Project 365

Just an update on one of my resolutions.

Project 365 is off to a rocky start. This particular resolution is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am always taking pictures, but to actually think outside the box, is not so easy. My daily pictures have mostly consisted of Christian, which is fine, but I think that should be another project all together. My plan is to take pictures that I ordinarily wouldn't. Drive an extra mile out of my way to discover new beauties.

Yesterday, I stopped at the bike path, which I pass on a daily basis, and decided to take a few shots. It felt so good. But I need to make time for these things. I had Christian with me, so I couldn't go far in this cold weather. Here are two of my favorites from this spur of the moment shoot.

My plan is to take a different route to work this week. Leave a little earlier and try to take some pictures. When you really stop to look, you'll see that where you live has a lot more to offer than you'd normally think. I find myself getting caught up in the daily spin of things, but it's refreshing to stop and take a second to snap a photo of something I never really noticed before. 

I'll try to post at least one shot a week on here.

School Update

So since the Fall of 2010 was my first semester back to school since having Christian, I thought I'd give an update.

I took on a full-time course load, which at RWU is equivalent to 4 classes (or 12 credits). Time management played a huge factor, and although this semester went well, I know the Spring will be even tougher. I struggled in one class in particular (Research Methods), but even with this I earned a 3.5 GPA.

At the end of the semester I chose my classes for the Spring. I will be taking (1) Psych of Adolescence, (2) History of Modern Japan, (3) Intro to Clinical Psychology, (4) Positive Psychology, and (5) Practicum Experience in Psychology.

The fifth course is also my internship. I applied for and received and internship on campus in the PAL program (Peer Advisor Leadership Program). This will require my attending a 3 hour class once a week, along with completing 12 hours a week related to the internship. I'm excited, but also nervous.

I am taking on a tougher and larger course load than last semester. I will be at school nearly 27 hours a week between class and my internship, work 25 hours a week, plus homework time and of course my home life.

So for those of you ladies thinking about going back to school after having a child, you're right. It will be tough, but you CAN do it. It just takes a lot of dedication (and time management). Feel free to share your stories!

Time to Reconnect

The end of this statement is typically 'with old friends', but this time, I mean that it is time to reconnect with my partner, Michael.

Anyone who is a caretaker (of any kind) knows that it can often put a strain on your relationships. Although having Christian has brought a new found love and joy, it has also brought new stresses. I find that Michael and I used to be light hearted, spontaneous (more him than me - I am and always will be a control freak/planner), and well frankly, fun. Now our days are filled with caring for Christian, work, school, errands, and whatever else needs to be done (which there is always something). 

I have come to realization that we need to make time for each other. Yes, we still rent movies & cuddle on the couch, but what about date nights? I'm talking the real deal. Not dinner and a movie as always. What about going to the rock gym or taking a two hour drive just to get dessert? 

Before Christian, we always took a yearly trip. Our first year together we went to NYC for Christmas, the following year we took two trips, one to NYC and the other to Orlando, FL for a weekend. Just before Christian came we spent a weekend in North Hampton, NH and another was spent going to Niagara Falls. We didn't take any trips in 2010. We can blame it on money, or fear of taking Christian to unfamiliar places, but it's time to stop making excuses, and just do it!

I know it isn't going to be easy, but it is necessary. Every relationship needs a little rekindling. We need to reconnect. Talk about our hopes, aspirations, pipe dreams. And so, I will make that extra effort to go somewhere, do something, anything, to spend time with Michael. 

New Year Resolutions

Let me begin by saying that I apologize for my lack of posting! Things have been crazy this year, but I am finally getting the hang of motherhood, being a student, partner, and working.

With a new year comes a fresh start. Here are some of my new year resolutions (yes, that's plural):

1. Blog at least once a week - This will be tough with such a hectic schedule, but I feel that it is important for many reasons. Blogging will be my outlet. I feel that I can openly express myself here and reflect on my experiences. I want this blog to be a resource to other young mothers that they too can achieve whatever they wish. This should also serve as a journal, so that when my son is older, he can see just how hard his parents work and hopefully gain from my experiences.

2. Project 365 - Michael bought me a new camera for Christmas this year. I have been wanting one for quite some time, and now that I have one, I cannot resist the temptation. I have always loved photography. Project 365 will push me to take one photo a day for an entire year. I'm hoping that it will push me to really explore my passion of photography and help me grow as a person.

3. Reconnect - As a new mom, I feel the need to reach out more. I have a few friends that are having (or just recently had) children. I want to be there for them, just as others have been there for me. My goal is to set up "playdates". A time for the children to play and us mothers to reflect. Every parent needs an outlet. Whether we vent about our worries of our child not sleeping through the night, or kickin' the bottle, or simply chat about our aspirations, it's a necessity.

4. Get back to church - Michael and I used to attend church on a regular basis, but since having Christian, it's more of an occasional thing. There is no excuse. I used to say "it's tough with a baby", but hey, what isn't? If I can go to school, work, do homework, and find time to spend with Michael and Christian, we can most definitely make it to church once a week. I am hoping that beginning next Sunday, we can try out a new church and become a regular member.

