2014 // Reflections and Resolutions

…And just like that it’s 2014. The past 365 days have been an absolute blissful blur. Exactly a year ago tonight I was in the hospital, 9 months pregnant, with the most awful, awful stomach virus. All the while thinking what a shitty start to a new year.  (BTW no pregnant woman should ever get a stomach virus. It’s just not right.) But little did I know, that my year to come would not only turn out to be the best yet, but truly exceed anything that I could have ever imagined. A few short weeks after my flu episode, I was hobbling into the same hospital in labor with sweet baby girl. Everything about the experience was perfect. The whole birth thing was not nearly as scary as I thought it to be and its actually a day that I wish I could re-live over and over again. And then there’s my girl. It was love at first sight. She’s my whole world and has opened my heart to a love that I never knew existed. A perfect, unconditional love that only a mother knows for her child. Becoming a mommy has been the best journey and am thankful beyond words for these last 365 days for that reason.

All of that being said, (and while I am a little sad to officially close the door on 2013) I am excited about 2014 for a whole new set of reasons. I’m changing some things around here. I’m committing to a healthier lifestyle, lacing up those running shoes again, and focusing on being more engaged with those that I love the most…

If you know me, you know that I love food. I’m from Louisiana where food=love, ya’ll. I also have an insatiable sweet tooth. Its a problem. Going through food stages with LK has really opened my eyes to exactly how bad I eat and also has left me wondering…If I am SO concerned with whats going into her little body and only feeding her organic, etc. why on earth am I not at all concerned with what goes into MY body?! I need to change quite a few things about our diet and am going to try and take the bull by the horns here. After researching for some time, I think that I am going to try and follow Paleo. It makes the most sense to me. Less processed, less grains, less dairy and more fruit, veggies, and meat. Seems like a no brainer. And notice I say LESS because there will be no cold turkey for me…that’s any easy recipe for disaster. For me, I think that it will work best if I cut out about 70% of the bad to start and then eventually wean from there. That being said, please please share some of your favorite Paleo or gluten free recipes! I will keep you guys updated on how I am doing and will share some of my favorite recipes along the way… No more chickfila and diet soda… sadly, it’s not going to be easy for me 🙁

I am so embarrassed to say that I have not worked out in almost 3 months. Thats just gross. Up until LK, I worked out at least 5 days a week….my labor started at the gym for heavens sake. I have really slacked off with the excuse that I am nervous about leaving LK at the gym daycare….which is no excuse, as she’d probably love it and be glad to be rid of me for an hour or so. So, as much as I swore I’d never be this girl….I’m joining the gym in early January and will be that person walking in with her shiny new tennis shoes, hoping and praying I still remember how to work the elliptical machine. Here goes nothin!

And probably most important of all of my resolutions…. I need to engage more. I am putting my damn phone down during the day. Why have I become so obsessed with checking emails, Instagram Feeds and Facebook updates when I should be having tea parties with my daughter. Of course we play, but I could definitely engage more. This was a big one for me. I am really leaving my phone alone during play time, park time, dinner time with my husband etc…..nothing is more important than the people in our lives.

Whew, there it is. I’ve aired out my dirty laundry through my New Years Resolutions for you all to see, in hopes that it will hold me more accountable. I feel so cliche with my healthier diet and more working out, but honestly they just fit this year and I am going to use the freshness that 2014 brings to get going. I have an amazing Paleo beef stew in the crock pot right now….will let you know how it turns out.  So tell me what are you resolving to do this year?

And lastly, thanks again for reading along. This blog started out as a little journal for friends and family to read as we moved across the country and has truly turned into so much more! I have made so many new “friends” here in Charlotte and across the US. It’s my little creative outlet and brings me so much joy to know that you dig what I’m doing. Here’s to what 2014 has in store for Charming in Charlotte!

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