Wordless Wednesday

3 Months

Dear Eli,

You're three months old! How can that be? You've left the baby blob stage and no longer look like a newborn. Your cheeks have filled out and that double chin is coming along nicely. Just a couple days into this month you moved out of the fussy evening stage. We were so thrilled the first night you didn't fuss and thrilled that you stopped that so much earlier than we expected. Right about that time you started sleeping through the night. It didn't happen every night, but frequently. I'm in heaven and can't believe the amount of sleep I'm getting with such a young baby in the house!

Like your siblings, you love bath time. You'll sit and splash as long as we let you and hate getting out and getting dressed. Your really tolerant of water on your face and laugh when we try to clean under your chin.

We get tons of smiles from you now. You're especially happy in the morning and love it when we talk to you. Ryan holds you, singing and moving your arms around. You think this is pretty funn and generally reward him with smiles and even giggles. Makenna kisses all over you constantly. Her kisses don't bring giggles, but by the end of this month you started smiling at her. The two of them fight over who gets to hold you, they love you so much!

This month included a couple of exciting things. The first was a short trip to Atlanta and Chattanooga. You traveled really well, the car trips were a breeze. You also did well during the days...sleeping in your carseat or the sleepy wrap and nursing on the go! I was pretty impressed with us as you nursed in the sling while we walked through the Chattanooga aquarium. You went swimming for the first time while in Chattanooga. The water was on the chilly side so we weren't in the pool for long, but you really enjoyed in when I rubbed some of the warm water from the hot tub on your legs. (Thanks to Nana and Papa for your cute swim trunks!)

The other excitement this month was a tornado that hit the town just south of us. We were at a friends house for a playdate and realized that the weather was pretty bad. There were 3 adults and 10 kids, the oldest being 8 and the youngest being you. We spent about an hour piled into a bathroom, most of the kids in the bathtub with mommies and their babies on the floor. You were pretty nonplussed and slept through most of it. The tornado came within a few blocks of us and was classified as an F4. I've had bad dreams since, so I'm glad you don't remember it.

Here's an obligatory shot of you wearing a Johhn Cash Onesie. After all, Music City is your birthplace!

We love you Eli and are looking forward to what the month ahead brings!

Love,

Mommy

Hair Thursday

Three years ago my hair hit my waist when straight, since then I've been slowly chopping it off. I guess it really is true, the more kids you have the shorter your hair gets. I was ready for a change, something fun, edgy, sassy. I was nervous when I left the salon, he diffused it so I had an afro. Now that I've fixed it myself, I'm pretty happy with it.

Hubby is slowly getting on board. His initial response was "woah"...that's it. In his defense, when I left for the appointment I said I was just getting a trim. Surprise!

Could be Wordless Wednesday

Yep, it is what you think it is. The wee one was crying so I left Sassafrass in the tub while I went to get him. When I came back, this is what I saw. I guess I can check off another parental right of passage.

27 Months

Dear Makenna,

You're 2.25 years old and you are full of independance, love, sass and words! Oh my gosh the words! Your vocabulary has exploded over the last couple weeks. It seems that every day you have new words and I love how you say some of them. I need to get it on video because you are so cute. It appears that you and Ryan will both have a southern twang, fitting since we live in Tennessee. You just started saying Thank you...for the longest time in it's place you said "elk" a shortened version of welcome. You call a phone a hello, I love this. Instead of Eli, you call your brother Weewi. It appears to have stuck because now the whole family calls him that. Shower and cereal sound exactly the same, it takes some work to figure out which one you want sometimes. You've begun stringing a couple words together to make short sentances and look so proud when we know exactly what it is you're asking. You will repeat the same thing over and over again until we respond or give you what you want. I hear "Mommy, bye bye?" at least a hundred times each day. We start each day by talking about where each member of the family is. You say "daddy work?" and wait for me to respond. Then you move onto "Bubba school?" and "weewi sleep?". You think it's hilarious when I ask where you and I are. You sing all the time. Current favorites are the ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

You'd started potty training, but have fallen out of that since our recent travels. We need to get out your potty books again and start reading them numerous times each day. I think that's what initially kicked off your interest.

