It’s time for my annual New Year’s resolution and wishlist.  In the past, I always listed just wishlist without making an effort of thinking about my resolution.  In reality, my resolution had always been the same… that is being able to sleep at least 6 hours/day, something that has yet to happen unfortunately.  However, I feel like making changes to be a better person this year.  Looking back 2011 has been full of the ups and downs.  Below is the list I made last year of what I want in 2011:

1. Get a brand new stainless steel gas stove with over the range microwave.
2. Get a new wrought iron patio furniture.  Thanks to Craigslists
3. Home Improvement.  Get the bathroom fixed and hopefully get the kitchen back splash that I want.  Replacing the flooring will probably have to wait.  Unchecked.  We found out there was nothing wrong with our bathroom.  However we fixed the trimming a little bit on the second bathroom.  Kitchen backsplash again had to be postponed.
4. I want my baby to be healthy.  I’m hoping it’s going to be a girl, but as long as it’s healthy, that’s all matters.  I have a beautiful healthy baby boy whom I adore each and every day.
5. I want my hubby to find a new job.  I know how unhappy he is with his job right now and hopefully he could find something that makes him happy.  Unchecked.  I don’t know if he’ll ever have any intention of looking for a job.  I guess I believe it when I see it.  Whatever floats his boat…that’s all matter to me.
6. Get a bedroom makeover.  I want to downsize our current Cal King size bed into Queen size.  While doing that, we might as well replace our bedroom furniture.  Unchecked.  Sometimes we have our two little ones sleep with us.  Yes… all four of us in our King size bed.  I sleep nurse my baby during early a.m feeding (can’t make myself sitting down during those hours).  And sometimes my oldest son crawl into our bed in the middle of the night.  So, I don’t think this wish is going to happen anytime soon.
7. I want to upgrade my blog with the next version of Wordpress.  I’m not a techy person… believe me!  If I do this myself, it will probably take ten times longer than most techy person.  I just don’t know if I have time to do this myself with the arrival of our baby.  Volunteers anyone?  Unchecked, but my hubby is going to do this as my Christmas present.
8. Monetizing my blog by having a store front.  I have earned quite a bit with this blog through paid reviews and affiliates marketing.  It would be nice if I could have a store front and earn money through commission only.  Again, not sure where to start or if I have time to develop this plan.  Unchecked.

The unpredictable ups in 2011:

1. My hubby and I went on a cruise early this year while I was 3 month pregnant.  Thanks to my sister in law and hubby’s cousin who watched our son, we were able to go to a 3 day cruise… just the two of us.  We ate and ate, did snorkeling, dancing, it was by far the best vacation I’ve ever had
2. Hubby got higher raise than usual
3. We finally installed the shelving unit in the garage and now my garage is all nice and neat.  There will be a post about this project in the Spring
4. Got a new car.  I sold my beloved ten-year-old two door Civic and got a brand new Honda Fit
5. Developed a new friendship with a group of people.  These people came to our church on my son’s baptism even though they’re not Catholic.  They stopped by and delivered food while my mom was hospitalized even though they don’t live nearby.  When you’re down, that’s when you find who your friends are

The unpredictable downs in 2011:

1. My mom got really sick while staying with us

And now my 2012 Wishlist and Resolution:

1. Unresolved 2011 Wishlist and Resolution number 3, 7 and 8.  The home improvement will only be for kitchen update which includes backsplash, granite countertop, drop down sink, and new faucet.  Until I get that, I’m going to put it on my wishlist every single year
2. Watch less TV and blog more.  Over the past few months I have been so busy with work and my baby who’s still waking up in the middle of the night.  By the time the kids go to bed, I’m just totally exhausted and can’t even think.  I’m hoping next year would be much better
3. My baby can sleep through the night.  Baby… I love you so much, but will you please stop waking up at 3 a.m for feeding so Mommy can function better?
4. Learn SQL
5. I would like to move to a different group within my department.  About a month ago, I told my boss and my boss’ boss that I would like to do something different and moving to a different group might be the way to go.  I’m not looking for a promotion, although I won’t refuse it.  But I just get bored doing what I’m doing right now and need to learn something new
6. Decluttering and downsizing by selling my dog business stuffs and hubby’s DVD collection
7. Organize my office, perhaps getting rid of the ginormous bookshelves, installing shelving unit in the closet and buy a nice futon or small sofa bed for a guest
8. Travel to California to visit Cars Land at Disneyland Adventure Park that will be opened next year
9. Hire a landscaper to make over my front and backyard.  No need major makeover, just a simple trimming, Spring cleanup, and removing unwanted plants
10. Sell our rental property

So many things I want…So little time…

2011 has been a roller coaster for us.  Even though my mom got really sick last year, but I’m thankful that she’s getting so much better every day.  I’m thankful for the ups and downs because it’s only going to make us stronger and be a better person.  I’m welcoming 2012 with a positive attitude and hope it will be a much better year for us.

Happy New Year!!

Thanks for the post, Kathy Shelton

I love being at home with my parents and visiting their house has gotten SO much better since they got Direct tv. I’m from a really, really small town and they still live there so there is next to nothing to do and it can get really quiet at home. For the longest time they had a huge analog set with rabbit ear antennas but of course they got rid of that last year when we got them a new TV. I love seeing my folks but they’re not the most talkative people in the world and sometimes they like to just turn on the boob tube and all sit around in the living room. I don’t get it – at my house people are running around and climbing all over each other but hey, it’s not my house and that’s why I come here – for something different! Anyway, can’t wait to go back down there again since we just left for Christmas and you know, that’s a good thing. Most of my friends hate going home!

