August 2013 Goal Assessment; September Goals!

I just found this NOT published in my queue - OOPSIE! On to what I had written but not posted ... :)And it's fall. Wow. I have officially been Beckett's stay-at-home mom for almost three solid months. Crazy! I'm definitely into getting into a new rhythm, but I will say this month really hit me like wow, this is your life now. You are not on extended maternity leave. This change is something I chose, and something I wanted, but I think we all know that when you make a big change you leave a part of yourself behind. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do feel like sometimes I don't recognize myself! Anyway - enough brain/feelings dump. Here is a look at what we set out to do in August, and what we accomplished!

1. Declutter these spaces: (1) attic; (2) garage; (3) master bedroom nightstands; (4) pantry; (5) guest room closets; (6) Upstairs Den closets; (7) Kitchen Cabinets; (8) Laundry Room; (9) Top shelf of closet/shoes. Yeah no, I decluttered nothing. I wasn't feeling it and I just don't think a good productive declutter happens unless you're feeling it. So perhaps in September?
2. Apply David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' principles to house (related to above declutter!). Couldn't really do it without the first one - on to September.
3. Workout/wear HRM for at least 5 days/hours per week: 3 - 4 classes and 2 - 3 walks. I think I did great here! Maybe closer to 2 - 3 classes and 2 walks but I felt like I really made this a focus. I didn't lose anymore weight this month, but didn't gain any either. I hope to lose more weight in September and continue to keep this a focus.
4. Beckett Activities: (1) Finalize '6 - 9 Month activities' for Beckett; do 3 new activities per week. (2) Catch up on Beckett's monthly favorites - Do Months 1 - 5. (3) Make new foods: prunes, green beans, peas, bananas and avocados. (4) Start photo replication project I did all of these except for catching up on monthly favorites - moving that to September along with other new goals!
5. Finish Study: (1) find new bookcase solution/purchase/decorate; (2) remove tables/rug that will not live in this room; (3) put together desk; (4) hang NY canvas; (5)  print and frame family/Beckett photos; (6) determine where to hang things, if we want to get a chair/ottoman, if we want to go ahead and put together Beckett's table/activity center. Couldn't really make progress here without shelves, but hope to put a major dent in this in September now that our shelves, as I type, are being built! Special thanks to Sharon for the contractor recommendation!
6. Get new mailbox installed. Well, I did have it installed.. but I don't like it. So I'm not counting this one as done until I like it. LOL

Like last month, a lot went on this month!

August 1: Trip to Nordstrom & Lunch with Billy
August 2: Photo Shoot with Joleen for House of Mia
August 3: Another Photo Shoot with Joleen; Walk with Sharon; Visit from Scott & Mary
August 4: Visit from my mom
August 5: Strength Trainin class
August 6: Cardio Class
August 8: Beckett is 6 months old!; Incline Walk at Gym
August 9: Grocery store; 3 hours of shopping on my own
August 10: Walk with Sharon; Oil Change; Gavin's First Birthday
August 11: Walk with Sharon
August 12: Austin's Birthday! Strength Training Class
August 13: Cardio Class; Reuben & Remy grooming
August 14: Austin's Mom visited!; chiropractor; shopping; Chris's Wedding Shower; Austin's Birthday dinner with the Blanco's at Joey D's - busy day!
August 15: Incline Walk at Gym; Visit from Aunt Sharon; trip to Pediatrician for 6-month checkup
August 16: Biometric Screening; no more Michelle - sad!; walk with Ashley & McKenzie at Greenway
August 17: Dinner & Sleepover at Monica & Andy's
August 18: Jake's First Birthday Party
August 19: Strength Training Class; Visit with Leigh Ann
August 20: Cardio Class; Mom's Group Book Club
August 21; Grocery store, bank, Nordstrom Rack for returns
August 22: Consignment Sale with Moms
August 23: Core Class
August 24: Walk with Sharon; Chris & Erin's Wedding
August 25: Grocery Store, Ballard's & tons of cooking
August 26: Strength Training Class
August 27: Cardio Class; Shopping with Michelle; Visit to Sharon's to see Bookshelves; Michelle stayed over
August 28: More shopping with Michelle for Becks; Lunch with Austin; Movie Night at Chanel's
August 29: Major packing for lake; Walk with Ashley; Visit from Bookshelf contractor
August 30: Core Class; pack everything; drive to Alabama for Lake Weekend for Labor Day;  Read Between, Georgia (need to do review!)
August 31: Full, fun day at the lake

So what are the September goals? Well, they're VERY similar to my August goals, but a little more 'doable.'

