February 2016 Wrap Up

 

February FLEW by! Am I the only one?? Mostly this month was about settling into my role as a mother of two. Baby Boy was born in January, yes, but then he quickly earned himself another hospital stay after contacting RSV from his big sister. I think he experienced some PTSD from the whole deal because Baby Boy demanded feedings and snuggles almost non-stop after we got back home. 

Baby Boy's 3 week birthday <3

February had some great gatherings as well. The SUPERBOWL in which I had been rooting loudly for the Panthers. We had to scale our party back a bit as we were still a tad concerned about Baby Boy :/ Hubby and I celebrated 12 years of togetherness with an hour of kid free time at his favorite restaurant in town (go wine!). Than my BFF had a housewarming party and then a baby shower! I still can't believe she's about to have a baby girl! Can't wait to meet that little darling (aka future wife of Baby Boy :D)

Husband also went back to work this month so I've been struggling to figure out parenting a toddler and newborn, plus trying to find time to read and blog, plus trying to do everything else life requires...like cleaning. 

My Little Free Library!

Once upon a time, I was gifted a Little Free Library! Have you heard of these?? I am ultra sad it has taken me this long to share mine. They are SO neat and you can find them just about everywhere. Essentially, they are tiny libraries that businesses and homes can set up and maintain themselves. "Take a book, Leave a book" is kind of the motto. 

Love-a-Thon Questionnaire

Greetings friends, new and old! I just discovered this wonderful LOVE-A-THON this morning and I HAD to jump in last minute. PS Adorable graphic #ftw

Hosted by Alexa, Cee, Hazel, and Mel!

QUESTIONNAIRE!

What is your name?

Alyssa! 

Introduction to Baby Boy

Hello Blogging world! I have been absent from this space for...about two weeks now?? And if you've followed along at all, you may have guessed why. Baby Boy was finally born! And what a crazy entrance he made. First, a silly hat picture :)

2016 Reading Intentions

I can't even get myself to say 'goals' or 'resolutions'. Coming up with just this list was hard! With the imminent birth of my son, I just don't know what to expect in 2016. I'm loving everyone's posts on resolutions, goals, and challenges, and the planner in me is just DYING to jump in and plan away. But the realistic side of me says "What's the point? You'd be setting yourself up for failure. You're going to have TWO kids now!"

So even though I read about 130 books in 2015, according to Goodreads, I set my new challenge at 50 books for the year. This totally saddens me, but is probably realistic. I'll reevaluate in June of course :)

STILL, I just can't help myself :) So I have come up with a list of simple bookish/bloggish intents that should be do-able even with a newborn. I knew I needed to post them on the blog and not just in my journal. I need accountability and the ability to easily find these intentions when I need motivation or just a quick reminder.

1. Sign up for less tour stops
This one will be the hardest. Seeing those awesome books makes me want to dive in and swim in all the beautifulness. However, I have already went through my favorite publisher's catalogs and written down the books I *need* to read in 2016. My intent is to stick only to this list if and when they come up on tour. Again, I'll reevaluate in June. I would still like to sign up for a few cover reveals and blitzes since I do enjoy promoting authors and their hard work.

2. Request even less from Netgalley
Don't we all say this? I probably said it to myself last year! And honestly? I DID request less from Netgalley in 2015. However, in 2016, my intent is to only request books that I *need* to read that didn't come up on tour. Otherwise, I just need to read, and review, what I have already shelved

3. Catch up on Outstanding Reviews
I have seven or eight reviews in my blogging journal that I need to get up here on the blog. I haven't even been attempting to review books I've gotten from the library, or even Audible books, because I am just trying to stay on top of tours and galleys. I'd like to keep my journal to 3-4 reviews max.

4. Clear out some Kindle books, review books, and Audible listens. 
I think this intention about sums up where the previous three were headed. I've stocked up on books for my Kindle, from Netgalley, and I have several credits available on Audible as well. I am assuming much of my reading will be done on an e-reader while nursing a baby for at least the first six months. With Baby Girl, Hubby would wake in the middle of the night with me and we would watch Netflix while she fed. With Baby Boy, I am thinking that won't be such an option. Instead, I am hoping to turn to Audible and listen to some good books during those late night feedings.

5. Be active in a book club and/or start one.
Sheila at The Deliberate Reader has set up an online book club that I am really intending on participating with starting in February. I'm worried of all my intentions that this will be the one that I let slide first. Because it is online, I will have less accountability than a face to face group. My dream intention would be to start a little book club with my mommy friends in real life....but that does seem more like a dream than an intention :)

6. Share more discussion/personal life posts
This one terrifies me. I always feel silly posting discussion posts. Hasn't it all been said and done before? What could I add to the noise? But I want to show more me, more personality around this ole place. Letting people know I have actual thoughts is a good place to start :) Nothing to do but dive in and make mistakes!

7. Comment more frequently on other posts.
 Little known fact: I read a lot of your blog posts. But I am a lurker. Half the time it is just too difficult to post on your blog while on my phone, the other half the time I am just too lazy. However, I have already started with this intention, clicking through on Bloglovin' or Twitter. I want you to know that your words are being read AND appreciated!

8. Survive the year :)
I am nervous to be a mother of two. I am not sure how I will manage or organize my time, but the best way to find out is to just do it! If I can make it to 2017 with my sanity in tact, I will consider it all a WIN!

Share your 2016 Resolutions/Goals/Intents below! Or send me those links! I would love to see what you have planned for your year :)

15 Christmas Writing Prompts

I'm not an overly busy person. Still even I need to take a pause during the holiday season to relax and take it all in. I scoured Pinterest to find some of the best journalling prompts, a list to help me stop, pause, and soak in the wonder of Christmas. Here is that list of 15 writing prompts just for you this Christmas season. So grab some hot cocoa, turn on the lights and write away!

