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Friends, December is over and I’m feeling all lovey toward the new year so decided to reflect a bit on 2011. Plus I saw these questions answered on Nothing But Bonfires and felt inspired.

What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

I became a mama.

 Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I did not. I think I am over resolutions at this point and have decided to try to add new habits as needed rather than trying (and failing again) to do a bunch of new things in January. Most years I am so well-behaved in January that I completely give up in February. The good news is I finally saw this pattern and can knock it off already.

 Did anyone close to you give birth?


Yes and we’ve been so busy learning how to be parents we haven’t met him yet.

Did anyone close to you die?

No, thankfully.

What countries did you visit?

Taiwan! In the US we spent a bunch of time in the Bay Area this summer and we were lucky to spend some vacation time in Jenner on the coast.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

My ability to concentrate diminished at an alarming rate, so if someone could share a bit of that I’d truly appreciate it.

What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 9th – we met Ruby on paper.

July 11th – we got first decree.

October 3rd – we met The Ru for the first time.

What was your biggest failure?

Managing my stress about the unknown.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

A minor cold or two – a minor miracle! Plus there was that time I ate a whole box of Joe Joe’s and had to stay in bed for a day because I poisoned myself with all that sugar.

What was the best thing you bought?

A tie between our Ergo baby carrier and the sound machine we use to help Ruby sleep.

 Where did most of your money go?

Adoption. Oh my goodness. Expensive.

What did you get really excited about?

Besides, Ruby?

Old 97’s playing in Sacramento.

Twice!

What song will always remind you of 2011?

Why is this so hard? How about what did I listen to a lot in 2011?

Answer: Big Star

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter?Richer or poorer?

Happier.

Thinner. Only just.

Financially poorer. Although not nearly as much as I thought I would be thanks to the kindness of friends, family and even strangers.

Life richer.

What do you wish you’d done more of?


Chilled out. Trusted the process. Yoga. Slept soundly.

What do you wish you’d done less of?


Worry. Good god, the anxiety about becoming a parent almost killed me.

How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas Eve we went to the zoo with the rest of Sacramento, took naps and ate pork chops with stuffing.

Christmas Day we chilled at home and then walked to Tari’s for a cocktail. We capped the day off with a speaker phone chat with Grandma and Grandpa in Minnesota.

What was your favorite TV program?

We started watching Modern Family season 1 – a sitcom that is actually funny!

Dexter – have I ever mentioned how I wish I would have thought of this?

I love any kind of home staging show. Watching people pack up their stuff and clean until it sparkles almost inspires me to do the same.

What were your favorite books of the year?

Not going to lie: What to Expect The First Year, Good Night Gorilla, and Happiest Baby on the Block.

What was your favorite music from this year?


Try not to be surprised – Old 97’s Grand Theater Volume 1 and 2.

What were your favorite films of the year?

Midnight In Paris

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Went to dinner with friends at Magpie and I turned 41.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Feeling more confident in becoming a parent.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Are jeans and t-shirts a personal fashion concept?

What kept you sane?

Yoga and my wonderful friends.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.


Babies are only babies for a little while so chill out about moving at their pace for a while.

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Want to play along? Either answer here in the comments or do a post of your own and link back here. I can’t wait to hear about your 2011.