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Mike and I enjoyed every minute of Eloise’s first Christmas. It was filled with cookie-making, lots of laughs, quality time with family, gift-giving, movie-watching and SNOW! (Something we haven’t had in Chicago for the past two years. Depressing.) Adding to the magic of this first holiday as a family of three, Mike and I had Eloise baptised while we were home in Ohio. My Mom, sister Becky and I have been looking forward to one Baptism tradition for as long as I can remember. After I was born, my Mom had her wedding dress cut down into a Christening gown. It’s a family heirloom that Mom, Becky and I all wore on once-in-a-lifetime days…and now Eloise had the chance to don it, too. It was incredibly touching to see her wearing it after having dreamed of that moment for so long. Mike and I decided to have a small ceremony at the Chapel in our old high school (where we met), and our former Principal, a great man and family friend, officiated, making the event even more special. The day certainly wasn’t without it’s share of hijinks. (Father Kaylor’s adorable, three-legged rescue dog, Puppy, kept us all laughing during the ceremony as she played with her toy. It was perfect, as you all know how much Mike and I love dogs,  and Puppy provided a terrific sense of levity to the otherwise serious ceremony.) But it was being surrounded by so many family members that made the day so wonderful. We can’t thank everyone enough for their thoughtfulness and generosity in making Ellie’s first Christmas and Baptism so incredible. What a way to wrap up the amazing year that was 2012 and to kick off what promises to be another wild and crazy and wonderful year in the life of my family.

This holiday season has definitely been a mixed bag. While I enjoyed so many amazing photo sessions with clients, new and old, and have delighted in sharing holiday traditions with my new daughter, I would be lying if I said the tragic events that happened in Connecticut a week ago today weren’t still invading my every thought. Like so many people out there, I am sure, I am struggling to cope with the sadness and senselessness of it all. I’m left feeling devastated and scared and, finally, just plain angry. All during a time when I want, more than anything, to feel joyful and safe and childlike with happiness. The only way to cope, I’m finding, is to selfishly concentrate on all of the good things happening in my life. To hold the happiness close in an attempt to block out the terrible.

My daughter, Eloise, is the most obvious part of the equation. Becoming parents this year was the biggest blessing of our lives. I’m living for Ellie’s tiny milestones, her joy at being able to roll over or grab a toy all by herself. Her incredible laugh and being able to make her giggle by doing the most ridiculous dances, making the most absurd faces, we can come up with. Mike and I can’t wait to introduce her to more of his family and to spend time with family and friends over the next few days. We can’t wait for Santa to come on Christmas Eve and to start new family traditions with Eloise on Christmas morning.

I am also so incredibly grateful for all of you, dear clients. 2012 has been another fantastic year for JSP. As many new mothers are, I was concerned about what my work-life balance would be like after Eloise was born. Juggling the full time job of running a business and the equally full time job of being a (hopefully good!) mother is more than a little bit intimidating. But you’ve all shown me why it’s important for me to continue juggling. I love what I do. (That’s the understatement of the year!)  I love spending time with you and your families and capturing priceless moments for you. It’s a warm and fuzzy job, for sure, and if nothing else, the events of last Friday made me realize afresh just how important it is. I’ve enjoyed watching so many of your families continue to grow and change this year. I’ve also enjoyed starting so many new relationships, meeting so many new families, new babies, and, in every case, sharing in your love and joy. Thank you, very much, for that.

Mike, Eloise and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for a safe, happy, healthy 2013. I hope to see many of you next year to capture all of the great times to come. In the meantime, I’d say both of my girls are ready to start celebrating, wouldn’t you?