It's going to be a great year

Things are going well for all of us. It still feels surreal to have him at home. We love him being here with us. I think having Josh in the NICU for so long has caused Matt and me to be a little more protective than we would have been. Now don't get me wrong, he is our first child so we would have been protective regardless. But him spending so long in the NICU has caused us to realize how fragile he is. If Matt could put Josh in a bubble I think he would.

Josh had a doctors appointment today for his two month shots (just a couple weeks late). He did so well with his shots. He cried for a few seconds and then stopped. We got a great report at the doc's today. Josh is now 9 pounds and 20 1/2 inches long! We are so pleased that he is growing so well. He will be ten pounds before we know it! If Josh does not get sick, we do not have to go back to the doctor until he gets his four month shots in the middle of March.

The beginning of this week has been a cause for celebration for Matt, Josh, and me. Yesterday marks the day that Josh was at home for more than he was in the hospital. He was in the NICU for 38 days, and yesterday marked day 39 that he was home with us! I was so excited. It's amazing what kind of things you mark after your child has been in the hospital for so long.

Having Josh in the hospital for so long has caused us to appreciate the little things even more. Not that a first time parent does not enjoy all the firsts; I think Matt and I just appreciate them a little more. We take notice of everything. Our little booger has such a personality. He loves to swing and spend time in his bouncy seat. Joshua also loves to watch TV and listen to music. Josh will move his head and body to the beat of the music. And if you sit Josh on your lap he can bounce himself. He is so precious when he does that! Josh is sleeping well, almost through the night now. I love the looks he gives us. He smiles a whole lot at his mommy and daddy. Josh has gotten better when we change his diaper. Now if he could just learn to enjoy his bath. Josh is also out of his preemie outfits, and almost out of his newborn outfits. He is heading into 0-3 months which makes Mommy so proud!

This past Saturday, Matt's family threw Josh his shower. It was late, but better late than never. And it worked out perfect to do it this way. How many babies can say that they attended one of their own showers. I am glad some more of Matt's family members were finally able to meet Josh. We all had a great time. Josh got a lot of neat gifts. I was so excited that they wanted to do that for us. The shower was especially good for me. I missed my showers. The first one was scheduled for the day Josh was born. This was a chance for me to heal. This really was the strong beginning of my healing process. I had felt bitter and cheated for so long about the circumstances around Josh's birth. And now, I got to experience something every other pregnant woman has. I really needed that.

This year, so far, has been a turning point for Matt and me. Last year was so rough for us in many ways. But this year is going to be different. I keep reminding myself that attitude is everything. But even if we hit as many rough spots as we did last year, we still have each other. We also have Josh. And all that matters is that he is happy and healthy. And he brings so much joy to our lives.

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I always love the holidays. It is so much fun spending that time with friends and family. After Christmas and New Years are over, I find myself feeling bummed out because it is another whole year before they come back. I just love the feelings I get during the holiday season. I really wish every day could be like Christmas!

Anyway, I was even more bummed out this year when the holidays left. I think it was because I did not have as much time to prepare and enjoy the holidays this year. So much time was wrapped up with Josh at the hospital and worrying about him. I was not able to worry about shopping and decorating the house like I wanted to. Matt and I have already decided that next year we are going all out! I cannot wait.

But in some ways this was the best holiday season ever. Josh was at home for Christmas! He came home December 10th, so Matt and I had Christmas two weeks early, and we definitely got the best Christmas present ever! It was also the first Christmas we had spent married, since we got married right after the new year in 2009. It was so wonderful to spend Christmas with our families and to have Josh there too.

This holiday season has caused me to have a lot of surreal feelings. I can't believe I am here and that my life has ended up like it has. Everything has happened so fast for us. I never expected that our first Christmas married we would already have a child. I don't even think I was expecting to be pregnant our first Christmas as a married couple. I guess that is the beauty of God's plan! Everything happens the way it is supposed to. Our one year anniversary was this past Sunday. I was sitting on the couch that night with Josh in my arms and I just started crying. I really never expected that on the night of our one year anniversay I would be sitting on the couch holding our two month old son. I figured we would be out celebrating. But it was so much better this way! Josh is a beautiful blessing in our lives!

2009 was a year of rough patches, but also a year of some of the most beautiful moments in my life. Matt and I experienced some tough moments this past year. I can look back at the year and see how much I have grown. I am thankful for the growth and thankful for the tests in my life that God brought me through and that made me stronger. I am even more thankful for the good moments this year: I am thankful for my husband and our wedding, for the beautiful baby God created through us in March, I am thankful for graduating with my Master's degree this past May (hopefully this is my last degree), and for the birth of our son in November and the blessing he has been to us this past two months.

I can't wait to see what this new year will bring. The new year really is a great time for a new beginning. A chance to start fresh. For me, it is the chance to have a fresh, positive outlook and attitude on life. It is a chance to vow to do things differently. I welcome whatever 2010 can bring. Even if 2010 is easier than last year when I faced so many tests and trials, I don't think it could be a better year. So much happened in 2009 that I am thankful for. I wish everyone a very happy new year and pray that God blesses you all during your new year.