Post originally written Dec 31st 2016 at 830pm

As I sit here surrounded by my little family , my baby an fur babies and the love of my life , in the home we have made …i reflect on one hell of a year.

2016 was one of the best of my life. Certainlly the most memorable. Many are looking back and seeing so much negative I can’t help but feel truly blessed. Filled with love and life. Of happiness , of gratitude and good health. All the things I wish for everyone this year and next and all the years ahead of us.

I reflect this new years eve as 2017 approaches and count my many blessings.

This year brought me my daughter. All my dreams came true the moment I saw her for the first time. I created life , carried and nurtured it. Something I never thought I’d do. I started this year pregnant and feeling my precious baby roll and kick and grow strong and healthy. Then had an beautiful birth experience . Intimate and supported by life partner cole and our wonderful team.

From that moment life changed and we entered into parenthood. Navigating a whole new world.

2016 has been filled with new milestones and so many firsts. From first cuddles , first feedings , first smiles , first roll over , first words, first crawl , first sitting up, first foods , first steps , first holidays and road trips , first Halloween an Christmas. I sit here now with a walking and talking almost 10 month old perfectly healthy beautiful baby girl.

This year was spent navigating and learning about each other. Finding out what kind of parents we are , what works and what dosent. Facing challenges together like struggling with breatfeeding . To accepting change and plans not always working out , learning to adapt as you go. To doing things you never thought you would but knowing they work best for us like Co sleeping and bed sharing.

Knowing what works for some dosent work for all. Every baby is different and so is each parent. Finding our own style and learning about who we are as a family. standing tall when others don’t agree. Standing up for our beliefs . Supporting and giving support. To building our village. Being a part of a community.

We made many new friends and lost a few along the way.

We celebrated birthdays my 30th and our 11 year anniversary. We welcome new additions to our friends families and our own with the birth of our baby nephew.

Cole broke his leg shortly after Madelyns birth and it was a long recovery.

I started my new silicone teething accessories business in September .

Now as one year ends and another begins , my maternity benifits end in a few short days even though I’m not expected back to work till march and I’m confident in my decision to not return at all. I renewed my practical nursing license as non practicing so I can stay home with madelyn as well as start my own day care. I firmly believe these early years are so crucial and I need to be here. I look foward to this new adventure and many others in 2017.

I look foward to growing and learning more about myself as a person and a mother. To learning more about madelyn and teaching her and experiencing life with her and cole.

I look foward to new chapters in life , new adventures , experiences , continuing relationships and exploring new oppertunities as they present themselves.

So as I sit here with my family snuggled up watching a movie waiting to ring in the new year I wish you all a blesseded happy new year and may 2017 be everything you deserve.

I’ll be cuddled in bed sound asleep by midnight as babies don’t wait for midnight and still wake up at 5 am. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Good night and goodbye to 2016♡