I have decided that it is time for some positive life changes. LO is 6 months old, we are finally out of the itty bitty newborn fog, and the rest of my life demands it. So here we go.

This is what I am doing:

1. Get my work life together. Seriously. It has been a good 9 months since it's gotten my full attention, and it is time to get back on the horse. It is my comprehensive exam year, and I have to, have to, have to give it my full attention, starting now.

2. Exercise. I've lost 40 of the 60 pounds I gained during pregnancy, but I know I will feel better if I am actively working to up my level of physical fitness. In that spirit, I just came back from a run I think I might try for a Turkey Trot. Go big or go home, right?

3. Rekindle my marriage. There has been no sex here for who knows how long (at least 6 months? longer?). That's not fair to anyone. I bought lube today. I'm scared, but it's time to try.

4. Put down the technology when baby is awake. Enough said.

5. Establish a new norm for household balance. DH and I have started talking about this. We're a long way away, but it's a goal.

6. Stop obsessing over LO's "firsts." I am spending so much mental energy trying to make them memorable that I'm missing them myself. It doesn't matter if I have a picture of every little thing. It's more important that I am present emotionally for it. And besides, most firsts aren't actually that great. The first time I rode a bike, I fell. But slowly, gradually, on a day I don't even remember, I grew into being able to do it. This is the attitude that I want to have with her. This first year is just that: the first of hopefully many years. It's OK if it's not out of a magazine. It's not OK if I'm not emotionally present for it.

Things we are already doing:

1. YNAB It's been amazing. I'm not a millionaire yet, but it is slowly changing my attitude about money. And weekly budget meetings help a LOT.

2. Weekly calendar meetings with DH and I to review what's going on for the week.

3. Meal planning-lite. I say lite because week-long meal plans have never worked for us. We're loving planning a few days out, though!

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Phew, that was long. Are you making any life changes lately?