New year, new you? What did you learn from the previous year? What would you maintain and what would you shed? 2024 was incredibly difficult for my family and I - we were hit with significant blows and loss of life. The year gave me perspective and, as they say, when you are at your lowest, there is nowhere to go but up.

What has been your experience when telling friends and family that you are pregnant? A close friend of mine just shared with me that she is newly pregnant with her first. Her experience with telling people has been a bit of a downer which I don’t think is the right tone we want to set when new moms enter the parenting community.

Q; Tell me about your son.

A: Well… he is the best. Just simply the best. Let me tell you a story about him.

Storytelling a person’s life is so much more fun and memorable than reducing a person down to adjectives. If someone were to ask you about your child, what story would you tell them?

Being married to my best friend has filled me with so much joy and wonder. Our 7 married years together bring happy tears to my eyes. The 7 years of love, laughter, growth, and appreciation have truly humbled me. I love celebrating life with my husband - happy anniversary to us and the life we are building.

I changed just one thing in my child's routine and it paid for itself in giving us more freedom and opportunities.

What is your child’s relationship with food? If you had to list the top foods your child eats, how many would be processed foods and how many would be foods that you, as the parent, also eat? The example parents set for their children on healthy food habits starts when you first introduce solid foods to your child. It is an ongoing, important relationship that we, as parents must prioritize.

Dog sense. Often referred to as ‘common sense about dogs” was absolutely lost with a recent interaction I had with my dog and a random woman with her toddler. It made me furious. It also made me think about how grateful I am for my lifelong experiences with dogs. I know each of you has great dog sense. Take a moment to read about my experience with this random woman and what I recommend moving forward.

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” - Elbert Hubbard

I love, adore, and cherish each of my friendships. Each one of you are a puzzle piece to my heart, the steady and comfortable shoulder, the rib-hurting laughter, and the crows feet surrounding my eyes.

That little voice in your head that tells you, just for a second, to do something. Or that little tingly feeling you get in your gut that points you in the right direction. Well, what happens when you either don’t hear the voice, don’t feel the tingling, or you ignore it? Some call that following your instincts or trusting your gut. Well… last night, I didn’t and that was a mistake.

I’m a creature of habit and really enjoy the consistency of my morning routine. When my routine, and our family’s routine, works then our day is a well oiled machine. But each day is not a perfectly oiled machine with consistent predictability. There are variables each day that can throw a wrench into the morning routine. I am constantly being pulled between wanting a consistent routine and embracing the messiness of everyday life.

When I’ve experienced death in the past, there has always been an adult to take care of things, to be there for those who are grieving, to make really hard decisions, and to help with closure. Over the past two weeks - I’ve been that adult helping my family through the unexpected passing of my mother-in-law.

Time can be illusive. Even though we can count the hours in each day and fill our day with activities, time is intangible. Two years with my son doesn’t feel like two years, especially when I’ve been with him every day of those two years. I don’t think I blinked yet here we are.

The last time I called you baby, I didn’t know it would be the last time. The last time I napped with you, shouldn’t have been the last time. The last time I changed your diaper was a change toward freedom and independence. There have been many “last times” we shared when you were a baby and there are so many more first times for us as a toddler. I miss you, baby. I miss who you were as a baby. I also love you as a toddler and who you are becoming as a person.

Taking a few moments to journal about your life can provide perspective, a little bit of self-care, and immense opportunities for reflection and gratitude. I hope this inspires you to take a little time for yourself to reflect on the life you are building, the influence you have within your family, and the legacy you are leaving behind.

We all were trying to figure out a better way to manage the week instead of having the week manage us. My husband and I intentionally created balance among our personal, family, and professional needs and we fiercely protect that balance each week. We use a “Sunday Family Check-In” to talk about these great conversation starters:

• Personal schedule

• Professional schedule

• Meal prep for the week

• Household chore checklist

• Personal check-in

• Marriage & relationship check-in

• Podcast pick

What has come from these conversations is a deeper connection with my husband, a clearer understanding of each other, and a team-based approach to managing our week. It’s been amazing and I hope you consider adopting a Sunday Family Game Plan in your life.