1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
So many things, but the biggest has to be selling the old house. That was harder emotionally than I thought it would be. But it went to a cute couple who should have had their twin boys by now, so I wish them patience.
Also, I watched Teddy eat Amelia's fingernail clippings, which was not on my bucket list.
2. Did you [live up to] your New Year’s [word], and will you [select another] for next year?
I didn't set out with a word for New Year's, but if I had to choose one it probably would have been patience. This year was a bit like Chinese water torture. Nothing too big at once, but enough little things to drive you mad. My word for next year is going to be Grace. I struggle with it daily in different forms, but I'd like to be better at it. And I don't mean graceful. I've given up on ever being that.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I had a cousin and a cousin's wife both give birth to baby boys. I am honored and excited to be the godmother to Alex.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
For the first time in too many years there were no deaths in our families. I'm hoping for a repeat in 2012, but I'm not holding my breath.
5. What places did you visit?
In order, Miami, Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, San Francisco (about 7 times), LA, Dallas, Chicago, Rhode Island, Kauai, St. Louis, Philly, scenic Dublin, OH, and Chicago. I considered renting an apartment in SF I was there so much, but almost every time I was on the ground less than 24 hours, and once less than 12 hours.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A fully unpacked house and a potty trained toddler. And a vacation for just Matt and I.
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 8, Amelia's first birthday, self-explanatory. September 18, the day we woke up in the new house. And August 26 because my sister got married and I got to see it. I still don't quite that believe that one.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
While I'm sure that most of Amelia is still nature, she amazes me with what she knows and can articulate. The fact that she's still alive (she has no sense of self-preservation) and thriving is nothing short of a miracle.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Work/life balance. I've been given great opportunities, but they have sucked up valuable time with family. I think this hit rock bottom when I couldn't find my car in the parking garage at Dulles because I had parked there so many times in the month prior. I had to set off my car alarm to find it.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
For the first ten months I did pretty well. Then I had an ovarian cyst removed, came down with what I thought was food poisoning but turned out to be a virus that I passed to Matt, then we both came down with the sinus infection from hell. I think we're good with the illness for right now.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Aside from the house, I would say the iPad. It's great for Amelia, but Matt and I have gotten great use out of it as well. And Amelia having her own seat on the Hawaii trip.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Matt. He doesn't get the credit he deserves for helping to raise Amelia and on top of that he deals with me. I love him and I don't know how he handles everything that he does. Plus, he gets up with Amelia in the morning. That alone makes him husband of the year.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Anyone remotely related to the Tea Party. I mean, come on. Grow up and learn to share the pain.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The Money Pit we call home. We knew that almost all of it was coming, we just didn't think it would all come this year. Also, diapers. See - potty trained toddler as goal for the year.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Decorating the new house for Christmas. I even did a couple of DIY projects to complete the house.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Baby Beluga and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I hate that whale.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier, and more importantly, more at peace
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner. Seriously, hurricane child will magically drop pounds. Everyone who babysits needs a nap, a drink or both afterwards.
c) richer or poorer? Richer in whole, but it's hard when you see the number of repairmen who come through here. First world problems to the extreme.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?More time alone with Matt, more time with friends, more patience with Amelia and myself.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worry and work.
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011?
At the new house and with Matt's parents. And sick in bed.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
With Matt, Amelia and life all over again.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
It was Holmes Report, then we moved into the new house and now it's Property Brothers.
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2011?
Drove a convertible from Miami to Daytona Beach. Got to have the top down for over an hour.
24. What was the best book you read?
Hooray For Fish. It helped inspire Amelia's room. I know I read The Help, and I liked it, but other than that there wasn't brain space for anything longer than a magazine article.
25. What did you want and get?
A permanent home. I haven't had that since I graduated high school and it feels so good to know that this is a forever house. I loved our old house, but always knew it wasn't forever. This is forever, or at least as long as I can see into the future.
Related, I have now jinxed us and we will be moving to Bentonville next month.
26. What did you want and not get?
More patience. I love Amelia and I love that she's the smartest baby I've ever met, but that comes with it's own set of challenges. All I can say is that I'm exhausted and I will never be a pre-school teacher.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Bridesmaids.
28. Did you make some new friends this year?
A few, but more deepened existing friendships and rediscovered some family.
29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time alone with Matt when we're both awake, healthy and rested.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Dog hair covered jeans with cardigan.
31. What kept you sane?
God bless the pharmaceutical industry.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Elizabeth Warren
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Planned Parenthood attacks.
34. Who did you miss?
I found myself thinking about my grandparents, all of them, and missing them more than I have in the past. I think it's part of the generational shift from being the grandchild to the child/parent.
I've also missed my friends, even those who haven't moved across the country, because I haven't had the time to see them.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
It's about the journey not the destination. Let the little things go and enjoy the moment. I learned it multiple times, but still working on it.
:)
ReplyDeleteAlso, totally forgot about Elizabeth Warren when I wrote mine. But I always giggle when I see her name because it makes me think of Kirsten Dunst's character in "Mona Lisa Smile."
I really liked this. I wanted to let you know that #1, for me, was flying with a baby. I gained a whole lot of respect for single mothers everywhere. And you, because you fly with Amelia at the drop of a hat, and that benefits me so greatly.
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