Wow, a new year, when did that happen? I am actually quite excited at all the things this year may hold. It will bring a lot of firsts for miss P, Jackson will be three, and D and I will both turn 30. Crazy. It should be fun. I actually set some goals for the year, which unfortunately is unusual for me. Here they are...not too many, but hopefully reasonable enough that I can actually do them.
1. Work out three times a week. (Hopefully more, but as I said, I don't like to fail :)) I would LOVE, LOVE to get down to at least my
pre-
Paigie weight. I will give myself a while to do so after I finish nursing, because heaven knows I don't lose weight while I am doing that. (Nursing is a sacrifice--seriously. I am glad I do it, but it is always nice when I am done too...I get myself back.) Okay, little tangent.
2. Start "studying" the scriptures again. After my mission I thought it would never be an issue...why can't everyone find time to have
meaningful, thought provoking scripture study?? Then I had kids. Enough said. I really want to make this part of my life again. I need it. I need to feel like I am doing the things I need to. For blessings, yes, but also for my own personal fulfillment (also, a blessing--I guess.) Anyway, this is the second thing I am going to do (see my positive thinking at work?)
3. Really focus on improving my photography. I wish there were more classes available, but alas, I live in a small(
ish) town and there really is
nuttin. I want to read books and more importantly spend more time practicing. For me trial and error has been the best way to learn. I especially want to focus on lighting.
4. Be more positive and less critical of myself and others. This goal is a little more ambiguous, I guess. I come from a somewhat critical family and I think that it can be good because it helps, you always set high expectations and work hard to achieve them. HOWEVER, I think it is mainly destructive because I can never live up to my own expectations nor can others. I really want to do this mainly for my kids. I want them to be happy and positive--more like their dad (who sadly I have rubbed off on a little too much). Any suggestions on how to do this would be greatly appreciated.
There they are. Hopefully I won't forget about them by next week.
Christmas was great at the Shaw house. It was just us (Grandma came for breakfast and to watch us open gifts). Jackson was excited and totally content with all his goodies. In fact, he spent the rest of the week enjoying them. Didn't ask for a movie once. It was great. It has continued into this week, but without quite as much novelty. I felt good because I really felt like we didn't go overboard which was my main goal. He {insert HUGE heart} his trampoline. He wants to jump all the time. Santa didn't even swear when he assembled it (at least not that I heard). It was FREEZING on Christmas eve so I am impressed that he got it done. A good
BYU friend was here for Christmas with his in-laws and he came over and helped which was nice.
Christmas morning was a little
disappointing for J when he woke up. We told him Santa had come and he wanted to go see him. We explained that Santa had left and his face immediately got sad. He thought that when we said Santa was coming that he was coming to hang out with us. He got over it once he got on his trampoline.
J and D really made out like bandits...J got a Thomas
duplo set which he really has fun with. He has really enjoyed building with his
duplos lately (
legos for little kids). I think we will get some more sets for his birthday. I like sets that I can add to and that keep him busy. He also got a Buzz
Lightyear with which he has been completely enamored. He always yells, "to infinity and beyond" when he runs down the driveway to Grams house. He also got a Leapfrog computer and some books from Nana and Papa, some Play-do (which much to my chagrin has already been intermixed--hate that) and a Bob the Builder movie from
Gma Dee and
Gpa George and a few other assorted stocking goodies from us. Oh yeah, and some more play-do and Hungry Hungry hippos from aunts and uncles. He was a happy camper.
D got his road bike and tons of RB gear. I think he thinks the living room is going to be a permanent house for the bike :). He loves it. He went on his first official ride yesterday and was in heaven. He has a good
suga' mama.
Now a little year in review:
Of course
Paigie was the most exciting event of the year and although she has changed
immensely in her seven months of life (can you believe she is already seven months??) her changes have mostly been sitting, finally rolling over, squealing, eating baby food, sleeping through the night and such new baby feats.
Here are some of J's highlights as of today:
Favorite breakfast--"
hootnenany" (
hootenany or
german) pancake
Favorite movie--depends on the day really, but I would have to say anything
Vege tale (quite witty movies, actually)
Favorite treat--
hershey kisses (what he just told me) or cookie dough
Favorite toys--Bob the Builder,
Duplos, Play-do, Books, Buzz
LightyearFavorite books--Dr. Seuss, Disney Storybooks
Favorite songs--Popcorn, Leafy Tree Tops, Bob the Builder
Favorite color--usually pink, although he is saying blue today
Best friend--Marissa
I finally feel like Jackson has turned a corner on driving me insane. Seriously, for a while there I was ready to ship him to some band of gypsies. The last few weeks, however, I feel like he has matured (a crazy word for an almost three year old), but really he understands consequences a little more which has resulted in better decisions and he has played by himself more. Can't quite explain it, but all I know is that is has been much more pleasurable to be his mother.
Hmmm, what else, I guess really I should go get something done around here. Hope all of my followers :) had a great Christmas and that this year is good to you.