Just Wait a Day...

On Wednesday of this week I was starting to wonder how much longer I could stand the monotony of my job. It was making me crazy trying to think of things to do to keep myself busy. I was starting to get nervous, wondering if I was expendable. I was really stressed about it all Wednesday night. But then I came in Thursday morning, and surprise! I was assigned an additional project, and it sounds like a good one. I've also been worried (or trying not to worry) about being assigned to a job that's really far away, but this one is only 45 minutes away and I only have to travel there once a week. Not bad! Suddenly I'm busy starting up this new project, and I felt great today, rushing around getting things done. I was always slammed at my job in Seattle, and I liked the hustle and bustle.

As for my new new years resolutions, I'm doing pretty well. I was a couple minutes late a couple days this week, but the worst day was 3 minutes. I'm starting to make time to call family, and I've also worked out twice this week. Both times were really tough. I did a Biggest Loser DVD one night and was sore for 2 days afterwards. I checked out some additional workout DVDs from the library today to keep it interesting.

I'm weaning Brenden this week. Tonight was supposed to be our first night without nursing, but he's sick with a cold and I didn't think it was the best night for a big change. We'll make the switch sometime in the next week, so he'll be ready for my trip out of town. I'm heading to Indianapolis for 3 days of training, one of which happens to be on Valentine's Day. I'm not thrilled about it, but it's not the end of the world. And since I have no choice, we'll just deal with it.

My New New Years Resolutions

My original new years resolution was to worry less. Three weeks into the year I'm sticking to that resolution pretty easily. It helps that life is simpler now than it has been in years. Brenden's new ear tubes are a big help too - knowing that he's happy and comfortable makes life a lot smoother for all of us.

I've found a new way to deal with worry that makes a big difference. If I'm worrying about something stupid (and 98% of the time it's stupid), I make time to focus on the problem and identify possible solutions. I like to do this in a sort of "worry journal." I focus on how the problem makes me feel, and a lot of time that helps me realize the worry is causing a lot more grief than is warranted. Trying to identify solutions is the most helpful part of all. If there's nothing I can do, what's the point in worrying? If there is something I can do, I write out the steps to take, then mark them on my calendar. Voila, problem solved. Whether there's a solution or not, after my worry session I realize there's no point in fretting over the problem anymore.

As for money worries (the bulk of my worries), Adam and I have started having a "money meeting" every week. We check to see how well we're sticking to our budget and take care of paying bills. This is a big relief for me. We share the responsibility of managing our money, and I only let myself fret about money during that time. The rest of the week, it doesn't really matter how little money we have!

So I found some new things I'd like to improve in my life. These are things that I had to let go of during Brenden's infant stage. Looking back I'm blown away by how hard life was back then. Every spare second of my day was filled to the brim with demands. Now Brenden is sleeping well and he doesn't need 5 things from me all at the same time while he's awake. So here are the things I want to accomplish:

1. Be to work on time (I am cursed with tardiness. I am always 2-5 minutes late, every day. I cannot explain this phenomenon, but I plan to beat it.)

Plan of Action: Get up 5 minutes earlier, every day, until I start getting to work on time. Knowing that I'll get less sleep the next night if I don't get my butt in gear should help motivate me to move faster.)

2. Keep in better touch with my family.

Plan of Action: To keep time from getting away from me, I will make a note on my calendar to remind me to call my family members who live far away. I know that's a bit Type-A, but that kind of stuff works for me.

3. Exercise

Plan of Action: We just cleaned up our basement and have a nice area with a TV to do workout DVDs. I can do a 20-30 minute workout after B goes to bed and still have plenty of time to read or watch TV. I'm also going to go walking over lunch with a friend on nicer days. In all I'd like to exercise 3 times a week, whether that's an exercise DVD, a walk, or even a fun yoga class.

It's Been a While!

I haven't posted a blog in a while! We've had a lot going on, with the holidays, and most recently with Brenden's surgery to put tubes in his ears. He has suffered through awful ear infections since October, so he desperately needed them. The surgeon told us the fluid in B's ears was some of the thickest he's ever seen. I feel bad thinking of all the pain he's gone through. But now he's all fixed up and he should feel better and hear much better.

He has started talking more and more, and I'm amazed how well he understands us. This morning he didn't want to put his shoes on to go out, so I explained to him that we had to put his shoes on so he could "go with Mommy to the store." He calmed down and put his shoes on right away. Then when we got home, he didn't want to get out of the car until I told him we were going inside to have lunch.

Some of Brenden's first words:
Mama
Dada
uh-oh
no
dogga (doggie)
ki-ki (kitty-kitty)
nana (banana)
hot
cold

It is really fun to be able to communicate with him more. Being a mom gets easier and easier for me. I'm able to do things around the house as we go through our day on the weekends, so I don't have to wait until those precious moments when someone else is watching B or he's asleep. Today I was able to vaccuum with him in the room for the first time. (I used to have to make an elaborate plan to find a time to do it.)

Adam and I still miss some things about Seattle, especially my job. I had a job I LOVED with awesome insurance and a great salary. We went from coasting along just fine financially to dog-paddling desperately until help comes along. (In the form of a raise or better job for Adam.) I really like some things about my current job, but I have to deal with some drama I'm not used to. With my job in Seattle I just threw myself in 100% and did great. But here I have to worry about politics and watch what I say really closely.

Hopefully I will get more comfortable at work. It's stressful at times but it's well worth being close to our families and living in a great house. I love this house so much I would give it a big hug if my arms were long enough. Someone could offer me a bigger house in a better neighborhood, with a dishwasher and an attached garage, and I wouldn't want to move. (though I might try to talk them into just giving me the dishwasher!)

Ok, time to wake B up from his nap. He's been fighting his naps lately and didn't go down until 3:30 today. I will pay for that big time tonight when he refuses to go to bed!