There is an expression, "do something today that your future self will thank you for" or some kind of variation of that. Well last January 2017 I had that exact thought and finally did something I had been thinking about and went to school to get my real estate license. It wasn't a great time- I was still working at the chiropractor, Mike was starting a new job with super demanding hours and travel, I was pregnant and getting ready to be a mom of 3 boys- but I had been thinking about it for a few years and that quote kept coming back to me. So I did it, I did something that was hard at the time, but the future me would be thankful for. And the expression is freakin true! A year later, I can reflect on the hard work and progress I have made and I am SUPER happy and Thankful I finally made the move.
Last year business was slow, a lot of work without a lot of reward. But it was the building blocks in real estate. I took the class, passed the test, joined my amazing team, started building leads, did a ton of training seminars and classes, asked a million questions. I did have one closing and a couple of rentals in the first 6 months of working, but nothing more than that. Then I took June-August off when Thomas was born (for the most part, I was actually negotiating a deal from the hospital room on the day he was born to try to save a deal from falling through). But I was able to step back and be primarily mom for a couple months. Then in September I stepped up my game again. I started putting dedicated hours into working and building new clients.
Well come January, it paid off. In the first two weeks of the year I got 2 listings (one already sold), and 3 buyers that went under contract. I now have active buyers, potential new listings, and closings on the calendar! I am so excited to see the work coming together. I have big goals for the year, sell 15 homes! If I am able to accomplish this, or come even close, I will be able to help my family big time financially and take some of the pressure and stress off of us.
I am so happy I made the move a year ago, and I am proud of myself for making big strides in building my business. But most of all, I love doing it. I feel like for a long time I knew I needed to work to make money, but I wasn't finding much that motivated me to go out and kick butt. But I found that in real estate. I am motivated, I am excited, I am starting to feel confident in my ability, and I love having something of my own and contributing to the family. Its hard work, I am stressed a LOT, juggling my schedule and the kids schedule is overwhelming... but I feel like its all for a good cause.
So its cheesy, but I am definitely proof behind those words of encouragement to make current changes that your future self with thank you for!
The Taynors
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
How is my Baby 8 months Old!
Here we are again! A monthly update... or what seems to be my new norm, an ever other month update. Thomas is officially 8 months old as of this week, and here are the highlights of his 7 and 8 month happenings.
*Sleep is terrible. Still not happening, still hates the crib, still wakes frequently, still nurses all night. Half of it is baby, he needs the extra nursing and the contact and he is just miserable in the openness of the crib. Part of it is my fault, with the activities of the other kids, balancing bedtimes with all 3, trying not to wake them up in the middle of the night, Mike traveling and away overnight many nights of the week... its been hard to really "sleep train". When Mike is away, or the big kids are sick, anything goes. Whatever I can do to get him to sleep wins. I am aware this is an issue but its hard to make a change right now. Mike is away again this week, but next week he is home for 1 whole week in a row, so I plan to really start working on a sleep routine and at least get him in the crib overnight.
*On the other hand, naps have been good during the day, so that helps big time. He takes a good morning and afternoon nap, and occasionally a cat nap to hold over til bedtime. These naps are still in the rock and play, but they give me a mommy break to work so I'll take it.
*This month he has started dancing! Like totally bopping to the beat. Super cute.
*We have attempted to start solids and it hasn't gone well. He really does not like being spoon fed, so we are going to take the Baby Led Weaning approach with him. So far he seems to like sweet potato fries and these home made teething biscuit things I make. He is really playing more than eating right now, but at least he will bring them to his mouth occasionally. If BLW goes well, I will totally stick with it. I love the idea of him eating what we are eating and not needing to make purees and bring "baby food" around with us.
*He has gotten much more mobile. No moves towards crawling or cruising or anything like that yet, but he can roll and push forward or backwards to get to what he wants. He loves this freedom.
*Finally at exactly 8 months, he got his first tooth!! Woo Hoo! and the second is about to pop through.
