I used to always do a daily journal entry. I have had a journal since I was 16 and had daily entries until the middle of last year when I switched jobs. Things changed drastically in how I felt about a lot of things and some areas of my life have not gotten the attention they should have.
I haven't done a journal for this baby like I did with JOE. I don't have a record of all my visits with the doctor and how I am feeling on any given day with this pregnancy. It makes me sad sometimes but I try not to dwell on it. I often process my thoughts through writing in my journal and not being able to do that because I am just so tired or am not in the right frame of mind has me feeling a little off centered.
However, I am determined to make a change this year and work on my happiness. I want to be able to write down my thoughts and feelings and spend time doing things I love. I want to plan a vacation without thinking about all the obstacles. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to travel abroad and I want to get back into it. I have always said I want our kids to know the world and not just the borders of the US and this is something I'll start working on.
I would also like to spend some time exploring hobbies. I haven't sewn anything in a LONG time. I want to get into food photography but haven't even felt like it. No, I didn't get my camera for Christmas but I haven't given up just yet.
There is so much I feel like I am missing out on and I'd like to get back to my "happy place"!
With that said, here are some pictures of the last 2 - 3 weeks. As you can see, I haven't really taken a lot of pictures but these are some of the ones that have given me a chance to pause and take notice of the blessings I have around me.
I love this picture of JOE and I. By the way, her glasses are upside down. How cool are we in our matching sunglasses? Worn indoors in the evening :-).
Another selfie of JOE and I. I love taking selfies with this little one and I promise to do more of these. I'd like to get at least one selfie of the both of us every week. It reminds me of the simple things and why I work so hard.
Another area I haven't really focused on is the addition to our family. Like it or not, baby girl #2 will be joining us soon and we need to start preparing! She is certainly making sure I take notice now :-). JOE LOVES talking to and kissing her baby sister. I already know they'll be best of friends.
Talk about good friends who bless you. The week before last, I
Well, this time, she made
Yes, I started eating the cake before I got home. It smelt so good and tasted great with coffee :-D.
Another selfie of JOE and I from last Sunday evening.
We were about to go to church and I just had to take this picture. JOE insisted on wearing her own necklace for church so I let her wear this one. Why the face? Well, this is what I get when we insist she take her daily multivitamin. Its a struggle EVERY TIME!
We had a lot of errands to run on Monday but J and I decided at the end of the day that since JOE had been so great throughout the day, we would take her to the mall to play. She certainly had a great time. I love that she is starting to come into her own. After J helped her down a few times, she insisted on doing it herself.
Another reminder of baby girl #2 is this! Had my glucose test. This thing is YUCKY!!! I felt icky a solid 36-hours after taking this thing. Now the wait is on for my test results. Praying all goes well. This stuff can't be good for momma and baby. I spent my entire hour long wait before the blood draw trying not to throw up. Folks say it tastes like Fanta. Well, I think it tastes like Fanta on overdrive!
And in the midst of it all, this view made me pause and think of just how beautiful things are. The sun was just rising (I get to work early) and I happened to look out my office window. I know it doesn't look like much but the colors looked spectacular so I snapped a picture with my phone camera.
Well, there you have it. I hope you're having a great year/month so far. My last post talked about learning to be thankful and I really am learning to be thankful and making an effort to do things that'll get me more in a thankful frame of mind.
What are some ways you've made changes in your life to alter how you feel about things around you? Has it worked? Did it last? I'd love to hear from you.
Hey you, I know exactly how you're feeling. Last year was really rough and I found myself not taking time to do things I love. It is hard when life isn't going the way you want and smiling when someone is having it really hard sometimes makes you guilty. I finally am realizing that I can't let life pass me by every day and not take time to do things that make me, me. Life is so short and we've got to enjoy it whilst we can. The good comes with the bad but I think when things are bad you can truly appreciate when things are good. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right and that's exactly how I felt/feel. I am trying to accept the things I can't change and make changes where I can. Unfortunately a recent bout with the flu has slowed me down but once I am back to 100%, I'll be back doing things that make me appreciate my many blessings. Thank you!
DeleteHope all is better/well on your end.
