2010 In Review

I'm not a sentimental person. I'm just not. I'll blame that on my mom - thanks mom! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the moment while it is happening and enjoy recalling those memories but I'm not the type that has every single detail filled out in Reagan's baby book. And in all truth I think the farthest I got was filling out her name, birthday, weight, etc. That being said one of my 2011 resolutions was to document our lives better. And seeing as that it is now April I'm a little behind. No time like the present right? I figure the best way to catch up to now is to review the highlights of 2010 month by month. So let's take a little tour of what's been going on in the Mathews' lives since my last post, which as you can see, was January 2010. oops.

February
- Found out we were expecting a new little love in October. Oh and here is a tiny bit of my sentimental side coming out - the day I found out was Tuesday, February 9th. Oh, and going way back, the day I found out I was pregnant with Reagan was Monday, July 7th. But I digress...

March
- Reagan turned one!! March 6th. What a surreal day that was. My heart was torn between excitement of seeing her grow and learn and wanting her to be my little bitty newborn again.

April
- I accepted a new position with my company - a subcontract administrator position. Which is just a fancy way to say Buyer. I buy the thousands of machine spare parts to keep the machines running to make ammunition to support our troops. Working for this cause is very rewarding to me and I'm thankful to have found a great job so close to home.

May
- We traveled to Omaha and Lincoln, NE to see Emily, Caleb's fiance, graduate from UNL. Her family was so gracious while we were up there - thanks Becky and Paul! We took a side trip to the Omaha zoo with Grandma E and Grandpa C which was really fun. Reagan had a blast! A return trip has already been planned for 2011.

June
- Found out our house would be filled with more PINK! Yes, another girl was joining our household. We didn't have to work hard to pick a name - McKinley Marie. McKinley to keep with our "theme" of respectable presidents and Marie after Michelle's paternal grandmother's middle name and Joel's maternal grandmother's middle name.

July
- Joel and I celebrated 4 awesome years of marriage on July 1st. I'm continually thankful to the Lord for placing such a loving man in my life to lead our family.
- At the end of July Emily and Caleb got hitched!! It was a fabulous weekend to celebrate the two lovebirds' marriage. Emily - I hope you know what a great addition to the Mathews' family you are! Reagan especially adores you - Auntie Em!

August
- I'll chalk August 8th, 2010 up as the scariest day of my life. I'm sure Joel would agree. At 30 weeks pregnant I went into labor and began to dilate. You can read in more detail about the experience in McKinley's birth story post. By the grace of God my labor was stopped and after 3 days in the hospital I was sent home on strict bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. Life sure took on a new form from that point. My parents were so amazing during this time. They completely rearranged their lives to help pick up Reagan from daycare, cook meals for us, and keep up the housework. Joel and I can never fully express what a blessing they were to us. Thank you mom and dad, we love you.

September
- More bed rest.
- September 6th was a milestone for my (new) pregnancy. 34 weeks. McKinley's lungs were developed enough that should she have been born her struggle would not have been as great.
- We made it to 35 weeks, then 36, and 37 weeks! Praise the Lord, I was full term.

October
- McKinley Marie Mathews entered our lives on October 4th, 2010 at 11:09 in the morning. She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 19.5 inches long. No other words can describe that day other than relief. She was here and she was healthy. Joel and I are so thankful to those of you who kept us in your thoughts and prayers for those 8 long weeks. I have no doubt the Lord granted our prayers.
- The rest of the month was spent learning how to function as a family of four. And considering that McKinley is the best baby in the world, yes I'm biased, it wasn't too hard.

November
- November 15th was a bummer of a day. I had to go back to work. This was not the plan. I was supposed to take off from the time she was born until after the first of the year. I was not supposed to go into pre-term labor and have to use up some of my leave. This was a hard pill to swallow. Looking back I can see how the Lord was working to teach me that I'm not in control and He knows exactly what is "supposed" to happen.

December
- Sunday, December 19th, McKinley was baptized into the Lord's family surrounded by our family and friends. Her sponsors are Caleb and Emily and we're so glad you'll be a spiritual presence in her life.
- We celebrated Christmas with Joel's family the same weekend as McKinley's baptism and it was a wonderful time. We missed the Texas Mathews' though!
- The rest of the month was a joyous time with multiple Christmas celebrations. Including a visit from my brother Ryan and his wife Danielle. It was super great to see them as it has almost been an entire year. Reagan had so much fun with you two, we wish we could see you more!It was such a complete feeling to be a family of four this Christmas. I'm already looking forward to next Christmas when both girls will understand a bit better and interact more. I envision wrapping paper covering our entire living room!

I hope you've enjoyed this quick retrospective view of 2010 as much as I had fun remembering and reminiscing!