2010 ... a recap

Looking back on 2010 ...  The truth is that a lot of amazing, sad, earth shaking, miracles happened this year for the Atria Luke family.

The year started in a whirl for mommy and daddy when the landlord called out of the blue to inform them that they would have to move out of their apartment. They had been very happy there and felt sad that their first home together would be soon only a memory. So, in January the search for an apartment began ...

February was earth shattering in more ways than one. Daddy threw mommy a 31st birthday party on the roof top of their apartment complex. Tons of friends and family came and it was agreed that it was definitely one of her best birthdays yet! Little did she know a week later she would find out she had a surprise guest at her party ... I was inside mommy's belly singing along. I knew that mommy's wishes for the year would come true. Isn't it ironic that she wished for me :)

The earth literally shook on Feb 27 when Chile experienced a 8.8 magnitude earthquake. Mommy and daddy held hands through the shaking and they prayed together for me, for them and for all of Chile. We knew there would be heavy damage, but only god could know how much there would be.

In March the repair began. Repair to the homes and buildings, but also repair for the families who had lost everything to the quake and tsunami that took away memories, spirit and lives. Mommy began to gather donations from family and friends and was able to donate money, goods, and hope to families in the areas hit hardest. She had never been prouder of herself or her friends when she added up the final tally and had raised $3,650!  

March was also a month of great happiness culminating on the night when uncle Daniel and Aunt Lorena were married.The wedding ceremony was beautiful. Daddy and mommy both read during the ceremony and later, mommy kicked off her shoes and daddy twirled her all over the dance floor. While everyone celebrated into the wee hours of the night, aunt Veronica and Uncle Guillo were celebrating themselves! On the 4th floor of clinica Alemana my cousins Catalina and Maite were coming into the world. We were all anxious to meet the twins, but we knew they had a hard struggle ahead of them. they were premature by 2 months and were teeny tiny.

The hardest month of the year was by far April. Great Grandpa, or as daddy called him "tata", had been sick for quite some time. We all knew that his time was short and everyone prayed for him and for peace for his weary body and soul. On the way to see a movie daddy got the call that tata had passed and mommy and daddy immediately went to him. He was peaceful and with Yeya, but we still knew that the coming month would be hard without him. He had been an icon, a positive roll model, a husband, and a friend to so many. He is sorely missed.

In May the twins finally were allowed to go home! they had had quite a difficult time in the hospital, but had finally gained enough weight and strength to meet the family who had been waiting so patiently to meet them. Tiny and adorable was the only way mom could describe them. Daddy had been chosen to be Catalina godfather, so he was particularily excited. I think when he held Cata in his arms he not only fell in love with her, but he also fell in love with the idea of being my daddy!

June was a month of hard work. Mommy and daddy were both working very, very hard. Daddy went to his regular job everyday, but then after work came home and studied for hours and hours for the GMAT exam to study in the states. Mommy also was working hard too. She was teaching and trying to save as much money as she could. All that working meant mommy and daddy had less time together which was sometimes very stressful ... but in the end (we'll get to that soon) all the hard work was worth it! Also, across the world in South Africa, men from all over the world were going head to head in the 2010 soccer World Cup. Mommy and daddy loved to turn on the tube and cheer on Chile and the US! In the end, neither team made it to the final, but both teams played well, and mommy and daddy were especially proud of their hard work and the way they represented their countries.

In July mommy headed for the United States. It was a trip she had been anticipating for a long time and when she finally got on the plane she was overcome with happiness. She couldn't wait to see her family! We spent 3 weeks there and I got lots of love (via belly rubs) from all of the family. Grammy threw a baby shower for us at Great Grandpa fish's house and mom felt energized and very loved! All of the family came, but also two of mommy's friends. I could hear how excited everyone was getting for my arrival. It was a day to remember for everyone there ...even little me!

In August we all slowed down and played catch up. Mommy was getting more and more tired as I grew bigger and bigger. Mommy's aches and pains started getting worse as I wedged my feet up in her ribcage. The countdown really began and everynight mommy propped herself up on the sleep pillows and said ... "one day less." I was also getting antsy and I wiggled and squirmed trying to get comfortable in my decreasing space. And speaking of small spaces, 33 Chilean miners were also struggling in a small space. On August 5th a Chilean mine collapsed trapping the men undergroud. It seemed like an impossible rescue mission, but attempts began immediately and we all crossed our fingers and prayed that a miracle would happen.

200 years old, WOW! No, not anyone you would know ... CHILE! In September we celebrated two birthdays. Obviously, daddy had his big 31 on the 16th but the biggest party of all wasn't his, it was Chile's! The governement went all out with fireworks, light shows, parades ... Mommy and daddy celebrated in the city park with delicious food and drink. The music played so loud and the people had so much "buena onda" that even I could feel the country's energy.

Miracles. Miracles. On October 14th the final rescue was made of the trapped Chilean miners. Yup, that's right, they had been undergroud all that time! It was really a miracle and the people of Chile all experienced a rebirth as they watched the rescue of their comrades. All around the world people celebrated and it was a proud day for us all. Days later the family celebrated another kind of "birth." YES, ME! I finally popped out on October 27th at 8:20 in the evening. On that day I became their little miracle, and at the same time they became mine!

The highlight of Novemeber was definitely my introduction to the world. I met so many people I can hardly remember them all. I do definitely remember grammy. She came and took care of me, mommy and daddy for 3 weeks and I knew right away that she was ubber wonderful! She had a soft touch with me and with mommy and I had some of the best days of my life with her!

Thw whirl of December whooosh .... how the time has flown. Time with my grandparents and my Atria family ... Christmas and now the end of 2010. I sure can't wait to see what the new year will bring is all. I feel confident there will be plenty of surprises ... ups and downs, but I say, in my tiniest little coos ... BRING IT ON!!!