2007 - What A Great Year!

I can hardly believe it is 2008, this year I will have lived in the United States of America for 10 years - wow!

I have really enjoyed reading Christmas letters and cards from friends and family this Christmas time, and although I didn't get one out this year, it made me think back to 2007 and what a great year it was for our family.

Some of the fun things that happened included my visit to Spokane, Washington to visit 'The Rowells' (I think it was the hottest week of the year), Matthew had a 'boys weekend' in California with his dad and brothers, my mum and step-dad came to visit and celebrated their first Thanksgiving holiday, then just a week later, Penny came to visit me in Oregon.

Although all of the above were wonderful, I have to say, the highlight of 2007 was, of course, the birth of our daughter, Amelia. I was thinking about this and the pregnancy, I figured that last year I spent at least four months out of twelve feeling nauseous, about two months without knowing where my ankles were, for a good six months I was unable to sleep on my tummy or through the night (not fun), oh, and I spent about five months being kicked and bumped from the inside (I have to admit, I enjoyed that part, especially the hiccups), needing to know where a bathroom was at all times for at least three months was very important, and my car could probably now drive to the Corvallis Clinic by itself after all of the doctor's appointments we had. That being said, I wouldn't change a thing, having a daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to both Matthew and I.

Amelia is now 11 weeks old and is beginnning to make cooing sounds, she has such a bright smile which will often make her nose wrinkle, and seems to know exactly what she wants, and isn't afraid of letting us know. She is sleeping through the night already(yahoo!!) and knows exactly how to make people fall in love with her.

I go back to work in less than a week, and although I am excited to go back to the job that I really enjoy and also see my friends again, I can't help feeling sad that I won't be spending so much time with my little Amelia, I am just beginning to feel like we have a routine. That being said, I feel very blessed that Grandma and Grandpa Rawe will be taking care of our little girl whilst we are at work, she will surely be well loved.

So, as I bid farewell to 2007, I think of it as the year that my life changed dramatically and for the better, and I am excited for the upcoming year which I know is going to be great.

Below are a couple of photo's of Amelia taken yesterday in her swing, she is accompanied by two little bears that her Great-Nana in England knit for her - she looks pretty happy don't you think?



HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!