52 Memories in 52 Weeks

First off, happy new year!

I don't know about you, but for me, 2016 quietly snuck in. 2015 ended with a lot packed in and it made the last few months blur together. In the last few months we unexpectedly found our (fixer upper) dream home — sold our townhouse — moved in — my entire department at work was put on furlough — and now here I am...sitting at my computer typing and wondering where the last few months have gone.

Many of you aren't aware of the furlough situation and at the beginning I was completely stressed and overwhelmed by it, and didn't want to even talk about it. But, what I've come to discover is that it was such a blessing in disguise because I've got to spend the last six weeks at home with Husband and Valor. We've had family time, time to do projects, time to settle into the #herrickhome, and the best of all...I got to be home while Valor has been learning to walk! I'm heading back to work on Monday with very mixed emotions. I'm excited and thankful to have my position to go back to but sad that this precious time at home with Valor is coming to a close.

Time is a thief and I want to make some seriously great memories in 2016. As we walk into a very unknown year, which is sure to have lots of adventure, I want to create 52 memories in 52 weeks. Thanks to Chatbooks for such a great idea as we kick off a new trip around the sun.

Wait, hold on...do you know about Chatbooks? Oh my, it is only the most amazing subscription service! It is the greatest way for busy mamas (not exclusively for mamas) to have photo albums without any work — literally. Super-easy and super-affordable. Chatbooks make the cutest little bound books of your social media and phone pictures into a done-for-you photo book series.

Ever since Valor was born I wanted to documented his life story and just couldn't find a way to manage such a large project. It was just too much work with the mass amount of photos I was taking on a daily basis. I wanted a photo album of my images but also wanted to make notes and date each one. And that was just too time consuming of a task for this working mama...until I discovered Chatbooks. It truly is a set it and forget it automated service! Each time I have 60 photos a new book is printed and mailed right to our doorstop. No sweat. Would you like to try  Chatbooks out for yourself? Subscribe and use discount code PNUHLFPN to get your first book free.

So now that you know about Chatbooks, back to the most fun New Year's resolution I'll ever make...#52Memories. Every Monday, Chatbooks will be sending out an email with an activity or experience we can do that week. The weekly challenges will include everything from whipping up a new smoothie to pulling out board games or even impromptu parties. 2016 is going to be the year of new experiences — whether big or small — and super memorable.

To sign-up, just go to chatbooks.com/52Memories. Who's in?

This is not a sponsored post, and all opinions are my own.

Introducing the Herrick Home

If you would have told me a year ago that it would be nearly 12 months until my next blog post, I would never have believed it. But as other mamas know, life gets busier when you add a kiddo into the mix. Especially once they start cruising through the house like they own it all. Anyway, let's see...where did we leave off? Valor's six month birthday. Since then here is what's been going on:

• Valor got his DOC band and wore it for three months
• Celebrated our six year wedding anniversary
• Nick and I both stood up in my sister's wedding
• Valor was dedicated at church
• Valor's got his first (and second) haircut and now desperately needs a third!
• Had a big huge 1st birthday party
• Valor was discharged from feeding therapy — but still continues his weekly aquatic, occupational and physical therapies
• Found our (fixer upper) dream house unexpectedly
• Decided to put our townhouse up on the market to see if it would sell...and it did within one weekend — so we bought our dream house
• And that about brings you up-to-date, in a very brief sense!

So here we are... Our home was built in 1957 and is an all original quad-level home sitting on a half-acre lot. We live across the street from an awesome park with a pond for wintertime iceskating, our backyard backs up to the elementary school's soccer field, and literally around the corner from my parents. The couple who sold us the house are in their 90's and needed to downsize. The husband was a photographer and purchased this house in his 20's for $15,000... too bad we couldn't have purchased it for that price! Haha. Anyway, I wish the walls could talk because I know this house was always full since the couple then raised their family of five daughters here. The history is fascinating!

Eventually we will say adios to the (not my favorite) brown siding.

Happy Half Birthday

Dearest Valor,

Happy six months. The time has gone by in a blur! Last night we celebrated your six months of life with a party! You wore a red felt crown with "1/2" proudly on the front. Your Papa, Grandma, Aunt Joy and Uncle Jeremy all came to celebrate you. You opened presents and I made a half cake — dark chocolate layered with raspberry filling and chocolate buttercream frosting.

I cannot believe how many things you've learned to do in the last month! While sucking on your fingers, you've finally found your thumb. You learned how to roll over, tummy to back. Speaking of tummy, you're doing so much better at tummy-time and it makes me so proud. You've been working so hard at it! While laying on your back you can roll side-to-side. You are now reaching out to grab toys and are able to hold onto them. Baby boy, you have the biggest greatest smiles, now paired with screeches of joy! Your lungs are strong and can produce loud, happy screams. You've started to reach towards your toes and you'll probably fully discover them this next month.

I am so happy you are my little boy! You are loved — always and forever,

Mama