1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? became a mother

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Last year, my one resolution was to not be so lazy. I think I kept it for the most part. I missed only two days of work during my entire pregnancy, so I think that alone qualifies me as not-lazy. I don't ususally make many resolutions. My resolutions this year are just to enjoy life and be healthy and to keep in better touch with my friends.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Phillip's cousin Brandy had a baby boy on 12/26/08. She timed that tax deduction just right. :) Kristin had a baby girl---Emma. Tara had a baby boy---Noah.

4. Did anyone close to you die? yes

5. What countries did you visit? Ummm....that would be zero.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Sense of accomplishment at work

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? October 13, the day Evan was born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being able to (mostly) carve out space in my life for parenthood, marriage, work, and friendships.

9. What was your biggest failure? I can't think of any failures per se, but I can think of a few instances where I'd like a 'do-over'

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No.

11. What was the best thing you bought? I didn't really buy myself anything last year. What's wrong with me?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Dr Erin Dawkins. She is the best doctor ever.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? not sure....

14. Where did most of your money go? bills and groceries

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? pregnancy and childbirth and sharing these awesome times with Phillip

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Chicken Fried by the Zac Brown Band

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier 
b) thinner or fatter? fatter
c) richer or poorer? Both, I think. More money coming in, more expenses going out.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Staying more fully connected in the moment

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Snapping at people around me when my patience was stretched too thin. (sorry, Phillip)

20. How did you spend Christmas? with lots and lots of family

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, yes. With Evan, of course, and more with Phillip as I have watched him become an awesome daddy.

22. What was your favorite TV program? I don't really watch TV much. If I have to pick----Dirty Jobs.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No.

24. What was the best book you read? A Thousand Splendid Suns

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? not sure about this one...

26. What did you want and get? A perfectly healthy, beautiful baby.

27. What did you want and not get? Nothing major comes to mind, which tells me how lucky I really am.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Body of Lies

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Phillip and I went to the New Orleans Zoo and to Cafe du Monde. I turned 3-0.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Better work-life balance.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? big belly and big booty called for 'wear whatever fits'

32. What kept you sane? sleep, Phillip, friends

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? none---I don't really care

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Sarah Palin drove me crazy, bless her heart

35. Who did you miss? my grandmothers

36. Who was the best new person you met? Dr Dawkins and her nurses Susie and Denise

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Enjoy every moment and don't sweat the small stuff.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Baby, baby, you're the world to me"