A New Start!

When I started blogging I had planned on writing on it all the time, but life got in the way. It is now time to start over...a new blog :) A new start for a new year! A place for me to write all the trials and tribulations of becoming a mother, going back to work, getting healthy, and trying to keep my family happy...a way for me to remember my life as it passes by so quickly. It is amazing to think how in one year your life changes so amazingly. I started last year determined to lose weight, to make myself healthier so I could get pregnant. I joined Weight Watchers in January which helped me to make smarter food choices, track my exercise, and made me accountable to a group...6 weeks, 12 pounds lost, and a positive pregnancy test...a fantastic, terrifying, wonderful new beginning! I had to quickly change my plans from losing weight, to eating healthy and being ok to gain that weight back. My pregnancy was great up until 36 weeks when my blood pressure went high. I was put on bed rest for 2 weeks and then our little miracle arrived. It wasn't the easiest delivery, but I can't complain too much. I was only in horrible labor for less than 12 hours. I tried an epidural, but it only took on half of my body. I dilated fully, but my little man decided to he didn't want to budge. I ended up with a c-section after 2 1/2 hours of pushing. Although the delivery did not go the way I planned, in the end we had a happy, healthy, perfect 8lb 2.6oz 21 1/2in little boy! It is amazing how much you can love someone the moment you see them :)
(10 days old)

I have been home with my little one for almost 12 weeks. This time has flown by so quickly. I think having so many holidays within those 12 weeks have accelerated my time off. I don't know how I am going to leave my little boy in the care of almost a complete stranger starting on Tuesday. I'm looking at some options to start working part time. Maybe I'll be ok once I get back, but I don't think so. I love my little man's face, the smile that lights up his eyes, the dimple in his cheek, the way he is so hell bent to suck his thumb, his cute little cry when he gets upset, etc. I love everything about this little boy! I want to be a stay at home mom for the first year, but my husband doesn't think I will be happy. I think I would love staying home with my little boy, but I know it would be a stretch on our finances. We'll see how things go ;) Now onto the getting healthy part. I ended last year 15 pounds lighter than I started. Wohoo...that is a success to me since for 9 months of the year I was growing another human being inside of me. After giving birth, I was able to lose all the weight I gained plus 2 or 3 more. This year is going to be a new start. I want to get healthy for my son. I want to teach him to eat healthy instead of unhealthy like I have been for the last several years. I have never been a small person, but I put on a lot of weight during grad school. It is time to make a change, to start over, to learn how to be a healthy person and an active mom. I love walking so I'm going to start taking Cameron with me. I want him to enjoy the outdoors. This spring I want to explore new towns, go hiking, take my little boy to the zoo. There are so many things I want to do and I need to be healthy to do that. So in February, I am going to start Weight Watchers again. Hopefully, I will be able to teach myself to eat healthier and get more active. Although I would like to lose weight, my main goal is to get healthy. As my son gets bigger, I want to make his baby food. I want to teach him to eat all sorts of vegetables that I didn't want to eat when I was little. Maybe he will help keep me on track :)

Now off to spend time with my family!
What a sweet baby boy! This is the little man I will somehow be walking away from on Tuesday :'(