In 2012...

...Amber recovered from a surgery that lasted 13+ hours and took 2 surgeons. She breezed through her stay in the hospital and came home 5 days earlier than they had predicted. She is my trooper and I have seen her tough it out throughout the year and overcome so much. I love you Amber Marie.

...We welcomed Willow into our lives and our hearts. This little girl has been such a tidal wave of change to our lives, but what an amazing experience it has been having her in our lives! It has been such a journey watching her breeze through each milestone - crawling at 4 months, walking at 10 months, and so many others that pass by so quickly. She breaks my heart with each new moment, but I never knew I could feel such a sense of pride over something so small.

...My parents came to visit and we had such a great time together. They got to spend time with Willow and spoil her rotten! We also went to the Real Pirates exhibit at the Science Museum and spent some amazing time at the Minnesota Art Museum. I was sad to see them go, but it was great to have them here.

...Darin's mom came to visit in April and brought Tyler with her! It was a great time and we took our first family vacation with Willow to the Wisconsin Dells! It was so much fun and we realized how lucky we were to have such a good baby! We also had family pictures taken as well and I have used them well throughout the year!

...I went back to school and am working on my Business Management degree, heading toward my MBA! I am looking for the next big step in my career and the degree will help pave that road!

...Darin and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary and are sure that there are many, many more to come!

...Amber spent several weeks in Texas and Darin, Willow, and I drove down to pick her up from Kansas where we got to spend some quality time with the Orrs! It was a blast and we had so much fun...and Willow stole a bit of her first peach while Amber wasn't looking! MAN, it was hot too...the weather hit over 105 while we were there. We are planning to visit earlier in 2013 to avoid the heat wave!

...Tyler came for the summer and we had so much fun while he was down here. We got a membership to the YMCA and spent a lot of time swimming and Amber took up Zumba for a while! She enjoyed it! Tyler and Darin also spent a few days with some great friends in Chicago at ComiCon!! We are all planning to go in 2013 as a family trip!

...Darin graduated with his Bachelor's degree and started his Master's program! We are all so proud of him!

...We moved out of our apartment and are renting our first house! We are loving the space and being in a house! It has been amazing to be able to have the washer and dryer which was my favorite new feature! We are making plans to buy a house in the next 2 years as well.

...We bought a new car...begrudgingly. The timing belt went out in our Camry leading to a very disgruntled Darin signing on the dotted line for a 2012 Toyota Corolla - which makes me feel better since it is much safer and under warranty! I feel good about my baby being toted around in it!

...For Willow's first Halloween, she was a lady bug and her big sister dressed as a bumblebee! They were the cutest pair of bugs that you've ever seen!

...We took Willow on her first airplane! We went to Vegas for Christmas!! We spent 2 days with Darin's family, 2 days with my mom, and 4 days with my dad! It was an amazing trip and Willow was ridiculously spoiled, as was Amber! We could not have asked for a better first Christmas with our baby girl!

Dennis Family 2012

It's been such an amazing year and next year can only bring even greater things! Amber turns fifteen and Willow celebrates her first birthday! We are planning a trip to Kansas this summer, a family trip to the Chicago ComiCon, a trip to visit Darin's parents in November, and my sister Christina is coming here for Christmas! It can't help but be an amazing year with all those moments with family!

Best wishes,

Darin, Stephanie, Amber, Tyler, and Willow

Reflections on Landing...and a New Year!

At the St. George Temple

On our way home from vacation, we were descending in the plane and as I sat there holding my daughter, I couldn't help but think how beautiful she was. The wheels on the plane came down and as we touched the ground, the sun broke through the blanket of clouds and the light filtered through the open window. As the sun kissed Willow's head, her baby curls turned to burnt gold and she looked up at me and smiled. I couldn't help but think that this angel was somehow in the wrong spot, that I had been given this miracle in error.

My baby girl is such a blessing in my life and I thank God every day for the joy that she brings to all of our lives. Everything is better with her in my world! We are glad to be home and Willow is glad to have her bed back. I loved the time that we got to spend with our families and I am thrilled to be able to take her places and ensure that her life is filled with family.

Happy holidays and a blessed new year to everyone!

~Stephanie

Out With the Old...

It's been a long week...

We are moving tomorrow and I find myself with mixed feelings. As I look around this apartment that has become barren and bleak, I remember so many things.

I remember when Darin found out he had gotten his job and that has been such a blessing in his life.

I remember the day we brought Amber home from the hospital to her newly painted room and the joy and happiness that you could see on her face then.

