11. fortify
What personal strengths will you use this year that you developed in 2013?
I carried a baby for almost 37 weeks. I gave birth, mostly of my own accord, and brought my daughter into the world. I fought for her when she was in special care, and fought for her during the early weeks of breastfeeding. Being her mum has taken more strength than I thought I had - and I've loved every second of it. Every time we battle through a learning curve, a cranky baby, a new experience, it's taught me to be stronger. 2014 is going to be about taking care of myself, so that I can be the best mum for her; that means getting healthy! :)
12. savour
What was your favourite food item/ingredient in 2013? What do you want to eat more or less of in 2014?
While I was pregnant last year, I drank a LOT of milk. I was always looking for quick snacks, and dairy products seemed to do the trick. While I was parenting a newborn, non-sleeping baby, food kind of became a lesser priority; so I developed bad habits of skipping meals & snacking a whole lot. This year, I'd like to eat MORE - more regularly, more quality foods & more veggies. That's a big stretch for me, since I'm a notoriously fussy eater, but I'm trying!
8. accept
What imperfection did you come to accept in your life in 2013? How will you embrace it more in 2014?
I've always been a bit of a stickler when it comes to having things make sense, or be in order. It stresses me out when things are messy or when things don't work when {or how} they're supposed to. 2013 was the year of motherhood - aka - absolutely nothing going as planned. Georgia has taught me how to go with the flow, and I'm already feeling more relaxed about things leading into the new year. Let's hope it continues! :)
9. laugh
Tell us about your biggest belly laugh in 2013!
Oh, we have had so many. So, so many. Watching Georgia, the queen of crazy faces, experience new foods across the year; that definitely takes the cake. I just have to share this little collage, because honestly, this kid is HILARIOUS. {If you want to see the whole thing, plus hear the sound - click on the image & you'll be taken to the full collage.}
10. support
How did you volunteer your help last year? What will you do this year?
The support I have received from the infertility community has been priceless - and I'd like to think that I was also able to volunteer some help/love/advice to those around me during that time too. This year, I'm going to continue with this, but also think locally too - donating to local charity shops, offering help for new mums I've met with little ones, and being a good listener to those who need it.
As of tonight, I am officially done with expressing. The pump has been put away, the bottles are currently drying after their last official sterilising - and I have at least a free half hour this evening all to myself.
It's a funny feeling. On one hand, I'm thrilled to be done - no more feeling like a dairy cow, no more sitting around with my boobs out {except for nursing}, no more being disappointed with spending lal that time and energy only to get a measly 20, 30, 40ml of milk. But at the same time, it feels really strange.
While I've worked my arse off to be able to breastfeed Georgia, and I'm happy about that, I have the pump to thank for that. For the first few months of her life, I pumped after every feed - to boost supply, but also to give to her in the form of top up bottles. I gradually scaled it back to two a day; once in the morning, once at night. As she got stronger and more efficient at the breast, I dropped the morning pump, but continued to express at nights - at first to store in the freezer for emergencies, and afterwards to use for her solid food breakfasts. It's become such a habit, and without the pump, my breastfeeding experience would have ended a long time ago.
But for now, we're done. I still have some frozen expressed milk in the freezer that I'll gradually use over the coming weeks - mainly for cereals in the morning, and the odd bottle if we're out. I suppose I'd better get used to all the emotions that come with moving on from things; she's moving further away from the baby stage & dipping her toes into the little person category. I wish time would slow down just a little bit.
6. capture
Share your favourite memory captured from 2013. What's your plan to capture 2014?
I think this one pretty much sums it up:
This was the image that Jason took {and yes, that's his hand} that we first shared with the world after Georgia's birth. Because she was breathing too fast, she was whisked away to special care after I held for several seconds, and I didn't see her again for several hours after that. I relied on Jason to go with her, stay with her, and PLEASE bring me back photos - I had barely memorised her face before she disappeared. This image of her in the oxygen headbox, {or buzz lightyear helmet!} was one of the first I saw of her, and her gripping on to her daddy's finger is just priceless. It both makes me smile & breaks my heart at the same time.
