Happy New Year's

With sick babies, we're in for the evening. And while I wait for the 20th load of laundry of the day to dry, here's my thoughts on 2008, compliments of a quiz on the great All and Sundry.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I had a second kid and discovered you can really love the second one as much as the first.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
This time last year, I was so huge all I wanted was a healthy baby and not to be pregnant anymore. Both of those came true.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Well, me.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My cousin Marsue died unexpectedly on a cruise. What was most unexpected was we didn't hear about it immediately.

5. What countries did you visit?
I don't think I left the U.S. in 2008 and even missed the Egan Clan Rally in Ireland this year. Something about little kids at home.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
In the next year, I'm looking forward to the kids being old enough that we can start to do stuff together as a family with her as a more active participant, like going to museums and other stuff.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The obvious, January 26, Meg's birthday. The 25th, the day I went into the hospital to have her was pretty memorable, too. Work-wise, we had a pretty kick-ass media event in September that was a big milestone for me professionally.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See no. 7 above.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think I handled the 2008 daycare fiasco particularly well. I think I somehow rushed into making a decision. I am very happy with the outcome, but I don't think I did my research very well. And um, that stock market thing wasn't so great either.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Being pregnant, I had just about every cold you can imagine so I was relieved to end that once I delivered. Sadly, the kids have had some illnesses that have really rocked my confidence. Like right now.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I bought the services of a night nurse when Meg was a newborn. I don't normally splurge on stuff for myself, but it was worth it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Andy gave up his binky over the summer and potty trained, both of which I feared would never happen. Jennifer graduated from college. Mark got into a four-year college and moved out. Bjorn started a new job. Meg -- well -- everything she does right now is cause for celebration.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Cowboys. How do you go from Superbowl favorites to not making the playoffs?

14. Where did most of your money go?
Aside from living expenses, most of our money went to tuition for all four kids. What's left over went on some splurges for the house, like new windows which I'm very excited about.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
It was exciting to be a part of the Obama campaign. I was on the fringes, but it was cool to see Bjorn and others get so motivated. I've never really been part of a campaign before and it was all really fascinating. Oh, and all that press for work was very cool, too.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Sadly, the theme song to Little Einsteins.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder?b) thinner or fatter?c) richer or poorer?
I am happier, but more stressed with two kids. I am a lot thinner, you know, not pregnant and all, but still not as thin as I'd like to be. I think we're about the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I'd figured out how to get out with more friends.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I'd worried less. Everything always works out in one way or another, but in the interim, I spend a lot of time chewing over it.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent Christmas in Dallas with my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, with a newborn. Oh, and there are a few new good TV shows, too.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
With two little kids, I watch a LOT of television. My faves -- Lost, 30 Rock and How I Met Your Mother.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Unlike Bjorn, I usually don't hate anyone. Well, except that Parade magazine columnist. That guy bugs.

24. What was the best book you read?
I read a couple interesting ones: An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination and Founding Mothers.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Finally getting to use my iPod to download those one-off songs I love, like Romeo in Black Jeans.

26. What did you want and get?
I wanted a healthy baby and I was really blessed to receive it (fingers crossed, knock wood, etc). Well, the past two weeks excepted.

27. What did you want and not get?
Bjorn had a big job opportunity that didn't pan out. That would have been exciting.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
We never see movies anymore. In the advent of Tivo, my attention span is just too darn short and I want to Tivo through the boring parts. But I did really like Juno.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 36 this year. We had a baptism for Meg rather than our usual party. It was nice. I liked doing something a little different.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I get stressed with the kids, money and that kind of stuff. I really wish sometimes I could have taken a deep breath and laughed rather than worrying about whatever it was.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Clean is my goal. If only that always happened. I want to be better in the new year. I am going to vow to wear more colors and less black and grey.

32. What kept you sane?
Bjorn, my television, work and my friends and family. Oh, and my trashy magazines are good, too. My sister, Elizabeth, also has two little kids and is invaluable for helping me take a deep breath when I am freaking out.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I adore Tina Fey. She just rocks. I love how she makes smart girls sexy.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The presidential election was very moving. And once McCain picked Palin, I got really engaged. While I found her personally fascinating, her politics scared me.

35. Who did you miss?
Gay, but I miss Gilmore Girls. I haven't found a show I like as much. I miss our friends Mo and Bill who moved away. I miss my family in Texas. Especially now that I have little kids, I would love for them to be more a part of my regular life.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
The neatest new person was our Obama organizer Nealin who came to our house twice a week for a few months. Too bad Obama was elected and she went and moved away.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I learned that as much as I want it, there isn't always a right answer. Sometimes there are just a lot of good enough answers. I have finally figured out that if I book sucks, I don't have to finish it. No one is grading me. Oh, and I figured out to almost always check books out of the library rather than buying them. Then there's even less pressure to finish a sucky book.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Bob the Builder -- can we fix it? Yes we can! -- I feel I spend a lot of time trying to make things better for the little people in my life.