November 2015 Recap

 

November brought even MORE disease. The 24 hour stomach bug hit our house quite unexpectedly. Baby Girl got it first, and then of course I got it as well two days later. I don't think there is anything more unpleasant than being sick and pregnant at the same time. My non-existent stomach muscles ached all day and night :/

My Murder Mystery Party

*Prepare yourself for a lot of words and some disorganization as this perfectly describes me and my brain during the whole process*

Once upon a time, in August, I went to my friend's house for the day. Now this friend is a 'go-getter'....as in she never stops moving, doing, or thinking. Ever. Not a drill people. So sure enough, my friend had the brilliant idea of having a murdery mystery party. How fun! Right? Five seconds later she had somehow talked me into hosting it at my house (fine) but also WRITING THE WHOLE THING MYSELF. How does she always manage to talk me into stuff? 

So we settled on a 1920's theme and researched some of the biggest names of that time period to use as our characters. Then she sent me on my merry, and innocent, way. 

October 2015 Recap

 

What I lived in the month of October? DISEASE. I was completely wiped out of commission for two full weeks. The only good part about this was that it fell right after Baby Girl's birthday party and I was 95% better before my big murder mystery party. Apparently being pregnant and having a cold is a bad combo because it takes forever to get better with your lungs compressed. 

Favorite Games I Love to Play

I enjoy myself a good game night. I am not a huge video gamer however. In a family of three girls the only 'video games' we had were for the computer (Jumpstart series, SIM everything [Ant, Tower, Safari], Barbie dress up games). So don't look here for an awesome, spectacular list, but I would say stick around if you enjoy eclectic.

Brief Weekend Update :)

Pin image found HERE

Hello bloggy world! I apologize for my absence this week, but I spent much of my time preparing for Baby Girl's 3rd birthday party! Princess themed of course :) She absolutely loved it and can't wait for her birthday to come around again 'next week'. I'll try to share a few pictures soon. 

I also wanted to wish you a HAPPY FALL WEEKEND! I hope it is beautiful where you are, with just the perfect touch of chill for a nummy chocolate mocha. 

Make sure to check back in tomorrow for the SNEAK PEEK link up. Come share what you are currently reading and even some preliminary thoughts! Can't wait to see you there :)

September 2015 Recap

 

September was a fun month! We got back in the groove and yet Baby Girl was throwing us curve balls left and right. First she had me worrying because she was being too clingy, and now I'm worried she's turning into a hyper brat when we go out. Potty training has been going very well with just the random accident here or there. Baby Girl still isn't 100% independent in this region, but being out of diapers is so exciting! We also started up our ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education...which is apparently unique to MN, but totally rocks!) class and Baby Girl and I are both loving it.

Baby Gender Announcement!

I announced this on Facebook the day we found out, but the rest of social media doesn't really know. And let's face it, I'm so excited EVERYONE should know :) Baby Girl on the other hand....

Truest Book Release Party

Well. This is past due. But I still want to share about the Truest Book Launch party that I got to attend. Jackie Lea Sommers' awesome, amazing book 'Truest' officially hit the shelves September 1st. Having received a delicious ARC, I convinced the Hubby to go with me to Northwestern University St Paul to check out the launch party.

10 Movies That Made Me Cry

I am not really a big movie watcher. I used to really enjoy it, but my husband doesn't. Now I just find them time consuming and too involved when I would rather be reading :) So my list isn't extensive, but I think it contains some goodies.

August 2015 Recap

August was a slow month for me. I didn't do too much, read too much, or go online much. But it was still nice. It was relaxing and that is what August reminds me of: slow, summer days lazy with heat and humidity. 

August started off with Baby Girl's first parade celebrating our city days. Of course she immediately fell in love with it as we got BUCKET loads of candy (I think I still have some...). 

A Weekend Unplugged

I recently came back from a weekend up North. It's what Minnesotans do :) We packed up Baby Girl, dumped the dog at my father-in-laws and took off on our four hour drive. Away from the cities, away from the suburbs, away from cell phone service.

Surrounded by green, dirt roads, and the best lake on the planet, it was easy to relax and let go. I honestly don't feel like I spend much time on my cell phone. My father in law would disagree, but he would. As I take stock of the people around me and see how much time they spend plugged in (phones, computer, TV), I don't feel 'that bad' about my own cell phone use.

A Life Announcement

I suppose if someone had been paying close attention they may have figured it out ;p I'm sure I mentioned a few times in June about not feeling well. I can now freely report that it wasn't just a common cold or stomach bug. 

June 2015 Recap

I usually post these on the weekends, but I am hoping you were out and about enjoying the Fourth and not reading blog posts! But it is a new week now ;)

What the crap happened to June?? Gone in a flash. Most of the month I felt pretty crappy which put a huge damper on all reading and blogging. My motivation completely vanished. Luckily, I had left myself pretty open book schedule-wise as I was anticipating a lot of INSPY reading and discussion. This last week of June however, the whole family has had a cold and I find myself wildly behind on reading and blogging. 

In June I got bookish mail left and right and was absolutely LOVING it! Anything better than bookish mail?? I think not. 

Top Four Favorite Beverages

If a person could survive with little to no water for days and weeks on end, it would be me. I just sort of forget to drink it. Here are some things I could never forget to drink:

Caribou Coffee

Who needs water when you could have a mocha?? Everyday people, everyday.