My son Oslo was born Feb 18, 2020. Our families welcomed Oslo into the world, crowded into my hospital room, maskless and breathing all over one another.

Three weeks after Oslo was born we entered the initial lockdowns and “six weeks to flatten the curve.”

I’d like to share a few of my experiences over the past year. I’d also like to acknowledge that I know that my experience is one of privilege, choices, and options. This is my personal reflection.

Oslo has never been on an errand with me. He’s never seen me use my wallet or been to the grocery store. He’s never played with other kiddos his age. He’s never been to daycare. He’s never been held by his great grandparents, great aunties and uncles, etc. I rarely spend more than 6 hours away from Oslo (maybe only once!).

We haven’t been able to go anywhere or see anyone- which has been both the best and worst way to live through a first year.

As an economist and small business owner, the pandemic and economic crisis meant that I had to go back to work much earlier than planned. My three month maternity leave turned into working while wearing Oslo in a baby carrier at three weeks. I helped prepare an emergency Interim Budget and Economic Forecast for the State of MN in April. As you know, we had to cancel an entire year of events for Boreal Bliss, navigate refunds, and reimagine our business. I love both my jobs and was eager to return to work in light of the situation. It’s neither bad nor good, it simply is a reality of this pandemic, like so many other things.

Here’s a photo of me working with Oslo at 3 weeks. Baby in carrier bouncing on a large ball.

Our daycare spot became available in June. We made the difficult decision to pull Oslo from daycare. My in-laws made the selfless decision to watch Oslo during the week.

Like families everywhere, we’ve been making it work.

Oslo spends a leisurely few hours with us in the morning. Because we don’t have to rush to daycare or commute, our mornings are full of play and laughter. He then spends the day with Grandma and Grandpa.

For most of the year Drew and I have worked full-time while also juggling parenting duties. It’s somehow been both exhausting and a breeze.

We both work out of our master bedroom because we don’t have a home office. Most of the day I’m within 10 feet of my husband (lol). I listen to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack way more than I ever thought possible. He listens to the Hamilton soundtrack more than he thought possible.

We entertain one another by thinking of funny ways to occupy our time. He juggles, I play the ukelele and wear retro outfits. I’m making my way through a cookbook. We ask each other, “where are you at emotionally from 1 to 10” and if the number dips too low, we do “forced family fun” which usually means we go for a ski or a skate or a variation on that theme. I come up with projects I saw on pinterest for Drew.

Our bedroom also serves as my yoga and workout space. This often means Drew is working while I’m working out, running and jumping around our room. These are strange times.

I haven’t slept through the night for an entire year.

I don’t miss complicated routines and commutes. I don’t miss busy weekends and running here and there. I enjoy the simplicity and emphasis on our little family this time has allowed. I enjoy teaching yoga virtually and although I look forward to returning to studios, I know a place for virtual is here to stay.

The amount of energy I used to give to dozens and dozens of people has been concentrated on the most important, front-row people in my life. My relationships with my sisters, parents, and a handful of close friends have become stronger during quarantine. I do trivia with some college friends every other Friday. The pandemic brought us back together in a way that only the pandemic could have done. I participate in “Drink, Talk, Learn” with some friends where we put together powerpoints on random topics and try to entertain one another and make eachother laugh. The topics range from Presidential Pets and Warwick Davis to Why Borimir is the Most Important Member of the Fellowship (still disagree) and Whiskey the Horse. I exchange snail mail with my loved ones. I have time for study and reflection. I’ve participated in talent shows, puppet shows, an attempted musical, and countless “Drawing with Rob” sessions with my nephews.

I can’t wait to walk in the back door of my Grandparents farm house and hear my Grandpa say “look what the wind blew in” and smack his hand on the table laughing at his own, well-worn, joke.

(Above are some pics of Grandpa Thoe.)

I can’t wait to put a braid in my Grandma’s hair and listen to her read Three Billy Goats Gruff to Oslo.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Summer and vaccines are approaching.

The emotional toll the pandemic has taken on parents everywhere is enormous.

And yet, there has been beauty in the simplicity of living within the confines of our home. There have been myriad lessons learned. We’ve been together as a small family unit for every wondrous moment of Oslo’s first year. We took Oslo on countless walks, hikes, paddles, and camping adventures we may not have had time for otherwise.

The pace of pre-pandemic life was unsustainable.

The burden on working moms both during the pandemic and during normal times is enormous. As a society we need to work toward solutions to aid parents. We need to find ways to make families more important than the demands of capitalism.

Hang in there parents. And on that note…

Hey Universe, we’re good on lessons for a while!! Thanks!

(Oslo only eats with one foot up. He loves games and mischief.)

Some photos of family adventures this year. Many hikes, paddles, walks, and sleds! Oslo spent many nights in a tent, some very hot and some very cold! His first night in a tent was at 4 months. We took him to the BWCA when he was six months old. We forgot a hat and it was VERY cold, hence the photos of pants tied on his head. (Drew also tied a a beach towel on his head to stay warm! We had to make do.)

One year as a mom, almost a year since "six weeks to flatten the curve"