2010-

December 2009 brought us a surprise. The promise that 2010 would be an amazing year.

Starting with the realization that we would become a Mom and a Dad.

January covered Stetten in white and took Chad back to the United States for 7 weeks.

February gave us false hope that Spring was on it's way... only to deceive us later on. It also brought with it nausea, fatigue and constipation. Valentine's day meant dinner with a friend, instead of my husband, and a car that was practically snowed in.

March meant Chad returned... just in time for my 26th year on Earth. It also meant a tiny baby bump at 17 weeks and a new baby boy for our friends.

April guaranteed sun... which was thoroughly enjoyed at Stuttgart's spring fest. We also celebrated Chad's quarter of a century birthday. This month also meant we were half way done creating our little one... but still had a long way to go.

May was the busiest month thus far... taking us all over the Adriatic. Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey....

For someone who hates flying... I sure did a lot of it, because in June I turned around and headed home to California for the loveliest of baby showers (x 2).

July brought high temperatures for our area which resulted in lots of sweating and swelling. Unfortunately, we celebrated an overcast 4th of July but it was clear enough to see the fireworks. We waited not so patiently for everything our baby needed which was on a barge somewhere between California and Deutschland. We thought we had so much time.

One warm night in late August, at 37.5 weeks pregnant, my water broke and less than 12 hours later we welcomed our little boy, Rhett Charles into the world. Good thing our shipment came just in time ( and brought a case of shingles with it). Whatta month you were, August.

September meant grandparents. Nonni and Nonno to be exact. Day trips and dinner and lots of hugs and kisses for baby Rhett.

October meant Halloween, aka Chad's favorite holiday. We planned a party that fell through when Chad had to work but Rhett got in the spirit as a Bat and we carved our first pumpkins as a family.

November... you brought us visitors. Carly. Oh how we love her. We also had a visitor from Brookside School in Stockton... his name was Stanley. Flat Stanley. I returned to work and Rhett began daycare. We also hosted Thanksgiving... too bad our turkey took 2+ hours more than planned. We can laugh about it now.

And December meant family. A short visit from Papa. And then our family of 5. A Mom and a Dad. One baby. Two dogs. It also meant friends. Another new Mom and Dad. One baby and One dog. We all shared our first Christmas Eve as parents together.

2010- You were a marvelous year. A year full of miracles. You brought us to new places on this Earth. Opened our minds to new things. Opened our hearts to one important thing. Brought us closer as a family, even though we remain far away from those we love. Allowed us to fulfill some dreams and create new ones. Gave us the best gift anyone could ask for. Made us cry, laugh, pray, scream, eat and did I mention cry? But looking back, we wouldn't change a thing.

Wishing you a wonderful closure to the old year and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR, indeed.

Welcome 2011.

Disclaimer: Some dates/months may be off. My May/June started running together a little bit. Pregnancy brain, I think. Forgive me.