07.31.08
Bradley Class #1
As I talked about here we were having a hard time deciding if we should use the Bradley Method or Lamaze for the birth of Little Pip. I have a friend who recommended Bradley, did some reading on it but was still a little chicken. But after all your encouragement we decided to go ahead.
And I’m so glad we made that decision! We had our first class on Tuesday this week and not only was it fun but it wasn’t as weird as I thought it would be.
This first class we basically did an overview of Bradley and then talked about exercises we need to be doing to strengthen our back and leg muscles. Ouch! I am so out of shape! But I’m real excited because one exercise in particular is especially designed to strengthen the back and I have such a bad back. I’m going to ask her next week if there’s anything else I can do to make it stronger because I’m getting to the point that I need to take Tylenol every single night and I really don’t want to have to do that.
We also played a fun game to get to know the rest of the couples in the group. There are 7 of us and it was good to get to know some other couples. One couple in particular goes to our church and although we’ve said hi and such never really had a chance to get to know them. I was excited to visit with them more.
I have to keep track of everything I eat each week. They really emphasize protein – 80-100 grams a day. And then there’s a prize each week for everyone that turns in their sheet. It’s also very helpful in holding me accountable to not eat Pizza Rolls and ice cream for supper – at least not every night. 
One of the main components of the Bradley Method is to empower the husband to coach and encourage his wife through the labor – basically to become a doula. Hubby did a great job at class but now this week he hasn’t been very good so far about reminding me to do my exercises so hopefully that improves. I need all the encouragement I can get!
I’ve already have a few people question my sanity about using Bradley and hoping to not have any drugs during labor. It feels sometimes like the whole world is against you so it was so helpful to have so many encourage us to try Bradley. I don’t know what our labor will bring but we want to do what we can to try to not use drugs during the birth. But I also know I’m not super-human and so I’m just going to pray pray pray for wisdom and strength to know what to do when we get there. I think it’s always a good thing though to take control of the decisions that are being made to your body and your baby and so I’m thankful that Bradley will help us do that. But we also love and trust our doctor, who is a follower of Jesus just like us, so that does make a huge difference to us.
Well that’s enough about our first class. It’s getting late and I still need to do my exercises! Ug, it’s going to be a long 20 weeks til Little Pip comes!
07.30.08
9 months old
Belle was 9 months old on July 24th. Sniff, sniff. She’s growing up so fast.
We’re still waiting to complete her adoption finalization. Our lawyer called yesterday and they are ready for us to sign papers so we’ll go in tomorrow to do that and then I’m not sure how long after that our court hearing is. We can’t wait!
Here are a few things we’ve been experiencing with Belle lately.
- She got her first two teeth. She wasn’t even that crabby really so we’re thankful for that!
- As you already know she started crawling. She’s getting really good now but still doing a three-legged thing. But she’s getting into everything and anything – it’s so fun. Ya, I know that fun will last about another 3 minutes.
- She’s saying “da da” and knowing that’s daddy. When I say to her “Where’s Daddy?” she’ll look around and around til she finds him and then gives him this big smile. It’s so precious! She also saying other gibberish words but nothing that really means anything. She’ll say “ma ma” but doesn’t know it’s me yet. 
- Food is her best friend. Enough said.
- She’s the goofiest, silliest, funniest, most beautiful, most precious little girl ever. Really, EVER. Here, have yourself a look. Word of warning, this video is really long. Get yourself a soda, a snack and get comfortable. I could watch her all day so it wasn’t too long for me but she wasn’t being as silly as she usually is. Hopefully next time I can catch her in the act!
In celebration…
Hubby decided that since there’s soon to be a new “wii wii” in the house he should purchase a Wii.
Oh come on, that was funny!
07.28.08
Introducing…
Little BOY Pip!
Yes we’re having a boy! And no there won’t be a guessing contest like I originally said. I just couldn’t wait to tell you all our news! Isn’t he the cutest thing ever?
The ultrasound went great. The technician said everything looks good from her eyes but a specialist will read it of course and then my next OB appointment is next week.
I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it was to see him on that screen. This pregnancy hasn’t really seemed real to me and almost everyday I ask God, “why”. Not “why” because I don’t want this pregnancy but “why” because I feel so unworthy. He has blessed us so much. Healed our marriage, brought Princess and Hubby to Himself, blessed us with Belle, and now this. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with the feelings of both unworthiness and gratefulness. It’s hard to explain.
Ok, I’m already too emotional so enough of that. Now the hard part begins in trying to find a name. We’ll probably go with a biblical name but that’s not set in stone. The one thing we do know is his middle name will be Richard, after Hubby’s dad who died when Hubby was little. So help us out here. What are some of your favorite boy names?
Here are a few more pictures.