You LOVE your babies. You have a bunch and seem to love all of them indiscriminately. Numerous times each day you can be found changing a diaper, strolling one around in a stroller, shushing and rocking, wrapping one in a blanket, and you always have a diaper bag in tow...you are a perfect little mommy already! You'd like to use these skills with Eli, but I annoy you by only letting you hold him with constant supervision. You love him so much that you get a little over zealous with your hugs and kisses.

You continue to be a night owl and have begun to fight naps most days. I still get you to take one 3-4 days a week, but you want to go to bed a lot later those days. If I let you, you'll sleep until 9 most mornings and if you haven't had a nap the previous day you'll sleep even longer if I let you.

You are your mommy's daughter and along with babies, your favorite toys are cell phones, keys, books, purses and shoes. We're going to have a lot of fun shopping when you get older little girl.

Sadly, you've started screaming NO when we've made a request you don't like and you and Ryan have begun picking on each other more. You also pick and choose when you want to listen. Consequently, you and your Time Out corner have begun spending a lot more time together.

We've had some challenging times recently, as you've adjusted to having another family member and lots of visitors, but you are still such a joy. Not a day goes by that you don't make me smile and laugh and want to cover you in kisses.

I love you sweet girl!
Mommy

2 Months

Dear Eli,

Happy 2 month birthday!

The past month included a number of Firsts for you! We got to see your first smiles February 25th and you quickly followed them up with your first giggle on March 11. Once you started you haven't stopped and you're especially full of smiles first thing in the morning. I can easily pass an hour just chatting with you and watching your big gummy grin come and go. Along with your grin comes a twinkle in your eye and a scrunched up nose. You are so cute!

Your Nana and Papa came to visit again, towards the end of your second month. They couldn't believe how much you'd grown and changed in the short time since they'd seen you. At the end of their visit you, Makenna and I took a short road trip to Highland to visit your Great Grandma. Your Aunt Sheryl and cousin Sebastian flew in from Colorado, so we had a small family reunion.

You were pretty fussy during one of the days, but the second day you were all smiles and got some good time with GG. You fell asleep on her lap and she loved every minute of it.

You're nursing like a champ, and don't appear to have the tummy troubles Makenna had. Thank goodness! You'll take a bottle from others, but don't like it when I try to give you one. You make a funny face and then let out a pitiful cry. All that nursing is making you grow like a weed. You're weighing in at 10lbs 11oz now and are 22 inches long.

While we were in Highland, your Aunt Sheryl introduced us to the sleepy wrap. You like to be held...a lot, so finding a sling that you like was so exciting! I'm sure you'll spend a lot of time in it during the upcoming months. Your sister and brother are happy about it too, since it means my hands can be free to help them even while I'm holding you.

You're still fussy during the evening hours, but the fussiness has decreased during the last week. During the day you're very content unless one of your needs isn't being met. So far, you've been a really easy going baby. We love this and hope it continues!

I'm looking foward to what the months ahead bring. Watching your relationship develop with Ryan and Makenna will be so fun. I almost forgot to mention that you look so much like Ryan. Here's a picture of Ryan holding you and a picture of him at 3 months. You have the same eyes and nose! Speaking of noses, see Makenna picking hers in the background? She'll hate this picture when she gets older.

I love you little man!

Mommy

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Since this is one of my favorite holidays I wanted to make it fun for our kids. We all dressed up in our festive green before leaving the house today.

When we got home, we discovered that a leprechaun had come to visit. He left footprints all over the kitchen...

He left a note on the kids bathroom mirror...

And he got into a little mischief, check out our milk!

I wish I could have gotten a picture of Ryan's face, he couldn't believe we'd had a visitor while he was at school. Now he's outside trying to find more footprints or, even better, our little leprechaun.

I'm off to make Irish Soda Bread and make sure the Guinness is chilling.

Slainte!

Pay It Forward - Part II

Remember this post... http://fertilelychallenged.blogspot.com/2009/02/pay-it-forward.html

I opened my door yesterday to find a delivery on my doorstep! A cute basket filled with goodies!

An exploding box with a cute broach.


Here it is up close, sorry for the poor photo. It's going to look great on my winter jacket, although I may have to take Candice's suggestion and pin it on a bag periodically.

There were also Chocolate Chip Cookies which I CAN NOT STOP EATING! I'm a sucker for homemade baked goods and these cookies are delish!


Makenna thinks so too!

Thank you Candice, you made my day!

