The New Year, that is. Despite the raging hormones and irrational fears that accompany being half-way through 36 weeks pregnant, things are going well.
In the entry where I reflect on my goals for 2009, I wasn't kidding when I vowed to get more sleep. Ever since high school, I've had a terrible time getting to bed at a decent hour, as there always seems to be one more thing I should do before hitting the sheets, one more thing that if done tonight will make for an easier tomorrow. I wonder why it took 29 years to figure out that the exact opposite is true; the more I take on at night, the less able I am to function normally the next day. So my biggest focus so far has been to get in bed, dammit, and deal with it tomorrow, no matter how important "it" may seem.
And except for a couple of nights this week when I brought some work home, it's actually been working. My to-do list hasn't changed, but I'm getting better at figuring out what needs to be done in the moment and what can wait for another time. Sometimes this has me under the covers by eleven; on busier nights, around midnight. The absolute latest has been twelve-thirty. On my birthday, I was in bed by ten! For a chronic night owl like me, all of this has been nothing short of miraculous, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the results. I find it much easier to get out of bed at five-fifteen to shower and primp for work (if running gel through wet hair and smearing lotion on your face can be called primping); if I'm really on the ball, I can get washed, dressed, and wolf down a bowl of Cheerios before Luke and Kara wake up around six-thirty, score a few minutes of cuddle time with the baby, and arrive at the office between seven and seven-thirty, depending on traffic and weather. I wish my mornings didn't feel so rushed, but it's worth it to spend more daylight hours with my family.
Another thing that's important to me is reading, and while I haven't done too much of it outside my usual sampling of Archie comics, I have been working on Dave Sedaris's latest essay collection, and Luke got me Eat Pray Love for my birthday (yes, I know this book was popular eighty-seven million years ago, what of it?). I'm OK admitting that my life right now is too busy to keep up with any sort of fiction and that I'm better off selecting shorter reads and/or ones I can easily return to after a few days away. I hear admitting your weaknesses is the first step.
While things are better, they're far from perfect, as demonstrated by the fact that our Christmas tree is still up, our showers haven't been washed out in months, and our toilet bowls desperately need a good scrubbing. But I'm realizing that in the grand scheme of things, these to-dos aren't as important as sorting through bills, keeping up on dishes, and Windexing the spittle off the bathroom mirrors. At least, in my world they're not, and being mindful of my own personal short list has made all the difference in how I allocate my time.
Too bad this will all go to pot in three weeks. But hey, at least I've established a pattern to go back to instead of waiting to start from scratch, right?
In other news, Luke and I already have a couple of exciting things scheduled for the new year, the first being my trip to BlogHer, a trip I'm charging to the corporate Visa as I'm researching blogging for my company. I'll be attending BlogHer Business as well as the general conference, and while the latter doesn't directly tie into my line of work, I do hope to get a better handle on some social networking tools and "geek lab" type stuff that will expand my overall knowledge of the genre. Also, while there aren't as many seminars that appeal to me as when I attended in 2007, I'm equally excited about them.
Even more awesome is the organizers' decision to hold the conference in Chicago. Luke and I intend to make the most of the free hotel room by turning the three-day blogging extravaganza into a little family getaway. Our plan is for him and the kids (kids! Holy shit with the plural) to spend the night with me on Thursday and for us to find an overnight baby-sitter for Friday, thus scoring ourselves our first baby-free sleepover since December 16, 2007. We'll be surrounded by family not twenty minutes from the hotel, so I don't anticipate this being a problem. We can pick them up late Saturday morning, do something familyish in the afternoon, and make our way back to Indiana Saturday night. Absolute perfectness.
The second thing is more for me and less for Luke--actually, not at all for Luke because his feelings for Elton John and Billy Joel are meh at best, but who cares, this morning we bought tickets to see the two of them perform together in Indianapolis in May. I saw them once in Chicago when I was in college, but I've embraced more of their older stuff since then, and I can't wait to hear it live. The concert is on a Tuesday night, and since we are NOT surrounded by family here, our childcare options are limited, but I figured it was worth a shot.
Did any of you guys make New Year's resolutions? If so, how are you doing?
I didn't make any resolutions. But I'll make one now -- Have a child-free night away with Hubby!
Our last baby/child-free sleepover was November 20, 2001 (the night before I went into labor with our first). We are hoping to remedy that this year. But our baby is only 16 months old, so I'm not sure we'll be able to pull it off. My mom would not even dream of trying to take care of the baby overnight, but a friend at church who has 6 kids is willing to possibly maybe think about trying it.
I've searched my memory, and I think that I did have one child-free night by myself in May 2006 when I had to fly to another state to interview for a job.
Posted by: Katie | January 18, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I didn't make a resolution per se, but I tried to give myself a New Year's "pep talk" to get my butt in gear and get organized. We moved in August, and still don't have pictures or anything on the walls! I'm always tired in the morning, but my post-10pm productivity is so great, I worry that I won't be productive at ALL if I don't stay up to take advantage of it. Your experience is encouraging, though! Maybe my "second wind" will come earlier if I'm rested. :)
Posted by: Allison | January 18, 2009 at 12:09 AM
My New Year's hope was to kick coffee and so far so good. Aside from the lethargy, headaches, and general woe-y-ness, I feel terrific!
