Sunday 1 January 2017

Happy New Year

2016 - what a year. Alice arrived in May and our world turned upside down. I have to keep pinching myself - I never thought I would be lucky enough to be a mother. We are so, so fortunate to have her. The journey has been long and emotional, but she's here and it's all been rather overwhelming. Writing gift tags to 'Granny and Grandpa' brought a lump to my throat at Christmas. My heart skipped a little beat as I signed cards from the three of us. I wasn't as prepared for the shift from career to carer as I should have been. The simplest drop of a letter, but what a change. I'm finally getting the hang of it now - it really did make me realise just how selfish a life I had been leading pre-Alice. Goodness. The things I've learnt.

She hit the seven month mark last week and is turning into a delightful little imp. It's been an epic and exhausting adventure, and I'm afraid that all I could muster last year were snaps on Instagram. Words escaped me. Sentences were elusive. Lack of sleep really does lead to muddle. Mr M has become a master in second-guessing what I want (usually biscuits and tea, followed by more biscuits). I always knew he would be, but he's been incredible. Fatherhood suits him. The pair are as thick as thieves.

And as for Pickle, we think she is quietly delighted to no longer be the centre of attention and baby substitute and has taken to Alice rather well. I frequently find both on my lap. In turn, Alice is obsessed with Pickle. Pig needs to start looking for refuge higher up for when Alice starts crawling...

Do you have resolutions? Do you bother? I have a list of things I want to do. Blogging is on my list. My reading pile is tall. The cottage needs to be finished. I must start using my gym membership. Drawing. Painting. But most importantly, I want to spend time with loved ones - family, friends, new and old.

6 comments:

  1. Good to see you back and such news! Happy New Year to you all!

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    1. Oh, thank you Sue - that's so kind. And a happy new year to you too!

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  2. Happy New Year! I was delighted to read your post and read about your transition in roles last year. I'm so interested to see how Sabrina reacts when the baby arrives, so I'm hoping your experience with Alice and Pickle will be similar to what I can hope to expect.

    I've made the decision to leave Instagram this year as I found it was becoming overwhelming in terms of time and not a positive experience. I'm looking forward to making more time for blog, book and all kinds of reading!

    Best wishes for 2017! x

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    1. And a Happy New Year to you too! We were really worried about Pig, but pleasantly surprised. She used to have the full run of the house, day and night, but we started to shut her downstairs a month before Alice arrived, and from memory Mr M brought a muslin home from the hospital that smelt of Alice and popped it in Pig's bed. Oh, and Feliway - plug in thingy and spray. I wish we had captured the 'what have you done?' look that P threw Mr M when Alice was brought home and plonked on the sitting room floor in her car seat.

      And I know what you mean about Instagram - I find the perfect lives and constant product pushing gets a little tiresome after a while.

      Here's to a happy, healthy and wholesome 2017 for both of us x

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  3. Blogging is on my list too - the words have started to flow again and it feels good. I do love Instagram, but the back story is good too sometimes. Sigh - that little hand. Such full days, early parenthood, but wonderful ones.

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    1. So agree - may 2017 be the year of the blog. I've missed writing enormously.

      And yes, they are wonderful - I'm enjoying it enormously x

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