Top 19 of 2019

As we get ready to head into a new year (and a new decade!) we thought it would be fun to look back on this year and come up with a list of 19 defining moments of 2019.

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Learning we were expecting a new baby
Okay, this one really is the #1 moment of the year! We wanted to have our children close in age and we are happy that it worked out that way for us. We can't wait to meet our new little baby due in March and watch both of our babies grow up together!
2. Finding out baby is a girl
We had an ultrasound in October that revealed that we are having a little girl! I have been having fun shopping for girl things but starting to think maybe I should have another ultrasound before I go too crazy buying stuff! 😂
3. We have a toddler
We started the year with a 4 month old and ended with a 16 month old! A lot happens in that time, from having a little baby to having a toddler. He is now walking, running, talking and getting into everything! He knows where most of his body parts are and is also starting to jump on the bed (more like bouncing up and down while squatting). Dominic also knows where baby is and loves to give baby (my tummy) hugs and kisses.
4. Starting Daycare
Dominic started full-time daycare in October. Prior to that he had been to drop-in childcare at the gym and two half days of daycare in August. The first few days he cried when I left and cried when I picked him up but would always wave bye to everyone as he left. However, he quickly grew to love daycare. He is excited when I drop him off and goes straight to the table for his morning snack/ breakfast part two and there are times he does not want to leave when I pick him up. I am not sure what makes me more sad, him not wanting me to leave or him not wanting to leave with me.
5. Starting a new job
That brings us to why Dominic started daycare in October. It is a long story but I didn't go back to my previous job after I finished maternity leave but instead started a new job in October. Still working in the family support field and hoping I can still help make a difference in the lives of the people I work with before going on maternity leave again.
6. Traveled to BC twice
We traveled out to British Columbia twice this year to visit my family! We flew out in February and drove out at the end of June. In February we went out for a few days and Kyle went snowboarding with our brother-in-law. Dominic got to meet three of his cousins and some of my extended family. We were also in BC for about a week from the end of June to the beginning of July. We had a family reunion, family photos, celebrated Canada Day, went to White Rock Beach and Stanley Park and looked around downtown Vancouver a bit.
7. Johnson Family Reunion
We had talked about having a Johnson family reunion for awhile to get everyone in my Dad's family together. We didn't quite have everyone but we did have everyone in my immediate family (which is the largest group by far) and three of my aunts, an uncle and cousin so it was a success. We enjoyed a BBQ at Bear Creek Park in Surrey where I spent a lot of time as a child and played some games and enjoyed catching up. It was nice to have my family together again after almost two years (our wedding was the last time) and our family had grown by 4 more babies (all born in 2018!).
8. Traveled to California twice
We also traveled to California twice to visit Kyle's family. Actually Kyle went 3 times but we all went together twice. Kyle's Nanna's health had been failing and we really wanted Dominic to meet his only living great grandparent. However, in May she was in the hospital with an infection and we weren't able to take Dominic to see her. We enjoyed spending time with Kyle's parents and some of his aunts and uncles. We also took Dominic to the zoo for the first time in Palm Desert. The Living Desert Zoo is the coolest zoo I have been to! Kyle went out in early August to visit with his Nanna and then by September she was starting to do better so we booked a last minute trip to all go out. We loved seeing Dominic with his Great Grandma and how quickly he connected with her. He danced to her singing, ate her fruit and loved playing with the remote attached to her bed. We also took Dominic to the beach where he enjoyed playing in (and eating) the sand. He was a little scared of the ocean at first but warmed up to it. I should also add that we started the year in North Carolina with Kyle's sister and her family, it was fun ringing in the New Year with them.
9. Loosing Nanna
Nanna passed away in November and we were even more grateful that we took the opportunity to take the trip out to California when we did in September. We will miss her but look forward to the opportunity we have to be reunited after this life. Kyle was very close to his Nanna, this was one of the first things I learned about him when we first met. Who wouldn't want to be with a man who loves and cares for his Grandma? I first met Nanna when we were engaged and she quickly welcomed me into the family, I loved her enthusiasm and positive outlook on life.
10. Come Follow Me
On January first, our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) moved from having 3 hours of meetings on Sundays to two hours. However, we have been encouraged to have an hour of gospel study in the home with our family or group of friends. We also started a "Come Follow Me" program which provided an outline for scripture study that we could do on our own or with our family. Sunday lessons also coordinate with our study from that week. This year we studied the New Testament in the Bible and felt like the Come Follow Me program was a great study guide to further our learning and understanding of this set of scriptures and the life of Christ.
11. Ancestry DNA tests
For Christmas last year, my parents got us the Ancestry DNA tests. It was fun to get our results and see what percentage we are of various ethnic backgrounds and regions. It is also neat to connect with people who show up as your relatives. My parents and one of my sisters had previously taken it and my parents did show up as my parents and my sister as my sister so I think it is legitimate. Hahaha.
12. Permanent Residency
Immigrating to a new country is not easy with quite the process to go through which is why it was a big deal when Kyle got Permanent Residency status in Canada in May! It has given him the ability to do more here and allow us to do things like have a joint bank account. It has also made travelling in and out of the country easier. Having permanent residency also gives us more security in knowing that we will all be here, in Canada, together as a family.
13. First family camping trip
We had been talking for awhile about how we should go camping and this summer we made it happen! We bought a tent, sleeping bags and some camping supplies. We didn't go far though, we went to a local camp ground in Edmonton about 20 minutes from our house but figured that was good for our first time taking Dominic camping. We were impressed by how well he did! He loved playing with sticks and stones, watching the fire and exploring the tent. I was worried that he wouldn't sleep well being in a new place and basically sleeping on the ground. He did get a late start to going to sleep because he was so excited exploring the tent and wanting to play with the flashlight. I was lying down in my sleeping bag watching him when all of a sudden, he walked up to me, crawled into the sleeping bag, snuggled into me and fell asleep. I was amazed that he just put himself to sleep and slept until 8am!
14. Zoo visits
Our first family zoo trip was to the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert in May. Soon after coming back home to Edmonton we took a trip to the Edmonton Valley Zoo and in September we went back and bought an annual pass. Visiting the zoo is something we all enjoy doing together. We especially love seeing how much Dominic loves seeing the animals, his favourite are the monkeys. Also, it feels good to support the wildlife conservation efforts.
15. Starting this blog
Writing is something I enjoy doing but don't really do as much as I used to. Blogging provides an outlet for that. I did some blogging a few years ago and excited to get back into it. I have some fun things planned to write about in 2020!
16. Pizza perfection
Kyle has spent a good part of the year perfecting his pizza dough recipe and I have enjoyed participating in the sampling of it. He has made a variety of dough from a thick crust Sicilian style to a thin crust pizza. The recipe may be featured here on this blog so stay tuned. 😉
17. Instagram Inspiration
Does anyone else receive inspiration from Instagram? Design, decor, food and fashion trends. I made several purchases from new companies I discovered on Instagram and also won a few Instagram contests. I have enjoyed trying out new things and if I find something I like, I also like to share it with others and promote small businesses.
18. Dominic the Donkey
I think this is our family's song of the year so it had to make it on this list. During the summer, I was at the playground with our Dominic and a little girl asked me what my baby's name was. I told her that his name was Dominic and she said, "like the Italian Christmas Donkey?" When I inquired more, she told me about this song and well, it is pretty awesome. Dominic loves it and it was played on repeat this Christmas season. Check it out on Youtube.
19. Started a new Christmas tradition
A couple of posts back you will read about the new Christmas tradition we started this year. I was pretty excited about it and hoping that it will continue to be a tradition that we will all look forward to.