12/12/2023
Time.
I've been real and I mean reeeaaaaallll emotional about time lately. Literal tears lately at the most random moments thinking about time. The time in the day, the time I spent doing something meaningless vs something productive, the time it takes me to fall asleep. Time has just been big on my mind. But none so much as the time that is going by with Barrett. It's funny that when Gene and I hit another year of being married I don't get sad at all, it's joyous and we celebrate and talk about how our marriage is just getting better as the years go by. But when it's another birthday or Christmas with Barrett while it is certainly something to be celebrated and I am full of joy it also has a little sting because it's a countdown of sorts until he's grown up.
Which has me spiraling on how I've used the time. I know we've made memories and that we've got some sweet traditions that will last even into his teenage years but we've also had some things we've done every Christmas that he's just too big for already.... so I thought I would share some of my favorite things we did while he was little in hopes that you would comment on your favorite traditions for all the new mama's out there to get some ideas. And for those who have come before me give me some ideas on what you do with your big kids!
One of my favorite things we did was start a Christmas book advent calendar. I got 24 Christmas books and we read one every night leading up to Christmas. Pro tip, you can stock up on them after Christmas for the next year when they are all on clearance. We always pick out a cookie to bake from scratch together for Santa, we put on Christmas music and it's always fun, we've made Grinch cookies, hot chocolate cookies, and classic chocolate chip over the years. And we put out coffee for Santa vs milk, something Barrett decided on his own when we was around 4 years old. Smart kid. This year we will add in going around looking at Christmas lights which is something I loved doing as a kid but we've not really done over the years like we should. But we will blast Christmas songs and drink hot chocolate and I can't wait!
So shifting my perspective, no more tears over the past time, but focusing on loving the present time! Slow down, live in the small moments and know that you are doing just fine. We only get a little of it so enjoy all the time! And while you can, enjoy the chaos you're in right now.
