The new year provides us with the perfect opportunity to try—even in baby steps—something new that challenges us, and may make us better in the end.

Well, friends, it’s here. New Year’s Eve. The day we kiss goodbye to another calendar year, look forward to what’s next, and look back on where we’ve come over the past 365 days.

You’ve probably noticed I talk a lot about being a new mom on this blog. The short reason for why this topic is so important to me—aside, of course, from the fact that, like most moms, I adore my kids—is that I am so passionate about being real about the experience of being a new mom, because it is HARD.

The holidays are synonymous with decadent food, and what’s more decadent than a delicious Christmas cookie, or maybe ten?

This past weekend I did something I haven’t done in over four years—traveled solo. No kids, no husband, just me (and Baby 3). It was strangely liberating and also… just kinda strange.

It stands about 35 feet tall. Full, verdant and positively regal. Turning the corner of the sidewalk into my parents’ backyard, you would think that pine tree had been there for generations.

I hope today you take a moment to listen to the only person who knows what’s best for you right now–yourself.

There was a period of about six months after I had my son—my first child—that I nursed him multiple times each night.

Maybe it was the beading sweat on my forehead and the look of sheer panic on my face. Maybe it was me muttering–to myself, I thought, but apparently not–“HOW did you do this??”

Your family. The love of family is made of loyalty and constancy and sometimes, the deep and guttural desire to slap your brother/sister/mom/dad/etc. across the face out of extreme annoyance but I am here to say PLEASE PLEASE don’t do that.