Call Me Original: New Years Resolutions

It's New Years Eve so I'm going full on originality here and listing my New Years resolutions. I've never actually made any sort of resolution because of a new year before, but hey, why not start?

Truthfully, I'm making this list because, since becoming a mother, I've felt a little unorganized and (let's be honest here) lazy. Finding purpose in my day to day life is difficult. When I lay my head down every night and I realize I didn't change out of my pajamas or brush my hair, I feel a little useless. I know I work my behind off all day taking care of Cana, but I think every stay at home mother understands that you need a little something else to make you feel like you're a productive member of society (like perhaps actually going out into society for once). Being a mother is rewarding and such a blessing, but holding a baby while watching the Kardashians for hours a day (don't you dare judge me... We all have lows!) doesn't fulfill me. And it shouldn't! So in 2015, I'm making it a point to use my motherhood in a purposeful way. And make sure I find myself laying my head down each night feeling joyful, tired and full. Not lazy, tired and bored. 

So here is my list of resolutions:

I WILL NOT turn on the TV during Cana's first nap of the day. Instead I will pray and read some of the many books we have on our shelves. 

I will stop comparing my mothering to the Pinterest articles and mom bloggers idea of mothering. 

I will stop comparing my baby to the text book perfect baby everyone thinks you can force babies to be. It can't happen. It won't happen. It shouldn't happen.

I will aim to let my husband do more when it comes to parenting, and not stand over his shoulder while he's doing it. He knows how to be a daddy, and he does an amazing job of doing it.

I will take Cana for a walk at least every other day and try to play with her outside more often.

I will take Cana to daily Mass on Wednesdays.

I will take time once a month to go out without Cana and Frankie. I'll do something for myself, hangout with friends or just go for a walk. I need to allow myself to be alone and not feel guilty for it.

I will (try) to help my daughter sleep better on her own. But I also need to understand that it might take some time... She's little and is learning. Give her time, mama. 

I will make more of an effort to pray with my husband at dinner each night. It's so easy to forget prayer and to just complain about our days. That only leads to more stress. Prayer needs to come first!

I will make time for my husband and I to get away and talk. And I won't stress or talk about Cana. He needs his wife, not just the mother of his child. 

There it is. The first resolution list I've ever made. It feels daunting, but very practical. And I know it will leave me feeling more purposeful at the end of each day. 

Saint Therese, pray for me!

Month Three

Cana Marie, you've given us a run for our money this month. Just when we thought we had you figured out, you decide to change everything up. This was one of the most difficult months if my life, but some how, also one of the most amazing. You have the strange ability to make that possible. 

Here's a recap of month three:

You were sleeping for six hours a night... Were. Now you find it hard to sleep more than three hours straight but on most nights you stir every hour.

You were sleeping on your own in your bassinet or swing all night... Were. Now you refuse to be put down while you sleep. 

As noted above, you've become a very light sleeper because of your growing curiosity and desire to soak every bit of this world in. It's great to see you so curious, but I know it's exhausting for you.

Your daddy and I have cried many times thinking we did something to mess you up. We've thought you were sick ten thousand times. And then we always realized that you're just a baby. 

No matter how stressful our days or nights, you always seem to smile through it. Thus making us smile and realize how lucky we are to have these nights and days with you. 

You have started putting all the things on earth in your mouth. Especially fingers. Any fingers will do. 

Despite putting things in your mouth, you still can't quite replace your pacifier. I'm praying for that day to come. 

You've become a master (supported) sitter. You love sitting up but can't get there without help. However, you are building quite the six pack under your tub-o-belly from all the crunches you do while trying to sit. 

You've out grown your swaddle blankets so we bought you a boy one that's bigger. Sorry.

You started laughing at strangers in the grocery store. It's adorable but for some reason people think that means they can touch you now. NO!!!

You stayed awake for an entire Mass last week! And you did great! 

We went to the zoo for the first time and second time this month. I think you like the elephants and giraffes best (because those are the few animals you were awake to see). 

Your first thanksgiving was delicious. I hope you enjoyed all the yummy food I ate and transmitted to you. Especially your grandma MJs pumpkin pie!

It snowed for the first time in your post-womb-life. You hated it. I did too.

We completed a whole month in cloth diapers! We still use disposables at night (because you sleep horribly...) and when we leave the house for more than a few hours, but hopefully soon we will be exclusively cloth! I love your cute bum in them!

Stats:

We haven't had a doctors appointment in a month but I weighed you and you're close to 16 pounds... Yup. That's a whole lot of chunk! You eat every 3-4 hours during the day for only about 5-10 minutes, so I don't know where you're getting the fat from. 

I assume you've grown height wise too. Of course. You're just huge. And I love it.

Some of my favorite photos: