Goodbye 2019 hello 2020

Goodbye 2019 hello 2020

29th December 2019 14 By Rachael Stray

As we get ready to say goodbye 2019 and hello 2020 I thought it would be a good idea to take a look back on this year.

So many of you enjoyed my goodbye 2018 and hello 2019 post I thought I’d do the same for this year.


Goodbye 2019 hello 2020 – a look back on the last 12 months

Well what a difference a year makes – so much has changed for me and the hubby over the last 12 months.

At the time of writing my reflection post on 2018 I knew I was pregnant with Elsie and now she is here – it feels like she’s been a part of our family for much longer!

I feel like I have made some real progress personally, professionally and in a blogging capacity too!

Back in January I started my decluttering mission of our home to get ready for Elsie’s arrival. Here’s my 10 tips to declutter your home.

As part of this prep for Elsie’s arrival I wanted to pay off my credit card which I successfully did thanks to saving money with the Chip app.

In April I had my 28 week scan and we finally let the cat out of the bag that we were having a baby!

I pushed myself completely out of my comfort zone when I modelled some maternity sportswear and I love that I’ve got some professional photos of my bump.

You can take a look back on the highs and lows of my first trimester here.

You can catch up with my second trimester here.

In June Steve and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary and I shared the three lessons I’ve learnt after three years of marriage. 

I’ve invested more time and energy into my blog this year including a brand new logo thanks to the talented Karen from Klassic Studio.

I also celebrated my two year blogiversary this year and I shared the 5 things I’ve learned in this time.

Steve and I enjoyed our last holiday as a couple with our babymoon mini break in York. 

My lovely friends and mam organised a surprise baby shower for me which was lovely in July.

The same week Elsie was born I celebrated my one year anniversary at my current role – no new jobs this year much to the delight of Steve.

When Elsie was only seven weeks old we had our very first swimming lesson and we’re now on chapter 2!

Elsie and I have only done a few baby classes but we really enjoyed her first Adventure Babies Session. 

In October we enjoyed a spooky day out to Family Fright Fest. 

I was so proud of myself for cooking a delicious healthy meal from scratch – chicken and cannellinin cassoulet. 

For the first time I visited open air museum Beamish at Christmasand Elsie loved it!

Elsie met Santa for the first time during Festive Tales at Woodhorn.


What am I looking forward to in 2020?

My family and friends are so important to me so I am looking forward to spending more time with loved ones and creating more memories.

Elsie will be turning one in July and starting nursery in April so lots of exciting things for her.

I will be finishing my maternity leave and going back to work probably April time so I’m planning on making the most of my maternity leave as possible.

We will be continuing with Elsie’s water babies swimming lessons they’ve moved to a weekend now so Steve and I will take turns to go in the pool with her.

Elsie and I will be starting a baby massage class in the New Year so I’m looking forward to that.

I’m hoping to continue to progress with my blog and hopefully get new opportunities to collaborate with other brilliant bloggers and companies – building on the hard work I have put in to date.

As always there’ll be plenty of new content on my blog with days out, product and food reviews and Elsie updates.


What were the best bits of 2019 for you? What are you looking forward to in 2020? Let me know in the comments below.


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