Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my New Year’s resolutions with you guys. Do I think New Year’s resolutions are helpful? Not necessarily if it’s a one time commitment. Here’s my theory. Any day is a good day to remind yourself to either try something new or make positive changes in your life. So I’m using today as another one of those days. But don’t get me wrong, I’m continually trying to remind myself to be better for not only me but for my family too. So this year I have two New Year’s resolutions. These are things that I hope to keep reminding myself to “resolve” to do throughout the year at various times.

Well before I get to my resolutions, scroll down and check out the progression of these photos. I just feel like it so perfectly captures what life can be like with a toddler. In the first two pictures you can see Molly’s in a great mood. Laughing and smiling and just having a grand old time! And then in the next moment she’s screaming her head off in one of her finest toddler tantrums. I used to let these moments stress me out. And by “used to,” I mean I probably did last week. But I’m hoping to remind myself today and every day that I can be patient and a better mom. And I’m certainly going to have to remind myself of this even more often when baby number two comes along!

1. LIVE A LITTLE TEE | 2. FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS | 3. BLACK BOOTS | 4. PURSE | 5. BRACELET | 6. BRACELET

So what is my first resolution? I want to be a better mother. I know I know, that can mean so many things. And that’s why I’m trying to be more specific on what I mean by that when I make this resolution. I want to be more patient and present in Molly’s life. Patient, when she has her little mini-meltdowns. I want to be able to look at my husband and smile during those moments (without letting her see of course). I want to be able to take a deep breath, know that it will pass, and let her see her mom keep her cool and positivity in moments where she’s feeling distress.

And I plan to be more present by doing things like putting my phone away for at least an hour a day while I spend time with her. Don’t get me wrong, I spend a lot more than an hour a day with my child. I’m usually with her all day. But for an hour of that time I want to make sure my phone is not in arms reach so I’m not checking email or Instagram. I’m just totally present with her. And I know this is a baby step. But I feel like quantifying your resolutions is how you can make them more successful. That way you can check in at the end of the day and ask yourself, “did I put my phone away for an hour today?” And there’s no ambiguity in that question. You either did or you didn’t.

My second resolution has to do with living a more full life. That’s why I bought this LIVE A LITTLE shirt honestly. I feel like every time I put it on it will be a little reminder of this resolution to me. So what do I mean by I want to live more? Well, ever since I became a mom, I found that sometimes a month will go by – even two months – and I’ll realize that I haven’t done one social thing. In fact, I’ll realize that I haven’t even left the house on a weekend in months. And then I’ll get myself in that Instagram rabbit hole where I start looking at other peoples photos or Instagram stories of them out with friends and family and I’ll start feeling down on myself. And I’ll start thinking “am I really even living my life?”

1. LIVE A LITTLE TEE | 2. FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS | 3. BLACK BOOTS | 4. PURSE | 5. BRACELET | 6. BRACELET

I know I’m not the only parent that feels this way. And that’s why I want to be so open about it on here. I’ve talked about it a little bit with you guys before in the past. About how I feel like I barely do anything social anymore and I don’t interact with many people outside of the people I see at work and Kevin and Molly. So this year, my resolution is to live my life more fully! And given my first resolution of being a better parent, I really feel like I can do these two things hand-in-hand. So to quantify this resolution I’m giving myself the goal of spending some time outside with Molly and Owen at least 5 days a week. Some days that will mean time at the park. Other days that will mean 15 minutes of playing outside in our front yard. But I just wanna make sure I’m making a conscious effort every single day to get outside with my family. There’s other things I want to work on doing too. Like making sure Kevin and I get out more just the two of us. I know I’ve mentioned to you guys before that we’ve only been on four date nights since Molly was born. She’s one and a half! I feel like it’s insane that we haven’t gone out just the two of us more often. I want to reconnect with my husband and do more things like we used to do before kiddos.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my goals for 2018 with all of you. I know as moms and dads we can be hard on ourselves. And I’m definitely hard on myself when it comes to parenting Molly. But no matter what we think of our parenting, I always think there’s room to grow and be better. Sometimes that means taking more time for yourself, and sometimes that means being more present in your child’s life. I for one, don’t get much time for myself and I’ll have to work on that one at some point too. But for now, I want to be better for her.

I hope you all have a wonderful start to 2018! Cheers to another wonderful year ahead for all of us! And before I go I can’t not mention that the Bachelor starts TONIGHT!!!!! EEEEEPPPPPP I am soooo excited about that. My final resolution is to watch loyally with all of you and blog each week! So make sure to come back here tomorrow to hear ALL my thoughts on Ari and his ladies! Can’t wait! I will also be live tweeting and doing insta stories so make sure to follow along!

1. LIVE A LITTLE TEE | 2. FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS | 3. BLACK BOOTS | 4. PURSE | 5. BRACELET | 6. BRACELET

Oh and for anyone wondering about my outfit. I’m wearing a medium in both the Live A Little T-shirt and the faux leather leggings. And my purse is under $40 and comes in a bunch of colors! I love this black one I own but there’s a blush one that is so gorgeous too! And for those interested, today and tomorrow are the LAST days to shop the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale! The do this huge sale after the Holidays to keep people shopping (I assume) – and the sales do NOT disappoint!

The post My New Years Resolutions appeared first on Ali Manno (Fedotowsky).