This morning we were greeted with snow. Steve took Daisy for a walk and I took Jack on the back patio to experience the snowflakes falling on him. He seemed happy and interested in this, so I figure he’ll be a proper snow lover like Steve.
This weekend is Steve’s last couple of relaxing days before he’s back to work. I’m guessing we’ll be staying in. https://suzanne.micro.blog
Because it’s 2020, we had to eat our lunch on the floor at the mall. It’s freaky how everything is closed off and empty inside but it’s a relief that plenty of people are outside in the main shopping areas, just carrying on. The mall wasn’t swamped with people but it was still busy. I’ve heard that malls are a thing of the past in America but, luckily, we’re still able to enjoy them over here.
Tomorrow my baby with be one year old. It is insane and amazing. I’m excited, proud, and sad. This means that the magical year of being together is over. It means the tiny newborn who needed me with him constantly will soon have to go to nursery and not know where I am. I honestly don’t even know how I’m going to cope being away from him.
Luckily, my work has allowed me to return part time on a trial basis, so I have three days in the library office abs four days at home. Steve is working from home anyway, so he can work a staggered schedule while Jack is down the street playing and painting and making friends. (At least, this is what I tell myself.)
I did not finish a book this year. Most days I barely had time to take a shower or even find time to eat. I did some things that I consider progress because I found a niche for my book series and started working on it. However, I’m not even half way through the first draft of the first of four books. But that’s just how it is and at least I have focus and a goal which is a lot better than where I was before. In 2019 I was pregnant and too exhausted to do anything and I didn’t even know what I was going to write when I had this whole year off.
I didn’t finish reading a book either. I have loads of books that need reading and/or reviewing but that is way down on my list of priorities.
So what am I looking forward to in 2021? What can we look forward to, really? I can hope that lockdown eases up a bit, so Jack and I can go play together. I hope that Florida gets its act together so we can visit my parents.
I have planned on a mummy blog and a podcast for the future, so that’s something to focus on. Aside from my family, there’s nothing really meaningful or mentally distracting to get involved with in 2021.
It’s almost Christmas and Mister Pick is off work. We’re officially calling it time to celebrate as Jack’s 1st visit from Santa and his 1st birthday are coming up this month. We’ll make a conscious effort to have fantastic Christmas despite everything that’s gone on in the world this year.
https://suzanne.micro.blog/
On Friday, it will be my son’s first Christmas. It will also be his 1st birthday four days later. I’ve congratulated myself and my husband on surviving this year.
Mister Pick worked a total of 8 weeks in the office this year. He was home for three weeks after Jack was born, then when it was clear that coronavirus was a thing that needed considerable consideration, he started working from home since he had two vulnerable people at home.
That was on the 13th of March.
My family is in Florida and his family is in Liverpool, so we had little to no support during this year and even if we did have anyone living nearby, it wasn’t as if anyone could have come over anyway. But the amount of times I thought I was going insane from sleep deprivation, plus not being able to go anywhere for ages was just so, unbelievably tough for all of us.
I was trying to look after a newborn, Mister Pick was working, Jack was trying to suss out colic and sleep and all the other millions of things babies need to go through as they develop into a one-year-old. We all did this together and I’m so grateful for the time we’ve had.
So, this Christmas I’m making even more of an effort to celebrate. It’s always hard for me this time of year when I’m away from my parents and there’s no Florida sunshine to wake up to on Christmas morning (it’s something you definitely miss when you don’t have it). And this year we couldn’t have flown to visit even if we’d wanted to risk it because London is in Tier 4 lockdown. This means I have to make the most of it. I have to do my best and make Christmas a happy time for all of us because what else can I do? Why feel down about it when there are so many other things I can be grateful for?
As this year winds down to a close, I’ll miss this special time we’ve had together as a family. Of course, I’ll look forward to next Christmas when socially distanced Santa and canceled parties aren’t a thing. I’ll look back on this time as a blessing because we’ve had so many memories made together as a family despite what’s going on in the world.
Jack’s Mum (my podcast) Medium bookblogarama
I like your idea about using different planners depending on what you need.
Loved readingg this thank you
Thanks great blog ppost
This was greeat to read
The Tales of Missus P. 
It sounds lovely celebrating your anniversary with dinner at El Torero.