In 2014, my aim is to keep on capturing candid moments of Georgia as she continues to grow. We're not good with poses around here - we're in a phase of refusing to smile when the camera is out, and in a constant state of motion. That means the photos may not be clear, or award winning, but they're fun!
7. send
What was the best thing you sent to someone in 2013? What will you send this year?
I'm part of several IVF groups that I've met over the years - most started on forums or blogs, but have turned into Facebook groups over time. One batch of ladies in particular have struggled along with me, and I was the first to receive a positive pregnancy test - so they supported me through early pregnancy all the while battling through their own struggles. I'm happy to say that since our lucky cycle, we have a whole herd of new babies now, with some on the way, and only a few beautiful women still waiting for their miracle. Sending gifts to their new little ones, and tokens of support to those who are still waiting {so they know they are not left behind} has been wonderful - particularly because we are all spread out over Australia. I'm hoping 2014 will see nobody left behind.
3: hasten
What new trick or shortcut did you learn in 2013? What do you want to speed up in 2014?
I learned how to change a nappy quickly and efficiently - and with minimal leakage. That, my friends, was a life saving skill, let me tell you. I also learned {on my feet, mind you} how to change a nappy in the most awkward and interesting of places. In 2014, I'd like to speed up my efficiency during Georgia's nap times. I spend way too many naps having me-time, instead of organising or tidying or working out, so it's time to step it up.
4: Rebuild
What do you plan to pick up or rebuild this year?
Cliché, but I want to rebuild my fitness. I'm currently hovering around my IVF weight, and that was high to start with - so I'd really like to work on that. It's not so much about the number on the scale as me finding the time and prioritising exercise. I didn't want to make resolutions this year, because I always feel so guilty when I don't stick to them, but my hope is that I'll be able to rebuild a bit of a fitness schedule over the coming weeks. Like I mentioned above, Georgia's morning nap {which goes from 1-1.5 hours usually} is the perfect time to utilise, so 30 minutes on a treadmill a few days a week will be a good place to start.
5: Sing
What song or lyrics will be forever tied to 2013 in your mind? What songs are you excited to keep with you through 2014?
2013: Don't You Worry Child - Swedish House Mafia. The song that Georgia bopped her way through during the last months of my pregnancy, and then the song that calmed a cranky newborn down as we bopped together around the living room. Who would've thought that dance music would have done the trick?
2014: I'm hooked on the new Smooth channel on Foxtel here - I'm showing my age here, but I'm loving the easy listening stuff. It's handy to have on in the background when I'm with the baby or pottering around the place.
I hate baby milestones.
There, I said it.
Since Georgia was born, I've unsubscribed from every mailing list and baby development email I was receiving. They were nice to have as a guide, but then they started making me nervous. By Month X, your baby will likely be doing this, this & this! That's all well & good if they are, but what if they're not? The needless worrying begins.
Georgia isn't crawling yet, despite being over 9 months. I wasn't too worried at first, as she's doing plenty of other things - sitting completely on her own, rolling both ways and flipping over and over to get to things, spinning in circles and reaching for toys on her own. She has a good grip of objects & can pass things between her hands. She talks like there's no tomorrow, in her own baby babble. But no crawling, and no pulling up on things or interest in standing. It was only when I realised that nearly every other baby her age, and some younger than her, were mobile already, that I began to panic.
'Don't worry!' they say. 'She'll get it when she's ready!' they say. 'My baby didn't crawl until they were close to a year old!' they say. And most patronising of all, 'Enjoy it! It's so hard when they're on the move!'
Listen, friends. I get it. Logically, I get it - and I KNOW babies develop skills at their own pace. But please, please don't tell me to enjoy it, even though I know you mean well. I'm not enjoying watching her peers, many younger than her, crawling around rooms and pulling up to stand. I'm not enjoying feeling like she's behind, even though I know deep down she's perfectly fine. I'm not enjoying feeling like I should be helping her learn this skill, even though I don't know how to do that. It's the equivalent of telling someone who is TTC to 'just relax!' It just doesn't help, even though they mean well.
