Goals for 2012
January 16, 2012
I’ve been thinking a lot about my goals for this year. I made the mistake last year of trying to accomplish way to many things. This year, especially with a new baby on the way, I think my real goal may just be making it through the day.
I decided to pick out way more, more easily achievable goals. They seem to fall in to two major categories–photography and home life.
Photography
- Do a newborn photo session with Grayson. I did one of these with Bink, but at the time had no idea what I was doing. I used a point and shoot and a fuzzy white blanket. I love the pictures I got, but I want to be more intentional this time around. Nothing fancy, but some snugly, cute, wee-tiny baby pictures from his first two weeks.
- Do a Project 52. Project 365 was fun (and exhausting) this year. I just don’t have the brain power to worry about that “one more thing” every single day this year. So one picture a week, from my iPhone, that’s it. As it stands, I’ve already posted a bunch to Facebook and Twitter. Its nice to feel like an overachiever, since I always take more than one picture a week, instead of a slacker.
- Put together a few more photo books. I have YEARS worth of digital albums living on my computer (and backed up in several places). I’d like to have them someplace I can admire them.
Family/Home Life
- Transition into life as as a stay-at-home Mom. In about eight weeks (give or take), we’ll have a brand new baby boy entering our lives. I made the decision early in this pregnancy that it was best for me and our family if I didn’t continue to work. Blah, blah, blah, childcare costs, missing stuff at home. I’m sure I’ll do a full post on it at some point. Regardless, I know it will feel like a big change for everyone.
- Set up a house work system at home. Right now between Hubby and I both working full time, me being pregnant, Hubby taking a full-time college class load, and having two kids are home is messy at best. Honestly, it will never look magazine perfect, even if we had no children and I didn’t work. We’re both messy people. But I’d like to try to come up with a system to manage the mess since I’ll be home all day. I’ve found an iPhone app that is supposed to help set a cleaning schedule with reminders (every third Thursday, don’t forget to mop or whatever), but I’m open to suggestions. How do you manage a household?
- Create a pre-school like environment for Bink. My biggest fear pulling Bink out of daycare is that he’ll miss out on the social interactions and educational components. His daycare runs like a mini-preschool and I love the constant arts-and-crafts and “letter of the day” stuff. I want to recreate something similar for him at home, and try to find a playgroup or two to keep him in contact with other kids his age. I’m hoping to put him in a real pre-school in Fall for a few hours a week as well.
- Detox a little from all the technology. We love technology in our house and most of the time, it’s great. But I want to get better at putting the computer/iPad/phone away and just enjoying my family. I’ve honestly thought about quitting blogging, not because of the blogging itself, but because of the extra commitments of Facebook and Twitter and all the work that goes into running a blog like this. I doubt I’ll give it up entirely, but I bet I’ll be seeing less and less of the other social media outlets.
So that’s it. Seven things. But honestly, if we all make it to 2013 and are happy and healthy, even if the house is in shambles, I haven’t posted a picture in weeks, and we never did find a playgroup routine, I’ll be OK with it.
What are your goals for 2012?
Kara
January 17th, 2012 @ 2:01 pm
I like your goals!
For housecleaning, I love the flylady system. It stands for FINALLY LOVING YOURSELF and basically it is about getting over the perfectionism of house cleaning. She has different zones and baby steps and is all about not beating yourself up if you just don’t get to it.
As far as setting up a preschool environment, this is one of my go-to websites. http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/
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Dr. Blondie
January 18th, 2012 @ 9:51 am
Oh, I can’t wait to see Grayson’s newborn pictures!:)
I love your detox from technology goal–we need to do that in our house, too.
As far as managing the house/mess, dealing with clutter is always my first step. Before I married Brad, clutter kind of took over, but he’s trained me well.:) One example is not to let mail (or other stuff) pile up on the counter. We bring it in, read it/toss it/file it, whatever, and the counter remains clear. I also go on rampages where I go through the house (or even one room) and remove all the clutter. I throw things out or put everything back where it belongs. It’s amazing how the house feels and looks clean after just getting rid of clutter! Then actually cleaning the house is so much easier and takes less time when you’re dealing with a bare floor and surfaces.
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Emily
January 18th, 2012 @ 11:21 am
To be as happy as possible. Several big transitions will happen this year and I hope to get through them all with patience and grace.
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