2011 - A Year in Review

I've seen a few bloggers I read fill this out and it looked like a good way to sum up my year without having to give myself a headache trying to recall all the events that happened. I mean, really? It was such a crazy, blur of a  year, that I need some questions to keep me on track!


1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Have a baby. Well, there are lots of other things that I had never done before, like have surgery or grow a baby. But, I would say hands down having the baby was my biggest feat.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm not sure I made any specific to the year. I did create a lengthy list of 100 things I wanted to accomplish before turning a certain age and a few of them got marked off.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Do I not count? I'm pretty close to me...

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico for a dear friend's vow renewal ceremony. Oh, and the Netherlands. In January. I do not recommend the latter.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Fresh flowers. And, progress made on our house. My wish list for house projects keeps growing and I'd like to make a dent in it.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 24th, my daughter's birthday

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving bed rest, labor and delivery and becoming a mother

9. What was your biggest failure?
Is it cliche if I say I was really disappointed I wasn't successful at breastfeeding?

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Ha! Yes. Please see above. I mean it wasn't technically illness or injury, but I feel like it counts.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The swing for the baby. That thing is a lifesaver.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My dear friend Carly. Her strength, courage and unwavering faith inspire me.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
n/a

14. Where did most of your money go?
To the baby and all of the accouterments that go along with her. Also, to buying a bigger (read: more expensive car)

15. What did you get really excited about?
I'm not sure to be honest. Most of the year went in ways that I didn't have a vision for in my head so it's hard to say.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I really don't know

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? happier I suppose, but in different ways that I was happy before.
– thinner or fatter? my weight is the same, but I'm softer
– richer or poorer? poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping when the baby slept. (This is like bed rest in that it sounds nice in theory, but is really much harder.)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Shopping for me, although, it might be the last year I do any shopping for me for a while.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home and at my sister's

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Well, yes, but not romantic love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Parenthood. I feel like I can relate in some tiny way.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, but I have been very let down and disappointed by some people in my life. I'm trying to process how much of an effort I'll make with them moving forward.

24. What was the best book you read?
The Hunger Games trilogy

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele

26. What did you want and get?
A healthy baby. She spent two and a half weeks in the NICU, but came home wireless. I'm very thankful for that.

27. What did you want and not get?
A natural delivery. I drug my husband to five weeks of Lamaze classes and told my doctor I wanted to try and have a little medical intervention as possible. That whole idea now makes me laugh since my last few weeks pregnancy and delivery were chock full of medical intervention.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. I'm sad the series has come to an end.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to the Rangers game and you don't get to know my age. I'm past the age where you share...

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having a full and recovery from childbirth (long story, but I'm still not there yet)

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Maternity

32. What kept you sane?
Twitter

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
none really

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Health care. This year has taught me that we all need to have health care. No matter what.

35. Who did you miss?
My friend Holly. I'm sad that we don't stay in touch. But, I've learned to let go since friendships are two way streets. It's helped me to apply that principle to other relationships in my life as well, though.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Julia, she won't remember these early months of her life, but she's a neat little person nonetheless

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
that good enough is good enough

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I don't know, this hurts my brain to try and find one