Happy New Year!

Well, 2012 is officially gone. Happy New Year!! We were more than happy to see 2011 go, but this year has been a little different. I was thinking this morning about the last year and I can honestly say that it was good. Hard, but good.

We have been incredibly blessed by Cohen's health. He has had one cold since he's been home and no other sicknesses. For a preemie this is seemingly unheard of. We avoided the dreaded RSV our first winter and are hoping to do the same this winter. Cohen was able to get off of his oxygen without any trouble, his enlarged heart went back to normal size and we graduated from his pulmonologist and his cardiologist (although that one we kind of graduated ourselves from). Cohen is still a little on the skinny side, but his pediatrician has been pleased with his steady weight gain.

After the winter was over, we were able to start going to our church again regularly. We had really missed it over the last year and it felt good to be back in our Sunday school class and our regular church services. I was able to go to a Bible study and have just started going to a monthly group that gets together to sew blankets for babies in need. I love how friendly our church is and how easy it is to connect with others.

And Teeny Tears. Oh, Teeny Tears. What a blessing you have been in my life. Our little group here in Lynden has donated around 2500 diapers over the last year(ish). Some think it seems like a sad thing to do, to sew tiny diapers for babies that have died. I think it's wonderful and it gives me time to think about Carter. I also love knowing that somewhere out there when a family receives a diaper, they know that someone has been in their shoes, and that someone has taken the time to care about their baby.

We've had our hard moments too, continuing to grieve Carter, and celebrating his first birthday without him. When I think back to those first weeks and months where I didn't think there was any way I could keep going, I still don't know how I made it. I know it had something to do with our family, friends, and God's faithfulness to us. I am glad to be where I'm at now. It's still hard, but we also know how blessed we are.

And of course, baby Kimmel #3! We are hoping to get a sneak peek about whether this little baby is going to require hairbows or trucks. We will be thrilled with either.

So, 2012 certainly had it's challenges, but we have grown as individuals and as a family. We are nervously excited to see what 2013 has in store.

{January}

{Feb - Last echo and no more oxygen!}

{March - Mr. Expressive}

{April - first time to church}

{May - March of Dimes}

{June - first birthday}

{July - Camping}

{August - the local fair}

{September - Pumpkin Patch}

{October - Halloween}

{November}

{December - Christmas}