Resolutions seem destined to fail, or more appropriate for politics. So this year I've decided to do challenges instead. I've been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and she set up different goals for herself on a monthly basis. I really like that idea. I figure that I can do anything for a month, and that's long enough to see if it's something that I want to implement in my life full time.
For January I decided to not purchase anything other than necessities. Not only did we spend a whooping amount on our new backyard, the furnace and the holidays, but I refuse to believe that I need more stuff simply because I have a bit of an Amazon/Zappos addiction (Amazon Prime makes it almost too easy!) Plus, we're coming off the holidays where we received many thoughtful gifts, for which I'm still trying to find homes.
This means no thoughtless purchases for myself or Porter. Not even for bitty things like sponges or specialty soaps. I do plan on purchasing balloons for Porter's first birthday party, and have to admit that I did buy a calendar. It was a thoughtless purchase, which is why a challenge like this seems important. Making thoughtless acquisitions leads to clutter and wasted money. I've become a master at thoughtless buying and I'm starting to feel like a consumer sheep, being bamboozled by shiny new trinkets.
For Porter's birthday, since it falls a couple weeks after Christmas, I've also decided that rather than gifts he should get experiences. He may not like this in the future, but until he can tell me otherwise, that's how I'm going to play it. This year he's getting a Zoo Boise membership (okay I'm getting it, but he's free with an adult.)
I'm excited about this challenge and curious to see what our bank account will look like after the month is over. It's also exciting to not be contributing overtly to the "consumer culture" that I believe has gotten out of control over the last couple decades. Even though many folks are shouting BUY BUY BUY, and saying that it will save the economy, it just doesn't seem like that's the only way to make change. The Center For A New American Dream website is interesting and has some good ideas on the subject. While they've associated with the whole Occupy Movement, I believe their ideas are greater and bigger than just the 99%. Their video about a Plentitude Economy is very intriguing to me, here it is so you can be in the loop too. What do you think?
Did you make any resolutions for the new year? What do you do to save money or cut back on stuff? I'll let you know how this challenge turns out at the end of the month, and by then I'll have February's challenge ready to go. It's belated now, but
Happy 2012!
His favorite place to play is next to front door. It's seriously freezing there, but whatever.
Guaranteed best pictures...the moment he realizes he has a bowl full of raspberries.
He was thrilled to stick them in his mouth 2-3 at time. Good thing they're mushy.
Mmmmmm.
Despite the cool winter weather, mittens are no good. His newest use for teeth is pulling the mittens off as quickly as possible.
One mitten.
Two mittens!
So excited to be walking next to mom, not in front of her in the stroller.
Here are videos from the last month. It's hard to believe that next week my sweet baby will be a year old, how time flies! I'm more and more thankful for photos and videos so we can always remember these sweet times.
Thanks to my parent's neighbors Mara and Joe for letting us use this neat car for our walk in Capitola.
Drum circle with Porter, Luke and Steve.
A visit with our friend Hattie.
New Year's Day
If you listen carefully you can hear him say "raspberry" right at the end.
Thanks to Grandpa Craig and Gramma Mikie for the awesome wagon, Porter loves, LOVES, walking down the sidewalk.
And some more.
I think letting him stand may end up biting me in the a$$. I mean really, just look at his face.
On nights that Luke gives him a bath they do this pull up routine. Porter pushes off Luke's chest and does the pull ups himself while Luke supports him. With all the calisthenics he's being doing lately, it's no wonder he's eating me out of house and home!
2011 was Porter's first holiday season. He was supposed to have been born right around the holidays last year, but as we all know he came a few weeks late. I think it was better this way, the pictures of baby's first Christmas are so much cuter with his smiles.
We spent actual Christmas with Luke's family and had a lovely visit with Porter's Grandma Teri, Papa Bob, and his Aunties Katie and Anna. There were also plenty of doggies to keep us company and the stomach flu, which tore through the household during our entire visit. It was Porter's gift to us all, so tender. We didn't let that get us down, and had wonderful food, great weather and lots of love.
Out for an early morning walk with Aunt Katie.
I thought it was crazy for Luke to go on the 3 mile walk the morning
after having the stomach flu, and yes it was...crazy. Porter was a big
help too, only wanting to be carried. That boy loves his dada!
It wouldn't be a complete visit with Granny Alton if Porter didn't
learn how to play the Champagne Game!
On the day after Christmas Porter, Luke, Aunt Katie and I drove down to Capitola for 2nd Christmas with my family. The drive took 5 hours (usually a 3.5 hour drive), but it was well worth it to get to spend a few glorious days in Capitola with Gramma Mikie, Grandpa Craig and Uncles Steve and Kumar. I got a new camera for 2nd Christmas, which is why most of the pictures are from the second half of the trip. Here we go!
