goodbye 2014

Reflecting on the past year has really made me appreciate all of the people who have helped me get to where I am today. 2014 has thus far been the most eventful year of my life. Getting engaged a year ago on December 30, to getting married on Valentines Day and then welcoming a beautiful baby boy into the world on July 16. I wouldn't trade it for anything, though sometimes I wish I had done things the right way- marriage THEN pregnancy. But what can you do? Move on and be happy with my life, obviously. Here's pictures from my 2014. Bring it on, 2015!

 engaged: 12/30/2013

engagements...

My Auntie made me this wedding dress from scratch. I absolutely loved it.

February 14, 2014

favorites from my wedding day...

Maternity shoot with Claire Lewis. I am so obsessed with these pictures, even though I look back and can't believe I was that huge.

Finally, my most anticipated moment of the year (cliche, I know) meeting my son Ammon for the first time. July 16, 2014.

5 months

No one can prepare you for the monumental experiences you go through in life. Every mom in the world can tell you what it's going to be like to be a mom, but not one mom out there is the mother of my baby boy. Not one mom out there has been through exactly what I've been through. Some have been through harder times and some may have had it a bit easier, but either way, no two stories are the same. The number one thing that I've learned since being pregnant with Ammon, is that you have to experience your experiences in your own way. The best advice I received was to not take anyone's advice. Motherhood and even parenthood is all about trial and error. You find what works for you.

That being said, I absolutely love being a mom. I can agree with most that it's the best job in the world. I find myself overly sleep deprived at times and frustrated but I wouldn't trade it for anything. There is one thing that everyone is right about: time goes WAY too fast.
I cannot believe that it has been 5 months! At the same time... What? It's ONLY been 5 months? I've known this kid forever, it seems.

Things that Ammon loves:

• He laughs a TON and it makes me so so happy
• He loves to take his binkie out of his mouth, examine it, then try (and fail) to put it back in, correctly
• He can hold his bottle by himself (most of the time)
• He can almost sit by himself
• He LOVES the jumper and is really getting the hang of it. It's a LIFE SAVER when I have things to do and can't hold him
• Sometimes he snores in his sleep
• He loves to squeal, scream, talk, and make noises in general
• He is sleeping so much better. I started putting him to bed at 9:30-10:00ish and it has made all the difference. When I put him down at 8:30, he would wake up 5-6 times a night! Now, he'll usually sleep til 8 or 9 am. This also means only 2 fairly long naps during the day. I love it!
• ... and so it begins... he loves to grab everything and anything, my hair in particular
• He's usually very calm in his car seat, and most of the time we'll find him asleep by the time we've gotten where we're going
• He loves to meet new people and does really good with babysitters.
• Loves to look at lights, so this is the perfect time of year with all the pretty Christmas lights
• Finally, he loves bath time. I love to let him just splash around in there.

It has been such a pleasure to watch this kid grow so far, I cannot wait to see how his personality develops. I also cannot wait to have another one! (too soon?) ;)