Things are going very well... I'm feeling good and all of the ultrasounds and dr visits are as expected. Ali keeps us very busy and we enjoy the days we get to spend together. I feel like I blink my eyes and another few weeks has gone by... We are very excited about the new baby and all of the excitement that comes with!
Ultrasound #3 01-12-11 (13 wks) Ultrasound #4 02-02-11 (15wks 6days) *Goundhog day 1/18/11 The big news is out (at work)! The first few weeks after we returned to work from the Christmas holidays were a bit hectic... Thankfully, Pat had planned a visit ant it couldn't have been more timely! This week, I told my Director for WPG and a few co-workers, but was not in the office much due to the Pursuit Simulation Training, Program Reviews and the Growth Conference!
I sent Bruder a challenge for the PufferFish II (weight loss) Competition, beginning 7/1/11. He wanted to change the official rules...
The majority of our friends were informed as part of our New Year's letter that we sent out.
Ultrasound #5 Scheduled for 2/24/11 This is the big one that we've all been waiting for! We get to find out if Ali will have... a little sister or a little brother!!!
Eddie had the opportunity to start 2011 with an international business trip. He and some of the key leadership team went to Aberdeen Scotland for the week.
I'll try to post some pictures from Eddie's trip, but due to the limited hours of daylight (6), he said the pictures were few.Ironically, Pat had planned to visit us for 2 weeks in January, and this was one of them. It worked out perfectly since I had a proposal due that week! I couldn't have made it through without her!
Eddie returned home safely Saturday afternoon, and needless to say... we all missed him lots and are glad he's home!
She was very entertained by the music, clowns, horses, zebras, elephants, tigers, aerial artists, gymnast, and the tight rope walkers!
Silly Clowns!
Amazing Aerial Artists...
Our seats were perfect! We were on the front row of the section just over the tunnel exit. Ali could stand up, dance, or do whatever she wanted the whole show!
Tantalizing Tight Rope Walkers...
Exciting Elephants!
Now she's tired...
The next day, when we ask Ali what she saw at the circus, she innocently said "Nana"!
Too cute! She's right, Nana and Mommy were there with her... we just need to work on our circus act a little more ;)
It’s hard to believe that another year has passed by so quickly. Our lives have been very blessed and filled with many wonderful memories this past year. We hope this letter finds you all well and warm this time of year!
We have been so excited to watch our little girl grow and learn so many wonderful things. From her first tooth, to her first steps, her first words, and her first birthday; Ali is 21 months old now and is a very happy, thoughtful, affectionate, and polite little girl.I try to capture Ali’s Adventures on our blog (www.RyeandEddie.blogspot.com).
Eddie and I live by the “Work hard, Play hard” motto!We strive to find a balance with work and family life to ensure we cherish every second with our precious little girl. We are both still working at Harris Corporation. Rye continues to grow her career as a System Engineer while working a 30 hour reduced work week. Eddie is transitioning from his role in Mergers & Acquisitions to an Integration role for one of the recently acquired international companies. . 2010started off with a big project to move into our New Home! We decided to take advantage of the down real estate market and low interest rates to buy a new home that we can grow into. Rye's parents were a BIG help with our move across town... with a 9month old!
In February, we bundled up and went to visit Amie and Lyell in Rochester, MN.Ali (10mo) enjoyed playing in the snow with her cousins Katherine (6), Nathaniel (4), Charlotte (1 ½).They got to see Ali’s 1st steps!!!
Back in Florida, we enjoyed the beautiful March weather.Pat & Ron (Nana & Guga) came down to visit and relax on the beach.
April 10th marked Ali’s1st Birthday!What a difference 1 year makes… from 7lbs 13oz and 20” when she was born, to almost 21lbs and 30” walking around now!Uncle Dru flew in from SC, Carroll & Lin (CiCi & PopPop) drove down from NC, and lots of Florida friends helped us celebrate her big day.Her favorite toy is the “real” cell phone… even though she has a toy one of her own!
