2012: Goals & Updates

Holidays are over. Decorations are away. Routine is back in place. I am back to the gym. Ready for another year. Here is to wishful thinking that 2012 is going to be my best year thus far!

Approach = I’m gonna make this year all about me (where possible). I’m sure you are thinking this is sounding a bit selfish but is it really possible for a mom to be selfish? Not in my world. What I mean by this is I am going to start squeezing in more time for myself wherever I can find it. Time to read, time to study, time to exercise, time to socialize, time to relax. Can’t wait.

I am sure if you scroll down through previous blog posts you will see that I have said this before but I am about to repeat anyhow: Being a working mom has got to be one of the most exhausting jobs out there or maybe it is just exhausting for me at this moment because my little one is hitting the terrible 2 stage and there is a lot going on with Jack these days??? Please tell me it gets less tiresome…please?! Shouldn’t complain too much as I know I am not cut out to be a ‘stay at hom'er’ either. I need to have that reason to get up and get going, do my makeup, and put on something other than a hoodie in the morning. For me that reason is my career and as tiring as it is doing both it feels great to have that purpose that is solely designed for me each day. Goal number one for 2012 = turn the exhaustion around through daily exercise on my lunch hour which will help me focus and really push myself in my career this year.

Goal number two = bottle banishing. Staying at home over the holidays did help with the latest major accomplishment in our home. Jack has given up his bottle (he was so attached it was becoming a prop in every single photo we took of him). It happened by force not by choice. I always thought I would let him decide when he no longer needed it but I was beginning to think if I went with that game plan he would never let it go and would be dragging it to school in a few more years. As tough as it was we have done it! He has finally let it go and I withstood the cranky days and sobbing bedtimes. It took 3 straight days of total upset and then an additional 4 days of adjustment but I really do think we might finally have it conquered at this point. Cheers to that!!! Feels great to accomplish a goal so early in the year.

Fits. Another thing that is becoming more and more common with my precious little boy. How on earth do I stop them? They seem endless right now. Fits over everything. Ugh! Anyone have any good reads on this topic? If so – I am INTERESTED. Goal number three = determine and stick to a discipline tactic that works for us. This is going to be the hardest of them all!

So there it is. My plan for 2012. My personal & my motherly goals. It's almost exciting to jot it down and make it official.

Christmas Is Coming!

Jack and I have been busy decorating for the holiday season. We plan to get Pat involved this weekend as we have tasked him with hanging the lights outside. It does seem early this year but everyone else on my road seems to have their decorations up so I guess we will follow suit.

I am so proud of my little man. He is a total chatter box. He seems to be able to pronounce and remember any word we teach him. A complete sponge! Recently he has been learning about snowmen and Santa. He knows that Santa says ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and when asked “What do you think Santa will bring you for Christmas Jack” he responds quite quickly with “A Bike!”. Bikes are still his favourite. Of course there are many more meaningful things to teach him about the holidays, we are just getting started.

Last night we attended the Tree Lighting in our town’s centre. It draws a crowd every year and it is so nice to see the community out and about together as a community. This upcoming Saturday we will be front row centre for the Santa Claus parade in Nanny’s porch. I LOVE that the Christmas spirit is already in the air. Such a magical time of year especially when seeing everything through a child’s eyes.

Happy Father's Day 2011.

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." ~Clarence Budington Kelland

I have a feeling that this quote will sum up how Jack feels about his daddy in a few years.  Happy Father's Day to a great daddy!

Easter Sunday.

It is my first Easter without my mom and Jack's first Easter ever.  Mom, Papa and Kenz are in Florida for this Easter holiday.  Hope they are having fun and nice weather.  They deserve it!  Grammie Kathy and Grampie Jim are in Cuba.  It is strange for Pat and I to be on our own for a holiday where we are usually running back and forth to at least 2 or 3 dinners.  GG had dinner for us Friday night.  So we are the chefs today.  I decided to make a beef stew as we have already had a ham dinner and stew is Jack's favourite right now.   Plus it totally helps that I can make it in the slow cooker and not have to think about it again until we are ready to eat.  I love slow cookers!  Definitely invented for busy moms on the go.

Jack was up bright and early this morning.  He found all of the Easter eggs the Easter bunny hid for him and had a blast with his Easter basket.  Kids are so fun.  Brings back memories of my own holidays at home.  Luckily the Easter bunny knows I am starting to get annoyed with the 'new' fancy toys that ALL have batteries and make loud sounds, so he brought old fashioned toys like shovels, rakes, blocks, etc...Jack was pleased too.  Happy Easter! Love; PB&J.

