A new beginning

   

     2020... sounds sort of surreal that the clock struck midnight and we have stepped into this new decade. The smell of fresh change and new promises is in the air. Everyone touches head on the pillow with a certain kind of thrill flowing in their veins. It's a new time to set things right. A new world of second chances to better ourselves.

This month

I wish to:

* organize photos

* clear out junk from my phone

* print out photos

* watch a good documentary

* reduce sugar intake

* make better food choices

* get Leah's ears pierced

* travel back to Munich

* visit my uncle

* declutter home

* stay on top of house chores

* put prints on the walls

* organise our important documents

* invite our neighbours for dinner

* take out Nalia's nap / set a healthier sleep routine

* start planning our time more efficiently

* go out of the house every day

* find a crossfit gym nearer to our home 

* use our essential oils
* learn to braid Nalia's hair

* buy fresh flowers every week

* have a girls night

* get a dr. check up
* read before bed

* meal plan

* celebrate Nalia's birthday

* take Nalia skiing

* take vitamins

* go to a live band concert

* have a date with husband (or 3!)

* work towards being calmer and more positive

* do and document homeschool activities with Nalia
* find a playdate for Nalia

* listen to good music together

* invite Alexia to visit in February
* have more pictures taken / be in the picture

* post on blog

* learn to use Adobe

* stress less

This year 2019

     Every year I make a list of wishes, guidelines, plans for the next year to come. This time I didn't feel as into it. Don't get me wrong, I am so very excited about everything that is coming in 2019, but at the same time I am so scared... This is one of the first things that happen when you become a parent, so it's only fitting that when you become a parent x2, the fears grow and multiply as well.

     I am scared that my wishes are obsolete, considering that I am dedicating my entire self to motherhood. I am terrified of putting in writing things that might not ever come to fruition, things I may fail at as much as I wish it was otherwise. I am scared that I am not selfless enough to not care in case these plans don't ever happen. I'm afraid of being broken and unhappy, when all I should be is whole and filled with joy. So then I avoided wishing.

     But being the magical date of 1st of the year 2019, I'm willing to throw it all out there and hope for the best. I'm going to be stronger than my fears and make my little list of things I wish to accomplish and guidelines and plans for this new year of life.

     Of course, some items are too private to be disclosed here, some are routine and some are plain common sense, but they are all things missing in my life or that I should improve.  The list looks more or less like this:

This month...

* successfully travel to Romania with both girls ;)

* learn how to play

* read
* dye my hair

* write all the blog posts I wanted to, but never did

* show gratefulness 

* plan festive dinner with friends

* go to the cinema

* eat better

* start going to the gym

* have a photoshoot

* organize iPhone photos

* print pictures

* take more pictures and videos

* work on being  a better parent

* use essential oils

* spend quality time with my mom

* show Nalia more Romanian traditions

* get a Christmas tree

* decorate for Christmas

* wrap Christmas gifts

* bake with Nalia

* donate 

* listen to Christmas music / teach Nalia a Christmas carol 

* plan Nalia's birthday party

* go to Christmas events

* Watch a Christmas movie

* walk outside in the fresh air

* pray for snow

* build a snowman

* try a new restaurant

* play board games

* be more patient

* be more kind

* be more positive

* plan for the new year

START - CONTINUE - FINISH

Family fall bucketlist

     Making list is always at the top of my list... (see what I did there?). And before you ask, yes i am one of those people that like to write stuff down just so they have something to check off...

      Since having kids, but especially since Nalia is old enough to truly grasp the magic of every season, I've wanted to create more memories together and teach her as much as possible through play. I've been struggling to connect with her in various activities. Lately the only place we see eye to eye is sharing crayons and a colouring book... Or in the kitchen, in the few minutes she wants to 'help out' before she decides she's bored and leaves me hanging with a few extra messes to clean up. I  wish to make things as much fun as possible for her and sometimes I'm afraid I am not doing a very good job at that...  Especially now that my hands are full with our little one and Nalia's entire world is upside down, I want to be able to give her more quality in our time spent together.

