Top Twelve Posts of 2010

Happy New Year everyone! I was wanting to write this post a couple of days ago but we had the weekend away on a "staycation" (more about that later!). So instead, as my first post of 2011, I want to look back at the past year and reminisce about some of my old posts. 

1. Holding Onto Hope

I started this blog in February, and I must include my first post on my list of favourites. When I read it now, it seems so surreal - but I can clearly remember that fear that we would go through the pregnancy only to lose Maddy when she was born. I was determined even then to be able to have hope, even when we didn't know what the outcome would me - so much so that from way back then, we had already chosen Hope as Maddy's middle name.

2. My Thoughts on God and Suffering
As a Christian, it can be hard to get your head around the concept of if there is a God, why does he allow bad things to happen, particularly when they happen to good people or to people who are doing their best to live for Him. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject, when faced with suffering of our own. 

3. What it Means to be Loved
I take no credit for this post - it was just something I found online that spoke to me profoundly, and it still does. I can't listen to this song without crying.  "I wanna be her mom for as long as I can..."

4. Probably Non-Lethal

The title says it all, really! It was so great to be able to relax a bit, and to know that we didn't need to start planning a funeral... Before this time, that was the hardest thing...

5. An email from Bernard

Maddy's here! And here's an email I stole from Bernard because he should be writing this blog instead of me - he's got such a way with words.

6. When Sisters Meet

The NICU nurses bent the rules for us to allow six week old Maddy to meet her sister for the first time! This was the only time that Lana saw Maddy until Maddy came home from hospital at four months old, and was the biggest highlight of our time in NICU (the pictures are so cute too!)

7. Chris Errera

I'm so glad that I found Chris online - not only has his story encouraged me so much, I know that many of my friends were also encouraged by him. I've seen quite a few of my friends post about him on Facebook, and I know that I'm not the only one who has bought his CD! If you haven't checked him out yet, you need to.

8. The New Kid

I really felt this post. Being in NICU for so long gave me a bit of a window into the suffering of other people, and it changed something in me. I'll never be able to think of premature babies in the same way again, now that I've seen them up close and personal.

9. In Defense of Babies that are "Not Healthy"

I was thinking of the phrase "I just want a healthy baby" and how my perception of it has changed now that I have my beautiful Maddy who I wouldn't change for the world. 

10. The Pros of Hospital

I spent a lot of Maddy's hospital time being frustrated at the system and wanting her home as soon as possible. But there were benefits to her being in there and by focusing on those benefits, it helped me to accept that which I couldn't change.

11. 100th Post - Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for :) Plus this post has cute pictures too!

12. Home Sweet Home

What more can I say? The moment that I was waiting for the entire year. 

And what a year 2010 has been. It has stretched me and changed me, it has brought me more tears and more joy than I thought was possible. I'm glad to be starting a new year and am eager to see what 2011 holds for our little family :)

Did I miss out any of your favourite posts? Leave a comment so I know which ones were your favourites.