a love letter to twenty-twelve

Well, twenty-twelve was a pretty special year for us.

It is amazing thinking back to how it started

with us as a family of three

having just decided we would like to become a four.

And twelve months later that dream is a reality

and here we are as a four;

a beautiful boy,

a beautiful girl,

a daddy

and a mummy.

We started the year with a baby,

and while he left babyhood behind

and became a little boy;

this year ends with another baby in our lives,

who came along

and made us fall crazily in love with her.

The last twelve months have seen us learning more

about parenting and marriage and love,

and have seen our children amaze us on a daily basis.

The last twelve months have seen our little man

learn to walk and to talk.

The last twelve months have seen our little lady

being born and learning to smile.

The last twelve months have been one awesome adventure.

We celebrated the start of 2012 by going to the New Years Day Parade in London. 

To say that the beautiful boy enjoyed it was an understatement.

He loved it.

And so a family tradition was born...

Our beautiful boy turned one.

And we sat back and marvelled at the fantastic little person who we had made

and were now raising to be a brilliant little boy.

We got to tell the world some really exciting news;

that our little family was growing

and would become a four in the Autumn.

Our baby boy officially became a toddler

as he decided to get up on his feet to walk.

Some sunny weather arrived nice and early

and the paddling pool had it's first use of the year.

We went on a first proper holiday to Poppit in Wales

where Pops holidayed every year as a child.

Our little man adored the beach;

feeling the sand between his fingers and toes

and splashing in the sea.

We enjoyed lots of adventures and lovely days out

including days at the coast

and the little guys best day ever at the aquarium in London.

We made the most of our last days as a family of three

by enjoying time together

and soaking up the nice weather.

Our family and our hearts grew

with the addition of our beautiful girl.

Our beautiful boy really got to grips with being a big brother

and enjoyed his first cuddles with his baby sister

as well as learning how to say her name.

Our beautiful girl really started to blossom

with a charming smile and a heart melting giggle,

and a love for her brother that took our breath away.

Our beautiful girl enjoyed her first Christmas

and our beautiful boy got wrapped up in the excitement of his second one.

It was a truly magical time to be seeing the wonder of Christmas 

through the eyes of our beautiful children.