…or should I be saying hello? Oy, do you see why “living in the moment” is such a big deal for me? I wasn’t ten seconds into the new year before I started freaking out that 2010 was practically over and time was flying by faster than the calendar pages in a Busby Berkeley movie. Or maybe I was just rattled by the frightening image of Dick Clark’s face on the New Year’s Eve countdown we were watching. I don’t want to seem cruel or ageist but that man has had more plastic surgery than a Hollywood starlet. He looks like he was embalmed some time during the Reagan administration.
On some New Year's Eves I’ve rejoiced in the passing of a challenging year. “Good riddance to bad trash!” I’ve shouted over my glass of Veuve Clicquot. But even though this was surely the most difficult year of my life, I found that I couldn’t turn on 2009 with such steely-eyed vengeance. Yes, large parts of it were absolute hell to go through but it also brought so much amazing learning and so many invaluable gifts. And, of course, our beautiful miracle baby. But 2009 was also the year that our son Oliver arrived and left us, and part of me feels sad to be in a year that he will never know, at least not here with us.
But his brother is here and is an endless source of joy and wonder. In addition to his parents and big sister, Charlie welcomed the new year with his Aunt Susie, Uncle Jeff, and cousins Spencer and Sammy who were visiting from Chicago. I can’t remember ever having such a fun, relaxing New Year’s Eve. Leah had two girlfriends over and we had a visit from our champagne-toting friends Blake, Kerry, and Evan. I refuse to be anything but optimistic about 2010 and I promise to continue my quest to live in the moment and stop neurotically hurling myself into the future. I fear some of my issues have already passed on to my daughter. Her Facebook status last week on her birthday was “Leah Anita Rachelle Miller is FIFTEEN!!! jeeeezuhs i am practically out of college and married with kids! my life's over!!!" Eek, what have I done?
Here are some photos of Charlie's first New Year's celebration. The good photos were taken by my talented photographer sister and nephew.
Charlie enjoyed breakfast at DuPar's in his new Wilco onesie.
Aunt Susie was totally smitten and could not put Charlie down.
Uncle Jeff took a cuddling nap with Charlie and said that Charlie "gets" him.
Cousin Spencer took about a thousand photos of Charlie, some of which have already appeared on his excellent blog.
Cousin Sammy began teaching Charlie about the glories of air guns and violent video games.
Charlie can't wait for his first trip to Chicago.
Happy, Healthy New Year to the whole family, Danny!
Posted by: The Pliers | January 02, 2010 at 02:15 PM
Danny, Charlie is absolutely adorable. I am sending wishes for a happy and healthy new year to you and your family!!!
Posted by: arlene andresens | January 02, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Which DuPars? I hope you didn't go by my house without stopping! Oy, that punim. . . .
Posted by: Cynthia Reich | January 02, 2010 at 05:32 PM
Charlie is just gorgeous!! Happy New Year Danny!!
Posted by: Mad Woman | January 02, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Have a healthy & happy new year! Charlie is so adorable!
Posted by: Mike Cohen | January 02, 2010 at 06:57 PM
Happy new year to the whole Hailey/Miller/Tweedy family! Thanks for the great pictures.
Julie
Posted by: Julie R. | January 02, 2010 at 07:03 PM
How did that little baby get such a great double chin? Put a cigar in his mouth and he could be a Jewish captain on industry. He is just adorable. And I think he looks a bit like Sammy and Spencer, too.
Happy New Year to your entire family. Hopefully this is the healthiest, happiest year for us all. However if it doesn't stop snowing soon, I might be moving in with you as Charlie's new au pair. Just sayin'
Posted by: margalit | January 02, 2010 at 09:32 PM
So true that "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
Thrilled you came to the end of the year surrounded by family and with Charlie home.
Posted by: V-Grrrl @ Compost Studios | January 03, 2010 at 09:30 AM
And a happy new year to you and your family. Charlie is such a beautiful boy.
Much love, Kimberley
Posted by: Kimberley | January 03, 2010 at 12:12 PM
happy New year to you and your family.Im sure you know The Blisters are on the front page of the suntimes.
Posted by: Caren Jones | January 03, 2010 at 09:07 PM
Oy - what a beautiful child! You are all so blessed, Danny! And you all so much deserve these happy moments together. Happy New Year! Thanks so much for sharing your heart and soul and beautiful family with us through all the good times and challenging moments. Much love to you all!
Posted by: tamarika | January 04, 2010 at 03:29 AM
amazing how much it seems to be the best of times and the worst of times all of the times. thanks for another year of blogs with its ups and downs, and real life in California. Much love and best wishes for good health and happiness should follow for everyone of your extended family. Rock on!!!
Posted by: Judy | January 04, 2010 at 07:02 AM
Oh sweet monkeys on a pogo stick that kid is cute.
Posted by: Kurt | January 04, 2010 at 10:21 AM
I know I sound like a broken record (wow, there's a phrase that dates me...) but Charlie is amazingly, supernaturally gorgeous! And he's grown so much... unreal! Give his cute little cheeks a squeeze for me.
And Ben has that same Wilco onesie (he was about 3 months old here: http://tinypic.com/r/2housso/6 He's a bit too big for it now).
Happy new year to you all! xx
Posted by: Sarah | January 04, 2010 at 10:22 AM
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
Posted by: Patsy | January 04, 2010 at 02:00 PM
I love, love, love those pics. Happy New Year!
Posted by: churlita | January 04, 2010 at 08:25 PM
Wow--what a difference a few months (let alone a year) makes!
Posted by: Polly Parrish | January 05, 2010 at 06:11 AM
Fair warning. When Charlie does come to Chicago, a visit to his Fake Grandma is mandatory.
Loved the blog and photos.
xoxo
Posted by: Elaine Soloway | January 07, 2010 at 08:58 AM
Sorry. Me again. I wanted to catch up on all your posts! I often read some of my favorite blogs in batches when life gets hectic...
Happy 2010 to you and your family! I've enjoyed reading your blog, and am thankful for all that you've so generously shared. Our family has been humbled and educated by your posts. Many thanks and kisses to Charlie!
Posted by: Chris | January 20, 2010 at 09:12 AM