2018 Year in Review

WE WELCOMED HARPER GRAY AT THE START OF THE YEAR

Happy New Year! I feel like it’s been so long since I’ve talked to you guys, lol. I don’t think I’ve taken this much time off work, ever. But the break was much needed and I’m so excited to get back into the swing of things. Before I get to this year, I wanted to look back at 2018 and reflect on the year (read last year’s Year in Review post). This post is therapeutic in a way. I’ve always loved taking the time to look back on a year to reflect, but I feel like it’s even more important now that I have Harper. Something I struggle so hard with as a new mom is taking time for myself. And by time, I’m talking about moments to sit alone and think, reflect, read, anything. It’s so hard for my brain to go deep, if you will. I’m go, go, go and always doing something. I’ve realized I don’t have the brain capacity to expand my thoughts further than what we’re doing that day and what I have to do for work that day. I enjoy this in a sense because I’m fully living in the moment. But, it’s hard to plan and go deep with my thoughts and feelings. I will discuss more of how I want to work on this in my What to Expect in 2019 posts, so stay tuned for that.

BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOME IN APRIL

SPENT THE SUMMER SETTLING IN AND DECORATING OUR HOUSE

ADDED THE BABY/FAMILY VERTICAL TO OUR BUSINESS AND WORKED WITH SOME AMAZING BABY BRANDS

TOOK OUR FIRST ROAD TRIP AS A FAMILY OF 3 TO BLACK BUTTE

TOOK HARPER BACK TO CALIFORNIA TO VISIT FAMILY AND FRIENDS

GOT BACK TO A REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE IN OCTOBER & WORKED WITH MORE AMAZING BRANDS

HAD OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS AS A FAMILY OF 3

SPENT THE HOLIDAYS WITH FAMILY

2018 was an incredible year for Mike and I. It was filled with highs and lows and so many emotions. It was a year of personal growth, triumph, and embracing the unknown. Being thrusted in parenthood after a 24 hour birth that ended in a C-Section was not something we were prepared for (Meet Harper Gray post is here). Sleep deprivation is a real thing and it F’s with you. We made the mistake of allowing all of our family members to visit (from California) right after the birth. We were exhausted to say the least and vowed to NOT make that mistake again with baby number 2 (whenever that happens). Let’s just say there were a lot of tears shed that week.  My postpartum recovery was also one of the toughest experiences of my life, mentally. I just kept feeling like my body let me down. Once my body felt like itself again, my engorgement settled down, and we had Harper on a consistent schedule, life felt normal again. Navigating the unknown for the first 6-7 months felt like a lifetime and was exhausting mentally, physically, and emotionally to say the least. I will share more on our first year of parenting in a separate posts, but for any new parents reading this, it gets better and easier and you will find your new normal. The experience in the first year as a parent is EVERYTHING – you come out of it feeling like you can conquer the world and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

To think I had 2 of my proudest moments happen in 2018 is just crazy. We also bought our first home in April. This was such a surreal moment for me. I never thought this was going to happen for me, almost like I didn’t deserve it. Hard work pays off and so does putting your dreams into the universe. I still can’t believe we’re home owners!

2018 was also about triumph. Working to get Harper on a consistent schedule was something we worked on from birth until around 7 months. Technically she was on a schedule since day 3, but her naps were unpredictable, which meant our days were all over the place. I wasn’t able to work consistently. Taking time away from work to be with Harper the first half the year resulted in the business taking a dip. Around 7 months, our hard work paid off and Harper started to really take to the schedule we worked so hard on from day 1. I was able to plan my work days around Harper and our feedings, my aunt started watching her 1 day a week, and work got back on track. We even saw growth in Q4! Being able to end the year on a positive note personally and professionally has been so awesome.

2018 was all about growth and experiencing a love like no other. I’m not the same person I was in 2017- I’m a much more experienced, patient, understanding, efficient, softer version of myself and I’m proud of that. 2018 was the hardest year of my life, but also the best year of my life. Mike and I were talking the other day about how although it’s been a tough year, we’re exactly where we set out to be. We moved to Oregon to run this business together in hopes to buy a house and start a family. In 2018 we accomplished that.

I couldn’t talk about 2018 without saying a huge THANK YOU TO YOU. Thank you for following along as our business and family grows. We couldn’t do this without you. Your support means so much to us and while I can’t respond to every comment or message, know that I read them and I feel all your love and support. Mike and I are super excited to get more personal and real with you guys in 2019. Wishing you all the healthy and happiness in the New Year!