Happy New Year + Goals

Happy 2014! I'm a little late on this post because my girls have been sick. Ellie has been sick since the day after Christmas and still has a bad cough, which she gave to Summer. I was hoping that wouldn't happen, but it did and doesn't seem to be getting better. I took them both to the Doctor's last week and their breathing is fine so that was relief. It just makes me nervous with Summer. No fevers either. Just a lot of extra snuggling!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Day. I had planned to get a lot of things done this day since it was Nick's last day off (he is a teacher so he benefits from the long break). But, Nick's sister gave birth to her baby and we were excited to meet our new nephew who was born that afternoon. We picked up some Panera pastries for the new mama and spent most of the afternoon waiting to meet the newest addition to the family. He was adorable and quite a little peanut at 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Everyone is healthy and doing great, which is what matters most. The girls are looking forward to getting better so they can meet their new cousin!

I have made a list of changes/goals for the New Year:

1) I'd like to get to sleep earlier. I'm usually up till midnight, but with Summer waking recently around 7 or 7:30 in the morning and Ellie not napping I'd really like to be in bed by 11:00 at the latest (even 10). Plus, lately I've been so exhausted at night.

2) I'd really like to start reading again. I haven't read a book since Summer was born. But, now that the girls go to bed early I'd like to start on the stack of books I have on my dresser plus I have my list on Goodreads. The book currently on my nightstand is The Island by Elin Hilderbrand.

3) I have also just made the decision to remove the Facebook app from the iPhone. I'm not doing this because I'm on it often- I am rarely on it during the day when I'm with the girls (occasionally when I am nursing). I would rather be doing other things than checking it at night and reading about other people's lives. I would much rather meet face to face to have conversations and a lot of these people that come up on my news feed I have no association with in the real world. I initially joined Facebook years ago to keep in touch with friends and family in other parts of the world. I love that aspect about it plus they get to stay updated with my family and see pictures. So, I want to keep my account for that purpose. I figured when I want to post pictures or go on once in a while I can use the computer. I also like Facebook because I am on a few garage sale groups. I have scored some awesome deals on these sites and I like checking occasionally. I will still be using Instagram- I use that more often than Facebook now anyway. I love the picture aspect of it. I do love reading my favorite blogs though (check back soon for my "daily reads" section).

4) I also want to run at least a 10-mile race this year. There is the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia that I ran a few years ago in April or the half marathon I ran before I turned 30. My friend, Mindy, was just telling me today about a triathlon in August. I think I may sign up with her and maybe another friend of ours. It would be fun to do with friends and motivating, too.

5) The past seven months has been an adjustment with two kids. The girls keep my husband and I busy! This year I really want to make my relationship with my husband a priority. Monthly date nights if possible (maybe bi-monthly). More one on one conversations (without distraction). Our relationship has had its moments, its struggles, but that can only make us stronger. We have been together for over ten years and we now have two beautiful children together. They keep us very busy so we have to make sure we also make time for marriage.