Audrey Month Recap

That’s a Wrap! [July]

Today I’m sharing my favorite moments, lessons, posts, funnies, etc. from the past month.

Favorite Moments

It was a quiet month, but we (safely) went to the zoo, went to weekly swim lessons, and socially distantly visited with family. Little moments that seem SO big right now.

We took M camping in a travel trailer last weekend and had a much much much better time than I anticipated. I’m not a pessimist, but I am a realist… and I anticipated camping with a 7 month old to be miserable. Turns out it was a lot of fun and totally do-able for our family!

Favorite Lessons

I am not in control of other people. I can’t control how they think or react. I can’t control what they do or say. And I won’t always like how things shake out. But confidence is key & knowing that I am in control of my own behavior is a big deal on the pathway to happiness.

K is the most loyal partner & person I know. My husband is excellent at letting me fight my own battles and informing me (privately) when I’m wrong in certain situations, but he is a true partner, forever in my corner. He has my back, lends his shoulder, and tags in when I flounder.

Favorite Posts

Stephanie has revamped her blog and it looks so good! Check out Simple by Stephanie!

Other Favorites

One of my all time favorite books, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, is on sale for Kindle on Amazon right now. If you’ve been meaning to read it (or read a Christie novel), this is the one!

COVID-19 is keeping me from Target & limiting accessibility to my favorite restaurants, but it’s not starving my family. The same can’t be said for thousands around the world (including approximately 10,000 children per month). If you have the funds to donate to the food banks and organizations who are responding to this crisis around the world, you can do that HERE.

From My Blog

My favorite post from this month was my letter to new moms. A close tie for second? These conversations with K and my 101 in 1001 list! And of course, all the things more uncomfortable than wearing a mask.

Funnies

That’s all I’ve got- a relatively quiet month with lots of family time. How about you?

Audrey Humor, Relationships

Chats With K

Hi! Welcome to another edition of chats with K (a.k.a. my husband).

While browsing bridesmaid dresses for my bff’s wedding.
Me: Ooh, I like this one but it’s a high-low and she said long.
K: What the hell is a “high-low”?
Me: Shorter in the front and longer in the back.
K: Oh, a mullet dress.

Me: We need to talk about something. *launches into a parenting theory and how it applies to what we’re doing with M and eventually lands on the conclusion that we’re doing things right and we probably don’t need to change*
K: … … … ok.
Me: I guess we didn’t really need to talk about anything. I could’ve kept that in my head.
K: Yeah… that’s very true.

Me: You’re chewing gum. You don’t usually chew gum.
K: I had an eye doctor appointment today and they were right in my face.
Me: But… you had a mask on…
K: Farts go through pants!

After walking up the stairs to put M down for a nap…
K: Have you started feeding her yet?
Me: No, why? Do you need something?
K: I need you to come here a minute….
I walk back down the stairs & K meets me there.
K: Ok, I’ll take her *scoops M from my arms* and you need to go kill the big black fuzzy thing on the window sill. You should take a shoe. Or a shotgun.

*It was a spider. K hates spiders.

After an extremely stressful day at work and 20 minutes of yelling for Bristol to stop attacking a bird in the backyard and then cleaning up the dead bird/wiping blood off the dog….
K: How are you not drinking wine yet…!?

I think I took a glass of wine to bed with me after that last conversation. LOL. Thank goodness M was asleep for most of that!

Audrey Baby Talk, Uncategorized

Baby Talk: Dear New Mom

Happy Thursday. This has been on my heart so I wanted to get it out.

Jackie Beachy Photography

Dear New Mom,

First of all, congratulations! Secondly, how are you? Welcome to what I would describe as the hardest month/six weeks of your life. I am 7 months and 3 weeks into this parenting thing and, admittedly, we both have a long way to go… but there’s a massive difference between where you’re at and where I’m at, so I wanted to give you some encouragement.

Let’s get this out of the way: there is nothing wrong with you.

If you want to do laundry and organize the pantry while baby sleeps, do it. If you want to hold your baby while she sleeps, do it. If you want to take a nap while he’s snoozing, do it. There isn’t a wrong way and you shouldn’t feel guilty. Listen to your body and your brain.

