Another year done and dusted… See ya later 2013!


I can’t believe how quickly this year has flown by! I suppose that is pretty common with a one-year old running amuck in a household: you don’t have much time for anything! Audrey has gone from a chubby smiling bubba to a wild little girl running around the house. She has learned so many things this year: laughing, crawling, walking, running, how to put objects (and food) on her head and say: “tada!” , and she almost has the hang of using a spoon (but only on days when I can handle her making a crazy mess). Yet, with all the new words she learned she still can’t grasp the word: Mum. Maybe she just thinks it’s funny (if a one-year-old can have a sense of humour) to call me (and everyone else) “dada”. I suppose it doesn’t bother me that much, because once in a blue moon when she is really tired and cranky and just wants a cuddle she’ll turn her face towards me and say “mama,” and oh, does my heart melt!


She’s not the only one who has made some changes – I’ve changed my appearance as well: between last Christmas and this one I’ve lost 12 kg. That may not seem like a lot, but I sure feel a lot more comfortable in my clothes. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that even though I haven’t breastfed in almost a year I’ve only just ditched the nursing bras in the last few weeks! I very rarely have my photo taken, but I’ve put a couple of photos up for comparison. They’re not very good photos, but you can kind of see the difference in my face. I no longer wear glasses anymore after I had laser surgery (very good value for money, in my opinion!)
Disappointingly another change in my appearance takes the form of a “mummy moustache” – the dreaded pregnancy mask (a.k.a. melasma). It looks like I’m just going to have to accept that it will not be going anywhere… so even though I hate wearing makeup I may have to resort to some kind of coverup. If anyone reading this knows of a good concealer that will cover skin pigmentation let me know because I’m getting a bit desperate!
With every New Year it seems we have the urge to purge old habits and (promise to) forge new ones. I suppose it’s a good time to reflect on what has made you happy this year and what hasn’t. I think I’m through making stupid resolutions, like “I’m going to lose weight,” and instead I’m going to resolve to make healthy eating choices and exercise a minimum of 3 times a week. Every morning I’m going to think of something I love about my partner and really try to nag less. (Even though I still maintain that normal adults are awake at 9:30am). I’m going to take Audrey to swimming lessons this year and read a book every month in between mummy stuff. It seems that my kidney function is not getting any better so I’m sad to say that making a baby is not on my list. But getting as healthy as I can with what I’ve been given is up there as a priority.
It has been a good year. Although we’ve had our rough patches, I’m glad I stayed home this year to watch Audrey grow into a little girl. She drives me crazy sometimes, but I miss her when she’s not around. I can’t wait for the next milestone: talking!