Welcome to the 21st Century

After watching Nathan blog for quite a while, I figured it was time for me to join in the fun. Plus, I hope this turns out to be a great way for us to keep everyone up to date on the happenings down in Houston.

The past year has been a crazy one, full of change. The move to Houston was a bit more challenging than we had anticipated, but we trust we're in the right place. I knew it was going to be a tough transition to leave behind such a wonderful community of friends, our families, and our established routines. Unfortunately, right after the move, I found it easier to shut down a bit and close off contact with almost everyone from home for a while, thinking it would make the adjustment easier (yeah, it was stupid -- blame it on pregnancy hormones). But I've realized that as painful as it's been to be away, I need to be in touch and not let go. So, I'm working on it ... thus this blog. :-)

It's helped so much having visitors stop in to see us -- my mom in October, Nathan's mom and then Michelle in November, and of course, my sister and Brent (the surprise visitor!) for Thanksgiving. We've explored Houston a bit, and traveled down to Galveston a couple of times and went to San Antonio with Steph and Brent (see picture from the Riverwalk in San Antonio above). My dad is making a short trip down to spend Christmas with us. It'll be our first Christmas away from "home," so having him here will be such a blessing. Then (as my sister says) we have another "visitor" arriving just a month or so after that ...

It's been a bit more relaxing down here (a combination of the "pace" of things and not having a real active social life), but we're keeping busy with work, settling in our new apartment, and getting ready for Baby Girl B, due to arrive in February. Some days, in a panic I think, "We only have 2 months to go?," and at other times, I'm thinking, "I have to wait 2 more months to meet her?" The pregnancy has gone very, very well (other than the aforementioned hormone-influenced mood issues and a wee bit of morning sickness), and at our last doctor visit, the nurse commented that Baby Girl B has a "good, strong heartbeat." (See me and my pregnant form walking on the beach in Galveston in late October -- hard to believe I've only gained 2 pounds!)

Nathan's working for Vacations to Go, an online travel company specializing in cruises, and seems to like it a lot. He's got a crazy work schedule for the next few months (including weekends), but we're making it work.

Signing off for now to give our Christmas decorations and other Christmas-related tasks some attention. Will post more soon.