Sunday, January 31, 2010

Where we are now

22 weeks already! How did the time fly by? I am feeling better these days. Finally. My prenatals still give me some occasional queasiness but if I think back to when I was really sick, these days are by far much better. What have we been up to? Oh along with our birth classes, we have been diligently searching craigslist for baby furniture. Our book Baby Bargains (8th ed.) has really come in handy with this. But no real pressure to buy things yet. We still have months. Plus we are holding out for purchases until we visit a couple of big upcoming baby consignment sales. It's so hard to know when a good deal is truly the best deal, so we are praying for peace with our decisions.
Other than that we have been moving along with our regular lives. Exciting news for us- we are making a trip to NYC this March!! One of Jonah's many hats he wears at his job is yearbook advisor. Last year his crew's yearbook won a national award!! It is an amazing book and him and his team did a fabulous job with the design, layout, photography, and writing in it. Because of this he gets to fly with them (and me!) to the award presentation in March. It's an all expense paid trip and such an exciting thing to look forward to. I've always wanted to visit the big city with him, and now we have this opportunity together. Already we are making plans to hit spots we know we want to see, as well as visit some good eats- pizza!!
So that is something that is pretty exciting- besides our son! I am really proud of Jonah and all the hard work he puts into his job. He doesn't have to go above and beyond but he always does. He is truly a teacher at heart, and his passion to learn influences those he teaches, and it shows by this amazing award.
I remember back in college how he used to patiently take so much time helping me study- I was never the scholastic he was, but his perseverance, kindness and gentleness went a long ways with me- hey I even married him :) I think back in those days God was even then leading him down the path to where he is now.
Well here is the latest pic of me at 22 weeks. Not sure how regular I will be with pictures, but I try to get them while I can :) Baby is doing great, getting more and more active these days.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

sweet baby things

So I did something I really shouldn't do. I went to babygap.com to look at some of their baby boy clothes. I found the sweetest collection.... just look at some of these items:









So this is why I don't go to malls hardly ever...or just shop for clothes very much. I see too many eye candies and I want them all! Why do they make these clothes so darn cute!!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

21 weeks

I had Jonah take a picture of me today, so here I am at around 21 weeks. I think I look bigger than I really am in person, but oh well. Definitely a little baby in there :)

Friday, January 22, 2010

weekend!!

It's been a busy busy week and I am sleepy at 3 in the afternoon, looking forward to a little sleep in time tomorrow morning! Today started out well, as I drove into work I had the radio on and Chris Tomlins song, "Jesus, Messiah" was on and before I could sing out the first words I found myself tearing up with emotion. I've actually seen Chris Tomlin sing this song live, and I don't know why but it's so powerful every time I hear it. I drove on with my teary eyes and just listened to the words, and thought of how truly good God is. In spite of all the heart ache, and I can think of so many friends going through trials right now that seem to have no end, and I felt an ache for them. I cried tears for them, and prayed for them. But I also thought back over this week and thought of all the good that God gave to us in our own lives. We certainly don't deserve anything we've been blessed with and I just thought how much I needed to stop and praise Him for each thing in my life. He doesn't have to bless us or provide for us, or love us, but yet He does.
Just this past week I have many praises,
a healthy baby boy
Jonah's big meeting went really well
I received an abundance of maternity clothes from a friend close to my size (practically a whole wardrobe!)
Overall encouragement from friends and aquaintences
Good night in church service
Overall a sense of peace about this baby and all the needs there. Our lives are blessed and I'm so thankful to be reminded of this through songs. If you haven't heard the song, it has great words. Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Blue or Pink?

Well, it's official we are having a bouncing baby boy! We had our sonogram this past Monday for our 20 week appointment. We were able to see our little baby and see if it was a he or she. Most definitely a boy! It was wonderful to see all the little parts of our boy, from his brain to his heart. We could even see the four chambers of his heart pumping away. How amazing it is to see how much bigger he is getting and how much detail there is in a little tiny baby. I guess you never stop to think about how you were grown in the womb, how magnificent our Creator is. Who can form the limbs of a child, and cause a heart to beat?
I'm in love with our little one and it's so wonderful to know who is in there twisting, punching, turning and kicking. Our boy! Now I can refer to him everytime I'm talking about him. I can dream of when he's born and who he will take after. Jonah and I talked about having a boy to raise and it's fun to think of the manly things they can do together. And the things that I too would love to do with them.
How blessed it is to have a child, to carry them and feel them and love them.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Praying