First Grade Attitude

Tonight, my son the first grader, sat at the kitchen table doing his homework. He finished it much quicker than I anticipated so I questioned him about it and looked it over. While I was checking his work he said "This homework is so kindergarten", eye roll and sigh included.

Did I mention he's only in first grade?

One Month!

Dear Eli,

Two days ago you turned a month old! Your dad, brother, sister and I have spent the last month falling in love with you and watching you change before our eyes. It always amazes me how quickly the time with a new baby goes, and this time with you is no different.

It's been so fun discovering things about you.

You have a tiny birthmark on your right eyelid. We first thought you'd scratched yourself but then realized it never went away, I'm wondering if it will fade in time. You have another birthmark on the back of your head at the base of your skull. Makenna and I have one in the same spot. Both of ours are in our hairlines now, I'm guessing yours will be too as you get older.

You HATE having your diaper changed, however we have managed to change a few that you didn't scream through. Same goes for clothing changes. If you could stay in a nice warm sleeper at all times you'd be happy.

You squeak...a lot. I call you velocarapture because that's what you sound like to me in the evenings when you fuss. Your daddy calls you Keebler, he pushes your ears forward and thinks you look like an elf. Your voice, when not squeaky, is somewhat deep and raspy.

When you were born we didn't think you looked like Ryan or Makenna, over the weeks it's become obvious that you resemble your big brother. He's a handsome boy, and we're sure you will be too. The nurses at the hospital couldn't get enough of you and how cute you were when born...now you're even cuter!

Along with our immediate family, you met a few other family members during your first month of life. Your Nana, Papa and Uncle Colin were here when you were born, they were as excited as we were to meet you and traveled from Colorado and Arizona for the event.

You've been busy during your first month. You've already been to the mall twice, two playdates, and out to lunch with friends a couple times. You're so good in the car and when we're out that it's easy to take you places. We have a double stroller that you and Makenna ride in, it's huge, but the two of you are riding in style. In the picture below you're all bundled up and ready to travel.

You've been a pretty good sleeper so far. We often get a 4 hour stretch from you during the night and have even gotten 5 hours. You generally want to eat every 2.5 to 3 hours during the day, which means you've gone a bit longer during night feedings. Daddy and I really appreciate that! You usually eat for the last time around 11pm and then get up around 3 or 4 and then again when daddy gets up at 6am. Another sign that you're eating well, a double chin and chubby cheeks! You're very tolerant of your siblings. They want to hold you and kiss you all the time, and you usually let them and hardly ever get upset about it. Sometimes they can even calm you down if you're fussy. Ryan will get right in your face and talk to you and your eyes get big and wide and you just stare at him. He loves it!

At some point you'll share a room with Makenna, but for now you sleep in our room in a bassinet. We're probably going to try putting you in a pack n play in our master closet when you grow out of the bassinet since you grunt and groan a lot when you're first falling asleep and when you're waking up. Once you sleep through the night, hopefully your big sister will be ready to give up the crib and you can move in with her.

You're weighing in at 8lbs 8oz and are beginning to grow out of your newborn clothes. You still seem so small, and yet you were so much tinier just a month ago. It's been an incredible month little man, you are such a sweet natured baby.

Happy One Month Birthday Eli, we love you so much!

Love,

Mommy

Pay It Forward

I saw this on my friend Candice's blog and can't wait for my crafty item from her. She makes some really cute decorative items for her house and her baked goods have always been delish! I was excited to be a winner on her blog and look forward to sending out something to those who read mine...so go comment after reading!

The Rules

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!

2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate pictures and comments!

If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along.Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward!P.S. If you are one of the first three and don't have a blog to post you can take the next three friends that call you just to chat and Pay It Forward to them! Then challenge them to do the same. Let's help make this a wonderful world to live in and show our friends how much we care for them

She did it again!

Makenna used the potty again last night! DM was changing the wee one's diaper and she decided to take hers off and go sit on the potty. She sat there for about 10 minutes and lo and behold she left a surprise. We aren't pushing this at all, and I'm probably going to jinx it, but she might just train herself!

Oh Tooth Fairy...

Ryan finally lost his first tooth! It's been loose for quite awhile, you can see the new tooth is already half way in. He got $2 from the tooth fairy, she had a toothbrush for him as well but forgot to leave it under his pillow. Another first...I can't believe how big my boy is!

