January: We were all shocked when we rang in 2008 and I was still pregnant. Eleven days later, at fourteen days overdue, our little Bella arrived after a long day of induced labour & a second Cesarean section. My parents were with us at the hospital and met her at minutes old, and my mother in law was at home taking great care of Primo. The Big Guy, my Mom and my MIL each took a night staying with me at the hospital before we took her home. For a cesarean, it was an awesome experience…much less traumatic than with Primo’s birth. No matter how it happened, she was the perfect addition to our little family. Primo turned 21 months old and continued to rock our world and amaze us with his natural ability to be a gentle & kind big brother.

February: Primo stopped napping – ouch – but we learned to deal with it. No choice, really. Primo & Bella received their official blog names courtesy of JJ. I sent her what I waas pretty sure was a freaking awesome prize package which she never received and I still have to send her something else. Nothing can compare, really, and I spent $40 on it plus $20 shipping to the US so I’m rather frustrated but I know I need to send her something soon. Grrr. Postal systems suck.

March: I turned 32, though I keep forgetting that I’m 32 and I tell most people 31 before correcting myself.

April: Primo turned two, which um…holy crap. And speaking of crap, we cleansed.

May: I took my kids to see my Grandma thinking it may be the only time they may see her. It was an awesome experience, a perfect photo op, and they got to see her again later in the year. Super. I introduced you, formally, to our hairy children.

June: We celebrated my Dad’s 69th birthday. A few months later I was ever so grateful for this picture I took of him playing with Bella that day. Trust me when I tell you to take lots of pictures, no matter how annoyed people may be. My beloved laptop died.

July: We spent a week in Fairmont for our first family-of-four vacation. While there, Bella turned 6 months old and I pulled a classic Nicole.

August: I won the blender of my dreams and still love it passionately. Primo got skates and started learning as every Canadian two year old boy should. My Dad was so proud! Primo started learning to use the potty at two years and four months, and never looked back. My parents went to PEI for what would be their last holiday together.

September: I don’t remember much other than losing my Daddy, but apparently Primo cut his last molar and started sleeping through the night.

October: We gave thanks, I took family pictures of us, we spent a lot of days at the petting zoo, and we had lots of Halloween fun.

November: Primo turned two and a half. I’m sure there was more, but I didn’t blog it.

December: We did the parade thing for the first time as a family. We celebrated Christmas – the first one without my Dad – which sucked but was awesome at the same time. The kids loved every second of it and my Dad would have loved watching them. The Big Guy and I went to a WHL hockey game which made me cry more than Christmas did because there were no kids to distract me and I have so many memories of my Dad tied up in hockey.

It’s been a fabulous year, and a tough year. One I’m glad to say goodbye to and one I’m glad I’ll never forget.

(image credit)