A look back at 2012...

For those of you who are new to my blog, I started it in October 2010 to blog about our journey with infertility. We "started" trying to get pregnant in June of 2008. After more than 2 years of trying with no luck, I decided a blog would help me express my feelings and document our journey. So, that is pretty much what this blog became, a way to vent and "write"down my thoughts, as well as a place to post pictures of our "exciting"life!!

In June of 2011 we began our adoption process, so I began blogging our every step. I knew I would want to look back one day at all that we had been through, and boy am I glad that I did! This past year it became a place for me to document Delaney's milestones :) We didn't want to post a lot of stuff on Facebook at first because of the uncertainty of the situation. I really enjoyed doing monthly posts about all she had accomplished! And I really did a great job keeping it up, until I went back to work in August. After spending hours one night uploading pictures and typing out an entire blog, only for it to get lost in cyber space.."POOF" just like that, gone, I decided it wasn't worth it! I just didn't have the time to devote anymore:( I have been making monthly books from Shutterfly that contain all of our pictures and document all of Delaney's milestones, so I don't feel too bad. But, I do sort of miss blogging. So, I decided to "officially" share my blog on Facebook for any of you who care to look! :) HA! I can't promise I will update it often, but it's here nonetheless. Also, if you are curious about our journey, you can search back to the years past and read all about it! I know most of you probably don't have the time to do that, but I enjoy looking back and seeing how God was faithful through it all!

In honor of a new year I decided to do a blog today about the best of 2012! I have seen several people do this already, so yes, I am copying them :) I just thought it was a neat idea and a great reason to write a post. I know 2012 was an exciting year for us and I hope it was for you as well! If you are currently going through a "journey" of any kind, I pray for peace and hope that God will see you through it this year!!

Here we go......

January 2012: Allen and I were patiently waiting to hear news of a possible adoption. It was a LONG, I mean LOOOOONGGG month!! I still don't know how I made it through:) We visited my sweet sister in Nashville for her birthday and got to "foster" 2 adorable puppies that weekend!

 We also "prepared" for an adoption by painting our nursery. Our sweet friends Matt & Amanda came by and helped!

Finished and waiting on a baby!!

February 2012

One of the most amazing moments of my life was seeing this ultrasound. Although this child was not in my womb, I knew when I saw her she was meant to be ours. This day was so special to us :)

 Obviously the best part of February was when our sweet Delaney Jane was born! There are lots of pics that I love of her, but I chose these 2 because they are the first picture we ever took of her, and our first picture as a family of 3 :) Such sweet memories!!!

 

March 2012

Celebrating Delaney's 1 month Birthday :)

I was so excited to finally have a sweet baby I could take monthly pics of!

Hannah Kate meeting Delaney for the first time :)

April 2012

Delaney's first Easter

First trip to the Aquarium :)

First Professional pictures :)

May 2012

Celebrating cousin Grace's first birthday :)

My first Mother's Day!

First trip to the beach with Rachel, Stephen, & Diane :)

June 2012

First pool day with the girls!!

Father's Day weekend :)

Portrait Innovation pictures!

July 2012
4th of July!!

Family Beach Trip to Isle of Palms

 August 2012

Hannah Kate's 2nd birthday Party

September 2012

GO VOLS and Gigi came to visit

7 months old!!!

Visiting Pop ;)

Uncle Nick

October 2012

Delaney's Baby Dedication

Fall Pictures

 First Halloween :)

November 2012

9 months old!

 Delaney's first Thanksgiving!

December 2012

Visiting with Santa!

 Adoption finalized: December 7, 2012

Getting our Christmas tree!

Sunday School Christmas Party

Delaney's very first Christmas!!!

Meeting new friends!

First kiss :)

Wow! What a year!! I cannot believe Delaney will be a year old in just over a month. 2012 was full of blessings and surprises...what about you?? Cannot wait to see what God has in store for 2013!

8 months!!

Delaney Jane, you are 8 months old!!! I can hardly believe it!! How time flies!! I really cannot believe how much you have changed in just a few short months...

 We had your baby dedication at church last Sunday. It was such a special day!!! Your daddy and I celebrated 6 years of marriage, and we got to dedicate you the same day!! You looked absolutely precious :)

Getting some love from Pop!!

It was such a beautiful service. They announced your name, showed some pics on the screen, and gave you a bible and certificate:)

Joel even held you and used you as an example to the whole church. It was so sweet:)

So excited Uncle Nick, Nana Glo, & Pop could come!

Nana and Papa were there too!!

Mommy's sweet friends from school came too!!

You were so sweet!!!!

On Wednesday you turned 8 months old! Getting pics of you is getting harder because you wanna move everywhere:) I did try to get your pic with the same rabbit, but you are definitely not as good about sitting still!!

 

 Last week, you pulled up in your crib! I turned around, and there you were standing all by yourself!!

Now you think you are big stuff!! You just laugh and laugh :)

 We didn't go to the doctor this month, so we are just guessing on your height and weight :) We think you weigh a little over 15 lbs and are between 25-26 inches long. You are wearing 6-9 month clothing and are in a size 3 diaper.

 You eat ALL kinds of baby food now! The only things you've not enjoyed were peas and peaches. You have had a few meats, apples & chicken, and turkey & sweet potatoes. We are going to start some table food soon as well. You still do not have any teeth, so that makes it a little tricky!!

Your personality is really starting to come alive :) You are so sweet, but BOY do you have a stubborn side. You are SOOO close to crawling and it really frustrates you that you can't do it. You also get mad when we take toys away, or when you are over something...like in this picture. It's hard not to laugh at you :)

 I love these next few pictures of you. They show your sweet and sensitive side. I LOVE your smiley face, but these are priceless!!

 You are still a good eater and sleeper. You eat about 5 oz every three hours still, and you eat oatmeal at breakfast, a fruit or veggie at lunch, avocado and another fruit or veggie for a snack, and then dinner! You sort of sound like a pig!! You have been going to bed around 8 and sleep till 530-6. On the weekends, we can usually get you to sleep a little later :)

You take about 3 naps a day :) In the morning you usually sleep an hour and you take about a 2 hour nap after lunch. You also like to take a little cat nap in the evenings. No matter when you nap, you are still really good about going down at night. We are sooooo blessed!! I know so many people whose babies didn't sleep through the night for a long time!! I couldn't imagine teaching every day with little sleep.

You have become quite the busy body this month! You still say mama and dada occasionally. You learned how to wave, and even said bye bye a few times. It also sounds like you say hi!! I think the waving was the cutest thing ever. We went shopping one Saturday and you waved at everyone :) I just love it!!!

You have started having a little separation anxiety, but you still do pretty good at Miss Cindy's. When I get home at night though, it is ALL me :) You are a Mommy's girl right now. Daddy knows his day is coming though :) I am so excited to have Fall Break off with you all next week!! I know it will be hard to go back to work after a week off, but I am just going to savor the time together ;)

We love you so much :) We are so excited about all the wonderful memories we will have in the coming months with all of the holidays. This is my absolute favorite time of year, and I am so glad we finally have a precious miracle to share these special times with. We love you sweet Delaney Jane!!!

Delaney at 2, 4, 6, & 8 months!!!