On New Years Eve six years ago, I had my New Year’s kiss with a cute boy. I never thought that I would end up marrying him and now I’m even having a baby with him.

This is the first photo we have together from that night. It isn’t the best picture but, at the time, we didn’t realize this would be a picture we would look back on fondly. Eight days later, we were officially dating. Having our anniversary practically on New Year’s Day means that it is easy for us to look back at each year and what we have accomplished.

2009-We started dating.

2010-We moved in together and got engaged at the end of that year. Andrew started at his current job and I graduated from college.

2011-We spent this entire year planning our wedding and house hunting.

2012-This was our landmark year so far. On my 24th birthday, we closed on our townhouse. 26 days later, we got married. In August, I started working at the school. We brought our baby puppy Ralphie home just before Thanksgiving.

So 2013 and 2014 don’t really compare to 2012. We kept on being in love with each other and our first, furry child. We didn’t move, change jobs, or otherwise make any large decisions. I feel like these two years were building up years. We were building a strong foundation on which to start our family. We were building a home. And eventually, I started building a baby.

It’s safe to say this next year will be life-changing, in the best way possible. It is scary and exciting and nerve wracking and thrilling all at the same time. With all of the craziness, I have made three simple resolutions for the new year.

1) I want to be present as a mother. I know it will be hard, but I want to focus on the baby and their wants and needs and how much they are growing, not the TV or Facebook. I want to be there in body and mind as they grow and change.

2) I want to make sure Andrew and I maintain our bond. We have a strong relationship and I want to make sure that stays as we also learn how to be parents.

3) I want to focus on getting back to my healthy body after the baby comes. This pregnancy has been hard on me. I’ve had to focus a lot more on eating whatever I can instead of eating things that are healthy for me. I also had to stop exercising. Many women can continue exercising through pregnancy, but I just couldn’t. I’m always glad I have a physical job that allowed me movement throughout the day. But I am almost giddily excited to get back to healthy eating, going on runs, and exercising in other ways.

So as 2015 begins, I am looking optimistically towards the future and I hope you can all do the same. Cheers to the new year!