*He loves being on the go and watching his brothers. As long as someone is paying attention to him, or someone is around to chat with him, he is happy.
*Thomas is starting to explore new sounds with his mouth, blowing bubbles, babbling much more. No real words but new sounds.
*He is going super strong with nursing. He loves it and will nurse round the clock if I let him. I did finally implement formal for the occasional bottle because I couldn't keep up with a freezer stash and with a lot of work hours coming up, I needed a back up option. I would say he still nurses or gets breast milk 98% of the time, but it took the pressure off of worrying about what I would do if I didn't have enough milk in the freezer. I did a bunch of research and ordered a brand from like Germany (not 100% sure what country, but it is from Europe and goes by their standards) and he took right too it.
*I am super desperate for a little mommy get away. I feel like I am running on fumes these days, but until he is sleeping better or nursing less, its impossible. I hope to plan a weekend getaway with Mike or a girls trip very soon.
Anyway, he is wonderful. Such a sweet, happy baby. Always with a huge smile on his face. Its going so fast, way faster than with the other two (probably because I am busy with the other two) and I am trying to take a deep breath and enjoy this stage. Its basically my very favorite baby stage!
Here is some cuteness!
*Sleep is terrible. Still not happening, still hates the crib, still wakes frequently, still nurses all night. Half of it is baby, he needs the extra nursing and the contact and he is just miserable in the openness of the crib. Part of it is my fault, with the activities of the other kids, balancing bedtimes with all 3, trying not to wake them up in the middle of the night, Mike traveling and away overnight many nights of the week... its been hard to really "sleep train". When Mike is away, or the big kids are sick, anything goes. Whatever I can do to get him to sleep wins. I am aware this is an issue but its hard to make a change right now. Mike is away again this week, but next week he is home for 1 whole week in a row, so I plan to really start working on a sleep routine and at least get him in the crib overnight.
*On the other hand, naps have been good during the day, so that helps big time. He takes a good morning and afternoon nap, and occasionally a cat nap to hold over til bedtime. These naps are still in the rock and play, but they give me a mommy break to work so I'll take it.
*This month he has started dancing! Like totally bopping to the beat. Super cute.
*We have attempted to start solids and it hasn't gone well. He really does not like being spoon fed, so we are going to take the Baby Led Weaning approach with him. So far he seems to like sweet potato fries and these home made teething biscuit things I make. He is really playing more than eating right now, but at least he will bring them to his mouth occasionally. If BLW goes well, I will totally stick with it. I love the idea of him eating what we are eating and not needing to make purees and bring "baby food" around with us.
*He has gotten much more mobile. No moves towards crawling or cruising or anything like that yet, but he can roll and push forward or backwards to get to what he wants. He loves this freedom.
*Finally at exactly 8 months, he got his first tooth!! Woo Hoo! and the second is about to pop through.
*He loves being on the go and watching his brothers. As long as someone is paying attention to him, or someone is around to chat with him, he is happy.
*Thomas is starting to explore new sounds with his mouth, blowing bubbles, babbling much more. No real words but new sounds.
*He is going super strong with nursing. He loves it and will nurse round the clock if I let him. I did finally implement formal for the occasional bottle because I couldn't keep up with a freezer stash and with a lot of work hours coming up, I needed a back up option. I would say he still nurses or gets breast milk 98% of the time, but it took the pressure off of worrying about what I would do if I didn't have enough milk in the freezer. I did a bunch of research and ordered a brand from like Germany (not 100% sure what country, but it is from Europe and goes by their standards) and he took right too it.
*I am super desperate for a little mommy get away. I feel like I am running on fumes these days, but until he is sleeping better or nursing less, its impossible. I hope to plan a weekend getaway with Mike or a girls trip very soon.
Anyway, he is wonderful. Such a sweet, happy baby. Always with a huge smile on his face. Its going so fast, way faster than with the other two (probably because I am busy with the other two) and I am trying to take a deep breath and enjoy this stage. Its basically my very favorite baby stage!
Here is some cuteness!
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