Happy 2010, readers! I hope your holidays were as joyful as mine. Because they truly were. I don't know what it was about Christmas this year, but my entire family seemed infused with an awareness of how special and important it was for us all to be together for the holidays. We kept the drama to a minimum (which is a feat for my family, as it is, I'm sure, for most every family) and the photography at the max. Cell phones were put away (or left at home ON PURPOSE in the case of my youngest sister... which was truly a Christmas miracle in and of itself) and Wii remotes were kept out on the coffee table for spontaneous battles (see video documentation of these here and here). I found such joy in my family this year and therefore the holidays were made that much more joyful.
Now that the new year is here, new things begin. The first is, of course, that it was time for me to return to work. I faced the first day back (this past Tuesday) with a lot of ambivalence. While I was excited to be moving and dancing and teaching again free of my pregnant belly, I also felt that I was going back in as a very different person. Would I still be the same teacher? Would the kids have enjoyed their sub so much that they were apathetic about having me back? Would I be able to commit the time I needed to choreography and preparations now that my mornings are filled with feedings and diaper changes and it's difficult to even make time to shower some days? After the first week I think I can safely say that my worries were unfounded. Laine is falling into a more consistent schedule during the days and I have done well so far with using her nap time to my advantage. My kids were more excited to see me than I expected (nothing like squeals and hugs from your students to boost your ego) and are so eager to hear about the baby as well as to get back into a regular ballet class routine. And I find that the time away from the studio has actually made me even better in the classroom since now I am eager to be there... it's the perfect balance in my day to have all morning with my little one and then get to go do the other thing I love most in the world while she gets daddy time!
The other new thing in my life is the Greer VS Tricia Weight Loss Challenge 2010! Tricia (the aforementioned youngest sister) and I both decided that we have changes we want and need to make with our bodies and our habits and so have made ourselves accountable to each other in the way we Smith girls do best- competition! While we definitely have been giving each other a hard time ("first day back at work? very stressful... go eat a twinkie!" "aren't you tired? I bet some sugar would perk you right up!"), we are also really rooting for each other to succeed in meeting our goals and leading healthier lives. I am definitely ready to kick this baby weight to the curb. Grocery shopping now, however, is much more difficult that when I was in the (I'm pregnant and can eat whatever I want" phase. Spinach and protein shakes are much less exciting to shop for than Halloween candy and Little Debbie cakes.
Don't worry though, Trish. I have a fridge full of spinach.
2 comments:
If you love spinach, try a spinach salad with feta cheese, dried fruit (cherries or cranberries are my faves), walnuts, and sliced pears, with some sort of vinaigrette dressing. It's my FAVORITE at the moment!
I usually use craisins and grape tomatoes with raspberry vinaigrette, and feta if I have it. The pears sound like a yummy addition! Thanks!
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