Birth Story

You'd think, with a planned c-section, that I wouldn't have much of a birth story to write. That's mostly true, although there were a few things worth documenting.



Sunday night I packed my bag and went over all the little details regarding Ryan and Makenna's care with my mom, step dad and brother. We hung out, had some cake and ice cream and went to bed. I didn't think I'd be able to sleep, but I was tired enough that sleep came pretty easily. Even though my c-section wasn't scheduled until noon, I was told I couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight. I wasn't overly concerned about not being able to eat, but I knew I'd need to take my acid reflux meds or I'd be sick. My pregnancy induced acid reflux decided to give me one more bad night, so I was up at midnight eating Tums and then up again at 2 taking Zantac. Up once more about 4:30 am throwing up and beyond irritated that I couldn't take anything to settle the acid and cool my throat. After about an hour, I think I dozed again and got a bit more sleep before the big day.



That morning we were due to arrive around 9:30. I got up, threw last minute items in my bag, tried not to smell the coffee brewing, chatted with my friend Kele and then Wayne, my mom and I were off to the hospital. We spent a little time waiting to get admitted and then we were off to Labor and delivery. After changing into my beautiful hospital gown I spent quite awhile chatting with the anesthesiologist. I had so much trouble with the medication during Makenna's birth that I didn't want to experience that again. We decided to go with an epidural vs a spinal with hope that I wouldn't have such a strong reaction to the meds...and no spinal headache to contend with after delivery. The anesthesiologist thought I'd been "wet tapped" with Makenna, so I was hopeful that my complications were due to that and all would go well. After putting in the epi, it appeared to take affect on one side, so I rolled to the other side to let gravity help out. Slowly I was starting to get numb, and then I was laid down all the way to let some of the meds work their way up my belly. That's when things got a little crazy. I instantly felt sick from the acid reflux and then had to close my eyes and concentrate on not throwing up. I'm not sure how long I laid there, but at some point I remember hearing lots of noise around me and lots of beeping machines. My BP had dropped, I think I heard the nurse say it was 38/23. They gave me a shot of basically adrenaline and sat me up, soon I was able to open my eyes and was feeling better. After that we were off to the OR to meet our sweet boy. The surgery was pretty uneventful. I don't remember much, however Wayne says blood went flying at one point. I'm sure that was enjoyable for him to see. Before long Eli was out and getting cleaned up. I remember looking at him and thinking he looked really different than Ryan and Makenna did when they were born. He had less hair and his skin was more fair. I think I heard the nurse say his apgars were 9/9. I got to have a couple minutes with him before he and daddy were wisked off to the nursery, at which point I fell head over heels in love with our third child. After they left I recall the doctor popping his head over the curtain and saying "So, no tubal today right?" He was joking and knew my response would be that yes indeed, a tubal was on the agenda. There were two things that struck me as odd that morning. I'd requested dermabond to close up the incision and during surgery they had to call down to another OR to get someone to bring the dermabond. Since I'd requested that months before, you'd think they'd have it ready. Also, I have a minor allergy to an antibiotic and they didn't have the appropriate one to give me and had to call someone for that too. Again, wouldn't you think they'd be prepared with that stuff?

Recovery went well until an hour or so after surgery, then the throwing up began again. It wasn't as bad as it was with Makenna, but still miserable. I was sick through the night but by the next morning I'd started to feel better. Thankfully I was able to nurse laying down even though I was sick, so Eli didn't have to get formula.

After the first 24 hours, recovery went really well as long as I took my pain meds. I let it go too long one night and my body let me know it by shivering uncontrollably, but I'm still surprised by how quickly the body recovers from being sliced open! Surgery was monday and we were released from the hospital on thursday, it was so great to go home and have our whole family together. Eli even had a welcoming committee since my brother, mom and stepdad were still in town and would remain for awhile longer.

I'm glad we decided to go with the repeat c-section, after much second guessing, it was the right choice for us. Now it's time to enjoy being a family of five!

Birth Weight...heck yeah!

Today was Eli's second dr's appt. We had to take him in because his first weight check at one week and one day old showed him to be 3 ounces shy of his birth weight. Well today, at two weeks and a day old he was 7 pounds 8 ounces...I guess the breast feeding is going well!

