Resolutions are so cliche, I know, but I think I should write them down in the hopes of holding myself accountable. They’re more “goals” than resolutions. But I think it’s a good exercise, anyways, to think about the ways in which you’d like to improve yourself or your life. So, here’s my list.

1. Lose weight. Yes, the ultimate New Year’s cliche. But I’m still holding on to way too much baby weight, and it’s just not acceptable. Most likely I’ll go back on Weight Watchers. I’ve done it before, and it works for me every time. It’s just that I lose steam… Ah well. Gotta keep trying. But this resolution has several sub-goals, which are more specific markers to reach for:
   • Wear wedding rings. I haven’t worn my wedding and engagement rings since I was about 12 weeks pregnant. I really miss them, but I want to try and avoid having them re-sized.
   • Stop wearing maternity clothes. My dirty little secret is now out. I still sometimes wear maternity clothes outside of the house. Stacey and Clinton just felt a small part of them die inside. Well, it ends with the new year. No more maternity clothes (except as pajamas, because they sure are comfy).
   • Shop at Ann Taylor Loft again. Must fit fat ass into real pants. Must get out of plus sizes. Lane Bryant is a good option, and all, but I know I can be in the regular sizes again.
2. Exercise. Related to, but separate from the weight loss. I need it to clear my head, I need it to be in better shape for my kids. I need to be stronger, so I can keep up with my babies-who-will-soon-be-mobile. And I need to not throw my back out. That’s not cool.
3. Get a babysitter. Necessary for accomplishing goal #2, but also necessary for my sanity. I love my kids more than anything, but I need a break sometimes. And there’s literally no way I’ll ever get to the gym without a sitter to watch the kids. This one is in progress, just waiting for the potential sitter to return from winter break.
4. Be more baby-centered when the twins are awake. I feel as though I too frequently finish feeding the babies, then “put” them somewhere while I do something. Laundry, washing bottles, eating breakfast, whatever. And while that’s sometimes both necessary and good, as independent play is an important skill, I really think some of those tasks could wait (aside from breakfast) and I could just sit and interact with them more.
5. Read to them. A more specific counterpart to goal #4. M and I both love to read, and were real bookworms as kids, and I hope to pass that love of books to our children. And, thanks to wonderful friends and family, we have an enormous library of children’s books from which to choose. Time to put them to good use. First step: at least two books per day.
6. Be more productive when the twins are asleep. Sometimes getting them to sleep is so exhausting that I just want to veg out while they nap. And sometimes that’s just peachy. But if I’m going to be more centered on them when they’re awake, then I need to make better use of my time when they’re asleep.
7. Finish their quilts. Seriously. It’s been way too long.
8. Decorate their nursery. I have nursery envy from the one my dad set up, and I realized that their rooms here are a little minimalist for my taste. We’ve got picture frames and photos to put in them coming out the wazoo. Time to unleash my inner decorator.
9. Take a photography class. I love taking pictures, of the babies in particular. And I just got a fancy new lens for my camera. But I know I’m not taking full advantage of my tools, so I’d like to learn how.
10. Get back in touch with M. Last, but should not be least. It’s so easy, as all new moms know, to neglect your relationship with your husband when babies arrive. I’ve been trying not to, but I could do better.