1. Learning this baby is a boy. One of each now. So excited.
2. I started daily yoga this year which is something I should have done much earlier. It’s been so beneficial for me to have something I’m doing for my physical health and has improved posture, balance, flexibility, and even strength. It’s getting really difficult now but I hope I can get back to it after six weeks pp.
3. We joined a small group at church and it’s been SO NICE getting to talk to other adults about things other than our children on a regular basis. And the couples are all in our same life stage so there’s a lot of empathy and understanding as well as encouragement.
4. We went on a nice vacation to Maine this summer.
5. DH got a substantial promotion and raise at the end of last year so we got to live on his new income in 2018 and it made it easier to be a SAHM and stretch that one income far enough to save for a minivan which we hope to get next year.
Finally marrying my best friend after doing everything out of order (had a baby, bought a house, then got engaged ).
Honeymoon in Punta Cana! It was gorgeous and a nice getaway - the only vacation we've had together without DS since he was born.
Making a new mom friend who also started a homeschool group for our area and connecting with other like-minded nature-loving mamas.
Becoming better friends with another Crossfit couple who have kids close to our son's age and who happen to be board game nerds like us .
Finding out we're expecting this second little bundle of joy! I'm so thankful for the time we had to see DS grow through toddlerhood before we decided to try for a second.
What a year. This year has been both the best and worst year of my life, for sure. But there’s been plenty of good.
-Spent a month in Japan and South Korea, our dream vacation. We ate ramen, spicy fried chicken, crab brains and more, walked literally hundreds of miles, ran drunk through the streets, drank matcha with every meal, saw Mt. Fuji, bathed in a public bathhouse... every single second was completely perfect. What a great way to cap off our pre-baby adventures! (Can y’all tell I miss it like crazy?)
-Finally got to see my parents buy/move into a house that is safe and cozy. No more evil landlords.
-Found our about our first baby bean! Completely changed the course of the rest of our year, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
-Took a leap of faith and accepted a job in a new field for me. Best job I’ve ever had!
-3 years married. I don’t even know how we made it through this year, but we are stronger than ever now.
This year has been pretty good. - I was on stage about a foot from Elton John in February. (We have tentatively decided on naming our son Elton John- huge fans, clearly) -we bought our dream house, and at a steal. The same house down the street closed for $33,000 more than we paid less than a month after us (we bought a short sale) - 1 week after moving in, we found out we were expecting this little meatball, after almost 6 years of trying! - found out my sister is also pregnant, and due in June. -same sister got married on 12/1 in a secret ceremony, it was private and beautiful, and I’m so happy for her. -10 year anniversary is today (12/31) -I did pretty well in my first year as a realtor
I started weightlifting with a trainer at the end of last year and really came into this year, crushing a lot of goals to show myself what my body was really capable of.
Went on family vacation with DH’s whole family to RI - a vacation we had missed out on during the last few summers because of a big move and then I was in grad school.
DH took me to Colonial Williamsburg for my 28th birthday and I got to try my hand at axe throwing (which was super cool) and spend a weekend acting like the history nerd that I am.
I hit my reading goal for the year. Each year I set a number for a reading challenge and normally I get really busy and fall short, but I managed to read 30/30 books this year.
Hands down, finding out that we were going to be parents was the highlight of 2018. While it was a bit of a surprise to us, it was the best thing that happened this year. DH and I both have talked about how much we want to be parents and I’m still in shock sometimes that our dream is coming true. Getting to tell our family and friends provided us with some amazing memories (there were a lot of tears, a lot of excited screams, and I almost got tackled by a jumping SIL). It’s just amazing to me.
I got a kickass new job that I absolutely LOVE. I have the most supportive group to work with, and I'm so motivated!
Went on a late honeymoon / vacation to Puerto Plata last February with my husband! It was awesome!
After only being on the job for 3 months, found out I was successful in securing approx. $700 000.00 in research grants to do some projects we were really optimistic about.
Got to meet my new nephew! He will only be 5 months older than our baby. BIL and SIL are only 5 min up the road from us. Can you say BFFs for life??
Obviously, finding out that I was pregnant! We've wanted this for a long time and it feels like a dream come true!
1) Going to the Florida Keys for spring break. With two young children with Albinism I was worried about the sun but lots of sunscreen, no burns, and great memories were made
2) Swimming with dolphins in the Keys, bucket list item checked off and I got to do it with DD!
3) Watching DDs love for learning grow as she started kindergarten
4) watching DDs and DSs sibling bond grow (my sister and I never bonded so watching them get along so well melts my heart )
5) My parents selling their house. So now they are moving up by us!!