Looking back over this past week, I can't help but see how God's hand was in it. Perhaps you think, how could this be? Haiti has suffered a massive earthquake with death tolls that are staggering. But my father in law was spared. Gone for a mission trip, he was with a group of men when the earthquake hit. What are the odds that he was there the very week this event occurred? 
There were some scary moments there for a while, when we had no contact with him, as I'm sure many people out there may still be experiencing. But we prayed for him and his group, at peace with the fact that God is in control.
God is in control.
How powerful is that phrase- that thought? I have to pause and repeat that to myself. I have certainly not been clinging to that lately. Doubt, worry,  and fear have crept up into my mind. Not being certain of the future can plague me at times, and it's so very true that I have not been resting on the knowledge that God is in control. I have to look back at my personal time with God. What have I invested into this quiet time? Not too much lately, for which I am shameful of. Is God not that important? My goal is refocused again, my goal to walk close with my God. How can I know Him and be comforted if I don't take time to talk and walk with Him? 
Back to my father in law- he is now back here in the states, home safe and sound. How grateful I am that the Lord protected him and his group all the way back to their homes. I know many are not as fortunate over in Haiti. So I will continue to pray for the Haitians. I will also continue to pray to my God. Oh to know Him more, to walk closer, this is my desire.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Nerdiness

Well it's been a busy day for us, including grocery shopping, prenatal vit. at a health store, raspberry leaf tea at another store, and a stop at Aldi's for a couple things. Overall though we didn't spend that much, and because of the help of a couponing friend (she gave me some pointers) we saved almost 50% at our grocery store. Amazing to walk away with that much money saved in coupons and sales, and with a cart full of food. Our fridge and freezer are now fully stocked up. Was the time worth it? Clipping coupons and looking at sales in our grocery store flyers? Yes. So worth it. We even purchased pretty healthy foods overall, which makes me smile. I try to make healthy meals for us, and snacks, even though we do splurge on some items like potato chips for lunches.
I also picked up some raspberry leaf tea by recommendation from a friend (who is also a midwife/training doula). Did you know it's good for uterine health? I'm gonna try it and hopefully it will be good, since I like fruits. I also switched brands yet again with my prenatals. It seems to be the biggest challenge- to find one that doesn't make me feel queasy. So again by recommendation I'm trying an organic brand, that is supposed to really help with the queasies, and be easier to digest. Yes, it costs more but we figured I won't be taking them forever and Jonah is so willing to try things for me that help me feel better :)
It's been such a good day to walk away with such a good deal for groceries. I guess I'm a nerd for getting so excited! Oh, we also bought some baby items-Aveena lotion and bath wash, which was on sale and I had some great coupons for so they turned out to be really cheap. How thrilling to think we will be using that in just a few months.
My friend gave me a bunch of onesies and some infant clothes she doesn't need, and I spent some time sorting them for washing and it was amazing to think that they will actually fit our little baby. I thought will they really be that small?!
I can't wait to hold the warm little body that is growing away inside of me!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Bradley class

I am almost at 20 weeks now, and I'm wondering how it went by so quickly. This is the halfway point now! I have been busy researching different birthing classes after my doctor suggested we take a birthing class at our hospital. Now I may get some sneers and unwanted opinions but I decided to try and have a natural birth. With this decision we decided to take Bradley Method classes. We started last night, and I was encouraged after it by what we learned. The Bradley class is a 12 week series in which you learn about exercise, nutrition, breastfeeding, and of course preparation for labor. My friend went through it with her husband and went on to have a natural birth. She said she would definitely do it again with her second child. I have been praying about this, so it wasn't a whim I decided on. I feel like it's the right choice for us.
I think it's wonderful to have Jonah with me at the classes as well. We are taking them together- learning together and I think it's going to be a great experience. Jonah has been so supportive and involved from the very beginning and my heart swells at this. I love him so much and I'm so thankful to have him by my side. I know he is going to be a wonderful parent. It's such a neat experience to be together through this new phase in our lives.
I'm getting excited about meeting this little baby. I'm excited to find out if it's a girl or boy, which we will soon. I don't dwell on the scary parts (labor) or the unknowns, but trust that God will guide us faithfully and provide for us along the way.
I don't mean for my blog to turn into a pregnancy blog, but it's a huge change in our lives and I wanted to share my experiences.
God is so good to bless us with a child, and learning about how he created women to nourish them is so amazing. I'm amazed at the amount of detail that God puts into everything, and I am so thankful He is the one forming and molding this child. At 20 weeks the wee one is about the size of a banana and can now hear things. I read that they may even jump when noises scare them. That made me laugh, poor little baby!
We are looking forward to a huge baby consignment sale coming up in February and will be taking our list with us as we search for the bigger items. As I type I can feel our baby moving around, apparently they are excited about getting some new things too!
Well, I better end this for now, have a wonderful weekend blogger friends!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Belly Cream