1. Declutter these spaces: (1) master bedroom nightstands; (2) pantry; (3) Laundry Room; (4) Top shelf of closet/shoes
2. Apply David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' principles to house (related to above declutter!).
3. Workout/wear HRM for at least 5 days/hours per week: 3 - 4 classes and 2 - 3 walks
4. Beckett Activities: (1) Do 3 new activities per week. (2) Catch up on Beckett's monthly favorites - Do Months 1 - 5. (3) Make new foods: apricot, chicken, turkey,  cauliflower, and yellow squash. (4) Participate in at least 4 playdates.
5. Finish Study: (1) have new bookshelves installed - decorate! (2) remove tables/rug that will not live in this room; (3) put together desk; (4) hang NY canvas; (5)  print and frame family/Beckett photos; (6) determine where to hang things, if we want to get a chair/ottoman, if we want to go ahead and put together Beckett's table/activity center.
6. Get new mailbox installed.

And I can't leave without a few favorite Beckett photos... :)

August 1

August 4

August 11

August 13

August 19

August 22

August 29

WOO - what a month! Can't believe summer is over and we're into fall. I mean, college football is already back - what?!

Q: What is one thing you hope to accomplish in September?

July 2013 Goal Assessment; August Goals!

Wow... it's really August, huh?! Looking back to July, I'm definitely feeling more comfortable as a stay-at-home-mom and am figuring out what balance is best for Beckett and our family. I think I did a MUCH better job feeling in control while still being flexible, vs. feeling stressed/overwhelmed. Here is a look at what we set out to do in July, and what we accomplished!

1. Clean out attic, garage, cabinets, drawers and all closets - declutter, declutter, declutter! I did a lot of this, especially in the master, kitchen, etc., but it wasn't specific enough so I'm going to make this goal more SMART for August!
2. Finish thank you cards I'm all caught up - they're in the mail as of tomorrow!
3. Finish David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' and apply principles to Wunderlist/Google Calendar/etc. Did this - woo! Now I plan to apply more of his principles to the decluttering mentioned in #1.
4. Follow July 2013 Summer Workout Plan! Did this, and lost 5 pounds! But going to make it more SMART for August.
5. Do new activities with Beckett: make "foot art"; make faces book; flour pat; water play; etc. Did water play and flour pat, but haven't finished faces book or done foot art!
6. Make Beckett's Memory Box and Catch up on her Monthly Favorites. Did memory box, not favorites yet!
7. Find, Healthify, Make and Post 5 - 7 new recipes (in a cooking mood!). Did 5 new recipes!
8. Finalize office plans; purchase all needed furniture, items, etc.; print and frame family/Beckett photos. Hit a wall being that the bookscases I want are now discontinued - going to make this a focus for August.

Like last month, a lot went on this month!

July 1: Beckett modeling job; visit to Ikea for small office items
July 3: Visit with Stacy and Lola
July 4: Cardio/ST Class; errands in the rain
July 6: Zumba class; Pilates ab DVD at home;  Blancos, Carroll's and Tyson visit for my birthday
July 7: I turn 31 - what?! Movies with Mom and Sister; Walk with Sharon
July 8: Beckett modeling job; 3.5-mile treadmill walk
July 9: Lunch with Katy & her daughter Margot; 4-mile treadmill walk
July 10: ST Class
July 11: Zumba Class; amazing evening massage
July 12: Lunch with Sarah & her son Gavin; trip to Whole Foods
July 14: Walk with Sharon; visit from and outlets with my Mom and Sister
July 15: ST Class
July 16: Cardio day - 10 minutes on treadmil, 20 minutes on elliptical and 15 minutes on spin bike; bank day - merged all of our accounts!
July 17: Chiropractor visit; ST class
July 18: Lunch with Melissa; Walk with Sharon
July 19: Leave for Birmingham Weekend; visited with Veloti & Cardens & saw their daughter Emma
July 20: Family day in Birmingham; visit to pool; dinner in
July 21: 3-mile incline walk
July 22: 3.25-mile incline walk
July 23: Cardio class
July 24: ST class
July 26: Pupper vet appointments; errands with Beckett
July 27: Visit with Prance's and Young's at Grady's Birthday Party; 3.5-mile incline walk
July 28: Visit from Austin's parents; Doctor for ear
July 29: ST Class
July 30: Cardio class; ATC retirement party; Beckett's first time with babysitter!

