Baby's here

 

 

 

 

Will post birth story later!

20 in, 9#4oz, 3:53pm

Nervous and excited

Well baby is as low as can be but I am just not getting any more effaced. I am 4 cm now but still 50%. We have decided to go ahead with the induction since I now am in more pain than before. We will be going in on Wednesday at 6:30 am, not fun! I will be given a low pit protocol, which is a lower dose than normal, to try and start contractions. I am glad I declined the doc's offer to hook my water, he said today that he doesn't do many of those. I was just uncomfortable with the idea of having my water broken without any contractions, if nothing happpens I am stuck at the hospital on a time limit and it could lead to a c-section (we are inducing to try to avoid a c). Whereas with the low pit we can choose to increase the dose, stop and go home, or if it seems to be working but not very quickly break my water then. I am more in control of what is happening this way. And it is still possible that labor will start on it's own before then so I will try and keep updating. Pray that we have a baby before Wednesday because I really want to have natural labor.

Nursery and a belly pic

Here are some shots of the nursery and my belly at 36 weeks.

Still waiting for baby

I am officially 38 1/2 weeks. I will be going to see my doctor again in the morning. We have decided to do a slow induction on Wednesday if I have not progressed any farther. I am still only 50% effaced, -2 station and 3-4 cm. As baby gains more weight I am having more pain from the seperated pelvis. If it goes much longer I may need a c-section. In order to avoid that we will try the induction. It will be a lower dose of pitocin so I have a chance that my body takes over on it's own. Since natural is the goal we are trying to minimize the need for interventions especially epidurals. Maybe labor will begin before the induction takes place. I have not had any contractions in at least a week unless I am walking alot which if I would not have the seperated pelvis I would be walking up a storm to get this baby moving. Pray all goes well at my appointment tomorrow and I will post updates later tomorrow afternoon.
Oh, BTW, nursery is done, mostly, and will post pics tomorrow also!

Baby's coming!

I had my 36 week OB appointment yesterday and good news is I am in labor(early phase). As of then I was -2 station, 3 cm. dialated, and about 50% effaced. After the doc's hubby and I did some shopping and boy those contractions just started rockin and rollin. I did have some bloody show about 4 hours later once we were home and resting but the contractions tappered off. I went out for a few more things around 7 and they increased again but by bedtime I was ready for some sleep and the contractions again slowed and faded.
Baby had been pretty quiet for the past few days, but last night was moving quite a lot. I did not sleep very well and my hips were sore this morning but I did get some sleep. I will be taking a bit of a nap here soon and probably go look at a new matteress for our bed this afternoon. We are thinking of getting a sleep number. Any reccommendations?

Update to I'm torn

I had a chance to talk to my ds about things that happened at his father's and it seems to be an incident of poor parental control settings on their computer. It is still no excuse but we had a good talk and he displayed appropriate reactions (embarrassed, etc.) and I don't believe he actually saw any harmful images as he was on a video chat site for a mere few minutes (mere seems the wrong word for this doesn't it?) and realized what it was and did not actually chat with the girl portrayed. I guess God was pulling my chain a bit and testing me. I think I handled this well and my son is now better prepared for this type of thing in the future. I do think we will reinforce things as time goes by, however. Thank you to all of you who encourage and uplift me and my family.

I am torn

My oldest is 13 and I found out from his father (whom he spends every other weekend with) that over Christmas break he accessed inappriate websites on their computer. I am devestated. I diligently watch and protect my children from these things but I have no control of his fathers lack of supervision. I suggested he password the computer in the future and I got a grown man whining about how other people use it. I couldn't believe it. He seemed more upset about the charges to his credit card and other inconviences than the damage our son has recieved to his innocence. I keep imagining what he saw and it makes me sick. My son and I have not been able to talk about this since I was only told about it Friday and he is still at his father's until Monday night. I am at such a loss as to what I should do. I am angry that it even took 2 months to be told about this. I prayed about it and since I am working on "Biblical Submission" took this to my husband who suggest we speak to our lawyer about ds's father's negligence. I feel like I am so lost at sea on this.

My ds is such a sweet caring child, innocent and comfortable in speaking to both myself and my husband (he has been in ds's life since he was 3) about puberty and sexual topics. So much so that other family found it awkward for our family to be so open. I never thought he would be a child to seek out this, I have a difficult time even believing it. I did ask him before he left about it and let him know how dissapointed we (daddy & me, meaning my hubby) were and he would not meet my eyes. My heart is breaking for this and him because I know how confused he is. At the same time I also know he knows right from wrong, and good from bad. Am I wrong for wanting to protect my child from the degradation his father apparently thinks is OK?

God is good

I had a dr.s appt on Thursday and finally got a diagnosis for the pain I have been having since almost day 1 of this pregnancy. I finally decided to enjoy the remainder of my pregnancy. I still have bad days but God has made the good days more frequent and better than ever. The dr. told us I have a separated pelvis and referred me to a PT for some relief. I have 5 more weeks until my due date and I hope to enjoy these as much as possible.

Today the ladies of my church threw us a baby shower so now we are ready for this little blessing whenever she is. I was so touched by the wonderful people God has brought into our lives. As they were praying over me I was just so thankful to the Lord. I have never had such a loving group of friends as these.

I have washed all baby's clothes and am amazed at just how adorable and tiny everything is. It makes me think in awe of the life growing inside me.

Our first Artist Study

 

These are pics from our first artist study. I had the boys do Michelangelo, and while the background part was not as pleasant as I'd hoped the project was great. My kids are very much hands on, we tried "ceiling painting" and Fresco. Since I hadn't really planned ahead our trial school days are a bit scattered and improvised. We need to find a structure and hopefully this will smooth the rough spots. I am going to try using Charlotte Mason as our method when we get serious about school this fall. For now it is about seeing what the kids tend to enjoy.

