2020 Vision

Happy New Year! It's officially 2021 and I think I speak for us all when I say it feels like a breath of fresh air, and a long time coming. Although just day one on the calendar does not magically solve the issues that our nation and world are still facing, it is a day closer to hopefully a happier, healthier, new year. 

Remember last New Year's when everyone said "2020 vision"? If anyone of us could have only known what was right around the corner just a couple months away. 

But the truth is now, hindsight really is 2020. We have finished off the year that no one could have predicted and started a brand new year. 

There has been so much pain for so many over the past 12 months. Personally, professionally, physically, and our family has not been exempt from heartbreak. However, when I reflect back on the course of the year, I can so visibly see the way the Lord has orchestrated our steps, and blessed us beyond belief even in these trying times. 

We soaked up sacred family time that we will never get back, just the three of us. 

Sweet friendships were strengthened through encouragement, during the challenging times of the grind of day in and day out motherhood during a pandemic. 

The most beautiful beach and boat days, and the hours and hours spent outside. I've never been more grateful to call such a breathtaking place home. 

So much extra time with my parents and their flexibility to jump right in whenever needed. 

The birth of our adorable nephew, and becoming an aunt, uncle and big cousin for the first time. 

Answered prayers for my Mother in law's health and a successful surgery. 

Finding out our precious rainbow baby boy was on the way! 

Hindsight is 2020, and while I am grateful to have this year tucked away, I'm also forever thankful for the way it stretched me, and forced me to lean not on my own understanding. To never take for granted my family's health, going out to dinner with friends, story time at the library and the park. 

To enjoy all the little moments, the bike rides, home cooked meals and flowers growing in our backyard. So I'm taking these things with me into the new year and praying blessings to you and yours for 2021. 

Wrapping up the second trimester

 I can not believe we are already wrapping up the second trimester. This pregnancy is absolutely flying, and this trimester even more so. The second trimester always feels like the honeymoon phase to me, especially after the first trimester exhaustion and nausea. 

Just like with my first pregnancy the nausea subsided around 14 weeks and I started picking up so much more energy. Thank goodness because chasing a toddler in a pandemic while pregnant, calls for a boost of energy. 

I started the second trimester right as fall was beginning, and we had the best long weekend away with family at Bald Head Island. We found out at the 20 week mark that we are having a sweet baby boy and shared in the excitement with family. 

We celebrated my husband and Dad's birthdays, and rolled right into Halloween, Thanksgiving and now Christmas. Celebrating the holidays while pregnant made them seem to only fly by quicker than ever, but made them all the more special. 

We transitioned Everette into her big girl room and bed right before Thanksgiving and she has done such a great job! It was of course an adjustment at first with our nap schedule, but I couldn't be more proud of how well she has adapted to change. 

Everette has loved watching the bump grow and feel the baby kicking. She will rest her little hand on my tummy, talk to the baby and wait for him to move. She also loves pretending she has babies in her belly too, and let us know that the Baby Jesus was in there right around Christmas time. 

The second trimester is full of so many exciting things. The secret is out, starting to show, finding out the babies gender, nailing down the name, feeling those first few kicks, and then big stretches and rolls. With my first pregnancy, I really didn't begin to show until around week 24, but this time around the bump showed up much quicker, around week 15-16. I feel really fortunate to have such mild pregnancies with only the occasional dizzy spell here and there. 

I have definitely taken advantage of eating all the yummy Christmas cookies and treats this go around and fully embraced the stretchy maternity leggings. With my first pregnancy I craved lemons, pickles, watermelon, ice cream, turkey sandwiches and cheeseburgers. This time I still crave all the lemons, country ham biscuits, pasta, smoothies, and absolutely no cheeseburgers. 

I can not believe the third trimester is here and before we know it we will be approaching baby month! Here's to soaking up all the toddler snuggles, good nights sleep, and precious family time of just the three of us. 

Pretty paper in a pinch

If you are a busy mama like I am, then you are always looking to add a beautiful touch, but in a quick way. Fernandina Paper Co. has made my job so easy this Christmas! My talented friend Mckenzie Fussell created this digital library earlier this fall, and it honestly couldn't have come at a more perfect time. 

All the paper goods you need for everyday celebrations and special occasions, ready for you to personalize and print in a pinch! From personal stationary to seasonal essentials, access hundreds of designs and look for new designs added to the library each week. 

This year I've loved personalizing our Christmas gift tags and cards to go on tiny treats for our friends. The best part was quickly printing from home in minutes. No rush to the printer or having to get out of the house for one more errand. 

When you sign up for the Fernandina Paper Co. monthly or annual membership, you have complete access to the library of digital downloads, ready to be customized and printed in a pinch. As a member you can download up to 10 designs from the library each cycle. 

After the holidays, I can't wait to start personalizing stationary for baby boy, gift tags and valentines treats for preschool. My favorites from the library are the diaper bag tags, the seasonal teacher treat cards, wine tags, and holiday banners. I can't wait to see what Mckenzie comes up with for Spring! 

If you are in a pinch, there is still even time to print a precious Christmas or New Years card right from the comfort of your home. Happy gift giving friends! 

*I have been gifted a membership in exchange for sharing, but all opinions are my own.