May: Reflection & Rejuvenation

From the Nikki McClure Calendar

I look forward to this monthly ritual of reflection. I am much more likely to follow-through with my intentions when I have this system in place for holding myself accountable.

Let’s see how I did last month:

• Savor my time with my son, Henry, despite the difficult parts: Yes! We are having lots of fun. We have weekly play dates with friends and this month we are going to start swimming!
• Send printed photos to the grandparents, like I promised to do every month for their Christmas presents last year: I’m going to go do this right now, and then come back to finish this post…okay, DONE!
• Study Spanish for 20 minutes every weekday (I do this while breast feeding): I did a great job for most of the month, but I’ve been slacking off at the end. Must re-commit to this!
• Attend a Montessori class twice a week with Henry and learn as much as I can: Yes!
• Actively participate in the Purposeful Conception community: Yep.
• Make a great dish and present for my good friend’s Potluck Picnic Birthday Party: Yep.
• Continue to strengthen my partnership with Matt through each interaction and passing day: Pretty good job!
• Figure out how to pump and store breast milk: Yes!
• Go on a date night with Matt: Oops. I forgot about this one…
• Continue to meet up with other new mothers frequently: Yes! Every single week.
• Take time to be by myself and go on outings: Yep!
• Nap! Nap! Nap!: As much as I can…
• Send birthday cards to my friends/family: For the most part…
• Start going to yoga once a week and running twice a week (when my midwife clears me): I have signed up for a class that starts this week. As for the running, my midwife explained that running isn’t so good on the joints while breast feeding. I’m fine sticking to walking for now.
• Finalize my book outline: Hmm…I’ve made progress, but it’s definitely not finished.

For this upcoming month, I’m feeling the need to be gentle with myself. I can feel my ambitions starting to overshadow my abilities at the moment. Being my child’s first teacher is a huge job! Plus, I’m keeping two blogs going and running an online course. I should consider those among my intentions:

• Be the best mother and teacher I can be for my son, Henry
• Maintain consistent posting on my two blogs
• Advertise for the next Purposeful Conception Course: Preparing Your Mind, Body, and Life for Pregnancy
• Send printed photos to the grandparents, like I promised to do every month for their Christmas presents last year
• Study Spanish for 20 minutes every weekday (I do this while breast feeding)
• Attend a Montessori class twice a week with Henry and learn as much as I can
• Plan a fun potluck picnic for the next silent film at Discovery Green
• Plan a reunion for my childbirth class
• Pump and store enough breast milk for a night away with Matt (while my bonus mom and bonus brother stay with Henry)
• Send birthday cards to my friends/family
• Walk frequently and go to yoga once a week
• Finish my book outline!
• Finish evaluating the charter applications for the state
• Be patient and forgiving with myself

I think that’s about all I can handle (and that may be too much!).