Looking Back and Looking Forward 2010 & 2011

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Found others with kids that are actually cool - CHECK. Maybe they'll eventually merit an invite into my LoT world, heh.

There are areas that I'm very laid back about with Theo and others where I do obsess a bit. It can be hard to not second guess yourself when you have very little feedback from someone who can't tell you what they need. I can't say I'm fully successful at tamping down the crazy but I'm doing as well as I can. I will continue to work on it.

For 2011...I use a lot of tools in my parenting kit, including Patience, Playfulness, Optimism, Joy...and they need sharpening constantly. I resolve to keep smiling amidst hard days because he deserves the best mom I can be.

I resolve to have more people over, and to visit people more often. Sure, there are limitations, but there are also many possibilities.

Sigh, I'd like to say that I resolve to follow my creative heart and make Halloween costumes for babies...but I just don't think I can make the time. Ok, I resolve to continue to consider it and not give up on it.

Now that you've had Theo a good amount of time, and gotten to know him pretty well (although he still has some surprises for you), I'm curious: What have you found to be the most difficult thing about being a Mom (and there will be more than one answer), and what is the most surprising? I've had my girl for 15+ years, and I am supremely grateful for each and every moment. I never thought I would be a Mom- I really didn't think I could have kids, and had settled in to being a total Uber-Auntie before the happy surprise. My most difficult things- watching kids and parents be stupid and unkind, and not being able to stop the illness that took her hearing. My best: realizing she was her own little person, with her own likes and dislikes, and learning how to cater to them. (I foolishly thought I would have at least a semblance of influence in these areas...) Also, when I realized that her hearing loss didn't define her, but it contributed to the awesome person she is.

My 2010 was rather 'eh'- neither good nor bad. The worst part of it was when my sis lost her job- I was so worried about her (she's a total workaholic) and I was so very happy for her when she landed in an even better situation. I also had to have a couple of esophageal biopsies, which was a bit scary as I had a 2 out of three chance of having something bad. I lucked out and got a serious food allergy, which at press time seems to be wheat. (Try to find things without wheat or gluten in them- I dares ya!). Let's just say I'm ecstatic about Trader Joes finally coming to Spokane. (Woot!)

[Stan4dSteph]

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

I will finish a half marathon.

Did that.

I don't have any resolutions for this year. I'd like to move to a new job, but I don't have much hope it will happen.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

(Try to find things without wheat or gluten in them- I dares ya!)

ThinKrisps!

And bacon.

I generally don't do resolutions, you know, "one day at a time" and all that. But, this year, there's a role in a play that I want. And I should be about 30 pounds lighter for it. This may finally be the one thing that inspires me enough to do that very difficult thing of combining self-denial with exercise.

I'd love to have my own kitchen, instead of a once a week rental. In my own space I could ramp up production, improve the packaging, and finally get a crew trained to do everything I'm still doing. My dream would be to get the business self-maintaining so I could concentrate on theatre.

Aaand, I'm tired of being single, or dating the "come closer, get away" crowd. I'm ready to meet nice, potential keeper types.

I should probably tidy my bedroom, just in case.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

Aaand, I'm tired of being single, or dating the "come closer, get away" crowd. I'm ready to meet nice, potential keeper types.

I should probably tidy my bedroom, just in case.

Mr. Wonderful is waiting for you! And I agree, the "get away, closer" crowd is annoying and a waste of time.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Erica - I had been wondering about you, and now I hope you can follow through and let us know how you are doing, even when the news isn't great. We're here for you. *hug*

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Now that you've had Theo a good amount of time, and gotten to know him pretty well (although he still has some surprises for you), I'm curious: What have you found to be the most difficult thing about being a Mom (and there will be more than one answer), and what is the most surprising?

I'll try to not completely derail the thread. Difficult...As Theo gets older it becomes harder to remember to be patient. Amazingly, I find myself annoyed that he doesn't understand or do what I tell him. Ha. Surprising - well, to be honest, I'm surprised at my own lack of patience, as I had seemingly infinite patience for the first few months, and I never would have guessed that I would expect anything but unpredictability and lack of cooperation from a baby.

Originally Posted by lashbear

• Removing some of the clutter in our unit to make it more liveable. Surfaces, sweetie, surfaces !

Oh lordy, if only! There's no such thing as an empty surface in our house, and I expect that will always be the case.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Amazingly, I find myself annoyed that he doesn't understand or do what I tell him.

CP, I don't mean to burst your bubble, but the problems still exist in my 5, 7 and 9 year old.

[katiesue]

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

CP, I don't mean to burst your bubble, but the problems still exist in my 5, 7 and 9 year old.

and my 14 almost 15 year old.

[Snowflake]

2010
My big goal is out of cc debt, was almost there this year, but things happened and being he sole provider sort of messed me up in this regard. Getting there, but it's going to take more hard work, more belt tightening and I know I can do it.

Other big goal is 50lbs by my 50th birthday. Not an unreasonable goal, I sincerely hope it's more, but I thought this would be a good start. So, continued good health and better heath is the goal.

Disneyland, at least once, preferably twice.

Be a kinder person and a better friend to all.

Declutter. I've got too much stuff.

Be more creative, artistic, expressive.

Right now, this is about all I can think of.

Well, I did not do too well in 2010. Here's hoping I do better in 2011!

#1 like 2010 is to finish retiring the credit card debt. I made progress, but, not enough to retire it all. Like Rosie the Riveter, this year I can do it!

#2 I lost 20lbs which is something to crow about, but not the 50lbs I was shooting for. At least 20 more lbs is the goal.

#3 Never made it to Disneyland, pretty pathetic! I'll be in LA in May, I hope I can take a few days extra and pay a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth and maybe say hello to some swanky folks if they're around.

#4 I think I've been kinder, not had any complaints and actually got some compliments!

#5 I've decluttered, but can do more, still too much stuff. More decluttering!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Well, I did not do too well in 2010.

Your signature says otherwise, missy.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Your signature says otherwise, missy.

GD, you are right about that.

It's been a gift that keeps on giving!