Top ten things that I’m thankful this year:

1. My kids, especially the birth of my baby boy.  They are my reason to live.
2. My mom’s health.  A few months ago my mom came here to help out with the baby.  She got really sick and hospitalized for about two weeks.  After being released from the hospital, it took her about a month to get back on her feet.  I’m so happy that she’s healthy again
3. My aunt who came from Canada to help out while my mom was recovering
4. My dad who also came since he was worried sick about my mom.  I’m also thankful that he really did try to help out around the house
5. This might sound a little weird, but the whole experience when my mom got sick.  I’m the kind of person who normally try to make lemonade out of lemons.  Although it was the most stressful time I’ve ever had this year, it made me realize how important it is to take care of our health and not to ignore what our body tells us
6. Our family
7. Job.  Though not the best thing in the world, but I consider myself lucky to still have a job in this kind of economy
8. A wonderful group of friends that are like my family
9. My blog.  A place for me to cry, laugh, tell the world about my opinion, and it’s rewarding at the same time
10. My relationship with PR reps who offer lots of ideas and topics for my blog

There are days when I wish my life could be different.  Making a list of things definitely help me to appreciate what I have.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Gobble Gobble Gobble….

Kroger recently did a survey about the joys and frustrations of motherhood,  1000 mothers with kids under the age of six participated on the survey. The questions were pretty intriguing and I feel really connected to these women.

1. What motherhood moment they most want to relive? 68% say the instant they first held their child.
   I have to agree 100%.  The moment I held my babies in my arm, I knew my life had changed forever for the better.
2. What would these moms do if they get an extra hour in their day? 23% reading, 22% sleep, 7% a little romance.
   I personally would pick blogging, but if it’s not an option then I would pick sleep. As a nursing mom, sleeping 6 hours straight is a rarity for me these days.
3. What is the most hectic time of the day? 43% say morning, 35% say evening before bed time.
   Again, I have to agree 100%.  I prepare my oldest son in the morning, although sometimes my husband is the one who drop him off to daycare.  It doesn’t matter how early I get up in the morning, I always end up arriving at least 10 minutes late at work.   Either I have to deal with his morning tantrum, or get caught in the traffic, or my dog peed on the floor.  Something horrible always happens in the morning.
4. What is the worst place to have to change a baby’s diaper? 47% say public restroom with no changing table, 27% say in public when no restroom or car were available, 18% say airplane bathroom.
   I’m thinking those 47% must be living in NYC.   I’m lucky enough to be living in a Midwestern city where most places are kids/babies friendly.  When I take my oldest son to his Chinese School that happens to be in an Elementary School, I do have to change my baby’s diaper in the middle of hallway.  Our car is too small to change diaper, and obviously changing table doesn’t exist in an Elementary School.  Other than that, I don’t have any problem finding places to change diapers.
5. What is the most embarrassing moment in motherhood? 14% say diaper leaks, 52% say tantrum, 12% say when their child asked an embarrassing question about a stranger.
   Mine would be leaning towards the last one (embarrassing comments). I have to admit that both hubby and I have “Road Rage”. We tend to cuss over stupid driver, or people who drive really slow (hint: old people).  One time my kid called someone “Old F***er” at the grocery store out of the blue. Luckily the lady couldn’t really hear, but still…I ran away as fast as I could.  There was also one time we made a quick stop at a gas station because my son had to do “number 2”.   When we got out, my hubby was at the cash register.  My son ran over to him and said out loud, “DADDY! I POOPED REALLY BIG!!!  Everybody inside the gas station was laughing and I could feel my face turned red.
6. Which one is harder, the birth of first child or the arrival of second one? 76% mothers with one child said the adjustment of the first born is the hardest, but 53% of the mothers with more than one at home said getting adjusted to the second child is more trying.
   I guess in my case would be the birth of my firstborn is more challenging, especially in term of my relationship with hubby.  All the sudden it’s not just me and hubby anymore.  There is this little person who is so demanding that came between us.  With the second one, I’m more relaxed and know what I’m doing.  Also my son is 4 when his brother was born; he’s old enough to be a little bit independent.
7. Do you know everything about motherhood? 45% turn to their own parents or extended family for parenting advice, 32% seek out other parents.
   I think I relied more on other parents aka my friends who are a parent because I feel like my parents’ advices are a little bit obsolete and cannot be applied to kids these days.

The survey made realize that I’m not alone.  Motherhood is tough.  Everyone is struggling just as much and hopefully someday…we all can look back and say, “We did the best we could, we love our kids unconditionally, and we’re proud of how our kids had become”.

Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music” is playing at Nationwide Arena this weekend November 19th and 20th.  I am super excited to take my son to see Sesame Street Live this weekend.  I grew up watching Sesame Street, and my son loves it too.  His favorite character is Elmo.

The show is a larger than life, musical touring stage production featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie, and many more.  Elmo and his friends are taking to the stage to share the magical world of music with children.  When Jenny, the new Sesame Street music teacher, moves into town, her instruments get lost.  Jenny’s new Sesame Street friends quickly come to her rescue, and they all discover “instruments” that they never knew existed… rubber duckies, trash can lids and even their own laps!  the characters teach children and themselves, that everyone has the ability to make beautiful music, whether they realize it or not.  Don’t miss this opportunity to count along with The Count, visit Elmo’s World and do the Crumb-A-Rumba with Rosita and Cookie Monster at Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music”.

Get $3.00 off ticket by using the passcode ERNIE at ticketmaster.com to receive the discount.

Performance Schedule:

Saturday, November 19 10:30 am, 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm

Sunday, November 20 1:00 pm & 4:30 pm