As I was flipping through the channels this morning while pumping (the only time I turn on my television), I realized that it was apparently time for the obligatory "Year in Review" segments on every single show, on every single channel. I suppose it's appropriate on this New Year's Eve 2011. Here I sit, while my little angel naps, and think, my goodness, what a year I've had. So, here I go, here is my 2011 walk down memory lane and some of the things I remember and more importantly, the things I've learned~.
In early February, I learned I was pregnant and my life changed forever. I remember taking my pregnancy test while my friends were sitting outside in my dining room drinking wine. At the same time, I remember thinking, Oh Shit! I just drank a glass of wine! (the last glass I drank until last month). I remember telling Matt that I was so bummed that I couldn't go snowboarding on our upcoming trip to Vermont, and the look on his face when he said "We're pregnant?!?". I thought about my body in a totally different way. The only thing I cared about was putting the right things into it, and treating it right so I could give my baby the most wonderful environment to live for the next 9 months.
I learned what it felt like to live in fear. For the first three months of my pregnancy, I lived in total fear that something would happen to my baby. After previously experiencing a miscarriage, I just knew I couldn't go through that sadness again. The joy that Matt and I felt at our 13 week appointment when we saw our little baby kicking around on the ultrasound was so overwhelming. One of my favorite moments!
Telling my family was one of my favorite memories of the year. We captured their reaction on film after Matt said he wanted to take a family picture while we were all out to dinner. Instead of "Say Cheese!", Matt said "Say Elisa's Pregnant!". My sister cried, my mom screamed a profanity and my dad & brother were all smiles. Pretty typical reactions for my family, but super fun all the same!
Telling our friends was also a lot of fun. Typical reaction comment (seriously, we heard this from several friends): It's the end of an era. (ha.)
Good pickles are expensive. When you are buying a jar or going to the deli for them every 3 days or so- they add up.
You will never ever be prepared for your baby. Over the past year I think I read at least 15 books on pregnancy and not one described the overwhelming feeling you have when they put that baby in your arms...or the shocking look on your husbands face when he sees that first black tarish poopy diaper.
In the year 2011, I became closer and more in love with my husband that I have in the past 13 years that I have known him. His strength and love toward me while I was pregnant filled my heart with joy and seeing him as a wonderful father makes him the most amazing man in the world in my eyes (...and the hottest. I also learned that when your husband becomes a father...hopefully to your child...he also get exponentially hotter).
Family is everything. I always knew this, I was always a family oriented girl, but while you are pregnant and when you have a baby, you really, truly understand this. My younger sister was my angel during my entire pregnancy. She was there for me to talk to, to help me with my laundry and to help me clean my house when I was too tired to do it myself. She came with me food shopping at the end, just in case my water broke (huge fear of mine..) and she unloaded all of my groceries. She asked me how I was feeling every single day. She grew up right before my eyes, and I am so grateful to have her in my life as my sister and best friend. I also gained a much deeper relationship with my mom. I learned so much from her, she was always there to answer my questions and give her opinion (SHOCKING, right?? ha. ). I value our relationship so much more now that I am a mommy. Knowing how much I love my son, makes me love her even more...because I know she loves me just as much. It has been a beautiful journey watching my family and friends love me and my son, right from the moment they learned of his existence.
I learned I am strong (if not humble..haha) person. WAY stronger than I ever thought I could be. I pat myself on my (achy) back this year.
And now, it's resolution time. I will not pledge to lose 10 pounds (even though I would really , really, really love to lose 10 pounds!! So maybe....), I will just pledge to love more, be angry less, keep my stress level at a minimum, be generous, try new things, be adventurous, give my everything to my precious baby so he can have a wonderful first year of life!
I will be ringing in at midnight with the 3 loves of my life tonight. Baby, Daddy, Chihuahua & me on the couch with a bottle of expensive champagne I have been saving for a special occasion. Since everyday is a blessing , I guess tonight is a as good of a night as ever to pop that cork and celebrate.
Happy New Year everyone. Lots of love for an awesome 2012!
xo
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