It might have something to do with this little girl....
This year seemed to fly by. Something about having definitive points of reference - pregnancy weeks and baby weeks and months - marks time off in a way that makes it pass so quickily. Especially while having fun.
January
We let the world know we were having a baby. So many of you offered your well wishes and I was overjoyed. I also worried about how huge my bump got (oh if I only knew how big it would get!)
February
Thanks to a 3d session, we found out we were expecting a little girl. I knew it all along. And that's about all I blogged about because I was busy standing outside, taking deep breaths of cold air, and trying to hold down my saltines...
March
Ava Grace turned 2...
And two of my favorite twinsies also had a first birthday.
April
I finished my hardest semester yet for my grad program, and also finished up my student teaching. I took this (neverbeforeseen) picture out of peer pressure from the school photographer.
My awesome team threw me a surprise baby shower with all of the students. They offered invaluable advice...
I missed Lyla-bug's birthday, but I got to see her a different weekend.
May
My awesome friends helped me get the nursery going.
Tony and I took a babymoon-esque trip to Hilton Head
June
Tony and I cheesed it up for some homemade maternity pictures, but actually got some good shots.
July
I took a little trip to L&D for blood pressure issues - but it all turned out ok.
We waited... and I got huge.
I shared pictures of Harper's finished(ish) nursery
July 25th, at 6 in the morning, after 14 hours of labor, Harper Kate made her debut!
We fell in love.
August
I shared Harper's birth story and we adjusted to life as parents
Harper got her first cast put on at 9 days old. I cried.
I posted about Harper's newborn photos too
September
We took our first trip as a new family - we went to the lake and all had a blast.
Harper did so well in the cast that we got to the brace stage sooner than I expected. She also blew us away with how well she handled all of it. (we rejoiced in our "best baby ever" luckiness)
My friend Justina got married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony
And I got to sneak in some friend time
October
My good friend Josie got married and I got to spend some much-loved time with old friends
We went to the beach for a week!
Harper dressed as a surfer for Halloween, brace and all
And we picked (up) a pumpkin
November
I got my holiday craft on for the Dare to DIY series
We celebrated Thanksgiving with our families
December
I forced Harper into another photo shoot for her Christmas card (I loved it!)
We got the all-clear for Harper to reduce the time in her brace - meaning 8 hours of freedom!
We also had a lovely Christmas with both families - soon to be blogged about!
2012,
You were awesome.
Sincerely, Claire