Just a short Hello

I know I have been MIA lately but I have been in so much pain from this prenancy. I hope to rest a lot tomorrow and hopeful be up to more than this. The hubby and I are actually making plans to homeschool the kiddos in the fall and he is getting so very involved with it. I also want to mention that he has expressed some interest in going to seminary. Praise God! This is a man who until the last few years was iffy on whether he even believed. He has expressed interest in going to church as a family and even though these are small steps (I am certainly not pushing, just letting him find his own way)I am so thankful. I continue to pray for God to change our hearts and I am amazed at what He has done.

I have been having such a hard time with this precious gift of being pregnant so I appreciate any tips or reminders. I keep trying to take it all to His feet when it all gets too much. I have been emotional and very much a slacker. I need to be able to get out of bed before 3 pm and stay out. Any ideas on how to stay sane while keeping pelvic pain at bay? I feel like all I do is lie in one place or another and if I do exert any effort it takes at least 3 days of bedrest to recoup. I could really use some prayers girls. I could even use some sample prayers for myself to use in the course of my days.

I think I will try to get to sleep now and do some bible study in the AM.

Christmas planner

I am off to make some gifts for the family. I found a wonderful post about how to make cute and crafty Christmas planners from Christmas Planner. I will try to post my outcome when I finish.

After Christmas Thoughts

On Christmas eve we went to church and you know I think that was the highlight of everything, I didn't want to leave. But we were expected at my mother's and so we made the 30 minute drive. My children had made lists of things they would like and my husband and I had also made lists as additional ideas for the boys that were things that would instill value, learning, and wonderful memories in our boys.  Everything on the lists were represented, it was ridiculous. No selective picking of a few special gifts. There was even one item we specifically forbade but it was given anyway with the assurance that it would stay at grandma's house. My mother has the bad habit of letting the children do want ever they want without limits so we try to limit their time at grandmas. So it is a privilege and not something they expect. Now don't get me wrong I love my family dearly but I can not stand the spoiling of a child and they spoil mine overmuch since there are no other children yet.

On Christmas morning we were pleased to be able to spend it privately with our children. We only got our boys a few things but we really put a lot of thought into each gift. After all was open and breakfast served my lovely oldest son of 13, who mainly claims to want every video game system there is and could play for days on end and is usually very commercialized, put it the best. And I love him so for it. He said when asked if what they received from us was ok... "Yea, I like this much more. It was perfect, not like at grandmas where it was just too much. She just gets us too much stuff." How beautifully he put it. Too much stuff, nothing very memorable or meaningful, just stuff. But the few that we gave will be treasured and remembered for years to come.

We were not done yet, still later Christmas Day we attended another Christmas with my family including cousins, aunts, not yet fiance's and their family. Again too much stuff, craziness and not enough just enjoying the people you love. We left soon after the gifts were opened  and it seems we started the trend because about 10 more left after us. I just wish my family would get the fact that Christmas is not about being selfish and outgiving everyone else, but about the one who gave the best gift ever.

Jesus, thank you for the only gift that matters.

It's a beautiful life

Letterboxing

I came across this "new" activity a few weeks ago and even though it was 40 ` out both boys were super excited to go on our first letterbox search yesterday. Actually letterboxing has been around since the 1800's but has become recently very popular with families. All you need is a rubber stamp, ink, notebook or journal, pen and if you look for the really cleverly hidden ones, a compass. We selected one from Atlasquest.com ( there are others like Letterboxing.org) to search for that seemed relatively easy, followed the clues and after a few wrong turns found the box and "stamped in".

Stamping in is the second step. When you find the box it will have a stamp and a notepad in it. You stamp your personal stamp in the box's notepad and write the date, your trail name (whatever you chose for these adventures), and where you are from. Then you stamp your notebook with the box's stamp and write any info you would like (it's your journal afterall).

The box must be replaced exactly where you found it so the next person to look for it can find it. Then you go online to Altasquest.com and post your find so the box's planter knows it is still safe and sound. My boys already have grand plans to do some urban box planting after only one find. Now that's a hit in my book.

Becoming a Godly Wife and Mother

There is an amazing study I am begining about Biblical submission. This is something I struggle with daily. Although my mother never worked outside the home until I was grown she was not what you'd call a biblical woman. I never learned many things that I wish I now had. I am looking forward to this study and in applying it to my life. As an introduction to the lesson and who I am I will be posting my progress and a bit more about myself.

I currently stay home with my 2 boys Brad13 & Connor 6. We are expecting our third child, a daughter, in March 09. It wasn't always this way though. I was an unwed teenage mom when I met my husband. We met in college and married when B was 5. I, at that point, was done with having kids, or so I thought. I remember a conversation with Craig, before we wed, about children. He had asked how many children I wished to have and without thinking I said none but maybe 1 more. I still to this day remember the crushed look on his face. Life of course moved on and God changed my heart, we tried and got pregnant with C. Craig was overjoyed and since then I have become convicted (in only the last year) to let God plan our family size. Craig, well God knew best when he led me to this wonderful, amazing, strong, independent, and humble man. I have spent most of our marriage getting my own way and eventhough he is a military man, Craig has always let me lead. I find it difficult to get him to lead us now that I see my sin. I am truly aiming to be a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 minded woman and would love any fellow sisters to join me on my journey. Please visit Biblical Submission today to start on your own adventure toward being a woman after God's own heart. It will be worth it, I promise.