The Perfect Sunday
Today has been a fabulous Sunday. We started the day off with a 5 mile family run. Matt and I are training for a 10K at the end of June, our first family race. Then we headed to church, the early service, but its what seems to work best for Derek's nap schedule these days. On our way home, Derek fell asleep in the car, so we spontaneously decided to pick up lunch and head to a park in San Carlos. For the FIRST time in 7 years, I ordered a sandwich at Zest bakery (100% GF) and to top it off got an ice cream sandwich for dessert (made with 2 GF chocolate chip cookies). I was beyond excited!! After lunch Derek played at the park. When we got home from the park, Matt decided to wash the car and Derek and I joined in on the fun. Derek loved getting sprayed with the hose, but his favorite thing was playing with the sponge and bucket of soapy water. Sometimes the best plans are the spontaneous ones!

my amazing turkey and pesto sandwich

playing with the hose

 

checking out his shadow

Derek's 1st Birthday Invitation
Ever since Derek was born, I have had my eye on this invitation for his 1st birthday. My good friend Janet designed the invitation and sells them in Etsy shop, Four Harp Designs. (She also designed Derek's birth announcement and our Christmas card!!).  I LOVED going back through the millions of pictures I've taken over this past year and choosing one for each month of Derek's life. We are so blessed to be Derek's parents and are thrilled to celebrate his first year of life in a few weeks!

My Little Firefighter
The other morning, Derek and I were headed to Safeway for some grocery shopping, but when we stepped out of the house there was a fire engine on our street. The firemen were so friendly and loved showing Derek the truck. They let Derek climb inside and sit in the truck, ring the bell and hold their flashlight. They gave him this cute hat as well.

 

Derek was not so sure about taking a picture with the firemen.

Baylands and Duck Pond
Matt and I took Derek to the Baylands and Duck Pond this afternoon. Derek LOVED seeing the ducks swimming in the pond and sea gulls flying. The Baylands is right next to the Palo Alto airport so Derek watched many planes land and take off. He is really into planes right now and smiles whenever he sees them in the air. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the afternoon adventure.

Earning His Keep...
We have put Derek to work early on and LOVES it. We taught Derek to take his dirty diaper to his room and drop it in the diaper Genie. He gets so excited to do this job and is so proud when he is done. I finally caught him in the act!

Visit from Kylie and Ben
Kylie and I met at Circle A Ranch in Rockford, MI when we were 12 years old. We had so much in common and after our first summer camping together we became such great friends. We camped many more summers together, but lost touch until a few years ago.  Kylie and Ben came to San Francisco for a wedding and stopped by for a visit. It had been like 16 years since we'd seen each other, but it did not feel like it at all. It was SO GREAT to catch up and meet Ben.  I hope that we don't wait this long to hang out again. ( I wish I could find one of my old camp pictures, but they are all packed up. We were so funny with our matching Umbro shorts and t-shirts!! :)

 

11 Month Recap
This month can be summarized in a few words...always on the move! Derek does not sit still for very long. From the minute he is done with his morning bottle he pushes his way out of my arms and starts moving. At this point Derek takes 4 bottles a day and thankfully sleeps 7:00 pm to 6:30 am. Currently we are trying to figure out his napping as he seems to be transitioning from his normal 2 long naps. He is such a happy boy, always smiling.

 He LOVES to suck his thumb when he is tired or random other times.

Derek often takes 4 - 5 steps at a time by himself, but he prefers to hold onto 1 finger or his "Derek Mobile" and walk EVERYWHERE. When he takes the steps by himself it is usually when he is holding something with both hands. Although he is good at crawling, he definitely prefers to walk.

 Derek is learning to put the shapes in their correct holes.

We bought Derek big boy sneakers because his feet were too chubby for the Robeez. He measured at a 5 1/2 W shoe!!

