December: The Month of Plans that Weren't Kept

I had made all kind of fun plans to pass the time in December for Claire and me.

I pulled out the Elf who was named Noelle, made of list of what Noelle would do and bring, and gathered supplies. Instead of the plans we had for her she came randomly when I could remember and sometimes as a bribe to get in the bath or pick up the playroom. Luckily, Claire has no real concept of the Elf yet and I was able to get away with it. Who knows what next year will bring! She ended up with fun stuff partly because I felt guilty we were never home in the evenings to put her to bed. My sister and mom did some of the activities with her so we could run up to the hospital.

I also apparently took no pictures of what I did do!

I had also planned a baby shower for our friend Kate who is due with baby Lily this month. I was smart and planned ahead ordering all the supplies off Etsy because I knew I wouldn't be up for making anything. I made her a name banner the Sunday before my water broke. The shower still went on but I just didn't get to go.

In December I also resigned from my teaching job. This is a fun fact that not many people know. I haven't talked about it widely because at first I was just crying all the time about it. I planned on going back after a few months off because my mom is staying with us for awhile. I love my job, the people I work with, and the kids I teach. After seeing my little people at home though I knew I couldn't be a good mom and teacher. Something had to give and my girls are always going to win out in that contest. Lesson planning would take up the majority of my Sunday evenings and prepping takes time. Time I'm not ready to give up. So I resigned. A few days later I took a job at the school I love to be the curriculum/student support person. I finished my masters in curriculum and instruction when Claire was 6 months old. I'm excited to start this job and use my degree more. I will only work until 1 every day and not have to bring anything home. I think it will be the perfect job. I'll get to work and be a mom and the best part...my mom is staying with us to keep the girls home from daycare until their lungs are a little stronger.

January is not full of goals or lists of things to do. January will be about survival. Surviving crazy nights of little to no sleep, establishing a feeding routine, and keeping Claire's schedule as calm and the same as possible.

So far so good. Bottom line: We are all still alive...and sleep deprived.