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Last year, I copied Cindy and wrote my Best of 2008. I had intended to do more summary posts from 2008, but I don’t think I got around to it. So, here is my attempt at the Best of 2009!

Best Restaurant: Once again, we didn’t really eat out very much. We had an anniversary dinner at Second Empire, which was new to both of us. I ate at Poole’s Diner for brunch before my Christmas date with Audrey. Those were the two notable restaurants. Both were very good, but I think I’m actually going to make an odd choice here and not go for “tastiest” or overall great experience but make the choice based on the frequency and convenience of Ruckus Pizza. We find it easy to take Maddie and have found it to be a good place to go with family and friends. We like the pizza and garlic knots.

Best Book: This is always a difficult category for me. I don’t get the opportunity to read as often as I did before having Maddie, but I still read enough to make it a challenge to pick the “best.” Once again, I’m going to limit this to books that I read for the first time this year (My Sister’s Keeper and To Kill a Mockingbird are disqualified). I choose The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This is a book club pick for March, so I’m a little ahead in reading it. Of course, I haven’t yet read the books for January or February, so I’m not that ahead.

Best Vacation: We actually managed to take several significant trips this year that did not involve visiting family at their homes. We went to Bermuda, Cincinnati, and New England/Canada. All were wonderful trips! I’d have to pick the New England/Canada cruise as the best of the year.

Best Movie: We didn’t get to watch too many movies this year. We saw even less in 2009 as we did in 2008. One of these days, we’ll get to the theatre more often, though I have a feeling we’ll be seeing even more kids’ movies. I’d have to say the best movie that we saw this year was Pixar/Disney’s Up.

Best Reunion: While this isn’t a reunion exactly for me, it was great to finally meet Gabe’s dad, sister, and niece on our trip to Cincinnati.

Best Album: I just don’t listen to new music all that much these days. Gabe got a bunch of new albums for Christmas, but I haven’t had a chance to give them all a listen. I guess I’ll have to pick Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants (another children’s album). I haven’t had a chance to listen to it too much, but I’m hoping Maddie will like it, too!

Best Board Game: I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this category last year. We were exposed to several new games this year as we had the opportunity to play more this year. My favorite by far has to be Dominion (and associated expansions). It has great replayability, is fairly easily accessible for less serious gamers, and plays awesome with two players.

Best Video Game: This is another new category for 2009. I have to admit that I barely played any video games, but I wanted to include the category so I could plug our newly acquired New Super Mario Bros for the Wii. Fun! Maddie shows some interest in “playing the Mario,” and we hope to turn her into a mini video gamer sometime in 2010!

Best TV show: I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this one last year either. Let’s see, looking over my Fall Television Update, I think I’d have to pick either LOST, Chuck, Gossip Girl, or Dollhouse. Tough choice! Since LOST and Chuck haven’t started yet for this season, I think I’ll have to pick Dollhouse. Too bad the series only has a few more episodes. It seems like we often like shows that get canceled. Boo.

Favorite toy: Ok, this is random, but I’m trying to pick MY favorite toy of Maddie’s (not necessarily her favorite). I think I’d have to go with her new Melissa & Doug Sandwich Making Set from Christmas. The wooden pieces are cool, and I love how they stick together with velcro and are quite satisfying to cut with the “knife.” Fun toy!

Something that made me happy this week: I know I’ve used this one before, but I really enjoy seeing Maddie and her best buddy Keira play together. This week, they actually interacted more than they have in the past. Most of the time they are just playing near each other. They actually played games like “put each other down for naptime.” It was very sweet.

Something I’m thinking: There’s no place like home.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping that everything goes well with our prenatal appointment and Maddie’s foot doctor, both this week.

Something happening around the house: We’re home! Maddie was excited to see all of her toys.

Something I’m reading: I didn’t read at all this week. I need to finish Loving Frank before book club next week.

Something tasty I ate this week: A very tasty Thanksgiving dinner at Gabe’s parents’ house. Yum!

Something Maddie did this week: She saw some wildlife at the mountain house and was excited about it. She told everyone, “I saw deer” (only sounded like a very southern “dee-uh” - too cute!).

Something happening with the pregnancy: Our son’s Kentucky grandparents were able to feel him kicking which was a special moment for everyone.

