From the beginning...
In January we returned from our vacation to Germany where we spent two and a half weeks with Melanie's dad Juergen and his wife Dagmar. We visited family (Jon met Melanie's Oma for the first time) and friends in a winter wonderland of snow and Christmas markets. Berlin for New Years Eve was an amazing experience and although the video of that night would be so awesome to share with you, someone left the lens cap on during the recording...oops! Well, I guess we'll blame it on one too many flaming Mai Tais!
In February we were jet setting to a warmer destination with Melanie's mom Mary, step dad Bill, brother Patrick and his girlfriend Alysia, to Cabo San Lucas Mexico to celebrate Bill's Birthday. We won't mention the number, but it was a milestone! Looking back at that drunken weekend we've determined that this is where and when Mikayla was conceived...hey...Made in Mexico!
In March it was official, Melanie was once again pregnant AND the designated driver for all the fun events in spring: Spring Training Games (Beer), St. Patty's Day (Green Beer), the Scottsdale Culinary Festival (Vodka tent), Cinco de Mayo (Margaritas)... do I have to go on? It's a great time of year in Arizona...the weather and outdoor activities are amazing. Hmm, something to look forward to in 2009. At about the same time that we learned of the pregnancy Melanie's company announced the final sale of Atronic to Gtech. The headquarters was being relocated to Las Vegas and Melanie's job was ending in October (she actually was laid off in August).
In February we were jet setting to a warmer destination with Melanie's mom Mary, step dad Bill, brother Patrick and his girlfriend Alysia, to Cabo San Lucas Mexico to celebrate Bill's Birthday. We won't mention the number, but it was a milestone! Looking back at that drunken weekend we've determined that this is where and when Mikayla was conceived...hey...Made in Mexico!
In March it was official, Melanie was once again pregnant AND the designated driver for all the fun events in spring: Spring Training Games (Beer), St. Patty's Day (Green Beer), the Scottsdale Culinary Festival (Vodka tent), Cinco de Mayo (Margaritas)... do I have to go on? It's a great time of year in Arizona...the weather and outdoor activities are amazing. Hmm, something to look forward to in 2009. At about the same time that we learned of the pregnancy Melanie's company announced the final sale of Atronic to Gtech. The headquarters was being relocated to Las Vegas and Melanie's job was ending in October (she actually was laid off in August).
More highlights (but mostly pictures) of the year...
April - Key West to attend Ryan and Laura Equale's wedding.
April - Key West to attend Ryan and Laura Equale's wedding.
June - We celebrated our second anniversary. We both nearly had a hole-in-one at Eagle Mountain golf course. Not kidding!
July - Jon's younger sister Magdalena and Dad came to visit us from NY.
August - Melanie and Alysia plan a surprise 30th birthday for her brother Patrick at the lake. And YES, the fish bite!
Also in August, a very scary road trip to Show Low lands Melanie in the hospital from a severe bleed caused by a condition of her pregnancy known as Placenta Previa. (see earlier blog from September 2008 for pictures). Needless to say this incident caused her to be placed on strict bed rest... 12 weeks of laying around... it's basically the reason this blog started. Looking back we realize when you are faced with a very scary experience such as this one, friends reach out in ways that really touch the heart and we are reminded of the truly wonderful friendships we have made in our lives. The outpouring of support and positive energy is what really got us through that time.
Skipping ahead 12 weeks...
Melanie survived the long and boring bed rest, only thanks to some amazing friends who hooked her (us) up with Netflix movies, meals, visits, goodies in the mail and phone calls. And at long last we joyfully welcomed our baby girl Mikayla Rebel on November 1. Hard to imagine that she was two years in the making; it was a long road traveled but we persevered! Words can't explain the feeling of holding her in my arms and seeing her for the first time just minutes after she was born. We are so in love with her. Bring on Parenthood!
