Yesterday I hit 39 weeks!
Here are some answers to questions I've been asked a lot lately:
*How big is he?
I do not have any idea how big LDB is going to be. I haven't had an "official" ultrasound since my second trimester so we haven't had any recent measurements. There isn't any indication that there's anything wrong with him so our midwives feel that there's no real need to have another. We're perfectly comfortable with this because the guesses that they make are just that...guesses. I don't think there's anything I can do to affect his size so it doesn't really matter to me if I know or not. In fact, I'm happier without the guessing because I'm aware of my family's history of big babies...it's inevitable and I don't care to have any reason for anxiety about it. :-)
*Are you STILL working?
Yes, I'm still working. Yes, I plan to work until LDB is here. No, I don't consider myself crazy for this...haha! If I was feeling miserable I'm sure I would have thrown in the towel a couple of weeks ago.
*Still feeling good?
Yes, I still feel great. I have been to a chiropractor twice lately so that helps, too. I never thought I would make it this far and still not feel like a lumpy, pregnant mess! I am very thankful for the strength and health that I've been blessed with. Praying it will continue for another week or so :-)
*You're not still planning on cloth diapering right after a move, are you?
We will be cloth diapering whether or not we have washer and dryer immediately. I've been using a laundry area outside of my home for years...it's all good. It will be inconvenient, for sure, but the cost savings and environmental reasons are still worth it to us. We do have some disposables on hand for backup but we'll still do cloth primarily.
*Will you be delivering in your new town?
The big move isn't happening until June 11th(ish) so I won't be relocating to a new hospital right before delivery. Praise the Lord for his impeccable timing!
*What are you going to call him?
We've chosen a name for LDB that has a very common nickname attached to it. We've been asked a lot lately if we plan on using that nickname which, of course, we expected! It's a great nickname but we don't plan on using it. We want him to be able to decide as he grows if he'd like to be called that or not. We LOVE his name, are proud of it, and plan on using it exclusively. It's longer than some, but hey, so are our names :-)
*How are things going with buying a home?
Swimmingly! I'm dealing with all of the paperwork and communication from afar so it gets a little tedious but it's worth it. We are SO happy to finally be moving into a place that isn't owned by a school. I'll post about the house after we move, so stay tuned!
*Are you getting nervous?
No. Not one bit...seriously. I am so happy about being a mom and seeing my amazing husband as a dad. This is also the very first grandbaby for my awesome inlaws and #7 for my mom and dad. This time is WAY too exciting for me to be nervous. He's already loved immensely and I'm just ready to meet him at whatever point God has decided for him to make his arrival!
Following Jesus wherever He leads
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Week 38.
Another quick update of random tidbits from my brain:
*I can't believe that my due date is only two weeks away! It feels like I've been pregnant forever and at the same time I can't believe how the time has flown. You know what I mean?
*I have the greatest mother on the face of the planet. She spent a couple days with me while K was out of town and I was so sad to see her go. Not because she did my laundry, packed boxes, washed dishes and helped me set up our temporary baby-station....but because she's amazing company and I love to laugh with her. I'm blessed to have an incredible relationship with my mom.
*I went to a chiropractor today for a consultation and to be adjusted. It was awesome and (if LDB hasn't come already...) I'll be going back again next week.
* Packing and getting ready to move is stressful but exciting! Praying we manage to get everything we need together on time!
*God has blessed us with an amazing couple of weeks of K being out of school. I'm loving this amazing time with my husband. He's awesome and I don't care who knows it!
*I'm still not feeling nervous about LDB's birth. I expected to be in panic mode right now with the fear of the unknown settling in...but right now I'm still cool as a cucumber. Hope that feeling lasts!!!
*I can't believe that my due date is only two weeks away! It feels like I've been pregnant forever and at the same time I can't believe how the time has flown. You know what I mean?
