Year in Review : 2019
2019 was a BIG year for us. It was the year we welcomed our daughter Anna into this world. Let’s take a look back at that special time and what the whole year has been like for us.
The winter that would never end.
With record snowfalls and arctic temperatures, we spent most of the winter hibernating! It actually worked out well for us since we were still hiding our pregnancy. I stayed busy working on projects, editing photos, cleaning the house and running errands. I was very happy when spring finally made its way to us.
A tropical trip.
We did get a break from the winter weather with a trip to the Bahamas with our friends Ryan and Melissa and David and Rachel in January. You haven’t seen a blog post since I literally didn’t take a photo when we were there (shocking, I know!). Luckily, Rachel got this good group shot and shared it with us. Being pregnant and not drinking made for a different experience, but it was still a really fun and relaxing time with friends.
Jess and Casey’s Wedding!
Another big event for us this year was my sister’s wedding. The fun festivities included a bridal shower, bachelorette/bachelor parties and of course the wedding! Jess was very supportive of me and my growing bump and even changed the bridesmaid dresses at the last minute so I’d find one that I felt comfortable in. We’ve very happy for Jess and our new brother-in-law, Casey!
Baby Prep
It probably comes as no surprise that prepping for Anna, a.k.a Baby Schnoes, took priority for most of the year. You can find recaps of the first trimester, second trimester and third trimester on the blog. Time was spent researching baby items, reading baby books, shopping, going to doctor appointments, and more. I felt like if I wasn’t doing something for the baby, I was thinking about the baby. Some highlights for the year included our Babymoon to Charleston, baby showers and preparing the nursery!
Some of the fun we’ve had.
We tried to squeeze in some fun before Anna arrived. Ryan missed out on the annual South Dakota fishing trip this year but he did go on a fishing trip to South Dakota with Shannon. We got a winter Lake City visit in. Ryan also got a couple fun-bike rides in, I got to hang out my sisters a few times, and we both got a couple Remsen visits in. We also have tried to have a little fun since Anna has arrived, too! Ryan celebrated his sister Jess’ 40th birthday. And, we made our first trip to Remsen as a family. We’ve been able to have a few date nights as well thanks to our friends Ron and Jen and Steve and Abby.
Welcoming Anna home & maternity leave
Anna was born on a Tuesday and we took her home that Thursday. As we walked out of the hospital that day, I began sobbing. It was mostly the hormones … but I also think I was crying because we were leaving the security of the hospital and the doctors and nurses and starting our journey life together as a family, in the outside world. It was scary. Luckily, I had 12 weeks of maternity leave to find my way as a mother. I spent those days nursing/pumping, taking naps together, eating super quick lunches, occasionally going for a walk outside, baths (for me and her!), and having lots of visitors. My mom was able to spend a week with us when Anna was a few weeks old and that was very helpful! Ryan has also been and continues to be my biggest supporter and the best daddy to Anna. I owe him so much thanks for all he did/continues to do for us. Although those weeks after Anna’s arrival were a such a huge adjustment, I will cherish that time when she and I got to spend our days (and nights!) together!
A new job!
If life wasn’t crazy enough, I decided to take a job with the University of Northern Iowa shortly after returning to Veridian Credit Union from my maternity leave. My position at UNI is a communications specialist in the Office of Admissions. It was strange to leave Veridian after nine years but it was time for a change. I had wonderful coworkers there and do miss them! I’m continuing to learn the ropes of my new job, and it is keeping me very busy. My days fly by, and I’m being challenged every day. I have been needing this so it feels good. People have been welcoming there, and I’m hoping to make a new friend or two!
Saying good-bye to Buddy.
My parents’ dog Buddy died in November. He was a wonderful dog … here’s a post with photos of him and some sweet memories.
Baby Friends!
Our baby wasn’t the only one to make her appearance this year. Anna was joined by friends, Kase Cameron McCarty, son of Kara and Cam, born on January 5th, and Olive Lynn Ganzer, born on July 20th, daughter of Steph and Kyle. Pretty crazy to have two of my best friends have babies in the same year as me. Anna may not know it, but she’s already got some friends. I can’t wait to do some family-related activities together with these friends!
Other happenings …
Paige got a new job … and a new cat. His name is Tom PETty. Jess got a new dog, Brinkley. Our neighbors and friends, the Willetts, moved to Wisconsin; we were sad to see them leave but hope we can visit someday! We painted our main floor (well, we paid painters to do it!) to lighten and freshen things up. I kept busy this fall with photographing several families (special thanks to Ryan for caring for Anna so I could do this). We’ve had a number of firsts for Anna … her baptism in the fall, Halloween (our little bean pod), Thanksgiving and Christmas. It has been a complete joy to see our families interact with our sweet little girl. Warms our hearts!
Finding our “new normal”…
Well, we are about 5 months underway in his journey called parenthood. We are making our way through … through sicknesses (Anna has been sick with something each week since starting daycare), sleepless nights (getting better now that Anna rolls over!) and finding our new normal. We are learning to be OK with our house not being very clean … with fast-food meals … and with less time for ourselves and each other. Life is different, but it is entirely richer. Things will continue to change, Anna will continue to grow and develop, and we’ll continue to adapt and transition. We wouldn’t change it for the world! Our life as a family of three is so, so sweet.
Happy New Year!
Hoping your 2019 was equally wonderful! Looking forward to 2020!