I find it hard to believe that 2013 is drawing to a close. It honestly feels like it was yesterday that I was thisclose to running 10km and looking forward to 2013.

This time last year I was in the best shape of my life, had two stunningly beautiful children and thought that life really couldn’t get much better.

I was so wrong.

2013 kicked off with a pretty amazing, if terrifying surprise – pregnant with my third child. O.M.G! It took a month or two for the sheer panic to subside. I had a great pregnancy but could not keep up with my running. At the time I didn’t mind so much but fast-forward to 3 months postpartum and I wish I had stuck with the running and not caved to the ginormous sweet tooth that I developed while pregnant. I am seriously paying for all that ice cream and chocolate I consumed with the excuse of, “I’m pregnant and I’ll lose that baby weight fast.”

Yeah, riiiight! Famous last words.

I am the heaviest I have ever been and though I know I really shouldn’t complain as most people would look at me and think I am crazy, I just hate the way I look.  We are always our own worst critics.  Nothing fits me right and I am desperate to get back to where I was this time last year.  So, as soon as the holidays are over, I am on a mission to get my svelte back.  I am going to run 2-3 times a week, I am going to eat healthy and cut out the crap I’ve been eating for the past year.  I have indulged for far too long.  The gloves are coming off, people!!

Despite all this, the birth of my brown-eyed baby boy was the best thing that could have happened to me.  The second he was born, I was so, so in love and happy that we had him.  I felt like my family was finally complete.  My  family of 4 just didn’t seem finished to me.  My family of 5 now does.  It’s crazy and hectic and loud most days, and even though I am utterly exhausted and wonder what the hell I have done, I wouldn’t change anything.  2013 was an incredibly blessed year for me.

As I look ahead to 2014, I recall my wishes for 2013, as I wrote them here.  I got most of that list accomplished, save for running 10km, traveling, and drinking more wine (pregnancy had a little to do with that).  Honestly, my goals for 2014 are much the same.  I am incredibly fortunate to have  family and friends nearby who continue to challenge me and shape the woman I have become.

I wish you all a very happy new year!

Daily blogging in January is coming soon!  Stay tuned!