P + P + P = ...

I am finding out that being a perfectionist, people pleaser and {new} parent is not an easy combination!
As we all know, things in life never actually go PERFECTLY...so those endless efforts to strive for that are often stressful and overwhelming. Oh, and making everyone happy, well thats not so likely either. Trying to balance these two factors of my personality has been hard, and the failure to do so has often left me unsettled.
Add being a new parent to the mix, now thats even more challenging! Especially, if you get all wrapped up in trying to do EVERYTHING right. If I thought it was hard not to compare myself to others before, its even harder now! Instead, I need to remember to be grateful and appreciative of what I have and what I am. And…that i am doing the best I can and that is all I can do!

So... my {Daily} battle has now included things like:

-Soaking up each and every moment with my baby girl (instead of crossing just one more thing off the list)
-Sitting and starring at her play (instead of accomplishing something else while she is occupied)

-Telling myself its OK if today, she did not get enough tummy time or fell asleep in my arms 7/10 times (instead of feeling guilty)

 etc, etc…I think you get the picture!

So onward with the days ahead, and hopefully I can relax and be at peace with my efforts of my job as a new mom as well as a wife/ woman…and try to set aside my perfectionist/ people pleasing tendencies.

welcoming 2012 with open arms!

Well... It has been a long while since I have updated this on my life, and what a few months it has been!
Lets start from where I left off:

At the end of August 2011 we were grateful enough to be able to temporarily move into my parents house in Lakeville, MN. This was as a result of the extensive mold/ water damage that we continued to find in our recently purchased house. We weren't sure what we were going to do with the house yet, but one thing was for sure, it was not safe for me (being pregnant) to live there anymore. My parents welcomed us with open arms, and thankfully it was less of an adjustment than I had anticipated it would be. Not sure what we would have done with out them!

As we continued on with our 45+ minute commutes to work, we sifted through what were were going to do with the unfortunate situation at hand. With my belly enlarging week by week, it was a reminder that  we had to decide something soon! December was soon approaching! We decided to start looking for a town home to rent for the time being. We looked at a few places, and fell in love with one in Hudson, WI. Neither of us could believe we would actually be living in the state of Wisconsin ;) (ok, its really not that big of a deal I guess...but it seemed weird with it always being a rival state and all) The price was amazing, and it was available right when we needed it (at the start of November). We are so happy here and feel completely blessed and provided for!

With a little over a month to get settled and ready for this baby to come, I got decorating and organized real fast! Here are some pictures of her room, which is of course...animal themed!

I was working full speed ahead everyday! Also, being on my feet so much at work made me exhausted, but it was good to keep so busy doing something I love! As thanksgiving approached, I was readier than ever for this little girl to come into the world! However, I didn't REALLY think I would get that lucky to have her just shy of 37 weeks...so I continued to be active and waited... My mom and I still did our crazy all night black friday shopping, and got all ready for Christmas, 'just in case!'

Fast forward one week, and its my 25th birthday! I had a wonderful morning with my husband and got to see my best friend, then spent the evening at work. I was hoping to share a birthday with our little girl, but again, realistically did not think I would be that lucky to not have to wait until 40+ weeks. However, I did not give up hope or stop doing everything I could to get her to come! And...

Surprisingly, the next morning at 7 am on December 2nd my water broke! We were both a little in denial, but it went pretty quick and at 6:18 our beautiful little girl Addison Joy was born at 7 lbs 3 oz!

Its a month in, and I have so many thoughts/ emotions I cant even put into words. Overall, being a parent is the most rewarding and incredible things I have/ will ever do. I am trying to cherish each moment and stage of her life. She has started to be awake more, is staring at people/ things more and is growing every single day in so many ways! It is amazing!!! The crying and tough times are worth every second of it... I still cannot believe she is a month old already!

We have been keeping busy and going on a lot of outings to keep me from going insane from being in the house for so long. 5 1/2 weeks left until the dreaded time when I have to go back to work :( It is going to be so hard!

Overall, 2011 was a pretty tough year for many reasons...but it sure ended with something GREAT! Hoping and believing for a better year, yet thankful for the strength I have gained though everything!

I have promised myself to blog/ write things down more this year so expect more frequent updates and vent sessions in the near future :)

-Christina