GTKY: 2018 In Review

tuxielove93

Thought it might be fun to look back at the last year as a group and look forward to the next, and a nice GTKY. 

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018?

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018?

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018?

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? 

tuxielove93

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018? I have two competing with each other. The first is when we took DS camping when he was like 9 months old. It was just an awesome family vacation, and he had SO MUCH FUN. He was just learning to walk, so he was trying to toddle all over the place. And there was no cell service, so we got to just enjoy each other as a family (even though our campfire failed spectacularly and we had to eat at the restaurant). The other one is DS first birthday. Again, it was just an awesome, fun-filled family day, and all three of us had a blast. And I adore the photos from that day. 

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? I HAVE to take care of myself. I was (and am) very much a person who always gives more of myself than I really should, and my DS is, like, the epitome of me doing that. I always, always put him first and really push myself to do more with him and for him than I can. I have to take some time for ME and take better care of myself so that I have a better version of myself to give to him. In the same breath, I actually got way better at telling other people to screw off because I know how much of me my DS needs and that there is only so much me to go around. He comes miles before anyone else (don't tell DH) so I have to make sure I have enough for him. I have therefore gotten much better at setting boundaries with other people and not feeling guilty about it. 

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018? DH got a job in his field!! He's been working basically unpaid freelance for nearly 6 years in video game design, knowing his dream was to work in the industry. He must have applied for hundreds of jobs, but in July he finally started work as a tester! He loves his job and it makes him way happier and a better person (he was working customer service, and he's the opposite of someone who should be in that kind of job. He was good at it, but he hated it and it drained him). I know this isn't about me per se, but its a goal we've been working towards together for all those years, and its so amazing to finally get a pay off (especially because until DS, I was the sole earner). The really crazy thing is, if it wasn't for us getting unexpectedly pregnant with DS and everything that followed, he probably wouldn't have ever been in the position he was to get the job in the first place. 

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? Fostering my new found almost friendships. We have moved around a lot the last couple years, and it's been very hard to make IRL friends as an introverted adult who doesn't do the whole party/drinking thing. I didn't keep in touch with anyone from high school, I didn't stay in college long enough to make friends there, and then I moved to Texas, back to PA, and then to AZ within 3 years. SO, needless to say, any friendships that formed haven't been kept, and they would all be online anyways. There was an amazing group of women in PA who had like a new baby club, and I'm still part of the facebook group and facebook friends with many of them (and they're wonderful) but I was only there until DS was 3 months old before we moved here to AZ, so I didn't get to foster really deep friendships with them. After moving here, I was in a really bad place for awhile, and I just didn't feel confident enough to get out there and really make some friends, and the couple of groups I did try were either too uncoordinated or just not my kind of people. BUT I stumbled onto a big group here and have started going to some Mom only and some Mom and baby events and it's been awesome. On Friday, I went to a mom-only event and I really felt comfortable and like I could really make friends with some of these women there, and I am so excited to keep going to events and keep trying to foster these friendships. I think it is going to be amazing self care for me, and really good for me to have some people IRL other than my moms (mom and MIL) to talk to. I just hope they like me too. But at least one of them I've seen at like 3 or 4 events and she does seem to like me, and she has a daughter DS age, so I am very hopeful! 

cricket1688

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018?
I’d have to say my whole wedding weekend which was in January. We just had the best time with all our close friends and family and getting married was FUN as hell!

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018?
I think for me it was being more understanding to my father, who in the past had loved me so strongly that it has hurt our relationship (if that makes sense) he’s getting older and understanding him better and giving him more love and attention has become a big lesson and goal for me

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018?
Honestly *tw* my surprise pregnancy quickly followed by miscarriage *tw* in the end it worked out bc DH and I figured out we were ready to have children sooner than we thought

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? 
Getting our house all finished/doctorated. We’ve been in here 1.5 years and I’m finally motivated to finish it all up properly before baby. 

@tuxielove93 it is so hard to foster new relationships as an adult when you move often or have moved recently. I totally u deratand that. It also takes time! For me I feel like 2 years is when things finally start to feel like they are building to more than superficial, especially when everyone is busy with family, husbands, other relationships, work, kids etc

GabbyCat13

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018? Oh, this is a hard one for me! I think attending my first birth (and all that have followed) I'm growing, learning, and doing something I truly love and am passionate about.

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? It's okay to say "no". I MUST take time out for myself.

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018? taking a new training to get certified through a different organization that I originally trained through.

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? Focusing on growing my business as I likely won't be taking on new clients in 2019 unless it's before the birth of this baby.

antera23

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018?
I think my my two favorite memories are travel related. Going to New York in April and San Diego in October. Both of those trips were right before my pregnancies. It was great to have time to connect with family on both coasts before my whole world changed. Travel always strengthens and refreshes me. 


2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018?
That I have the most wonderful support system around me. I became best friends with my mom this year. This is so weird to say but I learned that I don’t need to solely rely on my SO to fulfill all my needs. I have other people who can pick up the slack because he’s human and he won’t be able to do everything for me all the time. I also learned that I am freaking strong and I can do anything. 

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018?
*TW* loosing our first baby and getting pregnant again so quickly *end TW*

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? 

Uhhhhhh. That’s a hard one! I’d say going to DC at the end of January. 

battleangel

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018?
My wedding in March. It was exactly us, and everything I dreamed of. I still giggle like a schoolgirl when I kiss my husband and remember he’s mine forever, and I’m his just as long. 

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018?
You can’t please all the people all the time, or focus on being the healthiest version of you so you can be there for what matters. 

