A New Year!

Happy 2012, and wow, I haven't written in about a month.  I guess that is holiday craziness!

I think AJ had a great first Christmas.  We didn't overdo it with gifts but somehow our house still looks like Toys R Us and he still enjoys playing with simple Christmas cards and empty plastic bottles.  We saw ALL the families over the course of the week.  It was busy but it was great to see everyone and they were, of course, thrilled to see AJ.  I cannot believe that in a little over 6 weeks he will be a year old.  Time is truly flying.

AJ continues to progress into toddler-hood.  While he is still not saying ma-ma, he understands SO much!  He got this farm toy thing and today I said "feed this to the cow" and he went over and put it in the cow's mouth.  He also FINALLY started holding his own bottle....when he feels like it.  But at least he is doing it!  A few weeks ago we started giving him a sippy cup to get him used to it and he is really starting to get how it works.  When I say "lift it up!" he does!  It was so wonderful to be home with him for a while week.  He must've thought so too because he was SUPER clingy to me every day!  He gets to the point where he will not go to anyone else, even Joe, and sometimes he does not let me put him down.  Towards the end of the week I figured out how to at least get him to play on the floor with me, as my back is really starting to hurt!  But at the same time, I do cherish the closeness (I just worry about going back to work tomorrow and how he will do!)

One thing that is getting more and more difficult is figuring out what to feed him.  Its the area I feel the most lost in.  I guess he is doing fine since he gained 2 lbs in the past 2 months but I still wish I felt like I had a clue.  He is still drinking 3-4 bottles a day, plus 3 meals of baby food a day.  He doesnt finish his bottles anymore, but the DR said for the first year we should still try for most of his nutrition to come from the milk but consistently add other foods in.  Thats the tough part.  I'm giving him a pretty good variety of jarred baby foods, plus unsweetened applesauce, yogurt, and some mashed up fruit over the course of a week.  But he is getting more and more interested when Joe and I eat and he REALLY wants to feed himself.  He does not have anywhere near the dexterity (or interest) to feed himself with utensils so I need more food ideas that he can pick up with his fingers.  Cheerios are great, but I'm having trouble with other things because he only has 2 teeth, and I have choking paranoia.  I better read up on this, but I am open for suggestions too!

Well it is a new year so I should probably also post my 2012 resolutions.  In no particular order:

-Multitask less.  This may seem counterintuitive since I'm forever searching for a way to 'fit it all in' but especially towards the end of '11 I noticed that I haven't been giving anything full undivided attention.  My brain is always a little bit somewhere else or on to the next thing.  I think focusing more will be better for me, better for AJ, better for Joe, and better for whatever I'm doing.

-Start working out again.   Ok, I have been totally riding the busy life/breastfeeding weight loss plan for 10 months.  And its been pretty great.  But (see below) milk production will not last forever, and though I'm at my lowest weight since the 90's I've clearly also lost ANY shred of fitness.  I'm going to aim for 3 days a week of at least a short workout at home, plus one day of yoga.  Once winter ends I will be anxious to start walking again with AJ!

-Cut the pump cord by April.  Outside of AJ himself, one of the things I am most thankful for in this mom journey has been my ability to continue to be AJs main food source...well, at least food production facility...for all this time.  I never imagined it would work out this way especially not with the many tears shed those first few weeks.  After a year, when he can start drinking regular milk, it will be time to make the transition.  As much as I have cursed that pump over the past many months I am a little sad to know that I'll be moving on.  (And ok, as dysfunctional as this may be, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't petrified that once I stop I will gain 15 pounds back immediately.)

-Declutter this house.  WE HAVE TOO MUCH (UNNECESSARY) STUFF! (AJs stuff is exempt)

-Cook more.  Well AJs evolving eating habits are one reason for this but also I realized most of the cash I spend is on breakfast and lunches at work.  Aside from not being the best food choices, I'm sure we can put that $ to better use.  I have more yet to be made recipes bookmarked in my Google reader than I care to admit.  I'll aim for 2x a week.

Ok, that should do it.  Oh, and I also have to plan AJs first bday party.  I think I will save the Very Hungry Caterpillar Extravaganza for Age 2.