Reflections and Resolutions

Here’s to 2014

I ended 2013 feeling tired and overwhelmed. At any given time, I can easily sit down and come up with a list of 60-80 things to do (off the top of my head). Realizing that I had this many unfinished projects at the end of the year was quite deflating. I had to think: what DID I do this past year? Here’s a look back:

Bigger items: I had surgery. (A real time suck.) I planned my son’s first birthday party and my sister’s graduation parties (each of which were great but didn’t quite live up to my overblown expectations). I also helped plan a going-away party and a Christmas party. I moved (between Thanksgiving and Christmas – what were we thinking?) I finished another graduate class (three more to go!). Started a blog (which temporarily fell by the wayside). Finished decorating the nursery. Took a vacation to North Carolina.

Everyday stuff: I stayed home with the babe. Most of my days seemed to consist of changing, feeding, playing, and trying desperately to get him down for naps. Then there was the obsessive amount of pinning.

Fun stuff: Picnics with Luke and Max. Quitting Facebook. Having our families visit. Meeting our new nephew. Celebrating our 14^th wedding anniversary. Doing crossword puzzles. Taking Max to the zoo and the library.

Finished Projects: Invitations for five events, decorations for those events, a few new recipes, a wreath that has been used for three different holidays, artwork for the nursery, floral/letter art, many birthday cards, read half a dozen books or so.

Whew. Okay, I feel better writing that. Apparently, I did get a few things done this past year. I had originally started my blog with the thought that I would write something (and DO something!) everyday. What an unnecessary burden. I realize now that there will be days when I’m incredibly proactive, days when I’m distracted with household/family tasks, and days when I want to take naps and surf Pinterest all day. And that’s ok.

Of course, I still want to set goals for myself. So here are my Rough Draft Resolutions for 2014:

1. 12 Pins a Month:

I have hundreds and hundreds of things pinned on my boards – recipes, sewing projects, homemade gift ideas, artwork, etc. I think it is reasonable to try 3 a week or 12 a month in different categories. After I finish the original 12 then I am free to run wild with other projects until the next month.

2. Publish photo books:

There are two photo books that I would like to put together. The first is “Making Max” which would be all about the adventures of pregnancy. The second is “Max: Year One” which is… pretty obvious. I also want/need to update his baby book.

3. The Great Magazine Cleanout:
I moved a huge box filled with magazines that I’ve been collecting for years to the new house. Well, Luke did because it was too heavy for me. This year, I’m cleaning them out month by month during my lazy-on-the-couch weekends.

4. Decorate Max’s Room:

More than any other room in our new place, I want to decorate the baby’s. I have grand ideas and I plan to follow through on all of them. First step: painting.

5. Contribute to family finances:

I haven’t really worked since I was pregnant, other than a few projects here and there, and I’m ready to step it up. Just this week, I came up with (what I think is) an awesome idea for an Etsy shop. I’m going to get started soon.

6. Get down to (at least) my wedding weight:

I’m not sure how I ended up where I did this year. I should have been all fine and dandy losing baby weight, but alas…no. The next resolution should help a bit.

7. Cook at home more:

We eat out WAY too much so I’ve developed a menu for January. My first dinner was a success so I’m looking forward to making many more.

8. Make a Latch Rug for Max’s Room:

This is going to take FOREVER, but I’m dedicated to finishing it. I’ve already designed it, so next I have to cut a mere 28,000 pieces of yarn. (Yes, 28,000.)

9. Connect with my Husband:

It is hard to talk about anything but kid stuff (especially when yours is the cutest kid on the planet), but I want to make an effort to have some “us” time.

10. Traveling Journals:

I want to start two different shared journals. One for me, my mom, and my sister. One for me, my mother-in-law, and my sisters-in-law. The rules: 1. Record a snapshot of what’s going on when you receive the journal. 2. Keep it no more than a week. 3. Pass it on.

11. Watch My Mouth:

The kid is totally starting to get it. When I say, “Go get your (fill in the blank),” I don’t have to point anymore. He also understandings “Put your dirty clothes in the hamper,” and, “Get in your chair.” That means not only do I need to watch the adult language, but also, well, everything (i.e. I changed his last diaper. It is YOUR turn.)

Well, I think that’s a good start, don’t you? I’ll keep the progress reports coming.

Happy New Year.