I swear every year someone pushes the fast forward button a little harder that takes it up a notch as each year seems to pass me by faster than the one before. Tomorrow is New Years Eve and it seems like yesterday that my husband and I were checking into our swanky Boston hotel room for a night out on the town to ring in 2013. This will be our fifth New Years together and while that may not be a lot of years, I still remember the first year we celebrated together like it was yesterday too. We have rung in the new year twice in New York City, once in our home away from home – Vermont and once in Boston. This year, being eight months pregnant and having a new house all we really want to do is spend it in our new digs with a few close friends. So we’re looking forward to having a small party and a low key New Years at home this year.
The past few days I’ve been looking at pictures going back as far as our wedding to present day. It still astonishes me how much we accomplished this year and I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful for such an amazing year. 2013 has been nothing less than wonderful to us. So, as I write my last blog of the year, here’s my ode to 2013. The best bits and pieces of a fun and fabulous year!
February was the first time my husband and I walked into our house. We had been looking for a few months and were not only picky in the style of home we wanted, but also where we wanted to reside. We don’t like the typical colonial or split homes, it’s just not us. We like unique and we like different. Originally, I wasn’t over excited to come see our house. The pictures online didn’t do it justice. Then we drove by the day before our appointment and I told my husband I thought it looked like a dungeon from the outside. I just wasn’t convinced. But, he was certain I’d be surprised when I walked and said the sellers didn’t do a good job with their pictures. And, as in most cases, my husband was right. The next day we went to one open house and two private showings, our house now being the last stop. I thought for sure the first house was going to be “my house” from the pictures, but when I walked in I quickly realized it was not. The second house was nice and we liked it, but it wasn’t home. Then came our house, I didn’t have high hopes, but as soon as I walked through the door my jaw dropped and I said, “Oh my God I LOVE this house!” From top to bottom it was so perfectly us. It feels like a lodge in Vermont and many of our friends and family have told us that. I never imagined myself walking in and falling in love, but we took the tour and I told my husband that I felt like it was home and that I wanted it. We loved it so much we were here for over an hour, we didn’t want to leave. I said I couldn’t wait to sit in the upstairs living room that is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors and watch a snow storm. On March 28th, exactly six months from our wedding day we closed on our house. It’s been great making this house our home and we absolutely love it.
In April I discovered barre classes. I didn’t know when I walked into my first class just how much the studio would change my life, but it did. As a lover of all things health and fitness, barre classes quickly became a staple in my weekly workout routine and have continued to be over the past eight months. I am convinced they have helped me greatly in maintaining strength, balance and fitness during my pregnancy. Not only have the barre classes been an amazing addition, but I have met an incredible circle of women who have become friends. They continue to inspire and motivate me and I’m thrilled to be part of their barre community!
In May we took a vacation to the Florida Keys for my sister in laws 30th birthday. We rented a huge house and spent a week with my husbands family swimming, snorkeling, boating, on the beach and I swam with dolphins. Anyone who knows my husband and I knows how much we love to travel. So we are always game for a good vacation. Our motto, work hard and play hard.
June 4th was by far the biggest day of the year for me, the day I found out we were pregnant. I had discontinued the use of birth control as soon as we returned from our honeymoon back in October 2012, but we chose to avoid pregnancy until we had a house. I was convinced getting pregnant was going to be a challenge. In fact, I was sure of it. But, after two whole months of “trying” an at home pregnancy test and a blood test seriously proved me wrong. I was pregnant! I remember starring at the pregnancy test wondering if the second line was real. I kept thinking, holy crap, is this for real?! My husband was at work when I found out and this was not news to announce via a phone call. So, I did what any girl would do. I baked a cake when I got home from work and wrote “We are having a baby 2014” on it. When I asked my husband if he wanted to hear about my day he said, “Of course!” and I turned around and gave him the cake. He laughed and asked if I was serious so I showed him my test and he just smiled in excitement and disbelief. It’s a day I’ll never forget. It was just a few weeks before my birthday and I felt like I hit the jackpot of all birthday gifts.
In July we went to Marco Island for five days for a good friends wedding. The whole trip, although short, was a blast. I was just at the point in my pregnancy where I was starting to feel better so I was thrilled to enjoy some time on the beach with friends after being exhausted and cooped up most of the summer. My husband also bought a brand new car in July.
In August I left my job. A “mutual” parting of ways if you will. It’s been by far one of the best things this year could have brought me. I had felt like I was sitting at a standstill on a dead end road for at least a year so leaving has allowed me to focus on what I really want in terms of my career going forward. It has also allowed me take care of myself with zero stress and anxiety during my pregnancy and prepare for our daughters arrival. Our plan is for me to work part-time from home after the baby so I can continue to put our growing family first, where it should be.
In September we found out we are having a baby girl. I don’t know why, but I always had a hunch that if I had children, the first would be a girl. Both my husband and I had dreams before we were even married that we were laying in a hospital bed and that I had just given birth to a baby girl. So, when we saw the ultrasound pictures and confirmed it was a girl, I wasn’t surprised in the least bit. Then we threw a “Gender Reveal Party” for some close family. We kept the secret to just ourselves for two weeks which for me, was no easy feat! The party was great and our families loved it and had a blast playing guessing games before our big reveal. Another highlight in September was celebrating our first wedding anniversary on the 28th. It was also exactly the halfway point in my pregnancy and we celebrated by spending the day together and going out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and where our wedding rehearsal was.
In early November we took a “Babymoon” between Vermont, New Hampshire and a few days at home to get stuff done around our house. We went hiking, shopping, ate at some really nice restaurants and just enjoyed the time away in the mountains. We were also thrown an amazing baby shower where well over 50 friends and family joined us. My mom did the majority of the planning and I told her it felt like my wedding day, it was amazing but it went by too fast and I just wanted to do it over again. We couldn’t believe the amount of gifts we received and the outpouring of love. Our little girl is truly blessed to have so many people who already love her so much, including her mommy and daddy! And last but not least, my husband and I hosted Thanksgiving for both our families in our new home in November. When I first agreed to do it I was a little nervous knowing Thanksgiving fell just after the start of my third trimester, so I wasn’t sure how I’d be feeling. But, other than sore feet from all the preparation I felt great. It was an awesome Thanksgiving!
And here we are, in the last days of December and final hours of 2013. This Christmas was by the far the best. It was the first Christmas in a while where we got to stay put in one place and not jump from house to house. I felt like we could relax and enjoy the day so much more. And, my husbands “big gift” to me this year was a brand new car. He told me that me and the baby need a better car. My mother in law and my dad told me he was so excited about it. It was like being in a movie getting a car on Christmas literally wrapped up in a bow. I couldn’t be more grateful for him and everything he does for me all year long.
As we say goodbye to 2013, I can only hope and pray that 2014 is just as kind. My biggest wish is to have our daughter born healthy and happy and to just enjoy getting to know her while we settle into parenthood. As always, thanks for reading blog lovahs. I wish you all a happy and safe new year, and I look forward to “seeing” you all in 2014!
~Sparke