bulletin board - and only those, along with the givers of the traditional cards will be receiving cards from us next year.  I know the whole saying "it's better to give then receive" but screw that... It's my turn to say Bah Humbug!

The greatest gift is a portion of thyself. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

A few years ago my best friends and I decided that our Christmas gifts to one another would be homemade.  I have always believed that the best gifts were handmade, because theoretically the person making them would be thinking of you while they created something extra special. They are also special because they are one of a kind and made with love... and blood and sweat and tears. literally.

  This year I decided to make advent calendars... I even got the husband in on the deal and he engraved little silver coins with each day - 1 thru 25.  My bestie, Reanna, made me snuggly warm pajama pants. I love them!!

We weren't the only ones that took the extra time to make homemade gifts - my boss/friend Stacy made me a scrapbook calendar so that I can proudly display my baby girl. And my sister in law, Wendy, made me a knotted blanket - probably because I stole my daughters knotted blanket that my niece, Stephie made for Kenzie's first birthday.  I suppose I will give it back now that I have one of my own!  

I hope all three of the girls that made me a special Christmas gift knows how much I love and appreciate each one. And each of them.

Did you, reader (ELEVEN!) make or receive something handmade this year?

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic

With Christmas quickly approaching there has been a few photo ops with the big man in red.  The first visit was at the Christmas party put on by our air base... we were only about 7th place in line of about 300 families.  So during the photo ops of the families prior to our turn I was able to show Makenzie who Santa is and that other children were letting him hold them.  Prior to this big party we had been reading stories about Mr. Claus and showing her videos on youtube of him singing (if you have little ones check out Santa singing Jingle bells on Youtube! Makenzie loves it!) When it was our turn she did awesome - no tears! and a darling little photo.


On Friday (two weeks after our first visit with HOHO) at around 2 we got a call from the base letting us know that a spot opened up on the Santa Train and asked if we would like to go... at 3 pm! we scrambled to get there in time, but so glad we did! The train took us out about a half hour outside of town and stopped - and then Santa came to each car and gave each person - not just each kid - a ornament.  Then it was time for a photo op... I handed over Makenzie and the melt down began... she was not impressed! Screaming and real tears followed.  I am sure it's just because there was no warm up time in meeting the big guy again. 

Sorry, Sant,a that your second visit with our little one didn't go very well... but please do not let that stop you from bringing her lots of goodies -  she really is a good girl!!!

One little candle, placed on the cake... One first birthday wish to make! ~ Author Unknown

First birthdays are like weddings.  How? With the exception of having to hire a dj (maybe next year!) the planning, the stress, the coordinating, the ordering, the wanting everything to be perfect is all the same.  At least for this momma.  A few posts ago I told you about my 18 foot banner and all the other too cute for words crafty items I was working on… do you remember (reader 9! Woooo we added one!)?  This weekend was finally the time to bring all the elements together.  I took part of Thursday and all of Friday off to finish up the details and Matty took Friday off too - together we made Makenzie's smash and the guest cake.  We split up the batter in 6 parts and dyed each one of the colors of the rainbow and then layered them into the pans. It cake out kinda looking like tie die but much much cuter! My parents came Friday as did my brother and his family, and Makenzie's GodParents and honorary Auntie. Saturday was the big day, which prior to the party consisted of frosting the cakes, picking up the balloons, dressing the birthday girl in tutu and matching onesie (which of course I made both).  

 Makenzie's actual party didn't start until noon but around 11:30 we started decorating the room rental. It turned out really cute, aside from the cowboy motif of room. Guests started to arrive and the party began! We enjoyed pizza and then it was time to open presents.  Our little princess did not get the concept that we should set an opened gift aside in order to open another... she was very upset she didn't have more time with each gift.  Next came the cake, and much like our trial run, she wasn't interested in having her hands dirty... she did eat more of the cake, but only from Mommy's fingers. 

All in all it was a success and we all had a good time. My mom said before I know it my baby girl will be getting married, and that if Makenzie's first birthday is any indication, her wedding will be the event of the year... but this mommy can definitely wait for that day.

