Self-Realization and Updates

I think I figured out why I'm having so much trouble sticking to the plan right now. It's a lifestyle I developed over two years that was put on hold for 9 months and I'm trying to just jump right back in with both feet. I'm not the same as I was - I need to take baby steps again. My OB had me eating 2,000-2,500 calories while I was pregnant, a drastic increase from the 1,400-1,600 I was eating pre-pregnancy. I was also on rest with strict restrictions so I couldn't exercise. Jumping straight back into the same calorie restrictions and exercise I was doing pre-pregnancy has just been overwhelming and caused repeat missteps and failure. I need to treat this journey as brand new and rediscover myself and my new limits. I'm going to start off small - instead of dipping my toes into exercise for a week before amping it up I am going to give myself longer to readjust. Instead of cutting my calories all at once I am going to start by replacing my breakfast with a protein shake. I'm also going to stop weighing in every morning. The fluctuations are too stressful, so I am going to weigh myself on Saturday mornings as a end to the week. I just need to remember how hard it was before, and know I had success once and can do it again.

The wee one is doing good. He keeps sounding better and better. His cough isn't as persistent as it was and his nasal suctioning isn't really getting anything anymore. He's at the end of his illness I think, that part where you just have that lingering bit of tightness in your chest? He has a pediatrician appointment this afternoon for a check-up, his vaccines, and to get a release for daycare.

I already got my first paper of the session back. The instructor said I did a great job, but that some of my APA citations were wrong. She didn't tell me *what* was wrong, though, and when I reviewed them I couldn't see anything amiss. They look exactly like I've been doing them for 14 years. And now that I've typed it out, I can't believe I've been in college for that long. I feel old.

My family reunion date has been set for next month, just before little guy turns 4 months. It will be the most people he's ever been around at once so I hope he does okay. I need to start planning what to make for the potluck, though. I usually make 2-3 things, with one dish always being my grandmas favorite buffalo chicken dip. Any suggestions for what else might be a hit? I was thinking maybe a taco dip and a pasta salad?