2013 has come and gone. I feel like the years are going by faster and I’m not sure if I like it. Actually, no I don’t like it. Either way, 2014 is coming whether I like it or not and the good thing is maybe the change in year will keep the great memories coming. I wanted to capture the most memorable moments of 2013 (good or bad) so I can look back and be like “oh, that’s when that happened”. If I remember it today, then I consider it a moment. It’s probably repetition from older posts but I’m getting old and don’t remember too many things anymore.
1. January 2013- I spent a whole two weeks in Louisville, KY for work. I was working on a global project and I was the support person for the operations group in Louisville. Needless to say it wasn’t going to be my last time there. It was the longest I was away from Ania and I missed her terribly. Thankfully, we got through it :)
We also lost my uncle Andy. Rest his soul. It was one of those moments we wish it were a happy one when all of us fot together. Unfortunately, it wasn't. I am thankful we spent his last Christmas with him. Uncle Andy was quiet but when he spoke he made you laugh. Gentle soul and always went out of his way to say hello. He balanced out my Tita Azon and he was loved beyond belief. He is definitely missed.
2. March 7, 2013- The pregnancy stick said I was pregnant. Tom and I had decided that when Ania turned one that we would think and start trying to expand our family. I downloaded an app called My Days to track everything. This is the world of technology. Anyway, it was déjà vu all over again because this was about the same time we found out we were pregnant with Ania.
3. April 7, 2013- The in-laws bought a home and moving to town (in August). Definitely an adjustment but I knew all good would come out of it. We also went to San Diego.
4. May 2013- The project I was working on went live! I went back to Louisville to finish up odds and ends. Thankfully, it went pretty smoothly and the team treated us by taking us to Churchill Downs. It was the first weekend after the Kentucky Derby so it was a neat sight to see! The manager knew someone (of course) and we had great seats right in front of the start/finish. What’s better that we were treated to an awesome buffet while catching the races. The whole experience was one I hadn’t seen/done before so this was definitely memorable. It was one of those things I would have thought to do, but did with great company.
5. July 2013- Two years. Tom and I celebrated our 2nd year anniversary. I got him white shirts as it’s the year of cotton and he surprised me with a broadway show (Book of Mormon) and dinner. We had dinner at Pass and Provisions and only stayed at the show until intermission. I was 6/7 months pregnant sitting next to a smoker covered in perfume and couldn’t move my legs. I wanted to go home and sleep. Being married for two years has definitely been challenging. This roller coaster ride Tom and I are on (and most likely every other married couple) is quite a journey!! I thought training for a marathon brought out all the emotions. No!! Being married and having kids brings out all the emotions x10! We’re still a work in progress where we agree to disagree and sometimes just disagree but at the end of the day we’re try to see the other sides point of view, forgive and move forward. It’s hard sometimes and we blame it on us living alone for so long (me, 8 years; him, 13+ years) that we’re still trying to intertwine our lives. At the end of the day, we’ve been through a lot in such a condensed amount of time that the next obstacle will be a mole hill. Tom is a great partner, father, husband and best friend (but tomorrow I may have other choice words ;) Inside joke, Tom.
6. July 2013- First time I travelled alone with Ania and being pregnant. We went to NY for the weekend and it was a success. Ania was so good and loved playing with her big cousins Polina and Christopher.
7. August 2013- The big girl bed. The day we turned around and Ania was climbing out of her crib (picture her straddling a horse) was the day she was ready for her big girl bed. So, I ordered her bed from Costco and her first night was interesting. It’s one of those times you want to laugh hysterically but at the same time we had to be stern with Ania. She would constantly get up from bed and when I would check on her she would be somewhere else. She’s adjusted well and loves her pillows and blankets.
8. September 20, 2013- 70! Mom turned 70 and us kids planned a surprise for mom to fly her sister down her. This was planned since March/April and was a success. Mom isn’t a flashy type of gal so we knew a huge party wasn’t her style. Mom is an intimate, quiet person (sometimes) that we knew she just wanted to be with her kids and her sister. Sure enough, Pols and fam surprised mom too and my girl cousins came also. They’re like our sisters so it’s like Rome has 7 sisters (3 of us and 4 of them). The obstacle to get here was definitely an adventure since the weather was bad that day in Houston. Their plane flew to Austin and not knowing when it would take off again, they rented a car and drove 3 hours to get her. Mind you, my aunt, 3 cousins and a 1.5 year old at the time. Talk about troopers! They finally arrived and my mom cried!! Followed by everyone else crying! With Pols, imagine the door bell ringing, mom opening the door and seeing Pols, Chris, Polina and Christoper. The kids yelled out surprise but mom didn’t know where she was. For a second, she thought she was in NY.
9. October 23, 2013- Cameron Talia Gramza born 3 weeks early and our lives changed forever again. She and her sister Ania are our greatest gift, lifelong friends and have an unbreakable sisterly bond. Talia is a quiet baby that loves to sleep, eat and show me her milk smiles. Her facial expressions already have me and her daddy laughing. We’re in trouble with these girls!
10. October 31, 2013- Ania is two. Full of energy and laughter. Very innocent and observant. Shy and quiet yet playful once the barrier is broken down. A kind baby girl who says ‘bless you’ after sneezing and asks if ‘you’re okay’ after you cough. When she make believes, she tucks us in, pats us on the shoulder, gives us a kiss on the cheek and says ‘sweet dreams’. She is a great big sister. She’ll walk up to Talia from coming home from school and give her a kiss, pats her on the back when she’s doing tummy time and let us know when ‘baby crying’. She urges us to play with her by “c’mon mommy” / “c’mon daddy”. She has conversations on her play phone by saying “ummm, sooo. Ok bye!” or by laughing walking by us. Ania is a gentle, passionate soul and I’m so blessed she’s my daughter.
11. December 17, 2013; PE Fire Protection. This is the day we found out Tom passed his exam. After 3 years, our prayers have been answered (and now he can celebrate a birthday with me. That’ll be a first for 2014.)
12. December 25, 2013; our first Christmas as a family of 4 and Talia’s first Christmas. A very low key day where Ania was under the weather so we relaxed the whole day, opened a few presents and watched a Christmas Story.
2013 was overall a very good year! Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014. Until next year….
