2014: the year of new.

**I haven't taken as much time over the past year

to post as often as i'd like,

so i decided to start 2015 off with a summary

of the momentous events that took place in 2014**

last january we knew we were in for some big changes in 2014,

as i was six months pregnant

and paul was busy finishing the first draft of his thesis

and starting to think about applying for jobs

at campuses across the continent.

but we had no idea the amount of change and growth that the year would bring!

in february we prepared to become a family,

attending prenatal classes at our midwife's clinic

and preparing a little corner of our bedroom

for our little baby yogi.

i wrapped up the most amazing professional year

that i'd ever experienced in march,

managing and teaching at a beautiful yoga studio

in my favourite neighborhood in toronto.

the friends and growth that i found there

will stay with me always.

the end of march came and we waited with bated breath for labour to start

after paul submitted his draft... and we continued to wait.

in april, after twenty long days beyond his estimated due date,

our fantastic mr phoenix made his debut earthside!

we were delighted with our new little sidekick

and so happy to become a family of three.

may brought beautiful weather,

which made me want to show phoenix our city.

we visited our favourite restaurants,

attended mama & baby yoga classes,

and made adventurous journeys to farmers' markets

with babe safely wrapped up

on mama or papa's chest.

at the end of may we excitedly traveled across the country

with our little six-weeks-young explorer

to introduce him to family and friends

at his first big party.

june was more visiting with family,

an impromptu job interview for paul,

and an exciting decision...

we would be moving back to the west coast!!

as soon as we returned home to our little toronto apartment,

the madness of packing began.

we found a townhouse and a car

that would be ready for us when we arrived,

and began to prepare ourselves

for the insane journey that we'd be facing in just six short weeks.

july was a blur of packing,

last goodbyes to friends,

final visits to the areas of toronto that we knew we'd miss the most.

on july 31st we boarded a flight

with phoenix snuggled against me in his sollybaby wrap,

and two very freaked out cats in their soft sided carriers stowed under our seats.

our journey from toronto to nanaimo took about two weeks,

with visits to family along the way,

and a celebration of our five year anniversary right in the middle of everything.

and then finally, in mid-august,

we arrived at our spacious (to us) new townhouse.

we explored our beautiful new little city,

with its everywhere-you-look ocean and mountain views,

it's multiplicity of forests and parks to walk through,

its quaint little downtown,

and its friendly people,

and i slowly started to feel like

yes, maybe i could call this place home.

paul began teaching his full load of courses in september,

while editing his thesis,

and helping me with the baby.

the fall was a blur of busyness,

but i found some beautiful moments

to bake many loaves of this yummy bread,

to get to know some new friends

and learn new songs during babytime at the library,

to take walks and steal cuddles every day with my little monster.

phoenix started exploring solid foods in october,

learned to crawl in november
(and i celebrated a big milestone),

and said "mama" for the first time in december.

towards the end of this month,

his two front teeth finally came down,

and he became really interested in big boy foods

(so much so that he'll now demand to share whatever i'm eating,

which helps me to remember not to eat junk!)

we took a trip down-island

to celebrate the wedding of an incredible, smart, fearless, beautiful woman whom i have been proud to call one of my best friends for the past ten years

and her sweet, funny, wise new husband,

and to spend the holidays with family.

our december ended on a festive note,

with consecutive stays in

log cabins with paul's family,

and a ski chalet with mine
(oh what wonderful and boisterous memories were made in these past two weeks!)

our new year's eve was a quiet one,

spent on our sofa in our cozy little townhouse,

talking about how much has changed this year,

how much we have changed this year,

and how all the challenges and new experiences we faced

have helped us grow.

2015 is going to be an amazing year

because we'll get to know our new family member even better,

i'll begin growing my career in our new city,

and we'll work as a couple to support one another

in our many endeavours.

cheers to 2014,

a year of so much new...

and here's to 2015,

when anything could happen!