Something I struggled with this week: We enjoyed seeing friends and family, but it was a long week away from home!

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Nothing in particular.

Something I learned this week: We learned a lot of fun facts while playing Wits & Wagers.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Prenatal appointment, dinner and games with friends, games night, my annual Christmas date with Audrey, and a visit from the cleaners. Lots of stuff!

Something random: My father-in-law has a Globetrotters basketball signed by “Big Easy,” one of this season’s Amazing Race contestants.

Something captured: My awesome family on Thanksgiving Day.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Playing board games with friends.

Something I’m thinking: I’m thinking I should probably take a shower while I have a chance.

Something I’m hoping: That Gabe’s business trip goes smoothly and I survive a couple days of single parenting.

Something happening around the house: We finally ordered and received two harddrives to be used for backing up our photos and mp3s. Our old drive suddenly lost 350 gigs of photos and songs. Yikes! I’m trying to recreate my backups from CDs and hope that I don’t have to go through the painful recovery process on the old drive.

Something I’m reading: I didn’t have time for books this week either. I’m definitely in a reading slump.

Something tasty I ate this week: I made some Funfetti cake with chocolate Funfetti icing. Tasty!

Something Maddie did this week: She had a swimming lesson yesterday. She would have enjoyed it better if Gabe had been in the pool.

Something happening with the pregnancy: I had my first appointment with the new practice this week. I’m not sure what to think quite yet, but I don’t really have a lot of time to try a bunch of practices. I’m going to stick with this one unless I am given a reason to switch. It’s a little stressful to change doctors mid-pregnancy.

Something I struggled with this week: Our power went out last Sunday night, and we were totally unprepared! I always get paranoid when unexplained power outages happen. Turns out that our flashlight batteries were dead and we were unable to find replacement batteries. Our best “flashlights” were our laptops. We’ve added “acquire decent flashlights” to our to do list.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I haven’t thought about it much lately, but I plan to go through my list soon to see what I can start checking off the list.

Something I learned this week: That Daddy should be in the pool for Maddie’s swim lessons. We’ll be sure that he swims with her next week! She really is such a Daddy’s girl.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Gabe coming home, dinner with friends, and a visit from my parents.

Something random: Earlier this week, I dreamed that I was having a girl. In my dream, she was around 1 year old, and her name was Sarah. Last night, I dreamed I got a new iPhone - this one has a higher chance of coming true!

Something captured: Enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend. You can see evidence of her snack with the crumbs on her face.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Seeing our baby boy on the ultrasound.

Something I’m thinking: It’s just a little over two months until Christmas - yikes! I have been thinking about some of our gifts, at least…of course, most people probably haven’t given any of it much thought. What can I say, I like to plan ahead.

Something I’m hoping: Same as last week…I’m still hoping to get the trip reports done for our cruise. Once I get those and the photos done on the website, I can get started on the photobook. I promised my family that I’d put together the photobook for everyone.

Something happening around the house: Gabe painted Maddie’s room! He isn’t quite finished with the deck, but he went ahead and painted her room so that I’ll be able to get started on her mural. I traced the patterns today and need to get some paints soon.

Something I’m reading: I’m still not reading. Maybe this week.

Something tasty I ate this week: I made pancakes for my family yesterday morning. Yummy! Maddie loves them (and so do we!).

Something Maddie did this week: She added a new tooth for a grand total of 6 teeth. Her teeth are taking forever to come in!! She may have one or two more, but she won’t let me feel around her gums to see. She’s definitely still teething.

Something happening with the pregnancy: We had our level II ultrasound! Unfortunately, our baby boy wasn’t cooperating and wasn’t too photogenic. We only got a few photos and none of the typical profile shots. Oh well.

Something I struggled with this week: This isn’t a struggle exactly, but I’m coming to the conclusion that Maddie has definitely regressed with her sleeping. Since our trip, I think she’s only slept through the night in her crib once or twice at most. She has been sleeping at least several hours in our bed each night (and lately more than that). Teething or adjusting from our vacation could be to blame? It is very sweet to cuddle with her in the bed. I wonder what changes we might have when we transition her to the big girl bed or stop using the pacifier at night.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I went to a new dentist and made an appointment for a new ob/gyn (well, that’s not one of my goals). I still have one more prenatal appointment with my current doctor.

