Home in the UK now. The flight felt super long because Tobie decided the middle of the night was the best time to stay awake despite how tired he was.

Didn't get a chance before I left to say what an epeepaganza Sunday was. Went into town to meet up with (e:Springfaerie) for coffee, popped over to 7 Eleven to grab water and snacks and ran into (e:Drew), met up with (e:Theecarey) and other folks to watch the last show of Hamlet at Shakespeare in the park and while there saw (e:Enknot). Crazy day!

I've got a few pics of my lovely trip home. Had a great time relaxing with family and letting Tobie get to know his grandparents. I didn't like having to come back, it felt too soon.....

It has been a long month. Tobie and I are very excited that Da Da arrives today! Going to Toronto to pick him up shortly. Yaaaaaaaay!

Having fun with family and getting to visit a few folks. Tobie is finally on schedule with the time zone. Rory comes next Wednesday, so happy to see him again. It has been a loooooong month apart.

If anyone wants to visit give a shout!

I'm coming home for a nice long visit with the little monkey. (Rory will join us for a few weeks). If you'd like to meet up get in touch :)

We're still waiting for Spring to arrive over here, but at least when the sun is out you can pretend! Here is Tobie marveling at the ocean on his first seaside outing.

I still think of you fondly. Every time I say Tobie's middle name a little image of you pops in my head. Usually making a face, like this one:

My little monkey turned a year old this week. It's crazy how quickly and slowly time has passed. It's very Dr. Who. To sum it all up, this fantastic advert by Fiat....



Happy Birthday my little monkey!

On the eve of each New Year we often reflect on our lives. As we say good-bye to 2012 and hello to 2013, I wish you joy that never ends and happiness with all your family and friends.

Where were you and who were you with when 2012 began?
In the living room of our new home with Rory, Stickybean and Blinky.

Where will you be and who will you be with when 2012 ends?
At home with Rory, Tobie and Blinky.

Was 2012 a good year for you?
Absolutely yes!

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Announcing the birth of our first child Tobie Joshua Webber.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
The entire work saga which culminated in me handing in my notice.

Did you reach your New Year goals for 2012?
50/50

• Continue to lose weight - YEP!

• Travel to the US with Stickybean to meet family- No :(

• Read the 5 books waiting in line to be read - read 2 of the 5

• Buy an awesome bicycle with a basket and bell and take some lovely rides with Stickybean and Rory - nope :(

• Get my UK driver's license- YEP!

• Buy a car - YEP!

• Be the best wifey and mother I can be and never let a day go without telling Rory or Stickybean how much I love them- YEP!

• Make my cat famous for her awesome fetch skillz and run a line of crazy T-shirts, even if it's just for us :) - if I could figure out how to get my flippin' videos posted....sigh

What was your favorite month of 2012?
February - Tobie's arrival!

Did you travel in 2012?
Not outside the UK- this is a FIRST! I had to renew my UK visa, so I've been without a passport for months now! Grrrrrr. My travel bug is very, very unhappy about this.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2012?
My Mamaw (mother's mother) in January :(

What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2012?
Strange as it sounds, I was actually impressed with Looper. It was much deeper than appears on the surface.

What was your favorite song in 2012?
Tie:
Somebody that I used to know by Gotye and
Skyfall by Adele

What was your most exciting moment of 2012?
That last push when Tobie finally entered the outside world and I became a mother; something I NEVER thought would happen.

What was your proudest moment of 2012?
Me: Getting my UK license
Parenting: Tobie's first steps were pretty heartwarming.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2012?
Can't think of anything funny...

What are your goals for 2013?

• Continue to lose weight- I've lost all the pregnancy weight and am back to where I was when I first left for Doha. Only 40 more pounds to go!

• Travel to the US with Tobie to meet family.

• Read the 3 books waiting in line to be read.

• Buy an awesome bicycle with a basket and bell and take some lovely rides with Tobie.

• Move house closer to London.

• Let people know how much they mean to me even though they've grown distant.

• Be the best wifey and mother I can be and never let a day go without telling Rory and Tobie how much I love them.

Cheers to a happy new year, celebrate safely and have fun!!!

Happy 40th Birthday Peter! We hope you have an amazing time on your special milestone day!

Other notes:

We are not coming home for Christmas :(

Last week Tobie starting taking his first proper steps, nice and slow and steady :)

This morning Tobie stood up in the middle of the room unaided :)

I quit my job because they were being horrible :/

I've lost 10% of my body weight. Slow and steady wins the race to keep it off right? I'm still pudgy, but less pudgy and it feels good! Maybe in a year I'll reach my goal weight.

The little monkey started pulling himself up and cruising on his 8 month birthday. He is currently working on sprouting another 4 teeth all at once. Oh the joy. He grew again and is now in the 99th percentile for height. Poor kid will probably be like my dad and end up 6 ft tall by the time he's 12.

Just 2 more weeks until our 3 year Halloweeniversary. Time absolutely flies when you're happy. We were going to host a party but in the end decided to pig out on popcorn and watch a spooky movie.

Still no word on work, what I'll be doing and if they expect me to live-in.

Is there a US equivalent TV show to The Great British Bake-Off?

that is all.

We're coming home for Christmas! I know it's a busy time of year but if anyone would like to see me/us/meet Tobie let me know! He can charm you with his cute little dimple chin and sheepish grin. Or maybe just slap you in the face and drool on you :)

I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since Rory and I got married. Seems like yesterday!

I can't believe I'm turning 37 next week. I don't feel 37. I don't look 37. I don't think I can blow out 37 candles. I'd like to lose 37 pounds (times 2). There are 37 minutes until the show I like comes on this morning. I change at least 37 nappies in a week.

This Christmas is going to be filled with feel good homemade gifties! Not just because I like doing heartfelt things like that, but holy monkey butts flights are insanely expensive -and - they charge you bloody 10% of your fare PLUS about 400 pounds in taxes just to have an infant sit on your lap for 7 hours! Horse pucky!

In the last week Tobie seems to have sprinted down the growing development path. Babies are funny the way they seem to do nothing, then BOOM. Just in the past week he has:

• sprouted 2 teeth
• started frog crawling
• started sitting up on his own

With his new found toothy nubs he likes to bite my toes, the little weirdo!