. . . for Lauren and Lauren: Looking back . . . .

January 2, 2014

Looking back . . . .

I've seen many of posts like this the last week or so, and I had no intention of writing one until I realized what a great source of reflection it would be to look back at the year, through the struggles, lessons and celebrations of 2013. 
In January, by far the greatest thing was announcing our pregnancy.  I had dreamt of that moment for years and it was by far one of the most joyous moments of my life.  It was beyond fun to feel everyone's excitement for our baby to come.  I also wrote my first letter to our baby and experienced the first of many surreal moments. 
February marked the half way point of my pregnancy.  It was also a hard month as I lost my grandpa and went to California for his funeral.  I also wrote out our infertility journey and what we went through to get pregnant. 
In March we found out we were having a girl and I couldn't have been happier! I continued writing letters to our baby girl and my belly continued to grow.  I answered some readers questions about my shopping routines and awkwardness of "posing" for outfit pictures. 
In April Chris and I had a relaxing weekend away in Wisconsin.  I shared a tutorial for a polka dot tee, along with my obsession with everything polka dots when it came to making things and working on the nursery.  This month our family experienced the start of a scary and challenging trial, as we found out my mom had some serious heart complications and was going to need open heart surgery.  I learned a lot about surrendering to God and trusting him with one of my most precious things in my life. 
In May I lost count of the amount of poptarts I had eaten and blamed it on pregnancy, although I never really had extreme cravings.  My class at school threw me a baby shower and I continued to work on our baby girl's nursery and loved every second of it.  Chris and I celebrated eight years of marriage this month, but the biggest news this month is that my mom's heart surgery went well and I was reminded of God's perfect timing in everything.  
In June I stopped wearing anything but maxi skirts and loose t-shirts, as my belly was getting quite large with only one month to go.  I had two amazing baby showers, felt beyond lucky and over and over couldn't believe that we were really going to have a baby.  I had many more surreal and tender moments and Chris and I got ready to welcome our baby girl.   And my good friend took some great maternity pictures for us before our baby girl arrived. 
Photo: So in love with this baby girl. Having a hard time believing she is ours.  God is so good.
It's no surprise July was our biggest month of the year as we welcomed Addilyn Jane to the world.  I still get teary eyed looking through these first pictures. (Will that every go away?)  We spent some hard extra days in the hospital as Addilyn was in the nursery for jaundice, but thankfully came home five days later with a healthy baby girl.  I started my first of many posts about new lessons of early motherhood. 
In August I wrote out Addilyn's birth story and we finally picked birth announcement cards using Addilyn's adorable newborn pictures.  Thanks to sleep deprivation I put the wrong weight on her cards.   I shared my struggles with transitioning to my new identity as a mom.  I shared my one month mom and baby favorites and not too surprisingly did not manage to keep up that series.  Opps.   I shared pictures and details about Addilyn's nursery.  
In September I shared my favorite and best idea yet when it comes to things I've "made" for Addilyn.  I managed to start making some projects again, like this chalkboard vase and welcome banner.  I started writing Addilyn monthly letters and couldn't believe how fast times went already.   
In October I made a video of Addilyn's first few days and still cry when I watch it.   I wrote an honest post about my feelings of blogging during this huge life transition and the future and purpose of my blog.  We successfully carved pumpkins this year and to my extreme happiness put Addilyn inside of one.  We went to our first big event as a family of three when we went to a family wedding.   I continued to struggle with finding any kind of schedule or routine to our day and shared my thoughts on enjoying baby snuggles and not stressing about routines.  We took Addilyn on our first "vacation" when we spent a long weekend at a lake house in Wisconsin with my family, which is also when my sister got to meet Addilyn for the first time.  
In November I celebrated my twenty ninth birthday and Chris and I went on our first dinner date since Addilyn had been born.   I celebrated two years of blogging last month but didn't remember it until this month.  I may have bored you all with yet another post on how my baby is a terrible sleeper and my need to give it time and stop comparing myself and my baby to others.  We got to dress up as cowboys and indians for a costume party and Addilyn was the cutest Indian ever. I wrote some goals for my days as a stay at home mom and also shared on why I may never wear real pants again.  
In December I shared about how this month had been the hardest yet when it comes to being a mom. I wrote about why I'm a bad wife and shared a delicious pot pie recipe that made me a better one.  I wrote about my favorite day of the whole year. I wrote about my first experience taking care of a sick baby and how needy I felt as a mom.  And finally I shared about our first Christmas together and how I couldn't be happier with all that God has given me. 

