2008- CHECK!

I can't believe it's halfway through January 2009! I started this at the beginning of January, and realized today that I never finished it...

I was thinking back about 2008 and all the craziness that occurred!

January 2008- My brother Michael, got married, so we headed to Georgia for the wedding, and were able to see friends as well. It was good catching up with friends and family.

February 2008- Isabella, Nick, and Farren made their way to snowy South Dakota for a few weeks. Isabella experienced her first snow, and we were able to have quality family time as well. It also gave Brandon & I some "practice" for when our own little one would arrive. On February 14th, we found out that our little bundle of joy would be a girl... I knew it all along!

March 2008- Brandon started a new job with Aramark, which has been incredible for our family.

April 2008- I finally gave in to all the depression I was having, and started seeing a "shrink." I ended up going part time at work... which was a wonderful thing. I was able to start really enjoying my pregnancy, and not have as many difficulties.

May 2008- I went on disability early with my pregnancy from work, and was able to travel to Augusta to see family and friends. My amazing best friend and mom threw a baby shower for me. I was able to see my brothers, the first time since January, and get some much needed R & R.

June 2008- The biggest change thus far in our lives occurred... Samantha Kennedy Jacobs made her entrance into the world on June 27, at 6:24 pm. I woke up early that morning with contractions, and by the end of the day was a first time mom. What an incredible feeling! She was a dream come true... a beautiful little girl, who we continue to look at with amazement every day.

July 2008- I officially resigned from the work force at the end of July. A terrifying feeling, but also an amazing feeling to know that I was going to be a stay-at-home mom with my beautiful daughter.

August 2008- Another uneventful month, for the most part. Samantha started sleeping through the night, and in her own room! A great milestone in infancy!

September 2008- My parents made another trip to South Dakota to see their granddaughter, and Brandon and I as well. My niece and nephew also visited for about a month with my sister-in-law Farren. I also celebrated my 25th birthday. I was also devastated with the news that my brother, Michael, was getting a divorce. After nine months of marriage, things had come to a close. I really examined my relationship with Brandon, and realized we'd always have each other.

October 2008- What should have been an uneventful month, proved to be a lot more than that... we all learned that birth control and antibiotics don't mix... October 6 was a day of tears and "WOW" for us. Followed by a week of checking to make sure that we truly were pregnant. The weekend before I took the test I started having a really bad headache, and I knew. I was planning on selling the clothing that Sam had outgrown at Once Upon a Child, but decided to wait a few more days. Monday morning came, the headache hadn't subsided, and I got sick. I made the trip to Walgreens, and was astonished when the test came back reading "pregnant." I called Brandon in tears... and he was more than shocked. We started a new journey that day, for sure! Each day since has been an adventure!

November 2008- Winter came to South Dakota... snow on November 7th... and more snow to follow. The week of Thanksgiving, and the weekend after, I ended up in the hospital with headaches and dehydration. I was able to get out on Thanksgiving, and watch Sam try some mashed potatoes... the face was priceless, but I was without a camera.

December 2008- My parents ended up coming for a visit to help me get life in order since I was feeling so awful. We had Samantha's first Christmas, and learned, infants don't need presents- just give them wrapping paper! More snow, more snow, and more snow. We celebrated New Years eve with Nick and were introduced to some new friends.

Melissa