New York Visitors

Last weekend, we got to see Ethan's Grandma, Aunt, and Uncle from New York.  They were here in California visiting some of their family.  It was so great to see them.  The last time we saw them was more than 2 years ago.  We visited them in New York the Thanksgiving we got engaged and the following Thanksgiving after we got married.  Anyway, here are some pictures.

Grandma with her California Grandkids

Ethan, Uncle Marc, Aunt Patty, Jared, and the 2 Lisa's sitting next to Grandma.

 

Ultrasound Pictures

Here are some ultrasound pictures of our little girl.  I am now 23 weeks along. 

I feel great (we'll see if I'm still saying that after next Thursday when I start teaching again!).  This summer has been such a wonderful summer.  I'm so thankful for the extra rest I was able to get, the wonderful times with Ethan as we traveled, and being able to spend time with friends.  This summer sure has flown by.

This was our first glimpse of our baby at 8 weeks.  She was so tiny!  On the far right is her head, in the middle are her hands, and on the left are her legs.  It was so amazing to hear her heartbeat for the first time and see her tiny body. 

The verses in Psalm 139 take on much more meaning to me now as I see God knitting together this precious baby inside of me:

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!

A side view of our baby's face

These are her feet.  I love this picture because during the whole ultrasound, she had her legs/feet crossed.  The ultrasound technician was having a hard time seeing for sure if it was a boy or girl because she didn't want to open her legs (I guess she was just being a lady.).

Finally, our ultrasound technician saw what she was looking for - the "three lines" that mean it is a girl.  :)  We were very excited!

Lately, I have been feeling her kick a lot more.  Before it was just little butterflies.  Now, I can feel it more strongly.  Even as I type, I'm feeling her kick.  It is so cool!  The other night, Ethan got to feel her kicking for the first time.  It was so fun to see the excitement on his face.  What a wonderful gift God has given us!

Hanging out with Friends

Today I got to hang out with two dear friends, Angie and Johanna.  We met at the mall and then walked around.  It is always such a blessing to spend time with them as they are such dear friends.  We were close in college and have stayed close ever since.  I'm excited to soon be joining the club of being a mommy.  :)  4 more months to go!

Angie with her two girls: Katie & Lauren.  Johanna with Nehemiah & Naomi

Naomi - I had to take a picture of her since you couldn't see her in the first picture.  So cute!

At one point we decided to eat a snack.  I was craving a Cinnabon...

A Nice Visit With My Sister

Last week, I was able to fly out to Arizona to visit my sister, Laura.  I was there from Wednesday - Monday.  It was sooooo great to spend time with my sister.  I hadn't seen her for 2 years.  Some of the highlights of my trip were:

- Eating breakfast & drinking iced coffee with Laura and talking for awhile each morning.
- Going out to Thai food with Laura.  (Thank you Jason for watching the boys so we could go out!)
- Watching a chick flick with Laura one night.
- Playing "Phase 10" and "Dutch Blitz" with Laura and Micah (their oldest).
- Getting hugs from Jacob (their youngest).
- Singing in church next to Laura and hearing her beautiful voice harmonizing with mine.
- Playing fetch with their cat, Starbuck!  I really fell in love with this cat and wanted to bring him home with me!
- Talking, talking, and talking with Laura...  I really felt like we had some good times and I really miss her.

Sisters

The fam:  Jason, Laura, Jacob, and Micah

This is a video of Starbuck playing fetch.  He was so cute about it because anytime he wanted to play fetch, he would drop a hairband or some kind of toy in my lap.  I had never heard of cats playing fetch before, so I had so much fun with him!  

Here's another video of Starbuck fetching.  What I think is cute about this video is that when Starbuck is on the ground, you can only see the tip of his tail and it reminds me of a shark...  :)