I really can’t summarize 2020 any better than how I’m titling this post. It really was the best of times as much as it was the worst. Andy and I experienced several losses in our family. We spent a year isolating at home away from friends and family and were forced to give up all social activities and entertainment. But we welcomed our first child. We were able to spend an entire year working from home. We got to spend more time together as a couple than we ever had previously in our relationship. However you may feel about 2020, one thing we can all agree on is that it was memorable. When I think back on 2020, these are the things that I’ll remember:
January
- We decided we wanted to have a baby! Andy and I always knew we wanted to have children but had told ourselves we didn’t even want to start trying until we had been married for at least a year – we thought we deserved a year to ourselves and enjoyed it thoroughly. We made the decision that come 2020 we’d try to start our family.
- On a similar note, our family kicked off the year with the adoption of our nephew, Troy. This sweet boy was placed in my brother and sister in-law’s care soon after his birth and was a member of the family from day one. It was so special to see it made official!
February
- I decided to start this blog! And I’m so glad that I did. I love coming here to share my stories, thoughts and inspiration with you all! I’m dedicated to maintaining this corner of the internet as a place for positivity and the hygge lifestyle. Read my first post here.
- Andy and I went out for Valentine’s Day at our traditional spot, the Brewster Inn in Cazenovia. Little did we know it would be our last nice meal out at a restaurant for a very long time. (Laughing at the chaotic mess that this room used to be when it was my “makeup and wardrobe room.” In case you’re wondering, this room is now the nursery!)
- Toward the end of the month, I was pretty sure I was pregnant (I was SO tired) but it was too early to test. And so, we waited…
March
- My suspicions were right – we found out that we were expecting very early in March! Andy keeps saying he had the best weekend of his life – we found out we were expecting on Thursday, went to a Penguins game on Friday (something he always wanted to do), went to a Colgate hockey game with his dad and two of his brothers (a memory he cherishes) and celebrated his birthday with family on Sunday.
- The “best week ever” was soon followed by the strangest/most terrifying week ever. It was at this point that COVID started to become more of a concern in the U.S. We had just found out we were having a baby and now we had to worry about what this meant for both of us, but especially for me being pregnant.
- I celebrated International Women’s Day.
April
- I spent the entire month glued to the couch, puking between virtual work meetings. Oh – and shoveling saltines and cheese puffs into my mouth approximately every 15 minutes. Morning sickness is no joke!
May
- We announced our big news! Read my first trimester recap here.
- I taught a virtual craft workshop for the Sherburne Public Library. Watch the video here.
- I completed an online fashion course through the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
- I participated in the Norwich Theater Company’s virtual talent show. Life in isolation was still novel at this point and it felt so good to be a part of something! Watch my performance here.
- Unfortunately, it was during this month that we also said goodbye to my brother-in-law, Scott. He was an incredibly kind-hearted person whose courage was nothing short of admirable. He has been deeply missed by his entire family.
June
- We held a small gender reveal party for family to announce the gender of our first baby. It was an intimate event due to COVID but I’m so glad we were able to make it work! Between COVID and Scott’s passing, Andy and I were determined to give our families something positive to look forward to. Spoiler alert: It’s a boy!
- It was during this month that my first article was published on POPSUGAR. One of my goals for 2020 was to have my work published so this felt like a huge accomplishment!
- We bought a piano! I’ve dreamed of owning a nice piano my entire life and I feel so grateful every time I look at it or play it.
July
- After a second article publication, I was asked to join the POPSUGAR team as a contributor.
- I shared more about our baby registry and a little behind-the-scenes on our nursery planning.
August
- The second trimester was officially in the books.
- Hello, third trimester! In some ways you were my favorite.
- Our oldest fur baby turned 6 years old! Words can’t describe the love I feel for this lovable wolf-dog.
- My brother got engaged! I can’t wait for Matt and Kelly’s wedding next January. We all need positive things to look forward to – especially these days.
- I helped plan and participated in Sherburne Music-Theater Society’s Virtual Cabaret: Chasing the Blues Away III.
- We celebrated Alden (then known only as “Baby Janitz”) at a beautiful outdoor baby shower put on by my stepmother and mom.
September
- Andy and I spent a lot of time outside picking pears in the backyard and selling them in the community.
- We celebrated fall.
- Our younger and oh-so-sweet fur-baby turned one!
- We looked for things to do outside before the weather turned and visited a sunflower field and a local fall hotspot.
- I got really into the whole turn-a-hobby-into-profit thing and started sewing fabric pumpkins. I honestly had a really fun time making these and am planning to return them next fall!
- It was at this time that I also became a Like to Know It Influencer. Read more about what that actually means here.
- We ended the month on a high note with a maternity/paternity photoshoot with Blushwood Studios. Courtney and Michael did our wedding photographs over two years ago and it was really fun working with them again! We’re so glad we took the time to document this special moment in our lives.
October
- Andy and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary with a special dinner and dessert we cooked for ourselves at home.
- COVID was/is still going strong so we spent a lot of time driving around leaf peeping.
- I had fun making Halloween costumes for the dogs.
- I discovered Instagram Reels (lol).
- We did some serious prepping for Baby Janitz.
- I shared our finished nursery!
November
- I turned 27 on Nov. 1. I don’t usually do a lot for my birthday in general but this year was quieter than most. A pandemic and being severely pregnant will do that to you!
- Our sweet baby boy joined us in the world! Read his birth story here.
- We rang in the weirdest holiday season ever.
- COVID-19 meant we had a very quiet Thanksgiving at home with our newborn.
- Unfortunately, this month we also said goodbye to my grandfather. I grew up next door to my grandparents and was very close with Grampie. His passing has been deeply felt by everyone in my family and I have thought of him every day since. I take comfort knowing that he’s watching out for us.
December
- I sold dog bandanas and Christmas pendant banners
- Alden was baptized and turned one month old!
- We had a quiet Christmas as a family of three.
Say what you will about 2020 but one thing is for sure – it’s not a year we’re likely to forget anytime soon. As we metaphorically hit send on the year, I look forward to what 2021 has in store. The happiest New Year to you all!
Hygge Inspired 
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