So for now, I grit my teeth, keep on playing and encouraging Georgia to do what she wants to do, and try to ignore the worry. I've already blinked & lost 9 months of her life {seriously, how do I have a 9 month old baby already?} - I'm determined not to miss the little moments now, because I'm so caught up in worrying about her milestones.
I mentioned earlier that one of my goals this year was to blog more - and what better way to kick things off than by participating in a prompt challenge? Let's get started! I've decided to join project #weverb for January!
1: compose
Write a haiku for 2013 and one for 2014
For 2013:Baby came early
Wanted to meet her Great Nan
Was a dream come true
And for 2014:
Family of three
And the fur babies as well
I have all I need
2: remember
What did you do in 2013 that you will remember the details of forever?
This is a pretty obvious topic choice for me - and of course it revolves around the baby. I will never forget 2013.
I can look at photos I've taken of Georgia and can tell you exactly when and where each one was taken, even the details of what she is wearing and who we were with. I can vividly recall her birth experience & the crazy newborn weeks that followed, as though it happened yesterday - even though we're almost a year on from that point. I remember being so desperately sad that breastfeeding wasn't working out, sending hubby out to the shops to buy bottles and a pump, only to plug away and manage to exclusively feed her for the entirety of 2013.
I may forget simple things like where my keys are, or where I put important documents {baby brain!} but learning how to be a mama, to be HER mama, is an experience I'll never forget.
I'm not making any resolutions this year. Resolutions come with too much pressure, and I never seem to succeed.
- Georgia ~ I don't want to miss a thing. Yes, that means obscene amounts of photographs, but I make no apologies for wanting to capture every minute! She's coming up to some major milestones soon, and I can't wait to see her growing up.
- Family ~ Spend as much time with them as possible. Everyone has really come together this year, and I love it. Hubby & I have a few date nights planned, so we'll get to spend some quality time together. Plus, the grandparents might just find themselves on babysitting duty - so it's a win/win for everyone!
- Blog ~ Post more frequently! I've definitely slacked off this year, and mostly have written about Georgia {of course!} so the plan is to just keep busy. I'm hoping to get involved in monthly projects or prompts every now and again, potentially starting off with #weVerb14.
- Read ~ I have at least a dozen books I want to read on my Kindle - it's just finding the time to sit down and get on with them! This year, I'm going to set a goal of at least 6 books. It doesn't seem like a lot, but I barely read a thing last year, and I'm trying to be realistic about what I can start and finish.
- Move ~ I'd like to start up on my treadmill again. I'm not even going to pretend that joining a gym is viable for me right now, but the treadmill is in the garage - it's set up, it's ready to go. All I need to do is get some tunes on my iPod, drag a fan in & DO IT. Hopefully Georgia will keep to her two nap schedule {she's doing really well at the moment!} and I can get on this every few days.
- Organise ~ I have a tonne of baby clothes to sort/store/give away, and the house is a complete mess more often than not. This year I'd like to start tackling things, bit by bit. I've already started printing out photos of Georgia's first year - I decided a while back that I'd like old school prints/photo albums until her first birthday. I'm up to month 6... so I'll tackle the next block soon.
- Cook ~ Doesn't worry me if they're old favourites or new experiments, but the goal is to keep saving money & cook up a storm this year. If not a storm, maybe just a drizzle. But cooking, all the same. :)
- TTC ~ Georgia is coming up to her first birthday in just a few months {how did that happen?} so it's natural to start thinking about what happens next. Hopefully we can tackle this & come up with a plan that fits us both, since natural babymakin' just isn't on the cards for us - but this is certainly a hope and a dream. I can think of nothing more awesome than a sibling for Georgia.
How about you - any hopes or dreams for this year? Feel free to share them in the comments.
