in review

Let it be known that I am actively suppressing the urge to eat ice cream in 10* weather at 9:30 at night. And I don't even like ice cream all that much, typically. This, after days of wanting nothing but the skin from baked potatoes. In case the positive test and swelling belly and ultrasounds weren't enough to convince me ...

I've been thinking a lot about gender recently and am brewing a post about it. In the meantime, a little fluff. From me to you.

It's been a tumultuous year, but it ended well. I wonder how my answers would be different if it hadn't.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? I learned how to be a mom. I recovered from surgery. I was reminded how much Brian means to me.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I normally don't make resolutions on New Year's; I typically decide to do something, and about 7 times out of 10 do it (running is the one thing I keep saying I'm going to do, but never do). So I didn't make any last year, but this year I want to cook one new meal a week and organize our paperwork. Any suggestions?

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes! Carrie had Kaylan Grace on June 24 (I think it was the 24th).

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes.

5. What countries did you visit? All journeys worth remembering were internal this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? I want to be more involved in my church community.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? August 1 seems destined to be a sad day for me. On July 14 Sawyer (my nephew of sorts) was baptized, and I think I will remember that. 2007 was mostly a thousand moments of tiny firsts, and I like to think I'll remember them all.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Coming out of the fog twice - first of infancy, then of depression after the miscarriage. Also, losing the baby weight before starting all over again.

9. What was your biggest failure? Failure shmailure.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes.

11. What was the best thing you bought? A house.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Everyone who has watched their spouse become a parent will understand what I mean when I say - Brian.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My own.

14. Where did most of your money go? Publix, is my guess. But in a few weeks I'll be able to tell you more specifically.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The first time the baby slept through the night. Also, healing - in myself and in loved ones.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2007? The Wailin' Jennys will always sound like 2007 for me.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? gosh, I don't know. Definitely less overwhelmed - a year ago I had a newborn.
b) thinner or fatter? thinner, for the moment.
c) richer or poorer? neither. and both.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Building relationships with acquaintances from our church.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Incessant fretting over every minute detail of infancy (because I was ca-razy with hormones and new mom anxiety. I really hope I'll be calmer next time around).

20. How did you spend Christmas? at my house with my family. It was my favorite Christmas so far.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Yes. With my baby boy and with the notion of grandmas and with my husband as we learn to parent together.

22. What was your favorite TV program? Friday Night Lights.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such a strong word.

24. What was the best book you read? I regret to inform you that I read nothing noteworthy last year. Not one thing. I reread Harry Potter AGAIN and the Narnia series AGAIN ... nothing life changing. Though I did get two books by James Baldwin for Christmas and started Go Tell It on the Mountain today.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Wailin' Jennys.

26. What did you want and get? I got to spend this year at home.

27. What did you want and not get? A different ending last summer.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Happy Feet.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 29; I ate seafood.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Nothing.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Ha. My weight and body shape have fluctuated so dramatically in the past two years that my "personal fashion concept" is whatever is in my closet that happens to fit on any given day. Thanks to Christmas money I bought maternity clothes, though, so at least I can get dressed.

32. What kept you sane? Walking. Dates with Brian. Praying. The compassion and loyalty of my friends.

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

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Equal rights for gay Americans.

35. Who did you miss? Granny.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I have made internet friends this year, which is a first for me. You are all interesting and engaging, and I'm glad to have met you all.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. A perfect day does not exist. And that is okay.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Have I mentioned Brian makes up songs? It's not just him - I know most of the band family does it, too. When Asher was just a couple of days old, and his eyes were mostly closed, Brian began singing

Bright eyes, won't you look at me, with those bright eyes?
I can't wait to see my baby boy looking back at me
With those bright eyes

and hand to God, Asher would open his eyes when he sang it. That moment sums up my year.