Just the kind of post I needed today. I wish you much luck in 2013.
Keep up the good work, mama!!

Happy New Year & Good luck! Hope everyone starts feeling better real soon.

I get it! #3, ours was a TOTAL surprise as well, but my other two were a bit older than yours. Anyway, that first year of life with him was challenging at best! It gets better and then you wonder how you would ever live without that surprise #3. Our life would be so boring now, he is almost 5 and a sheer delight almost every day. Going from 2 to 3 was total chaos, but well worth it!
2013 will be your year!

God bless you! You have accomplished so much in only one year so that is something to be proud of! I had my second child on the same day that Mabrey was born and I feel very similar about the “blah” kind of year. We actually have a sitter for tonight (for once) and absolutely no where to go. I hope 2013 is better and I can’t wait to see this photoshoot:)

You guys covered major ground in 2012! Your blog is one of my favorites to read. I love your honesty. When we got our surprise #3 almost a year ago (unexpected phone call one afternoon “we have a two year old for you”) my blog didn’t even cross my mind for months. On the hard days I repeat to myself, “this too shall pass.” Hope you all get healthy fast. Happy new year!

Well, you got through all of that and you’re still awesome!
Happy New Year!

It may have ben a tough one but it looks like you guys kicked 2012’s butt!

Happy New Year!

We also added a surprise #3, (a girl to our boys 4 and 6) in April. And, I too, became a SAHM after leaving a job I LOVED, but the hours increased and I chose to be at home instead. We did not move, and are not remodeling–yet (small house, we need more space!). I find life with 3, at this age spread, strangely chaotic with weird lulls of time where I’m just waiting for someone to get out of school or wake up, and I don’t think I’ve had 8 hours of sleep in a row since April. And the baby sometimes sleeps through the night…Anyway, I love your blog and appreciate reading not only your decor/home tips, but your posts about motherhood as well. (by the way, I won the “pretty well covered” nursing cover several months back and have greatly appreciated it. This baby has been nursed on the go every day!)

I think the addition of a new family member (especially a needy, albeit completely adorable, infant) sorta turns your world on it’s head. At least for me it did. It was a huge adjustment and I felt like I was always barely surviving instead of thriving. I’m impressed with all you were able to do and thank you for your honesty. Being a SAHM, in my opinion, is much harder than working an 8-5 job and I wrestle with guilt about my feelings about it myself. Happy New Year!

2012 has been quite the year! We had baby #1 in April, I quit my job, my husband began a master’s program, we downsized our home (moving 2 weeks before Christmas). I hear ya on feeling like I haven’t quite figured it all out yet. And tonight we are leaving our sweet babe overnight with his grandparents for the first time. I think I might have a breakdown. :)

Hope y’all feel better soon.

I think you had a wonderful 2012 – you welcomed Mabrey into your life and accomplished amazing things with the new house. Thanks for sharing with us!

Your good sense of humor will save you! You have certainly pulled off some AMAZING things in 2012 despite plenty getting in the way, changing the story and ultimately you’ve come out ahead! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so they say. Thank you for blogging through thick and thin and telling it like it is. Cheers to 2013!

oh. my. goodness.

you are too hilarious. and i know you think you’re making it out of 2012 by the skin of your teeth [and maybe you are] but you are so my hero. I work full time as a nurse and blog in my free time. I can’t even imagine doing that with children piled on top. I think my dog is high maintenance. You’re my total bloggy hero, exploding fluids and all.

Cant wait for 2013 and more progress in your lovely home.

I say go out on a date when everyone is better. Who cares if it’s the “real” new years eve. I won’t tell.

I love you, Dana! You say it like it is, and from one former SAHM to another current SAHM you rock!! I was going to go to law school and the only case I argued was how good broccoli is for growing kids. Keep up the good, (but very hard) work!!

And posts like this are why I love your blog, thank you!

but let’s be real… your kitchen is AMAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZING!

Ha! Thanks so much for the laugh!! Hope everyone feels better soon & Happy New Year!
Jen

Ps- two to three kids is totally kickin our butts over here too!! One day at a time! You are doing an awesome job…and your home is lovely. :)

Three kids is no joke. Props to you for surviving this long. No small feat…

My three children are grown now but I still remember wondering if I would make it until 5:00 each day. That third child just adds exponentially to the mix. I didn’t do half of what you do and it was still hard. I hope you can change your bathroom situation in 2013. My bathroom is where I did mommy time outs. Don’t let the blog add pressure to your life. Skip it if you have too or just grouse about life. It’s your voice we find so compelling. MD

Your a rockstar that’s all there is to it! Thanks for painting the real picture of the craziness which is motherhood! Props to you for creating such an amazing space! The countertop is beautiful! Happy New Year!