1) My sister and niece moved from out of state to down the street ❤️
2) My SO and I went to E3 and explored LA together
3) I went to Universal Studios for my birthday
4) After 2 months of waiting and dealing with insurance issues, I was finally able to see a doctor and hear my baby’s heart beat and see on the ultrasound screen that she was alive and healthy
5) Cousins that I love and haven’t seen in a long time came to visit for the holidays
1) We got pregnant! We’re so excited for this baby, we’d been trying for over two years.
2) Related- I was able to get diagnosed and get surgery for a uterine septum. It was a stressful odyssey of diagnostics and providers, and I went through a really hard time where I didn’t know what was wrong with me or if I’d be able to carry a little one, but when I got to my current practice they truly helped. I’m so grateful.
3) My parents bought a house closer to where we live. It’ll be great for the baby, and great for everyone as they get older.
4) We got to go to an amazing concert in May (Glass Animals), and managed to get a great spot in general admission. I’m short, so I always get worried about standing/general admission seats!
5) This year we made a bigger effort to keep in touch with people that we’ve moved away from. It’s been really rewarding, and we hope to keep up the habit in the new year. It can be easy to take those ties for granted when life is busy, but people are so happy to be reached out to.
1. Celebrated our 1 year marriage anniversary, it's been such a blessed first year of marriage for us
2. Related to #1 but we had our ceremony/reception for friends and family to celebrate with us and it was an amazing day, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.
3. Took a honeymoon trip to Ireland, my dream vacation where we traveled all over the country, left the little one at home (as hard as it was) and got to spend much needed time with just the two of us.
4. Got so much done with the house. We moved in Dec last year and we updated the bathroom, the entire upstairs got a paint job and new carpet, and we were able to fix up the garage some to how we want it. Even some landscaping got done. When I think about how much went into it we really did work this year.
5. Found out we were pregnant with this little one, we were blessed and lucky it only took 2 months trying. Especially after 2 losses before DD and a total of over a year trying to have her. I honestly thought there would be more heartache but so far it's a healthy and wonderful pregnancy.
2) Had a nice family vacation this summer and I got to meet DH's family (MIL's foster siblings she grew up with and their kids, grandkids, etc.), most of whom I'd never met before.
3) DH, DD, and I spent our first full year in our own home. (We bought it in September 2017 and moved in a month later.)
4) We were contacted by DH's dad and family in the Netherlands. His dad left and moved back there when DH was 8 or 9 and they haven't had any sort of relationship in over 20 years, but they are now in the process of getting to know each other and restoring a little bit of that relationship. It's going to take time and lots of healing, but there's been so much progress there already. His aunts, uncles, and cousins there have also been in touch and are so excited to be a part of his life again, and they've even invited us to visit them in Holland. We'll probably take them up on that a few years down the road.
5) Finding out that our little one is a girl, even though we were originally told (and excited for) a boy. I'm very close to my 3 sisters and am excited to see the relationship develop between Eloise and Anneliese.
Took a few fun trips over the year: park city, ut; st. thomas, usvi; palm desert, ca; boston, ma...
I’ve loved watching DD give softball a try & love it this fall!
& finally, Finding out I am pregnant with this surprise little love was quite the shock, but we are all pretty stoked about it— now that the shock has worn off 😆
Accepting a new position in a school setting and using my skill set as well as giving me an opportunity to grow professionally.
Taking our little camper to Glacier National Park from MN for an extended camping trip/road trip. It was the first of many adventures in the camper. We are looking forward to bringing this baby to Asseteague in a few years!
Our marriage. Through multiple losses and fertility treatments over the past 3 years, our relationship has gotten so strong! I am amazed at how we have grown together, especially in the past year.
Starting a daily mindfulness practice. It has kept me calm through this pregnancy and I have noticed personal growth in many areas.
This baby. We have been through so much to get here. I still have to pinch myself that this is real.
1. Meeting my now fiancé in March 2. Vacation to the beach and Disney World in July 3. Finding out this baby was a boy in October 4. Getting engaged in November 5. Christmas this year was awesome
1. Going to Florida and then extending our vacation by a few more days so we could bring the kids to Disney 2. Finding out we were pregnant with our third 3. My SIL asking me to be her matron of honor 4. Going to concerts with my sisters over the Summer. The last time we had all gone to a concert together was in the 80s for NKOTB. 5. Getting to travel a lot over the summer with my kids, sisters, and nieces/nephews to a variety of places - New Hampshire, NYC, and Washington DC.
Re: GTKY: What did you love in 2018?
Turning 40.
Travelling with the kids to Hawaii.
Spending a month living and working in the heart of San Francisco with all three kids and our 100lb dog (normally we live in Chicago).
Being surprised/blessed with this baby when we already have a 14 year old, 12 year old, and 8 year old and thought we were done.
2. I started daily yoga this year which is something I should have done much earlier. It’s been so beneficial for me to have something I’m doing for my physical health and has improved posture, balance, flexibility, and even strength. It’s getting really difficult now but I hope I can get back to it after six weeks pp.