 

I wonder if I can grow fangs when my baby teeth fall out. ~ Calvin and Hobbs

So my almost one year (in 3 days!) old has ONE tooth. ONE. This doesn't stop her from eating just about anything... she just gums it to oblivion.  They say the longer it takes the teeth to pop thru the stronger they will be... I have no doubt about the truth of this statement.  The lone tooth is a tough lil' bugger... so tough in fact that it can tear through a $300 crib with ease.

I was originally upset that Makenzie's crib was damaged so... especially since it's a grow with me crib that will convert into a toddler bed and then a full size.  Something we had intended for Kenzie to have all the while she lived under our roof.  However, a friend of mine said something that really made me feel better about the whole thing.  She said that her little girls both chewed up their grow with me cribs, and now that her girls are older, when she goes in to tuck them in at night she looks at those gnaw marks and smiles... they remind her when her girls were babies.  So now I embrace those teeth marks, because someday my little girl, wont be so little.

“Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company” ~ Lord Byron

Dear Teenage Kim,


Quit being hormonal all the time. You don’t even know what hormones are… just wait until you start taking medications to get pregnant… then you will know hormonal. Or better yet, wait until you are pregnant – then you will really know hormonal. Daddy is right (yes, we still call him Daddy), you are a brat. He’s not being mean. He’s pointing out the obvious. Your relationship with dad will get better… be patient. He’s keeping his distance but you will grow closer… especially around your wedding and when you have the baby.

I don’t want to tell you much about when things will happen, because we both know you will dwell upon that. You will let life pass you by waiting for the ring and the pacifier. Stop worrying so much!!  You think the world revolves around you… just wait until the world revolves around your child. Notice I am not telling you the sex of the baby – because you will start buying baby clothes now. You’ll do it anyways; they will be out of style by the time you have a baby. I’d tell you not to, but you are stubborn. Very stubborn. You will struggle to become pregnant. It will give you time to be a wife. It is the hardest thing you will ever go thru, but you will be stronger because of it. Your baby is so worth the wait.  It will make you a better mother.

Your mom is your best friend, you don’t realize it, but she is. Be nice to her, she puts up with a lot of crap from you. You have no idea how good you have it with her! She will be your rock – always has always will. Someday you will recognize it.  Don’t forget to tell her thank you - often. Your brothers and you will grow apart – but only because distance permits getting together more often.  Don’t forget to call them. When you come together it will feel as though no time has passed. You will enjoy your nieces and nephews – they are pretty awesome.

You’ll have a zillion boyfriends - you will learn things from every one of them – mostly what you do and do not want in a partner. You will learn what hate is. But first you will love. You will have your heart broken. It hurts. It will not kill you, but it will feel like it is. Please know that you will love and be loved a thousand times more. Your husband is AMAZING!!!

College will be EPIC! You will love it! Be sure to remember to actually learn. Don’t just cram the info in your head and lose it after the test… you will wish you would have retained it… even the classes you hate. Your future husband will be a bit of a nerd – he will talk about this stuff… It will save you much Google time. What’s Google? One of the most valuable tools on the internet? What’s the internet? One of the best time passers of all time. You will make a big mistake during college. It’s not the end of the world in the long run. It’s just another lesson in life.

You will lose contact with every one of your high school friends. Every single one. You will regain their friendships later, thanks to Facebook. What’s Facebook? Maybe if I told you, you would develop it on your own and be a billionaire… but that’s not your destiny. You will make great friends in college – some will be your sisters for life. You will learn what "best friends" are after college – They are amazing. You will have an instant connections. 

You will have many career aspirations. They are good for you. Keep dreaming. Even in my thirties I still dream. You will have good jobs. Be thankful.
Lastly, don’t forget to love yourself. It will be hard. Life is NOT easy – but you are who you are because of it. You are beautiful. Shine.

Love, 30 something  Kim

Teen Kim



Thirty something Kim