Last night was my first bout of pregnancy insomnia. I’m pretty happy it took this long to get here. Though I wasn’t thrilled to be awake for a couple hours during the middle of the night, I did enjoy the party baby girl was having in my belly and the time it gave me to think.
First I reflected on 2013. What a year! I feel like I’ll be saying that a lot from now on as the years fly by.
David and I took a special us-only trip the BVIs. I became a regular on WCCB Charlotte News Rising. My beautiful niece was born! We spent many days that seemed unimportant hanging out as a family and watching Hailey enjoy the outdoors. Don’t those end up being the days that mean the most later on? I learned to can pickles. We traveled to Charleston, Bald Head Island, Annapolis and Green Bay. Hailey bug turned 2! I celebrated turning 30 years old in New York, not long after finding out we were expecting baby girl #2! And the in-between was filled with many other moments with family, friends and special moments.
A few fun facts…
-A Healthy Slice of Life received over 1,500,000 views in 2013. I love you guys!
-I wrote 263 new posts, making the archive total 975 posts!
-The most viewed post was How to Naturally Cure a Sore Throat in One Day.
-Wow, I need to go edit some of those terrible selfies (cringe).
-Most people found my blog via pinterest! Who knew?
It was a great year. This morning I pulled up the goals I had written out for 2013 to see if I had accomplished them. Let’s take a look…
1. Run a race. Nope. Didn’t happen. I almost ran a 10k in the spring (um, well, I almost considered training for it), but my running fell by the wayside as I choose lower-impact exercises,like yoga, to prepare my body for what was hopefully another baby.
2. Cook with 5 new foods. I was keeping track, then my phone deleted my list! Let me think… millet, quinoa pasta… shoot I can’t think of any others!
3. Read 6 books. I actually did this once because I kept thinking my goal was 8- haha! I read Gone Girl, Blackberry Winter, Unbroken, Cooked, Killing Lincoln, Bossypants, The Power of Habit and Why is Everyone Hanging Out without Me
4. Yoga. I started strong and really enjoyed it, but it tapered off when I got I was pregnant. There aren’t any prenatal classes around me that work with childcare and my schedule. There was one, but the schedule changed, so no yoga for me for now.
5. Teach Hailey to swim. We did spend a lot of time in the pool and lake (with friends!) this past year, but she does not know how to swim on her own. Perhaps I can fit in lessons with a newborn? AH!
6. Grow something. I did! The successes included strawberries, peppers, basil, mint and dill. My garden, however, was nothing but weeds. One day…
7. Learn to can foods. Finally, yes, I did this one! Pickles!
8. Organize the blog into categories. I’m still working on it the archives (and by that I mean I need to get started on the archives), but it’s slowly happening in the left side bar.
9. Say no to things I don’t want to do. Not a very measurable goal, but I do feel I’ve improved.
So what now? Isn’t this where I list out my list of goals for 2014? Yes, usually it is. However, I’m not sure that’s the best approach for me for this upcoming year. I have 4 goals for 2014: 1. Happy, healthy baby girl. 2. Happy, healthy Hailey. 3. Happy, healthy marriage. 4. Happy, healthy me.
I don’t know what to expect as I become a mom of two, and don’t want to set myself up for failure. Instead, I will keep life (and the blog) focused on my favorites- food, fitness and family, but also create another focus at the beginning of each month and strive to improve that area of my life during that month.
For January, it’s organization. Whether it’s the new year, my cluttered house or nesting kicking in, I’m ready to get my home in order. I originally planned on following this plan of organizing the home, but as I read over the tasks, I realized they all didn’t fit my needs. So, I’m devising my own organization plan. More details to follow, but that’s enough (ok, too much) chitty chat for today. See you next year!!
What are your goals/resolutions/areas you want to focus on for 2014?
John J. says
What a wonderful year you had in 2013. May 2014 be as special. I look forward to sharing in part of it with you, David, Hailey, and baby girl. Happy New Year!
Erica says
Awesome blog stats! Can’t wait to keep up with you in 2014 🙂
Shari says
I love your 2014 goals –being happy and healthy is always most important. Wishing you a New Year filled with only the best!
Heather says
I’m with you – I don’t want to set myself up for failure this next year by making a huge list of goals. Being happy and healthy is a big one, though, in all aspects of my life. I don’t know what the new year will bring with a newborn and a toddler, so as long as we’re all happy, that’s enough for me. I do want to focus on healthy eating for our entire family, though, especially since I now have baby weight to lose and really want to find a way to fit in working out… still struggling to find time for myself right now.
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
This is awesome! Congrats on all that has happened in 2013.
Some of my goals for 2014 include enjoying the little things more and being less anxious, graduating from high school (I know, I’m a baby!), growing as a blogger, and going off to college healthily and happily!
I hope you have a wonderful New Year, Brittany! I can’t wait to keep up with you through your blog in this exciting year to come!
Ashlee@HisnHers says
I think I will steal your last year goal of say no to things I dont want to do for this year. I find myself doing things I dread far too much…must learn to say no!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I’m learning to say no to things too… that was one of my goals for 2013 and I think it will carry over to 2014.
Danica @ It's Progression says
I adore your goals for 2014 🙂
Sarah says
What an uplifting last blog for 2013. I’ve had a crap last 5 months, being made redundant, but I’m hoping 2014 will be a lot brighter for hubby and I. Fingers crossed for a job prospect in Jan, house finished throughout the year (a target of one DIY thing a week) and at the end of 2014, I hope and dream to be expecting or at least actively trying! Here’s to a bright, happy and healthy 2014! X
Tara@PNWRunner says
In 2014 I WILL run a Marathon. This is my number 1 goal for 2014. I have already signed up for my first half tonight. I have a few months till it occurs in March. I want to continue adding strength training into my weekly workouts!
Mrs FF says
Happy 2014. May it be a wonderful year. In 2014 I hope to loose the baby weight (which I seem to have gained only after baby was born)
Courtney @ Don't Blink. Just Run. says
I think those are some great goals – happy and healthy all around. You can’t really beat that! Sounds like you had a great 2013 and I hope 2014 brings you and your family that health and happiness you’re looking for!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I’ve been struggling with new goals, too. I like the happy, healthy everyone summary- that covers it!
Kari says
Those are some great goals! I’m focusing on the word “open” for 2014. We have some big changes we are hoping to make this year and I’m the type of person that hates change. I’m hoping to be more open to everything this year.
I needed some books suggestions, I’m excited to read a few of the ones you listed!
joni says
I’m focusing on making the right choices in my life, and reflecting on way that others have played a positive role
during my difficult moments.