Milestones

Now that he's approaching 13 months, little Severin is in the midst of another period of rapid changes. About ten days ago, he stood up unsupported and while these moments were brief and very shaky, they have become more stable and of longer duration. He can now stand for about a minute and has started walking--moving from single shuffles to about eight or nine fairly confident steps. While he's reluctant to feed himself, he will now help himself to blueberries and even pop them in my mouth. His fine motor skills are still developing so more berries miss their mark and end up on the floor or in his high chair, but it's yet another sign of his growing independence. 

With his recent growth spurt, he's now mainly in 18-24 month old clothes so we're getting to the end of baby sizes. As small boys' clothing is often ugly and overly masculine (sports, baby businessmen, ugly combat trousers, yucky logos and slogans), I'm going to have to look even harder for nice items. Frugi and Boden are reliable but a little pricey and Boden's baby items go up to 3 years, which is even better. He's also extremely fortunate in having family friends who knit for him and their hand knits are beautiful.

Boots

After (too) much internet research which took up too much of my very limited spare time, I finally took the plunge and bought a new pair of Fiorentini + Baker boots. It's a risk as they are non-refundable but the price was good (excellent for a brand whose merchandise is rarely reduced) and this style supposedly runs large, just like my current, much loved F + B boots. If I hadn't cracked the leather when my feet swelled up shortly after having Severin, I may not have needed a second pair of boots but I want to extend their life and have something that's waterproof.

These fit the bill--they even have Vibram soles should I need them in the snow (my old Wisconsin winter snow boots have them but the uppers have cracked after many, many years of wear). I like the style and the fact that they're black so they contrast nicely with my other neutral grey-brown pair. Plus I even found a coupon code online and it worked.

Now fingers crossed they'll fit. I'm still coveting a couple of other pairs of F+B ankle boots, the eternity boots and some of their autumn shoes, but as most of these styles never go on sale, I'll just have to be patient.

Some Resolutions

Briefly and belatedly, I'm vowing to try the following this year.

Cut the carbs down to below 100g a day--or lower. With prediabetes a reality, I'm hoping I can still stave off the almost inevitable type 2 diagnosis (thank you, genes). If I can get rid of the extra chub I'm carrying thanks to my poor response to carbs, that's all the better.

Stop buying cheap items at Club Monaco and Zara just because they are on sale and look nice on the size zero model. I've not done this particularly often but it's a habit to curb, particularly if I ever want to replace my Fiorentini + Baker boots that cracked during my postpartum foot swelling last year. They rarely/never go on sale and aren't that cheap but I bet I have spent more on bargain postnatal clothes intended (and needed) for a short, messy time only.

Manage my time better so I can get that second sample chapter and third proposal in and hopefully secure that second and third book contract. I'm so often tired/sleep deprived or playing with my delightful 1 year old but there has to be good and as yet underutilised work time out there.

I've other hopes/plans/dreams for this year but they are somewhat more reliant on others/science/fate/luck whereas these resolutions are a little more under my control.