Something I learned this week: Jim and Pam got married on The Office (and maybe are having a baby?). I gathered this from Facebook updates and blogs. We loved the show but had to drop it last year as we just don’t have time for all the shows we want to watch. We’ll catch up on Netflix one of these days…

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Games “night!”

Something random: Gabe and I shouldn’t be allowed to buy Halloween candy over 3 weeks early. We’ve both been eating a bit of it each day, and I’m pretty sure that we won’t have any left by Halloween.

Something I captured: Our son’s little feet.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Playing board games.

Something I’m thinking: Tomorrow is Gabe’s birthday!

Something I’m hoping: To get trip reports and photo albums from our cruise finished on the website while my memories are still fairly sharp.

Something happening around the house: Gabe was able to work a little bit on the deck this week. It’s getting close to being finished. I can’t wait…mostly because I want to get Maddie’s big girl room painted!

Something I’m reading: I didn’t read anything this week. I need to get moving on this month’s book club selection, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

Something tasty I ate this week: Gabe’s birthday cookies by Whimsical Cookies.

Something Maddie did this week: Maddie cracked up her teachers this week when she was babbling at the end of naptime, and they felt like she was saying an inappropriate 4-letter word. They learned in the next few days that she was saying “ship.” Whew!

Something happening with the pregnancy: I’m starting to notice some swelling which I think is a bad sign. I had a lot of swelling with Maddie, so I’m hoping that it’s not going to be as bad as that. I think it’s probably time to stop wearing my wedding band.

Something I struggled with this week: I lost a filling this weekend. It’s not pleasant having a big ragged hole in your tooth. I’m hoping to get into the dentist ASAP.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I asked friends for recommendations for a new dentist. I may be following up on my leads very soon (given my immediate need for dental work). Changing doctors stresses me out (see also “something I learned”).

Something I learned this week: I learned that my primary ob/gyn has become a solo practitioner. I’m thinking that this may adversely affect the practice, and I may switch doctors mid-pregnancy.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Our Level II ultrasound tomorrow and dinner with friends.

Something random: Not all random selections of kingdom cards in Dominion work very well.

Something I captured: Gabe’s fancy birthday cookies. Go Bengals! Go Wildcats!

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me smile this week: I played the “gimme 5, up high, down low/too slow” game with Maddie a few days ago. She caught on fast and started saying “down low” as soon as I said “up high.” She eventually stopped playing along since she knew I was going to trick her! She cracked me up every time she said “down low.”

Something I’m thinking: I’m so tired! Games Night was fun, but we stayed up too late and woke up too early.

Something I’m hoping: To watch a movie with my hubby tonight, if we can both stay awake once I finish writing this.

Something happening around the house: Gabe is still working on his deck project. He made some progress on it today while I entertained Maddie. It is very tedious work.

Something I’m reading: I finally finished The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, just a day or so before book club! The next book is My Sister’s Keeper which I have read twice now. Once about 4 years ago and then again in the last few months (after I saw the movie).

Something tasty I ate this week: Hrm, nothing stands out too much. We had a pretty lazy week with our food.

Something Maddie did this week: She had her 18-month appointment where she weighed 22 pounds, 5 ounces (with her clothes on) and is now in the 20th percentile. Seems like she’s getting plenty to eat, despite the fact that she eats like a bird all the time. She’s still a little thing!

Something happening with the pregnancy: Still not feeling the baby move all that much. I’m looking forward to the more obvious kicks and punches.

Something I struggled with this week: A little bit of sickness with a cold and either food poisoning or a stomach bug. We’ve all been a little under the weather this week.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Not much, though I did go to book club, so I guess that counts for staying active in at least one book club.

Something I learned this week: That Maddie has a sort of scar on her forehead from hitting her head a month or so ago. She’s dented (literally). The doc said that it will probably never heal though she will grow and the dent will not. It’s not too big now but is just something I had noticed since her big bruise.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Dinner date with Keira and her Mommy, book club movie outing, and visiting with family. Big week!

Something random: Gabe rescued a praying mantis who had made its way inside our house and released him into the wild.

Something I captured: My sweet little girl and me.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me smile this week: We had a routine pregnancy appointment on Monday and heard the healthy heartbeat for the first time. After being so sick last week, it was a relief to hear that beautiful sound.

