From '09 to '10

I have a days-old draft post filled with pictures from Christmas morning, but since we just entered a New Year, posting this first seemed more appropriate. Taken from Sundy's blog, who originally found it on Grenworld.com.

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

Gave birth to a baby boy. Ran my first 5K. Celebrated one-year of homeownership, three years of marriage, and five years of blogging. Bought a double stroller. Freaked out over a Gymboree class. Experienced the joy of DVR recording. Bought Spanx (which fits much better these days, thank you very much). Left my children with a baby-sitter who wasn't a family member. Saw Billy Joel and Elton John in concert for the first time in eight years. Started drinking coffee (and I have totally given in to Starbucks). Was laid off (freelance-wise). Took a baby on an overnight trip all by myself. Joined Twitter and Facebook. Signed up for a half-marathon. Ran a trail race. Received a parent's introduction to Noggin (now Nick Jr.) and the joy that is Max and Ruby. Showered in a gym locker room. Found balance in my role as a working mom with two children. Applauded as my favorite little nephew turned one. Sobbed as my firstborn daughter turned two.

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

I wrote a lot about long-term goals and short-term resolutions around this time last year, and from those lists, I did make good on a lot of them. I'm more comfortable in my body than I've been in a long time and more conscious of wearing the right hat at the right time in terms of juggling priorities; I'm also gaining more confidence in my parenting and putting sleep ahead of other things like reading or blogging, which always, always pays off. On a tactical level, my little unit also did well: we opened a Roth IRA for Luke and paid off the new used family car we bought last December (both financial items brought to us by the first-time homeowner's tax credit). Luke and I did take a kids-free vacation to celebrate our anniversary, and it was heavenly, even if it was only for one night. I didn't post a blog entry once a week, but I did post more often without compromising other responsibilities, and I feel good about that. Same for the book-a-month thing; that didn't happen, but I did read more, and more importantly, I enjoyed what I read. We found a local church that we like and now attend a couple of times a month. And last but not least, exercise is slowly becoming a part of my everyday life. 2009 was a huge win overall. (Even though we STILL don't have a will or living trust. Personal finance FAIL!)

And 2010 will be moreso. At work, my team got together to discuss our personal and professional goals for the year; here's what I wrote for my personal goals:

• Complete the Mini-Marathon in May
• Attend 8/10 company racing circuit events
• Volunteer again (1 hour/week for a elementary school reading program I used to be a part of)
• Build a six-month emergency fund
• Have regular date nights with Luke
• Be a more patient mother
• Visit family in Chicago every 4 to 5 weeks
• Take a family vacation
• Take a full week off not related to maternity leave (no babies in 2010!)

The Chicago goal is too ambitious, and I'll never be as patient a mother as my children deserve, but in general these goals represent all that's important to me--health, marriage, family, self--and all are attainable with discipline and hard work.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?



Outside of the Internets, no, just me.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No close family or friends, but a woman at work lost her battle with leukemia last fall, and that hit me pretty hard, reminding me to count my blessings and never take my health for granted.

5. What countries did you visit?



None.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Sleep. Energy. I had them in spurts in 2009, but now that Luke and I are about to experience a year free from the trials and tribulations of first-year parenting (knocks on wood virgorously), I'm hoping we can enjoy more of both in 2010. Focus would be nice, too, so that I'm not always bouncing between the eight million things on my to-do list, and patience, for obvious reasons.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 31 - Nathan's birth. December 17 - Kara's birthday. September in general will stay with me because of my 5K.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Having my son. Meeting physical challenges that once seemed impossible.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Selfishness in allowing Luke to actively support my goals without always doing the same for him. In hard times, failing to keep my emotions in check while parenting.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

C-section recovery was a bitch this time around, not helped by a two-story house and a toddler who wanted Momma to pick her up, up, up, all the time.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Our iPod shuffle, to help with running.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Kara's, for coming such a long way verbally. To hear her talk now, you'd never know how worried Luke and I were about her saying anything other than "Go, go!" Luke's, for managing the schedules of two babies while at home.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

A person I can't identify online.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage, diapers, wipes, formula, baby clothes, and Papa Murphy's pizza.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Nathan's birth. The season premiere of LOST. Getting into reading again. Black Friday Christmas shopping. Doing the Jingle Bell Run. That was even better than my first 5K because I wasn't as nervous and I didn't have to run it alone.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

That "Forever" song by Chris Brown because it was effing everywhere, even showing up on The Office for Jim and Pam's wedding, and "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga because SHE was effing everywhere; also because it's a really motivating running song, so it's always on my playlist.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:


– happier or sadder? Happier, definitely.
– thinner or fatter? Thinner. Childbirth will do that for you!

– richer or poorer? Richer in regards to investments, poorer in that we're spending more per month on everyday expenses.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Sleep. Make love. Save. Read. Stick to our budget. Spend even more time outdoors as a family.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?