*I have the greatest mother on the face of the planet. She spent a couple days with me while K was out of town and I was so sad to see her go. Not because she did my laundry, packed boxes, washed dishes and helped me set up our temporary baby-station....but because she's amazing company and I love to laugh with her. I'm blessed to have an incredible relationship with my mom.
*I went to a chiropractor today for a consultation and to be adjusted. It was awesome and (if LDB hasn't come already...) I'll be going back again next week.
* Packing and getting ready to move is stressful but exciting! Praying we manage to get everything we need together on time!
*God has blessed us with an amazing couple of weeks of K being out of school. I'm loving this amazing time with my husband. He's awesome and I don't care who knows it!
*I'm still not feeling nervous about LDB's birth. I expected to be in panic mode right now with the fear of the unknown settling in...but right now I'm still cool as a cucumber. Hope that feeling lasts!!!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Church Baby Shower
On Sunday, April 15, our lovely church hosted a baby shower for LDB! It was a lot of fun! We got some great things from our registry and some lovely hand-made things as well. K spent the afternoon with a couple of his guy friends from church so this was a fun time with some of my favorite ladies. My mom was able to make it, too!
Here are a few photos from the shower:
Here are a few photos from the shower:
The yummy food
Super cute, very tasty cake made by a sweet friend
Starting to open gifts
You can't tell from the picture but this is a cute hat with LDB's name embroidered on it
There always has to be a goofy face photo....
So thankful for the carseat! Now we can actually bring him home!
Baby bathtub...another great essential!
A sweet handmade hooded towel
The time of fellowship and the thoughtful gifts were such a blessing! I'm going to miss these sweet ladies soooo much!!
Week 37 - and lots of changes!
Today begins week 37! Time has been flying and energy has been waning but here's a quick update on our lives.
(Before I begin, let me make a quick explanation. I use this blog as a means of updating family, church and friends about our lives. That being said, I don't like to use our names, location, etc. in case someone we don't know happens along anything I write. I don't keep things too hidden but I refer to my husband as "K", my son as "LDB" and our current location as "Cowtown". So anytime you happen across a random nickname like that just know it's for bloggy purposes only.)
Moving right along...
*Last week K graduated with his Master's degree! I am so immensely proud of all of his hard work! I'll hopefully have pictures and more info later.
*We're moving! K has been called by a church down south to serve as the Minister of Music and Education. We are so excited about answering the Lord's call to full-time ministry after years of preparation. The hot topic that comes up when we mention this is of course, "Why are you moving this late in your pregnancy??". The answer to that is, "We're not!". We'll be moving after LDB makes his arrival into the world. More info on this later, as well.
*I'm still feeling mostly good. My feet are fat but I've learned to deal with it. I'd much rather have water retention issues than blood pressure problems or nausea. I've been more tired and emotional lately but hey, I'm pregnant and that's ok!
<----Knitting
<----Diaper laundry
(Before I begin, let me make a quick explanation. I use this blog as a means of updating family, church and friends about our lives. That being said, I don't like to use our names, location, etc. in case someone we don't know happens along anything I write. I don't keep things too hidden but I refer to my husband as "K", my son as "LDB" and our current location as "Cowtown". So anytime you happen across a random nickname like that just know it's for bloggy purposes only.)
Moving right along...
*Last week K graduated with his Master's degree! I am so immensely proud of all of his hard work! I'll hopefully have pictures and more info later.
*We're moving! K has been called by a church down south to serve as the Minister of Music and Education. We are so excited about answering the Lord's call to full-time ministry after years of preparation. The hot topic that comes up when we mention this is of course, "Why are you moving this late in your pregnancy??". The answer to that is, "We're not!". We'll be moving after LDB makes his arrival into the world. More info on this later, as well.
*I'm still feeling mostly good. My feet are fat but I've learned to deal with it. I'd much rather have water retention issues than blood pressure problems or nausea. I've been more tired and emotional lately but hey, I'm pregnant and that's ok!
*What have I been up to in my "free time"? Lots of....
<----Knitting
Snuggling---->
Craving---->
Thursday, May 3, 2012
One year ago today.