Other than that, random things were done!

• Read Gone Girl
• Worked to get our mailbox replaced since our neighbor ran it over... still not done though and now we're thinking of going different direction!
• Finished returning maternity clothes - yes!
• Paid off my student loans - WOO!
• Coordinated with tile people to have upstairs toilet reset
• Purchased a new front mat - it was beyond time
• Made tons of food for Beckett, including apples, pears, peaches, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and carrots.

So what are the August goals?

1. Declutter these spaces: (1) attic; (2) garage; (3) master bedroom nightstands; (4) pantry; (5) guest room closets; (6) Upstairs Den closets; (7) Kitchen Cabinets; (8) Laundry Room; (9) Top shelf of closet/shoes
2. Apply David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' principles to house (related to above declutter!).
3. Workout/wear HRM for at least 5 days/hours per week: 3 - 4 classes and 2 - 3 walks
4. Beckett Activities: (1) Finalize '6 - 9 Month activities' for Beckett; do 3 new activities per week. (2) Catch up on Beckett's monthly favorites - Do Months 1 - 5. (3) Make new foods: prunes, green beans, peas, bananas and avocados. (4) Start photo replication project
5. Finish Study: (1) find new bookcase solution/purchase/decorate; (2) remove tables/rug that will not live in this room; (3) put together desk; (4) hang NY canvas; (5)  print and frame family/Beckett photos; (6) determine where to hang things, if we want to get a chair/ottoman, if we want to go ahead and put together Beckett's table/activity center.
6. Get new mailbox installed.

And I can't leave without a few favorite Beckett photos... :)

July 2

July 10

July 12

July 16

July 20

July 26

July 28

WOO - what a great month! Definitely ready for August and feeling strong, focused and happy!!

Q: What's are your plans for August?

June 2013 Goal Assessment; July Goals!

Happy post-fourth of July Thursday! I hope you're having a good day!  We have had some gross weather here - like 100% "chance" of rain each day. Needless to say, our fourth of July plans were rained out and we ended up spending the day at home. Lame. I DID get out for some errands, in the rain with umbrella, but short of that it was a pretty dull day! Looking back on June, I had a good month! I am definitely still working through the transition from full-time employee to full-time stay-at-home-mom. I have explained it to friends as "trying to find the balance between feeling cooped up/lonely and overextended/stressed." I'm sure I'll find a rhythm that makes sense and feels right soon! In the meantime, here is a look at what we set out to do in June, and what we accomplished!

1. Finish organizing closet around what fits; return all maternity clothes I'm going to mark this as done although I do still need to get with my friend Karly to return her clothes!
2. Do full month of household budget; see how it goes! Can't count this as done as June was weird/I was still being paid/etc. At this rate, it seems August will be the first time we do this so i'll move to that month!
3. Read 3 books I only read two and still need to do the book reviews - eek! 
4. Finish thank you cards Need to finish these up!
5. Take family photos! DONE
6. Follow May 2013 Workout Plan!! I would say 'done' on this ontine - I made a new plan and stuck to it as best I could - I am proud of myself for trying out so many new classes - it's always scary at first but I did it!
7. Finalize Beckett's activity plans; make sensory bags; make "art"; make faces book I didn't make the art or faces book, but did make her activity plans and sensory bags - we had so much fun this month!
8. Research Amazon Subscribe & Save; coupon sites; etc. Did a lot of work here and am already saving money! 

Like last month, a lot went on this month!