Procrastinate. Yell. Worry. Make excuses. Let things fester. Become overwhelmed by domestic minutiae.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

At home with Luke and the kids playing with new toys, then searching for a restaurant that was open so we didn't have to cook dinner. IHOP advertised on its Web site that it would be open on Christmas Day, and we even double checked to make sure our local chain was on the list, and it was, except when we got there, it was lights out, empty parking lot, nothing. We drove around for almost an hour before ending up at Hardee's, and if that's not the saddest thing you ever heard, eating a fatty, greasy cheeseburger with onion rings on the day of Jesus's birth, I don't know what is.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Yes, with my new little foursome, and with running (though it's a love/hate relationship). There was also a brief affair with Jillian Michaels and the 30 Day Shred, which I will forever be grateful to for helping me lose a good chunk of baby weight.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Luke and I discovered a few new shows this year; my favorites are Two and a Half Men, 30 Rock, and Man vs. Food. Standing faves include LOST and Fringe; I'm becoming less enchanted with The Office every year, to the point that I wonder if I'll even be watching come the season finale.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Not hate, no, but there's one person I like a whole lot less, the same person mentioned in number 13, and I'll leave it at that. If anything, I'm trying to be more forgiving, especially in instances where I can't even put my finger on the original source of conflict.

24. What was the best book you read?

Eat Pray Love ranks first (I cannot WAIT for the sequel to be released this month), with The Lovely Bones second (the movie will be released nationwide on January 15, and so help me, God, I want to be there).

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?


It was actually rediscovering Tori Amos's older music.

26. What did you want and get?

A healthy child. A healthier body. A sense of peace.

27. What did you want and not get?

Sleeeeeeep.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I haven't been to the show since I was pregnant with Kara, and thanks to the various programming choices on satellite TV, I don't think Luke and I rented a movie together even once.

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

I visited an out-of-town printer with my boss, who brought in donuts, and came home to a corned beef dinner prepared by Luke. That was about it since I was big as a house with Nathan and hella uncomfortable to boot. I turned 29. (Just like this question!)

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

A better experience with nursing. Fewer episodes of nighttime parenting. Fewer bouts of illness with the kids.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

For much of the year, it was "Dress to camoflauge as much baby weight as possible." That changed some after doing the Shred this summer and even more after I started running. I'm looking forward to happier clothing experiences in 2010.

32. What kept you sane?

Reading. Blogging, when time allowed. Exercising, especially building on my running mileage. Popcorn time with Luke at the end of a long day.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Jillian Michaels. Suze Orman. Elizabeth Gilbert.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?



Healthcare and education.

35. Who did you miss?


My family and friends that I don't see everyday, especially my sister Ryan and brother-in-law Jason, who moved to an army base in Germany at the end of 2008. Luke and the kids when traveling for work.

36. Who was the best new person you met?



Nathan, of course! Also Katy, who will likely prove to be a critical source of motivation in training for the Mini.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Easy does it.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

The hardest to learn was the least complicated. "Least Complicated," Indigo Girls

The older I get, the more I find myself relying on tacky cliches to get me through hard times or summarize what I'm thinking or feeling; turns out those cliches became popular for a reason. Who knew?

Happy 2010 from my family to yours. May all your goals come true this year.

(Yes, I've posted this picture before, but what can I say? I really like it.)

Comments

[AJU5's Mom]

I am so there with you on #31 right now. Hopefully I can fit back into my normal clothes this year!
Also with you on #27.
#14 hit home on some levels too - we love Papa Murphy's pizza and spend a sad amount of money on diapers...

[Parker_B]

Really great post! I love it that you write about your life so truthfully- the good and the bad.

[Jen L.]

Excellent list. I"m so glad you've been able to settle into yourself this year. I'm also hella impressed with your fitness regime. Jillian and I are going to give it another go this month.

Parker_B is right--your honesty is and always has been so refreshing. It's why you're one of my favorite blog friends!

Also,I know I don't say it enough, but Luke's a freakin' superstar. Happy New Year to all of you!

[Molly]

You were so inspiring to me this year, and I thank you for that. Looking forward to 2010. :)

Also, I really like the format you chose for this post.

[Must Be Motherhood]

Oh my goodness. I made your LIST! Wow. Thank you. Hoping I can live up to your expectations of fabulousness. You said I was fabulous, right? :)

I'm loving that you had such a great 2009. And also that you're such a Tori Amos fan. (Because this means perhaps you'll burn me a few CDs of her latest stuff. Heh.)

I could maybe swing a movie date to see The Lovely Bones if you want to try...

[Kayte]

It's been so long since I followed your blog and I'm so happy I did!! YOU LOOK SO GREAT! Frema, you're gorgeous! Your babies and family are GORGEOUS! Congratulations on your successes over the past year and on life in general. I will certainly check back more often! Give your sister my love when you see her!

[rkmama]

What what a year! I so admire your commitment to exercise and general well being- it is such a motivator for me. Although I don't know how anyone can come out of the 30 day shred LIKING Jillian Michaels :).
Here's to good things for you and your family in 2010!

[eva]

My favourite part is that you went out for burgers on Christmas Day because no one felt like cooking - that is AWESOME!

[Operation Pink Herring]

You might have the most refreshing outlook on the interweb. Happy New Year to you and that beautiful family of yours!