3. We joined a small group at church and it’s been SO NICE getting to talk to other adults about things other than our children on a regular basis. And the couples are all in our same life stage so there’s a lot of empathy and understanding as well as encouragement.
4. We went on a nice vacation to Maine this summer.
5. DH got a substantial promotion and raise at the end of last year so we got to live on his new income in 2018 and it made it easier to be a SAHM and stretch that one income far enough to save for a minivan which we hope to get next year.
Got it to visit family in NY and MN two times this year! And a stop to see my grandmas in FL.
We got pregnant! It was nearly 18m of trying.
My hubs feels he is finishing up at our current job and that means maybe we can move closer to family. Right now they are 2000 and 3000 miles away.
I had a lot of simple fun days. In between the chaotic ones.
Graduating with my Bachelor's degree
Blissful beach days with my daughter
Finding out we were pregnant with our rainbow baby
Passing my DTR certification
Honeymoon in Punta Cana! It was gorgeous and a nice getaway - the only vacation we've had together without DS since he was born.
Making a new mom friend who also started a homeschool group for our area and connecting with other like-minded nature-loving mamas.
Becoming better friends with another Crossfit couple who have kids close to our son's age and who happen to be board game nerds like us .
Finding out we're expecting this second little bundle of joy! I'm so thankful for the time we had to see DS grow through toddlerhood before we decided to try for a second.
1. Finding out my brothers’ wives are also expecting and will have babies next year.
2. Getting pregnant with our rainbow baby.
3. Having a petting zoo come to our home for DD second birthday.
4. Getting a job in a school so I have summers and longer breaks.
5. Looking forward to next year. It’s been a quiet (in a good way) kind of year.
-Spent a month in Japan and South Korea, our dream vacation. We ate ramen, spicy fried chicken, crab brains and more, walked literally hundreds of miles, ran drunk through the streets, drank matcha with every meal, saw Mt. Fuji, bathed in a public bathhouse... every single second was completely perfect. What a great way to cap off our pre-baby adventures! (Can y’all tell I miss it like crazy?)
-Finally got to see my parents buy/move into a house that is safe and cozy. No more evil landlords.
-Found our about our first baby bean! Completely changed the course of the rest of our year, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
-Took a leap of faith and accepted a job in a new field for me. Best job I’ve ever had!
-3 years married. I don’t even know how we made it through this year, but we are stronger than ever now.
- I was on stage about a foot from Elton John in February. (We have tentatively decided on naming our son Elton John- huge fans, clearly)
-we bought our dream house, and at a steal. The same house down the street closed for $33,000 more than we paid less than a month after us (we bought a short sale)
- 1 week after moving in, we found out we were expecting this little meatball, after almost 6 years of trying!
- found out my sister is also pregnant, and due in June.
-same sister got married on 12/1 in a secret ceremony, it was private and beautiful, and I’m so happy for her.
-10 year anniversary is today (12/31)
-I did pretty well in my first year as a realtor
I started weightlifting with a trainer at the end of last year and really came into this year, crushing a lot of goals to show myself what my body was really capable of.
Went on family vacation with DH’s whole family to RI - a vacation we had missed out on during the last few summers because of a big move and then I was in grad school.
DH took me to Colonial Williamsburg for my 28th birthday and I got to try my hand at axe throwing (which was super cool) and spend a weekend acting like the history nerd that I am.
I hit my reading goal for the year. Each year I set a number for a reading challenge and normally I get really busy and fall short, but I managed to read 30/30 books this year.
Hands down, finding out that we were going to be parents was the highlight of 2018. While it was a bit of a surprise to us, it was the best thing that happened this year. DH and I both have talked about how much we want to be parents and I’m still in shock sometimes that our dream is coming true. Getting to tell our family and friends provided us with some amazing memories (there were a lot of tears, a lot of excited screams, and I almost got tackled by a jumping SIL). It’s just amazing to me.
I got a kickass new job that I absolutely LOVE. I have the most supportive group to work with, and I'm so motivated!
Went on a late honeymoon / vacation to Puerto Plata last February with my husband! It was awesome!
After only being on the job for 3 months, found out I was successful in securing approx. $700 000.00 in research grants to do some projects we were really optimistic about.
Got to meet my new nephew! He will only be 5 months older than our baby. BIL and SIL are only 5 min up the road from us. Can you say BFFs for life??
Obviously, finding out that I was pregnant! We've wanted this for a long time and it feels like a dream come true!
2) Swimming with dolphins in the Keys, bucket list item checked off and I got to do it with DD!
3) Watching DDs love for learning grow as she started kindergarten
4) watching DDs and DSs sibling bond grow (my sister and I never bonded so watching them get along so well melts my heart )
5) My parents selling their house. So now they are moving up by us!!
