Spent most of this year preggers!
…you were amazing! The year that made me, almost broke me and gave me the greatest gift of my life…
I think it’s fair to say that 2014 has been absolutely crazy. It’s without a doubt been the most intense year of my life, intense love, intense joy and intense worry all wrapped up in a 5lb 4 bundle called Finley ;-) This time last year I was NOT expecting a baby to be on the cards at all. I had pretty much accepted the fact that I was infertile and was all set on just going with the flow in 2014 and starting to enjoy life and not constantly battling with my reproductive system. Fast forward 2 weeks and I discovered I’d ovulated then skip ahead to the 29th January and a positive pregnancy test!
31 weeks preggers
If you’ve been reading I’m sure you’ll know how the rest of the story goes, a pretty straightforward and enjoyable pregnancy cut short at 35 weeks when my impatient little tinker decided he wanted to make an early appearance. One and a half weeks after he was born we experienced every parents nightmare when we were told he had a heart defect, a very large hole in is heart which needed major open heart surgery. We very shortly started to feel like the lucky ones though, as his heart defect was one of the easiest to fix. Thank the heavens he got through that surgery brilliantly and is thriving now!
As I’ve blogged about, motherhood is something I could not have prepared myself for even without the added stresses and strains of a poorly baby. It’s transformed me in ways I never knew would be possible. It’s the most wonderful yet hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life and it continues to be both utterly amazing and supremely challenging…sleep, now what would that be?
As well as having Finley I did achieve some other things I’m very proud of including growing my business and going completely self employed and working on a recipe book, Grains as Mains which is out next year:
I still get goose bumps when I see my name on that cover!
I also did some amazing community projects which I loved…
I started a podcast!
We had a nice break to Brighton as usual and I had a mini trip to London which was great…
And last but not least Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish became Wholeheartedly Healthy!
I’ve posted a load of great recipes this year and I hope because of my new camera the photography has improved too! I have way too many favourites, but here are some of my most loved recipes from 2014:
Low carb courgette crust pizza
Raw Chocolate Salted Caramel Cups
So yes I think it’s fair to say that 2014 was a life changing year for me! Bring on the New Year!
How was 2014 for you? What was your highlight of the year?
Aw this was so lovely to read, I remember it was almost a year ago when you announced you were pregnant and it was just wonderful to see how happy you were :)
I hope 2015 (doesn’t that sound too futuristic?!) is even better for you, and I personally can’t wait to get my hands on your book!
Lucy xxx
She’s So Lucy
Thanks Lucy! Hope you have a great year!
What a wonderful 2014! Congratulations Laura! I love your courgette crust pizza. Highlight of my year included starting working but still as a student! So much stress!
Thanks Clemintine! Sounds like you have had a busy year! Hope 2015 is amazing for you :-)
Such a wonderful year! I don’t comment very often but I wanted to wish you all the best for this new year to come and to thank you for your lovely blog that I love!
Thank you so much Anne-Charlotte! I hope you have an amazing 2015!
What a year! I always think your photography looks gorgeous Laura, love your use of colours and light.
What a fantastic year :) So glad that it is ending on such a high note for you after all the stresses and strains of earlier.
It is strange because when I look back at this year, I think mainly because with my job a new year starts in September, I feel like some things were last year when in fact they were this year if that makes sense!
I had challenges this year- it started with me teaching in a year group way our of my comfort zone, with the parallel teacher off on long term sick, but then I went for a promotion, got it, and am now back teaching the age group that I love, although with Ofsted earlier in the term that was the most stressful time I have experienced.
I am really looking forward to 2015- I have some exciting projects for work planned, I have some big races coming up, and an awesome summer holiday to look forward to when it’s all over! Although at the moment I am looking forward to getting rid of this cough (still here a little bit) and running parkrun :)
I always feel like September is the second new year, it always feels like that with the schools going back! Sounds like you’ve had a busy year, congrats on the promotion too! 2015 sounds amazing as well, trying not to be jealous of your summer holiday!
I’m so glad to hear that this year has treated you so well, Laura! You’ve been such an inspiration to me, and I hope that 2015 treats you even better <3
Thanks so much Amanda, I hope you have a fabulous 2015!
Even reading this recap conveys what a rollercoaster 2014 has been for you. I hope 2015 is somewhat more settled! Your photography has improved a lot (even though it was pretty damn good to start with) and the whole look and feel of your blog just exudes professionalism.
I measure my entire year through my running results, and sadly those were terrible. I spent the whole year (more or less) injured and rather than making me re-evaluate my priorities, it’s just made me more invested in running than ever…which particularly sucks when you’re skidding around on ice at the end of 2014.
I hope you have a great end to 2014 and a happy start to 2015!
Thanks so much Jess, I do hope for a more settled year! Fingers crossed any anti running weather doesn’t last long, James and I will need to start running again soon too. Wishing you a wonderful and injury free 2015 xxx
I’ve been reading your blog from across the pond for almost two years now. I always enjoy your perspective and your recipes and especially pictures of little Finley. That kid always puts a grin on my face. So happy that he is doing well.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Happy New Year to you and the family!
Thanks so much Yana! Lovely to hear that Fin makes you smile, I love that the little man can make others happy too :-) Hope you have a wonderful 2015!
What a busy year for you! So glad Finley is doing well, and wishing you a happy and healthy 2015.
What a year Laura. You have had such an amazing year whilst also battling some incredibly tough times. You are a trooper and a serious inspiration lady!! Wishing you a fab New Year lovely and an even bigger and brighter 2015 xxx
Thanks so much Lauren, it has certainly been a chaotic 2014!
What an absolutely amazing, wonderful year it’s been for you!! It must be lovely to think that a year ago you had no idea you would be sitting here with a sweet baby in your arms. So lovely! Congratulations on everything you’ve achieved, you’ve worked so so hard and deserve it all and more x
Thanks Christina, it really is a mind job how much your life can change in a year! Hope you have a wonderful 2015!
You have had such an amazing year Laura and I hope that 2015 is just as good, if not better for you.
I am looking forward to the exciting stuff we have planned too.
Happy New Year xx
Me too, and I can’t wait to hear your exciting news although I have a feeling I might know what it is :-)
My highlight of the year was running my first marathon – don’t think that quite compares to your year though! Haha! Here’s to 2015 :)
Haha, i feel like I’ve ran about 20 marathons having this child! Well done to you, I am always in awe of people who can run marathons! Hope you have an amazing 2015!
Laura you had such an amazing year!! Even without giving birth to an incredibly strong cute little boy you rocked 2014! I hope 2015 is as good :D
Thanks so much Anna! Hope you have an amazing 2015!