April 29, 2012
Today is bittersweet. It's love and it's loss and it's terrible beautiful. It brings me to my knees in agony, but that just puts me in a better position to humbly praise Jesus for how far a year can take me. To be thankful for the journey is a journey in itself, but that's where I stand today. So here goes the story, ready or not.
One year ago my body gave up. Most people would say it like this, "I had a miscarriage."
But you know, I struggle with saying it that way because it doesn't encompass the entire picture. And at the same time, the entire picture isn't really something that can be shared or understood. So maybe that's why it's so difficult to put into words without feeling irreverent or like you're leaving something out.
The story starts on a Monday with two very unexpected pink lines. It didn't seem possible and it left my husband and I floored. There were no happy exclamations or tender moments of joy. This was scary and tense. We spent that evening in absolute shock and both had trouble sleeping that night. The next morning I called and made an appointment with a CNM group I had heard about. I was terrified, because K would be leaving to go out of town for almost a week starting on Saturday and I would be alone during this crazy time. The midwives office was very understanding and fit us in for an appointment the next day, ensuring that K could be there with me. We were both so scared that we decided to keep it all to ourselves. No family or friends were told and looking back, I am so grateful we made that decision.
The appointment with the midwife was reassuring and comfortable, but things didn't look normal. We scheduled an appointment with a special ultrasound clinic for Friday and still things weren't normal. By the end of the day on Friday we were both so emotionally and physically exhausted. The next day I took K to our college town where he had a gig for resurrection week and we were both crushed when I had to go home alone. I had another ultrasound with the specialist and more bloodwork while he was gone. Growth was happening but it was all wrong. All my blood levels were insanely high and they couldn't figure out exactly what was happening. The next couple of weeks are a blur. Trying to keep things quiet at work when I was constantly out for appointments was a challenge but it was for the best. I wanted so badly to cry on my mother's shoulder but at the same time I knew that we had made the right decision to not share about what was going on.
After being referred to another office, having more ultrasounds and blood tests than I can count over a period of a few weeks, getting constant bad news and never feeling quite well we had an answer. Yes, obviously I was pregnant, but development had completely stopped very early on. There was never a heartbeat but, for some unknown reason, my body wouldn't miscarry on it's own. The doctor recommended a procedure called a D&C and I numbly agreed. The date was set for the Friday before K's finals week at school and we finally called our parents to share about what was happening.
From this point in the story I could share more, and some day I actually might but it's not for today. Today what I want to share is this:
Over a period of a few short weeks my world was rocked and my faith was shaken. My husband and I were placed in a trying situation unlike anything we had ever experienced or expected. We grew closer to the Lord, closer to each other, and stronger in our convictions. Most importantly I learned that even when my world is turned upside down in a moment or over a few weeks, God NEVER CHANGES. Can you see the beauty in that? My body changed. My everything changed. God didn't. He loved me at the beginning and the end of this nightmare. He comforted me and drew me closer to my husband. He gave me the ability to respect and be grateful for my blessings. Even when I was angry He was my rock. We didn't have family to call and cry to so we cried out to God more than ever before. So now, when I look back on this time, I see it as a time of loss AND growth. I still hate that it happened but my season of grief was one that was filled with God's grace and for that I am truly thankful.
April 29, 2011 I walked into a hospital heartbroken and pregnant and walked out heartbroken and empty. April 29, 2012 I walked into a church with my heart full, my belly huge, and joined in as my husband lead a congregation in worship. God used this day to call us to a new adventure in ministry and in doing so brought this entire experience full circle for K and I. In one year God can change so many things. He can change your heart and give you another chance at a family. He provided my husband and I with an opportunity to praise him in our darkest hour and then provided us with beautiful plans for the future. Nothing could be more sufficient. That's the work of the Lord...certainly not our doing.
I'm closing out this post with an old hymn text that I ran across in one of K's text books that brought a lot of peace to my heart when I was thinking about this past year. I hope that it touches others in the way it touched me.
