The Year of the Pandemic…

I don’t think that anyone would call this year an epic year. It has been hard for everyone. For me it was just strange. Most of last year I dreamt of what the first year as a mom would be like and all the things that me and our little one would do…little did I know that none of it would happen. Just leaving the house was a bit panic inducting. No visitors at the hospital when we delivered, no newborn photos, no visitors at the house when we came home. Just masks and visits through the front door and lots of separation. The worst part was that we couldn’t go and experience life outside of our little bubble. It made the year very isolated.

But it wasn’t all bad. 2020 brought me so much joy and happiness that I couldn’t possibly put it into words. I became a mom and she came at just the right time. Because of COVID, my husband was furloughed for the first few months of her life and we had such an amazing time becoming a family of three and watching our daughter grow and thrive. We were able to spend the first 4 months of her life as our little family unit without much interference from the outside. Because of COVID, when I went back to work after maternity leave I was able to work at home half time. I didn’t have to send my baby to daycare and I was able to watch all of her little milestones. What a luxury to be there when she started to crawl, started to babble, stood for the first time, took her first shaky steps with her walker. She has been such a blessing and light this year.

Other blessings that we had this year include:

• My niece Everly Rae was born
• My niece Violet Theresa was born
• My sister got engaged (FINALLY)

So, while there were trials and heartache this year, there were so many blessings and I am beyond grateful for the lessons that this year has taught. I am looking forward to what 2021 will bring and hope that we can find normal…whatever that may be. I hope that you all can remember to hold your loved ones close, make time for those that matter, be grateful. Happy New Year!!