2013 - A Summary

A year in pictures!

Well this feels weird. I haven't blogged for months and I feel like I'm a completely different person from the last time sat down with my laptop, a cup of tea and a head full of thoughts

I've just re read my last blog post with a smile, I remember so well that feeling of utter frustration and being so unbearably uncomfortable!

2013 was simultaneously the best and worst year of my life. The safe arrival of our little boy marked the end of 41 weeks of utter misery. Having spoken to many mums recently it seems that most of them agree that pregnancy doesn't live up to expectations in most cases. In fact, one friend announced that she would rather give birth five times than be pregnant again! I had really looked forward to being pregnant, expecting to glow serenely and feel all 'earth-motherly' but the reality was very different!

Of course, the end definitely justified the means. Baby Forrest arrived on 2nd November and changed our lives completely. It's certainly a day I'll never forget and I feel that it's bound Matt and I together in a way I'd never imagined. I may write a 'birth story' post at some point, although I'm not sure how many people would want to read it? I love reading them, personally!

The other exciting thing that happened in 2013 was our Big Move into the house that we've been renovating for the past five years. That too was not how I imagined. The house was still mostly a building site (and, in fact, still is!) rather than the dream home we'd planned. But I'm pleased we moved when we did. I still don't know when (if??) it will be finished but at least we're all here now. The chain of events feels right, we moved in just in time to welcome Forrest into our first family home

Looking back on 2013 brings so many feelings with it - mainly relief that it's over. All I can remember of it is discomfort, pain, frustration .... it was a long old slog to get to the best bit. But of course it was worth it. Forrest makes me happy every single day and watching him grow and change before our eyes, this little person that is a perfect mix of the two of us, reminds me that nothing worth having ever comes easy

Blogging in 2014 is a bit of an unknown at the minute. I'd been adamant that this wasn't going to become a 'mummy blog' and I still feel that way. But the fact is that this is a lifestyle blog and my life has changed irrevocably. Blogging is also a great way to capture memories that might otherwise be forgotten. So I expect there will be frequent mentions of Forrest and my life as a mummy as well as more 'Thoughts On ...' type posts

I also expect that I will continue to struggle to find time to blog - looking after a baby is a 24 hour a day job! I will still be using Twitter (@madeupof) and Instagram (madeupoflittlethings) though, so I'd love to hear from you that way

Have a great year everyone, here's to a fab 2014 !!