The Year of Change - From Singapore to Sugar Land

2008 took us from living in a high-rise in South East Asia to the suburbs with a kid in Texas! It has definitely been an exciting year!

Rob and I started out 2008 in Singapore; we traveled to Bintan, Indonesia;

then came home to pack up for the big move back to Texas. On moving day, I found out we were pregnant!

Instead of coming straight back to Texas, we took a detour via New Zealand. It was the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. We drove all over the country, went hiking, rode in a helicopter over mountains and train through the country all while I fighting nausea and exhaustion.









We moved back to Texas in March with only our suitcases and partially-filled container of the furniture we bought in Asia. Rob started a new role at his job with much heavier responsibilities while I was still searching for a job. We lived in a 2-Bedroom crappy apartment for 3 months while looking for a house. Since we knew we were moving, we didn't unpack so we lived out of boxes during this time. It was quite a transitional phase for us, to say the least! Here is me at 15 weeks pregnant in that apartment - my enthusiasm is written all over my face!




We bought a car, Rob began adjusting to his new position and I went back to my old company - which proved to be a blessing! After the emotions of house-hunting, we finally purchased our home in June in a suburb of Houston! We are so happy with our selection and glad we had the patience to wait until we knew it was the right place for us.







Meanwhile, tummy grew and grew throughout the summer months.



Ike hit in September and while we faired better than many, it was still scary to go through a hurricane at 36 weeks pregnant then have no electricity in high humidity. I will spare you the images of my own sweat carrying around a huge pregnant woman during this time.

The following weekend after Ike, Rob turned 30 and we had a party at the house for him...then our little baby Mav wanted to join the fun and arrived just four days after his daddy's birthday, September 24th. He was 3 weeks before his due date.







Since then, he has filled our hearts with a love we didn't realize existed. He is an awesome little guy and we are so thankful he joined us - it has made 2008 the best year thus far. Since Mav has been here, he's been to College Station, Austin, East Texas a few times, Lafayette, LA and we just returned from New Orleans last weekend. We are still a family on-the-move, only it takes us a little longer now!



So, in the beginning of 2008, Rob and I were in high-rise in Singapore, still travelling when we could. Since then, we moved internationally, started new positions at work, bought a new home and had a baby. Here we are now with one child, our dog, and a home in the 'burbs. A lot can happen in a year! Happy 2009!