This Year vs. Last Year

Last December, I had so much time.

Despite the fact that Nolan was a mere two months old, and big brother Aiden was a precocious two-and-three quarters, I had so much time.

I could plan fun activities, like going to the mall to see Santa (something I’d never done as a kid, but wanted to try with my boys), baking Christmas cookies, and all those holiday bucket list items you’re supposed to cross off. It was the PERFECT time of year to be on maternity leave.

This year, there’s not nearly as much time. My Monday through Friday, 9-5 job (which I am ridiculously thankful for, thankyouverymuch) doesn’t afford me as much time—or to be perfectly honest, energy—to plan so many activities. It sucks because I want to do all the things we did last year (and more), but there are only so many hours in a day, and the boys need to be fed and bathed and read to and then there’s laundry and getting things in order for the sitter’s house (not mention my job) in the morning…just not enough time.

This is a tough balance, this working mom stuff. I’m pretty seasoned at it by now—I’ve got nearly 4 years under my belt—and I’ve got a great amount of help from the hubster, but this time of year, with all the fun and pressures brought on by the holiday season, I notice it a bit more.

But I’ve got to get it in gear. I’ve got big plans for 2012, especially in my personal life. Shedding a few pounds is at the top of that list (seeing myself in my sister’s wedding photos has provided a lot of motivation for that), closely followed by a desire to be more healthy in general (let’s face it—I’m not getting any younger). I also want to be a better mom, wife, employee--all that stuff.

So while I may have started off this post a bit whiney, I'm ending positively. Looking forward to 2012, and wishing everyone else out there the Happiest of New Years :)

Merry Christmas to All :)

Wordless Wednesday: O Christmas Tree

Linking up with and then, she {snapped}.

10 Things I Think I Think, I'm Sick AGAIN Edition

10. Sad that I end up doing these lists either when I'm home sick, or home with sick kiddos. Obviously from the title, this time it's the former. Sore throat, throbbing ears, pounding headache, and a fever that had me laying on the couch all day yesterday. Doctor's appointment this afternoon--hopefully she can fix me.

9. Sent the boys to the sitter this morning. I figured I was already paying for it, and I was hoping to take a nap, but the timing of my dr. appt killed that plan. Oh well. Might as well keep them on schedule.

8. THISCLOSE to pulling the trigger on a Kindle Fire. It's my present to myself for doing so well with Scentsy over the past two weeks. Plus I love how it's pre-loaded with a ton of children's books, so looks like A & N will be getting some use as well.

7. Can't figure out how Christmas is less than two weeks away. Maternity leave throughout December last year meant I could really soak in the holidays; now I feel as if I trying to jam it all in. Probably why I'm sick. *SIGH*

6. Still trying to process the changes my employer began outlining last week. I don't typically talk about work on here, and thus I will remain strategically vague, but it is public knowledge. I totally understand why it had to happen, but nonetheless, a few of my friends and coworkers lost their jobs. Such a weird dynamic being thankful that I still have my own job, and feeling so terrible for those that got bad news.

5. Nolan has his own little language. With Aiden, we when straight from "MaMa" and "DaDa" to "Why yes, Mother, I'd love a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios!," so it's fun to listen to Nolan telling us all about his day in words & syllables we can't understand. He's got such conviction when he speaks to us--I smile just thinking about it.

4. Aiden had a checkup for his collarbone last Friday; his healing is going wonderfully well. He no longer needs to wear the brace at night, and on Christmas Day, he'll be done with it for good. Can't say I'll miss that thing.

3. Excited to be able to see all my sisters & brother again in just a few weeks. Christmas makes me insanely excited, as do my impending 10 days off work. :):):):):):):):):):)

2. Just remembered I have tickets to another OSU basketball game next month. The only thing to be excited about in January.

1. When Aiden went to the ER for his collarbone, he weighed in at a whopping 26.2 lb. A few days later when I took Nolan to the pediatrician for a nasty cough, he weighed in at 21.5 lb. That's only a five-pound difference, and they're two years eight months a part. I think Nolan might catch up to Aiden by the spring. Things could get very interesting around here...

Wordless Wednesday: Santa :)

Linking up with and then, she {snapped}.