This year looks set to be an interesting one for me, with a number of large and exciting events on the cards for 2014. These promise significant growth, both professionally and personally. Though you’ll hear more about each as time progresses, I thought I’d share some of the excellent things I’ve got coming up… both for me and for you!
Website overhaul
After pootling along with this blog for a few years now, building and changing bits and pieces myself as I go, I’ve decided it’s time to get some professional support. Though I love the blog, for a long time now I’ve wanted to create a more comprehensive site that provides health information and clinical resources; one that’s easy to use, navigates well… and is a bit more pleasing to the eye! I’ve enlisted the help of Dani, from Neverland Studio, who is an absolute babe and wonderful to work with. At this stage it looks like the site will be up either late January or early Feb. Can’t wait! I certainly love what Dani’s worked on so far…
sneak peek at the hot new site!
I wrote two books
Indeed I did. In the second half of last year I wrote two books, stemming both from conversations I’ve had in clinic and questions on women’s health I often receive. These lovely little tomes are just about ready to go and I’m really looking forward to sharing them with the wider community! I think many people, particularly women who are pregnant or planning to conceive, will find these an excellent resource.
The first, Preparing for Parenthood, provides information and advice on how to create the best possible foundations for conception and pregnancy. The second, Natural Pregnancy Care, will take you through some of the best ways that you can support your health naturally, throughout pregnancy.
Initially, print copies of both will be available through the clinic only. However, e-book versions will also be available for download from the updated website once it’s live. I’ll keep you posted, so watch this space!
a look inside the preconception book
Having a baby
As I shared last December, I’m pregnant with our first child – and very excited I am about it too! I’m now over half way and feeling great, much of which I put down to the diet and lifestyle practices I observed before conceiving and now that I’m pregnant. Not that I’m an angel, by any means, but I do take good care of my health and even more so now that I’m growing a small person. I’m also going to start sharing more of my pregnancy journey on the blog and what I’m learning from first-hand experience.
snapped watering our wild kitchen garden one hot evening after work (hence being in my togs): with a 21 week baby belly
Maternity leave
I’m due to give birth at the very end of May and will finish up my work commitments by the middle of that month, earlier if I feel I need to.
At this stage, it looks like I won’t be back in the clinic until April next year. With my existing patients, I’ll create a treatment plan that ensures you have adequate support, including referrals, over the time I am on leave. I will also be available via email and skype, for a limited number of patients, while on maternity leave and will continue blogging regularly.
I would have come back to the clinic a little earlier, however, another wonderful 2014 opportunity (see below) is behind my extended absence.
Acupuncture Masters
Is going on hold this year. Unfortunately the semesters don’t align with my pregnancy, so I have taken a one year leave of absence from the program. I’ve enjoyed the study up to now and will continue with my reading, even while deferred, so that I’m ready to jump back into the course next year. However, I’m certainly not going to miss those weekends spent in the library, let me tell you that.
Boston
My husband has been offered a visiting research position in Boston. This is no mean feat in the competitive world of academia and an excellent opportunity for his career… not to mention our wanderlust! This means that for 6 months from early August, we’ll be relocating ourselves and new baby to North America. Although we wouldn’t have planned it this way given the chance, everything seems to be falling into place and the timing has worked out really well. Funny how things happen that way.
Even though this trip is for Jon’s work, and my attention will largely be focused on our little one while we’re away, some Boston opportunities have popped up for me too. One of which includes being involved with some fantastic health programs that are run through the medical school and local community. But more on that closer to the time.
image via http://travel.nationalgeographic.com
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And that’s about the sum of it, for now.
While this doesn’t cover everything on the agenda for 2014, it does cover off on the major events and changes I have coming up this year. Thanks for sharing the journey with me so far and look I forward to more of the same, though a bit slicker and with a few more resources, as we continue onward!
xoxoxo
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What’s happening for you in 2014? Any big news or changes on the horizon?