12 Ways {for me} to be a Better Mommy in 2012

I am not the type to make a resolution but I did set one important goal for myself this year: to be a better mommy. It's not that I think I'm doing a bad job, but there is always room for improvement. I came up with 12 ways I can improve myself to be a better parent to Bug. Afterall, she deserves the best!

Here they are {I will add a link to the post as I write about each}:

1. Spend more time outside: being that it's getting colder and colder I have been slacking outside time. I just downloaded the book "15 Minutes Outside" by Rebecca P. Cohen for my Kindle app. which I got for free on my desktop & phone. There are so many ideas to do outside with your kids.
2. Play more: No matter what I'm doing {with a couple exceptions} when Bug invites me to play with her, I will play! Not in 10 minutes, not in 5...right then.
3. Welcome toddler help: Bug loves to help, but sometimes I am in a hurry or it would risk burning dinner {I can not multi-task well} that when she is trying to help me I don't always welcome it. No more!
4. Get messy: I love watching Bug make a mess but I don't always get messy with her. I know she would love it if we got messy together.
5. Read more together: we read a lot as it is, but more couldn't hurt. What's an extra book at bedtime going to hurt? Nada!
6. Encourage independance: Unless we have somewhere to be on time, I will let Bug try to dress herself. So what if she picks out her own outfit & it doesn't match? If she wants to pour her own milk I will put it in a small pitcher/measuring cup for her to do it.
7. Be a good role model: it's easy to teach good manners & how to handle your emotions but it's another thing to do as you say. I don't want to be one of those moms who has to say "do as I say, not as I do".
8. Leave the Computer/TV/Phone for Bug's nap & bed time: I may be up a little later than usual getting things done, but I will save electronic time for when Bug is asleep.
9. Get into a routine: we aren't always consistant around here but having a routine is beneficial and makes transitioning less of an issue since they would be expected. 
10. Teach Bug to Pay it Forward: be it picking up trash we see on a walk, helping a neighbor carry in bags...we are going to try to be more helpful to those around us & the environment.
11. Pray Together: Bug is getting older and I think it's about time we say some morning & nightly prayers together. 
12. Be happy: things aren't always peachy keen. We have been struggling with some things and the stress doesn't always keep me in the best of moods. I have been finding myself loosing patence quicker than I used to and I don't like it...not one bit. So that's about to change...now!

I will be posting in more detail about each of these throughout the next few months.

I'd love for you to share your resolutions if you made any! :) {of if you have any ideas to help me with mine}