a look back at 2017.

Sharing this in May isn't too bad when you consider the fact that I didn't share my look back at 2016 until August. (It's really important to me to have this record, even if it's shared a few months late.)

Also, can I point out that although Mabel wasn't born until the end of May 2017, this recap could alternatively be called "The Mabel Show" or "The Year of Mabel."

1. What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?
Ate pomelo. Flew over the Alps. Subscribed to Spotify. Gave birth. Breastfed. And a whole bunch of other stuff related to being a first-time mom.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make any for this year?
I didn't make a new year's resolution for 2017. I kind of made resolutions for 2018: 1) Drink more water. 2) No more unnecessary "haha" and "lol" in messages.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me! And so did a bunch of friends and acquaintances.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Malta! (I should write a proper recap post.)

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
Sleep, but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen any time soon.

7. What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
May 25 because it's Mabel's birthday.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I almost said: Having a natural birth with no meds. But then I realized, this isn't the biggest achievement. I'm proud that I followed my intuition and stayed strong for myself while I was in the hospital. Doctors and midwives and nurses told me that it wasn't my water that broke when it was, one of them pressured me to get an epidural even though I had made it clear I wanted to try not to get one, and more... I was my biggest advocate during labour and birth and since, and THAT is my biggest achievement. (I'm also proud that Mabel is thriving and happy, and that I've exclusively breastfed her.)

9. What was your biggest failure?
Same as the last four years: Getting caught up in the little things. Gossip, small arguments turned into small fights, overthinking everything. When will I learn? 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I'm on a two-year pretty healthy streak! Knock on wood! I am never this healthy! I'm guessing not being with 25 germ-carrying kiddos every day is helpful ;)

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Anything that has made our lives easier. We have someone come and clean for us once a week and someone who cooks for us twice a week. And coffee.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Probably food and drinks, and from that, probably eating out and ordering in, and coffees. I go for walks to get coffee often.

13. What did you get really excited about?
Mabel! (I think this was probably obvious.)

14. What song will always remind you of 2017?
"I Choose You" by Sara Bareilles because for a long period of time, it was the only thing that was guaranteed to calm Mabel down when she got inexplicably fussy. (Fun fact: It was also the song I walked down the aisle to.)

15. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
Happier in some ways, sadder in others. Thinner because I'm not pregnant. Hmm I think probably neither; we haven't saved much, but we haven't spent much.

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Same as last year and the year before: Enjoying the moment.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Same as last year and the year before: Worrying, always. (Guys, I'm sensing a pattern.)

18. How did you spend Christmas?
In Malta with Tony and Mabel and Alanna! We watched all the Jaws movies and ate delicious vegan food.

19. What was your favourite TV program?
I don't think I got into any new TV shows, but kept up with old faves: The Crown, This Is Us, and Grey's Anatomy.

Edit: Stranger Things! How could I forget Stranger Things?!

20. What were your favourite books of the year?
From looking at Goodreads, I know that I read 52 books in 2017 and my faves were The Book Thief, Great with Child, Dreamland Burning, A Piece of the World, and Beartown.

21. What were your favourite films of the year?
I'm sure I watched movies in 2017 and I'm sure some of them were great, but I don't remember them. Is there a website to keep track of this like I keep track of books on Goodreads?

22. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 28 and my birthday was so simple and so perfect: I spent the day with Mabel, we went out for lunch with Tony, Melissa came over for dinner and we ordered food and played Super Nintendo. The weekend after my birthday I went out for brunch with friends and had many desserts!

23. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Less worrying and more sleep.

24. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
2017 was for maternity clothes and anything nursing-friendly.

25. What kept you sane?
Sometimes Tony, sometimes friends, fellow moms, and time alone.

26. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
You know more than you think you do. Also, sleep can make a lot of things better.

P.S. A look back at 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011.