2012

A year ago today I found out I was pregnant.  I still remember the exact moment standing in the bathroom with Brian at his parents' house just staring in disbelief at those two blue lines.  So many emotions were going through me.  Shock, fear, strong disbelief, nervous excitement.  I can't believe that was an entire year ago.  I can't believe I just laid my four month old down for bed in his crib.  In his room.  In our house.  If you had asked me a year ago if I was ready to be a mom I would have replied with an emphatic no.  I still have a hard time believing it's true.  I have these moments sometimes when I'm walking around the house carrying my son on my hip with a burp cloth over my shoulder and it all sort of hits me for a just a moment.  I am a mom.  I have a kid.  This is the real deal.  Once you become a parent, you're a parent for the rest of your life.  I still have a hard time believing that Brian and I are married.  I wonder when, or if, I will ever truly feel like a mom.

2012 brought a lot of amazing things for us.  In January we got to see our first child for the first time via ultrasound.  In February we brought home our little Callie girl.   In March my mom and step-dad got to hear their grandson's heartbeat for the first time.  In April we found out we were having a boy.  In May we celebrated our two year anniversary.  In June we were thrown two baby showers and got to see lots of family and friends.  In July we got the crib for James's room.  In August I celebrated my 26th birthday and gave birth to our son.  In September James got to meet Grandma Sue and Grandpa Joel for the first time and our new church was launched.  In October James got to meet his Aunt Alli for the first time.  In November we made our first long trip with James up to Minnesota to meet my mom's side of the family.  In December we made the trek to Illinois where James met close to 60 relatives, Brian turned 27, and Callie celebrated her first birthday.

I love the life that we have.  We have been blessed with so many wonderful, incredible, and unbelievable things these last few years.  Our life together is not perfect, we have struggles just like everyone else, but I wouldn't trade it.  I have an incredibly amazing husband, a beautiful, healthy son, and a pretty wonderful pup.  A new year with all of them is exciting, but I look forward to each new day with them regardless of what year it may be.

Love,
-K

Sweet, angel face.

She became a Great Grandma when James was born.  This is them meeting for the first time.  Great Grandpa made it in in the background.

Secret smiles with mama.

One year old! Her birthday is on Christmas :)

First Christmas!

Four generations of Steffens men.

The "Steffens" babies of 2012

Cuddle time with Dad under the beautiful quilt Erin made for James.

Ohmygosh! ;)

Look guys! I can fly!