Nate and Christiana

I can’t believe that it’s been 5 months already! We’re half-way there! (For those who may not know, pregnancy is usually more of a 10-month (40 weeks), rather than 9-month process.) At this point, I’m definitely starting to feel a little better. I’m still nauseous, sometimes throughout the day, but I haven’t thrown up in almost two weeks! Woo hoo! My energy has increased too, which is such a blessing, since we’re currently packing up the apartment for our move to Nor Cal. Another fun change is knowing that Baby’s a girl! We no longer have to say “he/she” or “it” and we can narrow down those baby names…Helga, Gertrude, or Sarah’s suggestion, a combination of our two names, “Natiana”!

5 months

3 months (for comparison)

My last visit to my So Cal Ob-gyn. – Dr. Kim Reyes (in the purple) and Staff. They were wonderful, especially as this is my first pregnancy. Being Catholic, we shared similar values, which was also a blessing.

As the countdown to “Departure Nor Cal” begins, it has been a blessing to spend time with friends before leaving. We met Larry and Becca at a wonderful pizza place (Pizzeria Numero Uno) in Encino. Larry is a fellow seminarian and Becca was in my Seminary Wives group. They are also pregnant, though she is 10 weeks ahead of me. Becca has been an invaluable friend and mentor, both as a godly Christian woman, and as a pregnant forerunner. Because of her transparent, genuine testimony given at the first Sem Wives, I was motivated to attend the weekly meeting. A wonderful couple — we only wish that we could have spent more time with them! I guess there’s always the internet?! It’s a little difficult for me to realize that very soon, most of my interactions with family and friends will occur via the world wide web. Well, praise God for technology! It could be a lot worse!

On May 14th, my dear cousin (and precious friend!) received a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Western University of Health Sciences. The commencement exercises were held at the lovely Pasadena Civic Auditorium. We were privileged to attend this exciting event! After the graduation, my uncle and aunt treated us to a delicious celebratory lunch at the Yard House. We also celebrated the graduation of Eric, Jenn’s husband, who was in absentia from his own festivities to support his wife. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from my own Alma Mater, San Jose State University. These two have worked incredibly hard to obtain these degrees and we’re so proud of them! Woo hoo!

Nate, Jenn and I. It’s been great to have her here in So Cal. She’s just moved back to the Bay Area too…perfect timing!

Eric and Jenn

The Physician Assistant (PA). It’s great to have a medical person in the family!

The two graduates!