Baby Fig Newton: Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year! 2012- here we come.

Lots to look forward to this year... Dyllan turns TWO (January 24)! Dad and Tatyana have booked their flights to Sydney- we are so excited to see them March 5-18th- two of my best friends from college are getting married (Jenny, and Tone)- so we will be back in the US and A over the summer for that- I turn the BIG Three-O! Yikes.. its gonna be an eventful, and fun year.

Do you have a new years resolution?! Starting this year- I am going to make new years resolutions.. real ones.. that are not far fetched, and that don't set me up for failure. I need to start with something realistic- and build from that. Anyone who knows me, knows that my will power and self control- especially when it comes to snacks, candy, and exercise goals.. isn't great. I generally try to eat healthy, and exercise, but when it comes to actually setting a specific goal, a time to achieve it by, and result at the end.. I am hopeless. Some people are good at these.. my friend Natalie- one year- gave up all sweets for an entire year! In all honesty- I don't know if I could even do that for a week (or more than 1 day). Other people commit to training for an event- like Dan and Sean did last year for the Ironman. Others give up drinking- like my dad and also Dan's parents- which is very impressive.

So what have I ever given up?! Well.. I DID give up drinking for quite a few months (probably not 9 since Dyllan was born at 7 months!- but close!)... I also gave up swimming after my senior year in high school- which Sean - to this day is still impressed (mostly that somehow I shimmied my way off the competitive swimming train.. while he was stuck swimming for another 7 years?!) Haha- I didn't have nearly the potential Sean did though.. so it went rather unnoticed. I have given up nail salons (no time or money for that), steaks and all red meat really (except when Dad makes it) which was easy since I don't really crave red meat- and its not nearly as good here in Australia, I've given up pop and coffee- oh and bin candy- only cause its too expensive and super inconvenient or hard to find around here... so I guess I've given some things up... BUT not really on purpose- or even by choice.

So this year- here are a few things I would be happy with achieving:

Achievable New Years Resolutions for 2012

For the next 3 months I will be a pescatarian (sp?)
Drink 2 liters of water a day
Try something new at the gym/ train for something
Run a marathon in 2012
Read to Dyllan before bed at least 5 days a week (even if I am SO sick of her books)
Sell something on ebay or gumtree
No snacking after 8:30pm (and NO midnight snacks)
Make 3 new "mom" friends before Dyllan's birthday (so she has at least 3 friends to invite to her party!)
Go to the dentist before Dad and Tatyana arrive
Get skin checked for skin cancer
Research insurance- sign up
Get a job that will give me a good work/life balance and time with Dyllan (i.e. part time, normal hours)
Make a realistic financial budget and stick to it- start saving- and put at least $5 into Dyllan's savings account each month

Less Achievable- but will REALLY try

Reduce ice cream consumption to 3 magnum's a week
No wine on week nights (well Monday- Thurs)
Only eat healthy chocolate (70% dark cocoa or higher)
Eat oatmeal or something else healthy for breakfast (i.e. no more pizzas or kebabs for breakfast)
Sign up and finish 1 ocean swim

New years eve and New Years day were both super fun! NYE we went to the Langridges- had dinner at their house- then headed to Tania park to see the fireworks. We came back to their house- for desert and more champagne- to watch the fireworks on their balcony - of the harbor bridge. Great night- good food- and lots of laughing and being wild.

Wouldn't be an Aussie NYE without shrimps on the barbie!

Misses Bug at the adult table- the girls had her all propped up with pillows and stuffed animals- she was in heaven

"Uncle Pete"- visiting from the UK (on his 3 months vacation that firefighters get over there! no fair!?)

Tania Park- Misses Bug loves the glow sticks

New years day- Dan encouraged me to go on a run to shake my hangover- and switch gears for the afternoons festivities- The High Fliers Little Secret- Warehouse party. Luckily, it worked- and I was ready to go. I think all the excitement at the beach helped pump me up! Check out Manly beach- on New years day..

Manly Beach- NY day

Later that afternoon- we headed to the city to see one of our favorite groups- Crazy P preform. Natalie and Anthony were so sweet and volunteered to watch the bug- and take her to the beach while we were at the concert... do we have good friend or what?!

The concert was AMAZING- and the warehouse was probably the coolest venue we have ever been to.. some interesting characters - which made people watching a ton of fun! Wish I took more pictures- but we were too busy dancing away!