Counting the Many Blessings of 2012

As 2012 comes to a close, I am so grateful for all that this year has brought me and my family. If I could describe the year in one word, it would be blessed. It will be hard for 2013 to top 2012 because there is so much greatness that came from it.

This year……

I celebrated my last few weeks of pregnancy by showing off my bump strutting down the runway for New York Fashion Week.

Harlan’s excitement for her little sister grew by the second.

I relished in every single moment that Harlan and I had together with just the two of us.

I came into this year as a mother of one little girl and come out of it as the mother of two.

Avery Rose Jimeson came into this world on March 4, blessing us more than we could have ever imagined.

These girls became instant best friends.

 And I learned how to juggle life with a baby again.

Harlan learned just what being a big sister is really all about.

We celebrated being girly girls.

And learned some new dance moves.

This girl became my bright and shining star.

And this girl became our little rockstar.

We spent vacations together as a family. (And Har became a photographer.)

Angry Avery made her very first appearance.

I was tested to the limit of just how tough motherhood can get.

They learned what sisterhood is all about.

We began our very own day dates.

Celebrated hair that was finally long enough to play with! (It only two nearly three years.)

Enjoyed the great joys of taking risks doing things that would generally terrify me.

Laughed at how much fun you can have on the playground.

Celebrated her third birthday with her very first pedicure.

 Realized how okay I am with her being a daddy’s girl.

And how lucky these two are to have each other.

Harlan became just a little more independent and started preschool.

She also learned that it’s good to stick out in the crowd and be an individual.

I learned that no matter how early the wake up call, waking up to this smiling face is all worth it.

She danced her way through the streets of the city.

We continued our tradition of taking an adventure out of the city to pick apples.

We had some precious moments.

And some rough ones.

Avery made some huge milestones!

And these girls continued to melt my heart.

I learned the true meaning of happiness.