What I love about these challenges is that it is impossible to complete this list on your own. For some of the challenges you must seek out other moms, spend time with your partner, meet up with your friends and family, or even (gasp!) spend time alone. Actually alone. Sans baby. We've heard motherhood is isolating, and this can be true, even on the very best of days, so it is essential to “get out of the house every day” and build connections with your family and friends, both old and new.
My Favourite Challenges
#2 – Go on a recon mission
One
of my most proudest moments over the past year was the first time I
took Sebastian somewhere on my own. He was just two weeks old, and we
went (in the car!) to Chapters to get a latte and a cover for my new Kobo
and quickly check out the children's book area. We were maybe there 20
minutes, but it was a huge deal to me.
#9 – Go to a mom and baby movie
We went to Movies for Mommies and saw the Great Exotic Marigold Hotel. Successful mom and baby outing.
#10 – Plan a mom's night out
One
by one, many of the women in my book club are becoming mamas. We had
one particularly lovely night out on a patio last July with great wine
and wonderful company. We try to do this regularly and even did an
overnight trip later in the year.
#20 – Visit a farmer's market
Along
with grocery shopping, S. and I enjoy going to the farmer's markets
together. The first time we went, I picked up some zucchini, took it
home, and tried out my Baby Bullet and voilà – baby food.
#46 – Host a clothing swap party
I
wasn't sure about this one, but it ended up being really fun! I can't
wait to host another one. I really think everyone who came went home
with a few 'new' goodies.
#50 – Launch Camp Grandma
I knew S. was in good hands and so my husband and I enjoyed a night (and morning) off.
#52 – Celebrate the Big 0-1
Along with celebrating Sebastian's birthday, my husband and I also celebrated making it through the first year.
I
also loved the unique pictures we got of Sebastian on all of our
excursions: finding some cool graffiti, taking a walk near the CN Tower,
visiting the pumpkin patch, and making our Modern Family video and
picture.
Baby Sebastian's Favourite Challenges
#5 – Go to the grocery store for just one thing
Sebastian loves grocery shopping. He used to just make flirty smiles at everyone. Now he also enjoys taking things out of the cart and throwing them on the floor when I'm not watching.
#11 – Visit spouse at work
It's always fun to visit daddy at work.
#12 – Host a breakfast club
While we didn't begin a club, we did have 3 other mamas and their babes over for brunch. It was super fun to play with the babies together.
#27 – Go swimming
Sebastian loves swimming. Loves it. Loves it so much he can't put his face under the water during the Humpty Dumpty song because he's too busy laughing and squealing with excitement that his mouth never closes.
#32 – Find bookstore events for babies.
We did find a free storytime at a stay and play café near us over the March Break. Seb loves stories and really enjoyed the added bonus of finger puppets.
#39 – Slide at the playground, baby style.
S. has always enjoyed sliding at the playground and at Gymboree. However, when at the playground with a baby, swinging was always the biggest hit for us.
#41 – Check out some music and movement classes
I thought this could be much earlier on the challenge list. I took Seb to Gymboree at 8 weeks old because I needed to get. out. of. the. house. Maybe 8 weeks is early, but we really liked it and kept going to Gymboree for the rest of his first year.
#50 – Launch Camp Grandma
My parents were delighted to have Sebastian for a sleepover. They kept him up (a bit) late to play, fed him chocolate ice cream, and I'm pretty certain he loved every minute of it.
#52 – Celebrate the Big 0-1
Who doesn't love a birthday party? We celebrated with family, friends, and yummy cupcakes.
A few challenges didn't work for us as well as the ones above:
#4 – Visit a fabric store
We received many a receiving blanket as gifts so, instead of a fabric store, we visited an art store and looked at all the future art projects we could do together.
#21 – Talk about something besides sleep
Epic fail for me. I have talked and read and talked and read some more about sleep. I have been making serious efforts to relax in this area, but it is not easy.
#33 – Get a free 8x10
Someone in one of our mommy groups was looking to get her name out there in the world of photography, so she took some photos of our little ones one day. Apart from that, I had trouble locating a place to get a free 8x10
#47 – Join a children's museum
There isn't a children's museum in Toronto so this one was tricky for us. Following the tip of another mom, we ended up at the Art Gallery of Ontario's Hands-On Centre for kids one afternoon.
Throughout the year, I kept a journal of my rookie mom challenges and wrote a short description each time we checked one off the list. For Sebastian's first birthday, we put together a time capsule for him to open on his 18th birthday, and I've included this journal. I hope he will enjoy reading about the fun adventures we had together during this special year. In Canada, we have are eligible for a 52 week maternity leave so I had lots of time to complete all 52 weekly challenges. I send mad props to any mom who completes this list while working or with other children at home.
Thanks again to Whitney and Heather for their guidance during my first year as a mama. Now to search out how to keep a toddler busy.....
xo
Jenn
This blog post was initially published here in June 2013 on the Rookie Moms blog.
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