But also… tell your brain to can it. You’re going to feel guilt. Guilt over a dirty house. Guilt over “spoiling” your baby (<< impossible.) Guilt over wanting to hand baby off to a visitor while you do dishes/nap/shower(/cry).

Stop that. Guilt only sucks whatever energy and stamina you have left. There is no wrong way to survive the first month as long as you’re taking care of your brain and body.

But let’s talk about your body. Girlfriend… it’s straight up broken– whether you pushed baby out or underwent a cesarean. (And if you adopted you’re STILL not running at 100% because babies suck the life out of you no matter what.) I know it takes all your energy to stand or roll out of bed for the 100th time to feed a crying baby. I know you pee when you sneeze… or cough… or move. I know there are stretch marks and swelling and ouchies everywhere. I know your boobs hurt.
Not to mention your brain and your hormones and your insides…

The six week gap between birth and your first appointment is B U L L S H I T . If you need to see the doctor sooner, do it. (I went twice- once for PPD and once for an infection.) Give your body what it needs- antidepressants, sleep, Tylenol, etc. Even if you’re breastfeeding, the doctors can work with you and figure out how to help. Talk to them.

And now for the most important part: accept the help (& do so without feeling guilty!).

If you have a spouse, let them raise that baby, too. They’re not helping you or watching the kid, they’re raising their child. If you have family nearby that you trust and love, accept their help. Let them spend the night or drive you to your doctor appointment or pick up the groceries for you. If you have a trusted neighbor let them come over and rock the baby to sleep while you shower. Say YES when you need the help or want the break. I was bad about this & I regret it.

I know you’ve heard this before & I hope it’s not coming across as unsolicited advice.

Please know that sometimes these are not the golden days… Sometimes these are the make-it-or-break-it days. You’re tired and sore; it’s tough to truly enjoy anything in those moments. But the days will get better and better. Motherhood will start to feel more natural over time. Your baby will recognize you and smile at you. You will figure out how to squeeze in sleep and brushing your teeth and maybe even a shower.

It doesn’t get easier necessarily, but you get much much better at it. And you’ll realize that all things end- good or bad. The crying, the sleepless nights, the snuggles, the helplessness… it will all end eventually and you’ll come out on the other side.

For the new moms in my life, if you want to reach out I am available. You can vent, ask me to mask-up and hold your baby, or run to the grocery store with a long list.

You will get through this. Your baby will thrive. You are doing a fantastic job. ❤️

Audrey Goals etc.

Let’s Do This | 101 in 1001

At some point I created a 30×30 list and shared it on my blog. It had its own page and I managed to accomplish 14 things plus two almost completed items. But I’m turning 30 in October and I don’t see myself checking the remaining items off… so we’re going to start a new list & I’m jumping on the 101 in 1001 wagon- starting August 1st!

Self

1 | Read 101 books.
2 | Re-read HP 4, 5, 6, & 7 illustrated versions; as available.
3 | Find & stick to a Bible study that works for me.
4 | Vote in 2020 election.
5 | Watch a movie that was made the year I was born.
6 | Make a new friend.
7 | Read 3 “classic” books.
8 | Stop biting my nails FOR GOOD.
9 | Potty train M.
10 | Minimalize life.

Health

11 | Take 50 barre and yoga classes.
12 | Complete 30 Days of Yoga.
13 | Stop drinking pop for 3 months.
14 | Get & stay under ideal weight.
15 | No fast food for a month.
16| Replace a bad habit with a good one.
17 | Go to the dentist.
18 | Stop scrolling by 8pm every night.
19 | Ride my bicycle every day for a week.
20 | Walk from my home to the square & back.

Home

21 | Create a home master list.
22 | CCW course with K.
23 | Build out/complete the closet.
24 | Build shade/covering for back deck.
25 | Landscape backyard.
26 | Change out kitchen dishes & glassware.
27 | Hang HP prints in hall.
28 | Get headboard/bedroom furniture figured out.
29 | Plant (& successfully grow) sunflowers in the yard.
30 | Make ice cream with the ice cream maker.

Finances

31 | Pay off all credit card debt.
32 | Make next “fun” purchases.
33 | Pay for someone else’s meal/coffee/etc. once a month.
34 | One month shopping ban.
35 | Open and contribute to Roth IRA.

