2.5 weeks to go

Just a couple recent pictures for those who want to see Caleb growing!

A non-posed, normal life picture at a friends house.

I was planning on working as long as I could up to his due date, but now that he's bigger it's pretty tough to get up and down with toddlers and little kids all day long. It was SUPER hard for me to make the final decision to go on maternity leave, since I'm so used to working full time and I have the belief that I'm being lazy if I'm not helping with the finances. I've grown up with a strong work ethic, but I'm learning that sometimes it's a little extreme. Matt was helpful in reminding me that I'm PREGNANT!!! which means that a living being is growing inside of me! It kind of gave perspective that it's okay to rest. :) Once we made the decision, I was SO glad, as the rest of the week just got more and more physically challenging. I also didn't realize how much my job was taking of me mentally and emotionally. It's nice to now be able to focus on becoming a mom and have time not only to rest but to prepare in every way- spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically...and just get the practical things taken care of as well- laundry, shopping, etc.

Only a little over 2 weeks to go...hopefully!!!

Church Friends

Here's a group picture from the church shower that a friend took.

A few friends from work gave a shower for Caleb last weekend, but i forgot to bring my camera (blame it on pregnant brain). A friend said she'll send me her pictures, but you never can tell how long that will take. So i MIGHT have pictures of that someday! :)

Only about 4 more weeks to go! It's hard to believe we'll get to finally hold and see him so soon! He's definitely growing...constantly kicking, squirming, pushing on all my organs (a bit hard to breath these days) and making life a little more challenging. I'm still working but most likely will be finished in a week or two. Now is the fun part of washing little clothes, putting sheets in the crib, and buying items still needed from the store!

If God reminds you, please be praying for endurance, encouragement, truth, wisdom and clear direction for us regarding Matt's new job. It has turned out to be a very difficult company to work for and we're at a place where some challenging decisions need to be made. Our peace comes from the fact that God knows every detail about what is going on and is just as much in control as ever. Sometimes His ways and timing are hard to understand, though. Thank you for standing with us in this.

Shower #2...from our church

Today the ladies from our church put on a shower for Caleb! This is Kara and Ashley who did the planning! :)

It was perfect! We first just spent time talking and had some salads that people brought, then opened gifts and then they prayed for me, Matt and Caleb! I'm not against games, but this was MUCH more to my liking! At the end, they handed out little blue and green candles and encouraged people to pray for us whenever they use them! i LOVE that idea! They also had everyone write notes of encouragement or wisdom for different times in the near future. Each person wrote on the front of the envelope when I am supposed to read them. Some are for now, some a week after he's born, others for when I'm tired and discouraged, etc. I LOVE encouragement, so i thought this idea was wonderful as well! I feel blessed!

Here's the cake that Beth, Matt's sister, made for us! If you can't tell from the angle, it's a baby bum with the legs, feet and toes sticking out. The dark part on the top is a blanket.
A few of the ladies before opening gifts! Once again I feel so blessed and God continues to provide for our needs!
We took a group picture but used a different camera. Hopefully I'll get a copy soon to post. I'm not taking pictures of all that we got this time....but if you're interested- of course lots of cute clothes, blankets (my favorite), books, teething toys, booster seat/high chair, breastfeeding cover, mattress pads, a Maya Wrap, wash clothes and bath items, shopping cart cover, an AMAZING photo album that one of the gals created.....etc. Feeling thankful and blessed!

34 weeks!!!

About 6 weeks til we finally get to meet our little guy!!!

Overall I've been feeling pretty good lately, as long as the air conditioning is working! :) I think I've spent more time inside this summer than any in my life! I haven't been reading as much this last month but instead Matt and I have gone to several classes offered at our hospital. Most was review for me but it was super helpful especially for Matt, who doesn't have time to do much reading since he's working two jobs at this time. I really enjoyed getting to think and talk about life with Caleb TOGETHER! I'm thankful to have a husband who has a desire to be an involved and loving dad!

First Baby Shower

Yesterday I was blessed by co-workers who put on a baby shower for Caleb. Jaimee and Julie, in the picture below, planned games and fun for parents and kids where I work. Since it's summer and lots of people are gone, many of those I've become close to aren't even around, but I still went away feeling incredibly loved and blessed by the few who came.

