2010 in Review

What a year 2010 was for our family. Obviously, the biggest event was the birth of our baby boy, Holden Read. There were some great memories and milestones too. Here is a very quick recap of our year.

January
We rang in the New Year while I was 4.5 months pregnant, but looked about 10 months preggo ;) We spent a lot of January continuing to work on our home and getting ready for baby boy.

February

DC was shut down for almost a week with Snowmaggeden, Part II (Part I was in December). I enjoyed working from home and relaxing as I kept getting bigger and bigger. On the 14th, Nathan and I celebrated being a couple for seven years.

March

We celebrated Nathan's 20-something-th birthday on the 9th and my friend Becca Wray threw an amazing baby shower for me at the Pink Bicycle tea room. My wonderful parents-in-law, Don & Connie, were able to make the trip from Chicago. Nathan and I finally finished baby boy's room! 

April

The ladies in our couples small group threw me another great baby shower. We were worried that it might be cancelled because Baby Boy was due that day - April 10th. The shower was tons of fun, but we had to wait 20 more days, until April 30th at 3:30AM to welcome into the world Holden Read Sandell. 

This photo is missing Carin, head planner. She did a fabulous job!

May
Do I really remember this month? Not really. Having our newborn meant a lot of sleepless days and nights, but we still loved every minute of it. Luckily, our families were here to help and support us, and I was able to celebrate my very first Mother's Day!

June
Nathan and I were still trying to get the hang of parenting. Holden had his very first STTN experience, began making facial expressions, started to grab objects and got better and better on his tummy. Aunt Rose had a break from med school and came out to visit; and great Uncle B and Aunt Cyndi visited on their way home to Florida.

July
Nathan and I ventured out to Chicago and Fontana to visit the Sandell and Bagni families. This was Holden's first airplane ride and he did fantastic. He also got to meet his Great Grandparents, his great Uncle and Aunt and spend more quality time with Gpa and Gma, Aunt Rose and Aunt Hilary.

Stuart Read, Nathaniel Read, Holden Read, Gregg Read

Great Grandpa Stu and Great Grandma Ginny

Great Grandma Flo

August
This was the last month before Nathan went off to work. While he was away interviewing, Holden rolled over for the first time - just like Nana predicted!

September
Nathan started his new job with Manhattan Associates, Holden and I started his fall wardrobe collection, and we all were rooting for Da Bears!

October
GMa and GPa came to visit us in the beginning of October and soon after we tried rice cereal for the first time. Holden and I were able to visit Cox Farms with our friends Anne, Grace and Lily where we picked out his very first pumpkin. For Halloween, Holden dressed up as the cutest little monkey!

November
We continued to expand Holden's eating palate to include peas, carrots and apples, and we prepared for our second plane ride out to Chicago to visit the Sandells for Thanksgiving. Holden became mobile and perfected his army-crawl.

December
Holden had his first fever, but quickly showed that his first two bottom teeth were the culprit. We celebrated my 20-something-th birthday and four days later Christmas! Holden was a very good boy and Santa definitely thought so too. We rang in the New Year together, and after quickly perfecting the army-crawl, Holden began pulling himself up and cruising along the furniture.

While 2010 will always remain a very special year in my heart, I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for us in 2011. Happy New Year to you all! God Bless.