Keep in Touch!

Hello!
Welcome to my very first blog post.  I have had blogs before. Most notably during my pregnancy (babywalker1.ourbabychannel.com).  I have an almost daily account of the nine months leading up to the birth of my sweet baby.  I have since printed the entire blog, and made a hardback "pregnancy book" complete with bump pictures and letters for Lyla that I plan to give to her in the event that she chooses to be a mother herself. I LOVE that documentation. 
My second blog attempt was "Loving Lyla Kate".  A blog I had set up and ready to go before I brought her home from the hospital in which I would document my adventures in parenting.  However, juggling a new baby and a new blog just wasn't as easy when she was in my arms instead of in my tummy, and that blog was mostly forgotten.  I love writing and sharing my experiences through pictures and journaling, but I hadn't began again because I just didn't "have the time".
If I were to log the time spent on my smart phone the first (almost) two years of  my daughter's life, it would be embarrassing.  I love Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook as much as the next girl (hey, probably even MORE than the next girl), but when I found myself ignoring my daughter to replay a video of my daughter in a different filter, something felt...off!  It's been about 6 months since my family ditched the smartphone, and with it, my Instagram account, and most of my Pinterest activity (except for my insane collection of Yo Gabba Gabba party planning pins).  However, I still kept my Facebook.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it for sharing pictures of Lyla with my friends and family.  I love love love it for keeping up with the lives of those not near me, but here's what I don't love.  I don't love that I can't go to sleep without one last check of the day.   I don't love that the first thing I do in the morning is look for new notifications.  I don't love that I spend my daughter's nap time comparing my life to those snapshots of others lives in my newsfeed. (Seriously. I should be sleeping.)  I don't love that a parenting comment or decision I have made is being ridiculed via a status update or shared link.  I don't love the energy I waste being offended by people I haven't seen in real life in years.  These things are embarrassing to admit, but that's kind of the point. My departure from facebook is necessary, and while I fully anticipate withdrawals, including, but not limited to: the shakes, eye twitching, and a sense of not knowing what to do with myself....It will be worth it.  Because guess what?  There is PLENTY to do with myself. Just ask my laundry basket, or more importantly, my daughter.  There may be a day when I have the self control to use social media more responsibly, but if I'm being honest, I know I am far from it. 
I'm trading in "likes" and "status updates" for phone calls and letters...(okay, probably emails...it IS 2014, after all).  It is my hope that close friends and family will continue to keep me updated in their lives, email me pictures of their kiddos, and if they are interested in what's going on in our day to day; come and visit me here.  I hope to connect personally with those who I rely on facebook to keep in contact with, and I fully intend to use this blog frequently to document the ups and downs of toddlerhood, to share pictures and stories of the Walker family, and, if I'm being honest, keep me still somewhat a part of the digital age.  Technology is wonderful and good.  It is my own flaws and the needs of my family that lead me to make some changes.  Wish me luck, and, please, keep in touch!