Resolute

I don't like to make New Year's resolutions, because I know I won't follow them. But, this year I'm making After Baby resolutions.

It's crazy how quickly my life and schedule became all about Elias. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, because it's not. A baby needs that much attention, and I'm happy to give it to him. But there are a few things that have gotten out of step since the pregnancy and especially since he's been born that need to be ushered back in.

Ready? There's only three.

*Ahem*

Read my Bible every day. And by every day, I mean every day. It's like eating wholesome food, and my spirit needs it in a way that is apparent, especially now.

Feed myself like I like myself. If I had a friend over for lunch and fed them a piece of cheese, some chocolate, a banana, and a glass of milk, I wouldn't be a very good friend. So why in the world am I feeding myself that way? This means that I must plan for what I am going to eat for lunch, instead of just what I need to get Jeremy for his lunches. This means healthy, filling foods, that taste good and make me feel physically well.

Exercise several times a week and no dessert before dinnertime. This means that dessert only comes after dinner each day, instead of at 10 a.m. and then again at 3 p.m. and then again right before dinner because I'm so hungry I just can't wait for the food to finish cooking. This one obviously has to do with my weight, which I'm trying to get down after having E and before we have the next one. And really, when I'm eating sugar all day, I feel like crap. And now that my hormone levels are changing again, my skin needs some TLC, and I'm hoping these changes will help out a little.

So I started some of these awhile ago and some just lately, but I already feel better. And I have so much time with his frequent napping, especially in the mornings, that I can do this for myself. And for Elias. And for Jeremy.

(And speaking of Elias, have you seen him lately? He just keeps getting cuter. And fatter. Yay!

He's been so much more fun lately, starting to laugh, holding on to me when I hold him, getting excited when I reach down to pick him up. Don't get me wrong, it's not like every day is easy, but I am so in love with that beautiful, fun, little boy that it's--mostly--okay when it's hard.)

And in related news:

This week I've been eating leftovers of Heidi Swanson's Chunky Lentil soup, which has been so good. And there have been plenty of leftovers since Jeremy won't eat it :-/ (Not a fan of the lentils, that guy.) It's about a cup or so of green lentils, a cup of stock or water, a couple cups of diced butternut squash, a 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes, with smoked paprika, parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil. YUM. We're also eating this soup for the second time this month, and it. is. so. good. Watch out you pregnant ladies: this is what I'll be dropping off for your dinner after the baby. You can fill it out with so many vegetables, and the guys will still eat it because of the tortellini.

Anyway, it's recipes like these that I'll be trying to eat more of. It's nice to know that I just took a hiatus from making and enjoying food, not a permanent break. We're getting back to our new normal...we're not there yet, but we're on our way.