Brooklyn Baby Britain: My 2013

2013 was an exceptional year for my family of three. Siena started the year unable to sit and ended the year walking. I started the year unsure of myself as a new mom and ended it a confident, multi-tasking Mama. Rob was searching for work-life balance at the start 2013. One year later he's proven you can kick-ass at work and still be a hands on dad and attentive husband.

I could sum up 2013 in 3 words: travel, child, instagram
....but I'll elaborate.

Travel.
We exceeded our ambitious expectations for travel with trips all over Europe and the UK. Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp,Bruges), Scotland (Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Skye, Glasgow, St. Andrews), France (Paris x2, Aix-en-Provence, Cassis, Marseille, Orange, Avignon, Eze, Grasse, Menton, Vaison-la-Romaine), Finland (Helsinki, Porvo), Italy (Genoa, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Comogli, Bobbio), USA (New York City x2, DC), Spain (Barcelona), England (Windsor, Canterbury, Brighton, Levenham, Winchester, Dover, Stonhenge, Stratford Upon Avon, The Cotswolds), and Austria (Vienna). We tasted local specialties at every opportunity indulging on waffles in Belgium, crepes in France, pasta in Italy, and haggis in Scotland. We saw breathtaking natural wonders - the White Cliffs of Dover, the back roads of the Isle of Skye, rolling hills of the English countryside; incredible architecture - La Sagrada Familia, The Glenfinnan Viaduct, Winchester Cathedral; historic landmarks -Stonehenge, the Eiffiel Tower, Shakespeare's birthplace; and participated in local traditions- the Royal Ascot, Proms in the park, a Kentish wedding. And we were able to do all this with an infant. Traveling with an infant presented its own set of challenges but we considered Siena an equal participant in our travels rather than an obstacle and were mostly grateful for the ways she shaped our experiences. We slowed our pace and typically hectic itineraries and opted for picnics and playgrounds over long restaurant lunches. The year and all its adventures even inspired me to write a book about travel with infants which is currently a work in progress. It hasn't been restful and flying alone to the US and back with Siena was legitimately traumatic but what an unforgettable year it has been. Inspiring, fulfilling, enlightening and joyful, a year of travel, a beautiful way to bond our first full year as a family of three.

Child.
In 2013 I devoted all I am to raising Siena. I chose not to go back to work but worked every day instead on giving Siena well-balanced meals comprised of all 5 food groups, bringing her to swim lessons, baby massage, rhyme time and nursery. Reading her stories, singing her songs, building blocks and throwing balls. Going for walks to parks and playgrounds, museums and libraries. I gave her 1 bajillion kisses and told her I loved her a bajillion times more. I made sure her bath was the perfect temperature and her bow always matched her outfit. I saw her sit for the first time then crawl then take her first steps. I listened to her first words - good girl - and held her for every vaccination and trip to the A&E (ER). I fed her her first solid food - banana, which she was not a fan of and encouraged her as she learned to feed herself with a spoon. I changed gravity defying nappy explosions. I vaguely remember what sleeping in means. I'm not quite sure I counted higher than 10 in the past year but I counted from 1 to 10 infinity times. I cherish the privilege I had to be a stay at home mom and did not take a day for granted or the responsibility lightly. Siena is now ready for more independence from mommy and I am ready to focus more on projects gratifying to the non-mommy me. This year I hope to make that transition and I'm nervous yet hopeful about where these changes will take us.

Instagram
Oh instagram, how do I love thee? let me count the ways. You've allowed me to share this adventure in real time. You have reconnected me with old friends and introduced me to new ones. You've allowed family and friends to feel a part of my world though I am very far from most. You have acted as a memory book, journal, photo album. You keep record of when things were posted so I can always look back and see when Siena started to crawl or ate her first french fry. You've provided dummy-proof filters so I can feel like I'm actually adding some artistic value to images and of course flattering lighting when I need it. You have a love/hate relationship with Rob, who hates when I stop to take pictures then asks me to send them to him so he can use them for his screen savers at work (he has 4 computer screens at work). You have been a fun hobby. Even when you are not around I now see the world in capture worthy frames, appreciating details of my surroundings that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

2013 A Year in Instagram Pics

England