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018?
the baby! Lol. I was told I was too fat, too anxious and too everything to become a mother ever (if my doc was to be believed. I have since dumped her like a soiled diaper)

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? DH’s birthday. Last year we hosted a pool party (lucky June baby!) and the year before that I rented an ice rink to play hockey and eat cupcakes.  I love surprising him with things he loves. 

chachacharrrmin

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018? Honestly, so many great things happened in 2018, but I think I've narrowed down to two; our 2 week Euro trip and my brother moving back home from his 4 year stint abroad.

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? This year I learned a lot in the realm of health. I learned that eating good foods along with regular exercise can do a great deal for you not only physically, but mentally as well. I also learned that the scale is not your friend and to trust how you feel.

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018? Kind of mentioned both in my answers to 1 and 2; my brother moving back home and finally finding peace with the woman I see in the mirror.

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? Our Christmas / New Years trip next year to Florida! It will be our first big trip with LO and we will get 2 weeks off

mcassiee

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018? Summer road trip to various national parks: Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Rocky Mountain. I love seeing wild animals because I grew up a city girl and spotted black bears + cubs, rams, marmot, bisons. It was clearly a sight to behold. 

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? Always be positive and never give up. I kind of gave up TTC, after finishing boxes of OPKs, I was so upset and stopped monitoring. That's when our miracle happened.

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018? Tried crabbing for the first time and it was fun! Had plans for snowboarding this winter, but that's not gonna happen. 

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? Crossing my fingers that I can get to spend some warm summer days at the Jersey shore before I pop 


@tuxielove93 I'm an introvert too and I find it so difficult to make friends. I moved halfway round the world to a new country but most of my friends that I have a deep friendship are back in my home country. But I hope when the baby comes, joining a mothers/babies group will be much easier to connect based on our common interest = children. 

kjr9519

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018? Our first anniversary. It was an absolutely perfect day, and the day I first found out I was pregnant *TW* not this pregnancy *END TW* It was a day where I was 100% happy. Despite what’s happened between then and now, it’s still a great memory.

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? To allow myself time to process through my emotions and not rush them based on what I think I should feel.

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018? Finding out about this baby. I thought timing for the month was completely shot because of crazy late ovulation. I was completely expecting a negative when we got the positive pregnancy test.

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? Moving out of where I currently live to be closer to family. It’s been my goal for nearly six years now.

chrssyms

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018? Doing the Civil War Century with my husband. While it ended up getting wayyy too cold and we only made it 75 of the 100 miles, it was great to do something kind of adventurous and fun with him. Pretty sure that also ended up being the day we conceived this LO. 😉

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? That I should never doubt how strong I am and what I’m capable of. The end of last year was really hard for me and it made me question if I truly was a strong person. This year showed me there was no reason to doubt myself. 

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018? Definitley getting pregnant. We weren’t trying and until this year hadn’t really thought we’d have children. 

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? Hmm this is hard! I don’t know if it’s too close, but I think I’m most looking forward to seeing how our life changes and starting a brand new chapter of our lives with a baby part of it. It will probably transform me, DH and our relationship. Even though it will be hard, I’m excited to work to make it a happy and fun transition. 

amaren-2

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018?
I ran a half marathon at Disney world. It was my 4th one, but it was still magical. I did it with my husband, sister and brother-in-law and it was such an amazing time.

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? The best-laid plans of mice and men, often go awry.  I'm a planner, but nothing ever goes to plan and I needed to learn that this year.

 What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018?
Getting pregnant so fast. If I would have known that DHs job situation could put halfway across the world two weeks after I am due, I don't think I would have tried for this baby. I honestly feel so guilty about it. I know everything will be okay, but I'm just scared.

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? Answers. We are totally in limbo with DHs job situation..he has orders, but plans on going to law school, trying to get into a JAG program in the Navy...just looking forward to putting all this unknown behind us

011sammie017

1) What is your favourite memory from 2018?
Telling my mother about the pregnancy. She was really happy and I wasn't expecting quite the reaction I got. 

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018?
Really need to take time for myself or I might implode. I took a sick day when I wasn't 'sick'- I just needed time out. I felt guilty until I got up that morning and the relief surpassed the guilt (I'm a teacher so taking a day is harder than it should be). I went back to work refreshed and no where near as angry with everyone as I had been the day before. I haven't done that before but I'll do it again in a heartbeat.

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018?
BFP. Warring emotions to start but now I'm super excited and cant wait.

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? 
Some new challenges at work (took a promotion before I found out and it will be both super rewarding and challenging). 

wiseh

1) What is your favorite memory from 2018?
Getting back to Japan for a few weeks of snowboarding after 4 years! I absolutely love the snow and after moving to the west coast of Australia a few years ago I wasn’t able to get my snow fix in Aus (unless I wanna spend more than it cost to go to Japan), so Japan was a lovely escape.

2) What is the best life lesson you learned in 2018? 
That I need to take better care of myself and not try to do everything. That I don’t have to do everything by myself. That I have other people around me that will help me when I need it. 

3) What is the most unexpected thing that happened in 2018?
Getting pregnant! I’ve got polycystic ovaries and endo so always thought it’d take years to conceive, but it only took 1 cycle! 

4) Besides the new baby (cause we're all super stoked for that, and it's probably number 1 or very close for all of us) what are you most looking forward to in the new year? 
Finishing working where I am. I am SO over it and the next 10 weeks are going to go so slowly (I’m going on A/L for 6 weeks before my mat leave kicks in at 34 weeks).