Goodbye 2007

2007 is quickly going to become a memory. This year i have experienced the best of times and the worst of times. By the first of the year i had decided to make big changes in Brooklyn's and my life and debark on motherhood all alone. It was a very easy yet incredibly scary decision. Our future suddenly became unknown. I had to quickly pull myself up from the low emotional state i was in and learn how to care for myself and this tiny innocent life. January was very difficult in that Brooklyn's strong will started to peek through. My child that i thought was unable to cry started crying, and the child that could never wake up wouldn't go to sleep. I spent most of January on the couch nursing her. She was getting up every couple hours to feed and after the move would only sleep in the bed with me. So needless to say sleep deprivation was a issue. In February I reconnected with an old friend who has since helped me find "me" again. Brooklyn had started rolling over this month, a fun milestone. We also went on our first mini vacation to Palm Springs to visit family. Brooklyn was hospitalized in March probably one of the toughest times. Seeing my child hooked up to tubes and machines is a picture i hope to forget. We bought our Aquarium pass this month and enjoyed regular visits there with friends and family. I decided this month not to return to the animal hospital and to take a huge risk and try my hand in the wedding industry. It was a VERY difficult decision for me, for i loved my job and friends at the hospital. This new job allowed me to be home with Brooklyn during the day and work at night. It kept Brooklyn out of daycare and at home with family. I truly miss the hospital, animals and co-workers and i hope to one day be back in that field. In April Brooklyn was able to meet some extended family at Easter. She also started cereal this month and has enjoyed solid food ever since. We also went to the beach for the first time. Brooklyn enjoyed the cool breeze but hated getting her feet wet!!!! I celebrated my 25th birthday in May. We just had a small party at home. This was the first year that I really noticed that i had aged and i have had a really tough times dealing with it! I bought Brooklyn a baby pool this month and we spent a lot of time outside playing in it. Brooklyn has really proved to be a fish. I am really looking froward to swimming with her this year. Brooklyn finally started sitting up by herself this month. June was a great month. Brooklyn started crawling. Life really changed once Brooklyn was on the move. She was finally able to explore the world around her. Her new found Independence let her play with what she wanted when she wanted, needless to say Brooklyn was a happier child. Michelle and Hallie also came down to California this month. We enjoyed visits to the park, beach and quite days at home. It was so fun to watch our sweet girls together. We also had a lot of fun in July. We went to all the concerts in the park. Brooklyn and i had so much fun dancing and singing along. For forth of July we ate a lot of food and cuddled up in a blanket and watched in awe as the fireworks twinkled in the sky. Brooklyn loved watching the fireworks was was not afraid at all of the noise. Brooklyn quickly learned to pull herself up to standing. I also started working for Rancho Las Lomas this month. I was unsure about the change, but it turned out to be for the best. In August we went to the fair with Aunt T. Brooklyn loved looking at all the animals and eating all the fried food...or maybe that was me. I made a commitment to myself this month to loose weight. I joined the gym and changed my eating habits. My main goal at that point was to weigh under 200lbs. I couldn't wait to see a one on the scale!!!! Nothing too exciting in September. Halloween in October was so much fun. Brooklyn just loved being Minnie Mouse and trick or treating. She still wears her Minnie Mouse ears daily. The big one in November!!!! I can't believe the first year is over. I cant believe she started out as a helpless little being and is now a walking and talking mini adult. We were at the mall the day before Thanksgiving and Brooklyn wanted out of her stroller to play with the other kids who were dancing on a flat screen in the floor. I took her out and off she went. She mastered walking that day and running the next. December has overall been a joy. They way Brooklyn's face lights up when she sees ANYTHING Christmas is something i will never forget. She has grown up so much this month. She just amazes me with how much she knows and understands.

The best word i can think of the descride this year is growth. Both Brooklyn and i have grown so much. I am in awe every time I think about where Brooklyn started and where she is now. She is my little angel who gives me stregnth to face each and everyday. She was sent to me by God and i thank him every nigth for my gift! As for me i started this year scared, alone, depressed and confussed and now i end this year strong, supported, proud and most of all hopeful. I know next year is going to be just as challenging, but i face the challenges as a new women and i know 2008 is going to be great!!!

Happy New Year to all our Friends and family! I hope 2008 brings you joy, peace and serenity!

Love Julie and Brooklyn