2013

2013 was like a bad boyfriend.

It started off all fun and exciting, and then came the red flags (AC breaking, losing my drivers license, etc.) Still, I stayed pretty optimistic.  Since a few things were working out for me, I kind of dove into everything headfirst, thinking it would all work out in the end.  Unfortunately all I learned was that you should never take on too many projects in your first trimester and you should never work for free.  So, 2013, this is where I say I'm getting sick and tired of you and it's time to break up.  We had some good times but in the end, I ended up wasting my time.  I'm ready for a new year.

Luckily though, a few things happened in 2013 that will make 2014 awesome. This will probably be a crazy, stressful year, but Brandon has a big boy job nailed down and I am pregnant so no matter how hectic things get, I will at least have a baby and a house by the end of the year.  And that is going to be fabulous. 

I of course could never write an end-of-year post without setting some goals for the next year.

1. Be nicer to Brandon. 
Brandon has been really nice to me this year.  And it's not like an annoying newlywed "I am so lucky I have the best husband ever <3<3<3 he is the greatest because he bought me flowers once XOXOXO" type of nice.  He has done some real, substantial, grown-up things.  Like never once complaining when I only made dinner 5 times in my entire first trimester.  Like staying calm and not judging me when one night I was so stressed out with the kids that I threatened to get my tubes tied after this baby.  Like taking care of the kids while I was in NYC pursuing my photography dreams.  Like spending 10+ hours setting up a webpage for me, without even being asked to, just so I can look more professional. Like showing me the techniques I needed to know to do a drawing for which I got paid and he received no credit.  So I'm going to try to pay him back a little. It's going to be a busy semester for him, so maybe I could do things like actually feed him dinner, or stop asking how much time it's going to take for him to graduate so I can live my ideal trophy wife lifestyle and spend all the money he makes.  Yeah, I can definitely do better.

2.  Learn how to say no.
I'm really bad at this, and the terrible thing is that some people really need to learn how to accept NO for an answer, and I've just been depriving them of this learning opportunity all along. I also need to learn that NO doesn't require an explanation, excuse, or apology.  That's the whole beauty of the word-- it's a one-word answer that gives people all the information they need.  Time to use it.

3. Stop thinking there is nothing to do.
There is always something to do.  I have no real schedule or commitments, but I still sit home some days thinking there is nothing to do.  Really? I could go to the beach on any given day if I just did it.  I could get up and take a road trip if I wanted.  No one but Brandon would even notice I'm gone. I don't have to take vacation days off work to do that.  I just need to be more fun.

Yes, 2014 is going to be eventful.  Between Brandon finishing school and starting his new job, and us buying a house and having a baby, it's probably going to go by faster than I can ever imagine.  But maybe if I do all these things I can handle the stress that comes along with all these life changes.  It's going to be a great year!

Sickies on vacation

My expectations of vacations are always wildly different from reality.

Me before going to Utah:
"Yay! I can't wait to play in the snow, have a white Christmas, drink hot chocolate, and have so much fun!"

Me, 10 minutes after arriving in Utah:
"IT IS SO COLD!!!! WHY DO PEOPLE LIVE HERE?!?!?!?"

Yep.  Brandon's decision to take a job in Houston was validated the second I stepped out of the airport.  (Not that we had other options, but still.  I'm not complaining.)

The cold hasn't even actually been that bad. The worst part has been the flu.  We were scheduled to fly out on Monday night at 6:30.  Brandon had a paper to finish that day and the weekend had been super busy for me, so there was a lot to do before we left.  And unfortunately on Monday I woke up sick and our computer wasn't working. The flights went pretty well, but they had issues getting our luggage out in Salt Lake so we didn't leave the airport until 12:30 AM, and got to Lena's house at about 1:30 AM. By the time we got in bed, we were both feeling really sick, and I just lay there shaking until I fell asleep.  Tuesday turned out to be even worse-- I coughed until I threw up, and later Brandon threw up and couldn't move, then fell asleep while eating dinner. Charlie was so tired that he slept in till noon and then fell asleep that evening while sitting down on the floor. Violet did not object to being put to bed, either.  Luckily I went and bought some BYU ice cream, which has healing properties for sore throats, and I'm feeling much better today.  But Brandon is still sick and Charlie threw up this morning, so we will still have to see it out.  So much for a relaxing vacation!

New York trip

Guys, I got to go on a trip without my kids.  You can all sit back and be jealous now.

