it's not even nesting since it's not like, i want to clean to set up the baby's room. it's just seeing all the clutter and being like, oh time to put these away. and lament that i don't have enough storage boxes. i have to go to b&m or something this weekend to pick up some.

i also need scented candles. we're running out lol

laundry is likewise getting done today. and boxes and wrapping have to get thrown out. i'm still surprised how much clutter there is even if we're pretty minimalist as far as things go?? or it's just our collective blargh on our days off lolol

the fridge and freezer i'll leave to hubby to defrost and clean. i'm a little too sensitive with smells atm

and i need to have a look at the room i've been using as a stockroom for my book stock and things and see what else i need to tidy it up. bc we'll need it for mom and bro when they come over next year to meet and help with the baby.

anyway going to be tagging text and short stuff while i do the cleaning! has had new people IT'S GREAT

okay sent off the updated documents for mom and bro's visa application (they're coming over in a few months to meet the baby) and also loaded the first batch of laundry

get it, girl! 😍

meanwhile my mom at the family NYE dinner back in the motherland

your mom wears clothes I'd never dream of wearing at MY age. can she just. extract and BOTTLE her confidence and sell it fjklsjafd

your mom is Queen 👑

Your mom is amazing!!

and here's mom with the good boi!!

anyway i just had a nap and i'll get up to do tags in a minute, but while i'm lying down here i'm thinking back to my 2025 goals

the mum things aside, i also need to lose weight and get back into shape, make some extra £££ while on maternity leave, continue to get published at least quarterly (Q1's at least in the bag now!)

tho hubby told me not to worry about losing weight since breastfeeding would take care of that anyway, i also want to keep active so i'll have the energy to handle nugget 😂 one of the books i read says it's all about coaxing our bodies to produce oxytocin and exercise is one of the things that help with that.

the financial goal will be the tricky one. i might look at etsy for my crochet stuff bc even if they have higher fees, there's a ready market there vs ko-fi? then i'll see what i can scrape out of upwork (though with AI tools the gigs i used to get have become scarcer...) and hopefully brain stories to submit to calls.

the rent increase will be something to deal with and the job change but... one at a time

loyalwolf you'll be stuck with me for another year nyahahaha

ANYWAY getting up to tag now 😂

I'm definitely not complaining.

I AM GONNA BE THE OTHER VOICE TO THE BREASTFEEDING ARGUMENT: it doesn’t always lead to weight loss because you’re hungry and thirsty ALL THE FUCKING TIME. And stubbornly you might see weight linger, but it doesn’t mean you’re not doing the work

You’re literally providing the bebe your love and affection and a source of food and protection, after you were THE HOME she lived in for the past nine months

On a diff note, re: breastfeeding b/c idk if we've discussed it before: Don't feel bad if the baby like... can't figure it out lmfaoooo Zackary never did, i pumped for awhile and then we eventually switched to formula before the first year was over.

A fed and growing baby is what matters, don't let the hormones lie and tell you you're a bad mom if, for any reason, breastfeeding doesn't work for her

This too

I tried more in earnest with my youngest as far as trying to get ties revised and going to people who could help and we even did occupational therapy for him for a while in being able to help with idk, his...ability to use his mouth efficiently or whatever? But I pumped for...a good year or so for the oldest and ALMOST that for the youngest

Not every journey is the same and what nugget needs most is a happy and healthy mama. It doesn’t matter how she’s fed, AS LONG AS SHE’S FED

all of this ^ bebes are unfortunately not immune to the extremely human condition of "brains are sometimes dumb for no reason"