2016 has come to an end. Looking back over the past year, it has been full of changes and challenges – opportunities for God to grow us and make us realize and remember our dependence on Him. It has also been filled with love and support – times to share and enjoy life together both as our small family and also with our extended family. When 2016 began we were still expecting our second baby (Anthony) and Cordelia was just starting to put a few words together. Now Anthony is walking around, trying to talk, and eating all sorts of foods (still no teeth). Cordelia has a large vocabulary and can talk it up, put puzzles together, and so much more.
We finished off December with a two week trip to visit with the Russin clan. First to Alabama for a week at a beach house and Aunt Hannah’s wedding. Then week two was a five day cruise to Mexico with one day at a quotprivatequot island.
Cordelia had great fun with her cousins. She held her own with the older (4yr) boy cousins, running around and playing in the sand. She also did a great job sharing and being gentle with her younger (22month and 17month) girl cousins. Being in new places always presents challenges and opportunities to test boundaries and we continue our parenting job in discipline and teaching. Corrie did a great job as a flower girl in Aunt Hannah’s and Uncle Louis’s wedding.
Anthony did pretty good with all the traveling and changes. Sleeping remained mostly intact, which always makes the day happier. He is a big ham and loves to wave and smile at everyone – as long as Mommy is holding him. He also had a little bit of play interaction with the younger girl cousins and enjoyed having more playmates around. His walking continues to improve and he’s still trying to talk. Unfortunately he tends to be loud, especially at food times, so that added to the noise during vacation. We are working with him to be more patient and to use his words and signs more rather than yelling.
Alicia finished her accounting class and passed with flying colors. Tim is continuing to enjoy his new tasks at work and is getting to work on some non-project related tasks under his new management direction. We all enjoyed seeing the Russin clan and getting to spend time with them again.
Happy 2017 and our wishes to you all for a great year.
