It has been a busy and whirlwind kind of year for us here in the Napping household. Waay too many hours in the hospital, too many dollars to medical bills and too much “surviving” going on here. I’ve felt torn in too many directions the past few months and I know things around While He Was Napping have been sporadic at best. My newsletter all but dropped off the edge of the Earth, my Facebook page and Twitter growth have been stagnant lately and my posting has been erratic. Have you noticed? It’s okay, be honest. So I have chosen a word for next year:
FOCUS.
2015 will be a growing year for me. For me as a crafter, a blogger, a photographer, a mom, a wife and a woman. I’m going to focus on making things simpler, more effective, better. But before we move on to bigger and better things around here, let’s throwback to the great parts of this year. There actually were a few.
THE BEST OF 2014
– What’s in My Hospital Bag… This Time. There seems to be lots of mommas out there that were packing hospital bags this year! And we love to get and share ideas on ways to make that momentous occasion memorable and as comfortable and easy as possible. So, check out what I wish I’d had the first two times and add your must-haves to the comments!
– What’s in Daddy’s Hospital Bag? Of course this would be right up with momma’s hospital bag! Daddies need things for the hospital stay too! We’ve learned from trial and error that there are things that will make Daddy more comfortable and better able to help (and not so bored or feeling helpless) at this time when the majority of the focus is on mom and baby.
– 20 (Practically Free) Date Night Ideas. Because we’re spending all our money having babies and buying all the things you need for them… right? There’s ideas for both dates at home and ones that take you out of the house. Check it out now… Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it.
– The Best Baby Shower Ideas. Because we like to celebrate the babies before they get here of course. I found some really great ideas that are how I would’ve loved my baby shower to have been planned – Celebrating without being center-stage sort of party.
– Five Sight Word Apps to Help Your Child Learn to Read. All those babies grow up sometime and we try to help make them into respectable and well-functioning adults. My Big J started kindergarten this year and we have been learning to read; which, in the words of my five-year-old, “is really, really hard!” I’ve tried to make it a little more fun and a little less tedious by letting him learn while he gets screen time – it’s a win-win for both of us.
– 12 Month Pre-Planned, {Mostly} Pre-Paid Date Night Kit. Because kids are a lot of work, it’s important to take time to re-connect to your spouse. Pre-planned and mostly pre-paid dates take the “we don’t have time (or money)” excuse out of the mix. Plan dates that include a variety of activities, including ones at home after the kids are in bed or ones the kids can do with you, to allow for dates that will fit into almost any situations and circumstances you may find yourselves in. Can’t find a sitter? That’s ok! Date night still stands! This was a lifesaver with a newborn!
– How to Pack a School Lunch. Help the kids help themselves! Moms (and dads!) are busy people! Adding “pack lunch” to the to-do list is just one more thing that has to be crammed into an already-full day. Help the kids learn responsibility and help out with some of the daily tasks that have to be done with this printable. Or use it to break the ‘sandwich cycle’.
As I mentioned, my posting schedule was rough this year. When Baby N showed up three weeks earlier than expected, it threw a kink into our lives. Between adding another little boy to our family and the general chaos that is life with three little boys, I’ve had a hard time figuring out the balance between mommy and blogger (and all the other hats I wear), but this next year will be my quest to find balance and focus on the things that really matter to me. So, see ya later 2014! Onward to bigger and better! Welcome 2015!
