Saying Goodbye To 2016

This past year has probably been one of the best years of my life. It has been overwhelming full of love and laughter and stock full of new adventures in marriage and parenthood. Although this year has been quite amazing and has given us learning experiences and memories with our little girl that we will cherish forever, it has not been without its struggles, setbacks, and hardships. You can still finish off a year feeling accomplished even though things were not perfect; tears were shed, arguments were had, friends were lost, and therapy was needed. For the last few weeks I have found myself in conversations about how awful this year has been for a lot of people. I can’t deny or argue with that, because things all over the world have been pretty bleak, and at times have left people (including myself) feeling completely vulnerable and hopeless. However, at this moment as the year is coming to an end I’m setting aside my stresses and concerns about what is going on everywhere else and I’m allowing myself to reflect on what has gone on in our home this year. I’m focusing on the growth and accomplishments my little family has made, and I’m proud of how we have managed to get through the hard times. It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom at the end of the year damning yourself about all the things you haven’t been able to do or goals you have not been able to reach. This is an opportunity to look back at all the things you have been able to accomplish and let yourself revel a little bit in the glory of making it through one of the “worst years” in history.

Last week, my husband and I were going through our year in photos and we both got a little emotional looking back at how tiny our little angel was when we first brought her home. Sifting through photos of her first moments brought us right back to the constant diaper changes, breastfeeding schedules and issues, and mastering the swaddle. Starting the year off with a newborn, new responsibilities, new routines and a lot of  life changes. It was hectic, tiresome and overwhelming, but looking back at all the photos we have of her we could only remember all of the wonderful little moments we have created as a family. The morning and evening snuggles, the milestones, the cute outfits, but most importantly the bond and closeness that we have created. Those are the things that I’m grateful for this year, all those wonderful little moments we shared together is what has made this year a success amongst all the chaos in the world. Making it through midnight feedings, finding the strength to leave my little girl at daycare for the first time, and pushing through pumping schedules while being a full-time on-the-road saleswoman. These are not the only things that I am proud of this year, but are the few that stick out and the few that I never thought I would be able to get through when we first brought her home.

We made it though, and here we are now, hours away from 2017 and our New Years Eve celebrations have consisted of left over turkey sandwiches, baby snuggles, blanket and pillow forts, and chores. The times of champagne and wine filled celebrations at Bentley’s on 27, and romantic kisses at the stroke of midnight are long gone, but what we have now is immeasurably more glamorous in a completely different way. We get to look back at our first year as parents with love and pride, and just a scoatch of melancholy for the moments and feelings we won’t ever have again. Like our babies first smile, her first tooth, her first giggle, and the joy we felt when we saw her roll over, crawl and take her first steps. Those moments may be gone and we may never feel those emotions again, but we’ll have so many new things in the new year to look forward to. Like, having her first birthday party, learning her first word, and the misadventures of a walking little being.

We still have so much to learn, tons more we need to accomplish, and our goals have been set high as per usual. My husband and I have plenty of personal and career goals that we are always working towards and striving for, but the goals that mean the most are our family goals. Those are the goals that will get top priority this year. Working on creating memories, traditions, keeping our family healthy and bonded, and working together towards our united goals is what will make 2017 another amazing year. We may have struggles and setbacks, but I’m certain that our strength and faith in each other will take us where we want to be. I know it was a rough year and there are so many things going on in the world that we can’t control, but lets all try to work on the things we do have control of in 2017, and it starts with us, in our homes. So, I hope that everyone had a reflective, fabulous and safe New Year’s. But, I’m more hopeful that you took the chance to reminisce on the happy moments of 2015, and look forward to conquering your goals in the new year with an accepting heart, an open mind and a fighters spirit. Cheers!

P.S The Champagne was never opened and we were in bed watching Captain America’s: Civil War by 7:45pm. When the clock struck 12, I was pumping and watching Gilmore Girls while my entire family was sleeping peacefully. I would not have had it any other way.