Happy New Year!

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The past year has been a bit of a roller coaster.  My family has suffered a lot of loss, but we have also shared in a lot of joy.  There have been changes in my career, trips across the country, exciting wedding celebrations, babies born, and interesting adventures.  Watching my son grow this past year has been the most amazing part.  He turned one in August with a nautical birthday party, and he has been soaking up knowledge like a sponge.  He amazes me every day with the way he communicates and how much he can remember.  He is sweet as pie and shows so much love and affection.  I feel incredibly blessed and lucky.

I also feel extremely lucky to have so much love and support from all of you.  Thanks for sticking by me this past year through the good times and the bad.  There were moments when it was tough to find the time or energy to continuing blogging and creating, but this is always a place I love to come back to, and I appreciate you all coming back here as well.  Some of your favorite posts from this past year included the beautiful fairytale wedding of Melissa and John, some creative ideas for engagement gifts, and when I tried out these fabulous new hair extensions.  I also heard from a lot of you about how I survived the first year of motherhood and the gear that got me through.  As always, please let me know what types of posts you would love to see more or less of in the coming year.

I can definitely say I am excited for what 2015 has to offer.  I’m going to jump into a P90X program starting TOMORROW, and I am so excited to get back into shape again.  I have always been athletic having played soccer and basketball my entire life through college and beyond.  After having my child, I have struggled to find the time and the energy to get into a regular workout routine.  When I was working outside of the home, I quite frankly hated to spend my free time away from my son.  Now that I am home most days, it’s tough to even have free time!  I received the P90X DVD program a couple years ago as a Christmas gift.  It was on my wish list and also on my bucket list as something I wanted to complete as a challenge to myself.  Although the program is still in the shrink wrap, it’s something I have not been able to let go.  I despise the feeling of not being in shape anymore, and although I have lost all of my baby weight, I do not feel like my healthy, energetic self anymore.  I plan on joining an online challenge group to keep myself motivated on this journey, and I am looking forward to feeling good again and setting a good example for my son.  If you are also interested in joining me in my fitness journey, please let me know and I would love to give you more information about the group.

Aside from getting fit and healthy, I am setting my sights on a family vacation to Tulum, Mexico!  I have never visited, but I have heard so many amazing things.  Our itinerary is completely open, so if you have any ideas or suggestions on where to stay or what to do while we are there, please share!

The photo above is from New Year’s Eve on my friend’s rooftop in Baltimore, MD.  We had a blast on our trip, although we are now trying to recover from the yucky sickness we managed to catch while away.  Poor lil guy has the croup plus a fever!  We have finally unpacked all of our Christmas goodies from the car, took down our tree, and put away all the decorations for the season.  I’m always sad when Christmas is over, but I am excited for a fresh start in 2015.

Hope you all had a wonderful year, and I am wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy new year in 2015!

XO,

Gina

2012: A Year in Review

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Ringing in the New Year in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica!
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Hiking in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica
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Three Italianos Reunited in Brooklyn!
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Valentine’s Day Surprise at the Mary Poppins Show! I dressed just like her without even knowing.
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Celebrating Zack’s 31st at crazy Mehenata Bulgarian Bar
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OAR Concert with Jack and Sammy
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14 inch hair chop! Bye Bye. Thanks Nikki!
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Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather in MD featuring Avicii…AMAZING.
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Seeing Emily Blunt and Jason Segal at the premiere of 5 Year Engagement at the Tribeca Film Festival
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SKYDIVING!!! Thanks to my amazing husband – he surprised me on our one year anniversary with this bucket list item.
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Dad FINALLY visits us in NY. With Zack, Mom, and cousins at their pasta shop in Brooklyn
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DMB Concert and Upstate NY trip
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Virginia Beach trip with friends for Shirin and Shahrum’s wedding
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Testudo came to Zach and Jessica’s wedding! Go Terps!
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Happy Birthday to ME! Love my new camera!
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Girl’s Weekend in OC for Katie’s Bachelorette – Seacrets is crazy!
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Family vacation in the Outer Banks, NC
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Surfing Competition in the Rockaways
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Dewey Summer Send off on Labor Day Weekend
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A Naval Academy Wedding for Megan and JoJo
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Visionary Art Museum Wedding for MaryBeth and James
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Trip to Montauk for Mike and Abby’s Big Day
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Katie & Adam tie the knot at Sagamore Farms
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Running with Patrick and Melissa for my late dear friend John Petrovick. “Inside all of us is HOPE.”
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Thanks to Gabbi for helping to raise money for John’s cause.
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Camping trip with Erin and Rai to French Creek
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End of the season pic with my JV High School Girls Soccer Team
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ASHS 10 Year High School Reunion – man time flies
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AC trip for Alex’s Bachelorette!
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All my girls at the 5th Annual Pollard Potluck
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Christmas Morning at Mom and Dad’s
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Alex and Seamus get married to end the year!

It may seem like a lot of photos, but this is just a small snippet of what took place in 2012.  There were so many more fun memories of this past year.  There were also some sad moments as well.  I have learned a lot this past year, and I know that I am truly thankful for the family and friends that I have.  I am incredibly lucky for the support and love that I have received this past year, and I hope I was able to return the favor to all of you as well.

I wish you all a Happy New Year’s Eve.  Please stay safe tonight.

Bring on 2013!

XO,

Gina