January
What a blur. I called this the month of surviving. There was lots of snow, lots of mommy playdates and lack of sleep. But we made it and that's all that really mattered.
February
I booked a ticket back in Decemeber before Stella was born for a photog conference in Las Vegas. The bad news, the hubs got really sick and could not watch her and our in-laws were in Florida (they are snow birds). My sister-in-law came to the rescue. I drove to Anderson, SC - she drove from Atlanta, GA and I handed over the baby. Stella wasn't even ten weeks old, but it was her first road trip and overnight stay with family. Everything turned out great. The hubs recovered and I got to take my business trip and Stella got quality time with her cousins.
March
Back to work. It was the end of my maternity leave and going back to work happened right around the end of the month. It wasn't easy, but I loved the daycare we found and a routine was formed.
April
What a crazy month. We knew the place we were renting would not be available come September, so we started looking at house. We found one we loved, a great neighborhood close to uptown and put in an offer. Not even 24 hours later, we bought a house. It's a cute little ranch from the 1950's with 3 bed/2 bath and the biggest backyard.
May
Moving was a fun task with two dogs and a baby. Thank goodness for awesome friends and family that returned from Florida. Unpacking was done in one weekend and it was so nice to have our own space. The dogs were so happy to have a fenced in yard and we loved the new hood.
June
My photography business really picked up. I started second shooting weddings for a few photographers locally and that took up most of my time. When I was wasn't shooting, I was editing or trying to find time to hang out with out little family.
July
We went to our first birthday party for one of Stella's buddies. I admit I cried. The thought of her turning one was just plain scary to me. She was my little baby and would always be. We had fun visiting family in Atlanta and getting to swim in their community pool.
August
More weddings and bridal shoots. My life never slowed down. Thank goodness for the hubs who had lots of daddy/daughter bonding weekends. Stella also learned to shake her head no. It was funny and cute.
September
Again lots of weddings and traveling. I was starting to really miss my family but I was loving the chance to shoot. Stella took her first bath in the bath tub like a big girl and we took her winetasting. She loved her little roadtrip and our friends had a blast hanging out with our little girl.
October
Our baby girl was a big old strawberry for Halloween. We went trick-or-treating at the hubs office and then called it a night. We had the cutest little kids come by our home and we passed out candy. This was also my breaking point with my second shooting career and I decided to take a break to focus on what mattered most to me, my family. This was the hardest choice for me, but the balancing act got to be a little much. I don't regret quitting for a second.
November
Our first Thanksgiving as a family of three. I can't say that Stella loved turkey, but she did love some sweet potato. We went to see the hub's parents in Lake Wylie, SC for the holiday. This was also the first time we had a family shoot for our holiday card. Stella got some pictures of her and the smash cake I make for her which turned out great - all thanks to Pinterest.
December
Tree went up and we celebrated Stella turning ONE. We were surrounded by close friends and family. It was perfect and cupcake themed. Everyone loved the cookies, cake and hot chocolate. Stella loved all the attention and we enjoyed seeing everyone love on her. We spend the holidays in our home and without travel - the best way to spend it.
Hard to believe another year is gone and so quickly. It's February tomorrow and 2012 is going by just as fast. Here's to another year of great things that are yet to come!
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