B5- B, Beck, Babies and Burton: Looking back

Looking back over the last year, things couldn't be more different for us now. Chris and I are currently in such great places both emotionally and physically, that it makes us look back to this time last year and breath a sigh of relief that we made it. This time last year Chris was Miserable (and that's a capital M) at his job and I was struggling with some post-partum issues. Of course we were happy to have J in our lives, but those first few months were very tough. We were sleep deprived, feeling very isolated here in the city and not didn't have any idea how to manage a new baby! Thank goodness for the support we received from our families (aka, taking the baby at night when we came to visit!), and most importantly, for the Mama groups that I became a part of. Those women really helped me through some tough times and their advise and guidance was what I leaned on daily.
As we look at where we are now, Chris started a wonderful new job in July that he absolutely loves. It gives him the flexibility to work from home (i.e Starbucks b/c our appt is way to small for that!) but that schedule allows him to spend time with J in the mornings as well as be home most nights. Loving what you do makes such a difference in your out look on life and has really given him a renewed purpose.

I began tutoring in September and couldn't be happier. I started with just one student and have now worked my way up 3 students (4 sessions weekly)- 6th, 7th and 9th grade Math. It gives me an outlet to feel connected to the teaching world and doing something that I love- teaching math! I am blessed to have really wonderful students and my hope is to have 6 sessions a week by the Fall of 2011. Tutoring has also enabled me to sit back and really think about if heading back into the classroom next Fall is really what's best for us as a family. Long story short, I was worried about loosing my certification (I only have my Initial certification and am 8 months short to receive my Professional certification). After a lot of back and forth with NYS it became apparent that even if my certification lapses, it will be easier to get it reissued then for me to head back into the classroom for 1 year and have keep up with the Professional Development requirements that NYS has (25 credits per year!). I'm not 100% on this yet and am still thinking and praying about it, but I believe at this time, tutoring may be the best direction for me.

On to Jocelyn- we can say so much about the changes that have occurred over the last year, but J is developing into an amazing little girl every day. She laughs easily, knows what she wants, and is beginning to love to cuddle! J is still just as loud as she was the day she was born, but we've gotten use to it (sort of!) and are channeling this talent into a possible Operatic career. She is a a healthy baby girl who loves to eat multiple breakfasts (we have breakfast #1 in her high chair and then she crawls over to Mommy for some scoops of her breakfast for Breakfast #2), and even finds it in her heart to share all this food with her BFF Burton. Books are still her absolute favorite play toy, and will spend long periods of time on your lap having you read the same 3 books over and over.

This past year has been full of ups and downs but it made Chris and I realized how much we can rely on one another. He is an amazing partner and father and the love I see in his eyes for both Jocelyn and I is incredible. All of the laughter and tears has brought Chris and I so much closer together, and for that I am thankful.