This one he has his hand on his head. He appears to be saying, “oh brother my parents are weird!” or something like that.
His foot and hand. Very nice.
And again his hands. The first one they are up by his face, he appears to be praying. Probably praying that mommy would eat something other than Pizza Rolls and ice cream for supper!
We appreciate your continued prayers for Little Pip and the rest of this pregnancy!
07.26.08
The view outside our house a few weeks ago…
Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him. Psalm 68:4
07.24.08
20 weeks – Half way there!
Time flies when you’re having fun. And it even flies when you’re not necessarily having fun but instead having headaches and backaches and nausea. I can’t believe I’m half way, maybe even more than half way through this pregnancy. I still can’t believe I’m pregnant some days but that’s a whole nother story.
We have our ultrasound on Monday and I was going to wait and post after that but thought I’d share another set of pictures for you. Plus we have something special planned for Monday so that needs to be a post all by itself!
Let’s see, where to start. I’m feeling ok. Like I’ve said before every day is different. Some days I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck…nauseous, vomiting, headache, backache, very tired. Other days I feel great. One thing that is consistent is the backaches. I’ve always had a bad back, I had surgery when I was in high school and it’s always been pretty troublesome. The last few weeks it’s really bothered me, some days the pain is so intense I can hardly take a step. I know I probably need to exercise more and I’m really trying to walk every day. I basically have a desk job so I’m also trying to get up off my butt every hour or so and do a lap around the office. I’m also not sleeping very well at all and that just makes everything feel worse.
Last time I checked a few days ago I had gained about 15 pounds total but we’ll see what the doctor says at our next visit. It still doesn’t seem like I have a huge appetite that I always thought pregnant women did. I find just the opposite that I get full so much faster. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to have a healthy snack every few hours.
The coolest thing that has happened the past two weeks is I can feel Little Pip moving around now. I had thought I felt him around week 17 but now I know that wasn’t it because when I felt him the first time it was just like it was described to me…butterflies or bubbles. And now he is moving all the time. Pretty much every time I sit still he’s kicking away. And sometimes it’s really hard I can’t believe it. He’s a little stinker though, every time I feel him kicking and me or Hubby put our hand on my tummy he stops. I don’t know that Hubby could even feel him this early but he’s trying and Little Pip isn’t being very cooperative!
By the way, I say “he” in all hopefulness. We don’t know if Little Pip is a boy or girl. But we will find out on Monday! Lord willing anyway. We decided we want to find out and I can’t wait. But I’m also a little anxious because I know this is when we’ll find out that everything is going ok. I have no reason to let myself worry but I can’t help be a little worrisome. The last year just seems to be so surreal, so perfect, I just keep waiting for something bad to happen. That sounds pretty horrible I know and I’m really trying to trust God and be thankful and just soak up all this blessing He’s given and not worry about what tomorrow will bring.
Here’s some pictures for you. This is me now, at week 20.
And this is a comparison of week 10, week 16 and week 20. I do believe I’m going to be one big mama by the time I get to week 40! I’ll blame it on the clothes I’m wearing, they are pretty loose and sorry to say black isn’t slimming on pregnant ladies!
Prayer request
Hey all. Our family would appreciate your prayers for my brother Jim and his girlfriend Leana. Leana is from South Africa and came over to the states last year to work for a year. That’s when she met Jim and they fell in love. Ahhhhh.
She went home and then the new immigration laws kicked in and now she can’t get back over. She waited a year like was told to and during that time has been working in London all by her lonesome. Well they just got word that all the spots are filled, even though she completed the paperwork what seems like a long time ago. Well, I shouldn’t say all the spots are filled. She can get back if she goes to work for a meat packing plant working the night shift in a town 2 hours from my brother. But Jim’s just not comfortable with that.
So we just got word today that the place where Jim works (where Leana worked before) is willing to spent a little more money, well alot more money, to bring her back over on a business partnership or something like that. I don’t know the details other than they will find out in 2 weeks if she can come home. I say “home” because that’s really where her heart is, with Jim and our family here in the states.
Please pray that she would be accepted through this new program and get to come back. And hopefully before our baby is born too. That would be an awesome “welcome home” present! And also pray that they would trust God through this whole journey. Here’s Jim and Leana when Jim went to visit her in London a few weeks ago. Aren’t they just the cutest!
07.23.08
Home school debate
This is from the August issue of Parenting magazine:
Is home schooling good for kids?
Yes = 38%
No = 62%
I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but this was frustrating for me. Especially the comments, because obviously people don’t understanding what homeschooling is even about.
Now I’m not an expert because I don’t home school (yet – we’re praying about what God wants us to do in the future). But I have very close friends that home school and Princess has many close friends that were home schooled or are being home schooled.
