Blue Moon Year

So, last night, a little after midnight, my husband and I sat outside (in freezing temps, I might add), and bathed in the light of the Blue Moon, we wrote down all the negative we intend to release from 2009 and everything we intend to welcome in 2010. Then, we spoke our intentions aloud out into the Universe and to the Moon.

2009 was a nasty year for a lot of folks, including us, but now we begin the years of cooperation instead of competition. And now, we can move forward without looking back, clear and focused on the moment, forgetting the past year and anxiously awaiting this new one.

But first, I wanted to take a look back at the past year with a quiz I found on Finding Trinity. A great blog you should all take a look at! I love the stories she writes about her life with her daughter. And I hope nobody passes out because I'm actually writing two blogs in a span of three days!! It might not ever happen again.

Here we go:

WHAT DID YOU DO IN 2009 THAT YOU HAVEN'T DONE SINCE HAVING A CHILD?

I began to fit back into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes.

DID YOU KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS, AND WILL YOU MAKE MORE FOR NEXT YEAR?

I don't officially make New Year's resolutions anymore. Not since realizing I can make changes all year round.

DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU GIVE BIRTH?

Yes, my friend, Erin (you can view her blog here) gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! He is now six months old. In this picture, Erin is holding her son and my son! She is a natural! Notice, how happy I am to let her.

Also, my cousin, Brandy, gave birth to my newest cousin, Nic! He is precious!! Congratulations to both Erin and Brandy!

DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU DIE?

No, just my ability to look like the woman I was in my pre-mommy days. My sense of fashion and make-up and desire to shower died this year. RIP pre-parenthood Amy.

WHAT COUNTRIES DID YOU VISIT?

Are you kidding? Time? Money? Nada. And do people with toddlers travel?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN 2010 THAT YOU LACKED IN 2009?

Time. Money. A grateful attitude. Time. Money. Consistent showers.

WHAT DATES FROM 2009 WILL REMAIN ETCHED IN YOUR MEMORY, AND WHY?

July 27th - my husband lost his job

August 16th - had a miscarriage

August 21st - my son's first birthday!

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR?

Surviving.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST FAILURE?

Only surviving.

DID YOU SUFFER ILLNESS OR INJURY?

Nothing that wasn't self-inflicted.

WHOSE BEHAVIOR MERITED CELEBRATION?

On a personal level, my husband's behavior this year was outstanding. Since becoming the father of a son and the husband of an unstable mother, he has really taken hold of the crazy train and even managed to slow it down sometimes.

WHOSE BEHAVIOR MADE YOU APPALLED AND DEPRESSED?

My own.

WHERE DID MOST OF YOUR MONEY GO?

Oh, must we go here? Bills, bills, bills, health insurance, bills, bills, bills, food, bills, bills, bills, diapers, bills, bills, bills.

WHAT DID YOU GET REALLY, REALLY, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT?

I was truly excited when I found out in May that the reason for my long-time tummy suffering all these years was eating gluten. Now, that I have cut it out of my diet, I feel great!

WHAT SONG WILL ALWAYS REMIND YOU OF 2009?

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. It always brings a smile to my son's face. And all of the songs on Blue's Clue's.

COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR, ARE YOU A) HAPPIER OR SADDER; B) THINNER OR FATTER; C) RICHER OR POORER

Sadder, thinner, poorer. But, I have great hope for the new year and in my ability to turn myself around. And I don't want to stay thin because I want to have another baby. This year, I would welcome getting fat!

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU'D DONE MORE OF?

Laughing.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU'D DONE LESS OF?

Crying.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TV PROGRAM?

Ugly Betty. And whatever would hold my son's attention and keep him still.

DO YOU HATE ANYONE NOW THAT YOU DIDN'T HATE THIS TIME LAST YEAR?

No, but I do love some people more than I did this time last year. Like DJ Lance Rock. And Joe and Steve on Blue's Clues. And Murray from Sesame Street. And Elmo. What a bunch of great guys.

WHAT WAS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ?

I haven't had the opportunity to read as many books this year as I normally do, but a couple I really liked were The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows, and The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST MUSICAL DISCOVERY?

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and Elmo's CD of songs (a gift from my sister to Max). They both entertain my son in the car. They do, however, make my husband and I want to jump out.

WHAT DID YOU WANT AND GET?

Well, I didn't really want them, but I got some heavy-duty life lessons.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE FILM OF THIS YEAR?

What is a film? Do people with kids still watch those?

WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR BIRTHDAY AND HOW OLD WERE YOU?

I was 35. I went to my mother's house for dinner. And then I spent the rest of the evening in the ER having a miscarriage. Not my best birthday.

WHAT WOULD HAVE MADE YOUR YEAR IMMEASURABLY MORE SATISFYING?

Well, naturally, if none of the tragedies that befell us would have happened, my year would have been immeasurably more satisfying. But, all in all, I can't say that I regret any of the bad that happened in 2009. Except the miscarriage. I really would have loved to have met our bright baby soul.

But, the rest...well, I learned a lot in 2009. I learned that my greatest fears can come true and I will survive. I learned how to hold tight to my family and appreciate what matters most in this life. I learned that I am not fulfilling my life purpose and I need to find what that is. I learned that being a SAHM is much harder than it looks. I learned I can live without a pair of Uggs. I learned that eating at home every night is kinda nice. I learned that my husband is an amazing man who just wants to do right by himself and his family. I learned that my family will jump to my assistance whenever I need it the most and for that I will be eternally grateful. I learned that I can live without the nicest home on the streeet, the prettiest decor, the newest furniture, new clothes, the greenest lawn, the prettiest flowers or decent bathrooms (although I'm still struggling with that bathroom part). I learned that constantly rushing isn't worth it and I have all the time I need.

And I learned that my son will eat whatever he wants and how much he wants, when he wants, no matter how much I stress and beg and plead, so I might as well just accept it and not get frustrated when he rejects yet another food. Yesterday, I made him a ricotta cheese and raspbery puree parfait, he rejected it, and I became agitated. But, today, when he rejected tomatoes, I took it like a champ. I'm trying.

Happy New Year everybody! This year was hard for so many, but I know that if you can let go of last year and begin anew with a fresh, clear head, this year will be a knock-out!