January 4th, 2019

Last night was one of the longest nights; I’m pretty sure Pake and I got a combined 4 hours of sleep. We were both beyond exhausted, but not Jasper not in the least bit. Just when we’d thought we had him sleeping good at night (3 to 4 hours at a time), he kindly reminds us that he’s the boss and does what he wants. You can’t be mad at him though, he’s way too cute for that. I swear he looks up at you and smiles like oh good your awake to hold me! And of course I’m like oh my goodness your the cutest baby in the world, I don’t need sleep!

It wouldn’t have been too bad except we had a doctors appointment at 9:30 am, (30 miles away) and when I finally did get to sleep I didn’t wake up until 8:15 am. PANIC!! I start going through my mental check list, feed the baby, pump, shower?–nope ain’t got time for that, dry shampoo–yes!, dress the baby, pack the diaper bag, does the husband have clothes on?, dogs outside, and finally most importantly–COFFEE!!

Now I do have to give Pake credit, he never hesitates to help with whatever I need–baby changed or housework; eventhough his idea of cleaning the toilet and my idea of cleaning the toilet our very different. Usually it’s best if he just let’s me do it, because I’m going to go back over it after he’s done. Anyways, back on topic, so this morning after feeding the baby, Pake takes him to change his diaper and dress him while I’m getting ready. 5 minutes later, I’m ready so I go in to help with Jasper (mind you we need to be in the car and on the road in 5 minutes). God love him, he literally moves at the speed of smell when it comes to dressing and putting Jasper in the carseat. I so badly want to take over but I don’t. I just stand there willing him to go faster with my mind (it doesn’t work), 10 minutes later we are on the road!

On a side note, Jasper is up to 11 pounds 12 ounces! I can’t believe it!

After getting back home, taking a nap with the baby, going on a family walk, we are watching a movie with our baby and 17 dogs (not really, just 5).

Have a great weekend!

January 3rd, 2019

Another, what I would deem, productive day. I was able to get the kitchen ceiling painted, it took all day, but it’s done! Now prime and paint the walls is next on the list, hope to make thar happen this weekend. I need to get before pictures taken before a get to far. I have big plans for it!

We are fortunate to have a friend lend us his skid steer for the weekend as well. This is huge!! We’ll be about to get so much accomplished around the house with it. I’ve started a list of what I’d like to do (you’ll start to notice I REALLY like list).

  • Remove tree stumps and small trees
  • Move burn pile from front of house
  • Move old couch and a/c from back porch (I know we’re classy)
  • Fill in holes in back yard
  • Clear a spot for metal scrap pile on north side of ground top
  • MOVE all metal to new metal scrap pile
  • Move/get rid of burning barrels
  • Fix my mom’s drive way
  • Get rid of “crap” pile on south side of round top.

Well that’s a start, I’m sure Pake has plenty to add/alter. It’ll be nice to get some work done!

Jasper is finally starting to feel better. He’s had a cold the last few days, along with both of us. It breaks my heart hearing him so congested. It amazes me how much someone can worry about another person. Its constant!–Is he too hot/too cold? Is he getting enough to eat? Is he sleeping too much/not enough? Should I hold him more or do I hold him too much?–these are only a handful of the questions that go through my head every single day. When people tell you there’s no manual to being a parent; they’re not lying!

On a lighter note, let’s talk about boobs…particularly breastfeeding boobs. I will be completely honest, before have Jasper the thought of having a little human latched on to my nipple sucking milk from my body completely weirded me out! And now it’s the most natural thing in the world. It’s funny how your boobs go from being a very private body part to not caring if it covered or not. They’re just milk jugs to feed my baby with (lady’s don’t take offense). There are times after I finish feeding him, I’ll forget to put the thing up. No joke, I will feed him, put him down, and go pull clothes out of the dryer and there it is just hanging out (literally); leaking milk all over the place (sorry men but it happens). I can see it already, the sweet little old neighbor man is going to stop by someday and I’m going to answer the door with my boob fully exposed and not even have a clue….poor guy…

And one more thing, Jasper does not take feeding time lightly. My sweet little baby boy turns in to some sort of piranha/velociraptor that’s been staved for the last 6 months. When he knows he’s getting the boob, he starts shaking his head back and forth with his little mouth going 90 to nothing trying to find something to latch on to. The worst is after he’s been eating for awhile and he decides he wants to turn around to see what’s going on behind him, BUT the nipple must go with him! It’s a little scary how much they can stretch. Thoughts for today!

Day 3, Entry 3…DONE!

January 2nd, 2019

I want to start by pointing out that this is the second entry in a row….WooHoo!!!

So, I know I mentioned that due to some family conflict we are unable to add on to the house as soon as we like. We just found this out at Christmas that the future of the farm and ownership our kind of in limbo with no time frame on when it could be settled. I mean we could go ahead and add on, but that’s just a gamble we’re not willing to take at the moment. I’ll be honest, when my uncle told us this I was ready to pick up and leave; I was so frustrated and upset (not at my uncle, its out of his hands). After having a pretty blah and depressing day after Christmas, Pake and I finally sat down and came up with a plan. We’re going to give it a year, hopefully by this time things will be worked out and we can go ahead with our addition. Fingers crossed!!!

I have been so obsessed with having the home of my dreams and just waiting on the addition before doing anything to the current house. But that has changed! I have decided to start renovating the current house, as cheaply as possible (a lot of DIY projects). Today I started with taping off areas to paint, with the hopes of getting the ceiling painted tomorrow.  I’m going to take it slow, one room at a time, and by this summer I should have a house to be proud of, a small house, but a house none the less!

