I've never considered myself as an overachiever. Most times I am content to do the things I need to do, and do them well, be never try to push myself to take on more responsibilities. Home life is busy enough.
Yet, I still can help but yearn to do more. I am almost 36 and I feel like leaving a larger mark on the world. Lately this has been manifesting as getting more involved in my homebrew club, but also trying a little harder to express my creative side, primarily through photography. (and this blog :/)
However, after my experience last year with helping to organize the National Homebrewers Conference in San Diego, where I recruited and manged the guest speakers for the event, I am concerned about balancing all of these activities with family time. A part of me is quite guilty not spending 100% of my non-work time with family activities, and I love spending time with all of my kids and my wife, but I also need the selfish time. Don't we all!
So effectively balancing my responsibilities will be one of the largest challenges for me in 2012. Wish me luck.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
So, it's been a while since the last blog. I can't do stream-of-consciousness too often I guess.
But something today amazed me so much, I feel compelled to write about it.
I've been gone at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for most of the past week, my 10th annual visit, and the night before I left was a typical night. Put the kids down to bed around 7:30PM on Sunday, then immediately went to bed. However, our daughter (Chloe) was up and down numerous times for various reasons, known only to her. Since she was very little, I had developed the habit of either allowing her to sleep on my chest or staying in the room with her until she fell asleep. It (almost) ensured she got a good nights sleep. However, I almost never did, and the result was a very dysfunctional sleep pattern that left nearly all members of the household starting the day on the wrong side of the proverbial bed.
It is so bad, in fact, that I often find myself waking hourly even when all are asleep. It
s especially annoying when it happens on the road while I am sleeping in silent hotel rooms. I can't get a good night sleep anywhere!
I knew that when I left on my trip to CES that Nicole was going to try a new sleeping tactic, essentially letting them cry it out (Chloe and Lily) and keeping a sleep diary to note the wakeups. According to her blogging on the subject, it was very tough the first night, but slowly got better. By the third night, they were nearly sleeping through the night and crying for only a few minutes when going to bed.
The day after I got back, a Friday, bedtime was uneventful and Chloe slept through the night.
Let me repeat that: SHE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!
Tonight, when I put her to sleep, a simple kiss goodnight after the bedtime routine was all that was neccessary.
Amazing.
Of course, I didn't sleep well since I woke every hour or so. Guess I need to adjust as well too.
I love my wife for the adjustment. She is amazing.
But something today amazed me so much, I feel compelled to write about it.
I've been gone at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for most of the past week, my 10th annual visit, and the night before I left was a typical night. Put the kids down to bed around 7:30PM on Sunday, then immediately went to bed. However, our daughter (Chloe) was up and down numerous times for various reasons, known only to her. Since she was very little, I had developed the habit of either allowing her to sleep on my chest or staying in the room with her until she fell asleep. It (almost) ensured she got a good nights sleep. However, I almost never did, and the result was a very dysfunctional sleep pattern that left nearly all members of the household starting the day on the wrong side of the proverbial bed.
It is so bad, in fact, that I often find myself waking hourly even when all are asleep. It
s especially annoying when it happens on the road while I am sleeping in silent hotel rooms. I can't get a good night sleep anywhere!
I knew that when I left on my trip to CES that Nicole was going to try a new sleeping tactic, essentially letting them cry it out (Chloe and Lily) and keeping a sleep diary to note the wakeups. According to her blogging on the subject, it was very tough the first night, but slowly got better. By the third night, they were nearly sleeping through the night and crying for only a few minutes when going to bed.
The day after I got back, a Friday, bedtime was uneventful and Chloe slept through the night.
Let me repeat that: SHE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!
Tonight, when I put her to sleep, a simple kiss goodnight after the bedtime routine was all that was neccessary.
Amazing.
Of course, I didn't sleep well since I woke every hour or so. Guess I need to adjust as well too.
I love my wife for the adjustment. She is amazing.
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