2011 Reflection and Year-end Review

It's been awhile since I've blogged, but time has eluded me lately. Here it is, the last day of 2011, and Katelyn turned 8 months old yesterday. We were out of internet and tv the last few days, so that gave me lots of time to just relax without technology and reflect on how this year has been, and all the blessings and hardships that made up this year. 


I was thinking about the whole year and all the changes that have occurred for Matt and I, and as trying and hard as it has been, this year has been the best by far. I was thinking of each month, and realized I could break it down monthly.


January 2011: Coming into a new year about 4 months pregnant was fun and challenging at the same time. I was in my 2nd trimester, and was overcome with all the yet unknown changes 2011 was going to bring with a new baby.


February 2011: Valentine's Day was extra special....we found out we were having a girl (what we were hoping for, although a boy would've been wonderful too), and we had a gender reveal party to announce it to all our family and friends. I also started obsessing over the nursery. I was nesting BIGTIME by this point! 


March 2011: We were still planning the nursery, registering, and getting ready for baby, but I was growing and getting more uncomfortable by the day! Being pregnant and working at the same time was beginning to have a very bad effect on me, creating a lot of stress. Also, I have no idea how I got through going to the rodeo to see Brad Paisley at 24 weeks pregnant, with all the walking, but I did. It was fun but I realized I will never go to the rodeo pregnant again unless I am very early and not showing yet. That was a lot of weight to be carrying around! This was also the month I started having some issues and seeing the doctor almost weekly to monitor.


April 2011: The month of surprises....dun dun DUUUUN!! The beginning of this month was very active, and looking back I wish I would've taken care of myself better and let others do more for me and taken it more easy. I think that is partially the reason for the onset of complications, ultimately resulting in Katelyn coming so early. I had been seeing the doctor a lot, to monitor her low birth weight, low blood flow and oxygen getting to her through the umbilical cord, low amniotic fluid levels, and my "crappy placenta", as my doctor called it, and also, my cervix starting to thin out (which is a sign that labor is not far off.) All of these things were a cause for concern and extra monitoring. Easter came and went and in a matter of a week, I blew up with edema horribly, and the onset of my preeclampsia came rapidly and I was admitted to the hospital. All this led up to giving birth through an emergency c-section when I was 30 weeks pregnant to our miracle, only 2 pounds, 9 ounces. This was the start of our life-changing journey, and Katelyn's 6 week stay in the NICU. I am so grateful for all the prayers and that God was there the entire time looking out for us. 


May 2011: Probably the best and worst month of my life. I was discharged from the hospital without my baby girl, and that was THE hardest thing ever. Especially since as we were embarking on the wheelchair ride down to the car, another couple was leaving at the same time next to us--with their baby in their arms. I just about broke down. That was the first and only time I can ever say that I actually didn't want to leave a hospital. I just went into Katelyn's nursery and bawling forever when we got home. I knew she was where she needed to be to get better, but it was still hard. It was hard trying to recover from the c-section also, but a few days later, I celebrated my first Mother's Day with my baby in the NICU....and got the best gift--holding her for the first time, only 8 days old. Words cannot express that feeling, so I won't even try. On top of all this stress, my aunt, who is very very special passed away just 2 weeks after Katelyn was born, the first of my 9 aunts and uncles on my mom's side. Other things that month: my 27th birthday, Katelyn's first holiday (Memorial Day), and numerous trips to visit Katelyn in the NICU. I especially loved when we got to bottle feed her for the first time. I was one proud mama!


June 2011: Busy month! Katelyn came home on June 7th, at 4 pounds, 5 ounces. And oh how the fun started!! I won't even get into details about all the changes, but it was crazy and wonderful all at the same time. Hubby and I were pretty much zombies lol. Numerous doctor appointments, adjusting to a baby at home, let alone a preemie with different and specific needs, and little sleep made for a month that flew by that I barely remember. Matt also celebrated his first Father's Day, Katelyn attended her first wedding and had her first "vacation" to Conroe (Aunt Angela and Uncle Kenny), and that was definitely a new experience for us as well!


July 2011: Still adusting to parenthood....Katelyn celebrated her first "real" holiday, at least her first one at home: 4th of July, which was also her original due date. She looked amazing in her Build-A-Bear 4th of July outfit, lol! At this point, her preemie clothes were still to big for her. :) She slept most of the time, but definitely cried a lot also. She was also the "belle of the ball", at her homecoming party on July 9th, in her beautiful pink tutu and monogrammed K onesie. It was such a memorable, wonderful day. The rest of the month entailed more adjustments and doctors appointments, focusing on getting Katelyn to gain weight, and she did wonderful with it. Matt also celebrated his first birthday as a parent, and we also got to celebrate our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! We are so thankful for Matt's mom and sister who babysat so we could have a nice lunch and afternoon together. We were expecting to get to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary on a nice, tropical beach somewhere, but when I got pregnant, we realized that would have to wait. Maybe for out 3 or 4 year anniversary. :) It was still great though! 

