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.

I never did like numbers.

I'm 25 years old tomorrow. As if that was not bad enough, I have to turn 25 twice. Come 5:09 tomorrow morning I (in my mind) will be 25. Come 5:09 eight hours later in California, my mom will consider me 25. I guess it's not every birthday you turn the same age twice... you also don't become a quarter-of-a-Century old, nor get to celebrate it on two continents. For those reasons it deserves a little reflection.

I've heard in the grand scheme of things that 25 years of age is young. How do you explain it then if you're driving a 25 year old car.... which means you're driving something coughed up from the 80's... it's now old, or out of date. I've found the only instance where 25 is not considered 'old' (again, in MY opinion... it is my birthday!) is when it constitutes rings in trees or turtles. The trees and turtles do not count because they live 120 years or something ridiculous like that. In those instances, 25 is not old but I guess it's all relative.


Anyways, now that we all know I think 25 is semi-old (again... relative to my existance)... but since I refuse to let any birthday go by without serious contemplating... this is what I've come up with in my 25 years...


1) The saying goes, 'Live each day like it's your last,' however, I find it much more interesting to live it like your first... open, new & gitty with anticipation.


2)Love your family. Love your family. Love your family. I am so lucky because at 25, my family is growing & multiplying much quicker than it is diminishing. There's nothing short of amazing to hold a new little person, one who did not exist the day before, in your arms.

Giulia & Amy January 2006

3) Education is important but it's not everything. I think I've earned the right to say this because in my 25 years, I've spent 20 of them in academic institutions. I learned some good stuff there but the most important things about life I learned from my Grandpa and my dog. (More on that another day.)

A Meatloaf in the sun. April 2008

Grandpa and Amy. March 2005

4) Memories will fade... even if stoked continually... some things will disappear... some will remain... I'm still not sure why some stay longer than others. Thank God that we can perpetually 'freeze' memories nowadays courtesy of our Kodaks and Canons. You never know when you'll take a picture just because... and one day it becomes one of the smartest moves you've ever made. Here's one I took... it's not edited, cropped, or professional by any means... but it's great none the less.

Grandpa playing Nintendo's 'Duck Hunt.'

5) Even if you're scared for your life, don't run for the hills. You see, I used to be scared of a lot of things... the Giant Dipper, or all roller coasters in general, jumping off diving boards, removing my earrings (ugh, Lisa), and somethings still frighten me (flying, drowning, unibrows) but you must keep on or miss out. Those are your only options. So I'm keeping on. (Thanks Donna!)

It's been good.

(I can only imagine how much I'll know when I'm 50.)

Oh Meatloaf, I don't think we're in California anymore...

Greetings from Germany!
Our Family at SFO.

Meatloaf's first snow at the Frankfurt Airport.

The original plan was to begin my blogging with a catchy German phrase but then I realized... 1) I don't know any, 2) I can't find my German language book and 3) all my bookmarked web pages (including freetranslations.com) now come up in Deutsch. I apologize for the lack of creativity.

Anyways, as many of you already know, WE MADE IT. Meatloaf survived being in a crate for a good 13 hours... but is still recouperating. The flight experience has sent his separation anxiety into overdrive which is no fun for mommy. We are currently living in 'ARMY LODGING' otherwise known as... a hotel. We're situated on the 'dog floor' which apparently is the place to be. Dog people are more 'open' and 'friendly'... so I hear. Next week, we plan on moving into temporary lodging and then into permanent housing come March. Our household goods shipment will be here by Feb. 16th (granted the vessel doesn't sink or something equally horrific.) However, I'm pretty content with the current living situation.. I love those continental breakfasts and free DSL. I also packed my Sex and the City on my carry on and with the internet... the days are going by quickly. We have no car... Chad gets his truck on Monday. I take my driving test on Friday. Chad's Master Sergeant takes us everywhere we need to go for now. Well, I wish I had new pictures or something really exciting to note but I don't. I'll try better next time...


Below are just a few highlights and lessons I've learned during my short time here in Stuttgart....

- Central Californians aren't designed for snow. A snowboarding or skiing trip does not prepare you for taking a dog outside in 10 degree (F) weather at 3 am to go pee. Neither myself nor Meatloaf were very happy that morning.

Please notice Meatloaf's snow gear with reflective booties. Sorry for the poor quality.
Meatloaf's main gear... he didn't lose a boot, I just realized I wanted a picture a little late.

- Snow makes winter... more wintery!

View from our window. Picture also includes the standard apartment living here on post (all newly remodled inside with 220/110V plugs!).

Downtown Stuttgart in the background.

-The Army does not recognize Jet Lag as an excuse for a day off.

I couldn't help but wonder... "where am I sleeping?"

-Stuttgart is two hours away from Strasbourg, France... and Dachau Concentration Camp.

- Apparently there's something in the water around here.... people get pregnant... as a result, Chad and I are buying bottled water at the Commissary.

Until next time....

Auf wiedersehen!