We say goodbye to 2009 and welcome 2010!

I feel like we just welcomed in 2009, and here we are already almost a day into 2010. Once again, I have to say that we had a good year all-in-all. In February, we were able to get a glimpse of our little grandbaby via ultrasound (12 weeks gestation). In late March, Cindy and Alex paid us a week long visit during Alex's spring break from school. While the weather didn't necessary cooperate very well, we had a great time visiting with them. All too soon it was time for them to return home. By April, we found out that Jen was carrying a little girl. On Easter Sunday, Jenny and Tim celebrated their first anniversary. Right before Father's Day, Jennifer had a 4-D ultrasound done and we were able to get an even more amazing look at Baby Girl. What a great surprise that was to Tim and the Grandpas for Father's Day. June also brought the first of 3 baby showers; we flew mom in from Wisconsin to attend as a surprise to the girls. I wish that I could have captured forever the look on their faces as one by one they arrived for the shower. It was great! In July, I celebrated my big 5-0. Half a century - yikes! By August, Jen was in the home stretch of her pregnancy with Baby Girl. After 4 1/2 hours of labor (TOTAL), Baby Girl made her debut in the early morning hours of August 21st. Our whole family was able to be present for the birth and it was absolutely awesome. Within minutes of her birth, we were actually able to hold her. Next came a name for Baby Girl - Isabella Marie. Mom came to visit for a week in September and was able to get her snuggles in with the baby. On December 12th, the girls and I all flew to Wisconsin to visit my family and introduce the rest of them to Isabella. We had a really nice time visiting with the group up there. This was Isabella's first Christmas and it was exciting to see her reaction. It has been so much fun watching Bella grow and change over the past 4 months. The adventure continues.....

What a wonderful holiday we had this year! It was so much fun to have all of the kids with us, including Tim and Josh. Surprisingly, Bella really got in to the gift opening and was ripping the paper off. I didn't expect that this year!

Gracie using the "You move, you lose" rule. Jen took Brella out of her seat and Gracie decided it looked pretty inviting.

Isabella turned 4 months old on December 21, 2009.

Isabella doesn't look particularly thrilled, but Precious wanted in on this picture with her. We thought it was sweet; notice the Scotties on Bella's jumper. Isabella is growing up so fast!

Bella has added "solid" foods to her diet!

A while back, Jen started Bella on rice cereal. She has since graduated to baby food - so far sweet potatoes and green beans. She loves it! She's really not a messy eater; I had to pretty much stage this messy face. (I think it's cute!) One of our friends gave Jen this neat high chair seat that is portable and just attaches to a dining room chair with straps. It's good for birth through 4 years old.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

We left Columbia Metropolitan Airport right on time (6:52 a.m.). Although the flight was a little bumpy, Isabella did very well and is a great little traveler. We didn't experience any delays and actually arrived in Green Bay ahead of our scheduled arrival time. After collecting Linda from Cindy's house, we were on our way to Egg Harbor. Mom had lunch waiting for us when we got there - Sloppy Joes and tuna salad. Yum! Not much in the way of leftovers. By evening, the whole gang was together and we enjoyed catching up.

It looks like Leann and Isabella are deep in conversation.

A new dolly from Great-grandma and Great-grandpa!

Cindy, Alex, Sadie and Isabella playing on the floor the day of our arrival.

Wisconsin, here we come!

Tomorrow morning, the girls and I leave at 6:52 a.m. for Green Bay. We are so excited and hope to catch up with everyone while we are there!