I remember the morning I found out that I was pregnant in this very house, and shared the news with Darin.

I remember all those crazy nights trying to sleep while very pregnant with an active baby girl.

I remember the day that we brought our princess home to this apartment, the moments that we have shared here in this house have been many since that day.

I am so happy that we are moving into a house, but I will miss this place too. We are on to bigger and better things and I will be looking forward to the future...but tonight is for reflection.

Remembering,
Stephanie

Daddy Time

She loves spending time with her Daddy!

It's so nice spending time at home with my family. Amber is at school right now, and Darin is on his way home from work. It's amazing spending all of my time with Willow during the day. She's so tiny and she needs me for everything.

I don't even mind changing her diapers. She's the cutest thing in the whole world. All of her clothes are too big for her, which is nice cause I was worried with her size that she wouldn't be able to fit into her newborn clothes, but lucky for me, she fits into them, and some of them are too big. I love taking pictures of her in her cute outfits. I don't want to forget a single moment of this time.

Darin gets home from work and the first thing he wants is to hold his baby. They cuddle together on the couch and she sleeps forever in his arms. It's the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

~Stephanie

Home Sweet Home

So tiny in her little bed, but perfectly content to be in her own space finally!

Amber had an appointment with the wound center today and then when she and Darin were done, they came to the hospital to get Willow and I to take us home. We spent some time waiting to hear about Willow's blood tests, but she came back cleared of jaundice so we were able to go home. We bundled her up and made sure she was warm. It was one of the coldest days of the winter so far.

We finally got home and got Willow settled into her bed; we set up her Pack and Play right next to my bed, and she was so glad to be home. I was even happier to be home and have all of the cords and needles and everything disconnected. Willow and I slept for a few hours, then we tried out our new rocking chair. Willow approves I think, and that's where we spend our time when I am feeding her. I am looking forward to enjoying the next weeks with her before I have to go back to work.

~Stephanie

Light Therapy and Torture

Spending time with Mommy in the hospital, being so little is exhausting!

Willow has jaundice. She was exiled to the light therapy bed except for feeding time. She hates the little glasses that she has to wear to protect her eyes, and I feel terrible hearing her cries. It's torture for me, although nowhere near as bad as watching them prick her heels 3 times and squeeze the heck out of her feet to get enough blood to run their stupid tests... Ok, they are not stupid tests, but I find myself rather unhappy with them all the same. Poor baby, her blood type is not compatible with mine and that is why she got the jaundice. Luckily the second test came back lower and she's back to cuddling with Mommy.

Christina and Jeremiah went home today and they were sad to have to go. Willow got out of the light bed just in time to spend some quality time with her Aunt and Uncle before they had to head to the airport. They made it home safe and are happy to be there, even though they miss us.

If all goes well, Willow and I will be able to go home tomorrow. I am hoping that we get to because I cannot wait to get home and be able to relax without so many people constantly around. It's hard to relax in the hospital, but once we are home, Willow and I will be able to get into a routine that works for us, and that will be wonderful. I want my own bed and I want to have my baby in her own bed as well. Cross your fingers for us!

~Stephanie

Life's Little Blessings

For nine months, I carried her beneath my heart, but for the rest of my life I will carry her inside my heart!

Yesterday, January 16th, Willow Grace Dennis was born at 10:58 pm. That was the moment that I realized that I had no idea what I was getting myself into, or what kind of joy this little one was going to bring into my life. When they put her in my arms for the first time, and then when I fed her for the first time, I knew that she had taken over my world.

Willow was 8 pounds, 14 ounces and she was 21 inches long. She was born via cesarean delivery and was just perfect. Her tiny cries filled the large operating room and brought tears to my eyes. It was hours before I got to hold her, but before her Daddy took her to meet Amber, Christina, and Jeremiah, I got to kiss her and touch her perfect cheek. The hardest thing I ever did was lie there while they sewed me back up and wait so long to get to hold my baby girl.

You think you have an idea what it will be like to have a baby, but you quickly find out that you have no idea. I am enjoying every moment with Willow in the hospital. They keep offering to take her to the nursery so I can "rest", but I cannot bear the thought of her being away from me. I want her right here in my room next to me. I can rest when I get home. I do not want to miss a moment of these early days.

Darin laughs at me, but I could look at her for hours, and she's so tiny in my arms. I love holding her and cuddling with her. And feeding her is absolutely amazing, something that no one else can do for her. It's something just for Mommy and Willow.

~Stephanie