Hey guys,
It’s been awhile, Happy New Year!
I am not sure how 2023 was for you – perhaps it was filled with joy, family time, travel, adventure, and peace – maybe you made it through all of the books you said you would read in a year, maybe you didn’t – maybe you experienced heartbreak, loss, an identity crisis (raises hand), or a season that challenged you – maybe you experienced a bit of good and a bit of bad – but you made it through.
I am here to start the year fresh with you. Keeping an open mind as to what 2024 could bring.
But before that, I feel like I should catch you up on my year, my 2023 experience.
Welcome to the world, Maddox
First and perhaps most importantly, our family grew! On August 15th we welcomed our sweet Maddox Crew Novak into this world. I had a very smooth labor and delivery, Maddox (Mads) is a healthy little munchkin who is almost 5 months old already! He has 2 bottom teeth, sleeps like a dream, laughs and squeals so much my cheeks hurt most days from smiling with him, and he is enamored by his big brother. Mads is rolling over, sleeping in his own bed, and trying to sit up on his own. What a dream!
Asher turned TWO
Our first born is somehow already two years old, having celebrated his birthday by way of riding monster trucks (one of our many vehicle obsessions) on October 24th. He is brave and adventurous, perhaps mildly reckless, and is a ton of fun to play with. He loves riding his bike to the playground, kicking the soccer ball in the back yard with the dogs, jumping on the trampoline, reading books with trucks in them and crashing his many truck toys all over the house. He is taking gymnastics classes, is enrolled in spring soccer, and is a fantastic swimmer so we can’t wait to get him into a good swim program in the years to come. He potty trained this year, got his first hair cut, splashed in the ocean, dressed up as a firefighter for Halloween, rode a real helicopter, and met Santa Claus. He is a great big brother and adores Maddox, although sharing toys and attention are tough (can you blame him?).
We moved back to North Carolina
After spending three years away (one in Boston, two in Alexandria, Virginia), we made our way back to the place we called home from 2015-2020. We are in a rental while we build our home (anticipated summer 2024 completion date), we upgraded to a Suburban so we can do more road trips with the dogs and kids comfortably, and we are just getting resettled after years away. It’s strange being back in many ways, having lived a very different life here last time without children, but we love this community and are so grateful to be near friends!
Work work work
I have kept my same position at Harvard University, and have been on maternity leave since the end of July. I return tomorrow – which is exciting and completely daunting at the same time. I will have both kids home with me while we sit on a bunch of daycare waitlists. My little sister is moving in with us to be our full time nanny, and for that I am incredibly grateful.
Adam was promoted to lieutenant colonel and has continued to excel in his Army career, which if you know him comes as no surprise. While this year will be hard for us, as we will likely spend a great deal of time apart, I am very proud of him and what he continues to do while serving our country.
Cooper turned 9 & Tucker turned 5
The fur dudes remain steady amidst all of the chaos of our house – they’ve endured another move, another baby, and another hot southern summer. We’re so lucky to have these two perfect angels, even if Cooper tries to steal all of Asher’s food and Tucker barks at every moving object waking the baby at the worst times.
Family Time
Maternity leave gifted me 5+ months at home with both of my boys and for that I am forever grateful. We have had a slower year for travel than pretty much any other year, but we still made it up to Boston, to Michigan, to Surf City, NC, and to Black Mountain, NC. We’re hoping to pick up the pace in the next 1-2 years with the dudes!
A Blonde Escapes 