one
Here’s what I’ve been doing with myself during the days the last couple of weeks: I’m almost completely caught up with Downton Abbey, I finished 30 Rock, made more progress on my autumn sampler, framed another old completed project, and am almost done with a birth cross stitch for Liam (will share both soon). I finished my 2013 Project Life album and have started planning for 2014, I read the book Redeeming Love and am currently working my way through both Joyland by Stephen King and Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. I’m also doing a Bible study with the women at my church even though I can only attend a couple of the meetings, but I am doing the workbook on my own. It’s Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore and so far it might be my favorite of hers I’ve done, and it is very needed at this point in my life.
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I love the Mei tai baby carrier for newborns. I can’t do slings (I need the symmetry of both shoulders), wraps take too much time, and the Ergo (my all-time fave) is for older babies (I have the infant insert but can’t master it). Since we don’t have a good double stroller I’ve been doing all our neighborhood walks with it.
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Speaking of neighborhood walks, a fellow mom introduced herself to me while we were walking last week. I was so excited because she was super friendly and has kids the same age as mine. I wanted to follow up on it so I left a note on her door with my contact info, she texted me a few days later, and since then we have gone for a walk together and I went to her house for breakfast and coffee. We have a lot in common and I’m just so happy to have a friend in the neighborhood.
four
I finally broke down and bought a couple of pairs of transitional jeans in the size I’m at now. I won’t lie, it was hard, but at least I can feel more normal when getting dressed now. I am currently planning an overhaul of my entire wardrobe. This week I went through and got rid of everything that I never wear, doesn’t fit, or was worn out. I probably cut my clothes in half or more, and it felt so good. From now on I am going to be extremely selective about the clothes I buy, and I will save up for higher quality items that I really love.
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Liam is six weeks old now, and at his one month checkup he was in the 85th percentile for both height and weight. He’s doing great and I’m cherishing these last few weeks we get to spend together.
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I’m feeling more and more like myself these days. I can tell by the energy I have and the fact that the list of projects I want to complete is growing longer and longer. Right now they all revolve around decorating and simplifying. I can’t do it all at once though, so for now I’m trying to stick to one goal at a time and to keep from adding any more stuff to the house. I also want to set up some new routines to get back into normal life. Some things with work are changing (in a good way…will share soon) so that I will have more time at home and I’m hoping to be able to exercise and cook again. I’m really not dreading going back to work, and I am so grateful for that. Perhaps it’s easier the second time around, or maybe I just love my job. Either way, I’m at a good place right now.
From Nora:
I’m so glad you are in a good place and feeling more like yourself. I can hear it in your post, if that makes any sense.
It’s so fun to have friends in the neighborhood! We made friends with one of the other young couples up the road from us and while we don’t see them a ton it’s nice to walk dogs, to walk up the street to their house and have some wine, and walk back home! (We have them over, too, but they have a 6 month old so they have schedules and things to stick to.)
Happy Friday, friend.
From Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout:
I was the same way – didn’t dread going back to work nearly as much the second time. I’m interested to hear what changes you have in store. I’m still only working 4 days a week and I honestly have no clue how I will keep things running at home once I go back full time.
I’ve been doing lots of freezer cooking lately, it really does help save time in the evenings and get dinner on the table with less stress.
From Holly:
I’m glad you’re feeling more like yourself! Ellie’s going to be a year old in three weeks and I’m just starting to feel more like myself now that she’s finally sleeping more!!! I’m working from home in the evenings but I really look forward to it – it’s more “normal”, being back in the working world!