2013 marks the best year I've had yet and I am so excited for all that God has for us in 2014.  Happy New Year!


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30 comments:

Anonymous said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I enjoyed the recap as I missed some of those posts and now i'm able to go back and read all about why you are a bad wife (aren't we all some times?). Very sweet photos and a great year! God is good.

The Girl who Loved to Write said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

So sweet! Love the recap!

Erin @ Love, the Campbells said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Such a good year for your family! I can't wait to see the exciting adventures that 2014 brings you all!
xoxo

K&R said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

love looking back over your pregnancy!
what a great year for you.

K

Suburban prep said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What a beautiful year you had.
Much happiness for 2014.

Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

So crazy how some of these post you shared seem just like yesterday!! What a year of blessings and for the hard times you made it through.

Simply LKJ said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

It is always good to look back as we then see how many blessings we have actually received! Welcoming sweet baby girl was most definitely the highlight in 2013 for you all!!!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

It's always fun to look back! Adorable pictures! Our daughter had jaundice too when she was born. I was a wreck. It was such a relief to bring her home and realize that relatively speaking, we were so lucky this was all we had to deal with!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh I love this post! I just recently started following you, so it's really fun to learn more about you and see all those cute pics of your baby girl :) Here's to a new year that is just as wonderful!

Charming Lucy said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What a great year you had!! Blessings for a happy and healthy 2014!! Susan

Helene in Between said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

you really had quite the year. so many wonderful things - and ups and does and I loved following along!

Laura said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What an amazing year it has been for your family! I can't believe so much has changed and how big Addilyn is already getting. She is precious!

Bri said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I am so glad you decided to write this post so we can reflect with you on what an amazing year you guys had! So happy for all your blessings and love watching you grow and experience with sweet Addilyn. :)

Annie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What an awesome year for you Katie! Great photos :)

Annie

Carly said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Man, what a YEAR! So happy for you!

Carly
www.lipglossandcrayons.com

Natalia | Look-A-Porter said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl - what a fantastic year! Wishing you a wonderful 2014! x

PolkaDottyPlace said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What an exciting, blessing filled year 2013 was for your family!! It was fun to see your year at a glance. So glad that I found your blog and can follow along with your journey as a new mom :) I only wish we were neighbors because our girls are so close in age and I know we'd all be friends!! Happy New Year!!

two birds said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

it's been great following along with your happy life this past year! i hope 2014 brings even more fun and happiness!

two birds said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

it's been great following along with your happy life this past year! i hope 2014 brings even more fun and happiness!

Bethany said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

So glad to have discovered your blog!! Loved this post. So true that our daughters are very close in age, and Addilyn is so adorable! That newborn pic kills me. Also love the belly pics and that amazing black striped top from the May pic. Also, I am with you on leggings/jeggings. So comfortable, I don't know how I ever wore other stuff!

Bethany said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

So glad to have discovered your blog!! Loved this post. So true that our daughters are very close in age, and Addilyn is so adorable! That newborn pic kills me. Also love the belly pics and that amazing black striped top from the May pic. Also, I am with you on leggings/jeggings. So comfortable, I don't know how I ever wore other stuff!

Anita said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Wow it looks like you had a lovely 2013. Love your blog!
Hope you have a happy new year :)
http://saltskinned.blogspot.com.au

Rach said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh what a beautiful year! Your little girl is just so beautiful!

Betty said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What an amazing year!!

Chelsea Olivia said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

It still makes my heart feel so so happy when I see pictures of you and Addilyn. I just think about following along with all the infertility troubles and how badly I felt you deserved the most perfect child... and here she is. This was definitely a year to remember for you and Chris, and I hope 2014 is a year to remember for you, Chris AND Addi :) xoxoxo

Kayla MKOY said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You are such a great momma...so proud of you on this amazing journey!!! You have THEE cutest little gal ever! :) happy new year!

Allison said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You truly have had an amazing year Katie! I'm so happy 2013 was a great one. Happy 2014 friend!!

Alyssa said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Your baby is so cute! I'm so happy for you both! What an awesome year 2013 was for you guys! (:

The Olive Tree Blog said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Looks like 2013 was a great year indeed!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Love your recap. I am glad that your mom's surgery went well. I didn't know that she had heart surgery. God is good and he does indeed have perfect timing. What a blessed year. So happy for you and your family :)