With that being said, you can expect to hear from me more often. I hope that everyone had a happy and safe holiday season. Feel free to share your Resolutions. I am sure we can all use a little inspiration.

Excuse the dust… Updates!

I can’t believe that it has been nearly three months since my last post! Things have been really crazy around here. Every chance I got to sit down, I would think of updating, but it never happened because I would always find something else that had to be done. I vow to try my best to post at least once a week from here on in! I hope you all will stick with me through the gaps in posts and the chaos that I call my life.

So I guess I’ll start catching up by going through the past months. In the beginning of July, my little family moved into our very own place. It is perfect. In just a few months we have really made it home. Christian has his own (spacious) room and carpeted floors to soften his falls.

Christian just had his 9 month well-visit last week. My little “chunka munka” weighs 19 lbs 3 oz and is 27 ¼ inches tall. It’s amazing how quickly he’s grown. We had to invest in a new carseat because I couldn’t handle infant carrier anymore. He seems much more comfortable in his new carseat (still rear facing) and it’s definitely a lot easier! He isn’t walking yet, but he cruises around with the use of furniture or his push toy. Christian has also become what “we” call a “foodie”. He is just learning to mash food before attempting to swallow & loves banana flavored puffs, along with veggies!

And to add to the madness, I just started back at school. Roger Williams University is slightly different than before, in the sense that they have made some beautiful additions to the campus. It’s weird commuting because all I ever knew was campus-life. My four (one hour) classes (3 times a week) seems to fly by and then I am headed back home to my life as a mother & significant other. I’m still in the first week of classes, but I am already disappearing into my books any chance that I get (ie: naptime). I know it won’t be easy, but I will continue and I will succeed.

P.S. Pictures to follow J

Michael's First Father's Day

It's amazing how quickly time goes by and to think that this time last year, we had just found out that Christian was indeed a boy. From the very beginning, I knew that Michael would be a wonderful father, but seeing it first hand has brought me to the realization that he is a better father than I could have dreamt of. Christian adores his Daddy just as much as I do and I know that Michael is in bliss when he looks at him.

In the morning, Mike went for a bike ride, while I got myself and Christian ready for the day. It was Papa's 2nd Annual Father's Day cookout so there was a lot to be done before everyone came over. After Mike showered, he received his gifts from Christian. A card along with a book with Christian's handprint & footprint in. Each year, we will add a page with Christian's handprint and eventually he will start signing his own name. It will be sweet to see how his hand grows and penmanship changes. Christian helped Daddy read his card(s).



Then I took Michael to get his gift from me. I bought him a grill. We're both ecstatic about moving into our own place (IN TWO WEEKS!) and he kept mentioning how nice it would be to be able to grill all summer, and now, he can. :) He is such an amazing cook, that I know he'll make the best dinners, too. So in a sense, it was a gift for both of us.

We enjoyed the day surrounded by family with drinks, games of volleyball, and lots of smiles & laughter from the little ones.

Updates

Wow. It has been a long time since I've last posted (sorry for that). Things have been a little hectic around here.

Mike and I are both working a lot. Still trying to get things in order for our place. We just signed the lease last night - so exciting! We move in July 9th. The countdown has begun - 22 days until move in!

We went to Ikea on Monday. Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE Ikea?! Driving up you feel like you're going to Disney Land. It's AH-MAZING! We pretty much bought everything for our living room while we were there: bookcase, tv stand, coffee table, end tables, dvd rack, cd rack, accent chair and then we grabbed some wine glasses. love, Love, LOVE Ikea!

Our lives have been extremely chaotic. I just recently have been hired at a childcare center (Alphabet Soup) and so I have been getting all the necessary paperwork done (BCI, TB Test, Etc.). I'm hoping to start training on Monday. I will be a substitute teacher, but hopefully by the fall they will have a more stable position for me. I'm very excited because it could potentially be the day care that Christian attends either while I'm working or when I go back to school.

Speaking of school. My schedule is set. I will be returning to Roger Williams University in the fall as a full time psychology major. I'll have class Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9-1. Not too shabby if you ask me. My only worries (besides getting a babysitter) is that my course load will be tougher than I am anticipating.  I know that my courses will not be easy, I just hope that I can manage that while taking care of Christian and working. This year will be a test. Don't get me wrong, I have confidence, and I will finish. I am up for the challenge.

Christian is getting smarter everyday. His new thing is to scream (at the top of his lungs) to get attention. I am so.over.it. I love him to pieces, but I will not get trapped into his little game of getting whatever he wants whenever he wants it. It's neither good for him or me. I honestly think it is because he is getting more and more frustrated that he can't walk yet. If I stand him up and allow him to hold my fingers, he walks and walks. It makes me think (and scares the crap out of me) that he will be walking early.

Well, I guess that is all for now. I'll try to post more often. :)