August 2011: Pretty uneventful, except all the baby stuff. Katelyn was starting to do more, and her colic was getting worse. She got to attend her very first birthday party (for cousin Kayla, at Chuck E. Cheese) lol. This was also a special month, because on August 28th she had her baby dedication ceremony at church, where we dedicated her to God, and committed ourselves to raising her as a Christian, and teaching her all about God. 


September 2011: More birthday events, and getting Katelyn to gain weight. She was doing pretty well, but by this point her tummy issues were getting worse. It was a stressful time, but we enjoyed every second of having her around. On Sept. 10th, Katelyn stayed overnight with her Nana, which was the first time she stayed anywhere overnight. I tried relaxing, but I was still worried the whole night lol. This month Katelyn started hitting at and grabbing toys. She was loving tummy time on her playmat, and trying to hold her head up even though she wasn't quite there yet. I also began my AMAZING Wisdom For Mothers bible study, on Tuesday mornings, which changed and saved my life. Seriously, it saved my life. 


October 2011: This month I was obsessed with preparing for Katelyn's first Halloween. She was a ladybug, and we went trick or treating with Kayla and Kurt. She was fussy, lol.....but mommy and daddy had a great time. And got tons of pictures. At this point Katelyn was laughing and smiling, and we were absolutely in love with her. She rolled over from her tummy to back, and I missed it the first time, but Matt saw it. She tried scooting around, but was frustrated after no success. This month there were many developments and milestones, and we were very proud parents. Katelyn was still having her fussy times at night, but sleeping a little more through the night--for the most part. With the power of prayer, I was getting through it. 


November 2011: Celebrated my sister Julie's wedding (Katelyn's 2nd of the year!), and the start of all the holidays. RSV season started, and we were busy with millions of doctor appointments...Katelyn started getting her first dose of RSV shots. That is the worst thing, having to see your baby cry when getting shots...but I knew it was for the best! We celebrated her first Thanksgiving, and had a blast! This month, Katelyn's sleeping patterns started to get crazy again, and she was having lots of issues. But she started teething, so that was the main reason why. 


December 2011: The last month of the year! We had  a busy but wonderful time with many family Christmas gatherings, and lots of bows and wonderful Christmas outfits! Katelyn's personality has grown more and more at this point, and we were having so much fun learning and watching who she is going to become. Watching her play, try to sit up, rolling over, trying to talk and coo (we loved her "gremlin grunts", as we called it), and wanting to crawl and walk but not knowing how just yet, has been the most fun part of this month! We are still trying to get her to sleep through the night and in her own crib, so that has been quite stressful....but we know it will come. 


So, that's my monthly year in review. I could've gone on and on more about a million other things, but I realized that would've been boring to anyone except me! :)  I have learned so much this year, and while it was hard and stressful, and there were many sleepless nights, crying, praying to God for guidance and to just get through the sleepless night, I wouldn't trade it for the world. As trying as our circumstances were, and adjusting to a new baby, it was all worth it. I know and trust in God's reasons, whatever they may be, for putting us on this journey the way He did, and I am so grateful for it all. God knew that Matt and I needed this situation to happen for whatever reason, to change us and mold us into better people, and better parents than we would've been if not for this situation. I am amazed at how much I've learned about how miraculous, yet fragile life is, and how faithful God is. Going through everything with Katelyn this year has tested my faith, and shook me to the core, but I was able to get through it with the power of prayer, and the grace of our awesome God. I couldn't have done it without Him. And the wonderful support of my husband, and family. AND, the angels on earth, the NICU nurses and doctors. I know that God hand-picked Katelyn especially for Matt and I, and I couldn't be more happy and proud that she is our beautiful daughter. 2011 had many challenges and blessings for us, but the greatest blessing of all, our baby girl, completely makes up for all the challenges. I look forward to what God is bringing to our lives for 2012, for myself as a person, and for me as a mother and wife. I know He has great things in store. I am sad to see 2011 go in some ways, but can't wait to continue this journey we are embarking on. 
I hope 2012 is a year filled with sweet, wonderful blessings for everyone. Have a Happy New Year!