Oh What A Year – 2013 Recap

I am finding it kind of ironic that I started 2013 off by stating the new year would not bring a new me. Ironic because the girl who typed that post has changed A LOT. I am no longer teaching first grade, I am no longer living in Maryland, and I greatly doubt I will ever sleep in a dog bed again. As a matter of fact, that girl went and grew up quite a bit over the past year.

In January, B and I saw lots of snow in Connecticut while visiting my family. I wrote a letter to my 14 year old self and made my first vlog. I decided that I would continue with my Happiness Project and focused on being the best first grade teacher I could be.

In February, I changed my blog name from Think Happy Thoughts to Confessions of a Northern Belle. I bought my own domain, my blog received a facelift from Lisette, and then the two of us started a new link-up party called Just Because. My husband revealed how much he really knows about me and we went to our first Capitals game together.

In March, we went to CT for my Dad’s 60th Mustache Bash. I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by tricking my students and singing kareoke at the sketchy townie bar down the street. Then B and I went to Norway for a week! It was an amazing vacation and I recapped it for you in April…

In April, we found out I was pregnant, however I didn’t tell you until May. I went to see my best friend run in the Boston Marathon. I stood only 100 yards away from the finish line. My best friend, her family, her fiance’s family, my Mom, my little unborn baby, and I walked away without a scratch.  The blog world helped me move forward and accept what happened.

In May, I shared with you the BEST NEWS EVER. I told you how we found out I was pregnant and showed you my lack of a baby bump.

In June, I revealed how we told our families we were pregnant. THEN I MOVED TO GEORGIA and rented a house without internet! I spent a lot of time at Starbucks… I blogged about the stuff my health teacher never told me about being pregnant and my summer reading list.

In July, we found out the gender of our baby (GIRL!) and revealed it to our families at a party at the beach. I blogged about being pregnant at the beach and I addressed my control issues (then you offered your advice!).

In August, after stressing myself out about my lack of a baby bump, I did some research and learned how all baby bumps are different.  B and I stressed about our baby’s due date – it changed three times! I talked about the progress on my bucket list and we became homeowners!

In September, I had a beautiful pinterest-worthy baby shower in my parent’s garden and a storybook themed baby shower at my mother-in-law’s house. I blogged about exercising while pregnant and I celebrated my 28th birthday with 28 lessons to remember.

In October, I started to panic after making To Do Lists before the baby arrives. Thankfully, once again, my readers came to my rescue! B and I celebrated 4 beautiful years of marriage. My pregnancy hormones turned me into a crafty lady and made a wreath for our front door. I blogged about baby diaper bags and signs of nesting.

In November, Lisette visited me and took the most beautiful maternity photos ever! We finished the baby’s nursery and I packed my hospital bag. The crafty bug bit me again and I shared with you how I made a cork monogram for my kitchen table.  

In December… oh December. It has always been my most favorite month.  I took a break from blogging while I waited on our little one’s arrival. She was due December 12th and while I had prayed for an early arrival, I began to accept that she wasn’t going to come on time. My mom flew down from Connecticut to help us prepare for the baby and I drove her nuts as I refused to relax and cleaned my house like a maniac. On December 12th at 8:20 am, I went to my 40 week appointment … an hour later I was admitted to the hospital and two hours later I was being induced!

Annabelle Claire arrived on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 2:15 am. 

The moment they placed Annabelle Claire on my chest became the BEST moment of 2013.