Putting the Past Behind Us and Looking Forward

2009 was definitely a year filled with highs and lows. Highs including Lily's first birthday, an amazing trip to New England, some pretty wonderful weddings of some pretty phenomenal people, and beginning a new adventure in Japan. The lows came at the passing of two amazing grandmothers and a very scary stay in the hospital for Lily. It was a roller coaster and we're curious to see what 2010 has to offer.

Lily is starting to turn from a baby into a little girl. She's got more words and we keep talking about weaning her from the pacifier. If only that pacifier wasn't such a life saver in situations where she is a little off her normal game - late nights out with friends or airplane rides, for example. We have close friends here with daughters a year older than Lily and it's fun to look forward to what Lily will be like when she's Avi's or Isabella's age. She definitely has some personality!

Andy is currently down in Sasebo diving under the ships of war and helping to ready them for smooth transport across the waters. He's having such a different experience from the last time he worked with this crew and that's largely because of the new guys on the team and those who have moved on. And quite possibly in part because he has a different relationship with his boss. Andy would likely consider him a friend now as opposed to "the big guy who yells a lot on the barge." We're all looking forward to him being home again and getting to spend his days with Lily. Now that she made the move from 2 naps down to one, maybe they can get out a bit more for some sight seeing.

And then there's me. I'm plugging away at my new job as a kindergarten teacher for DoDDS and having a blast as I do so. Every new school is a challenge, but with a 1.25 years of DoDDS experience and 2 years of Bertschi Pre-K experience, I definitely feel like I've got the tools needed for the job. Now to add to that tool box! I think a Master's program might just be in my future. And then there's also the inevitable question of when will Lily get a little brother or sister. Andy's been gunning for another "squawker" for a while now and I'm both trying to plan to the school year, trying to allow Lily a little time as the only child, and wanting a gap big enough so Lily can be a "little helper" when the new baby comes along. We see friends with kids close in age and they just look TIRED! Happy, certainly, but definitely tired. 2 1/5 years might be enough of a gap...

Enough of my rambling. Until later!