The Paper Pod

Unknown path

It’s been two months since my last blog post. I have more time lately that I could get a post up but I’m at a standstill on what to share…  I feel like there is some sort of pressure associated with blogging- as in I can’t just mindless write a post, that my post must serve a purpose and have pictures, that there must be some structure. But then I try to remind myself I think I have maybe five readers… and I’m not a professional blogger… so shouldn’t I be able to write what I feel? But then where’s the invisible line that makes this no longer a blog but an online journal? Or is that really what a blog is supposed to be.. a journal of some sort?

I’m sure I could find time to make inventory and get my Etsy shop up and running again but that’s not even on my radar. To be truthful, it exhausts me just thinking about it. Sure, I’ve made time to fulfill an order for Miss Ellie as well as whipped up some Valentine’s. I loved every second of getting my craft on but I’m not ready to do anything more than move at a leisurely speed. But without LillyPea Designs, is there a purpose to this blog?

I think about sharing things- like my current ‘secrets’ to keeping it (aka my life) together, the progress I’ve made on my fitness goals, the cuteness that consumes me every day (aka my son) or a new recipe. But then I don’t because it all seems random to me. Like this isn’t a fitness blog so who cares that Jillian is kicking my post pregnancy butt?

But then again, my Google reader is filled with blogs. People I don’t know, people I’ll probably never meet IRL. Some have clear objectives (fashion, cooking, healthy living, babies) and some are just ya know, life…

How do I jumpstart this blog? Do I just dive in feet first and see what happens or do I let this blog fade to internet death?

Hello 2013!

Like many of us, as the year comes to an end and a new one begins reflections are made. Twenty twelve was particularly kind to my husband and I. We paid off our cars (only to buy two new ones), we reached the savings goal we set to accomplish, I gained a new appreciation for fitness and we received the best gift of them all, our son. We had a great trip to Florida & Chicago, made lifetime memories with family & friends. Updated our gym, finally planted some landscape, finished our kitchen, converted one room into two and designed a sweet little baby room. We celebrated achievements of loved ones and the greatness of those we lost. It was an eventful year!

I like to set goals instead of resolutions because I feel they are more achievable, more concrete. If I were to set goals for myself this year they would be:

1. Get back to my pre-pregnancy weight
2. Teach Oliver to sign
3. Makeover our basement family room
4. Take a Dr & Mrs vacation
5. Take a family vacation
6. Run a half marathon

Those are somethings I’d like to accomplish this year and I hope to achieve them. However, I have a new life now. I’m still learning how to make all this work-and secretly stress over how things will go once I’m back at work. I’m not sure how I will juggle housework, errands, working out, eating healthy, playing with Oliver, date my husband.. it can be done with flexibility, adjustments and real expectations but I haven’t figured it out yet.

While I would like to see my goals met there are really just three things I want to make sure happen every week if not every day for this new year:

• Make time for myself- in my gym or something girly like a facial or happy hour with my besties..me time I hear is really important for my sanity and keeping an identity other then Mama
• Be present with my family- Oliver is only this little once, we only have one shot at the memories of the upcoming year and I want to make sure I’m enjoying as much as possible
• Date my husband- while we are adjusting to our new life and roles we still need time for us as a couple. Steal kisses, give praises, flirt- let him know he’s still my number one sweetie.

If I can accomplish those three tasks I will be happy- and who knows maybe I’ll even get some of my concrete goals crossed off too!

The little man has arrived!

I know I have majorly neglected this blog (and my shop) and sadly that might be the case for a long while. Mostly because my priorities in life have shifted since this guy arrived:

My son, Oliver, was born November 16th just before 10pm after 22 hours of labor and an unplanned cesarean. It sounds horrifying but (next to marrying my husband) it was the best day of my life.

Being a Mom is amazing, exhausting, overwhelming, joyful and filled with so much love. He’s my little angel that I spend all day watching, snuggling, soothing, and instagraming. Feeding & changing dirty diapers too!

Before I sign off for who knows how long I wanted to share some adorable photos I took last week:

Seriously, totally in love!