I started making these yearly recaps to celebrate all the moments in my business and my personal life. So much happens in a year and I want to look back on all the moments. There are so many snapshots I capture on my phone and I want them to have a place to live, a story to tell. In the past, it was more heavy on my business moments but over the last few years, it has become more personal – sharing more of what my life looks like right now.

2022 was a life changing year. It was the year we welcomed our daughter to this world and I finally became a mama. That’s what this year will always represent to me. Yes, there were some business goals achieved and work that was accomplished but this year was truly about Sophia. It was about navigating the new wonderful, terrifying, exhausting, thrilling, joyful world of parenting. The rest of life felt like a bonus because my world was now about this little one.

I chose the phrase, “I want to live every single day” for my word/phrase of the year. For me, it was about finding joy in daily life. Letting go of goals, big pictures, what everyone else is doing, and truly soaking up moments. It ended up fitting perfectly with becoming a mom. There were moments this year where all I could think about was just a day at a time (or even just a few hours, especially when Sophia was a newborn.) With a new baby, life really was lived day-to-day.

I’m grateful for this year in so many ways. It gave me the most amazing gift I could have ever asked for. It taught me so much about myself as a business owner, a woman, a wife, and now a mother. I’m thankful for the people I’ve met throughout the year, the support I’ve found, and the love I’ve received. Thank you for a beautiful year.

I hope you get to “live each day” too. Beautiful moments, change, joy can all be found by living daily. We are presented with gifts and sweet surprises each day, you just have to be open to receiving it.

To start off the year, we celebrated Matt’s birthday with a delicious breakfast at Sawyer then exploring the Ballard Farmers’ Market.

The cats are always the cutest every year!

Coffee/tea dates and I got my local library card – to me that means I’m officially a resident!

We finished up SO many house projects before baby arrived. Feature walls in our bedroom and nursery, painted the nursery and our closet, new carpets in all the bedrooms, updated the kitchen with new backsplash and cabinet pulls, and more! We wanted the house to be as complete as possible before we began the journey as parents.

Quick trip back to Wisconsin in March for a little baby brunch and a mini maternity session my friend, Melissa, captured for me. It was so fun to see everyone!

Lots of kitty snuggles before baby arrived!

Celebrated our baby moon in Cannon Beach, Oregon!

Maternity Session with the talented Mist of Morning Photography!

Finished baby’s nursery!

In person Rising Tide meetups returned and it was SO fun to connect with other creatives again throughout the year!

Last date night before baby arrives!

Easter Brunch! Our last event out, just the two of us!

She’s HERE!!! Sophia Joan officially graces the world with her presence!

Capturing her first moments at the hospital and at home.

Newborn photos with the talented Tetiana Photography!

Soaking up all that newborn cuteness!

My first Mother’s Day!

Our 3rd year wedding anniversary! We celebrated at home this year with a charcuterie board and baby snuggles.

I read so many fun books this year and Sophia visited the library with me multiple times. My goal is always to read 52 books and this year I finished at 44!

Our first outing to the Strawberry Festival!

Matt’s first Father’s Day!

I officially went back to work and into my 2022 wedding season about 9 weeks after having Sophia. I was SO nervous and unsure how it was going to go but I was excited to be back. Thankfully, the season was perfect even though it was filled with lots of pumping breaks ha. I’m so grateful to all my wonderful clients for their grace and kindness this year!

Happy 4th of July!

Sophia’s first hotel stay and coffee shop visit in Bellingham! I was photographing a wedding there and decided to bring the whole family!

A big part of this year was dedicated to this – breastfeeding! For me, it was one of the hardest thing I’ve had to do (thankfully, pregnancy and birth went well for me.)  I’m so happy for those who have easier journeys but mine was not that. The first month of Sophia’s life, we struggled so much. Being a new mama, dealing with that hormone rush after having a baby, and PPD added to the difficulty. No one told me how hard it was going to be, they just kept saying it was “natural.” I learned that “natural” can still mean difficult. It took us a long time, lots of practice, doctor’s visits, lactation consults, ALL the pumping, and SO much learning to get us where we are today. I ended up choosing to exclusively pump instead of nurse because it worked best for Sophia. I spent hundreds of hours tied to a pump this year. I was beyond proud that I was able to build a freezer stash for Sophia and I photographed every time I could put some bags away.

If I could share any advice to new mamas that would have helped me – however you feed your baby, it’s perfect! Breastmilk or formula or both – it’s all good! People have such strong opinions on both options and I don’t understand why. It’s nobody’s business, nor should anyone care. You know what’s best for your baby and everything you’re doing is wonderful. If you need help, please ask for it but find the people who will support your decisions.

In August, Sophia took her first plane ride with me to Wisconsin! I had a beautiful wedding and some sessions to photograph and I brought her along! We had a blast even though the plane rides were a little more challenging ha.

I showed Sophia around my old neighborhood, we got to visit with family and friends, and she even joined me for a few photo sessions!

Obviously had to introduce her to the Pure Barre Green Bay family!

Back in Washington and back to wedding season! This season I also trademarked my business name and started my personal photo project again!

I had photos published in Seattle Bride this year!

Football season begins! We loved celebrating Matt as he began his third season with the Seahawks.

Sophia’s first year celebrating Matt’s alma mater!

Fall in the PNW!

This time of year was so much fun and I had a blast dressing Sophia up in lots of fall outfits and costumes!

Family session with the talented Kerry Jeanne Photography.

The most magical time of the year!

Cheers to the new year! I’m so excited for all 2023 has to bring us!