From the Couch | February Edition
Waiting for school pick up…
Yikes, January was a doozy! I think there was a member of our family sick almost every day that month. January used to be a favorite month of mine. I love the “freshness” and energy around starting a new year. I also don’t mind having some colder weather and rain here and there (I live in San Diego area, so typically our January also includes some warm, sunny days). Also, it’s my birthday month (hello, fellow Aquarians!).
However, since my kids started going to school, January tends to be full of snot, tummy aches, fevers and general malaise. 🤪
This year I worked on rolling with it more- instead of getting stuck resisting and feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. I still had moments of feeling disappointed but I was able to acknowledge it and just be okay with it.
February hasn’t faired much better with all four of us getting sick over the same week. However we were able to spend a Saturday at the beach where the weather was mostly sunny and perfect. The kids were entertained by playing the sand for hours and I got to just sit, relax, and read. A couple years ago- this would have been hard to imagine, yet here I am, already in the mid-point of the 600+ page book (more on that later).
A big lesson I’ve learned in motherhood is - nothing lasts forever. Whether it’s those tough stages of tantrums or bedtime refusal or even the more enjoyable ones of those adorable full body baby laughs and naps (when you get those pockets of time for yourself during the day). While this is so obvious (duh), when you’re in it, it just starts to feel like this will always be it. It can be hard to envision a future that looks different, especially when we haven’t experienced it yet with kids.
This year, I’m really working on leaning in to the hard, of reminding myself that “this too shall pass,”and doing what I need to take care of myself while in it.
What I’m Reading
For Fun:
I’m on quite a reading streak of 200+ days of reading. To keep my streak, I make a point to read something every single day, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. I’ve always been reading obsessed (there were quite a bunch of nights where I would stay up late in middle and high school due to a good book), however this definitely took a hit in the sleep-deprived baby phase and overwhelming toddler years. Now that my kids are in school and a bit more self-sufficient (or at least can entertain themselves for times), I’ve gotten back into reading.
The Fantasy books have been all the rage lately and I was very much resistant to them. I’m not a Fantasy- type person. I don’t do those types of movies or shows, much less the books. However, there was one that I kept seeing- Fourth Wing. So I decided this year, my reading goal was to challenge myself to expand my reading to books I wouldn’t normally read.
Well, I’m so glad I did, cause just wow! I started reading Fourth Wing and while it is soooo not my type of book (there are dragons in it for goodness sake!), I instantly got hooked. I read and read and read (it’s a pretty long book) and finished it in 3 days. I am not obsessed.
I’m currently more than half way through the sequel, Iron Flame. I’m trying to pace myself as the next book is not yet out, so I’m just going to drag this out as long as possible.
For Work:
I have a couple therapy-type books I’ve been reading. One of them is- How to be the Love you Seek- break cycles, heal your relationships and find peace by Dr. Nicole LePera, also known as @theholisticpsychologist on Instagram. Her first book- How to do the work, is really great and a great resource for someone wanting to build more awareness of themselves and start to do their own self work. This book is geared toward helping you understand how you show up in your relationships. So far a good read and she goes into more of the science of the Nervous System which I’ve really enjoyed.
What I’m Watching
American Nightmare on Netflix. This is a 3 part documentary and all I have to say is- wow! Each episode takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster, wavering from one story to the next. Don’t want to spoil it, so just will say it’s good. It is important to note- trigger warnings around sexual assault.
This time of year I love watching the Bald Eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, at Big Bear. Last year their egg didn't hatch, however this year, Jackie laid 3 eggs! Big Bear has been hit with some pretty narly snowstorms and Jackie is a champ. During the worst of it, she spent 62 hours straight in her nest keeping her eggs warm and protected. All I have to say is, moms rock!
What I’m Listening To:
So music-wise it’s been mostly Taylor and I am soo pumped for new music in April! I'm also loving Spotify's daylist (it changes throughout the day, based on what you've listened in the past during that timeframe on that day), in particular the names they come up with.
What I'm Cooking
I have to admit, I haven't been feeling the most motivated for cooking. A big part of this has been all the sickness, which just really throws off my routine and adds a lot more caretaking to my plate. During times like this, I try to keep it very simple and lean on easy meals. One of my favorites is the classic baked potato with canned chili and some broccoli.
A little “programming alert”- I wrote this at the beginning of February and just now posting it as we two-thirds of a way through. I officially finished Iron Flame (loved it) and I’m on to my 2nd fantasy series- A Court of Thorns of Roses. I finished the first book and just started the 2nd, A Court of Mist and Fury. The first book is not as good as Fourth Wing, but I stuck it out and glad I did, as I enjoyed the last third of it and heard the 2nd book is really good.
My family is still sick 🤪 (the “who” continues to rotate). I finally started feeling better just couple days ago, as I had been battling some sort of sinus-type headache and sore throat off and on all month. So, still trying to lean into the hard and roll with it.
Anyways, I’m kinda just ready to put a lid on February and move into March where hopefully we’ll have better health and some sunnier days.
Till next time,