At his first appt, they plotted his size for us and he was on the low end of the spectrum, just like Ryan. Sadly, It's only been a week and a half since that appt, but I can't remember the exact stats. I'll have to look up the info. Sleep deprivation does wonders for the memory.

Edited to add that I finally looked up the stats...Eli's 26th percentile for height, 17th for weight and 42nd for head circumfrence. I wonder if he'll grow into his noggin?

Big Day!

It was a big day in our house.

Early this morning, Makenna decided she was ready to try out her potty. She said she had to go but I didn't think much of it as she's been teasing us in that department. Well, today she was serious. She sat on her potty, asked me to leave and when I went back in to check on her, she'd pooped! We all clapped and cheered and there were high 5's all around. I hope this is the beginning of potty training, but I'm not holding my breath just yet.

Not long after that excitement, I changed Eli's diaper and discovered he'd lost his umbilical cord. Welcome to world of warm baths, little man. I hope you love them.

We're in Love!

Introducing...

Eli Sterling

7 lbs 3 oz

19" long

Last Monday started like this. Wayne and I posed for my last preggo picture while waiting for the nurse to come in and start c-section prep.

A couple hours later, Eli arrived!

Makenna and Ryan waited patiently to see their little brother. He's there in the background!

Ryan seeing his little brother up close for the first time.

Ryan holding Eli and looking like the proud big brother he is. Later in the week, the big kids and daddy took a special trip to the Greatest Show on Earth. Ryan enjoyed the cotton candy, and really understood the jokes. He had a great time. Makenna love the lemonaid but had a hard time sitting so long.



Makenna holding Eli for the first time, with Ryan smiling and waiting his turn.


Makenna can't get enough of Eli. She wants to hold him or touch him all the time. Daddy's getting time with the youngest two and helping Makenna hold her little brother.

It's been an exciting and wonderful week in our house. Birth story to follow.

39 Weeks

All the family that are coming have arrived from out of town, we can have this baby now!

Today will be filled with last minute tasks and cherishing some time with my kiddos and family. I still haven't packed a bag for the hospital, put up the pack in play, or cleaned the swing, so I need to get to those things today as well. I find myself excited and anxious about the week ahead. I'm so excited to meet our little man, to see what he looks like, how much he weighs, what his temperment is. But honestly, I'm a little anxious about time management and how the other two kids are going to handle having less mommy time. I've had dreams the last couple nights that show my inner fears as well...c/section dreams, dead baby dreams, etc. I generally wake up from those and push on my tummy to get Eli to move for me, he's already a sweet baby and generally complies. I don't remember dreams like that with the other two, but I probably had them.

I'm so thankful that my mom, stepdad and brother are here. I imagine we'll be in the hospital for the majority of the week, so it's nice to know the kids will be well cared for and enjoying time with their uncle and grandparents. I'm sad about being away from them for a few days, but they'll come visit and it will be so fun introducing them to their new baby brother.

See you on the flip side...with pictures...and baby stats!

Makenna's Birthday Party

We had a small birthday party for Makenna after the family arrived. She had a great time with her new bike. Ryan and Uncle Colin pushed her around on it for most of the night. She also dug into her cake and had fun being sung to. She even clapped for us when we were done singing. She calls birthday candles "happy"

because she knows that when she sees them we sing "Happy Birthday". I'm glad we had a little party for her, she really seemed to enjoy it.

Happy Birthday sweet girl, we love you!

Holy Cow

I have a "follower", meaning someone who's interested in my blog and signed up to follow it. I'm feeling the love.

Hi Tasha! I didn't know you had a blog. I've added you to my favorites, guess I should figure out this whole follower thing too. :)

Gah!

I've been trying to format Makenna's birthday post for two days and I still can't get some of the paragraphs to work. Not sure if it's user error or Blogger, either way it's user frustrating!

Sorry for the rough transitions in Makenna's post, but I wanted it up and running, even if it's missing a few spaces.

She's TWO!

Dear Makenna,

Today is your birthday! You're two!! This almost surprises me because it's seems like you've been two for awhile now. You're on the high end of the growth chart for height and seem right on track socially and physically with kids that are a number of months older. You have, in the past week or so, started exhibiting more of the "terrible two" behavior that we hadn't seen much of prior to this. You really are two!

