2011

This year.....

- I fell more and more in love with the daughter. I am enjoying her toddler-hood even more than the infant phase last year. Every moment spent either being with her or thinking about her brings me to a place of joy and peace. She is my best creation till date, and will always be!

- I LOVE watching the daughter sleep. I love that she falls asleep in my arms every night. I secretly hope this never changes.

- I spent 7 months this year with my parents. Including the 8 months we spent together last year, it's been an amazing 15 months with them. Much needed, much deserved - I have been away from home for 12 years now, and only managed to spend a few weeks every year with them until now. They are both retired, and need me more than ever. They adore the grand daughter, and it's just absolutely magical to see them soooooooo happy with her. I can't wait for them to come back next year for few more months!

- I feel extremely blessed and grateful to find a caregiver for the daughter who is loving, nurturing, trustworthy and sooper sweet. On most days, the daughter runs into her arms with a smile, and is hugged and kissed all day. She is fed well, and has never been miserable. As a mom, I leave a piece of myself when I leave my child in someone else's care, and I'm glad I found someone I can trust.

- I am also grateful and proud of myself, for deciding to switch to a reduced work week and stay home for 3-4 days every week and spend quality time with the daughter. Everyone has been very supportive of my decision, and it's been very rewarding too.

- My babie sister got married in January. The entire event went very well and was very memorable. Her husband and in-laws have blended with us so well, that it seems we've known them for years. They take great care of my parents in our absence, and have entered into our lives as a blessing.

- We traveled to Alaska, with mom n dad n the daughter. Even though there was rain in our forecast, we were greeted with sunny warm days during our stay. The glaciers, the wildlife, the wilderness, the midnight sunsets, the helicopter ride over Denali, the landing on a glacier - it was all surreal. Alaska is breathtaking.

- The daughter's cousins and aunt and grandparents visited her. Her cousins showered so much love - it melted my heart.

- I had many ups and downs with the husband, but we are ending the year on a high. Love is the deepest, trust and respect are the foundation, bond is the strongest. I brought humor and play into our relationship, and its working wonders.

- I learnt through experience, that even the closest of friends can become strangers. 

- I decided to take the minimalist route on many things. I disconnected cable TV and my cell phone data plan. We did not purchase any new gadgets or furniture for the house. We hardly ate out and chose to try new recipes at home. We reduced socialization - parties, gatherings - and chose to spend quality time at home as a family all year long.

- I read many good books this year - Born to Run, The Help, Steve Job's biography (yet to finish coz its very long), Rafa (Nadal's biography), etc.

- I managed to blog 83 posts in 2011 - which is equal to the combined total of posts from 2008-2010. That's pretty amazing!

- I chanced upon many great blogs - Business Musings, SouleMama, It's Not All Mary Poppins, Motherlode. I absolutely enjoy reading these (along with other favorites from previous years).

- I learnt to be much more patient this year, thanks to the daughter. There have been times when I'm literally on the edge, but I don't lose it. I cannot thank her enough for bringing more patience into my life.

- I learnt to live in the moment each day, just like the daughter. I enjoyed simple pleasures of life - sunsets, flowers in my garden, home cooked meals, presence of elders, the ocean, park visits, reading books, giggling - just to mention a few.

- I also learnt to be more humble and compassionate.

As this year comes to an end, I feel grateful for another healthy, adventurous, and fun year. I feel loved. I feel content. I feel blessed. I feel at peace.

Here's the daughter on 1-1-11....she was only 5 months old:

And here she is on Christmas 2011.....what a terrific year it has been watching her grow in front of our eyes.

How do you feel about 2011?