When Ashley first offered to fly me to New York to take her maternity pictures, I was flattered and excited, but doubtful.  But happily, Brandon had finished class and tickets were cheap, so we were able to make this work!  We spent the first day there sleeping in till 10:30 (bliss), getting waffles (even more bliss), and taking Ashley's maternity pictures.  Apparently after she bought my ticket she had decided that she didn't want to do them anymore, but she went along because she had flown me out there and there was nothing she could do to get her money back. But she ended up having a good time despite the 40-degree weather, and I'm certainly glad we did these because they turned out adorable and I had a blast doing them.

I slept in till 10:00 again the next day (you'll start to notice a pattern of behavior when I'm not around my kids) and Ashley let me hang out with my friend Jennifer all day.  It worked out nicely, since Ashley was pregnant and tired and not exactly wanting to play tour guide, I got to see my friend and not feel bad for ditching the person who paid my way here.  I navigated the subway to meet up for an early lunch at a fabulous (and famous) burger place.

Not sure what to think of the subway yet.

Afterwards, Jennifer, her boyfriend and I had a photoshoot at the Brooklyn bridge.  That was probably the most "tourist-y" thing I did while there, aside from wearing bright colors.  Apparently that is a fashion faux-pas in NYC.  But the bridge was lovely, and it even started snowing right as we got off.

After walking the whole way across the bridge we decided it was time for more waffles.  I've never tasted anything better in the snow than a warm, crisp waffle covered in dulce de leche.

 After a brief stop at Jennifer's apartment, we went to a bar (go ahead and take a moment to pray for my salvation) on top of the Standard that had a great view of the city.  I ordered the virgin version of whatever she was having (something with pear juice and ginger) and it was by far the best drink I've ever had.  I'm seriously considering getting a house with a wet bar when we move just to mix myself mocktails.

 After a delicious dinner at a Filipino restaurant in the Lower East Side (quite a colorful part of town) I headed back for another round of sleeping in till irresponsible hours.

We met up one last time for some ramen lunch and it was delicious.  I would love nothing more than to have another bowl of that right now.  We stopped at Union Square to buy some overpriced souvenirs that would ultimately last only a few hours, and after one last waffle I took a cab to the airport.  It was good to get home but I miss Ashley and Jennifer a ton.

   

I was greeted by two squealing children and Brandon.  To say that I was impressed with his performance while I was gone would be a gross understatement.  I swear I get three gray hairs each time he goes on a trip.  But when I left, he not only took care of the kids, but I came home to some wrapped presents on my bed (some art supplies that I was needing for an upcoming project), he had weaned Charlie off his binkie and taught him to say "I love you mommy," and Violet was so attached to him that she kept wanting her picture taken with Daddy.  Success!

Time management issues

Here is a little glimpse into my time management these days.

Housekeeping:
Amount of time I think it's going to take me to do the dishes: 1-2 hours (of torture, obviously)
Amount of time it actually takes me to do them: 20-25 minutes
Amount of time I spend avoiding doing them: 3-4 days
Amount of time it would take to do them if I did them as often as I should: 5-10 minutes.

Hobbies:
Amount of time I think I will spend at a photo shoot: 1 hour
Amount of time I actually spend there: 1.5-2 hours, plus approx. 30 minutes travel time
Amount of time I think it will take me to edit: 20-30 minutes
Amount of time it actually takes me: 2-3 hours
Amount of time I spend doing things I don't think about beforehand like uploading to dropbox or blogging: 1-2 hours
Amount of time I spend stressing about all the work I've agreed to do:  6-7 hours, daily

Kids:
Time I tell them to get ready for bed: 8:00
Amount of time I spend fighting them over jammies and toothbrushing: 30-45 minutes
Amount of time I spend in their room singing to them and trying to get them to fall asleep: 1 hour
Time they actually fall asleep: 9:30-9:45
Amount of time I spend wondering if I'm ready for another one: 24 hours, every day

Sleep:
Amount of time pregnant Lindsey would like to sleep: 9-10 hours, daily
Average bedtime after getting done everything that I need to after my kids fall asleep: 1:30 AM
Average time I get woken up in the morning: 8:30 AM
Average number of times I get up to pee in the middle of the night: 3
Average time spent cleaning up vomit or consoling a crying child during the night: 30 minutes

Clearly I need some help because I have no idea what the heck I'm doing.