It’s amazing to think back on the past year and realize how much has happened. The growth that’s happened for my baby girl as she’s gone from helpless newborn to independent and opinionated toddler. The growth I’ve experienced as mother, wife, and individual. So what are the most prominent pieces of my story from the year 2014? Let’s see if I can put together a short recap of my favourite moments, and the pieces I feel were most important in the “big picture” of my life in the last year. And what better way to show this year than through photos I’ve snapped throughout the year.
A nephew is born! We welcomed another little being into our family in mid-January, bringing my total count of nieces and nephews to 6. Sorry, no photo for this one, as I respect my little dude’s family’s wishes keep his photos private.
First smiles from our babe
One of my favourite things to see develop in our daughter has been her temperament and personality. From her first smile, to giggles, even to the strong opinions she can only express through loud sounds and flailings, it’s all a very special journey I’m glad to be part of.
A random spring snow storm
A heavy snow fall painted our little island white, caused a lot of arbutus to fall (including one of ours onto our neighbours’ roof), and left a beautiful and sparkling playscape.
Z’s first trip to the cabin We are so fortunate to be able to get away to my husband’s family cabin on the Sunshine Coast. No phone, no internet, no TV, no power, no running water (in the cold months, anyways), water-access-only awesomeness.
A first Mother’s Day I got to celebrate my first Mother’s Day as a mama to a wonderful little soul.
Hello to solid foods
We patiently waited the 6-months recommended before introducing our little one to solid foods as a supplement to breast milk. Since then it has been a journey of increasing solids, trying to get our babe to eat, and finding new ideas for feeding a less-than-eager baby and toddler.
The journey to C-section recovery and my first MRI
C-sections downright suck. I have had a few people share their personal positive experiences with Cesarean births, but if I could have avoided having one myself I would have, and I would never ever suggest to a capable pregnant lady that she consider electing to have major abdominal surgery to get her baby out. Months and months and months of taking it easy, being useless, worrying, scarring, and trying to recover have been my weird experience post-birth. I had some very odd things happen to my body when it was healing that led to being cut open again at 7 months post-partum, my first MRI to determine what was going on inside, and consultation for further surgery (which thankfully hasn’t been necessary). I still don’t feel completely back to normal, but for the most part I am back to being active and have my pre-pregnancy body back in some ways.
A summer of firsts
I love summer time and all the adventure and fun it brings. It was so special to be able to share the season with my new little love and be part of the first time she went to the playground, felt grass, dipped her feet in the ocean, swam in the lakes, played in the sand, and so many more first moments.
Travelling on our first family vacation – New York, Niagara Falls and Ontario My husband and I share a mutual life goal in travelling. We’ve been to a few places separately and together already, but there is so much more out there to see and experience. Taking our little bean with us on her first airplane ride and our first family travelling adventure is a very special memory for us. I’m amazed at how well she did on the boats, planes, busses, trains, subways, taxis and cars we took over the course of our journey. I’m glad we did all this while she was fairly immobile, as I can imagine it will be much harder to keep her happy on a long flight or ride now that she wants to always be moving around freely.
2014 Wedding Season
I love weddings. Getting dressed up and being there for loved ones as they embark on a new life journey together is exciting. We were able to make it to 4 wonderful weddings this summer, although the last two we had to divide and conquer, so I took the bean to Vancouver Island to be there for my friends, and my hubby enjoyed a solo trip to see his good buddy off into married life.
Baby learns to crawl While we were in Ontario, on the last leg of our first family vacation, our little bean took to crawling. By the time we got back home at the beginning of August, she was moving around pretty well all by herself. This changed everything about where and what we keep laying around our home and the places we visit. It also helped little Z be more independent and less upset that she couldn’t move herself (ie more content to hang out without us).
An Alberta family visit
I don’t get back to Alberta to visit often, but that is where I was born and raised, and where a lot of my family still resides. We took a very quick road trip out to the Calgary/Okotoks area of Southern Alberta and caught up with family over a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents’ home. I always feel guilty leaving when it’s time to go, but getting back to the coast and the amazing place where we live helps me feel better.
Another trip to the cabin
For our November mess of birthdays (Me November 9, Hubby November 16, and Z November 24) we went up to enjoy some relaxing cabin time again.
Baby learns to walk For all those times that I would encourage Z to try walking and others would point out that I might not want that to happen so quickly, I have to disagree. Once a baby is crawling, most of the big changes of place and space and safety already need to be sorted out, and life gets a little more active already. As soon as your little one is fairly sure on their feet, it opens up your world to be a little bit easier as you can set your child down in public restrooms and other places you may not want them rubbing their hands, faces and whole body all over (bus floors, grocery stores). For me, walking is a welcome change of pace to the crawling stage.
Baby’s first Halloween This year we got to dress up our little pumpkin for the sweets-filled occasion (even though, sadly, we didn’t get to benefit from trick-or-treating with her yet). Baby Z masqueraded as both a princess and a fairy at different points, with costume pieces made and organized by her Gramma. I’m excited to get creative with a theme idea for us as a family next year! I also got to enjoy my first real pumpkin carving experience! Definitely a tradition I’d like to revisit each year.
Our little monkey turned one Marking a full first year of life and growth of our daughter is definitely a moment worth revisiting. We celebrated her first year – from little lump of needy, immobile love to playful, capable, walking toddler – with a small get-together or family and friends, which you can read all about in A Very Happy 1st Birthday. If you want to try making your own DIY yarn letters, check out this post.
I found a fantastic new job
I happily interviewed for and accepted a job as a substitute ECE facilitator for a popular and beneficial early learning drop-in program for caregivers and children aged 0-6. I love working with kids!
Our first “real” Christmas with a little one
This holiday season I broke down and got a real Christmas tree (instead of forgoing this tradition for ease of having a little munchkin around). I also listened to festive tunes, participated in a Holiday Movie Challenge with Staples Canada #streaminto2015 campaign, worked with Santa Claus, and tried to set the stage for family Christmas traditions we would like to carry on each year with our little one. We even got to enjoy a little bit of snow for the first time this season.
It was a great year, full of life and learning. I want to make 2015 an even better year, and to use the year as best I can to grow in every way I can. Here’s to making memories and setting goals!