A new beginning

Life is full of beginnings and ends.  It's a cycle of learning, failures, and triumph.  At the start of 2015, my family is at the beginning of building a new life, in a new city.  As I reflect back on 2014, I am mostly glad to have left it as it seems most people are, according to my YouTube feed.  This move has been the single most challenging and trying obstacle in my life...ever, even more than childbirth.  There are bits of joy sprinkled in there though, like the surprise farewell girl's day that Kelly arranged.  I'm truly touched when someone speaks my love language to me.

Last moments at school before departure

It was a bittersweet farewell when we left baby E's school too.  Seeing baby E grow into toddler E over the past year has been rewarding and in no small part due to his teachers' encouragement and love.  From celebrating his ability to lift his head to standing and walking by himself now, has been rewarding.  His temper tantrums are not fun, but they all come with the territory.  Terrible twos?  Oh dear.  That's all I have to say.  I know that we wouldn't have been able to keep our sanity if it weren't for our moms this past year.  So, this year has definitely been a celebration of the family.  Thank god for family when life gets challenging.  

It's been really tough for me to see my friendships go by the wayside this year, ever since having baby E.  Especially when I still see those relationships flourishing with everyone else around me.  Although, I have to say, I was also pleasantly surprised with some.  I was so touched when Rob and Lisa made the trek across the bay to give us a proper send off and parting Christmas gift for baby E.

Thanks Uncle Rob & Auntie Lisa for Ethan's first Christmas gift of 2014!

I was also touched by the unexpected invitation to Kevin's childhood home to partake in what was our only holiday meal this year.  Of which resulted in our only family Christmas picture this year as well:

Merry Christmas 2014

Saying good bye to the bayarea and 2014 is overall, bittersweet.  It was definitely a year of challenges and resulting growth.  But, like I said at the beginning, it's all a cycle, right?  Here's lookin at you 2015.  You will be filled with triumphs.

Family selfie while picking up our last meal with friends

A sort of photo montage of 2014:

New type of laundry = new life

First Muir Woods trip (& first long trip away from home for E)

Happy baby E

Meeting Uncle Basrai for the first time

First and last picture of his nursery

Meeting my family for the first time

Meeting my grandma for the first time, his great grandma!

Snuggling with Dad's baby blankie for the first time

Lifting his head for the first time

First Costco run!

First day of school

First artwork of many to come from school

One of many haircuts by mommy, but not his first

Sushi art courtesy of Lam (baby E's first time visiting Auntie Shannon's new house)

My first mother's day gifts

Baby E's first real solid food (avocado)

Our first kid birthday, Happy Birthday Max!

Baby E's first drink from a straw (ice water at a Vietnamese restaurant)

First Father's Day

July 4th hotpot @ Boiling Point

July 4th Fireworks

First real family vacation: on the Hearst Castle tour

Dad and baby E @ Big Sur: a first for all!

Baby E's first baby shower: Happy Baby Shower Kelly!

Rita's lovely Bridal Shower: recipe scrapbook, bridal bingo, and food galore!

Our first real photoshoot as a family (baby E is 10 months here)

First Pumpkin Patch experience

baby E as a nerd for Halloween @ school

First wedding of the year, Happy Wedding Kevin!

2nd wedding: Happy Wedding Cousin Caleb & Christina!

Final wedding of the year, Sugoi Lam & Rita!

Baby E's first birthday

Finding our new forever home

Baby E meeting Baby M for the first time

Baby E's first real shoes

Baby E a pro at walking with his walker

One of Baby E's last baths in our bayarea home

Our first new refrigerator purchase in our new home

Baby E's first car nap outside of H Mart in our new neighborhood