Merry Christmas 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

Wow! 2009 is going to be a hard one to beat! As we wrap up a fabulous year for our family, we are so thankful for our many blessing and look forward to good things in 2010.

Just after Christmas last year (literally a few days), we learned we would be adding another baby to our family. We were soooo excited, and I began preparing immediately with my good friends, nausea and vomiting! After a long and uncomfortable (but thankfully, healthy) pregnancy, we welcomed Abigail Kathleen, "Abby Kate," into our family on September 2 at 5:12 am. Despite our best efforts, the little 8 lb 12 oz bundle of joy missed the Kindergarten cut-off date by just a few hours. Somehow, I don't think I'm going to mind keeping her at home with me for an extra year! Christa jumped right in to her new role as "big sister," and introducing our two girls to each other was definitely the high point of the year! I don't think I'll ever forget hearing Christa tearfully yell "baby" down the hall of the post-partum unit when she had to leave that first night. They still seem to like each other, and Christa is very helpful, bouncing Abby Kate or fetching her pacifier when she cries. I couldn't be more proud! Abby Kate is a sweet, cuddly baby who smiles all the time. She's not the greatest sleeper in the world, but I blame that mostly on the statistically effective, but frustrating SIDS recommendations we're attempting to follow.

Early this year, we got some other exciting news - a position was opening up at our local trauma center. Cline has envisioned working locally for many years, and this opportunity came to us much earlier than we had anticipated when he accepted his first job offer in a nearby town in 2008. After much prayer and careful consideration, we decided that Cline would accept the new position here in town. It was definitely the right choice! Cline now works 10 minutes from home instead of 30. The schedule is much better, and Cline absolutely loves working with people he knows and being available when our loved ones have their own emergencies.

Christa continues to grow and change faster than I would like to admit. She turned 2 in June, and we celebrated "Nemo-style" with a water fun pizza party at our house. Shortly after that, she learned to talk in sentences, and converses with us like a little adult. She also embraced a new "big-girl room" and transitioned herself out of her crib and into a "big-girl bed." We are in the very early stages of potty-training. (I'm hoping to find the motivation to fully tackle that one sometime before she's 5 :) In August, she started going to a local church program, similar to a Mother's Morning Out, 2 mornings a week. She loves her teacher, and I enjoy the craft projects that I'm too lazy busy to do with her. She now insists on saying the prayer at each meal, and adorably sings Jesus Loves Me and Away in a Manger. She wants a Buzz Lightyear for Christmas, and has recently discovered the thrill that is Mickey Mouse.

As for me, I am thoroughly enjoying the energy that comes with not being pregnant! After 8 months of being sick and exhausted, and 1 rough month of teaching Abby Kate how to nurse, I am really enjoying being a wife and mother of 2. Our days are spent running errands, having play dates, going out to eat when Daddy's off work, and trying to keep some semblance of organization to the house. I also enjoy my Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group, which is a ministry to... well... mothers of preschoolers. I'm on the "steering team" which is the group of ladies who does all of the behind the scenes organization to keep the group running. I've gotten to know some terrific women through this group, and I look forward to the "girl time." I'm also hoping to resume Kindermusik classes with Christa after the New Year.

Well, I think that wraps up our year. We hope all of you have had an equally wonderful year.

Merry Christmas!

Jessica (and family)

** cards are in the mail **