You are so much fun to be around. You smile and laugh all the time, love to play with us and your brother, and constantly want to be tickled. You're still pretty easy going and distractable, although you definitely have a mischeivious streak and have recently figured out "No!". You still love playing hide and seek, peek a boo and even patty cake, but you also appreciate light saber fights with Ryan, books (which you are constantly asking one of us to read) and anything associated with baby dolls. Oh, and I can't forget your obsession with bags and shoes. You got that from your mommy.

You continue to enjoy just about any fruit we put in front of you. You call all of them apples, even the green olives that I eat are called apples, and your favorites right now are probably cantalope and clementines. Your favorite meals are spaghetti and stir fry, both of which generally get a "YUM YUM" when they arrive at the table. Other favorites include pickles, string cheese, yogurt, milk, chi bok...which means juice box to you, and any kind of cracker or cookie you can get your hands on.

You're still pretty quiet when out of your environment or around people you don't know, but we slowly see you coming out of that. Strangers can get you to smile now, although you still survey your surroundings intensely and the smiles only come when you feel comfortable. You get tons of comments about your little ringlet curls, cute cheeks and grey eyes which you couldn't care less about, but they make your daddy and I smile.

You tell all of us that you love us all the time. It's the cutest thing and makes my heart burst each time I hear it. I really want to get it on video but every time you see the camera or video camera you freeze. I hope to catch it soon.

You have your own language right now. I find myself translating for you at times, even with your daddy. Some of your better known "words" are:

chi bok = juice box

elk = thank you...it stems from the shortened version of welcome, which you seem to think means thank you

ook/bok = milk

yock = sock

Your vocabulary is growing all the time and most words are understandable, so your "makenna-isms" are pretty cute. You've also begun stringing two words and sometimes even three together and often if you're talking about an action you have to talk about it for each member of the family, ie. "Daddy bye bye? Ryan bye bye? Mommy bye bye?"

You got Pneumonia for Christmas this year and got to be just like your brother and have breathing treatments. You did really well and even held the mask with only a few short lived battles. I hope this doesn't mean you'll develop the asthma issues that he's developed. You also got to visit a dermatologist last month because of a rash on your face that refused to go away. The doc thought it was eczema, so we're treating it as such. Seems to be working, so hopefully you won't have continued issues.

You seem to have the same appreciation for music as the rest of the family. One of your favorite Christmas gifts was a little guitar that Ryan picked out for you, you play it and dance around. You dance and clap along with songs on the radio and you're constantly singing the ABC's. You seem to have an affinity for 80's music right now...your daddy is proud.

We're thankful your baby brother hasn't arrived yet, I was nervous he'd want to share your birthday. We're glad your special day continues to be just yours.

Your favorite outfit currently consists of a diaper, your brothers sunglasses and some mismatched flipflops that your brother wore last summer. I wouldn't care, except it's the middle of winter, so we're constantly trying to put your clothes back on.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl. We love you very much!

Love,

Mommy

*1st and 2nd pictures by http://katecrafton.blogspot.com/

*Updated to add Makenna's stats from her well check up. She was a trooper and very cooperative. The nurse and ped both commented on how good she was. She shed a few tears when she got her shots, but then sat through the blood draw like it was nothing. Turns out her iron is a little low so she's on a daily vitamin for that now. She weighed in at 30lb 14 oz which is 90th percentile, 35 1/2 inches tall which is 89th percentile and head circumference is 88th percentile. Ryan better watch out, she might just be taller than he is!

Happy New Year!

It's resolution time!

I know mine need to be pretty minor, what with having a new baby in the house as well as a toddler and 7 yr old. That being said, here are a few things I hope to accomplish this year, in no particular order :

~Loose the babyweight I gained, plus about 10 lbs
~Get back to meal plans, cooking more and trying new recipes
~Pay off some debt
~Find a church
~Focus on my relationship with my hubby. (We always struggle when a new baby is in the house due to lack of sleep and stress which we take out on each other. I need to remember that and instead try to make him feel loved and appreciated and not get frustrated with him too easily.)
~Create a portfolio of rooms I've designed

A woman in my mom's group asked the question "What 5 things would you do, if you didn't have to do them perfectly?" Here were my answers:

1. Open my own decorating/staging business.
2. Community Theater
3. Host more gatherings at my house
4. Paint, as in pictures...specifically watercolors
5. Landscape my backyard and build a screened in patio.

Something to think about for future years and goals. What are your resolutions?