Skills

36 | Scrapbook Marriage Years (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
37 | Scrapbook Pregnancy.
38 | Perfect the art of making pies.
39 | Take sign language course.
40 | Complete language courses on Dulingo (or another app… # of courses tbd).

Family

41 | Celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary.
42 | Enroll M in dance classes when old enough.
43 | Enroll M in music classes when old enough.
44 | Take M to story time somewhere.
45 | Very personalized Christmas gifts one year.

Dogs

46 | Complete two levels of training with Bristol.
47 | Take B hiking 10 times.
48 | Gets dogs groomed 4xs a year.
49 | Donate to an animal rescue each month.
50 | Budget back in poop-pick-up service. Ha.

Local

51 | See Trumpet in the Land.
52 | Volunteer regularly.
53 | Find a church home.
54 | Strengthen friendships in Moms Group.
55 | Go to Christmas in the Park.
56 | Visit 10 new restaurant.
57 | Make Christmas cookies for all the neighbors.
58 | Take in three shows at the Performing Arts Center
59 | Go to a race at the local speedway.
60 | Eat at a Diners, Drive Ins, & Dives location.

Travel

61 | Visit Disney World with K & M.
62 | Visit 3 new NASCAR tracks.
63 | See the West Coast.
64 | Go on a cruise or to an all-inclusive resort.
65 | Visit Rock n’ Roll HOF
66 | Take M to Williamsburg.
67 | Take a couples vacation with just K (not a work trip).
68 | Visit a new state.
69 | Go on a girls’ trip.
70 | Go to Nantucket.

Social/Holidays

71 | Continue to host Halloween Parties (x/3).
72 | Host Christmas morning for our families.
73 | Mail cards for every anniversary/birthday/holiday in a year to family & friends.
74 | Adopt a family for Christmas.
75 | Be a maid of honor!

Simplify

76 | Host another garage sale.
77 | Complete another MinsGame Challenge.
78 | Figure out morning routine with M.
79 | Stick to a gratitude journal every day for a month.
80 | Leave 5 inspirational notes for a stranger to find.

Adventure

81 | Go white water rafting.
82 | Go on an RV trip somewhere outdoorsy.
83 | Find 5 new hiking/walking paths.
84 | Visit a National Park.
85 | Go to three concerts.

Work

86 | Revamp blog & images.
87 | Clean out/edit old dated posts on blog.
88 | Hang artwork in my office.
89 | Meet a blog friend in person.
90 | Build bookstagram/travel IG.

Misc.

91 | Leave a 100% tip for good service.
92 | Finish M’s Baby Book.
93 | Finish our wedding album.
94 | Host a game night.
95 | Invite neighbors for dinner.
96 | Plan and host street/block party.
97 | Cook 30 recipes from cookbooks owned (no internet).
98 | Paint a picture.
99 | Take photos of the same location through all 4 seasons.
100 | Spot a shooting star.
101 | Finish all 101 items 😉

If I kick this off in August, I have until April 28, 2023 to finish. (That’s the day after our 10 year anniversary!)

Audrey Wellness

Things That Are More Uncomfortable Than Wearing a Mask….

… wearing a bra.

… wearing pants.

… wearing high heels.

… attending a middle school band concert.

… sitting at Table 9 at your third cousin’s wedding reception.

… giving birth.

… stubbing your toe.

… throwing up.

… getting water up your nose.

… buying tampons in front of your dad.

… farting right before someone comes into the room.

… a Pap smear.

… the middle seat of an airplane.

… a pea under 20 mattresses when you’re a princess.

… watching a sex scene in a movie with your parents (or worse, in-laws!).

… texting the wrong person.

… texting the wrong person something ABOUT that person.

… scraping your knuckle on cement while drawing with chalk.

… walking in on someone using the restroom.

… Texas in August.

… trying to parallel park in front of other people and realizing it’s not going to work and having to give up and drive away while everyone watches.

… biting ice cream.

… when a chip stabs you in the roof of your mouth.

… wedgies.

Just trying to bring a little humor to something that’s truly life or death. Wear a mask, friends. It’s not forever, but it’s for the good of all. And trust me, there are things much more uncomfortable- namely death & losing a loved one.

Thank you for coming to my snarky tedxtalk.