2) My SO and I went to E3 and explored LA together
3) I went to Universal Studios for my birthday
4) After 2 months of waiting and dealing with insurance issues, I was finally able to see a doctor and hear my baby’s heart beat and see on the ultrasound screen that she was alive and healthy
5) Cousins that I love and haven’t seen in a long time came to visit for the holidays
2) Related- I was able to get diagnosed and get surgery for a uterine septum. It was a stressful odyssey of diagnostics and providers, and I went through a really hard time where I didn’t know what was wrong with me or if I’d be able to carry a little one, but when I got to my current practice they truly helped. I’m so grateful.
3) My parents bought a house closer to where we live. It’ll be great for the baby, and great for everyone as they get older.
4) We got to go to an amazing concert in May (Glass Animals), and managed to get a great spot in general admission. I’m short, so I always get worried about standing/general admission seats!
5) This year we made a bigger effort to keep in touch with people that we’ve moved away from. It’s been really rewarding, and we hope to keep up the habit in the new year. It can be easy to take those ties for granted when life is busy, but people are so happy to be reached out to.
1. Celebrated our 1 year marriage anniversary, it's been such a blessed first year of marriage for us
2. Related to #1 but we had our ceremony/reception for friends and family to celebrate with us and it was an amazing day, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.
3. Took a honeymoon trip to Ireland, my dream vacation where we traveled all over the country, left the little one at home (as hard as it was) and got to spend much needed time with just the two of us.
4. Got so much done with the house. We moved in Dec last year and we updated the bathroom, the entire upstairs got a paint job and new carpet, and we were able to fix up the garage some to how we want it. Even some landscaping got done. When I think about how much went into it we really did work this year.
5. Found out we were pregnant with this little one, we were blessed and lucky it only took 2 months trying. Especially after 2 losses before DD and a total of over a year trying to have her. I honestly thought there would be more heartache but so far it's a healthy and wonderful pregnancy.
2) Had a nice family vacation this summer and I got to meet DH's family (MIL's foster siblings she grew up with and their kids, grandkids, etc.), most of whom I'd never met before.
3) DH, DD, and I spent our first full year in our own home. (We bought it in September 2017 and moved in a month later.)
4) We were contacted by DH's dad and family in the Netherlands. His dad left and moved back there when DH was 8 or 9 and they haven't had any sort of relationship in over 20 years, but they are now in the process of getting to know each other and restoring a little bit of that relationship. It's going to take time and lots of healing, but there's been so much progress there already. His aunts, uncles, and cousins there have also been in touch and are so excited to be a part of his life again, and they've even invited us to visit them in Holland. We'll probably take them up on that a few years down the road.
5) Finding out that our little one is a girl, even though we were originally told (and excited for) a boy. I'm very close to my 3 sisters and am excited to see the relationship develop between Eloise and Anneliese.
2. Deciding we were ready for #2 and getting pregnant.
3. Working towards our goals and making headway in where/what we want to achieve.
4. Landing my new permanent full time stress free job.
5. Seeing DD grow and be super excited about her sister. Last night was she was sitting with me and actually got to feel and see her kick!
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Took a few fun trips over the year: park city, ut; st. thomas, usvi; palm desert, ca; boston, ma...
I’ve loved watching DD give softball a try & love it this fall!
& finally, Finding out I am pregnant with this surprise little love was quite the shock, but we are all pretty stoked about it— now that the shock has worn off 😆
DD #2: BFP: 8-19-18 EDD: 4-30-19
Taking our little camper to Glacier National Park from MN for an extended camping trip/road trip. It was the first of many adventures in the camper. We are looking forward to bringing this baby to Asseteague in a few years!
Our marriage. Through multiple losses and fertility treatments over the past 3 years, our relationship has gotten so strong! I am amazed at how we have grown together, especially in the past year.
Starting a daily mindfulness practice. It has kept me calm through this pregnancy and I have noticed personal growth in many areas.
This baby. We have been through so much to get here. I still have to pinch myself that this is real.
2. finding out its a girl
3. becoming full time at a company I love
4. Getting to do tons of fun house projects
5. Going to Disneyland!
BFP: 8/11/18 Due: 4/26/18
2. Vacation to the beach and Disney World in July
3. Finding out this baby was a boy in October
4. Getting engaged in November
5. Christmas this year was awesome
1. Going to Florida and then extending our vacation by a few more days so we could bring the kids to Disney
2. Finding out we were pregnant with our third
3. My SIL asking me to be her matron of honor
4. Going to concerts with my sisters over the Summer. The last time we had all gone to a concert together was in the 80s for NKOTB.
5. Getting to travel a lot over the summer with my kids, sisters, and nieces/nephews to a variety of places - New Hampshire, NYC, and Washington DC.