Looking back on 2018

Cheers to 2018! Whew what a year! It certainly was a roller coaster with lots of peaks and valleys. Looking back now I really can say we’ve been through all kinds of life events.

We had a BABY!

Highlight of the year certainty was the birth of our sweet baby girl Julia. My pregnancy leading up her to birth was fairly easy and luckily I didn’t have any rough pregnancy symptoms. Although stubborn girl decided to come breech and quick and fast. After a super fast, barely making it the hospital natural delivery (yes a breech drug free birth) she arrived and was seriously sweet as could be! Once we came home we had some hurdles with jaundice, nursing and eventually her being diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Leading up to her birth her older sister was going through some major developmental leaps and was for sure testing our parenting skills. Not sure if it was because she was turning 3 or if it was related to the not being the only child anymore. I’m sure it was a combination of both. We moved her into a new room with a big girl bed. She took to much easier than I thought but we still dealt with daily getting dress and bedtime battles. (my headstrong little nugget). Once the baby came home its like a switch went off and she immediately went into little mama mode. It was amazing to see. My fears of her lashing out even more for attention and hating this baby were quickly pushed aside when I saw her constantly singing lullabies and wanting to hold and help with her little sister. The love she shares for her little sister is such a beautiful thing. 8 months later and we are over most of the newborn hurdles and oh SO close to being cleared of the hip brace for littlest one. Luckily she just wears it at night now and could care less that she has it on.

Work Life

Lots of growth and changes came on the professional side. Kelly Bain Photography trucked along as I continued to work with awesome families. Although I had to take a break from shooting a couple months before and after the baby was born I did have a successful year. My highlight for the year was selling out my Fall Mini portrait sessions during the presale! All my sessions were booked and sold out by my previous clients. WHAT! so amazing, it made my heart smile. SO happy for the success of my side hustle. Since my 9-5 corporate job is eventually being eliminated and relocating (without me) I hope to turn this side gig into something much more! My wish for next year is too grow and work with even more families and continue to share my story through blogging. I hope to find balance for my creative outlet, financial security ,and motherhood/family time in 2019. I know everything happens for a reason, hope to find my new path soon. So until then I’ll keep on pushing myself and working hard everyday.

Here’s to 2019

I don’t want to make resolutions this year. I’d like to make promises to myself.

Time for more self care. Take time to go on a walk, do a quick workout video, get a massage. I owe it to myself to take care myself physically and mentally. I don’t think late nights up and coffee for breakfast isn’t very sustainable. Hopefully drop the baby weight and gain more energy while doing it.
Set small attainable family goals for the day to day tasks. Last year was survival mode with a toddler and a newborn. Which was remembering if even showered that day or plopping the toddler in front of a screen to nurse the baby. This year I want to plan out more activities, family dinners, and spending quality family time together.
And lastly I want to really push myself to reach the goals I’ve set for myself in my business. Ask myself how to better serve my clients and audience and STICK TO IT! Build more relationships and be open to opportunities that present themselves.

So there ya have it. Good bye 2018 and Hello 2019. So long to a year of overwhelming change and survival mode to hopes of a year of intention and growth. I hope you have wonderful year and achieve all the goals you set out to reach!