Something I’m thinking: I’m thinking about how crazy I was to take on this yard sale stuff. It’s taking over everything!!! Fortunately, the first one is pretty soon, so we’ll see how it goes.

Something I’m hoping: I am hoping that bedtime is going smoothly for Maddie. Gabe is putting her to bed. I’m not hearing much, so that might be a good sign.

Something happening around the house: Pretty much the big thing around the house for the next two weeks is the yard sale. Donations can be found in almost every corner of the house. It’s a tad crazy!!!

Something I’m reading: I’m still reading My Sister’s Keeper and should finish it this week. I’m on the library waiting list for our book club’s August book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I hope that it arrives on time!

Something tasty I ate this week: We had new muffins this morning that were not too shabby - I’m still looking for a replacement for my favorite blueberry streusel muffins that have apparently been discontinued. We tried a cinnamon streusel this morning. They aren’t nearly as tasty as the blueberry ones, but they are pretty good.

Something Maddie did this week: We went out to dinner as a family earlier this week. The food was awful, but the company was wonderful! The meal took longer than it should have, but Maddie was great the whole time. She also tasted several foods that we were surprised that she would even touch. Afterward, we went to the grocery store and she had the time of her life running around the aisles.

Something happening with the pregnancy: The news of my pregnancy became public this week! Sadly, I’ve already received two inappropriate and insensitive remarks. Amazing what people feel that they can say to a pregnant woman!!!

Something I struggled with this week: I struggled with putting Maddie to sleep last night when Gabe was out playing poker. Gabe definitely has far more patience than I do when it comes to putting her to bed. It finally worked, but she used every trick in her secret book.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: We bought and put together bookshelves, organized the games, donated quite a few to the National MS Society yard sale (over 50!), and updated the database list (it had been a while). We have a few more things to do before I can call this project done and check it off on my goals list. It looks great!!! We’ve also raised almost $500 for the National MS Society already, and the first yard sale is still about two weeks away.

Something I learned this week: I learned that “new baby” is about the size of a peach - so big already!

Something I’m looking forward to next week: For once, our activities last week didn’t get canceled! We’ve had a great weekend visiting with friends. This week, I’m excited about book club. We’re also going to a wedding next weekend.

Something random: When cooking, I absolutely hate cracking eggs and handling raw meat.

Something I captured: I figured it was time to post some of the chaos around the house. This photo just scratches the surface. I really should walk through the house with the video camera…

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me smile this week: We got back our framed family photo from Catherine Keene Photography. I love it! Now we just have to figure out where we want to hang it.

Something I’m thinking: I like watching the cake shows (lately, we’ve been watching Cake Boss and I recorded a few Ace of Cakes to try). I love fancy cakes!! It makes me so nervous when they transport the cakes. I’m always afraid they are going to drop it and ruin the whole thing (which actually happened on Cake Boss recently, so it does happen!). I do wonder if some of the “disasters” and drama on Cake Boss are real or orchestrated by the production crew.

Something I am hoping: I hope I’m not getting sick! I woke up with a bit of a cough/congestion in my chest, and I’m hoping it goes away. I haven’t felt too bad today though I know it’s “there.” Hopefully, I’ll be just fine in the morning.

Something happening around the house: Our house is still a bit of a wreck from the games day/night that we hosted on Saturday. We had a great time! Both Gabe and I were able to play some boardgames and get in some time playing with the little kids.

Something I’m reading: Other than a few articles here and there from Parenting magazines, I’m not reading much. I keep thinking about starting a new book, but I haven’t been motivated.

Something tasty I ate this week: We had some very tasty and healthy meals this week with some items from our produce box. We grilled chicken twice this week and had steaks on the grill another night. Along with our grilled meats, we had fresh green beans, fresh corn on the cob, and mashed red potatoes. All of the veggies came from The Produce Box. I didn’t realize how much that I liked fresh green beans and fresh corn (though I do like to cut it off the cob, but that’s another story).

Something Maddie did this week: She’s starting to get the hang of this sleeping thing. This week, she stayed in the crib asleep from bedtime until 6:40am (yes, pretty much precisely 6:40am) at least 3 times. For us, this is a miracle.

