2014 was a big year, bigger than I could ever imagine.  It was full of ups and downs and many changes for me, but I really believe that despite the many downs this year has made me.  It sounds weird, but I feel like myself, but I’ve changed in so many ways as a person.  I think that change will be a continuing theme for me next year too, but rather than fight it I’m going to embrace it and face it head on! This year has definitely given me a lot to be appreciative and thankful about: 

It goes without saying that the major highlight for me this year is my pregnancy and the birth of Aiden.  He really is the most beautiful baby boy EVER and so precious, he’s flipped our world upside down, but I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.  In his short 3 months, he’s taught me so much about what is important and things about myself that I never knew. 

Having lots of mother and baby coffee dates has kind of become ‘our thing‘ and I enjoy each and every one.  It’s nice to get out of the house and spend time with my little man and I’m looking forward to more of our mama and baby adventures in 2015.

Earlier on in the year we took a mini-break to Yorkshire.  It was such a long drive for us, but it was definitely worth every minute!  I loved visiting a different part of the UK and think this is something that I want to do more of in 2015. 

Alfie and I thought it would be a great idea to get some rest and relaxation before our little man arrived.  We took a 2 week ‘babymoon’ to Kalkan in Turkey, somewhere neither of us has visited before.  I have to say it was one of the most memorable holidays ever and we both had a fabulous time. 

Call me mad, a lot of people thought I was, but a couple of weeks before my due date we travelled to Plymouth to attend a naming ceremony.  I’m so glad that made the drive down because not only was it lovely to catch up with old friends, but it’s such a beautiful part of the world too. 

The following weekend I went to another wedding in Hampshire with one of my closest friends, it was just so beautiful. I made sure that I didn’t travel very far after that with my impending due date so close.  It turns out that I was in for a rather long wait as Aiden was 2 weeks late! 

Alfie has also had a fantastic year and he loved his unofficial Father’s Day surprise when I took him to London to see War Horse, such a fantastic show.  Next year it will be his first proper Father’s Day and I’m really looking forward to celebrating it.

Motherhood doesn’t really give me the time to get glammed up, but I was so honoured to be a bridesmaid at my besties wedding at the beginning of November.  As our first family social event and hotel stay it was a great success and we all had so much fun. 

Another highlight this year was my former lab finally publishing the research paper which I was involved in.  If anyone is interested in glial ATP and its impact on phasic and tonic inhibition in the CNS have a read – amazing stuff!

It’s been a pretty amazing year for my blog too as I try my hand at blogging and working as a freelancer full-time, it’s been featured in some amazing places: 

My Blueberry & Almond Polenta Cake has been featured in an online recipe book (page 56).  It was so lovely to see one of my recipes laid out so professionally and it’s given me a couple of ideas for the future. 

Also, I was featured in my first publication!  My  Salted Almond Butter Flapjack recipe was printed in the October issue of Women’s Fitness UK with a lovely write-up about the blog too.  

I was so excited to have been picked as blogger of the week over at Get the Gloss! You can read my full interview here.   Also, my very first article was published over on the Cosmopolitan UK blog exploring the pros and cons of sugar alternatives, check it out!

I still feel overwhelmed that Celery and Cupcakes was shortlisted for Best Food Blog in the 2014 Cosmopolitan Blog Awards!!! This was the second year that my blog made it and although I didn’t win it was an honour to be among so many more deserving bloggers.  A big thanks for all of you that voted! 

I’ve also been involved in some wonderful blog projects, one of my favourites has to be the one involving the film crew.  I’m hoping that I can reveal more about this project on the blog in 2015. 

Phew!  What an amazing year 2014 has been, it was packed with so many wonderful things.  I do have some plans for 2015 and things that I would like to achieve, which I will discuss in another post, but who knows what is around the corner for me.  I always feel hopeful and a little apprehensive around this time as I head into the unknown of a brand new year.  One thing is for sure, I’m really looking forward to the new year as a family of 3 and seeing where 2015 takes me professionally –  as cliché as it sounds, 2015 has a lot to live up to but, it may be the best year yet! 

What did you get up to in 2014?  Do you have any exciting plans for 2015?