a year in review: 2010

I say this every year, but seriously, where did this year go?! 2010 has flown by faster than any other year of my life. But I can honestly say, this has been the most incredible (and life changing) year of my life.

January, I had my maternity photo shoot. Josh and I ventured down to South Carolina for a visit with his dad. We took beautiful beach pictures on Sullivan's Island. I was 30 weeks pregnant and anxiously awaiting the arrival of Julianna!

February, we celebrated our Valentine's Day. Josh and I only spent $10 on each other and came up with some sweet, creative gifts. We also took our baby class to get us "ready" for bundle of joy. The class turned out to be full of laughs and a bonding experience for Josh and I. I also had one of my baby showers at the end of February. I was so blessed by all of the amazing gifts... Julianna was already so loved before she was even here!

March, our sweet Julianna was born! I was induced due to her not growing anymore. It was such a scary time when I found out that she was so small and wasn't growing. The doctors were so amazing and took great care of both of us. Her birth was an amazing experience that I will never forget. She is such a blessing... I love my Shamrock Sweetie! (even through I thought all along that she would be a April "Due" Drop)

April, we celebrated our first Easter with our tiny, newborn. Having a newborn was quite the experience... no sleep but lots of smiles. I spent so much time just holding and staring at my beautiful baby girl. During this month, Josh also had to leave us for a week to go to Denver. It was so hard on Josh and on me. He missed us and we definitely missed him! He's such a good daddy!

May, Julianna took her first bubble bath. We even made her a bubble bikini! Just the beginning of all of the fun firsts we will have with our precious daughter. Julianna also went on her first road trip. We traveled about 4 hours to South Carolina to visit Josh's dad. Julianna had been there before; just not outside of mommy's tummy. I also celebrated my first Mother's Day. Sometimes it's still crazy to think that I'm a mom, but it's the most amazing job ever!

June, Julianna went to her first baseball game. She went to see the Copperhead's play at McCrary Park. She slept most of the time while Josh and I chatted with our friends. Julianna also went on her first beach trip. We went with Josh's family and rented a huge condo at the beach. Josh and I also celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. I'm so happy to be married to my best friend!

July, we celebrated Josh's birthday and the fourth of July back in South Carolina at his dad's house. Julianna also tried cereal and baby food for the first time this month.

August, the month when I had to return to work after being on a very extended maternity leave with Julianna. I was so amazingly blessed to have been able to stay at home with her for the first 5 months of her life. It was so hard going back to work but I really enjoyed the interaction with "big" people again. She began daycare at Randleman Enrichment Center. We also got our new car this month, a 2010 Honda Accord. I love this car!

September, such a busy month for me. Getting back into the swing of things at school and just learning to balance it all was tough. It still is tough. But I have an amazing husband and family that help me make it happen. Julianna had her first overnight stay at her Maw Maw's while Josh and I attended the wedding of 2 of my college friends. We also made another trip down to South Carolina to celebrate Ashley's birthday and visit Josh's dad. Little peanut also turned 6 months old this month!

October, Julianna got her very first tooth... which caused for two all nighters two nights in a row. Cutting teeth is rough! She also went to her very first Asheboro Fall Festival and Nascar Days in Randleman. Josh dressed up as the "Fat Cat" at Nascar Days. I think Julianna will be very proud one day! JuJu Bug celebrated her very first Halloween, dressed as a beautiful butterfly! She didn't do any trick or treating this year but she did visit Nana, Paw Paw, cousins Tyson and Ashton, uncle Zach, and aunt Katie. We'll go trick or treating next year... if Josh isn't too busy scaring children at our house!

November, Julianna's first Thanksgiving and our first time having family over at our house. Josh's family came over to our house for Thanksgiving lunch then we headed to my brother's mother in law's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We were stuffed and Julianna was worn out but it was a great day. The next day, we went to South Carolina to visit Josh's dad for the weekend. Our Christmas tree went up before Thanksgiving this year! I also celebrated my 25th birthday this month and got my newest tattoo on my foot!

December, the final month of an amazing year. Julianna experience her very first snow and her very first Christmas. Josh and I also hosted my family's Christmas Eve celebration at our house. Our new nephew, Christian Blake was also born. And today, Julianna started crawling! We are so blessed!

And looking ahead, I'm already anticipating another wonderful year. We have so much to look forward to. Before I know my sweet little girl will be walking and running around this house! In 2010, everything was centered around Julianna. She is our world! She has brought happiness, laughter, exhaustion, confusion, silliness, but most of all, she has brought us LOVE. To sum up 2010, I'd say it was a year of LOVE!

Happy New Year from my family to yours!