I have gotta look into the whole prioritizing thing, I hear it works WONDERS for your ability to come to terms with the idea that you can't do everything ;)
Posted by: Erika | January 18, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Holy crap, now I HAVE to go to Blog Her so I can say hi to you! I've been hinting to Marcus that I need to go (trying to expand the ole blog, maybe even take the big leap over to TypePad), and now that so many of my favorite bloggers are planning to go, that's gonna seal the deal for me. Plus we have friends in Chicago who are expecting a baby girl in May and I need to go cuddle her.
So far my resolutions to take more "me" time and "Just Be" are working out well! Marcus and I hired ourselves a sitter (one of our students) last Sunday and went to a movie for the first time in over a year. It was great! Our "manny" (man nanny) is working out really well. He comes two days a week while I'm teaching. Dean is having a blast with him. I've also been cooking more and sleeping more, which are making a huge difference, like you said. Going back to work has been incredible for my self-esteem. Marcus and I have a conference coming up in March and we're actively looking for overnight sitters for Dean so we can also take advantage of the free hotel! (and the open bar. ahem.)
Glad you've got a routine established--that'll certainly help once the newborn insanity calms down a bit. Keep getting sleep, lady!
Posted by: Jen L. | January 18, 2009 at 09:01 AM
I haven't made any resolutions because usually I make them and then totally forget about them.
I'm with you on the sleep thing though! I have always been more of a night person but, now that I am at work until midnight 4 times a week I end up staying up until 3am just trying to relax and settle in. Which doesn't help me get up at 6:30am to get my daughter ready and off to school much lol.
Posted by: Cammie | January 18, 2009 at 10:25 AM
I recently (i.e. Wednesday) decided I would walk at least 4 days a week (for 45+ minutes). I did walk Wed, Thurs, and Fri, so I will count that as a success!
I also want to have at least one night out. Over night currently isn't an option (still bf when she wakes), but we can definitely go out to eat!
Posted by: AJU5's Mom | January 18, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Good plans for the future. The sleep thing is well thought out. Going to bed and getting up at regular time is a great idea. I think that the getting up at the same time each day is the more significant of the two. However, there are days when one must do the best that one can do with all the details of that day. Ben Franklin said, "Early to bed, early to rise makes one healthy,wealthy,and wise." One out of three for me is pretty good.
Posted by: daddyd | January 18, 2009 at 08:01 PM
I am doing so-so with being more organized. You are going to see Elton John and Billy Joel, Philadelphia Freedom and The Piano Man in one sitting...WOW.
Posted by: Grandma Molly | January 18, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Mad props to you. My goals mostly include Get off the Couch and Get off the Couch when I'm at the tail end of a pregnancy. ;o)
Posted by: Molly | January 19, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Gotta tell ya, Billy Joel was the absolute best concert I've ever seen. A couple of years ago I took my then 15 year-old daughter to Madison Square Garden to see Billy Joel. We were both amazed. His stamina, humor, and of course his best songs ever were so impressive, making me an even bigger fan (I'm from Long Island so I'm an instant fan from birth, lol). I'm sure Luke will enjoy the dueling pianos I hear they do. Have fun!
Posted by: Kerry | January 19, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I'm super psyched about the Geek Lab portion of the BlogHer festivities this year, too. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I'm hoping there might even be buttons, or stickers, or little robots that follow us around.
Posted by: Kerri Anne | January 19, 2009 at 02:27 PM
My resolutions are: 1. To not think about, try to, or become pregnant and/or take care of a tiny baby at any point in 2009(the first time since 2003!). I am going to enjoy the beautiful family we've created together and not worry about adding any more for now. 2. Budget. We've used our kids as an excuse to rack up credit card debt and now we need to get our finances back in shape. This will be HARD. I am SCARED. (Any tips on how to declare yourself legally dead so you can start your financial history over would be welcome!) 3. Play the crap out of our Wii, especially wii fit to keep my butt from growing 4 sizes over the winter months as it tends to do ever year.
Great job on the sleep thing! I have been a night owl since birth, but since Keaton I have to be in bed by 10:30 or I'm a wreck of impatience the next day. I still find it hard to go to bed before 1am on the weekends though! Sounds like your new year is kicking off strong!
Posted by: r+k+mama | January 20, 2009 at 10:45 AM
No resolutions for me!!! I try to tackle each issue as it gets thrown at me.
AWESOME JOB on trying to get more sleep. I've never know you to get to bed by 10 and you actually did and on your birthday at that, yay!!!
If you need an overnight sitter to give you and Luke some one on one time when you come to Chicago just give me a ring.
Posted by: Trina | January 20, 2009 at 04:46 PM
I'm not big on resolutions, but more sleep sounds like a good one. I am always sleep deprived and I'm a person who needs her sleep.
Lately I've been attempting to make "real meals" for my family of two rather than just trying to throw something together. Hmmm, do you think that is why I've put on like 4 pounds?? I guess happiness weighs more!! haha
I can't believe baby brother will be here in 2 weeks. That is insane. The time has gone by so fast...for me anyway. LOL
Posted by: Lindsey | January 22, 2009 at 12:07 PM