One person commented: Kids must be exposed to other children so they can develop social skills they need. And kids have to get a break from the house!
Um ya. So not sure what type of homeschooling is done where that person is from but around here the home schooled kids have just as good, if not better social skills and have the same, if not more interaction with other kids.
To say whether or not you agree with home schooling or whether or not you would home school your kids is one thing. But to say it’s not good for kids when obviously all the facts aren’t known seems a little extreme.
What do you think?
07.22.08
What it means to me
I know this isn’t a new song but it was just recently that I heard it. There are times in my life today when I feel a chaos in my soul. And it’s often when I’m not trusting my Lord. But like this song says, there are times when God is doing a mighty work in my life and He does it through things that seem chaotic. And so when I first heard this song it took me back. Back to a time that I never want to forget. Because although it was painful, it was a time of intense growth and learning and drawing nearer to my Jesus.
You can read more details about my faith journey here but I often find myself going back to that time of my divorce and remarriage and also the many years of infertility. Remembering that although it was dark and what I thought hopeless, God was present. Just as His Word says, He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. But when all we see and feel and know is chaos it’s so difficult to look through the pain and see Him. Standing there with arms wide open, available twenty-four-seven to heal our wounds. And when we release our pride and our own will and our own needs to His perfect will there is peace. Even amidst the chaos there is a peace that passes all understanding.
In Joshua God instructed His people to build an alter that would serve as a place of remembrance for generations to come. A command to remember the faithfulness of their God. I pray that I would always remember…the choices I made to draw me away from Christ, the pit of despair that I had fallen into, the pain and sorrow of infertility, the chaos that burdened my soul for so long.
But mostly I pray that I would remember Him. The I would remember the love and faithfulness and hope and mercy and saving grace and perfect will of Jesus. I pray that each day I would surrender my will to His will, even if that means chaos. I pray that He would bring into my life that which is best for me, not that which is easy.
And I pray that I would remember that He is doing something in me, something that’s larger than life, something that’s heavenly.
Whatever You’re Doing by Sanctus Real
It’s time for healing time to move on
It’s time to fix what’s been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It’s time to find my way to where I belong
There’s a wave that’s crashing over me
All I can do is surrender
(Chorus)
Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there’s peace
It’s hard to surrender to what I can’t see
but I’m giving in to something heavenly
Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender…
To…
(Chorus)
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I’ve wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears
Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You’re up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly
It’s time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out
07.21.08
Family Vacation 2008 Part 6
Goodness gracious I can’t believe I haven’t finished our family vacation report for you. I also can’t believe how much I say “goodness gracious”. Ok, on with part six.
Monday, June 9th
After visiting Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse on Sunday we decided to finish off our sight seeing and hit as many sights today as we could. First we were off to Bear Country. Hubby was most looking forward to this and we weren’t disappointed.
Ok, considering we spent the equivalent of Princess’s college tuition for us all to get in maybe we should have been disappointed. But it was still fun and we laughed alot.
I’m not going to show you too many pictures from Bear Country because really, how interesting are pictures of animals with no people in them? Personally I don’t think they are very interesting. But Hubby did capture a few that are kinda funny and human like. Like this one – big ol’ bear scratching his back.
Or this one. Cute little bear taking a nap. Aren’t his feet just the cutest? They remind me of Belle’s!
We also stopped at the baby animal part of Bear Country and Princess and Belle were able to get their picture taken with a bear!
After Bear Country we were off to Old McDonald’s Farm.
We saw cows.
And goats. Notice Princess’s excitement. I think she’s trying to not fall asleep!
And we saw lambies. I grew up on a sheep farm so the lambs are my favorite part.
That’s my girl. They’re Belle’s favorite too!
And we saw a very big horsie. Not sure if Belle is staring at the big horse or the little horse’s rear! I suppose both very interesting to an 8 month old!
And last but not least, our family photo!
We had much more sight-seeing to do even though I was about ready to drop. We left Old McDonald’s Farm and went to The Cosmos. The Cosmos is this very strange place where the gravity is all messed up. Personally I did not enjoy this stop. I got very nauseous and had to leave and go back to the car. Eewww.
Here’s the family in one of the cabins. If you look closely you can see they are standing crooked.
And we still weren’t done. I think we went and had lunch next at Sonic (Yummo!) and then went to Reptile Gardens. Again we paid an arm and a leg but unfortunately we weren’t as happy with this stop as we were with Bear Country. And I only took two pictures. I was exhausted.
Here’s Belle on the giant turtle.
And another family photo.
Hee hee, that’s flattering.
Finally we had enough sight seeing and headed back to the hotel. Although we spent probably way too much money the memories we’ve created will last a lifetime and that’s priceless!
