Year in review: 2014

/ Meg

champagne

Ah, 2014 — you were a beaut.

After the chaos that was planning two weddings in 2013, I went into the new year with a goal of unwinding, enjoying the present and just getting acclimated to my new surroundings. I didn’t know that, by March, we would find our dream home — a foreclosure in need of some TLC — and go to settlement in May, making us the proud owners of two properties.

Having two mortgages? Exactly as fun as it sounds.

But we did it! We made it through. I can look back now and, well, maybe not laugh exactly, but definitely smile because everything that caused stress does not cause stress anymore. We managed to buy our new house, start renovations and fix-ups and secure a renter for our apartment in the fall. Several of those things — especially the renter — were a roller coaster, but everything turned out fine in the end.

As it often does.

For me, 2014 will be remembered as the Year of the House. Spence and I spent many an evening going over budgets and plans, light fixtures and furniture choices — to the point that, by the time we moved in June, I had total decision fatigue. We practically lived at Lowe’s. I simply could not weigh in on anything else, though I’m an adult . . . and we make choices every day.

Isn’t that kind of weird? And slightly sucky? That adulthood means venturing down a fork in the road time and again, wondering if you’ve chosen the right option and praying you have no regrets. For me, decisions as silly as what color to paint our bedroom were almost paralyzing. What should have been fun was often stressful.

But that’s sort of my MO — making enjoyable things difficult. I want to change it. When we learned in September that we have a little one on the way, I had to quickly adjust my thinking — and extreme diet soda consumption — to relax, breathe and trust that everything will work out fine.

As someone who is, by any measure, an anxious person, the idea of our lives changing so completely with the arrival of our baby come June is throwing me for a loop. We are so excited — sometimes I actually feel I will burst with excitement — but there is no denying that taking our family from a twosome to a trio will change everything. Forever.

For the better, though! For the better, I know. It’s just . . . wow. Is there anything more life-changing than becoming a parent?

But I digress. We’re talking about 2014 here. This is supposed to be reflective! Not a post about my motherhood fears! (I’m sure those are around the corner but, you know.)


In 2014, I . . .

• bought a house and began transforming it with my handy husband;
• visited San Francisco, Yosemite and Sequoia with my parents in May;
• celebrated my 29th birthday;
• went to many farmers’ markets and continued healthy eating;
• found out we’re pregnant and due in June;
• celebrated our first wedding anniversary;
• hosted our first Thanksgiving dinner;
• read 49 books and recommitted to the library;
• capped off the year with a trip to see our New York family.


In the new year, I’ve decided to forgo any lofty ambitions and hope to learn to take life as it comes. My theme for 2015 will be cutting myself some slack, because I can already see that the months will fly and, before we know it, we’ll have a little person looking up at us — a tiny time thief who will be dearly loved . . . and change everything.


Baby bump - 16 weeks


I’m up for the challenge — and know I’ve married a man who is my teammate and best friend. He’s going to be a fantastic dad, and I can’t wait to see him holding our little guy or gal. We’ve so got this.

And when I turn 30 in July, I’ll be ready.

Hopefully. Um. Maybe.

We’ll cross that bridge later.


19 thoughts on “Year in review: 2014”

  5. Ah, your 30s are nothing. In fact, they really are the best years. I have never felt so comfortable with who I am or had more fun than I have had since turning 30. Don’t worry about it at all, and just enjoy your new little peanut!

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  6. I had my first at 30, and my second (and last) at 34. I look back now as the proud parent of an 18 year old daughter and 14 year old son. I can’t even express how much fun you are going to have over the next 18 years, Meg. It is dizzying, brilliant, exhausting, delightful. But if I could go back to when my daughter was six and my son was two, I would do it in a heartbeat. There is NOTHING like the early years when your kids are small and your marriage and your life are all about those tiny people who mean everything to you and your husband. Watching them grow up and develop their own opinions and personalities is alternately hilarious and terrifying, but it’s an incomparable experience. And it is a blast.

    I can’t say I’m jealous of you, because I love having young adults in my life. But, oh, the fun!

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  7. Totally agree with Christine about the adventure of raising children. They grow up in the most delightful ways. Congratulations on the house and the baby. I gave up Diet Coke in 2014 — July 27th to be exact — and while it was very, VERY difficult, I’ve succeeded so far. You can do it. Take some acetaminophen for the caffeine withdrawal headaches and you’ll be fine.

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  9. Hard to look back when there is so much to look forward to! Sounds like 2014 was a great way to lay the groundwork for an amazing 2015! You are an adorable pregnant person, and Iove seeing your picture and hearing the updates. I bet you’ll like reading back on entries like this once your baby has arrived too:). So neat to document this time in your life.

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  11. Happy new year to you and Spence and little one in situ 😊. I have really enjoyed your blog Meg and wish you all the very best for an awesome 2015 all the way from Albany, Western Australia xox

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  14. Baby bump!!! 2014 sounds like it was just a great year and 2015 will definitely only be better. Can’t wait to hear all about it!!

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  16. Your baby bump is honestly the cutest thing in the world! I’m so excited for you and Spencer. I know a quiet year would be good, but I’m sure a baby year will be even better. Until then, I hope you find lots of time to enjoy being a family of two, many more farmers markets, and lots of time to read 🙂

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