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 :/

Remembering Joshua. Smiling every time I say my son's name in full. He was named after a terrific guy!


2005, outside kunie's before a night out at the pink


2006, at my birthday party at the 333

My Mamaw (mother's mother) died Wednesday night. She wasn't doing too well in the last few months suffering from dementia. My mother went down there in November to help care for her and I'm glad she got to spend a few months with her mother before she passed, even under difficult circumstances. It's not the easiest news to digest at 9 months pregnant but I'm doing pretty well to try to stay calm and not stress the baby with my grief.

Mamaw was a riot. She was a strong woman who said what she felt, often without filters. She was 89 and just had her 72nd wedding anniversary with my Papaw on Dec. 26th! She was the oldest of 10 kids in her family, most of whom are still living. She had 9 children (8 who are still with us), 26 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren. Yeah, family gatherings are quite the production!

Selfishly I was hoping she would hang on just a little bit longer to see a photo of great-grandchild #40, but she was suffering and I am glad she is now at peace.

She was widely known for her sickeningly sweet 'sweet tea' and one of those women who wouldn't ask questions if some random kid walked into her kitchen asking for food. Her door was (literally) always open and folks knew they were welcome and that Mamaw would always look after them.

Good-bye Mamaw.