6. What would you like to have next year that you didn't have this year?
More sleep and more time to workout!
7. Did you make new year's resolutions, and did you keep them? Will you make more for next year?
This was the first year in many years that I did not make any goals for 2018. I figured that our first year of parenting would provide enough challenges and wow was I right! I'm going to do a '19 in 2019' list which is a list of things I want to accomplish in 2019, both big and small. I consider that different than resolutions, though. I'm a lover of lists and having a to-do list motivates me so I think that would be a good way to get some pesky tasks completed plus some fun things, too.
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Providing milk for Paul for the first year of his life. As of today I have enough milk frozen to feed Paul until he turns one! I'm going to start to wean off the pump once I have a little more frozen than I need in case he has some bigger eating days.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Ugh, I don't like the word "failure." So instead I will say my biggest "lesson" has been how hard it is to be a working mom. I had to really adjust my expectations for things like working out and investing time in friendships.
10. What did you rely on when you were overwhelmed?
First and foremost, Phil. He's been an excellent partner. I've also leaned on Amber for a lot of advice and support as she's just 3 months ahead of me in the adventure of parenting your first child and we are very similar in terms of personality (type A upholders)!
8 comments:
I like the idea of replacing failure with lesson! It puts a more positive spin on a potentially negative thing. Hopefully, now that you're nearly finished pumping, you can get some of your life back! I can only imagine how difficult not being able to work out regularly has been for you. <3
Love that you replaced "failure" with "lesson" ... so much better!! And I'm so glad we've been able to message each other and be there for each other so much during this first full year of parenthood. Having other mothers to talk to and learn from, even ones that live far away, has been huge for me. There's just nothing quite like the experience a mother is going through, so having other friends in the thick of it with you is invaluable. I also love these questions and definitely plan to repeat them on my blog!
I agree with the others about failure and lesson. Very wise, you are! Interesting list!
Yay for being done pumping!!! I'm glad that you recognize that you have learned so many lessons this year about being a working mom and you did not list that as a failure! You have been through such an incredible year and there have been SO MANY CHANGES!!!! I can't even imagine how topsy turvy life must feel at times! I'm so glad that you and Amber have been able to lean on each other!!! Hopefully 2019 brings a bit more sleep!!!
I know you won't miss pumping, and that you have enough breast milk stored until he's one is amazing! As he eats more foods, he will drink less, too, so you will be ahead of the game, I bet!
Parenting is a learning game, as you have discovered, and nothing is text book sure with any baby, but all in all, you have done amazing as a first time Mom and a working Mom at that!
And I'm glad you don't view any experience as a failure! That is a healthy attitude.
Keep on learning and know you have done an amazing job. Paul is the prime example of that!
So glad you have Amber to talk motherhood with!
Love this list of questions, some of which are hard (things you wanted and didn't get?). You had quite the year! But after such a challenging pregnancy, you have this cute and funny little guy, and you are massively winning at working and motherhood, so good job!
I don't like the word "failure" either.
It's so nice that you and Amber can talk about motherhood and parenting. I can't imagine how challenging it would be to go through all of the changes that parenting brings without having a girlfriend to chat with who is going through the same things. Christopher and I have a pretty tight knit group of friends with many, many kids in the group. All the ladies had kids basically right at the same time, so about 6-8 of them were on maternity leave together for each of their children! We get together as a big group very often, camp together, etc., and it's like a little village working together to take care of all the kids.
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