2019 was a big year. Then again, every year seems to be a big year when you look at the big picture. So many things happen, both good and bad, it’s nice to take a look back and remind yourself of all that you went through. As I sit here on the last few days of the decade, I think back on all the memories we made this year. Now, I can’t remember every little detail, because let’s be real, some days I was running on coffee and fumes, and some days I did not get out of my PJ’s or leave the house. So not every one of the 365 days that 2019 brought us were magical and had something happen that is worth mentioning, but I figure, there is plenty of memories that did happen in 2019 that are worth another look back at.
January- January is always a big year in our family, because not only is it the first month of a new year, a fresh start, a blank slate, but both my husband and I (as well as some other family members), celebrate our birthdays in January. My husband’s is at the beginning, while mine is towards the end of the month. This year to celebrate my birthday, I treated myself to a trip to Disney World. There I spent a day at Magic Kingdom with Cameron, my mom and my dad, then a day at Disney Springs, then my sister-in-law and brother joined in on the fun, and the three of us went to Epcot. It was a great way to spend my birthday, and kick off the year. No, my husband did not join me for my birthday trip, he is not the biggest fan of Disney, and he also could not take off work, so I understood that he would not be able to join in on the birthday fun and I was ok with that.
February- February is another great month, we have more family birthdays, Valentine’s Day, (which normally I’m not one to celebrate or even like the holiday, but Cameron has really changed that) and our wedding anniversary. This year was 3 years since we got married. It’s always nice to look back on our wedding day and remember the fun we had and all the memories we created with our friends and family. We also took a trip to Sacramento to visit some friends who coincidentally have a daughter 9 days older than Cameron, they were each other’s first best friends when they were born. Cameron also started officially walking and not just taking steps this month. So that was a big thing for us too.
March- While not a big deal to a lot, March brought with it Cameron’s first year anniversary at daycare. It was a big feat for us all. There were so many days I just wanted to keep her home with me, but also so many days I could not wait for her to go to daycare. It’s one of those double edged swords sort of deals. Other than that, March was not THAT exciting of a month for us. The weather in California is still a bit chilly and rainy, so there doesn’t get to be a lot of outside time.
April- April this year was a big one. April is about the time that murmurs started going on the possibility of us moving. So we went ahead and brought my mother out to help us start packing and getting the house prepped. April is also my mother’s birthday and it was the month of Easter this year. Cameron went and saw the Easter bunny and did a lot better than the previous year with Santa Claus.
May- Oh May, oh my. May was a big and busy month. We had gotten confirmation at this point that we were going to be moving (at this point we weren’t quite sure where, we just knew it would be back east at the moment). So packing was put into full force. As well, my husband had a lot of work trips so he was back and forth back and forth the entire month. We took Cameron out of daycare, which was incredibly sad because she loved her daycare and all the kids she met there. The highlight of my month though was having a wonderful girls weekend with some amazing friends. We hit up San Francisco and Napa for wine tasting. Easily a favorite weekend of mine.
June- June is the month that we actually took the plunge and moved back east, thus starting our crazy end of the year back, forth, up, down, and the forever waiting game that it felt like. I can say, while I did love California for the time we spent there, I really am an east coast girl at heart. Moving back, and being closer to my family, and Disney, and Publix really just gives me warm fuzzies.
July- July was another busy month. We took trips to GA, to Tallahassee, and to Fort Myers to visit family and friends. We took Cameron to Florida State University campus and showed her all around our old stomping grounds from when we lived in Tallahassee prior to moving to CA. It seemed like every weekend we were gone and on the road. This month, we also dealt with Cameron’s first night terrors/sleep terror episodes. We also listed our house in CA for sale.
August- In August I became a Disney annual passholder. Something I’ve wanted to do again for years. Cameron got to experience some of the other parks she had not yet visited. We also celebrated my brother’s 30th birthday. My husband and I went on a little parent’s getaway weekend, where he actually agreed to stay at Disney, on-property with me.
September- Another great month. This month the highlight would be the bachelorette party I helped throw and attend for one of my best friends. It took place in Folly Beach, SC and I must say, that little beach town did not disappoint. We had one amazing time. We also had our first hurricane prep, scare since moving back east. I also got to go to opening weekend of Galaxy’s Edge at Disney, and while I’m not the biggest Star Wars fan, it was pretty cool.
October- Started out the month going to see Thomas Rhett in concert, and man can he put on a show! Got to hang out with our PA family during their Disney trip. Cameron turned two. We took her on her first Disney birthday trip where she got to stay on-property at a Disney resort for the first time. We celebrated Halloween, where Cameron was the cutest Tinkerbell, with her parent pirates. We also found out that we would be officially moving back to Florida. The whereabouts were unknown at this point.
November- November feels like it was just here, and so long ago all at the same time. My biffle got married to one great guy, and I had the honor of being a bridesmaid at their wedding. It was by far one of the best weddings I’ve been to. Everyone had a great time, she looked stunning, the food was great. So much good to say about it. We had another family trip to Disney. My husband and I had a fancy date night at Disney (blog post to come). Thanksgiving x2 happened with family. And, we got word that we would be moving back to Tallahassee.
December- This final month of 2019 has been a whirlwind. We closed on our house after a battle royale (or so it felt) with the previous owners. Found Cameron a daycare, which she will start at the beginning of the year. We slowly moved our stuff into the house, and now are trying to settle and unpack everything, while trying to figure out where everything is. We celebrated Christmas (sadly I had a stomach bug so I don’t have much to report on that). Cameron had her first couple of play dates with friends in the area. And we celebrated NYE.
2019 had lots going for it. We made a big leap and moved from one coast to the other. We sold a house, bought a house. We laughed, we cried, we probably got mad and said things we didn’t mean. But that’s the joy of a new year, you can start fresh and make so many new memories. Here’s to 2020. May it be eventful (in a good way).