Derek LOVES to hand us things. When we ask, "Derek, can I have -----?" He breaks into a smile and hands you whatever he is holding. He also LOVES to put his bath time toys in the tub. One by one he walks over to the toy, picks it up, walks back to the tub and drops it in.

To say he LOVES the refrigerator is an understatement. The minute the fridge door is opened he drops whatever he is playing with and gets there as fast as he can. Sometimes he climbs in, but for the most part he loves pulling things out and opening and closing the drawers. He is great at helping us get the food we need for dinner.

Derek LOVES to drop things in buckets and dump buckets upside down to empty them.

Unloading the dishwasher is also fun..

Derek LOVES airplanes! Derek looks up with a huge grin on his face when he hears an airplane. Often when we are sitting at the table eating lunch and he hears an airplane he looks outside through the window.

He LOVES to take a bite of something, especially if its mommy or daddy's food.

 

 Derek LOVES playing with the boxes of flashcards we have - taking them out and spreading them all over the floor.

He LOVES to empty out "his" kitchen cabinet.

Derek is a TON of fun and is learning so much every day. Its amazing how fast he picks up things. We are excited to celebrate his first birthday next month!

Perspective
Recently I have been really sick with step throat. I've had my share of sore throats before, being a teacher, but this time it was so incredibly painful that I had trouble sleeping. When I finally went in to Urgent Care they took one look at me and prescribed an antibiotic. So for 3 days I did not get out of my sweats and did not say much of anything. It felt weird to spend all day with Derek and not say anything to him. I began to think about the importance of my voice and communicating to other people. I also began to long for things that before I took for granted. For example, before I had strep I would dream about dropping off Derek at a gym childcare and working out by myself. (Stanford's gym does not provide childcare.) But while being sick, I just longed to feel good enough to go to the park with Derek or on a walk. I realized how good I do have things and that I can work out and take Derek along with me on my runs. I just need to be more disciplined and do it!
Perspective...its funny how the challenges in life are the things that really allow you to see how truly blessed you are. Thanks God for bringing them into my life.

A Visit from Heather and Collin 
Mother's Day weekend Heather, Collin and Laila  came to explore San Francisco and drove out to see us. It was so great to catch up with such good friends.

Derek practiced his walking, going back and forth from Collin to Matt.

Laila and Derek had fun playing together. I love this series of photos and their expressions.

 

We went to lunch at LuLu's and then went to Stanford's campus.

 

It was so nice to get together with Heather and Collin since the last time we saw each other was in Gainesville for the Florida vs. Florida State football game! Our lives have changed drastically since then. We loved having our kiddos meet each other. Thanks for coming to visit!

Trinity Ladies

Here is a good chunk of the Trinity team circa 200 - 2010 plus Bryce, Mariana and Derek. Throughout the year we have gotten together several times to catch up with what is going on in each others life. I LOVED teaching with these ladies (Ellen, Vanessa and Ana). Thanks for inspiring and encouraging me to be the teacher I am today! I will always look back on my years at Trinity with fond memories.

Pool Playdate
My good friend Ellen and I took Derek and Bryce to the pool. It was so fun to get the boys in the water on a hot California afternoon.

 Afterwards the boys had a blast playing with the race car toy.

And what playdate does not involve some sort of lesson in sharing.

"Mommy, what are these?!!"

 

My First Mother's Day!
I feel completely blessed to be a mom to Derek! I am so thankful to be able to parent with Matt too. Matt and Derek made my first Mother's Day very memorable. I slept in and woke up to Derek bringing me a card (and a massage at the resort when we go on vacation to AZ in a few weeks).  Then I enjoyed a cappuccino and breakfast made by Matt and then headed off to the gym. Later on we went out to lunch and took Derek to the park. I felt very loved and appreciated!

 Here is the rock that Derek picked out for me, while playing outside with Matt.

 We enjoyed lunch and milkshakes at the Counter. At lunch Matt gave me a sweet card with AMAZING words (and a surprise shopping spree).