40 Questions

It's that time again.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth naturally!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I thought last year I'd try to keep up with the dishes daily, but no, that never happened. And I won't bother this year. It'll be enough work just trying to raise two kids.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Maria and Simon gave birth to Nina, and Carol and Mick gave birth to Fergal the day after Lolly was born. Jonathan and Sarah gave birth to Margaret, and Craig and Judith to Elissa. I might be forgetting others... sorry.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
None. Stayed cozy in my little home in Scotland. Edit that- I went to England in March.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A bit more money? Is that an evil desire? Just a little bit more.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
18 December. Lolly's birthday.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Giving birth to Lolly by a successful VBAC. Giving birth is an amazing achievement. So empowering, so incredible.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think anything was a massive failure, though not everything went perfectly.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I suffered from pre-natal depression for the first part of my pregnancy, but my gracious Saviour got me through. And I don't think (as of right now) there is any post-natal depression in the future. A big part of that was thanks to my VBAC. If I'd had another cesarean, I think I might've been at risk.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The maternity jeans I've worn nearly every day of my pregnancy and am still wearing.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Scott's. His presence and involvement during my labour were priceless. He surprised me with how wonderful he was. He didn't freak out at all and was a strong constant at my side, keeping me going and telling me all the things I needed to hear at all the right moments. He should become a midwife. ;)

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I don't have an answer for this one. That's either a good thing, or proof that I'm totally self-centred and haven't even noticed other people outside my very small little world!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Since I stopped really using cloth nappies on Fifi after her first birthday, probably nappies. Lolly's in cloth nappies now, but I imagine Fifi will still wear disposables. It's just so much easier in such an active kid! And the rest went to bills, bills, bills.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative conference! And getting pregnant!

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
Magnetic Fields '69 Love Songs'. I played it over and over during labour. That and my HypnoBirthing relaxation CD I listened to nearly every day for about 20 weeks.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Even happier (excluding those months of depression).
thinner or fatter? Fatter (pregnancy) then only a little bit fatter (post-pregnancy).
richer or poorer? Poorer still. TinyTalk doesn't bring in much profit just yet.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Playing with Fifi. But it was so hard, being all tired and fat and pregnant.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Last year I said 'Eat junk food'. Same this year.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Early morning present opening with Fifi and then dinner at the in-laws. Faisal made a delicious Christmas dinner that was simply marvelous! (He's at college to become a chef.)

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
As usual, my mom.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, as soon as this little baby slid out my bod, I fell in love. I also fell in love with Zac Efron... is he too young for me?

23. How many one night stands in this last year?
Nada.

24. What was your favourite TV programme(s)?
I didn't get into anything new this year.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Gordon Brown's a bit of a twit, isn't he?

26. What was the best book(s) you read?
Cash by Johnny Cash and The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat by Oliver Sacks

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Is it lame to say Johnny Cash, even though he's, like, so old?

28. What did you want and get?
A baby! And a new pair of boots for Christmas. :D

29. What did you want and not get?
Nothing comes to mind.

30. What were your favourite films of this year?
High School Musical, but only the first one. Besides that, I didn't make it to many movies.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 26, and I don't recall doing anything...

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A free housekeeper. Again.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Maternity.

34. What kept you sane?
Baking. Sewing. Co-sleeping. Breastfeeding. Again. Plus HypnoBirthing.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Zac Efron! Heh.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The credit 'crunch'. Good grief, it's more than a crunch, people. And I say this to Gordon Brown - LABOUR DOESN'T GET IT.

37. Who did you miss?
My family.

38. Who was the best new person (people) you met?
I don't think I met too many new people. Does Lolly count?

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Shmeh.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
When all the cows are sleeping
And the sun has gone to bed
UP jumps the scarecrow and this is what he said:

I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow
With a flippy floppy hat.
I can shake my hands like this,
I can shake my feet like that.