Party Deprived-- Advice Needed

Dear Experienced Parents,
My darling husband and I are party deprived, yes I know this is a first world problem, but it is nevertheless bothersome.  Before baby, we were semi-regulars on the going-out circuit and even when I was pregnant I trudged along (maybe rolled a bit) and enjoyed myself as best I could.  However, I really miss a good party, and I am thinking of New Years Eve and the challenge that I do want to celebrate it with baby because he is a HUGE part of what we are celebrating, but I don't know how to do this and still see your friends?  All advice is sought and wanted, and I can't wait to hear from you all.

Sincerely,
Party Deprived New Momma

photo credit: -Snugg- via photopin cc

Loneliness as a Mother

I am lucky, a least I keep telling myself that I am, and I did not get the same postpartum depression I watched my mother suffer from after my sister was born.  However, I can now clearly understand why she felt the way she did, being a working mom is exhausting and incredibly lonely, especially when your friends are at different points in their lives and they don't want to be around children.  At times, I didn't even recognize myself anymore, and it has simply scared me-- Was this the depression I was in or just a funk?

Lonley is more than just a word.
photo credit: Andreas-photography used with permission via Creative Commons

So I realised the only way things were going to change is if I did something about to make the change

Stronger Feelings As a Mother

Let me start by saying that I have always been full of emotion and some things always "got to me" more than other people, but now that I am a mother different things are bothering me more than they ever have.  For example, I can't watch the show Criminal Minds anymore because the topics keep me up at night and it used to be one of my favorite shows, well at least until BK came along.  And any news story that involves children pulls at my heart, where before I used to care, but I didn't feel so strongly as I do know.  Some might chalk