It's safe to say that 2013 has been the most amazing year. To follow tradition, it's time to get busy re-capping, just like in years gone by: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012. I love that I'm still blogging, even if things have been a little quieter around these parts since March - and just a little baby focused!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I wanted to be the best parent I could be, and I would like to think I'm well on my way & learning as I go.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I did! And many of my lovely new mum friends.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, we lost my beautiful Nanna in May this year. Every time I think about how she held on to meet Georgia, I get emotional - she would love to see her now, so interactive and funny and smart. I'd like to think she'd be proud of us. I miss her so, so much, and I know my family does too.
5. What countries did you visit? Just Australia, this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? It sounds cheesy, but I really do think I have everything I need right now. I'd like to have better time management skills, which is tough with a baby.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? It sounds cheesy, but I really do think I have everything I need right now. I'd like to have better time management skills, which is tough with a baby.
7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 30, when Georgia made her surprise early entrance to the world. April 7, the day we left special care & got to bring her home. April 8, when Nanna met Georgia. May 7, when we had to say goodbye. September 1, when Georgia was christened. December 25, when we celebrated our first Christmas as a family of three!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I'm actually really proud of the way I've handled mamahood so far. From the unexpected birth, to dealing with the scary start of a short special care stay, to single parenting for many, many weeks while Jason worked overseas & interstate - I think I did pretty darned good.
9. What was your biggest failure? Being too honest. Not that I have any regrets about that, but it does have consequences.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Other than the odd bouts of colds, I had just a few lurgies this year: de Quervain's tendinitis - developed in the months after Georgia's birth and an overnight hospital stay after a nasty bout of gastro & dehydration.
11. What was the best thing you bought? I know, I know, baby related - but our rainforest jumperoo. Best. Invention. Ever.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? Like last year, I have to say my lovely, fantastic husband - he has proved to be the most amazing dad, like I knew he would be. He's also worked his butt off supporting us & letting me stay at home with the baby - it was something that was really important to us, and we'd never have been able to do it otherwise. I'm so proud of him. He's been an amazing partner, this year especially.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? I don't know about appalled or depressed, but I was disappointed with several friendships this year - everything happens for a reason, but it doesn't make it any easier.
14. Where did most of your money go? BAYYYBEEEEEEEEEEE. (That's good money spending, though!) Other than that, we've been plugging away at saving & paying off the mortgage.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My little girl. :)
16. What song will always remind you of 2013? Don't You Worry Child, by Swedish House Mafia. Every single time Georgia heard this song while she was in my belly, she'd kick up a storm. When she was a newborn, we spent many days bopping around the lounge room to the music channel.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
(a) Happier or Sadder? Happier. So much happier.
(b) Thinner or Fatter? Well, thinner than this time last year, but still far from where I'd like to be.
(c) Richer or Poorer? Poorer. But happier. :)
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Spending time with my family, which I definitely improved on this year. Since Georgia was born, we have had a mostly standing Monday night dinner with my parents & brother/SIL - it started to help out with newborn Georgia, but has continued on. I love seeing them each week.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? I wish I hadn't put energy into things that didn't pay off in the end.
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2013? A few little Christmas catch ups in December with friends and new baby-mums, Christmas Eve here at home with my family, Christmas morning with just the 3 of us, Christmas lunch with the inlaws, and Christmas night with my extended family. Was fantastic but yep, busy again.
21. Did you fall in love in 2013? My heart exploded this year. I'm so in love with my daughter, I can't even describe it. And having a baby has brought hubby & I even closer - he really has been an incredible support system. Not forgetting the fur babies - I watch them interact with Georgia & am so proud of them. I'm a very lucky girl.
22. How many one-night stands? Plenty of late night rendezvous -- in my rocking chair with a tired baby in my arms.
23. What was your favorite TV program? Game of Thrones, Homeland, Sister Wives & Offspring.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No.