June involved an action packed visit with Uncle Dru in Beaufort, SC.We spent the afternoons on the boat, sight seeing and water skiing.Dru and I participated in the 4th annual 3.5 mile Beaufort River Swim from Port Royal to downtown Beaufort Marina.For Dru, 2010 marked the year of independent business owner/operator for “Anderson Aviation, LLC” in Beaufort SC. His aviation enthusiasm, high standards, and precise flight instruction have made him very successful.Visit his site: www.AndersonAviation.com
July 4th weekend, we met my parents and Dru in Wadesboro for exciting times on the farm and at Lake Tillery. Rye taught Ali to drive Lin's tractor, and "Uncle Dru" taught Ali what the throttle did and how to make the boat "GO!" The following week was spent with the whole Myers family at Holden Beach. We had a wonderful week together with Carrie & Amie (Eddie's sisters) and their families. Pat & Ron were very happy to have ALL of their kids, their spouses and grandkids under one roof!
In August we spent a long weekend at Beech Mountain, NC with Dru & Kristin, CiCi & PopPop. Following Hailey’s lead, we hiked several trails at Grandfather Mountain, and along Linville Falls. The weather this time of year was spectacular and the memories made were priceless!
September of this year, Ali officially turned into a fish!She went through five weeks of daily training to learn the swim/float/swim sequence to survive in the water.This was truly an impressive technique taught by a private ISR (Infant Swim Research) instructor to get children comfortable with their face in the water and understand the physics of their body to roll over and float. Bottom line… at 17months Ali can jump in the pool, and come up floating on her back!(Nana & Guga were here Labor Day weekend to see it for themselves!)
In November, Dru served as charter pilot for me, Ali & Kristin on our flight to Georgia (while Eddie attended a Leadership Program).Ali still holds the record for Dru’s youngest flight student! Lin & Carroll drove down to meet us and visit Uncle Ivar & Aunt Becky, and their family. We had all the cousins back together with the newest generation; Ali (19mo) met her 2nd cousins, Robbie (3), Ellie (6mo), and Aiden (11mo) for the first time. It was loads of fun to see them all together!
We hosted Thanksgiving for my parents, Dru & Kristin. We all enjoyed the beautiful Florida weather, lots of good food, and fun times with Ali. We kicked off the Holiday season with a trip to Gaylord Palms ICE display, a whimsical winter wonderland of larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice sculptures made from over two-million pounds of ICE!Ali loved the ice slide, and kept saying “more?”
We are looking forward to having the familytogether again for Christmas and joining great friends of ours in Hendersonville, NC to bring in the New Year!
Our biggest news of 2010 however, is worth waiting for… Ali is going to be a Big Sister in July 2011!
As you can tell, our year has been packed full of travels and adventure!We are fortunate to have such special friends and family to share our lives with. We would love for you to give us a call or come visit us in Florida! Our best wishes to each of you for the year to come!
The exciting news is out - Ali's going to be a big sister! ~ Baby #2 is due 7/21/2011 ~
Ok, so let me catch you up with the events that occurred prior to now!
11/18/2010 - Did a pregnancy test and it was (+) positive! SOOO excited!
12/8/2010 - 1st ultrasound w/ Dr. Gomez... 7 weeks 6 days, due 7/21/10!
12/16/2010 - 2nd ultrasound to make sure it was ok to tell our family at Christmas!
12/17/2010 - Drove to NC and met my parents at Rob's for dinner...
Ali had on her special "Big Sister To Be" shirt under her fleece, so when Mama took it off in the restaurant, she read the news! They were very excited, to say the least!
She was SO excited to see "PopPop"... she had something to tell him ;)
CiCi read Ali's shirt..."Big Sister to be"!
Mama & Daddy were surprised, and very happy for us. What a way to start the Christmas holiday!
12/22/2010 - My 31st b-day...
*Nana dressed Ali this morning (I had put out her special outfit). It took a while and some extra focusing for Nana to see what her shirt said! Reading anything on a 1 1/2 year old is more challenging than I expected it to be... especially when you are trying to make it a surprise and can't just say, "Do you like Ali's new shirt?" It's a good test of patience, when you're so excited! She was SO excited for us! This will be grand baby #7!
*Then Amie called, so we shared the big news with her.
*Then we took Ali to Ron's work and he picked her way up in the air and read her shirt aloud... twice!!! The whole office knew within seconds!
*Then we met Carrie for lunch and Cameron and Adrienne read her shirt 1st ;)
*Then we went to visit Grandad (Ali's Great Grandad) in Charlotte and told him the news!
This had him running laps around the halls...
Bill was visiting, so we got to share with him & he took a little video of Ali to share with Judy... *Then, we met my brother and parents for a great dinner... and Dru got the big news then! This was a fabulous day and wonderful way to celebrate my b-day sharing the excitement of a new life developing.