June 1: Dinner with Monica and Andy and Memorialpalooza visit with Jason and Crystal and their son Grady June 2: Visit from Ruje! So sweet for Beckett to meet her - love it; 4-mile walk with Sharon
June 3: 3-mile treadmill walk before work; 3-mile walk with Sharon after work!
June 4: 3-mile treadmill walk before work
June 5: 3-mile treadmill walk before work; Another job for Beckett! This one for a Baby Einstein swing! June 6: My going away party at Brio!
June 7: My last day at ATC; sweet team lunch at Brooklyn Cafe
June 8: Beckett is 4 months old! Family photo shoot with Zach Porter Photography! Visit with the Porters and their son Dane
June 10: First day of new job! First day of Austin's new job! Lunch with an old co-worker at Capital Grille and evening walk with Sharon
 June 11: Another job for Beckett - this one for two Bright Starts bouncer seats
June 12: Morning walk with Chanel and her baby Henry; day of fun with Monica, including the grocery story and chilling and chatting at the house
June 14: Beckett's 4-month pediatrician appointment! 14.1 pounds and 25" long - healthy girl!; family walk! June 15: 3-mile treadmill walk
 June 16: Father's Day! Family day, golf for Austin and dinner out; visit from my Stepdad Mike and his wife Ann
June 18: Lunch at Cheeky with Sarah & Jessica and their babies Gavin and Harper
June 20: Visit from Gigi, Aunt Devon and Cousin Dane!
June 21: Another job for Beckett! This one for a pack & play; lunch with old co-worker Ali!
June 22: Started solids!
June 23: 4-mile walk with Sharon
June 24: Spin class
June 25: Lunch with an old co-worker Justine!
June 26: Functional Integrated Training Class; 4-mile walk with Sharon
June 27: Zumba Class
June 28: Core class + 2-mile walk
June 29: 4-mile walk with Sharon

Other than that, random things were done!

• Lots of errands (duh)
• Work to move things over due to new job stuff (e.g., moving from my insurance to Austin's; moving auto bill pays to joint credit card and bank accounts; working with HR to reconcile final paychecks; getting a new non-company cell phone and plan; getting a new laptop, etc.)
• LOTS of effort put toward our new 'study' (takes place of new living room which took place of pool table)
• Did emissions testing and all for new tag (lame); Pest Control; etc.
• Lined Beckett's curtains with blackout curtains 
• Updated my reader as Google Reader went away - sad day!
• Became addicted to Game of Thrones. o. m. g. 

So what are the July goals?

1. Clean out attic, garage, cabinets, drawers and all closets - declutter, declutter, declutter!
2. Finish thank you cards
3. Finish David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' and apply principles to Wunderlist/Google Calendar/etc.
4. Follow July 2013 Summer Workout Plan!
5. Do new activities with Beckett: make "foot art"; make faces book; flour pat; water play; etc.
6. Make Beckett's Memory Box and Catch up on her Monthly Favorites.
7. Find, Healthify, Make and Post 5 - 7 new recipes (in a cooking mood!).
8. Finalize office plans; purchase all needed furniture, items, etc.; print and frame family/Beckett photos.

And I can't leave without a few favorite Beckett photos... :)

Beckett loves her daddy!

And smiling!

And rolling over to her tummy!

And trying solids, especially rice, oats and squash. Hold the pears!

WOO - what a great month with lots of change but good change!!!

Q: What's are your plans for July?

May 2013 Goal Assessment; June Goals!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're having a good day! Today is my last Wednesday at work before I become Beckett's stay-at-home mom - eeee! I did not accomplish all that I had planned for May as it ended up being all switched up with everyone's new jobs (and just general business - eek!), BUT here is a look at what we set out to do in May, and what we accomplished!

1.  Organize closet around what fits; return all maternity clothes; halfway done! I organized a lot and returned 2 sets of maternity clothes, but still have one more set to return and need to finish up on the closet!
2. Operationalize household budget; done! I've started using it as of June 1! I'm sure adjustments will be needed but for now it's in the works!
3. Create study not even kind of done - put on back burner for SURE!
4.Upgrade all door knobs DONE! We officially have no more brass doorknobs in the house!
5. Read 3 books not done! Reading took a backseat again; I did finish Kate White's Hush but not until June!
6. Finish thank you cards not done! This is the FIRST thing on my list for June - eek!
7. Schedule and take newborn photos They are scheduled, but won't be taken until Saturday - so almost done! :)
8. Organize for 2011 photo book. Not done at all!
9. Follow May 2013 Workout Plan!! Biggest focus of month outside of Beckett! I did okay with this, but had a lot of distractions with the new job stuff SO, June is a big focus and is going well so far!

Like last month, a lot went on this month!

• May 4: Jason, Crystal and Grady came to visit and Jason and Grady got to meet Beckett - so cute!
• Did lots of walks with Sharon - such a great workout buddy!
• May 18: Shana, Lincoln and their boys came over to visit - loved catching up over wine and dinner!
• May 18: Monica and Andy came to visit for dinner and drinks - fun night!
• May 24 - 27: We went to the lake for Memorial Day weekend - great to visit with Austin's parents, even though I was sick almost the whole weekend - ugh!
• May 30: Had a mom's night at Twisted Taco with stay-at-home moms near me - great to talk with them and get their perspective - hope to hang more now that that's my new job, too!