Jesus, my All-in-All Thou art:
My rest in toil, my ease in pain,
The healing of my broken heart,
In war my peace, in loss my gain,
My smile beneath the tyrant's frown:
In shame my glory and my crown,
In want my plentiful supply,
In weakness my almighty pow'r,
In bonds my perfect liberty,
My light in Satan's darkest hour,
In grief my joy unspeakable,
My life in death: my Heaven in Hell.
Today is bittersweet. It's love and it's loss and it's terrible beautiful. It brings me to my knees in agony, but that just puts me in a better position to humbly praise Jesus for how far a year can take me. To be thankful for the journey is a journey in itself, but that's where I stand today. So here goes the story, ready or not.
One year ago my body gave up. Most people would say it like this, "I had a miscarriage."
But you know, I struggle with saying it that way because it doesn't encompass the entire picture. And at the same time, the entire picture isn't really something that can be shared or understood. So maybe that's why it's so difficult to put into words without feeling irreverent or like you're leaving something out.
The story starts on a Monday with two very unexpected pink lines. It didn't seem possible and it left my husband and I floored. There were no happy exclamations or tender moments of joy. This was scary and tense. We spent that evening in absolute shock and both had trouble sleeping that night. The next morning I called and made an appointment with a CNM group I had heard about. I was terrified, because K would be leaving to go out of town for almost a week starting on Saturday and I would be alone during this crazy time. The midwives office was very understanding and fit us in for an appointment the next day, ensuring that K could be there with me. We were both so scared that we decided to keep it all to ourselves. No family or friends were told and looking back, I am so grateful we made that decision.
The appointment with the midwife was reassuring and comfortable, but things didn't look normal. We scheduled an appointment with a special ultrasound clinic for Friday and still things weren't normal. By the end of the day on Friday we were both so emotionally and physically exhausted. The next day I took K to our college town where he had a gig for resurrection week and we were both crushed when I had to go home alone. I had another ultrasound with the specialist and more bloodwork while he was gone. Growth was happening but it was all wrong. All my blood levels were insanely high and they couldn't figure out exactly what was happening. The next couple of weeks are a blur. Trying to keep things quiet at work when I was constantly out for appointments was a challenge but it was for the best. I wanted so badly to cry on my mother's shoulder but at the same time I knew that we had made the right decision to not share about what was going on.
After being referred to another office, having more ultrasounds and blood tests than I can count over a period of a few weeks, getting constant bad news and never feeling quite well we had an answer. Yes, obviously I was pregnant, but development had completely stopped very early on. There was never a heartbeat but, for some unknown reason, my body wouldn't miscarry on it's own. The doctor recommended a procedure called a D&C and I numbly agreed. The date was set for the Friday before K's finals week at school and we finally called our parents to share about what was happening.
From this point in the story I could share more, and some day I actually might but it's not for today. Today what I want to share is this:
Over a period of a few short weeks my world was rocked and my faith was shaken. My husband and I were placed in a trying situation unlike anything we had ever experienced or expected. We grew closer to the Lord, closer to each other, and stronger in our convictions. Most importantly I learned that even when my world is turned upside down in a moment or over a few weeks, God NEVER CHANGES. Can you see the beauty in that? My body changed. My everything changed. God didn't. He loved me at the beginning and the end of this nightmare. He comforted me and drew me closer to my husband. He gave me the ability to respect and be grateful for my blessings. Even when I was angry He was my rock. We didn't have family to call and cry to so we cried out to God more than ever before. So now, when I look back on this time, I see it as a time of loss AND growth. I still hate that it happened but my season of grief was one that was filled with God's grace and for that I am truly thankful.
April 29, 2011 I walked into a hospital heartbroken and pregnant and walked out heartbroken and empty. April 29, 2012 I walked into a church with my heart full, my belly huge, and joined in as my husband lead a congregation in worship. God used this day to call us to a new adventure in ministry and in doing so brought this entire experience full circle for K and I. In one year God can change so many things. He can change your heart and give you another chance at a family. He provided my husband and I with an opportunity to praise him in our darkest hour and then provided us with beautiful plans for the future. Nothing could be more sufficient. That's the work of the Lord...certainly not our doing.
