The end of an era & start of a new year/new tradition

For 13 days I have been meaning to write this blog.  13 days ago I would have hosted what I believe was my 13th New Years Eve gathering.  And I didn't.  I thought I would have been sad but I really wasn't - I think I was last year - being hormonal and everything from having had Hannah 6 weeks earlier but I felt fabulous this year.  Last year (2010 going into 2011) I sent out the evite, heard back from about half the people that they weren't coming, one family that was coming, and never heard back from the rest.  I planned, bought things, cleaned, and I was ready for those people who don't RSVP but end up showing up as well as the family who was coming.  The family didn't end up coming in it's entirety but it was nice having Jaclyn there for a couple of hours.  And then reality stepped in as Leyla came down with the stomach bug and I was washing her up in the shower as the clock struck midnight.  Possibly the best part of my New Year's Eve was 2 AM on January 1, 2011 when Mahir and I snuggled on the couch - Leyla asleep on my lap and Hannah asleep on his shoulder.  It was awesome and as much as I loved my years of hanging out with my friends, playing games, having a big sleepover and having an amazing time, I loved the new tradition that was formed for me last year.  So, this year, I didn't plan a party and I didn't send out an evite and I didn't clean my house in preparation.  This year I sat at the dinner table with my girls, my husband, my parents, and my grandmother and we ate appetizers until we were stuffed.  Then we played Cootie with Leyla and watched TV and when we rang in 2012 I was again snuggled on the couch with my very wide awake 3 year old looking at my snoozing husband snuggling with Hannah who was asleep.  I can't imagine starting 2012 any differently.  This is my new normal and I LOVE IT!