Switching topics ( sorry I am such a scatterbrain), I don’t know about any of you other mothers, but anything I get done while Jasper is sleeping or content in his swing or pack-n-play, makes me feel so accomplished. Like yea! I got the dishes done and swept the floor, might even have time to clean the toilet; winning!!! Showering though…ugh!!! Something I use to enjoy and take my time with, is now a necessary evil! When my hair starts getting so greasy that dry shampoo no longer does its job, I know its time…during the time leading up to getting in the actually shower, I’m getting a game plan together in my head…shampoo, conditioner, you shaved your armpits last time, no need to use the facewash–not like you see people, shampoo counts as body wash, right?… In and out in 3 minutes and baby’s still sleeping, BOOM! Anyways, that’s my insight on “moming” for today.

2019: A New Year

So the entries are going back in time to the 1st of this year. I started this on OneNote, not really sure I wanted to go public (its very intimitating), but here I am! So here goes nothing…

January 1st, 2019

My Husband and I have been married for 3 years as of December. We live on my small family farm in a 480 square foot house; the house may be tiny, but the land and view make up for it. My husband is self employed, making one of a kind workout maces and clubs. He also runs a small Jiu Jitsu gym and is a Combat Engineer in the Army Reserve. I work as a receptionist/vet assistant at the local veterinary hospital in town (I absolutely love my job). We just recently became parents to the most precious baby boy there is, Jasper Dale. We were never the type of people to really talk about having/wanting kids until recently, and let me tell you it was the best decision I have ever made. I never thought I would love being a mom so much; he is the most perfect thing I have ever seen.  Along with our small human family, we also have a circus of animals: 4 dogs Dixie (Lab/German Shephard), Tucker (German Shephard), Renzo (Cane Corso/Pit), and Petey (your guess is as good as mine, he’s white/brown); 2 cats Rooster and Dobby (plus a few barn cats); 5 potbelly pigs Napoleon, Elmer, Chubbles, Maui, and Nobody; and lastly our 3 horses Star, Sugar, and Oakie. We have big plans in the up coming future for our little family and farm and I can’t wait to share it along the way! We’re living the dream on our little slice of heaven!

I want to start keeping track of my years better, not only for myself but for my now 5 week old baby, Jasper. The last 5 weeks have flown by SOOO fast, hopefully by starting this Journal I’ll be able to look back and remember all the good times we had! Eventually Jasper will be able to look back as well and really get a sense of how crazy (and awesome) his parents are/use to be.

And don’t be fooled this isn’t the first journal I’ve started, life just always seems to get in the way and after a few days they start to collect dust. I’m not a “new year, new me” type person, but I do like to set goals for myself and family and what better time to set goals for yourself then the first of the year. One of my goals this year is to keep this journal going!

This first entry, I want to use as a recap of 2018 and also my new goal list for 2018. Let’s start with 2018 (they’re listed in no particular order).

  • We welcomed our first child into the world on 11/26/2018, Jasper Dale McNally! This was by far the worst pain a have ever went through but it was the best day of my entire live; I can’t get enough of this sweet baby boy!
  • In March, I had been an employee at Redland Vet for 1 year! This is by far the best job I’ve ever had and my bosses are awesome bosses/people.
  • Pake was able to quit working for other people the first of July and focus solely on his new business, Become Stronger Industries. Business has been going extremely well, and I don’t see it going anywhere but up! He’s shipped items all over the world and has been able to support our family while I’ve been on maternity leave.
  • In August, we adopt are fourth and final dog (for awhile…), Petey. He is the mouthiest little dog I’ve ever owned and he fits right in with our crazy gang. I can’t imagine not having him. He’s also very taken with Jasper. I think the two of them will find plenty of mischief to get in to together.
  • We went on several trips this year.
    • I tagged along to Colorado with Pake. He took part in a ruck march while I went to Barnes and Noble. I was already pregnant by then, so it wasn’t as fun as it could have been, not saying I can’t have fun without drinking, but it helps.
    • Again, I stowed away on a trip Pake was taking. First stop was Topeka for a Jiu Jitsu tournament, and he also had a booth set up. Then we were off to Emerson, NE  to deliver a cemetery sign Pake made for his good friend Eric. It was a long trip with lots of  road time but it was fun spending time together. We also had Renzo and Petey with us so it was a full car!
    • Then there was the Branson trip….. This time it was my mom, my nephew, and I. The plan was to spent a long weekend with family, go to Silver Dollar City, see the sites, etc. It turned in to the week from hell! Our car broke down on the way to Silver Dollar City. It took us until Tuesday to get our car fixed and get home. I now despise that town…
  • We had plans to add on to our 480 square foot, one bedroom house but being owned by multiple members of my family, we ran in to some issues so we’ve had to delay the addition.

Now on the my personal and family goals for 2019:

  • Start a Journal/Blog: I would like to make daily entries, but lets be realistic, I’m going to shoot for weekly entries.
  • Start running again: I would like to participate in one or two 5k’s this year.
  • Continue making improvements to our house and land.
  • Get a chicken/turkey coop made.
  • Buy chickens/turkeys for said coop.
  • Be more active in Pake’s business: I would like to start helping more with advertising, invoicing,  really anything that’s not making the actually equipment; even though, I do help hold handles occasionally.
  • Start a garden and learn to can vegetables.
  • Breastfeed Jasper until he’s at least 6 months old.
  • Make more of an effort to get together with family and friends.
  • Start back to work on a part time basis, so we can keep Jasper out of daycare until he’s older.
  • Be the best possible mother I can be.

I’m sure there will be more to add to both list over the next week, but this is a good start. So, here’s to the new year!