Newborn Pictures
Our sweet friend Janet took these newborn pictures of Derek. We couldn't be more in love with our little guy. Once we get into more of a regular routine we will post the story of his birth.

Derek turns 1 week old!!!

Maternity Photos - 39 weeks

Belly Shot Progression

It is fun to look back over the last 38 weeks and see how my belly has changed. It took me about 9 months until I really looked pregnant.

Top Row: week 6, 10, 13, 18, 20

Bottom Row: week 22, 26, 29, 33, 38

It is hard to believe that I am 38 weeks pregnant. I am enjoying maternity leave and have been walking, resting, catching up on different projects around the house, reading, and cleaning. I am grateful that the transition from teaching full time to waiting for the little guy to arrive has gone so smoothly. Its something I've been praying about for a long time now. After I turned in my computer and key, I did not have any access to anything for school (i.e no emails) and that has made things so much easier.

So. we are just waiting now for Baby Bu. I am grateful that I am still feeling so good. God has been gracious this entire pregnancy and I've been blessed with great health. (I did not miss 1 day this entire school year either.) I am still enjoying my daily 3 and 4 mile walks and don't have any complaints. We'll see how things go this next week as I near his official due date. It is just fun to reflect back on this year. It has gone so fast and we been preparing for so long and the time is now getting so close! Praying that we can surrender it all to God!

Baby Shower
My sweet friends from PCC threw me a baby shower. The shower was so much fun and I felt so loved!! Friends from church, coworkers from my school, and Matt's mom and sister attended the shower.

Here I am with the hostesses - Janet, Kristin, and Heather.

Here are the invitations that Janet. I loved the colors of brown and blue!

There were many YUMMY GF desserts - flourless chocolate cake, meringues, lemon curd min cheese cakes, and fresh fruit with whip cream.

Here is the cute sign that Heather made, the game board for the baby memory game we played, and name tags that matched the invitations.

After the baby memory game I opened gifts. In order to open a gift, I had to answer a question relating to the pregnancy. Prior to the baby shower, Kristin had asked Matt the same questions and written down his answers. After I gave my answer she read his. It was so fun to hear Matt's answer. Kristin had typed Matt's answers word for word and his personality came through the answers. For most of the questions Matt and I answered the same. I felt so loved hearing Matt's answers.

Here are the favors for the shower.

Changing of Careers!

It is hard to believe that I am in my final week of teaching, 5 days to go until maternity leave! I have had the privilege of teaching third graders for the past 8 years! God's hand has been on me and He has blessed my career each step of the way. Over the past eight years He has led me to teach in 3 different schools, located in 3 parts of the country (Abundant Life Christian School - Wilmington, MA, Brentwood School - Gainesville, FL, and Trinity School - Menlo Park, CA). Each school that I've taught at has prepared me for the next step of my professional career. It is amazing to reflect back at how God faithful God has been to both Matt and I. God knew what school was best for me even if the situation seemed challenging and uncomfortable at the time. I am grateful for the many people who have helped to shape my professional career as well as the many families that I've been able to get to know and share in the molding of their children.

I believe that God has great plans for that this next stage of my life, although it feels very uncertain to me at the time. I am trusting in His faithfulness and sovereignty just as I have in the past. I know that all my years of teaching have only prepared me to be a mother and I am looking forward to this new career change!

Abundant Life ( 2002 - 2005)

Brentwood School (2005 - 2008)

Trinity School (2008 - 2010)

Week 34
Here is a quick shot of my ever growing belly. I am definitely looking pregnant these days and it is really fun. This past weekend when Matt and I were at the grocery store, the girl at the register congratulated me on being pregnant even while I was wearing a hooded sweatshirt. This is big progress! My students love to point out to me that my belly button is sticking out. They also love to give me advice about the little guy. It is really cute! Time keeps moving so fast. I have less than 3 weeks until I go on maternity leave. I am really excited to have (hopefully) a couple of weeks before Baby Bu arrives.

Trinity School Baby Shower
This afternoon my coworkers at Trinity threw a surprise baby shower for me. It was so sweet. They showered me with wonderful new books to add to our ever growing library. As an educator, this is an amazing gift. I cannot wait to read these books to our son! I am so blessed to be loved by so many wonderful people. Thank you fellow Trinity coworkers so much!!


Ellen and I actually were both celebrated at the shower. Ellen and I work together at Trinity. She is due 2 weeks after me and is also having a boy. It has been so fun to have someone else to go through the pregnancy with.
At Trinity there is a tradition that Mary, the head of school, makes a baby blanket for each expecting mom. Here is me opening her present and then a close up of the blanket. The colors match our bedding! Thank you Mary for your thoughtfulness.

32 Weeks and visit from Mom
My mom came out to visit for my spring break, while Matt was at a conference in Seattle. The weather was perfect for her visit. We ate lunch outside everyday, ran errands, went for long walks, watched several chick flick movies, cooked, got the nursery ready and relaxed.

32 week belly shot
We made Katie's recipe for GF lemon pound cake and it turned out delicious.

Mom and I went and got pedicures.