Bob and I stayed home this year for the New Year's celebration...I think that's the first time I've ever been home to watch the ball drop...since High School? It was weird...but relaxing. This whole baby thing is definitely making me more maternal.

We celebrated Ariana's 8th Birthday the first week of January too...I can't believe she's eight! Then Anna came home from Arizona to host a family baby shower for Bob and I.
We are so incredibly lucky...wow.
Thank you Anna!
Here's some pictures: (you can click on them to make them bigger)







































I had to wash all the clothes, blankets, towels, etc. as well before putting everything away in the dresser...so our living room was taken over by baby laundry. Everything is so tiny!





I was able to meet up for another photographers get together too...next time I see my friends we'll have a baby! Thanks for all the encouragement guys!



A few days later, one last luncheon with Heather, Linda, and Rachel. You guys are SO supportive and I can't thank you enough for your excitement and friendship. :)



Miguel is back in Rochester! He moved to Atlanta years ago, and just recently needed a change and came back. We got together and it was like no time had passed. So great to see you again!



Bob and I have also been going to birthing classes together to learn about the process, the breathing, labor...etc. We got a tour of the hospital rooms too which are a lot nicer than I would have expected. Very comforting. I went swimming a few times too which felt great and continue to walk Buddy twice a day trying to get out and stay active a little bit at least. I miss doing more than that though.

We didn't end up going home for the holidays this year because the trip we made for the shower was so close and we thought it would be best to stay put to keep the pregnancy safe. So...we spent Christmas Eve with Bob's sister and her family and visited locally. Low key and relaxing. The kids, Ariana and Dan Dan are growing up so quick...they're so lucky to have each other, and we're so lucky to have them in our lives...the holidays are so much more fun with their smiles and laughter.





A few days later, mom and Peter came out to visit and to take care of any last minute baby stuff before they come back for the delivery. We celebrated their Anniversary dinner together where I had champagne and strawberries waiting for them at the table and enjoyed an incredible meal.



While they were here, we decided that we would need a bassinet in our bedroom for the first month or two before moving the baby to the crib, so they treated that to us as well. Thank you! Bob spent that evening putting it together... so cute.





I took mom to get a pedicure as part of her gift too which was really relaxing and fun. I couldn't believe she'd never had one done before!



We also took in a lot of movies...and they stayed 2 extra days to be able to see 'Avatar' in 3D at the Imax...it was always sold out when we were ready to go. We got a pizza at the theater and brought it inside for dinner...I love this picture:



Here's a few pictures of our breakfast table. It's so nice to entertain and have family over who enjoy it.





Mom and Peter in front of our tree with a few more little things we picked up for baby while they were here:



The next time we see each other we'll be at the hospital greeting our newest little member to the family! :)

I got to visit with my friend Sue and her son Nolan over the break too. I can't believe he's almost 4...time flies!



And here's our Christmas card:



Looking forward to 2010!

Thank you mom so much for putting together this amazing shower for Bob and I. All the thought and detail that went into it was so special for both of us and it's helping us to get more and more excited about meeting our baby girl! We are so blessed and lucky for all the special gifts and sentiments we received for our baby to be and can't thank everyone enough during this incredibly special time in our lives.
Here's some pictures from the party! Under the sea!

My friend Heather was in charge of Programs for our group in 2009 and she did an amazing job ... even with our last event being our Christmas party. We had it at a venue that a lot of us have photographed Weddings at before so we knew how amazing it was as a space for parties.
Artisan Works is a HUGE gallery of sculpture, paintings, photography, and history! I feel really lucky to be a part of such an amazing group of people ... We don't have regular jobs that we go to like most people so when we do get together as a team, it's very much appreciated. The help, guidance, and connection we share is such a huge benefit to our work and business...and it's a lot of FUN too!
:)
Here's a few pictures of my buds from the party.







I'm in charge of the Programs for 2010 and have already heard that people are excited about them and I'm looking forward to providing the education and benefits for all of us.

What a beautiful Fall we had...we got to go biking for so long into the season because it was so warm. First, we had a photo group gathering to say goodbye to our dear friend Jenn who bravely left Rochester to start a new in Chicago! She will be missed more than I know as I write this not, but we will all be keeping in touch through Facebook. She accomplished so much this year and I'm so excited for everything that's in store for her. Bye Jenn!





This is the last bike ride for 2009...for me anyways. With the baby starting to show at this point, it makes me nervous to ride any longer. But it's early November and that's pretty good seeing as we started in May! I am so lucky for the friends I've made this year and the support and excitement we have for our baby. Hooray 2009!





Bob and I worked on the nursery late into the Fall too and since it was so warm, we were able to still have the windows open while painting and working. I'm going to post our before pictures, and the finished nursery too ...even though we JUST finished it in February while we waited for the furniture delivery. Here it is; Under the Sea theme! :) (you can click on the pictures to see them bigger too)






























My dad came to visit for Thanksgiving too which was really nice! We had dinner out with dad and our friends visiting here from Atlanta, Jim and Alissa the first night. It was their first time seeing me pregnant so there was a lot of catching up and excitement.
:)







We made the traditional turkey dinner the next night ... Bob's brother Sam joined us too ... we played a lot of Wii ...dad got really really good at it! He was so intense as he played, funny.

We took dad to see "A Christmas Carol" - Disney ... in 3D at the IMAX theatre which was a real treat. The visit went really fast. :(

I took a new picture of dad for his Facebook profile page ... he's wearing an authentic Irish cap that I gave him for Christmas one year...lookin' good dad!
:)



I got all my Weddings edited by Thanksgiving, and moved on to albums...so I will have the end of December, and all of January to work on the business side of things, as well as preparing for the baby, and the showers. Then come mid February ... our lives will drastically change; for the better. Wish us luck ~ we're gonna need it!

;)