Thursday, August 15, 2013

wearing your baby

Not sure how far I've gotten on getting my life back, but I loved this post about Dad style.

Moving toward specifics, we see that wearing your baby might seem to be annoying because of its necessarily close association with so-called "babywearing." Can we see the difference here? One is simply a venerable form of infant-transport; the other is a cause or practice or movement involving the "babywearing community." Wearing your baby offers emotional benefits to you and the child; babywearing offers members of the fruitcake wing of the attachment-parenting movement an opportunity to get all righteous about those benefits. (Recall Maggie Gyllenhaal's stroller-shunning performance in Away We Go: "I love my babies. Why would I want to push them away from me?")
 From Do I Look Lame in This Baby Bjorn? by Troy Patterson on slate.com

I mean. Love this.

In my 6 months (exactly today) of parenthood, I have seen some CRAZY things. The obsession over babywearing is one. Oh but there are many. 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

management

Camp War Eagle is over!

I started a to do list today titled Getting My Life Back. It's already crazy long, but full of lots of fun things. I need to get out birth announcements (forget the fact that Bramblett was 5 months yesterday), clean an organize many many things, get the budget back on track, learn some new computer skills, explore some long term work possibilities, focus on nutrition and exercise, make time for important people in my life, finish some books, start some books....the list goes on and on.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how to get the most out of my life. This article about being a stay at home mom first got me thinking. There are certainly aspects of staying home and taking care of Bramblett that are appealing. But in reality, I don't think it's for me. For some of the reasons the author of the regret article outlined and others.

And while I'm hanging out in reality, I should probably go ahead and accept the fact that I can't have it all. However, I don't need it all. I do believe if I make the right choices, I can have everything that matters.

Which leads me to the concept of self-management. I've talked about this before with people that I have supervised in the context of work tasks, initiative, decision making, etc. Now it's time to turn that lens toward me.

There is so much I want and need out of life. If I don't start working toward it and focusing on what really matters, life will pass by and I will regret the time I wasted. This blog post has some great thoughts and ways to categorize an approach to self-management.

So, my plan for the next few weeks is to begin focusing on the right gauges. To remind myself that every choice matters. To stop throwing away time and money. To maintain hope and excitement instead of feeling stressed and overwhelmed. To keep it simple and take it one day at a time.



Tuesday, June 4, 2013

mornings

Not a morning person. Never have been. Seriously, don't talk to me.

Unless...

You are my absolutely adorable 15 week old son or his wonderful father who plays with him while I fix my hair.

As I have returned to work and adjusted to this new normal, mornings have become one of my favorites. After I feed Bramblett, I generally lay him down on my bed while I fix my hair. This puts him in close proximity so I can go back and forth between the hair dryer and stealing kisses and watch John play with him. We get the sweetest giggles and smiles during this time.

If you had told me even a month ago that this would be true I would have called you a liar. And, it has really changed my outlook on mornings. I'm in a much better mood when I get to work and am much more willing to talk to people before 8:30.

But just to be careful, unless you are my absolutely adorable 15 week old son or his wonderful father who plays with him while I fix my hair, I wouldn't chance it.



Monday, April 29, 2013

back in the saddle


Friday was my first day back at work from maternity leave. I will be part time for two weeks before the madness of summer. While I missed the boy, it definitely felt good to be in the office working toward a successful summer.


Then I returned today. This morning was rough. After lots of tears from both of us, I finally made it in. Luckily a sweet friend sent these over to me to welcome me back. And someone brought donuts to staff meeting. The day is looking up.

And soon I get to leave and go spend more time with my baby. Good times.

Monday, April 15, 2013

looking back

The other day I decided to take a walk down memory lane and read through my old posts. Fun times. There were some good ones. A few stood out...

Like this one where I planned to make some "art" as a headboard.

Or here where I committed to giving up some TV shows. I have given in and picked a few of those back up (ahem....bachelor......ahem).

So thankful for progress made on this issue but hopeful for more in the near future.

And these words about marriage. I feel them even more strongly now that John and I are responsible for a tiny human.

And the one where I say I'm not that into pinterest. Meanwhile....1,422 pins later...

I think I was planning on making a bunch of lists? I'm not sure...

Coming soon....looking forward.

Monday, April 1, 2013

resurrect

In the spirit of Easter, I think I may resurrect this space. I have so much added joy. Might as well celebrate it. We shall see how it goes.

Here is my first effort. Happy Easter!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

marriage

I've been enjoying this song lately. Every time I hear it I am reminded of how much I love the husband and how lucky we are to live our life together. This is my favorite part of the song.

"I do" are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another I've heard
Is a good place to begin

'Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it's an easy price
For the life that we have found

And we're dancing in the minefields

We're sailing in the storm
This is harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for

So when I lose my way, find me

When I loose love's chains, bind me
At the end of all my faith, till the end of all my days
When I forget my name, remind me