 



Love is in the air!

Happy Valentines day!  Or Love day as I like to call it.  Today I am spending my love day with my cute lil buddy.  He now gives me kisses and calls me mum mum...what more could I ask for?

Baby's First Christmas!

We had a very Merry Christmas and all got a tad spoiled. Pat, Jack and I were able to stay home all Christmas day. Our family came to us this year. It was so nice to have them all here under our little roof. We had a lot of fun but were all very tired after the day was over. It was a blessing to be home and have Jack in his own bed for naps. Made the day a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. Best decision we ever made. Thanks to our family for going along with our plan! Here are a few shots from the day.

So Blessed!

Tis' the time of year to count your blessings! Amoung many other things I have to be thankful for this year, including my family and health, I have recieved the most beautiful son and god-son.

Kyran Seagan Gray's baptism was held at the Catholic church in Johnville, NB on December 19th. It was a beautiful service in a gorgeous little church near Bath and was even attended by their Bishop. A special day for a special boy.

This child is as close to my heart as my son. It is so wonderful for me to be able to share motherhood this year for the first time with my best friend Sarah. If you would have seen us this Sunday calming our babes at church you would think we are already pros.

Congrats Sarah and Ash for having such a beautiful healthy boy and thank you for letting us share in such a special part of his life, his faith. We love you!! xo

Snazzy Jack.

Here is Jack all jazzed up for his Sunday School Christmas concert. When shopping for the outfit I forgot I needed dress shoes so the Red Converse had to do. I also forgot he was playing Baby Jesus so he looked a tad modern for the role but I thought his first concert was perfect all the same. He was so well behaved. Thank you to the St. James Sunday school for reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas Da Da!

Pat got an early Christmas present this week. Jack is now calling him Da Da and it is as clear as day. I woke up this morning to him repeating da da da da over and over. The boys were down stairs wide awake playing while mama got an extra hour of sleep. Pat said he just started as soon as he woke up and continued saying it for the entire hour. It is adorable. He is so proud of himself!

Jack is off to his sunday school Christmas concert tonight at 6. Wish him luck in his first theatrical debut!

Baby's First Christmas Tree!

The tree has been trimmed...we are officially ready for santa! Pat and I put up the tree last night while Jack was all snuggled in bed. What a surprise he had this morning when he came down stairs to see more of his favourite thing....lights!!! It took him 5 minutes to scoot across the living room, find a detour around the baracade I made and grab at the soft ornaments I hung near the bottom for him. He is a quick one! I thought I was safe for the morning at least...guess again!

Woke up to a message from a best friend this morning who is on the other side of the world. She got the card and pic we put in the mail for her. Had tears in my eyes as I realised how hard it would be this year without a few of my really close friends around for the holidays. Girls we will be missing you here in Tracey Mills!!! On a brighter note other best buds Sarah and Ash will be home in 2 days with their new ray of sunshine Kyran. Jack and I can't wait!!!!!! It is going to be a blast sharing our boy's first Christmas together.

17 days until Christmas. Can this be true? Where has the year gone? I don't even want to think about how many days I have left of mat leave right now...won't bother with the calculation as it will only depress me. Is it really possible that 2011 is right around the corner? Jack has certainly taught me to appreciate time. So I won't wish it away by doing the usual Christmas countdown...instead I will cherish every single day I have left of this year with my boy. I see this becoming a New Years resolution.. No more wishing away time, only cherishing every moment...the sleepless nights and all.

Nap time is almost over which means I am almost back on duty. We have nothing scheduled for the day today, only relaxing in our jammies and watching some Christmas cartoons (Jack loves them because they have so much music in them).

Tis the Season!

The snow is falling and the Christmas parties have begun. The Christmas season is here! Pat brought home the tree last night. Hopefully we can get it up in the next day or so. Jack is very much on the move now so it should be interesting to see what he thinks of it and if I can keep him away from it. This will be the first year that we can't decorate the bottom branches and we are so excited. Baby's first Christmas!

We met santa for the first time at the McCain children's Christmas party on Saturday. No tears, just very confused looks (below). It really is amazing how much effort is put into that party. They really do a lot for the kids and really make them feel special. I was so impressed!!!

Today is a snow day. They have become so much more appealing since I no longer have to go out on the roads when I do not want to. We are staying in today cozied up in our pjs watching Christmas cartoons and snuggling. Maternity leave rocks! Hope you have a chance to enjoy your snow day. We will post again soon with pics of the tree.

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