New Year Reflections

Screw resolutions. Who realistically follows through? This year I’ve decided to reflect on 2007 instead. Plus, if you highlight your amazing accomplishments from the year past, surely it will help motivate to do better/be better in the coming year, right? Seems to be sound logic.

2007 was nothing short of an amazing year. In fact, 2007 has been the most significant of my life to date, bringing both the greatest challenges and rewards. So, what did I do?
· Stayed overnight (well, week) in the hospital for the first time in my life
· Got to meet Jake!
· Survived having a child in the NICU for 58 days
· Got to bring Jake home and introduce him to his “brothers” and the rest of the world
· Learned how to care for a baby…and became pretty darn good at it I think (or hope for Jake’s sake! LOL)
· Made lots of new friends (among them—Rachel, Arlene & Jen)
· Learned that I really don’t need 9 hours of sleep a night…or 8…or even 7!
· Began to understand my mom and some places in our history much better
· Kept my son on breast milk for the entire year. This is a big one and probably my proudest accomplishment of the year. It was hard…really, really hard…one of the most difficult things I’ve done…but I did it. He turns 1 today (another post entirely) and he is still on breast milk! I’d hate to count the hours I spent over the past year with a breast pump attached to myself!
· Learned to be a working mom…also one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, but also so very worth it! I think I’m a great lawyer and also think I’m a great mom and think that I’m better at each now because of the other. I’m sure I will always wish I had more time to devote to each thing, but for now I think I’ve been able to find a very nice balance.
· Traveled successfully to several states via both vehicle and plane with baby (and all of baby’s crap!)
· Successfully dined out (nearly weekly) with baby. This seems a bit insignificant, but one that I’m really happy about b/c it was a big concern. Andy and I eat out (or take out) A LOT…I’m so happy that Jake also enjoys it!
· Lost baby weight.
· Lost more than baby weight…got to w/in 10 lbs. of college weight! Also very proud of this one…and feel terrific!
· Learned that I’m still a kick-ass cook. With the help of a great recipe…I made a 6 layer (yes, 6!) carrot cake.
· Oh yeah…turned 30…and realized that I do love my 30’s!
· Finally, and I’m sure I’m leaving lots out, I continued to realize what an amazing marriage I have. We’ve now been married for over 8 years…and have been together for nearly 14 years (nearly ½ of my life!). Wow! Life with Andy continues to be full of such wonderful surprises and I can’t wait to see what 2008 brings.