End of 2011

What an incredible year 2011 was for us.

In January, John and I announced, to all of our family and friends, we were expecting and we got a visit from my sister Felicia and her friend Shane to our Ontario home.

In February, our routine ultrasound showed a healthy little girl growing away.  I was shocked on February 13th, when John came home from Vegas and proposed to me.  I also got to visit my family and friends in Edmonton for a week.

March brought us a few scary hours while my mom and Henry were in Hawaii awaiting the tsunami to hit.

We quickly organised a small wedding at our home in Trenton, ON to take place on April 2, 2011.  We had all of John's family in attendance and my mom and dad, dad's girlfriend Penny and her daughter Sadie quickly booked tickets to come celebrate with us as well.  At 28 weeks pregnant we visited Hamilton for the Open Bowling Provincials and bowled for 2 days straight.

May was a fairly quiet month relaxing as my belly grew bigger and bigger.

In June, at 36 weeks pregnant, I started my maternity leave and John and I made our way to London, UK, for a week, for our house hunt trip, as John was posted for his job.  We got amazing maternity pictures done from another fellow mama and enjoyed a baby shower thrown by our great friends in Trenton.

On July 6th, while relaxing on the couch and John out playing golf, my water broke.  Headed off to the hospital when we were ready and the next day, July 7th at 7:04am, the most amazing, precious, beautiful little girl entered our lives.  Maci Ryan Nancy Hawman was born weighing in at 6lbs 2oz and 18 inches long.  My mom arrived the next day to help us out with our first few weeks into parenthood.  At the end of July we packed up and cleaned our house as John and our contents were off to London and Maci and I were off to Edmonton.  We went for a visit to show off the lovely little lady and wait for her passport so we could join John in London.

In August, Maci and I visited many family and friends in Edmonton and was thrown a surprise baby shower by my mom and sister.  I got to visit with many more family and friends than I even imagined, it was an amazing day.  Once Maci's passport had arrived we were on the next flight to London to be with John as a family.

September was great as we could finally settle down as a family together.  Got all the sleep schedules fixed and did some exploring to downtown London.  We toured some downtown streets, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews.

Off to Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain on the 1st of October for a week.  Took in the sun and relaxed in the heat.  Sidney finally finished her quarantine and was able to join us here in London near the end of October just in time to celebrate John's birthday with us.  I finally drove for the first time on the wrong side of the road, and survived to tell the tale.

In November I started this blog, so all my adventures are all ready readable. :)  I couldn't procrastinate this year, I needed to get all my Christmas shopping done as it all had to be mailed out to arrive in time.

December, the holidays were upon us.  Maci's 1st Christmas was a truly amazing day.  Maci also decided to grow up and start eating real food.  The end of December brings us sadness, as Grandpa Frank Skarlicki has passed away.  We think of all of the happy memories we have and know that he is not suffering anymore. RIP Granpda, love forever and always. XXXOOO

So as 2011 comes to an end, I want everyone to know I am truly blessed to be where I am with my amazing little family.  It has brought so much joy and excitement to my life and I will never forget it.  I am very excited to see what 2012 and the future holds for us.