…that the first time I peed post childbirth that I’d have an audience.
…how “normal” I’d feel immediately after giving birth. Heartburn? GONE!
…that I’d be doing baby laundry EVERY single day.
…just how time consuming breastfeeding is.
…how well I’d get at doing things with one hand.
…how well I’d be able to function on very little sleep.
…how happy it would make me to see my husband holding our child.
…how many of our conversations would revolve around a certain someone’s bodily functions.
…how much it would mean to me to see how much other people love my son.
…how in love I’d be with this little guy. He is amazing.

 

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

I had a baby! Also, I visited Boston and Miami.

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

I have always thought resolutions were kind of dumb, as we should strive to make ourselves better all the time, so I didn’t have any for last year. This year, I’d like to be skinnier, be more patient and make my house prettier and more organized.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Me, and the entire internet.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.

5. What countries did you visit?

Costa Rica, on our “NOT A BABYMOON vacation this summer. It was delightful.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn’t have in 2011?

Time to just “be.” I feel like we spent most of the year doing projects.

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

11.11.11, the day my son was born. And, February 1st, the date of my last menstrual period, which I had to tell everyone and their mother during my pregnancy.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Giving birth to my baby! (ARE YOU SENSING A THEME HERE?) And, speaking at a digital marketing conference, while 35 weeks pregnant!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I got really mad about a few things. I need to be less of a brat.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Same as last year, kidney stones! But, this time while I was 9 months pregnant. It was a DELIGHT and also kind of scary as there was a possibility that I’d be admitted to the hospital for pain control. Luckily, they passed without too much pain.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Hmmm. Bill got a new car, which I love. Is it lame to say that I really, really love our stroller?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I’m going to have to go with Bill again. He’s so patient and adorable with Henry. And, he’s patient with me. And, I’ve been difficult.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Hmmm. Not sure.

14. Where did most your money go?

Baby Gear. More landscaping.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Getting Pregnant. Being Pregnant. Giving Birth. Finding out after 41 weeks that we had a little boy in there!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Joshua Radin’s Road to Ride On

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) happier

b) thinner, but much squishier

c) richer

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

Slept. I MISS YOU, SLEEP!

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

Worrying about what other people are doing.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We traveled to the Oregon Coast to spend Christmas with my in-laws and my father (separately). We packed our entire house for this trip and we were only gone 36 hours. I can’t imagine how much stuff we’ll bring for a longer trip. We came home Christmas night and had grand plans to cook dinner and spend time together, but instead we ate a frozen pizza and fell asleep on the couch. It was perfect. I’m not even kidding.

Christmas was delightful. One of the best things about being a parent (so far) is seeing how much other people love Henry. Sure, we think he’s great (because he is), but seeing that other people think he’s great makes my heart burst.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

Yes, with a little baby boy. Also, more in love with my husband. Seeing him as a father is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

The Good Wife and Revenge.

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

I’m not going to say I hate this person, but I strongly dislike someone that has taken up residence in our lives. Hopefully this person goes away before too long.

24. What was the best book you read?

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I’m ridiculously lame and did not discover any new music. I continue to love the Decemberists. We saw them live twice this year.

26. What did you want and get?

A baby! Also, I got Christian Louboutins for Christmas from Bill. Which is perhaps the most unpractical gift for the mother of a newborn, but oh, I love them so.

27. What did you want and not get?

I was hoping this was the year we’d remodel our kitchen and downstairs bathroom. Hopefully one of these will happen in 2012.

28. What was your favorite film of 2011?

I can’t remember if I went to any movies this year. PATHETIC. I did get Coco Before Chanel from Netflix recently and I really loved it.

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

I turned 33 on December 10th. I got my hair cut and went to dinner with Bill and Henry. I enjoyed my very first post-pregnancy glass of wine and it was delightful. I then spent the rest of the night obsessing over whether or not my son was drunk via my breast milk. (I waited over 3 hours before nursing him, by the way)

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

More energy. I was a pretty exhausted pregnant lady, and I’m pretty exhausted now. But, it’s all worth it.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?

Stretchy fabrics.

32. What kept you sane?

Girlfriends. Both inside and outside of the computer. Also, my husband.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

I was pretty annoyed with how the City of Portland handled the entire Occupy Portland protest.

34. Who did you miss?

I really missed my Grandma this year. She would have been so excited to meet Henry.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

This guy!

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS. It’s harder than it sounds, but it’s a very good idea.

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

From answer #16, Joshua Radin’s Road to Ride On, I doubt he’s talking about having a baby, but the lyrics kind of sum up our year.

We’ve been waiting,
anticipating your arrival.
Turn the light on,
give us road to ride on
help ensure survival
now there’s a new day,
sing with us a new way
or be left behind.
You say, someday
we’ll know where to go,
but we don’t know
I’m always the last one,
never ready for the fast ones,
well it’s time to change
so we make our plans,
set our sites on a new land
one that’s kind of strange.

Dear Henry,

I can’t believe you’re one month old! Part of me feels like we just brought you home from the hospital and part of me feels like you’ve been with us forever. Either way, we can’t imagine life without you.

You are a very good eater and a pretty good sleeper. You surprised us a week or so ago with a 4-hour stretch of sleep! You really don’t cry much – if you’re wet or hungry you fuss just a little bit to let us know. You’re not a huge fan of having your clothes changed, but you tolerate it as long as we’re quick.

Tummy time isn’t your favorite thing in the whole word, but you do enjoy looking at the cute baby in the mirror. You’re a huge fan of showing off your neck skills while you’re on Daddy’s chest.

This past week, you’ve started smiling! Seeing you smile makes my heart feel like it’s going to burst! You won’t show this new skill to the camera just yet, but Mama thinks you will soon.

We took you to a restaurant for Mama’s birthday and you were such a good little guy. You stayed awake for a bit, and then dozed off in your carseat. The people at the table next to us were very impressed and so were we!

You’ve completely outgrown your newborn clothes, mostly because your feet are too big! Most of your 0-3 month stuff fits you, but a lot of it is still a bit big. You weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces last week when Mama weighed you at the lactation clinic. You were 21.5 inches long at your 2-week check-up with the doctor, but I’m thinking you’re a bit longer than that now.

This month, we’re looking forward to taking you to the coast to introduce you to Daddy’s family and to see Grandpa W. again. We are also so excited to celebrate your first Christmas!

Henry, you make us so very happy. We can’t believe you’re all ours.

Love,

Mama