Other than that, random things were done!

• I got a haircut, massage, facial and pedicure - really tried to destress and take care of myself!
• Becks had three photo shoots - busy girl!
• Went to Wells Fargo to open a savings account for Becks!
• Sold a piece of wall art on Craigslist
• Made an activity list for Beckett and bought fun, cheapie things to paly with (e.g., a beach ball, a punch ball, a pinwheel, bubbles, etc.)
• Moved family To-Dos over to Wunderlist -my new favorite thing

So what are the June goals?

1. Finish organizing closet around what fits; return all maternity clothes
2. Do full month of household budget; see how it goes!
3. Read 3 books
4. Finish thank you cards
5. Take family photos!
6. Follow May 2013 Workout Plan!! Biggest focus of month outside of Beckett!
7. Finalize Beckett's activity plans; make sensory bags; make "art"; make faces book
8. Research Amazon Subscribe & Save; coupon sites; etc.

Q: What's are your plans for June?!

April 2013 Goal Assessment; May Goals!

Yay for Friday! I hope you're all having great days - I'm post-massage so i'm feeling super relaxed and happy. Becks is sleeping, most of my chores for the day are done and i'm excited to be in a new month. April was definitely a jumping-off month. I got a lot done and feel great, but definitely want to focus more in May! I go back to work on Monday which is very bittersweet and i'm definitely interested in how 'being a working mom' shakes out as i've never had to focus on both Becks and my work - eeek! As we're wrapping up another month, here is a look at what we set out to do in April, and what we accomplished!

1. Make 2010 and 2011 photo books. (couldn't do ONE so now i'm going for two.... LOL we'll see!) DONE; well, I did the 2010 one. It took much longer than I expected. I'm definitely excited and motivated to do the 2011 now that I'm enjoying having the 2010 to peruse!  However, i've found that it's best to organize for the books offline THEN make the book. So, for May I will organize for the 2011 book and not make it until June!

Cover

A few layouts from our 2010 voyages, including Vegas, New York, the Dominican Republic,  Auburn and Colorado 

2. Finalize Household budget. I'm going to mark this as complete, special thanks to my friend Seema for sending me her Excel file and tips - it definitely helped get me started. While I feel I have snapshot of current, I want to actually start maintaining it... eek!
3. Create study. not done; I did buy a desk at Pottery Barn, but still need bookshelves, a lamp, etc. It's coming along.
4.Upgrade all door knobs. not done! Other things trumped this on Austin's list but he's on it!
5. Read 3 books. not done! I actually read no books. I started several and couldn't get into any which was frustrating. Hopefully I'll have the time to read more in May.
6. Finish thank you cards and order new family stationery. I ordered family stationery but didn't finish thank you cards - have about 20 left and it's on my list for this weekend!

7. Schedule and take newborn photos We scheduled these twice and had to cancel - life keeps getting in the way. Definitely doing in May - they will be three- month pictures! :) 
8. Buy new sheets DONE; Mom helped me and I got a pair of grayish blue Polo sheets from TJ - woo!
9. Follow April 2013 Workout Plan!! Biggest focus of month outside of Beckett! I'd say I did pretty good with this - I did 87 miles, 2 sessions with a personal trainer and 1 group fitness session. I definitely feel 'back in the game' but am ready to add in some strength training and classes - mix it up - woo!

Below is my April Work Out Tracker....

It was supposed to be my calorie tracker, too, but I only tracked for the first 10 days. Tracking is SO hard now that I feel like I have a lot more on my plate. However, I also know that I have had the most success with weight loss when I track, so hopefully I'll do better at tracking in May (although I can safely say that it's the 3rd and I haven't tracked - eek!)


