As the year draws to a close, it’s a time for reflection and evaluation. Goodness knows 2016 has given me lots to think about! What a year of change and transformation. This time last year, I was just getting to grips with being pregnant and trying to fathom what kind of parent I wanted to be, and now I spend all day with real-life, giggling, raspberry-blowing, ever-more-on-the-move Pickle and I realise that I’m far from the parent I imagined! And I think for the better.

In December 2015, I’d just starting writing Little Pickle’s Mom, my little corner of the internet, and in all honesty, I had no idea I’d still be writing it a year down the line. I’m impressed I’ve stuck with it for so long! Most people who know me in real life will know I have a tendency to go through ‘fads’ and ‘phases’ so for a hobby to have stuck it out this long… well, that’s rare.

I love that blogging has given me the chance to work on something other than just ‘being a Mom’. It challenges me to be creative, technical and business minded, helping to keep this brain of mine sharp(ish). I’ve learned so much and can’t wait to learn more. I’ve begun to teach myself a little bit about photography, and brushed up on my coding skills. I know more about social media than I ever thought possible! And thanks to the wonderful help and advice from other bloggers, I’m starting to become more efficient and manage work better. So what better way to celebrate the end of the year than by looking back at the 2016 best bits…

The Best of 2016

After taking a sneaky look into my Google Analytics, I’ve pulled out some of my most popular posts of 2016. And I was pleasantly surprised by the results:

labour induction

Facing my Fears: Labour Induction

Daddy4

Sometimes, I want to be Daddy

Sleeping baby

Introducing Baby Pickle

no entry sign

Breastfeeding Friendly drives me mad

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t think that’s a bad line-up, really. Looking back over my blog post titles, there’s a lot that I haven’t spoken about. I’ve not written much about my own breastfeeding journey, or about Pickle’s birth at all. I’ve not shared how I feel about having had a C-section or about how I’ve begun to get back into fitness and running. I’ve not written about how parenthood has affected my relationship with LPD (the times when it’s changed it for the better, and for the worse!).

My favourite photos of 2016

As well as my blog post highlights, here are a few of my favourite photos from across the year:

There’s so much more I hope to capture and remember next year: both in words and photographs. Next year will see lots more excitement… Pickle will probably take his first steps. Say his first word. Hopefully at some point he’ll sleep through the night! And I’ll be navigating life post maternity leave. It feels like a lot of ‘the unknown’ is up ahead, but you know what? 2017, I’m ready. Let’s do it.