Last Day at Preschool

Today was my last day working with my preschoolers. I can't believe it came so fast! It seems like I just started. I will truly miss working at that school and with everyone there. It was a great experience and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Today was a 'typical' day in class. We read a story, did 'centers' with paint, some with cutting and gluing, and the kids favorites: blocks and home living. Then we had a special snack time for my goodbye - cookies and capri suns :) Each kid gave me a handmade card that they were all so proud of. I even got some amazing gifts from the staff, my teacher, and some of the students. I was overwhelmed with how loving and generous everyone was. Again, I am so thankful for everyone there and my experience.

At the end of the day when it was time to say goodbye, each kid came up to me and hugged me goodbye. That is when the tears started coming. Some of the girls hugged me so tight and would say, 'I love you Mrs. Luster'. I tried to hold it in until I got into the car and then I cried the whole way home. I miss all those little sweet peas!

Favorite Pregnancy Products #2

As I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy (Eek!) I've discovered a few more 'favorites' to add to the list. It's crazy to think that by the next time I'm pregnant there may be a whole new slew of fun pregnancy products out there!

Maternity Jeans - A MUST HAVE!

It was much easier for me to wear normal tops through out my pregnancy but as far as pants goes, I was more uncomfortable in normal pants much sooner. The belly bands do help get you by for the time being, but then you still have the button's and zipper to deal with. I didn't like having anything press up against me like that. Luckily for me, mom came to the rescue! Regular maternity jeans worked but they don't make then quite long enough. I am a proud owner of 7 For All Man Kind Maternity jeans. They are long enough - which is soo great. I will treasure those jeans for many more pregnancies!

Mama Mio

I was running out of my previous belly oil and wanted something that dried a little quicker then oil does. I heard a lot about the brand Mama Mio through Destination Maternity. So when I went into their store one day I decided I would try their Tummy Rub. And I am SO glad I did because I love it! It absorbs quickly so I don't have to worry about it sticking to my clothes. It's won a ton of awards and even some 'famous' people use it - ha!

H&M Mama

I have loved wearing H&M clothes while being pregnant. Their style is perfect for pregnant girls because they have several long and flow-ly type tops. They also have a line called H&M Mama. I have a couple tops from there and they are comfortable and stylish. I also looove their children's clothes. I've bought a few things from there on their sale rack for $1 or $3!! You can't beat that!

Belly Bars

Again, while at Destination Maternity one day with my mom I need a little something to fill my tummy. They had these Belly Bars that I decide to try. They are yummy and they even have great stuff for the baby. It's a win win!

Belly Laughs

My friend Emily gave me this book to read called Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy. It's a light read about all the ups and downs of pregnancy through the eyes of Jenny as she experienced it for the first time. Some parts are soo funny and true as other parts may be a little crude. But - that's Jenny for you! It's worth flipping through for a good laugh or two :)

Belly Photos #2

Here are some belly photos of my last months of being pregnant! I would say it's gone by fast....but I think it's gone by just fast enough :)

32 Weeks

34 weeks

35 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks

38 weeks

3 Years Ago This month. . .

. . .our lives were about to change forever.

Reflections of Motherhood

With less then a month to my due date I find myself reflecting on the life I have now and the new life I will soon have and how very different the two are. I'm trying to enjoy the small things in life that I may or may not have for awhile. . .for instance:

quiet moments in bed in the morning reading until I feel like getting up

waking up on my own time

taking a shower when I want to. . .and for a good 20 minutes or so

a quick run to the grocery store

having a free day to do whatever I want

last minute decisions with Levi where we can pick up and leave

planning ahead

leaving the house quickly and getting out of the car quickly

As I prepare to enter into a new chapter in my life, I am so thrilled to begin the journey of being a mom, I can hardly wait. But I also find myself reflecting on my life now and how quickly it's about to change. I wonder if I savored every moment of the life I have now - before kids? Am I truly ready to enter into a new stage of my life - as a mom? Will Levi and I be the parents we want and hope to be?

This video that my cousin sent me awhile back is called Reflections of Motherhood. It's a great little video that reminds me and reassures me that everything is going to be ok. All my worries and concerns are normal, and as I like to think of it. . .it's the first thing to being a mom.

Enjoy

Belly Photos

As I'm growing bigger these days I thought I would post some pregnancy belly photos from the last 7 months. When I look back of the photos I took in the very beginning, I laugh because I was SO excited that even the slightest difference in my stomach, was showing. I know my body better then anyone else so it was much easier for me to see (and feel!) the changes so early on. But I realized in photos you can't really tell as much. Regardless, it was meaningful to me and will be special to look back on my scrapbook of all the photo's I have taken so far. And it's kind of neat to see the life inside me taking shape!

August 16th - 11 weeks

August 24 - 12 weeks

August 27th - 12 1/2 weeks

September 6th - 14 weeks

September 27 - 17 weeks

October 4th - 18 weeks

October 15 - 19 1/2 weeks

October 20 - 20 weeks

October 28 - 21 weeks

November 17 - 24 weeks

November 22 - 25 weeks

November 26th - 25 1/2 weeks

December 18th - 27 weeks

December 13th - 28 weeks

December 20th - 29 weeks

December 28th - 30 weeks

January 3rd - 31 Weeks

He's poking straight out! :) I can't believe I only have 8 more weeks - but to think of how much bigger I will get - yikes! I'll keep you posted! ;)

Christmas with Preschoolers

December was a very busy month for Levi and I. On top of being pregnant, traveling to California and the normal Christmas craziness like parties and plays and Christmas shopping, we had to move! Oh the joys of packing and unpacking around the holidays :)

At school, Christmas was a fun theme to celebrate the month of December. The kids were extra hyper and excited the whole month...some how it happens right before they go on break. Nonetheless they were very fun to be around. Their faces lit up at the mention of. . .SANTA! They would all get so giddy and their eyes would get big at the thought of Santa coming to their town. We practiced Christmas songs every day of school to get ready for the Christmas concert. Most of the songs had hand motions to them so it was fun watching them practice them in class. I eventually started singing the songs at home (they get stuck in your head so easily!) and soon enough I heard Levi singing them. He wasn't quite as thrilled about it as I was, haha.

One of my responsibilities during the day is to do 'snack'. Usually it is done while they are at 'centers', so I get about 4-5 kids at one time. Well during snack time one day I started asking them what they asked Santa for, for Christmas. I quickly realized that I should be writing this down. So for your enjoyment, here is what the average 4 year old wants for Christmas:

"A real horse and a toy duck" - Andy

"Barbies" - Leslie

"A little computer and a toy vacuum" - Maddie

"A big foot monster truck" - Ryan and Brayden

"It's a secret" - Olivia

"A princess bike" - Madison

"A real Micky Mouse house" - Chandler

"I don't know..." - Alex

Christmas concert with all the 2-4 year olds

Our last day before break. They got to wear their pj's and have hot chocolate while watching Polar Express. Then the parents came and had a few activities for them to do as well.

One of the many crafts we did - their hand print turned into a Christmas tree!