2011: A Year in Review

This is something my sister-in-law Monique has done for the past few years. Every year, I think, "I like this. I should do this." And then I don't. But not this time!

Warning: I talk a bit about breastfeeding in this post. I've highlighted those sections in green so you can avoid them if you want.

What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before? I moved home to Oklahoma, allowing me to live near my parents for the first time in my adult life. It required some mental adjustment because for a while I was equating "moving home" with "moving back in with my parents" which was not the case. All in all, it has been great, especially for Dane.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't even remember making them last year--so no guilt about not keeping them! Resolutions for 2012: go to bed earlier and floss every day. The first one has been pretty easy since I've been sick, but because I've been sick, I have not prioritized the second one. 1 out of 3. That's pretty bad.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Like a million people. I did. Four sister-in-laws did (3 Frost side, 1 Hood side). And like 15 friends. I didn't even know I had that many friends.

Did anyone close to you die? No.

What countries did you visit? None.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? Energy. First I was pregnant and then postpartum/new baby. I've forgotten what it feels like to not be exhausted when you wake up in the morning. That's where the going to bed early will come in. I guess I should probably exercise, too, since I would like to be less fat.

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? January 4, when we had an early ultrasound that showed us that baby was healthy and developing well. March 11, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. May 13, Joel got a job offer from the OU cancer center, which ended almost a year of underemployment. August 18, June was born!

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Besides the obvious achievements of giving birth and managing two children, I think I am most proud of staying peaceful and hopeful despite all the months of being at half our usual income.

What was your biggest failure? My first thought is the cake pops from Dane's birthday. But a real one would probably be getting my house unpacked/arranged how I like. It's still not done. And since we only have a year contract and we've been here about six months, I am feeling less and less motivated to actually get it al done. Fail.

Did you suffer illness or injury?! The biggest medical problem has been the breastfeeding pain/yeast/pain/yeast/pain/yeast cycle that I am STILL battling. That has been the biggest obstacle to my exercising plan because I think any woman would tell you, when the *special pouches hurt, exercising is completely miserable (I mean, much more so than exercising would be just on its own).

What was the best thing you bought? This wasn't the year for big purchases. But I did pay $45 for a small tube of prescription cream to deal with the aforementioned problem. That's been a big help.

Where did most of your money go? Moving costs a lot of money. We also have recently had some car repairs that haven't been totally worked out yet.

What did you get really, really excited about? Joel new job, living near my parents and sisters and sister-in-law, having sweet baby June.

What songs will always remind you of 2011? I've gotten out of the music scene in my old age. I'd kind of like to get back into it. But a couple of songs I heard for the first time are "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars and "Firework" by Katy Perry. The first makes me weepy and grateful for Joel, and the second is a nice little inspirational anthem (although I must say "Do you ever feel/ like a plastic bag" is pretty weak writing for the opening line.)

What do you wish you'd done more of? I wish I had done more structured activities with Dane and set up more playdates. He really misses his friends in Sandy and hasn't really had the chance to make more friends here.

What do you wish you'd done less of? Feeling stressed about things I can't control.

How did you spend Christmas? With the whole Hood family!

Did you fall in love in 2011? With a baby named June and a hot guy named Joel. I'm pretty sure he likes me too.

What was your favorite TV program? Parenthood, Project Runway with our friend Josh Christensen, Person of Interest.

What was the best book you read this year? The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Thing Around Your Neck, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

What did you want and get? A new job for Joel; a sweet, healthy baby who slept well. (Yes, I used the past tense on that)

What were your favorite films of this year? Um...Harry Potter 7.2, X-Men: First Class. One that didn't come out this year but I enjoyed watching this year was The Concert.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? We were right in the middle of packing up and moving in the space of two weeks, so we spent the day packing. We got together and had dinner with a couple of families and laughed like crazy and had a grand old time. The next morning Joel took me out for French toast at Kneaders. All things considered, it was a great 28th birthday.

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

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Big and frumpy.

What kept you sane? Joel. And (this is going to sound insane), when I feel overwhelmed, I try to recall random lists, like remembering names of Joel's giant extended family in age order, or who won or lost each challenge on Project Runway, in order. It sounds obsessive, but it kept me sane.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I can't think of anyone but Sesame Street characters.

What political issue stirred you the most? I think a lot about the distribution of wealth, the working poor, and those living on public assistance. I know it is quite a polarizing issue, that some feel like we're not doing enough for those in need and some think we're doing too much. As a therapist, I worked with a lot of people whose treatment was funded through Medicaid. Some of them were "milking" the system, but I also knew their stories, why they are in the situations they are. There are no easy answers.

Who did you miss? Our good friends in Utah.

Who was the best new person (people) you met? One of my Young Women, Kerri, is such an amazing girl.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. I really need to develop greater humility.

What are you most excited for in 2012? Part of me is really looking forward to new adventures with our four-person family, and spending time with my sisters and parents. But part of me just wants time to stand still. I like now.

What are you least excited for in 2012? Moving again. I just moved!

*On Dane's birthday, we were eating ice cream, and I was trying to nurse June. My dad asked Dane if June would get chocolate milk because I was eating chocolate. He kept saying no, and my dad kept trying to convince him. Dane finally said, "It won't turn chocolate because the ice cream goes to her stomach, not the special pouches!"