I'm closing out this post with an old hymn text that I ran across in one of K's text books that brought a lot of peace to my heart when I was thinking about this past year. I hope that it touches others in the way it touched me.
Jesus, my All-in-All Thou art:
My rest in toil, my ease in pain,
The healing of my broken heart,
In war my peace, in loss my gain,
My smile beneath the tyrant's frown:
In shame my glory and my crown,
In want my plentiful supply,
In weakness my almighty pow'r,
In bonds my perfect liberty,
My light in Satan's darkest hour,
In grief my joy unspeakable,
My life in death: my Heaven in Hell.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
6 Weeks to Go!
Just a quick post of random tidbits from my brain.
I still love being pregnant. This time has been so special and although I've had some pretty rough moments I'm still not "done".
My husband is the world's greatest. This is not arguable at all. He surprises me again and again with how amazing he can be and I could brag about him all day. I couldn't ask for a more supportive man.
Baby showers are way more fun than wedding showers. (not saying wedding showers aren't fun!) I'm so blessed by the generosity of our family and friends. We love you guys!!
Our son is going to be so well dressed it's ridiculous. Also, I have an urge to only dress him in overalls. It's a simple fact that overalls are the cutest things for baby boys to wear.
My belly is huge. My bladder is small.
Those are all the thoughts I have in my brain tonight. Random? Always! Boring? Well........maybe so!
I still love being pregnant. This time has been so special and although I've had some pretty rough moments I'm still not "done".
My husband is the world's greatest. This is not arguable at all. He surprises me again and again with how amazing he can be and I could brag about him all day. I couldn't ask for a more supportive man.
Baby showers are way more fun than wedding showers. (not saying wedding showers aren't fun!) I'm so blessed by the generosity of our family and friends. We love you guys!!
Our son is going to be so well dressed it's ridiculous. Also, I have an urge to only dress him in overalls. It's a simple fact that overalls are the cutest things for baby boys to wear.
My belly is huge. My bladder is small.
Those are all the thoughts I have in my brain tonight. Random? Always! Boring? Well........maybe so!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
My Plant-Strong Pregnancy (Part 1)
My choice to remain vegetarian during my pregnancy was an easy one. My transition to a vegetarian lifestyle was, literally, overnight and not at all as researched as it could have been but I have since learned a lot. I've read multiple books, watched a couple of documentaries, researched several published scientific studies and have become a pretty great cook. You try a veg diet in tiny Central TX and see if your cooking skills don't improve! :-)
So here are some of the things that I've been eating a lot of lately! In this post I'll give some general nutritional information about how I make sure to get everything that LDB and I need. This is by no means comprehensive and is really just covering the basics. If you have any questions about something specific just ask...I really enjoy talking with people about the way that we eat and am really not "preachy" about it!
(All nutritional info in this post comes from the USDA)
Protein:
The dreaded protein! This is what I'm asked about the most so I'll start here.
* Black Beans: 15g protein and <1g fat per cup. I eat these a lot in tacos, quesadillas, soups, and salads.
* Quinoa: 8g protein and 3.5g fat per cup. Love this stuff in anything where I'd normally use rice.
* Chobani Greek Yogurt Cups: 14g protein and 0g fat per 6oz. A lot of people would categorize this as calcium but I love these little cups at breakfast as a morning protein boost!
These are just a few of my favorites but here is a great resource that gives a lot of information about vegan/vegetarian protein sources and how easy it is to get all you need.
Super Foods:
* Spinach: 8g protein, 1g fat, 6g carbs, 281mg calcium, 7mg iron, 69mg Vitamin C per 10oz serving. I eat a lot of raw spinach in salads and smoothies and cooked in lots of soups and italian/mexican dishes.