     Enter the Fall Bucket List!

Taking stock 13

      I haven't done one of these in about a million years, but i'm happy to be posting on my blog anyway, so this is where it's at!  :)

      I can't really say what made me lose interest in my online space, but it certainly made me feel somewhat guilty that I couldn't keep up. It may be the fact that, as many other people, I too have turned to Instagram more and more. It made it impossible to follow all the accounts I enjoy following over there, posting for my own account and make extra time to return my attention to the blog.

      It may also be the fact that I am a bit frustrated with the 'looks' of my page. It remained only half done and I can't say I'm excited to be here as it is.  Or the plain fact that I simply do not have time to pull out my big girl camera and document our everyday enough to provide me with material to post.

     One thing that I kinda left out of sight is the fact that in this over-cosmetised world of social media, I do keep this space for myself. That should be all the motivation I need to keep posting. It should remain a timeline of our everyday lives together that I can look back upon, regardless of how  'perfect'  everything looks. It should continue to be about my memories and the thoughts I feel like letting out into the Universe...

    But let's go back to the stock... here's how I've been feeling lately:

Our maternity photoshoot

     Back in June, we had an awesome maternity photoshoot with a very talented photographer from my hometown of Arad. We have previously done a studio session with Bianca Unc and were thrilled that despite her busy schedule, we managed to make it happen. After brainstorming locations and worrying about the rainy weather, we decided, what better or more meaningful place to have it in than near our home and in my mother's garden. Said and done and I could not have been happier with the outcome. We had prepared some cupcake props by the very talented Moni and my friend and extraordinary do-it-all Bianca Morariu provided us with beautiful helium balloons and it brought everything together so nicely!

     Getting Nalia in the photo-shoot mood wasn't short of challenging, but Bianca captured the best of us as a soon to be family of 4...

This month...

I will:

* write more

* eat better / meal plan

* plan a photoshoot in Romania

* organize iPhone photos

* read

* stay positive

* be a better parent

* keep Nalia healthy

* get Romanian birth certificate for baby

* go outside more

* try out kids spaces in Munich

* plan  our vacation for next year

* spend wisely

* find a better family routine

* do more homeschooling activities

* apply for state kindergarten

* use essential oils 

* take more pictures and videos

* host a 'Friendsgving' dinner

* waste less (food, plastic,etc.)

* plan Christmas gifts

* plan a Christmas dinner with friends in Romania

* go to the dentist

* prepare application for Hebammen Berufsschule 

* get a projector
* offer more support to my husband
* use our time more efficiently

START - CONTINUE - FINISH

This month

I will:

* sort out this blog

* write about my experiences

* make a fall bucket list and start checking it off 

* have a newborn photoshoot

* put up prints on the walls

* meal plan 

* go to Oktoberfest 

* listen to music

* continue teaching Nalia

* play more

* start moving

* plan our vacation in 2019

* make apple pie

* play board games

* take a walk at the Isar 

* collect 'treasures' with Nalia 

* massive Instagram feed clean-up

* clear iPhone photos

* make more family videos

* dye my own hair

* keep Nalia healthy

* eat better

* take more pictures
* read
* watch documentaries
* paint something
* get a back massage (or 3!)
* get Romanian birth certificate for Leah Sara

START - CONTINUE - FINISH

This month...

I will:

* HAVE A BABY!

* book a newborn photoshoot

* post on blog

* take more pictures

* finish up house

* put up prints

* buy flowers
* make a fall bucket list
* fix iPhone screen
* organize pantry items
* listen to more music
* ballet classes for Nalia

* read
* massive instagram feed clean-up

* make Nalia comfortable at Kindergarten drop-off

* recover after birth 

* attend social media events
* get a haircut
* haircut for Nalia

* meal plan

* homeschool activities

* get stroller from Abu Dhabi

* try new places in Munich

* learn more about house plants

* buy new lipstick
* buy a new coat

* repot plants
* go to Oktoberfest
* meet the girls 
* dentist appointment
* dentist appointment for Nalia
* buy a dirndl for Nalia

START - CONTINUE - FINISH