2011 Recap, aka: a post with an absurd amount of links

I have had good intentions the past few days of writing a 2011 recap post- really, I have! But if we're going to be honest, it is a little depressing for me to think that our primary goal for the year was yet again unmet. Nonetheless, baby or no baby, we have been and continue to be very blessed, so I think it is only right that I take a moment to remember all that has happened in the past year.

In January, I wrote this post about how I was disappointed to learn that the start of a new year didn't necessarily mean any changes on the fertility front. In case you are wondering how I'm feeling about the start of 2012, you can pretty much just re-read this post and you'll have an idea. I also experienced Vomit Fest 2011 just prior to our vacay to NYC with the Olivers.

In February, we celebrated Valentine's Day and tried out a new Fertility Specialist, who turned out to be a bit of a dud, so it was back to Dr. C (along with Robot Nurse & Goldfish Nurse, unfortunately) we went.

In March, I continued my appointments (and frustration) with Dr. C. Brian decided to take up card tricks as a hobby during his phase of unemployment, and together we finally wrapped up the entire series of Lost on Netflix.

In April, we celebrated our one year house-versary, I continued to be irritated with fertility treatments (are you noticing a trend yet?), and after I wrote him this letter, our sweet nephew, Davis, finally entered the world!

In May, we celebrated Brian's and my/Allison's 28th birthdays. Brian also started a temp job (which ended up becoming permanent in August), AND we got excited about what was looking like a successful round of fertility treatment!

In June, sadly we learned that the round was not successful, but were semi-encouraged by the fact that we had finally gotten a fertilized egg. Because that month wasn't crappy enough already, I then found out that I had at some point been exposed to an Oregon trail disease. On second thought, let's just forget about June altogether.

In July, I got to see NKOTBSB in concert and resumed fertility treatment with one final round of Femara. I also had my first "blog date" ever and met my blog BFF, Erika, in person!

In August, we celebrated 4 years of marriage with a trip to Seattle. Upon realizing that the round of Femara was (surprise!) unsuccessful, we gave Dr. C the boot and I decided to give acupuncture a try.

In September, I found out that I won a blog contest, did my first ever "vlog," and continued acupuncture treatments, which entailed following a lot of new food guidelines.

In October, Brian almost died by participating in his own Vomit Fest 2011, and I found two new inspirational songs - one that makes most people want to claw their eyes out and one that hopefully doesn't. And yep, you guessed it- I kept going with acupuncture!

In November, I took a trip to Santa Fe with my mom AND did my first ever giveaway! I also posted this Christmas stocking stuffer post, which apparently was successful being that I received everything on the list this year! Oh, and Brian and I both got promoted at work!

In December, we got our hopes up about my third cycle with acupuncture, but were disappointed once more. Brian and I celebrated our date-a-versary, and Christmas came and went.

So there you have it. A rather lengthy (and repetitive!) recap of a year with the Joiners. Obviously, a lot of other significant events happened along the way, but I just wanted to hit the blog highlights. I'm hopeful that next year's 2012 recap will look a little like this:

We got pregnant and had a baby! The end.

And being that this post has dragged on like it has, I'm guessing you're hoping for a post that brief as well :) Farewell, 2011- it was (semi-)nice knowing you! And here's to what will hopefully be a memorable 2012...