reflecting on 2019

today is the second day of the new year. the past week i feel like i've been in overdrive reflecting and refocusing and making goals and lists for this year.

2019 was a wild year of insane adventures and also really intense learning. here are 19 things i learned: 

1. being a full time mom is harder than any other job. 

2. living close to mountains is a dream and something i never want give up. 

3. marriage takes 1398523 more work after a baby. 

4. traveling is way more doable with a baby than i expected. it's slower for sure, but very possible. 

5. you can love your baby with everything in you, but still reminisce with fondness about the days before kids. 

6. in order for me to be mentally strong and emotionally healthy i need to go to the gym at least three times a week. 

7. not working in an office will make you lose 5 pounds (looking at you, office snack drawer!)

8. it's actually not that hard to go on a date and not talk about your kids. 

9. mom instinct is a real thing. 

10. waiting until almost 30 to have kids was a really, really, REALLY good idea for us. 

11. cooking is actually fun and interesting! 

12. putting ice in rose is the bomb. 

13. postpartum physical care doesn't end at six weeks PP. it's a continuous thing for at least another 18 months. 

14. having a kid will make your relationships with other moms 10x deeper. there is a bond there i didn't know existed. 

15. if people raise their kids differently than you choose to, that's okay. 

16. figuring out your self identity after choosing to stay at home with your baby takes a LONG time. and never really ends. 

17. when your kid learns how to say mama you will literally melt into 93846346 pieces. 

18. you can still have a life and go out after having a baby. you just can't sleep in the next day ;) 

19. living in community is so important.