Hang in there mummy! The good thing is you're aware of it and you're working towards changing how you feel so that always a step in the right direction! I know what you mean about the Glucose test thingy! That thing is nasty! Don't think we use the same brand over here though but its just sugar and coming from me that loves sweet things that says a lot!! Hope all goes well with the results and you don't have to wait too long... x
ReplyDeleteThank you Tola. I appreciate it. I am definitely working towards changing things.
DeleteI passed my glucose test. WOOHOO!!! I am so glad I don't need to make any diet adjustments. Not that it would have mattered. Due to a recent bout with the flu, I am now at a deficit of 2-lbs for this pregnancy so a diet change wouldn't really mean much at this point.
That cakes looks good! I wish I had some right about now. I think I might be the only person who like the glucose drink. It tastes like soda without carbonation to me. But I have a sweet tooth so I"m used to the sugar. I hope things get back on track for you soon!
ReplyDeleteIt was a tasty cake :-). You actually like the glucose drink? OK...you are officially the only person I know who does :-). I have a sweet tooth (when not pregnant) and that thing goes way beyond my sweet tooth's handling capacity.
Deleteit's definitely difficult to find our "happy place" when we are busy with all that life has to offer but you have to be selfish about the things that make you happy!!! I am sure that in no time you will find it again. i refused to take the glucose test..they weren't happy with me but it just didn't make sense to us!! Can't believe how far along you are!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. I was listening to the radio this morning and someone was saying to make others around you happy, you have to be happy and that sometimes means being selfish. Never thought about it that way but it makes perfect sense. Afterall, I can't give what I don't have right?
DeleteI didn't even know you had the option to refuse the glucose test. That's good to know. I passed mine though so definitely feel like the last hurdle's been lifted :-).
Yup...this pregnancy is SPEEDING by!
I just wrote about this on my blog. I really do have a lot to be thankful for but Ive been feeling so unhappy. Unhappy in the sense that I've seemed to have lost who I am in the midst of taking care of others, especially over the last 2 yrs. Im trying to get her (me) back and I have some awesome things planned to get back to the things I love doing. I agree with Mrs. Pancakes - sometimes you just have to be a bit selfish and carve out some time for yourself. Hang in there! And as always, you have a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteOh my! I am going to have to go read your blog. Hopefully, we can both find ways to get back to the normal us again.
DeleteThank you and thanks for stopping by! :-).
I loved the selfies with you and Joe and that lemon cake looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others. This weekend, get hubby to watch Joe and get out of the house for the day. Go shopping and treat yourself to something you've been wanting or spend some time visiting a friend that's going to have you laughing so hard your spirits will instantly be lifted. Hugs... :)
Thank you!
DeleteI plan on taking sometime to do something for me after baby is born. I figured right now, things are a little chaotic in preparation for baby.
But in the meantime, I am already on the look out for travel destinations for later on this year as well as looking for ways to get get back into things I enjoy doing. Top on that list is still to get my Canon T5i camera :-).
Is JOE giving the duck lips? You got that baby practicing her Tyra Banks over there. LOL Try not to feel bad about not documenting the 2nd baby as the first. I only have one, but I remember I was constantly reading and trying to learn any and everything I could before she came along. I hear from my friends who have multiple kids that by the time you get to the 2nd and 3rd there's not much left to learn. Makes me think back to how strict my mom was with me and my sister...by the time she was on her 4th child that kid was getting away with everything. Same stuff we would get punished for all the time. I know that's different then what you were saying, but "you know how that goes" :)
ReplyDeletep.s. You should see if you can get JOE's brand of multi-vitamins in a gummy form. Those things are GOOD. Almost makes you forget they're not candy.
She sure is! You know her well and it is time for a visit with her! You haven't seen her in over a year. I am sure she'll be very happy to cook you a meal in her new kitchen.
DeleteYou are right about documenting the pregnancy. It feels like there's just not enough time in a day anymore to do anything. Hopefully, I'll do a little something before baby arrives. I want to at least acknowledge that she'll be here soon :-).
Happy Tuesday. I hope things are great for you today!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Things were better yesterday but not the best. We somehow managed to come down with the flu last week and hubby just got it. I think this weekend, we'll spend it sanitizing the house from top to bottom :-).
DeleteHope all is well on your end.