2007 in review

I thought this might be a fun end of year exercise thanks to Linda at All & Sundry:

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
 Live in another country (Panama) for a month
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Well, let's see, here's last year's resolutions:

Loose 40 pounds (the obligatory weight loss goal) Not even close

Find things I love to do (i.e. get some hobbies) and do them often.  Ideas: writing, taking pictures, crafts... Took some photography classes this year

Take Alex out to socialize with other kids once a week at a minimum. And then some! We have playgroups / playdates three days a week.

Get myself out to socialize with other adults once a week at a minimum Unless playgroups count, no.  But I am managing a once a month mom's night out.

Less TV.  Ideally, Alex and I would limit our daytime TV to 1 hour and as a family, our evening TV time to 2 hours.  Not sure how I'm going to get John on board with this goal.  We're down to two hours or less daytime TV. 

Read one non-kid / non-parenting book per month about two a month!

Create and stick to a household budget.  Yikes! Not quite.  This will be on my 2008 list for sure.

Get our front yard into shape (Spring/Summer) Almost.  I did do a lot of work out there this year

Spend more time with family (both John's and mine).  Have everyone over for BBQ's, do crafts with mom, call Grandma weekly, have Alex draw pictures for Vince and Raquel, get Alex and Baby Lily together often (well, after she's born of course)... Not as much as we'd like.  Will work on this for 2008

I will definitely be making 2008 resolutions

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, and now we have our beautiful niece Lily
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no
5. What countries did you visit?
We all went to Panama.  John went to Canada twice on his own
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Better control of our finances
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Father's day / John's birthday.  Going to Fenway park and watching John and Alex get to play catch on the field.  That was really, REALLY cool
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I didn't do anything spectacular this year.  I think ending the year healthy, pregnant and still madly in love with my son and husband is a pretty great achievement though.
9. What was your biggest failure?
We did not stay on a budget this year, in fact, we managed to accumulate additional bills.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only real "illness" I've suffered this year was debilitating morning sickness
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My camera, Digital Canon Rebel Xti.  Definitely money very well spent!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
John has made HUGE steps in being more engaged with Alex when he plays with him.  He's also helping out a lot more in the not-so-fun parts of parenting like diaper changes and discipline.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I am embarrassed to admit that I've been following the Britney / Train wreck /custody battle 
14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Panama trip in February was huge for me.  I was so excited about it I didn't sleep for a week before we left.  There's also the whole, having a new baby thing too!
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
My favorite song this year has been Sweet by Jehro.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer? This is surprising.  Apparently wealth and beauty have nothing to do with my happiness.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Dates with John
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Throwing up (morning sickness)
20. How did you spend Christmas? Family get-togethers and lots and lots of honey baked ham.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Boston. I fell in love with Boston
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Naked Archeaologist which I can't watch anymore because we canceled our cable :(
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Not really
24. What was the best book you read?
The life of Pi
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Jehro

26. What did you want and get?
A dSLR camera
27. What did you want and not get?  I got pretty much everything I wanted this year, and then some.  

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I didn't see a lot of movies this year, and I couldn't call any of the movies I did see a favorite.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Not a whole lot on my actual birthday, however John and I both turned 30 this year, so we pretty much celebrated our 30th year all year round by taking some opportunities to travel and make big purchases we ordinarily wouldn't make.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Maid service for our house
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
If it's clean it's fit to be seen on me in public.
32. What kept you sane?
My mom's group, Mom's Time Out
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Does Simcha Jacobovichi count as a celebrity or public figure?  I LOVE his show the Naked Archaeologist and I watched The Lost Tomb of Jesus twice.  I'm such a sucker for archeology shows and the way he goes about telling a story, like reenacting the battle of Jericho with Lego's.  I mean, what's not to love?  

34. What political issue stirred you the most? I'm really interested in the Democratic Primary.  This is the first time I've been really interested in some of the candidates and excited about the possibilities for change in the future

35. Who did you miss?
My dad.  I suppose I'll always miss him.  I also miss my dog Midnight.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
All the ladies from my mom's group
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Surrender to Motherhood.  Instead of thinking about the things I can't do or have anymore and dwelling on all of the "sacrifices" I'm making, remember how lucky I am to get to be a mother and how desperately I wanted to be one.  Appreciate the things I get to do now that I wouldn't were I not a mother.  Love every single second with Alex, even the not so great things.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
You never do know what's around the bend
A big adventure or a brand new friend
When you're curious, like Curious George
(Swing!)