Catch Ya Later Two Thousand Thirteen

Well well well, and just like that- another year vanishes into nothing but memories. Great ones at that!!

Some personal highs for me were; how incredibly proud I am of our wee family for making the brave move to Perth in Feb & how far we've come since then, Mum getting the all clear for another 6 months, watching Blake grow from a dribbling infant to a vibrant & delightful toddler, our spectacular Bali getaway was more than we could have ever dreamed of, seeing friends & fam back in NZ for Blakes first birthday, and the real winner for me was our engagement atop of the most beautiful spot in the world- that perfect moment will forever be engrained in my mind.. 

None of this would have been possible without that man above. Thank you Oli, you big spunk you, for everything you do for us- but mostly just for putting up with me & yet still managing to love me unconditionally. The feeling is mutual.

There were some lows, losing my grandfather last month was a big blow, other than that it was mostly just general parenting stresses- illnesses (fuck you gastro & good riddance), teething, lack of sleep etc. Feeling extremely overwhelmed at times for me, more often than I would like actually, and in serious need of the extra helping hands that were unfortunately 7 hours on a plane away... But that was all to be expected with what we have taken on, and the fact that we are still adjusting to this parenting business. It has all been a massive learning curve, and one that we have fully embraced, even if it isn't always butterflies & rainbows. 

But at the end of the day, this is what life is about;

That smile. She is my heart in a human form

and;

It's about to be duplicated. 

Excited just doesn't cut the mustard. Meeting him is becoming very real very fast & the old ticker is already bursting at the seams with love & gratitude for my expanding family. 

So cheers 2013, you've been full to the brim with goodness, but 2014 is already shaping up to be some stiff competition.. I'm not quite sure if I'll ever be 'ready' for what's about to happen, but I'm pretty damned excited anyway! 

Happy New Years friends, enjoy & have a drink for me!!

Gemma