Farewell 2011!

As I prepare to bid 2011 farewell, I have been reflecting on what an amazing year it has been.  Of course there were ups and downs but I really think that I have grown as a person this year.

The number one lesson I learned from 2011 is that "life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" or that "everything happens for a reason".  If you would have told me this time last year that I would now be expecting our 2nd baby girl, I would have laughed in your face!  Our plan was to wait 3 years, so that I could spend time working on my health.  I spent the first 8 months of 2011 planning to have gastric bypass surgery and as it happens, in a matter of seconds that plan was obsolete.  I did spend some time grieving my surgery, I will not lie because I had worked so very hard to get there and it felt like months of work and planning had been wasted.  But what really got me through is that this little baby really wants to be in our lives and even an IUD would not stop her!  So if life has other plans for me - so be it!

Another lesson I have learned in 2011 is that I was meant to be a mother.  There is nothing I love more than seeing my daughter smile or hearing that charming giggle.  It takes all of my power not to crack a smile or laugh when I see her being naughty.  Is the job exhausting?  Absolutely.  But it's worth every back-breaking, sleepy-eyed minute!  I'm nervous about having two kids to chase around but this new little girl is welcome in our hearts by all means! 

In a related lesson, I have learned in 2011 that I'm much stronger than I have ever given myself credit for.  I think that many people in my situations would have fallen apart but I have forged through.  And I have kept my doctors happy with my blood pressure and my weight.  I wasn't sure if I could do it - but I am.  This gives me courage to move forward and to even hope for an uncomplicated labor and delivery. (KNOCK ON WOOD).

Every year brings with it new adventures and new heartaches - there were definitely a few this year.  But the beauty of ringing in the new year is to leave your painful past behind and welcome the future!  I am a very lucky woman to have such wonderful people to share my life with and I wouldn't change a minute of 2011.  So thank you most of all to Shawn and Samantha for being my partners in crime and to the rest of my amazing family and friends who have made this year so bright!