At the Boise Airport playing in the kids play area with a new friend.
Porter is 11 months and his friend, also a boy, is 10 months.
Bougainvillea growing up the side of my parents house on a foggy morning.
My parents have a large collection of percussive instruments that Porter LOVES to play with.
Porter's latest facial expression.
Gettin' down with his bad self.
A duet with Uncle Steve.
My parent's Christmas tree, beautiful as ever, and more instruments.
Uncle Steve really does know how to play the piano.
Climbing stairs, a new passion.
Steve and Kumar in the holiday spirit.
A leisurely drive along the cliff.
It's no visit to Santa Cruz without a drum circle.
We popped over the hill to visit my childhood friend Brynn and her family.
Look closely. Can you find the dad's with babies?
Porter and Hattie
After mastering the 3 stairs into the kitchen, it was time for the real thing.
A view from the summit.
My Sunset Magazine inspired post Christmas breakfast.
Soft boiled eggs, grapes, Mexican hot chocolate and Cardamom Apricot Coffee Cake.
A triumph!
How many Wilson's does it take to make a coffee cake?
3. Me, my dad and Steve.
Mexican hot chocolate. This will become a regular in my house.
Porter got his first ice cream cone. Oh goody! He wouldn't let me take it away from him,
and then the rest of the evening ensued.
Sleep? No thanks.
The Porter family was a big influence in the Santa Cruz area, including various places in Capitola.
Upon our return to Boise we took a New Year's Eve walk in the foothills with Auntie Anna.
When friends and family hear how loud Porter can get, they often make the assumption that he gets it from me. I present to you now, evidence to the contrary.
As I write this, my husband is on a "man mission" to get a fire rolling in our stove. We were putting Porter to sleep this evening, the heater kicked on, and I smelled the faint smell of natural gas. Oh goody! Right at bedtime too. We killed the heater, called the gas company and a nice man came out to check the gas levels. He didn't find anything, but we're playing it safe and keeping the heater off tonight and calling in help tomorrow.
While it's a pain in the butt, Luke shines in moments like this and is relishing his ability to provide for us in this way. I'm quite happy that he likes doing it too. Here's a screen shot of what the weather is supposed to be like tonight. Perfect timing for heater troubles.
Thankfully we have an amazing wood burning stove that heats our house front to back. With some amazing planning, Luke got it together last month to chop all the wood we've had laying around, stack it on pallets and cover it. We now have plenty of fuel to burn. It's times like these that I'm really glad we have a small house. Time to pioneer-up!
It's also been really windy the last few days, which has made taking Porter for walks a little difficult. He's got his warm clothes, but when the wind gusted all of the leaves flew right into his face. Luckily, we were gifted an amazing stroller by our friends Chelsea and Shaun. It's perfectly suited for walking in the elements, something Porter and I plan on doing a lot this winter.
I'm glad I had a newborn last winter and got all my fretting out then. Is he warm enough? Too warm? Sun in his eye's? Every square inch of skin covered? Okay, so I'll never really stop trying to keep him comfortable, but at least I'm not as neurotic as last January. This winter I know how to dress him for the cold and I'm excited, or at least ready, for the winter to hit. Cheers to staying warm!
Winter wear: fleece pjs, snow bib, fleece lined rain jacket,
hat with lined ear/chin strap, mittens, UGG sheepskin booties.
Last year I had an amazing winter suit with covered feet, hands and hood,
from my mom. Now that Porter's wearing 12-18 month sizes,
they don't make giant one piece snowsuits. Darn it.
Pod baby!
He's a big fan of the clear plastic shield. Beneath it
he probably didn't need all the layers and
the wind and leaves were kept at bay.
I'm not feeling very inspired to write these days. Blogging definitely has its highs and lows. Looking at pictures, however, is easy. I came across two family pictures and it made me realize how happy I am with our little family.
Having a baby hasn't been easy. It's involved a lot of personal growth and stretch on Luke's and my relationship. And to be perfectly honest, I still jump when I hear Porter make noises in his sleep. In the beginning it was because I was afraid he wasn't breathing, but now it's just because I need more sleep at night. The last 11 months have made me feel more alive, and I'm excited for the future. I even started reading a potty training book today. Wishful thinking?
Today I laughed with my son so many time's I can't even count them. Then after he went to sleep I laughed with my husband. I hope you get to experience happiness at this level, because it feels so freakin' good!
A couple days after Porter was born.
Late October, Porter 9 months. Photo by Ashley Romero.