I usually can't take pictures of kids, but since parents were there I was given permission! So here is a glimpse into my life at work with a few of the kids I've come to love!

This is Maggie and her brother Zachary! Their parents have also become good friends!

This is Emma and her mom, Monica, who have also become very special to me over the last year

The table full of games! The kids' reaction to the "dirty diaper" game was hilarious! Even once they realized that the diapers were full of chocolate candy, their reactions were still funnier to watch than a group of women!

Can you see that Caleb is already LOVED VERY MUCH by MANY!!! It's not uncommon for me to get to work and hear kids greet me AND Caleb. The girls often run up and put their faces and hands on my belly to greet him and try to feel him move. Teachers leave and often say goodbye to us both! I love it!!
I'm absolutely stunned by the generosity of some of the parents. A few brought diapers and I'm still amazed at how much just two families bought for us!!! So here's some pictures...mostly for mom, since I think she'll be interested to see. Wish you were here to join me at these events!
My favorite gift is a set of clothes that Maggie, the little girl pictured above, picked out. Her mom said that she found it and was determined to get it for us. She even dressed up for the shower and made a personal card. I love it not for style but because of how much love came with it.
Tons of feeding supplies from just one family! I think they bought the whole section that we registered for!
And our diaper mountain!!! For several sizes! I think we're going to need a whole room to store diapers. Matt even stopped by for a while and enjoyed some baby shower games for the first time ever. :) This is after the shower...a picture from a different view! :) I think my stomach looks like a mountain!!! Couldn't resist this picture....do you think i look pregnant NOW? :)

Only 6 more weeks to go...more or less!

Random Summer Happenings

WOW, I haven't posted a picture in almost a month....better get on that since now is when i actually look pregnant. soon! :)

First, some pictures of our random summer events other than baby stuff! Sadly, no camping this year, but thankfully, some other fun visits and events to bring some extra joy!

Yum! Cherry Coke Floats with some good friends from our church! Sadly, it looks like they'll be moving across the country very soon, so we're already missing them.
Beth and Bob, Matt's sister and bro-in-law, invited us to join them for a little weekend at Tahoe back in June. We enjoyed simply relaxing, taking a drive around the lake, and here Matt and Bob are playing around with a remote control airplane.
Next, Matt's sister, Alison, who lives in England, had her first baby, Abigail Hope! We had fun meeting her over Skype on the 4th of July! She's SUPER cute and we can't wait to get to actually hold her and see Alison and Alastair this Christmas.
One of my closest friends, LaVonne, her husband, Weston, and their son (one-year-old alredy), Anders, got to stay with us for a much too short visit a couple weeks ago! SOOooo good to get to just be together and share life in person instead of over the phone!

Anders was super fun to get to know and have around! Such a fun boy!

A week ago I finally had the chance to experience one of Matt's favorite athletic teams, the Oakland As, at a game with his dad and sister!
Everyone around here is faithful to the Giants, but Matt grew up loving the As and I think will til his dying day....even though they pretty much never win anything these days! :)
And just yesterday we finally got to meet Leilah, my newest and youngest cousin!!!! Hard to believe she's already 4 months old!
Matt got to practice some soothing methods and was quite the natural as you can see here! :) She calmed right down and seemed quite content with him. I can't wait to see him with Caleb! He's gonna be an amazing dad!
It was fun to get to hear from Phill and Carolina, my aunt and uncle, how life has been for them as new parents! I've truly enjoyed getting to know both of them better since moving to California.
And yet one more highlight of the summer....we got to hang out for a few hours with some wonderful friends, Fritz and Shannon, who we know from our church in Portland! It was a huge blessing to get to catch up, share life, pray together, and leave encouraged and uplifted! We're so incredibly thankful for our family in Christ!

And tonight we just found out that this coming weekend we get to see one more person that is very special to us!!! Can't wait!!!

hmm, maybe YOU should come next! :)

couple more pictures

not sure if it's much different from last pictures i posted, but i'm pretty sure caleb is growing and making me grow! our niece, who lives in England, was just born last night. i only got to see pictures but, WOW, it makes it more real that we'll be getting to meet Caleb very soon, and makes me SO much more excited!!! i've been reading so much and thinking about taking care of him that it just feels good to stop and think about HIM!! i can't even imagine how amazing it'll be! i get all teary just looking at my niece...and she's not even our own baby! this is quite the amazing journey!