We can divide 2010 into two sections pretty easily: before Lydia and after Lydia.
Before Lydia highlights:
- We took a weekend trip to Corning Museum of Glass, made our own blown glass items and spent two days at the museum.
- We had 4 baby showers- one in absentia since we were both sick, one at church and one thrown by Rachel's work. It was fun to get ready for Lydia's arrival with family and friends! Our Houghton friends surprised us with a shower after Lydia was born.
After Lydia highlights:
Lydia Nancy arrived on Easter Sunday (4/4/10) at 4:59 PM, weighing 7 lbs 11 oz and measuring 19.5” long. She was the 5th baby born on Easter at Unity and the 4th born between 3 and 5 PM! Grandma and Grandpa J., Aunt Rebekah and Uncle Ryan, and Aunt Robin and Uncle Steve all came to visit that day followed by various friends and Grandma and Grandpa G. in the next few weeks. Daru and Kina have adjusted well to the new addition.- We all attended and participated in 3.5 weddings between April and September- 2 Houghton friends {Charles married Sherry then Kristine married Daniel} and 2 of Rachel's cousins {Jason married Bonnie, then Jake married Chelsy}. The ½ wedding was because the wedding was actually on Labor Day so we only went to the pre-party since Rachel had to work on Labor Day!
We attended two family reunions- Rachel's dad's side in VA in June and Doug's mom's side in NY in July. By the time Lydia was 10 weeks old, she had been to 10 states!- We flew to CA in August to visit Doug's sister Dawn and Nathan and Lydia's new cousin, Caitlyn, who was born on May 8, 2010. We had a lot of fun with 2 babies!
We enjoyed two weekends at Delta with the Graham family and Lydia had her first boat ride with Grandpa Graham driving.- Lydia was dedicated on November 7th, with members of both sides of the family and many church friends present. We are thankful for all the friends and family who are with us on this journey of parenting which is both delightful and daunting at times.
- We took a five week curling class at the Rochester Curling Club and enjoyed learning the basics of the sport- yes, it does require some athletic effort!
- We spent Lydia's first Thanksgiving in Beaver Falls with Rachel's parents. Even though they have lived there for 6 years, it was the first time we had been there for Thanksgiving.
- We both stayed in the same jobs. Doug still works in the surgery department as a PA at Unity Hospital where Lydia was born and Rachel went back to work at Roberts in the fall after spending most of April-August with Lydia. Grandma and Grandpa J. came to watch Lydia for a week while Rachel taught a summer biology camp. We are incredibly grateful for God's provision in child care as Amanda, a friend from church, watches Lydia at our house. Lydia loves Amanda and she gets to hang out with her friend Evelyn twice a week as well!
- In December, Dawn and Caitlyn and Doug's oldest sister Deanna came to Rochester so we had an early Christmas with the Graham family- what fun to see cousins playing together!
Being parents at Christmas for the first time also gives us a new appreciation for the story of Christmas and a new awe that Jesus came to earth as a human baby. How amazing that He chose to be Emmanuel, God with us, and how thankful we are for that! We pray that you will know the joy and peace that come from knowing that God is with us. Merry Christmas and happy 2011!With love,
Doug, Rachel, Lydia, Daru and Kina Graham
137 Glenview Lane
Rochester, NY 14609
