Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Top Ten Goals

I got this idea from another blog and decide that have a goals list is a wonderful idea. Now, my blog is primarily based around my pregnancy so I am going to do a Top Ten Goals for my pregnancy, with some parenting goals thrown in.

1. Read the Bible/Do a devotional.
There are many reasons to do this but when you are in the word consistently you tend to listen to what God has to say and follow the plans He has for your life. I can't expect to grow in my spiritual life or represent God the way I should if I am not daily seeking Him. I want our baby girl to see God in me and that requires more then I have been doing lately.
 
2. Work on my marriage.
I want to make sure we have such an amazing foundation that nothing but God himself can shake it. I am not saying that Steven and I are in a bad place, in fact we are doing amazing, but it never hurts to want more or to be even better. I know I can be a better wife and it is something I am constantly working on.
 
3. Create a cleaning schedule.
This really means, clean the house and keep it clean! I am the worst house keeper. I hate laundry and dishes! I know, two things that are extremely important in running a house but I just have the worst time with them. I think I have also brought down Steven. He was never good at putting laundry away (he lived out of baskets) and now I have started doing the same. With the dishes I try to use one and wash it but if you don't follow through even one day, you can become overwhelmed.
 
4. Breastfeed.
 There are so many benefits to breastfeeding. Were to begin... bonding, it helps burn off the pregnancy weight, better for babies health, helps prevent obesity in you and baby, I can go on forever (here is a good website). I have a great support system and I already have a breast pump (thanks Randi); two amazing thing some women don't have. I am also not afraid to ask for help so with God on my side I know I can breastfeed!
 
5. Make my own baby food.
Not only is this extremely cost effective, you can also regulate what your child is eating. I am not saying this is going to be a breeze but it is something I would like to do. A friend of mine gave me this idea (her blog page here) and she recommend a website that looks great. Babies are expensive and I want to do whats best for us financially as well as keeping baby healthy.
 
6. Exercise: before and after.
Something that is totally feasible! I know this will help with those up/down pregnancy hormones and it will keep me on track weight wise but I am not motivated at all. Because of the time change, it gets dark at 6:00pm and Steven doesn't get home until 6-630ish most nights. I hate working out by myself because its hard to stay accountable. I want so much to be motivated but honestly I'm just not. If anyone has suggestions let me know!!
 
7. Be consistent and follow through.
When it comes to parenting, I hear these are HUGE. As someone who is certified to teach and works for a high school, I see what happens when you are inconsistent. When being consistent there are clear cut "yes" and "no" categories. This lead to the "follow through," when you stay consistent your child knows what happens when he/she misbehaves (clear consequences).
 
8. Read daily.
This is something Steven and I can do together or separate with our baby girl. I want to read to her daily, it can be a bible story or a fun book. My main goal is one story before bed and while I am breastfeeding Steven can read a story.
 
9. Reach for the stars.
This applies to me as a person and a soon to be parent. I have two quotes for this: 
Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum 
It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself.  ~Joyce Maynard
 
10. Be Content.
God has blessed me in so many ways and more often than not I find myself wanting more things. Sure it would be nice to have more clothes, but my closet is full. I need to enjoy what I have and not worry about what I don't have or what I think I should have.

4 comments:

  1. Great goals Dana! I obviously am ALL on board with #4 and #5 (well... really all of them!). All I can say about exercise is don't stress yourself out about it! Owen is 2 months old and I am JUST starting to exercise. Give yourself time to heal and not be sleep deprived! Honestly if Owen wasn't such a great sleeper I might have waited longer! Now I am just taking really long, fast paced walks and doing crunches. That coupled with breastfeeding and eating appropriately works great! Plus, I feel after a baby it isn't necessarily about weight loss- its more about flabby stretched muscles :)

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  2. Wonderful goals! Just don't be discouraged after a few months. The first baby can seem overwhelming at first, but after the first couple of months are done, you and baby will settle into a routine! I'm SOOOO excited for you guys!

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  3. LOVE the goals!! i think everyone should follow your example! and you are very welcome for the pump! anything i can do to help. love you!!!!!!!!!!!

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