"Retirement Party"

Our Bible study threw a "retirement" party for me and another pregnant gal in our study who have the blessed privilege to leave the working world to stay home with our babies for their first year. And while we know we're leaving "9 to 5" for "24/7," it was still a blessing to celebrate this wonderful opportunity. While it was a bit more like a party at an old folks home (meat loaf, BINGO, wheel chair races and Jell-o for dessert) I had a blast at this little get together. Thank you to the thoughtful friends who put it all together! Here's a little photo montage of the party highlights:

BIRTHDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Last week I was blessed to celebrate 27 years! Here's a sample of the festivities...

*Nick took me out for a very tasty dinner at a favorite little Greek restaurant. The food was outstanding and the wait staff very entertaining. Here's a little clip of my birthday serenade (in case you can't place the song it's from the musical "My Fair Lady"):

*As a teacher I got to celebrate by watching my talented students perform in their spring concert. As one student told me, "Mrs. Jones, we gotta rock it 'cuz it's your birfday!"

*Of course, a teacher's birthday wouldn't be complete with out the requisit gifts of a used bottle of perfume, a heart shaped rock and a card signed by the class with messages such as, "your my hero" and "tack care of the baby" (spelling errors intentionally left in :)

*Nick got me the prettiest bird feeder and made me a clever bird bath that sits outside my living room picture window. It is so much fun to watch the silly birds splash and play.

*I got to go on a maternity clothes "shopping spree" (thanks mom and dad!)

*Cake!

Now I look forward to the big changes ahead for my next year! Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!

Family Time

first and most importantly...

IT'S A GIRL!!

Our second trimester ultra sound was incredible. The face, the fingers, the little legs... We couldn't get enough of seeing our little baby moving around. God's creation is amazing! It was at this ultra sound that we found out we are having a girl! We are so excited and can't wait to meet her.

We went to Lodi that weekend to celebrate four April birthdays (Kevin, Marissa, mom and dad) and announce the big news.

Birthday cake and pink plates

19 weeks

Daddy is excited to have a little girl!

Last weekend was another busy one. We loaded up the mini van (YES, we are the proud owners of a sweet 2005 Honda Odyssey) and went to Santa Rosa to enjoy a weekend with Nick's parents, brother and sister-in-law. We had a great time enjoying beautiful Sonoma County, taking it all in with pleasant walks, tasty meals and wine tasting (for most of us anyway.)

Family photo...in front of the outhouse :)

A family of 3!
20 weeks and growing! Half way!