Holy flippin moly. It sure was a wild ride.

Friends, it’s been quite the year.

I celebrated my first year of motherhood. I watches as my baby morphed into a toddler. I lived through a category five cyclone and went without electricity for a week. I survived single motherhood for a month while pregnant with a toddler (yes please, hand me a medal now). I saw you guys rally behind mothers in developing nations and donate over a thousand birth kits to help them in a matter of days. I got kicked in the butt by my pregnancy… which forced me to live “slower” than I ever have before. I found out that my unborn baby might have Down Syndrome and/or several other health complications. I studied and planned for and had a successful VBAC, just the way I hoped for. I delivered a perfect–and perfectly healthy–gorgeous baby boy. (I’m still thanking God.) I have made new friendships, solidified old ones, and have seen what the interior of my heart looks like.

As for the Memos, I’ve switched platforms to WordPress, started far more things than I’ve completed, had more ideas than I’ve known what to do with, and filled notebooks with post titles that I want to write… someday.

To my surprise I’ve spent more hours napping than writing, and most days I’m just trying to be a good mom… with little time left to write about it.

Although I’ve not been able to spend as much time here in my little corner of the internet as I’d like to (I miss writing daily and I miss you guys!), I also know that there is a season for everything. And for now… my “free” time is spent mostly collapsed into a desperate attempt at a short mid-afternoon nap.

Maybe 2012 will be different? Then again, maybe it won’t. I’m trying not to promise (to you or to myself) what I’m not sure I can deliver.

But I promise you this – I will be here. I need to be here… for many reasons.

Thanks for coming with me.

And in case you’re new here… or in case you’re just a bit nostalgic like I am, here’s a look back at the Memos in 2011. What a wild ride it was!

January

I wrote about the year my life turned upside down and rightside up, and as if that weren’t mushy and sentimental enough, I also wrote about the last night alone with my baby (which was a “take two “of my birth story). The most commented on post of the month was the one about waning about weaning. (Oh how moms love to talk about breastfeeding!) And don’t forget, we also had the party of the year, which was so. much. fun.

February

This was the month I found out I was pregnant… and also the month that I got eaten by the tired monster. Apparently many of you could relate. I also got my craft on and posted a tutorial on some adorable vintage inspired custom name letters.

March

Newly pregnant with my second I wrote about losing a baby, and then veered onto the topic of Down Syndrome and loving children for who they are, regardless of ability in honor of World DS Awareness Day. I then wrote a deeply profound post about donuts and pregnancy cravings. (Come on guys, you totally loved the donut post – I know you wanted one too!)

April

Struggling with an incredibly spirited toddler and first trimester pregnancy fatigue caused me to raise the question of “am I enough?” as a mother, wondering how in the world I would make room in my life for another child. Evidently feeling like your enough isn’t enough is a common struggle for many of you too… and we all need a little encouragement for dealing with mommy guilt. And then of course, being the optimist I had to turn my woes around into a post about making the moments count as I prepared to say goodbye to my husband for a month.

May

In May Bloggers for Birth Kits took the Memos by storm in honor of Mothers Day. In just a few short days we collected over 1200 birth kits to help women in developing nations deliver babies more safely. (Thank you, amazing readers!!) Also in honor of Mothers Day, and knowing that it’s not always a happy day, I wrote a post for women who have lost or are longing. And finally, based on my experience as a “single mom” for the month, I wrote about 10 simple ways to lend a hand to stranded moms. This was a post that many of you wondered how to stealthily pass on to friends and relatives!

June

June was a huge month for me mentally and emotionally. It was the month we found out that our baby might have Down Syndrome. It was the month that I learned in a greater way how blessing and hardship are often intermixed when you live life at full throttle. I explained why we shared our news and how–strong and fragile–we would be okay. June was also the month that I finished breastfeeding my first-born and savored that one last time that wasn’t meant to be… and yet so was.

July

This month I wrote my response to the experts about their recommendations for combating pregnancy fatigue (wondering if any of them have actually ever been pregnant themselves!), as well as about losing yourself in a sea of momness.

August

After posting about the “sea of momness” I wrote about the other side of the coin where I admitted that although I want life to revolve around me, I also believe that motherhood requires selflessness and service and sacrifice. August was also the month where I had my monster of all mommy meltdowns… but thankfully lived to tell about it. Even still, I wrote about feeling sorry for mysef and the “if onlys”, which so many of you could relate to. Finally I wrote about the controversial topic of birth plans, raising the question “who are they for, anyway?” (By the way, I plan to do a follow-up to this post early in the new year.)

September

By September I was ready to burst with a new baby. I wrote about the craziness of nesting that hits toward the end of pregnancy, as well as the concept of natural cesareans highlighting an awesome video I found that I wish every mom-to-be would take the time to watch. I also wrote a heart-felt prayer that I believe any mother can relate to (dear God, help me!).

October

Along with some awesome guest posts, I announced the arrival of Judah Matthew and gave a short version of his birth story. Of course that was soon followed by a mom gush about milky breath and tiny toes and things of that nature.

November

In November I showed off my six pack. Six pack of babies that is. (Pictured at the top of this post.) Then I wrote a poem (gasp!) about that moment – the one where I got to “catch” my son myself in the midst of my triumphant cry. (Best. experience. ever.) Later that month I took a twist on Thanksgiving and posted about the things that our unborn son taught us about life, ourselves, and others as we considered the possibility of Down Syndrome. Oh, and who could forget the one about the controversial issue of co-sleeping – love it or hate it? Many of you weighed in on the hot topic!

December

December’s most popular post was about how having two under two is easy. You know, like why-isn’t-everyone-doing-it easy? *ahem* You guys had lots to say about that one too.

Psssst, it may not always be easy… but it’s actually not as hard as I was expecting… and look how adorable it is:

 

From my family to yours… happy 2011! And here’s to a fabulous 2012 ahead of us!!!

Dear friends, do you have a favorite post of 2011 from the Memos? What would you like to see more of in the coming year?