25. What was the best book you read? I've barely read a book since March - I wonder why? I did start re-reading the George R.R. Martin series though, so probably 'A Game of Thrones'.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? I listened to a lot of older music this year, soothing things for Georgia's sake - jazz, easy listening, etc. Showing my age. :)
27. What did you want and get? A take home baby!
28. What did you want and not get? This is the first year I can honestly say that I feel like I have everything I need. Maybe a bigger car? That's one of our goals for next year.
29. What was your favourite film of this year? Catching Fire.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 29 this year, and spent it with family. It was nice and quiet.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I wish time had slowed down a little, so I could spend more time staring at my teeny, tiny little girl. This year has flown.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I wish time had slowed down a little, so I could spend more time staring at my teeny, tiny little girl. This year has flown.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? Skirts, sandals & nursing-friendly clothing.
33. What kept you sane? Georgia. Hubby. Family. New mum friends. Online baby support groups.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? None, really.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Look at our government right now: need I say more?
36. Who did you miss? I missed old friends, and the way things were.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Mum friends! One of these ladies is amazing; a twin mum who is so organised, kind & funny - and lives 5 minutes away. We've caught up many times, and she seems to enjoy watching Georgia grow up as much as I do with her lovely boys. She's been nothing but supportive of some of our struggles with sleep & is my 'solids guru' - I'm so thankful to have met her & her hubby this year.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013. Family is everything.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. “Other arms reach out to me, other eyes smile tenderly; Still in peaceful dreams I see, the road leads back to you."
40. What are your resolutions for 2014? I have many, which I'll put into a new post soon. But in summary? I want to continue experiencing new things with Georgia & taking as many pictures as I can. I want to keep up regular catch ups with friends. I want to spend quality time with hubby & with my family - hopefully keep up those Monday night dinners! I want to blog more, and better. I want to find time for reading again! Keep your eyes peeled on this space.
Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks for sticking with me this year, even though reading on the blog has been light. I value you guys so very much, and hope to keep plugging away in the new year! :)
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Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks for sticking with me this year, even though reading on the blog has been light. I value you guys so very much, and hope to keep plugging away in the new year! :)
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Georgia has officially been on the outside for longer than she was on the inside! We made it to 36+5 weeks of the pregnancy before she decided she was ready to be out, and it's already been almost 40 weeks since her birth.
Still rocking the baby blues.
This month Georgia has:- Chatted up a storm. We're convinced she's bilingual - though what language she's babbling, I couldn't tell you. We get Dada and MumMumMum all the time, and swear we heard her say Cat & Hey!
- Had both bottom teeth continue coming up - they're about halfway out now. In the last few days, she's also had massive progress with the top two teeth too, which have JUST about cut through the gums.
- Rediscovered her rolling skills. She isn't crawling yet, but my goodness, the girl can flip. She's making her way across the living room by rolling tummy-back-tummy-back over & over. She wakes up from every nap or sleep in her cot by rolling onto her belly now.
- Begun eating some finger foods each lunch time in her big girl high chair. She's still not too sure about this whole feeding herself nonsense though; half the time she spends her lunches mashing the food into the tray, and doesn't quite 'get' the concept of putting the food from her hand to her mouth. Baby steps..
- Started to attempt waving to people - we make a habit of telling her HI! or BYE! with a big exaggerated wave of the arm, and she's starting to copy it. It's a little bit cute.
- Experienced her first Christmas! We had a really busy few days, and she coped with all the changes and the craziness like a trouper. Lots of presents, lots of cuddles, and a very spoiled little girl.
- Been keeping herself occupied by herself for longer periods of time. She's happy sitting down and playing with her toys for a lot longer than before, though still gets frustrated if things are out of her reach.
- Loved the water! She has been doing swimming lessons for a few months now, and the fears are gone - now she is splashing and kicking and trying to drink the pool water. I'm really glad we persevered with swimming, as it's good to see her confidence growing. We'll be doing a few more weeks in the new year, and then leaving it for a little while. The plan is to restart again when she's 18 months old & in the next age for classes, since the lessons are a bit repetitive.
- Continued having all sleeps in her nursery, cuddled up to her soft bunny comforter & singing seahorse.
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