2019: A Year in Review

2019 was the year of Lily. From pregnancy to birth, it was all about her and my journey to motherhood. Looking back it was a year filled with many ups and downs as I navigated my emotions. I learned to slow down, say no to a lot of things, and to do what’s best for me and my growing family. I have zero regrets, and I’m looking forward to what a new year and new decade will bring.

January

I kicked off the New Year at my local yoga studio for a workshop on tarot cards. My friend gifted me the Many Moons Planner for Christmas which contained prompts for pulling tarot cards, so I wanted to learn what they were all about.

I started taking a prenatal yoga class. This was one of the many things that helped me with my pregnancy anxiety. I took the class almost weekly up until 38 weeks where at that point I was more uncomfortable than zen in the class.

I had my 8-week ultrasound of Lily at my Reproductive Endocrinologist’s office. Since my pregnancy was progressing perfectly at that point they released me to my OBGYN.

Celebrated Joshua’s birthday. We had dinner on the Delta King.

We started on our master closet remodel.

Movie(s) I saw: Aquaman

February

I got in a minor fender-bender on the way to a doctor appointment. Everyone was fine but I was pretty shaken up by it mainly because there was so much anxiety surrounding the appointment and the fact that I was coming from a really stressful moment at work.

I had my 12-week ultrasound two days before my birthday and got to see my baby!

I turned 32 on my birthday. My coworkers decorated my desk, my friend took me out to lunch, and of course, Joshua and I went to Melting Pot for dinner.

We announced our pregnancy!

We took a road trip to WA for the weekend for Joshua’s grandfather’s memorial. He passed away two days after my birthday. Our trip home was pretty crazy as we got stuck in Oregon due to a massive snowstorm.

Participated in the Sac Ad Club’s Creative Wood event. An event for graduating students to network and find out what the professional creative industry is and how it works in a really fun way.

March

We had a minor scare at our 16-week ultrasound in which we couldn’t hear Lily’s heartbeat on the doppler. We had an ultrasound and everything was okay – she was just in a weird position.

We had the new carpet installed thus completing our master closet remodel.

Joshua and I both got super sick! He had the flu, and luckily I only had a really nasty cold. I was out of work for three days. It hit me especially hard because of being pregnant.

My friend Allison and I went to one of the local yoga studios for their Full Moon Heated Meditation. It was a lot of fun but boy was it hot! 🔥

Movie(s) I saw: Isn’t It Romantic, Captain Marvel

Book(s) I read: The Crystal Code

April

We made it to the 20-week ultrasound and found out we were having a girl!

Celebrated the birthday of our friend Emily with a birthday brunch!

Joshua’s grandma was nominated to be the El Dorado County Rose, so we went to her debut party.

Easter was celebrated with Joshua’s family at the farm and at my parents’ house.

Movie(s) I saw: Avengers: Endgame

May

Completed the nursery for the spring One Room Challenge!

Joshua and I went back to Palm Springs for our babymoon.

Participated in Sacramento’s very first Design Week. I spoke on a panel about client and culture fit in the design industry.

We took a long weekend and ventured to San Diego to visit with Dani.

Ended the month sliding into my third trimester. Took my 1-hour glucose screening, had high levels and low iron so I had to go back for the 3-hour test and take an iron supplement.

Movie(s) I saw: Aladdin

June

Took the 3-hour glucose test and my results came back normal. Whew! I also had another ultrasound that same day (29w2d).

My doctor was concerned about my fluid levels so I was sent out for a more detailed ultrasound to test for polyhydramnios (31w1d). Luckily there was nothing wrong (my doctor was being extra cautious) and I got to come away with a 3D picture of Lily!

Spent a beautiful day in Tahoe with family.

This year marked four years with Three29. I FINALLY got business cards!

My coworkers threw a surprise baby shower for me and two others since there were three of us expecting!

Joshua’s stepsister got married and had a Jurassic Park themed wedding.

Movie(s) I saw: Toy Story 4

July

My sister threw an amazing baby shower for me!

We had our maternity photoshoot and came away with some gorgeous and memorable photos.

We did a Stork Tour at our hospital which allowed us to get familiar with where to go and what to do for delivery day. It was a little triggering for me because the last time I was in a hospital was for my D&E. We also took a weekend-long Great Expectations class in which we basically learned how to have a baby. 😆

Went to our company event at Top Golf. At this point, I just hung out and watched everyone play as I was waaaay too pregnant to participate.

We had another ultrasound just to check on things at 35w6d. We didn’t get any pictures because by then Lily was taking up so much room that it was difficult to get a good shot. Everything checked out perfectly!

Movie(s) I saw: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

August

I started working from home full time until Lily arrived. I also onboarded a new designer days before I left.

I had both a labor-inducing massage and prenatal massage a few days before Lily’s birth.

Had brunch with my favorite gals the day before Lily arrived.

Lily was born! She arrived 4 days after her due date.

I had my first alcoholic beverage postpartum: a shot of tequila on the rocks. It tasted like vacation.

Went on our first walk as a family of three.

Had Lily’s first checkup!

September

Went on our first day trip to Marin and visited our old stomping grounds with Lily.

Lily took her first bath! She loves bath time.

Went to Creative Mornings and visited the office for the first time postpartum with Lily.

Got the new iPhone! I got the iPhone 11 Pro Max. 📱

Lily turned one month old.

Mr. Big turned 6 years old.

October

I got the all-clear at my 6-week checkup which meant I could go in the hot tub!

Lily’s first major road trip! We went to Washington for our annual family vacation and stayed up there for a week.

Had lunch in Portland with my friend Debbie.

Lily got to visit her first National Park.

On our way home from Washington, I got to see my long-time friend Maxine and we got to meet each other’s babies!

My Aunt Patty and Uncle Steve got to meet Lily.

We had our fall family photoshoot up in Apple Hill.

Lily turned two months old.

We took Lily to the drive-in along with my niece. It was the perfect way to see a movie with a baby!

Lily got to meet Eloise at her 1st birthday party!

Lily’s first Halloween! We stayed home and handed out candy to trick-or-treaters which included Renee.

Movie(s) I saw: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

November

I officially left my job at Three29 to pursue full-time motherhood and freelancing. Joshua got a huge promotion at the beginning of the month which will help us financially as well.

Joshua and I celebrated 9 years of marriage and 15 years of being together.

Lily and I went to my friend Chrissy’s baby shower! I got to see her and my long-time friend Kelli!

Lily turned turned three months old.

We spent Lily’s first Thanksgiving watching the parade in the morning and making the rounds to the parents in the evening.

I got my hair cut a bit short. 😬

December

Two years ago we moved into our home. Now, we have a new arrival to share it with!

Lily got to meet Santa!

Spent Dani’s birthday at Henry’s Steakhouse with family and Dani’s boyfriend.

Joshua and I went on our very first date post-baby! Dani was nice enough to babysit while Joshua and I went to the movies to see Star Wars.

Lily turned four months old on Christmas! We celebrated up in Washington with Joshua’s family.

Celebrated the new year in bed asleep! 🤣 We had several days of Lily waking us up between 2am and 4am, so we were pretty tired by the time New Years hit. That and we were all recovering from colds.

Movie(s) I saw: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker