A Look Back at 2012 - Happy New 2013!

Hello 2013 - Goodbye 2012

2012 was quite the year for both me and Karl. In short, we both learned how important communication is, how deeply one can love, the true meaning of sleep deprivation and a whole lot about the miracle of life.

Have to say this was my highlight of 2012

Here I've been giving myself such a hard time for not being involved in a whole lot in 2012, but what the heck am I thinking? Here's a recap...

January, February and March
These months were full of baby showers (four to be exact) and baby preparations. I busied myself by sticking my nose in every pregnancy book I could get my hands on (silly girl), trying to educate myself and preparing for this thing they call motherhood. What I didn't know then was nothing would or could prepare me for what I was about to endure. Nothing.

LOVED all the FUN BABY SHOWERS!

We worked on putting Jackson's nursery together and watched my belly grow. If I could go back, I think I would have SLEPT more and just enjoyed my pregnancy more. Meaning, I would have sat still and simply listened to Jackson grow inside me. But life is always...rush, rush, rush. It blows my mind on so many levels that he, the little guy I now nurse and cuddle and hold, started off as something so small and grew into something SO amazing.

Trying to figure this crib thing out...

Karl and I also took a family trip to Vegas in January to celebrate my younger brother's 30th birthday. We both had a blast (as much as you can have fun without drinking). It was nice to be with family.

April 2012
The month Jackson arrived and the day our lives changed forever. The crazy part is I don't quite remember the pain. Yeah...I can't believe I just wrote that. I just know I wanted to throw up that last push and I told them to bring out the tray if I was forced to push once more. The pain was so intense that my only next option was to throw up. But there was Jackson! I survived and out came the most amazing little boy. I can't quite explain what goes down in that delivery room but I swear God IS most definitely present and the experience is mind blowing.

Amazing little miracle

Three days after Jackson is born, he and I develop a ritual of going on walks outside as often and much as we can because it's the one thing I have a little bit of control over. Karl can't understand why I chose walking over napping. I can't get enough of the fresh air and endorphins and the amazing early spring weather we are blessed with. I already start to dread going back to work...

Walk time!!

May, June, July
Karl and I learned what life is like going from two lovebirds who spent pretty much every minute together when we weren't at work and getting up and going wherever when we wanted to giving all our time to Jackson, and learning what life is like as first-time parents. I had three months off from work and enjoyed every last minute of it (even asking for an extra week). Karl flew out east to take his Orthotics exam on Mother's Day and ended up passing! We also experienced a lot of visitors coming and going and wanting to meet Jackson.

You gonna sleep anytime soon?

Six weeks after giving birth I pick up a volleyball and play sand volleyball with my old team! Setting, passing and slamming down the ball...just like old times! Why wouldn't we take first in the entire league? Boo-yah!

Karl and I still managed to squeeze in some of our own fun time. We visited a couple wineries in Minnesota, made it up to the cabin a few times so Jackson could experience his first boat ride, and made a road trip down to Illinois so my family could meet him. Jackson was also baptized in June.

very special moment

First boat ride!

August, September, October
I spent these three months adjusting to being a working mom. These were some hard three months. I spent a TON of time reflecting (mostly in the bathroom as I pumped at work), wondering if I was doing the right thing because I felt incredibly guilty leaving Jackson every day. However, we found wonderful care for Jackson and I also developed a very VERY amazing friendship with Jackson's daycare provider. As I look back now, I know there is a reason for all of this - the timing of everything has been unbelievable, to the point where I know there is something bigger working behind the scenes. It's amazing how far we can push ourselves and how strong we really are (and we have no clue until we're faced with some tough stuff).

I started cooking all Jackson's food, which has made me very conscious of what we're putting in our own mouths and I learn to appreciate my body more and more.

Jackson went on his first airplane ride, as we made a trip out to Arizona to visit family. Travel takes on a whole new meaning with a baby... We also made a couple more trips up to the cabin and my parents came up to watch Jackson as well and same with my younger brother and sister in law. Karl's parents started watching Jackson once a week - win-win for EVERYONE.

First swim!

Jackson dresses up as Mr. Mustache Man for Halloween thanks to his crazy dad (who we both love very much).

Mr. Mustache Man Saves the World

November, December
More trips up to the cabin and a trip down to Illinois for the Thanksgiving holidays. Lots of germs flying around but Jackson has managed to catch four colds total since he's been born. Karl has had about six...me...one. (knock on wood.) Average is around 11 illnesses throughout the year for babies.

Hanging out with Great Grandma Powalish

My parents come up to watch Jackson for an entire week and we celebrate Christmas up here. The Koester's have us this year for the Christmas holiday and we travel between houses. Jackson loves the wrapping paper more than the actual presents.

Jackson goes on his first sledding ride and isn't sure how he feels about the huge snow flakes in his face. We ended up getting 12 inches of snow the first weekend in December.

Sledding rules!

We ring in the New Year by staying up until 10:30 and toasting a happy, healthy and exciting 2013. Not sure how it will top this past year, but my guess is it will. Every year keeps getting better and better.

Wild man!

As much as I vent my emotions and feelings via my blog, I will say this: I feel very lucky. Very blessed and hang on to every day like it could be my last. Sure, I wish some things were different, but for the most part, I wake up every single morning with the love of my life next to me and throw those covers off , eagerly waiting to see Jackson's smiling face in the next room. What could be better than that? Another one maybe?!?!??! He, he, he.

Like a friend wrote on her Facebook post... "I prefer the New Day's resolutions which occurs every 24 hours and can start over at any time. Lower expectations, less stress. Higher awareness, more peace. Happy NEW DAY everyone."

Each day is TRULY a blessing. Enjoy what YOU have.