Best Books of 2011

This year of reading, similar to last year, brought some gems early on and a few winners late in the year, filled with some forgettable, yet enjoyable books in the middle.
My first two books I read last year were my favorites. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (Simonson) was the perfect blend of complex characters, heartwarming moments and relevant social issues. I have lent it to about 5 of my friends and they all loved it. Secondly, Cutting for Stone (Verghese) blew me away on many levels. It is intense and I found it very engaging.
Other reading news: I started reading more mysteries, which I have always loved, Elizabeth George and the Sue Grafton series (A is for Alibi, etc...) and enjoyed a Richard Russo book that I hadn't read yet, while recovering from giving birth to Tyler.
I finally read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, which was great! And really enjoyed State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett. I ended the year with reading A Visit from the Goon Squad (Egan), which was mainly a downer, but so wonderfully written that it made it worth it. My long saga book of the year was The Forsyte Saga, which took a few hundred pages to grow on me.
Here's to more wonderful books that keep me up way too late reading and to few boring ones that bring me (much needed) sleep.
PS. Have just started The Hunger Games series - so far - I like it.

Morning Sunshine!

Christmas

Here are some photos from Christmas.

Isaac with his new shovel and broom.

The boys and their fire trucks.

Isaac with Michelle at the Please Touch Museum

Tyler with my Mom

Pre-Christmas

My mom came for a couple days. Here are my mom and Isaac in Rittenhouse.

First time on the big swings!

My littlest guy!


Isaac wearing Mommy's shoes.

Tyler, 1 Month

(Warning: Post written by sleep deprived mom of a newborn, if it is incoherent, sorry!)
Well, as you can imagine, life with 2 little guys is non-stop work (I was going to say "and fun", but let's be honest, it's not fun all the time.) Both boys are doing well, but we are experiencing the understandable adjustment period. Isaac - to life as not the constant center of attention, and Tyler - to life, in general. Isaac loves Tyler and often mauls him with hugs and kisses. And with not getting a lot of sleep, our patience and creativity to deal with issues isn't great. Anyway, we are loving being a family of four and our two sweet boys. Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.

Tyler practicing his piano playing.

First Bath


Isaac loves to rake the leaves up and then redistribute them around the yard.

Ben's First Marathon

Ben ran the Philly Marathon in November and we were so proud of him for finishing. Since the race came only 2 weeks after Tyler was born, Ben had been on 1 training run in the month prior to the race and it had only been 7 miles. So I wasn't sure he would be able to finish, but he did and in a great time - 4 hours and 28 minutes. I took both kids out to watch him and it was great to cheer him on. Congrats!!

Here he comes!

Yay Daddy!



There he goes!

Baby Tyler

On November 1, 2011, we welcomed Tyler Daniel Doane to our family. He was born at 7:07pm and was 8 lbs 11oz, 21 inches long. His birth was so much faster and less complicated than Isaac's, for which I am so grateful. I had to be induced, 5 days after my due date, but after starting labor, it only took about 4 hours for him to arrive. It was so wonderful meeting Tyler and getting to hold him and to finally get him out of me! Ben's mom, Grandma Lulu (or as Isaac sometimes calls her, Boo boo!) was here to take care of Isaac and my mom came for a day to see Tyler on his birth day. We are home now and everyone is doing well. Isaac is still trying to measure what is going on and how he fits in to everything, but I am sure he'll settle down once we are return to our regular schedule. It is a lot of energy trying to tend to two little boys right now, and I am grateful for all the help we have received.