I can so relate. I had many good changes in 2012 (and 2011) and am veeeeeery slowly adjusting. Its funny how that works sometimes. Best of luck!

Oh bless your heart. And I totally understand. 2012 was not our best either so I’m trying my best to stay uber positive about the arrival of 2013. Prayers you are all on the mend and keeping bodily fluids INSIDE (where they belong)! Looking forward to seeing all that 2013 holds for you, your family and the Underdog. Get some rest!

Your blog is my absolute favorite. I really love your new home and enjoy being able to see all of the updates unfold. I love your words of being in the moment also. I always need to remember that. Happy New Year!

Thanks for the recap, sorry everyone is sick!! I just wanted to say I think I love your blog because I identify with a lot of your “life stages”. I am a SAHM after being a highschool science teacher. To say it has been an adjustment would be the understatement of the world. But! I love it and I wouldn’t go back (most days). And we are on #3 as well, according to all of my friends with more than 3 children, # 3 is the hardest and everything after that is a cakewalk. Hope you all feel better soon!!! Thanks again for sharing!

I think you kicked 2012’s butt. Your home and family have all thrived – well done! Hope the next year brings your sea legs (and maybe another bathroom!). Happy new year!

Happy New Year to you too! This post is great, telling it like it is. That’s why we love your blog. I’m amazed you managed to write anything at all this year – let lone this post whilst in the throes of a bout of gastro! Nothing worse. Is finishing Bathroom #2 Project #1 for 2013?! And I’m super intrigued about your photo shoot, can’t wait to see it. Take care, and stay hydrated ;)

Well, I guess this does put things in perspective. You are right, blogs do have a way of making life look all chipper and perfect, which, to be honest, there have been times when I have though “gosh, her life is perfect!”. Babies are so cute, kids say the darnedest things, an amazing husbands like yours are one in a million, etc. The Wonder Dog, which is how I think it could be referred to now, is just so beautiful! So, even though you seem super human, it is kind of good to hear that you are like the rest of us, working at a good life in good times and not so good times. Thanks for sharing.

I have been following your blog for quite some time but have never commented. I appreciate your honesty! I have 2 boys that are 12 months apart and will be 2 and 3 in March 2013. My house has been a disaster for the last 2 years and we haven’t been able to tackle many of the renovations we planned when we bought our fixer 6 years ago (almost 7!) I often look at our ugly bathrooms and kitchen and am resentful of our house. We’ve had to prioritize stupid things like yard grading due to poor drainage, AC, pool resurfacing. Aaah. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one whose life gets in the way of their plans! Thank God for our families and for having a home to make our own. (And your NYE plan cracked me up because HH and I planned on going to a nice event when all 4 of us caught “Montezuma’s Revenge” at the same time!)

It has been great AND inspiring following your blog this last year. I love how open, real, and up front you are about the DIY process, being a stay at home mom, and so much more. :) You are definitely an asset to the blogging community.

Love it! Everyone is always so damn cheerful about their year. I am so happy to have 2012 over with! It was such a challenging year for our family. Of course I’m thankful for health and family, but I’m ready for a funner, lighter year in 2013!

Oh Dana – we had the sick thing over the holidays too. No fun. I’m hoping 2013 treats you better, though from your list it doesn’t seem all bad! ;)

I appreciate your stylish and honest blog! My little family also undertook a major renovation this year and I’ve recognized myself in many of your undertakings -diy planked ceiling, dairy free nursing, putting in a new yard (SO. MUCH. MUD), and SAHMing to name just a few.

Thanks for sharing and good luck to you in this brand new year.

Man, I really appreciate your honesty about your crazy year. It is delightfully refreshing. Also, you made a TON of progress on a house project that would be daunting for anyone, so you should give yourself a pat on the back. Not to terrify you, but my husband and I just finished our final room (remodel of the master bath) this autumn… 4 1/2 years after we moved into the dining room and started gutting the rest of the house. :) We have had our mattress on the floor in practically every space due to the slow, methodical redo of every surface. Finally we are settled! I hope for a more ‘settled’ year for you as well.

I personally think you have accomplished an amazing amount in one year. I can’t imagine getting all this done. I think you have incredibly high standards and goals, and so to you it feels like you’ve not done everything you wanted to. But I think it’s awe-inspiring progress and I don’t know how you’ve done it and lived to speak full sentences.
:)