New year. New goals.

It's a new year. I think I've gained 10 lbs in the past week with all the out of control eating. I ate my final linzer cookie until next Christmas season. I've had an alcoholic beverage everyday since Christmas and I have not exercised. My husband and I were talking about goals last night for 2010. He is working on his freelance business since jobs are scarce at the moment. I NEED to cut down the salt to 2300 mg. Everyone keeps telling me, use Mrs. Dash. The salt shaker is not my problem -- I just need to eat less processed foods and more fruits, veggies, dairy and lean proteins.  Along with cutting down on the sodium, I am also going to train for a triathlon in an attempt to do one in July. If I can run 3 miles, I am pretty sure by July I can do a triathlon. I'm calling it the tryathlon challenge. GULP. Wish me luck.

As a family, we need to be better about a few things with Lil B. Brushing teeth, reading, getting him with some play friends.  The other thing is we need to start going to church. We keep talking about it but we're not doing it. We'll be exploring that avenue in the next couple of months.

So, in a nutshell, that's some of the goals for 2010. I'll check back and let you know how they're going.

Happy New Year

Whippersnappers Photoshoot
Originally uploaded by Shanlee

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would love something as much as I love my son. Remember when I was convinced he was a girl. In the back of my mind I thought I would be really disappointed if I found out he was a boy. At first, I will admit, I was a little sad for a hour and then I got into the boy mindset. With each kick, I loved this kiddo more and more. After his birth, that love grew and grew. Even tonight, after he fell asleep tucked next to me, I marveled at my beautiful son. Now, my life is more than about me, it's about my family. And that is why I'm setting new years resolutions I need to keep.

1. Be more green. I'm horrible when it comes to recycling. I am a big gas waster. So I'm resolving to put more in the bins and hopefully bike most of next summer. This means I need to buy a bike!

2. Be a better wife. Since I've been so focused on the baby, I need to take time out and appreciate all my husband does. He is an awesome dad and is always willing to give me the space to do my own thing.

3. Do something for me. Not rush so much. Dress nicer for work. Fix my hair. Get out of the house. Head to the gym. Eat better.

4. Lose 3 dress sizes. This is more for my health than my vanity. Since giving birth, I have high blood pressure. I need to get that down for my family. My goal is to do this by October.

5. Be more grateful. Stop complaining and quit being so annoyed. The lack of sleep of being a new mom has made me snappy and I'm sure the people around me would love for me to be a bit nicer.

6. Get financially stable. Pay off the hospital bills and pay down the people/place we owe money. Since having Benjamin, our finances are out of whack esp since we now have a large daycare bill each month.

7. Get a sitter once a month and get out with my husband.

That's about it for now. Wish me luck!

The joys of friendship

Since posting my goals post, many have offered up their babysitting services and EUREKA! Brian and I are going to have a drink tomorrow night alone without baby. It's a first step and exciting one. I have wonderful friends and I am thankful for that.

Ben is 5 weeks today. Next thing you know, he'll be driving.

Ben definitely has a schedule. He is usually awake from 8-10 am and 5-8 p.m. He naps the other parts of the day. I'm excited to see how this changes. I hate to jinx this but he finally is taking naps in other places than the sling or my chest. I think I'm just getting more patient and identifying when he's actually asleep. It also helped that I read you put a calm baby in the swing or bouncy chair -- not a cranky one. I'm learning more and more each day.

Weekly goals

I realized last week that Ben and I need goals. For example, yesterday, we stayed in the house all day. By the time my husband got home from a previous engagement, I was going crazy all couped up on a nice day. I should have went for the walk. I have two really good front carriers but fear is keeping me from doing this. Then I realized, I need to make a list of things I need to accomplish to try to feel like I'm a human again instead of the milk factory (I love being the milk factory but sometimes, there is more in life). So here goes my goals for this week.

* get out with the baby at least once a day. We are not trapped and he's easy to transport.
* walk 4 times a week with baby and dog because I need to excercise and Charlie is feeling a little neglected.
* pump once a day. Milk production is in overdrive -- I won't say much more than that plus I need to start banking it for the daycare lady.
* ask for help. This mainly applies to my husband. I need help around the house big time and instead of playing his guitar, he could help me out by spending 5 mins doing something else while I nurse.
* do yard work once a week.
* get a pedicure. My feet look horrible.
* find a babysitter and make a date with my husband. (I have no idea who but I have to find someone)
* Think positive thoughts. Ben is a happy baby. Ben is a happy baby. I am a good mother. You get the picture.
* Have more patience.

I think that is enough.

On a positive note, I got Ben to sleep in the crib finally by myself. My husband has mastered this technique and today, I successfully figured out the trip. It takes a good swaddle and some good rocking to get the kid into a deep sleep.

All in all, I feel more confident than I did 31 days ago. Progress!