* Ezekiel 4:9 bread. You can read all about this amazing food right here. It's a complete protein, has tons of fiber, and is Biblically based. Pretty cool, I think!
* Earth Balance Original Organic Soymilk: 7g protein, 4g fat, 90 calories, 50% B12, 30% Vitamin D, 30% Calcium per 1 cup serving. (The percentages are for the recommended daily value) This is great tasting soymilk that is fortified with lots of good things that I might normally miss out on otherwise...especially the vitamin B12!
Snack Foods:
Grapefruit, bananas, gala apples, blueberries, cheese and crackers, hummus and these crackers from Costco (YUM) are some of my favorites. I was in a really bad rut of eating chips and junk as snacks for about 1 month and when I saw my weight gain and blood pressure at my appointment the end of that month I knew I had to get my diet and exercise under control. I'm happy to say that I just saw my weight gain go back to normal and my blood pressure go down 20 points in each number! Best news I've had all week and I think getting my snacking and activity level under control had a lot to do with it.
Vitamin:
This is a link to the supplement facts on my prenatal vitamin. Click Here. It's vegan and I love it.
If this information is absolutely boring to you it's ok!! I'm really interested in smart nutrition and the benefits that has on my general health and well-being. If nothing else, I hope that it sets the minds of skeptics at ease to know that I'm making good dietary choices for myself and LDB.
So here are some of the things that I've been eating a lot of lately! In this post I'll give some general nutritional information about how I make sure to get everything that LDB and I need. This is by no means comprehensive and is really just covering the basics. If you have any questions about something specific just ask...I really enjoy talking with people about the way that we eat and am really not "preachy" about it!
(All nutritional info in this post comes from the USDA)
Protein:
The dreaded protein! This is what I'm asked about the most so I'll start here.
* Black Beans: 15g protein and <1g fat per cup. I eat these a lot in tacos, quesadillas, soups, and salads.
* Quinoa: 8g protein and 3.5g fat per cup. Love this stuff in anything where I'd normally use rice.
* Chobani Greek Yogurt Cups: 14g protein and 0g fat per 6oz. A lot of people would categorize this as calcium but I love these little cups at breakfast as a morning protein boost!
These are just a few of my favorites but here is a great resource that gives a lot of information about vegan/vegetarian protein sources and how easy it is to get all you need.
Super Foods:
* Spinach: 8g protein, 1g fat, 6g carbs, 281mg calcium, 7mg iron, 69mg Vitamin C per 10oz serving. I eat a lot of raw spinach in salads and smoothies and cooked in lots of soups and italian/mexican dishes.
* Ezekiel 4:9 bread. You can read all about this amazing food right here. It's a complete protein, has tons of fiber, and is Biblically based. Pretty cool, I think!
* Earth Balance Original Organic Soymilk: 7g protein, 4g fat, 90 calories, 50% B12, 30% Vitamin D, 30% Calcium per 1 cup serving. (The percentages are for the recommended daily value) This is great tasting soymilk that is fortified with lots of good things that I might normally miss out on otherwise...especially the vitamin B12!
Snack Foods:
Grapefruit, bananas, gala apples, blueberries, cheese and crackers, hummus and these crackers from Costco (YUM) are some of my favorites. I was in a really bad rut of eating chips and junk as snacks for about 1 month and when I saw my weight gain and blood pressure at my appointment the end of that month I knew I had to get my diet and exercise under control. I'm happy to say that I just saw my weight gain go back to normal and my blood pressure go down 20 points in each number! Best news I've had all week and I think getting my snacking and activity level under control had a lot to do with it.
Vitamin:
This is a link to the supplement facts on my prenatal vitamin. Click Here. It's vegan and I love it.
If this information is absolutely boring to you it's ok!! I'm really interested in smart nutrition and the benefits that has on my general health and well-being. If nothing else, I hope that it sets the minds of skeptics at ease to know that I'm making good dietary choices for myself and LDB.
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