I know this is a random post but I thought I would share my latest purchase. I ordered 'Mothers Friend' belly cream for my expanding belly. I thought any pregant mommies out there might like to try it. It's a cream that was recommended by word of mouth from a model that swore by it.
I had to order it online unfortunately since no stores around me carried it. I can't wait for it to arrive! My belly is slowly starting to show,and I've graduated to maternity pants. My jeans were just at the-feeling-fat-and-can't-button them stage. My maternity shopping was kind of an exhausting day, but Jonah was so helpful and patient, I was so glad he was there with me. At the end of the day I ended up finding some very good deals at the thrift store! I also purchased a pair of jeans for $8 at a consignment store. My finds for the day at the thrift store: 2 shirts, 2 pairs of shoes, a skirt, and pair of motherhood pants (with my favorite panel on them- the full coverage- oh so comfortable panel) for all around $24. Not too bad. It was truly an answer to prayer to find such good deals, especially after I had a mini meltdown after searching the mall for hours. I just couldn't justify spending $30-40 on one item. I am only planning on wearing these things for several months, not years. After my meltdown I asked forgiveness from Jonah and from the Lord, and prayed for some things within a range we felt comfortable with.
I am content now with my finds, and a lot more comfortable too! We will buy more clothes as needed, and as my belly grows with our little baby.
I have also been feeling little movements for the past couple weeks. I am at week 18 now, and I'm so grateful I can feel him/her now, as I've heard stories of those that felt their baby later on. I'm looking forward to when Jonah will feel the little one as well.
We continue to pray for the growth and strength of our baby, and I also added a baby that sleeps well. We shall see!
I know this was a pregnancy post but I thought I'd share, I'll let you know what I think of the cream.
Meanwhile we are on the hunt on craigs list for furniture!

Friday, January 1, 2010

I will lift up my eyes

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help...

My heart is filled with so many unknowns as we head into a brand new year. 2010. I have my own fears, struggles, goals, and hopes for this year. So many things are running through my mind and I don't quite know how to narrow them down, so I pray. I pray for goals to be obtainable, and that I write a list that I know will help me grow spiritually, mentally, physically.
I wanted to share some prayer requests with you as well and if you would pray for us I would appreciate it, if you want to share some with me I will take time to pray for you as well.
Praying 2010:
New home for us with three bedrooms (within our price range or under)
My work situation- to stay at home full time, or part time and to have peace about this
Baby items as we look for necessary things for this little one
Baby Fisher and delivery
I thought about closing this blog off to be more private, but I also thought about the content of it.
Perhaps I don't need to be so self-focused, perhaps my blog can be used for good. Perhaps it will lead someone to know Christ. Isn't that true heartbeat of a Christian?
I have a new resolve for this blog, to share what I learn and hopefully encourage someone else on the path of life. Perhaps bring them into a relationship with Christ.
Did you ever think that you were meant to be on this earth for more than what you are doing right now? I've often thought that, and I think it's easy to think of it again at the start of a year. Perhaps what I'm doing right now is leading me into an open door for more. I think it's easy to put yourself into a safe little box surrounded by your own comforts. What did Jesus do while on this earth? I don't think He stayed safe and secure at home. He went out into uncomfortable situations with outcast people, hypocritical people, unkind, mean abusive people.
I love the verse I read this morning in my devotional:


The land whither ye go to possess it is a land of hills and valleys and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: a land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
Deut. 11:11-12

The devotional was from Streams in the Desert, the first volume, a gift from my long ago Sunday school teacher Mrs. Quance. It talked about going through the hills in life, and how those hard hills are what make us stronger. I like that example, and I find the verse fitting for this new start of a year.
How marvelous to think that God is here now, and will be at the end of the year.
So today leads me to make some goals and to think about a word for the year. I like how fellow blogger Amy picks a word to meditate on and really strive to work on for the year. I've thought about different ones that relate to me, but I think it is appropriate to focus on only one: selfless.
I will strive to be more selfless and pray for God to use this in my life. My but it's a tough one for me, as I know I always want what is comfortable and I fail to place myself in another's shoes. Becoming a mom, I know how important this will be, but also in my role as wife, friend, sister, daughter, and Christian. So happy New Year to all, may it be a year filled with growth, love and many blessings, and remember to lift up your eyes unto the hills, where our HELP is always.