2010: A Year in Review

2010 was both a challenging and incredible year for us. We went from having a baby to having a toddler, to having another baby on the way. Some of the highlights included:

January kicked off with a New Years trip to Austin where Norah fell desperately in love with her cousins (and more importantly, I won the annual cooking contest). We really started to explore kid-centric places here at home and got her out to lots of children's museums and play grounds.

February was tough as BVZ's back went from bad to worse. He spent many a sleepless nights walking the neighborhood streets because remaining stationary (ie, sleeping) just about did him in. Norah and I tried our best to cheer him up, despite a run of nasty weather, but it was rough to not have our eternal optimist at his best. We realized our long awaited vacation to Yosemite would have to be canceled. We also got a much anticipated visit from Aunt Amy which ruled.

March brought with it a very active toddler and BVZ's back surgery. He was pretty incapacitated for a couple of weeks, but finally started to get his mojo back. He was required to take a 2 week medical leave from work and got a chance for the first time in a long time to re-energize. He wasn't allowed to pick Norah (or a basket of laundry) up for over a month, which both frustrated her and just about did MY back in. It was a long recovery, one which won't be fully complete until March of 2011, but surgery was ultimately the only option and I am glad we did it when we did.

April brought Easter and the first holiday Norah really understood and was into. She loved visiting the Easter Bunny, having a party for her friends, and searching for eggs-weeks after the actual event was over. Bubby came out for a much anticipated visit and Norah's sleep went to hell all over again (the two were not related). We went through a nightmare week when we first thought she had an allergic reaction to Amoxicillan, but 7 urgent care and 1 ER visit later, discovered it was really Erythema Multiforme. It was by far our scariest medical crisis to date and not something we ever need to experience again.

May was all about rest and recovery. Norah confirmed our suspicions that she had a lot of my crazy skin sensitivities by having an allergic reaction to her MMR vaccine. We also gave up completely on her ever sleeping in the crib, took the plunge, and converted her crib to a toddler bed. After a rough first night she started sleeping the way we had been waiting for her entire life and to date still averages 11 to 12 nights on her own, in her own bed. It was a long time coming. We took a great road trip up to Muir Woods for Mother's Day and another to Tahoe for Memorial Day.

June was all about being TWO. It was birthday season and I think we went to something like 15 toddler parties. GG came up for Norah's party and we had a spectacular celebration in the backyard. We also found out the day before Norah's party that we were expecting baby #2. Because we like chaos and have learned to live with no sleep. Things got hectic for BVZ at work and so we canceled plans to spend a long week in San Diego.

July brought sadness when my Grandma Mary passed away. Norah and I went to El Paso for the services and although the circumstances were less than ideal, it was really great to get to see some of our crazier (and more fun) family members and introduce them to Norah. Direct flights between San Francisco and El Paso are hard to come by, but the experience convinced me that flying with a toddler demands a direct flight-no matter what the cost. We went straight to Austin and after spending a week with her cousins, Norah's vocabulary went from probably 300 words to about 10,000 words. We realized she was pure hilarity. Bubby came back with us and BVZ and I took advantage of free babysitting and spent our 5th anniversary at the place we got married.

August brought warm weather, lots of outdoor adventures, and a visit from Aunt Amy. Grandma Flossie also sadly passed away, and so I made a quick solo trip to El Paso for her services. It was the first time Norah and I were in different states and it was definitely tougher on me than it was on her. We canceled yet another vacation.

September came with a 'do or die, go on vacation' plan and we spent 6 glorious days in Maui. I was somewhat apprehensive about how a vacation of that kind would go with a toddler, but it was literally one of the best weeks we've ever had. I have nothing but warm fuzzies when I think about it. Norah got a haircut, got to ride on a train, and continued to be the most awesome kid we know. I managed to wind up in the ER with a staph infection (from a spider bite), and my high-risk pregnancy care began in earnest.

October was when we learned that baby #2 (ie, Funkhouser) was a girl, then a boy, then maybe a girl, then definitely a boy. Norah was thrilled at the idea of having a brother and this new baby thing became very real all of a sudden. We made a whirlwind trip to Austin for Aunt Amy's baby shower, Norah battled a nasty stomach bug, the Giants started to look like they might win it all (and BVZ went to World Series Game 2), and we celebrated the greatest holiday of all times (ie, Halloween) with Bubby.

November was a bit calmer and our major adventure was spending Thanksgiving in San Luis Obispo with GG and Aunt Vanessa. Norah was showered with love and attention and we got to enjoy a fabulous get away. Funkhouser continued to thrive and we (and by we, I mean I), spent about 10,000 hours researching, agonizing over, and then finally purchasing furniture for Norah's new big kid room. We got a new sink installed in the bathroom and ordered new windows for all the bedrooms.

December rocked our world as Norah discovered the joy and wonder that is Christmas (especially Santa) and her new cousin Reid was born. She and I made another very quick trip to Austin (this kid needs a frequent flier card) and we were both instantly smitten. We spent a lot of time making cookies, looking at lights, kissing snowmen, and just genuinely enjoyed the big kid she has become. Her new room got painted, furniture delivered, and the transition to her new room has begun. We finally got rid of the hot tub and she got a fabulous playhouse she's only been able to use once since the weather has been so awful. We had a very quiet and relaxed Christmas-spending Christmas Eve with Grandpa Gene and then Christmas Day with some of our favorite friends. Oh, and Norah potty trained. Pretty much all on her own. We rang in the new year with the 3 of us at home, a pajama movie party, peppermint ice cream, and bed by 10:30. It was the perfect way to end 2010.

We were incredibly blessed this year with 2 full time jobs, a great family, amazing friends, a fabulous care giver for Norah, and good health and happiness. We appreciate it all. Bring it 2011!