Happy 2010!

2009 has been an incredible year for us... here's a quick review:

- I was laid off at IBM and Feb 26 was my last day at work. I had mixed feelings about it at the time... partly upset that I was let go, but partly relieved since I had not been too happy with my job anyway. Then I almost accepted a job offer with IBM Brazil, which I ended up turning down. Would have been an adventure, but things worked out for the best.

- In April we got the good news that we were pregnant and about to start a family! The baby was due on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.

- We planned a last minute trip to London and Italy since we weren't going to be able to take the trip to India in November since the baby was due then. We had a great time with Shel's parents, my mom and El! Cinque Terre in Italy was the highlight of our trip for sure.

- The rest of the year we spent getting ready for baby's arrival. We were blessed to have three baby showers thrown for us by friends and family, all of which were a lot of fun. We decorated baby's room as best as we could, and we were quite happy with the finished product. I made unheard of amounts of trips to Babies R Us and other stores to shop for baby related things... good thing I wasn't working so I had time for such things.

- After the much anticipated arrival of our little one was delayed by 4 days, Nikki was induced on November 30, and Isabelle was born at 3:58 pm that day. This was definitely the highlight of our year!


We spent a lot of time with our families this year... from our trip to London and Italy, to our trips to Houston to visit my family and their trips here to spend time with us and Isabelle, to Shel's parents visiting us here to celebrate the baby and the holidays.

We've also spent a lot of time with friends this year... creating stronger bonds with new friends and keeping in touch with our dear old friends.

It's been a great year, and here's to creating more wonderful memories in 2010!