April 1: 1,626 calories; 3-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 229 (net: 1,397)
April 2: 1,781 calories; Biceps & Back ST; SP cal burn: 20 (net: 1,761)
April 3: 1,616 calories; 45-minute treadmill walk (3 miles) and 2.5 mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 414 (net: 1,202)
April 4: 1,956 calories; off
April 5: 1,607 calories; 40-minute walk with Monica (probably 2 miles) + abs; SP cal burn: 191 (net: 1,416)
April 6: 2,117 calories; 2-mile treadmill walk; SP cal burn: 296 (net: 1,821)
April 7: 1,988 calories; 4.5-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 346 (net: 1,642)
Week 1: 17 miles (and a back bicep workout and an ab workout)
April 8: 1,762 calories; 1.5-mile stroller walk with Beckett; 3.75-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 382 (net: 1,380)
April 9: 1,562 calories; off
April 10: 1,770 calories; 1-mile stroller walk with Beckett; 4.63-mile walk with Sharon; SP cal burn: 424
April 11: off
April 12: 1-mile stroller walk with Beckett; 4.5-mile walk with Austin & Beckett; SP cal burn: 392
April 13: 4-mile treadmill walk; SP cal burn: 290
April 14 - 1-mile walk with Beckett; 4.5-mile walk with Sharon
Week 2: 26 miles (43 so far)
April 15 - 4.5-mile walk with Sharon
April 16 - 3.25 mile treadmill walk; 3/4-mile walk with Beckett
April 17 - 2.5 miles with my Mom and Beckett
April 18 - 4-mile treadmill walk
April 19 - 2-mile treadmill walk
April 20 - 4-mile walk with Beckett, Devon and Dane
April 21 - off
Week 3: 21 miles (64 so far)
April 22 - 4-mile walk with Beckett and Michelle
April 23 - 4-mile treadmill walk
April 24 - 1/2 mile (fitness test at Lifetime Fitness); 3.5 mile-walk with Sharon
April 25 - no mileage (but did a 1-hour session with a personal trainer)
April 26: 2-mile treadmill walk
April 27: off
April 28: 3-mile treadmill walk
April 29: group fitness class included 2-mile walk
April 30: 4-mile walk with Sharon; 1-hour session with a personal trainer
Week 4+: 23 miles (and 2 1-hour sessions with personal trainer and a 1-hour group fitness class (87 miles)

Like last month, a lot went on this month:

• April 6: Had a great visit with Monica, including a walk and pedicure!
• April 7: Scott & Mary came up to visit, and Teresa and Forrest came over from Alabama to meet Becks and stay the night
• April 9: Took Becks to my office and had lunch with Stacy & Leslie at Nordstrom
• April 13: Melissa, Jon and Madison came over to visit and meet Becks; Andy and Monica came over for dinner, drinks and time with Becks
• April 16: My mother-in-law came to visit Becks for the night
• April 17: My mom spent the afternoon with me and Beckett
• April 20: Devon & Dane came over to visit, including a walk and fun on the piano
• April 21: Beckett and I drove over to Devon's to see Devon, Dane and my mom and visit the park
• April 22: My mother-in-law came to visit for a few nights and keep me and Becks company while Austin traveled
• April 23: My aunt Sharon spent the day with me, Beckett and Michelle (Austin's mom!)
• April 25 - 28: Headed over to Birmingham for a long weekend, including Michael Velotas's first birthday and a get together for his dad, Jimmy's, 31st birthday

Other than that, random things were done!

• We figured out and settled up the accident case from last November when I was rearended
• Switched over from Regions Bank to Wells Fargo (so much work -ugh)
• Went to the chiropractor
• Found and ordered Beckett's outfits for photos
• Sorted and packed maternity clothes to return to 3 of my friends who lent them to me; returned 1 set so far
• Signed up for a new gym
• Began the process of refinancing our home (ugh)
• Made Mother's Day presents for Beckett's Gigi and Mimi

I also continued my daily pictures of Beckett - here are some favorites from April!

So what are the May goals?

1. Organize closet around what fits; return all maternity clothes
2. Operationalize household budget
3. Create study
4.Upgrade all door knobs
5. Read 3 books
6. Finish thank you cards
7. Schedule and take newborn photos
8. Organize for 2011 photo book.
9. Follow May 2013 Workout Plan!! Biggest focus of month outside of Beckett!

Q: What's on your agenda for May?!

March 2013 Goal Assessment; April Goals!

Happy Tuesday! I hope you're all having great days and coming off of fun, family weekends.  I'm here at home with the family, starting week 7 of my 12-week maternity leave... why is it flying by?! Beckett is sleeping - we're so proud of her - we just started a new schedule and she slept through the night for the first time last night! Very exciting day here at the Martin household. As we're wrapping up another month, here is a look at what we set out to do in March, and what we accomplished!