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And, we were not the only ones welcoming our precious baby. Also born in 2008 were Kolton Koller, Brooklyn Schell, Quinn Zurawski, Vaughn Burkhardt, Ronan Myers, Logan Jetton, and Sophia Simpson...did I forget anyone? Already born in 2009 was Derek Knight on 1/15, he's just a day old. We saw him at the hospital today and he is just precious. And we anxiously await the arrival of more baby's: Vincent Bongratz, Neela McLein and many more in 2009.
On the flip side, we had to say good-bye to some very dear people in our lives. Jon's grandfather Hal Dunmar passed away in September. He was in his 80's and very sick. In October, our friend Camay Schell passed away suddenly and tragically. She was a young vibrant soul whom touched our lives in a very special way. And we learned that a former Ice Pilots hockey (Jon's professional team) fan Marilyn passed in December; she lost the good fight to cancer. We are saddened by the loss of these lives. We keep their memories alive in our hearts and minds. May their spirits watch over us and guide us as we continue on our journeys.
On the flip side, we had to say good-bye to some very dear people in our lives. Jon's grandfather Hal Dunmar passed away in September. He was in his 80's and very sick. In October, our friend Camay Schell passed away suddenly and tragically. She was a young vibrant soul whom touched our lives in a very special way. And we learned that a former Ice Pilots hockey (Jon's professional team) fan Marilyn passed in December; she lost the good fight to cancer. We are saddened by the loss of these lives. We keep their memories alive in our hearts and minds. May their spirits watch over us and guide us as we continue on our journeys.
Wrapping it up...
We had some very precious first holidays with Mikayla on Thanksgiving and Christmas, although she slept through most of it. She enjoyed getting to know her Grandma Mary and Granddad Bill a little better and she enjoyed meeting her Opi and Omi (Juergen and Dagmar) for the first time, who surprised us with a visit from Germany to meet their grandchild. Fortunately we are also set up with Skype.com, a camera and microphone so that the other grandparents (Jon's parents and spouses) and Jon's sister's family the Traugott 5 can also see Mikayla. We look forward to their visits in 2009!
We had some very precious first holidays with Mikayla on Thanksgiving and Christmas, although she slept through most of it. She enjoyed getting to know her Grandma Mary and Granddad Bill a little better and she enjoyed meeting her Opi and Omi (Juergen and Dagmar) for the first time, who surprised us with a visit from Germany to meet their grandchild. Fortunately we are also set up with Skype.com, a camera and microphone so that the other grandparents (Jon's parents and spouses) and Jon's sister's family the Traugott 5 can also see Mikayla. We look forward to their visits in 2009!
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Looking back at 2008 I know how lucky I am to have had some amazing life experiences, both good and bad. There were moments of celebration and disappointment, laughter and tears, joy and sadness, but an overall contentment that it was a great year. Having a little one now makes us realize special moments come and go quickly, so we embrace them and each day as it is a gift! Mikayla is a happy baby. We are so amazed by the changes each day brings. She is recognizing faces and voices, smiling, cooing (I call it flirting with mommy and daddy) and thankfully sleeping through the night. Willie is his usual mellow self... we are so lucky to have such a great dog. We can't wait until he and Mikayla can really play together.
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What's in store for us in 2009... lots of 1st birthday parties! We can't wait to celebrate these among the many other festive occasions; weddings, anniversaries, birthdays.... But mainly our wish for 2009 is a prosperous and healthy living for all of us. We love you and look forward to spending time with you in the new year.
Frohes Neues Jahr and Happy New Year to you from the Dunmars.
-Jon, Melanie, Mikayla and Willie dog
3 comments:
Melanie, this was a great post. I really loved the review and pictures. Jody and I are so happy that we met so many years ago and have forged a strong and lasting friendship. You and Jon are amazing people and we love you guys. We look forward to getting to know Makayla through the years.
What a touching post!! That took some real time and thought!! I'm impressed! We love you guys!
Happy New Year to you and yours, Melanie, Jon, Mikayla & Big Willie Dog! You are beautiful beings and I wish you many blessings. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Peace & Love, Sara Rose Chacon
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