Something I struggled with this week: Maddie has started to become a bit of a bully when it comes to other pint-sized visitors to our house. She’s quite possessive of her toys, even the ones she normally doesn’t give a lick about. She’s even learned the word, “mine.” Where did she learn that? I’m pretty sure we don’t say it. We do say things like, “no, Maddie, that’s Mommy’s” but I don’t think we say “that’s mine” to her? Where did she learn “mine?”

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Hrm, nothing specific, really. I have thought about starting on Maddie’s Christmas stocking. The year is half over, and it’s going to take me a while to cross-stitch. I know I need to get started sooner than later. Gabe doesn’t think I can do it.

Something I learned this week: How to play the board game Maori. Earl and Michelle brought this one to games night, and Gabe and I were both able to play it (separately). The game is fairly quick, and I liked it. I’ll have to add it to my wish list…

Something I’m looking forward to next week: We have poker and a few play dates this week. Fun stuff!

Something random: I had a realization the other day that my mother may not have always been a morning person. I asked her to confirm. Yep. Before I was born, my mom was most certainly NOT a morning person. So weird. I just assumed my whole life that she was a morning person naturally. I had no idea that she was a morning person out of necessity…and now here I am, waking up before 7am every day and actually functioning.

Something I captured: Gabe got out his guitar and played a few songs for Maddie. As soon as he sat down on the floor with the guitar, Maddie sat down in front of him just like she does at music class at school. It was so cute!!!

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me smile this week: Watching Maddie run on the decks of the ship was the highlight of the trip for me. She was shrieking with joy. I loved seeing her so happy.

Something I’m thinking: I have a lot of photos to sort from our trip!!!

Something I am hoping: I’m hoping to get the time to put together a photobook from the trip. I also still need to finish last year’s photobook(s).

Something happening around the house: We had another games day/night at our house yesterday. I was able to play several “real” games, thanks to Gabe having “baby duty” for the majority of the night.

Something I’m reading: I mostly read The Daily Compass schedules on our cruise this week! I started reading Practical Magic and hope that I can finish it before Wednesday - yikes, not much time left! I have quite a bit left in Parenting, Inc. for the Mothers & More book club in a few weeks.

Something tasty I ate this week: Out of all the things that I ate on the cruise, I feel like mentioning the oatmeal. YUM! I love the real oatmeal that I had on the cruise and all the little sides of brown sugar, raisins, and almonds. So tasty!

Something Maddie did this week: She took her first cruise!

Something I struggled with this week: We didn’t have too many struggles while on vacation aside from things like worrying about whether the baby has enough sunscreen and how to entertain her at meals.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Gabe and I both went to the spa for professional massages on the cruise. It was wonderful. Gabe enjoyed the hot stones massage. Rocks make it a bit more manly, right? I’ve marked both of these goals off my list.

Something I learned this week: I learned that Maddie absolutely LOVES her stroller. She kept begging to ride in it while we were on the cruise. When we came home, we had to hide it so she didn’t throw a fit every time that she saw it.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: I’m glad to have a holiday tomorrow. I still need some recovery time from our trip! The cleaners are coming this week. I also have book club, if I can finish this month’s selection…only a few more days!!!

Something random: While in Bermuda, we traveled over the smallest drawbridge in the world. Somerset Bridge was built in 1620 and opens 22 inches, just barely big enough to allow a sailboat’s mast to pass.

Something I captured: We bought several of the photos from the ship’s photographers. Here’s one of our favorites from formal night.

Santa brought us the Mayfair board game, Shear Panic. While Gabe’s parents and nephew were visiting, we had a chance to play the game. We played the 4-player version. In the 4-player game, each person has two sheep in their designated color. The sheep are initially organized in a 3×3 grid, with a black sheep added in the mix to make 9 total sheep. The board is used for scoring and determining the current phase of the game. Each phase has different rules for how and when to score. Depending on the round, points are awarded for having your two sheep close together, being as close as possible to the black sheep, how close your sheep are to Roger, and how far your sheep are from the Shearer.

I enjoyed playing the game. It was a little different, though some of the play was a little awkward. I also cannot decide if it is possible to have much strategy in the four player game. It seems like some strategy would pay off, but it may be too random in between turns to really be able to plan. Time will tell with subsequent plays.