1. Make a photo book (wedding book!). not done... it's like I have an aversion to making this books. Sigh. Back on the list for April!

2. Finalize household budget. not done.... same here - it's as though I have no desire to learn how much $ it takes to live how we live, and how much we should save/spend/etc. Back on for April!

3. Create study! Buy bookcases, desks, lamps, etc. not done - it's on my radar, and I'm still deciding if I want one desk or two, if I want to put a big chair in there, or what.

4. Upgrade all door knobs - last 5! not done - doing in April.

5. Read 3 books. DONE; actually I read 5 - was in a reading place during this mostly ugly weather month.

6. Make 3 new recipes. DONE; need to finish posting - got a good bit of cooking done!

7. Have bedroom, bonus room, and two bathrooms painted.. DONE; the whole interior is now painted and we're loving the new, lighter look.

8. Find other house items: navy throws/accents for master; night stand, lamp & art for guest room not done - on the list for April!

Looking at the list I'm surprised we didn't accomplish more because it certainly felt busy! Then again, a lot went on this month:

• March 1 - 4: Three of my besties  from high school came to visit from Virginia, Alabama and South Georgia - so great to spend the weekend with Emily, Lindsey and Megan and have them meet Beckett!

• March 7: Moms on Call came out to help with bathing, scheduling, clipping nails, etc. for Beckett! And that night our friend Jamie came by to visit with enchiladas - yay!
• March 8: Monica came to visit and we went for a walk and Starbucks!
• March 9: My mom came to visit Beckett!
• March 10: Crystal came to visit and meet Beckett bringing awesome California Baby products - so sweet!

• March 11: Went to Beckett's future daycare to choose her 'spot' - her crib/change table/etc.
• March 12 - 14: Austin's mom came to visit and gave us a night out without Beckett - it was so. weird. to go to dinner without her. We were only gone from 5:30 - 7:30 but it felt like 16 hours apart. I'm glad we got out though and had a great dinner at Pampas!

• March 15: Another great walk and talk with Monica!
• March 16: St. Patrick's Day dinner with the Tuerk's; Mon and Andy came over for drinkies!
• March 18: OBGYN appointment; cleared to begin exercise!
• March 20: Walk and talk with Sharon!
• March 23: Celebrated my nephew Dane's second birthday, and had my stepdad and his new wife over to meet Beckett!

• March 24: Devon, Zach and Dane came over - Beckett met her cousin!

• March 25: Chiropractor visit!
• March 26: Had the pups groomed
• March 27: Prepped for taxes and had them done; spent the afternoon with Stacy and Lola

• March 28 - 31: We had our first road trip to Birmingham for Easter weekend (which involved creating 'Beckett's Packing List' - and updating it after the trip - I learned a lot about what to bring and what not to bring!)
• March 29: Beckett met her Uncle Tyler and her Velotas Family

• March 31: Visited with my sister, Zach and nephew Dane; Beckett's second visit!

Other than that, random things were done!

• We figured out and settled up our maternity hospital bill
• Started (and stopped) C25K - my knees can't handle this weight... back to walking until I lose some!
• We clipped Becket's nails for the first time - SCARY! But we all lived.
• I began working out - doing some walks with Monica and Sharon, but also several on the treadmill alone (or on the phone with friends!)
• Road tested two carpet steamers (pups had accidents during our adjustment to Beckett period...); resulted in a few trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond
• Got a $200 water bill, had them come read the meter, found out we had a leak, fixed it ourselves - oy

I also continued my daily pictures of Beckett - here are some favorites from March!

Eeee love our little nugget! What else did we do? I guess just the obvious: lots of pumping and making formula, cooking, laundry, trips to Babies R Us, trips to the grocery store, etc. Definitely a busy month, but a great month home with Beckett and we got in a lot of time with our family and friends!

So what are the April goals?

1. Make 2010 and 2011 photo books. (couldn't do ONE so now i'm going for two.... LOL we'll see!)
2. Finalize Household budget.
3. Create study.
4.Upgrade all door knobs.
5. Read 3 books.
6. Finish thank you cards and order new family stationery.
7. Schedule and take newborn photos
8. Buy new sheets
9. Follow April 2013 Workout Plan!! Biggest focus of month outside of Beckett!

Q: What's on your agenda for April?!