February 20, 2010
Thank You
Many thoughts have swirled through my mind over this last week. It has been just over a week since my dad went home to be with the Lord. Over that period of time I have been overwhelmed with encouraging phone calls, emails, cards, and conversations. Occasionally, I have wanted to slip into a mind-numbed state of existence, where I ignore everyone and just stay in my little hole. At other times, I have craved the companionship and conversation with others. I have found that I can easily vacillate between the two extremes at any given point as well. But overall, I have found the encouragement that God gives and that His people give have been more than sufficient for any heartfelt anguish I have experienced in the loss of my dad.
So I say “Thank You” to all of you who have graciously touched my heart with your words, prayers, and presence. Your friendship is truly treasured.
Psalm 68:5 — “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
December 31, 2008
Jenna Rachel’s first Christmas
Here are some pictures from Christmas. She did soooo well only being 4 days old!
Jenna Rachel’s debut!
Wow, what a rollercoaster of events! Jenna is finally here! She was 7 lbs. 11oz. 21 inches long, born on Dec. 21st at 2:24am. I never would have dreamed that she would have come the WEEK OF CHRISTMAS!!! =) It was the most incredible miracle I have ever been a part of! Praise the Lord for His perfect timing!
Here’s the story in a nutshell of our little bity baby born in Bethlehem, PA. Jenna was obviously two weeks past the due date. My parents had flown out for a week to help, thinking of course that the baby would have been born. We spent the whole week waiting-no baby. I think I would have gone crazy if my parents had not been there for that week to keep me occupied. What a blessing they were to me! God must have known that I needed them all to myself. =) My parents were flying out Sun morning at around 6:00am. It was Friday night and I had lost all hope that the baby was going to come while they were out. Very discouraged I went to bed. Sat am I woke up around 2:00am with very different feeling contractions (I had been having contractions for almost a month). I thought to myself, “this must be it.” I went back to sleep because I knew I would need it. In the morning I told my parents, “maybe this baby will make it’s appearance before you leave!” We were all sooooo excited. But the day went slow with the contractions not being as regular as they needed to be for active labor. At around 8:oopm Sat night. The midwife and doula finally said. Let’s go to the hospital and see where you are at. Partly because the contractions were more regular and partly because a huge ice storm was on it’s way. We’d rather be at the hospital. =) My parents packed all their luggage and brought it with knowing that they would have to walk out of the hospital at 4:30 am baby or no baby. We prayed and headed out. Rick and my doula, Amie, were GREAT coaches and I felt at ease through the whole time. We got to the hospital only to find out I was only 2 cent. Oh, I was soooo disapointed. They got us in a room and told me to rest, they would check again in 2 hrs. I slept some and in 2 hrs they checked and I was 5-6 cent. Wow!! Everyone was amazed and my hopes soared! “Please, Lord! Let this baby come before my parents leave.” This was somewhere around midnight. I asked to labor in the jacuzzi. What a great way to labor! I wanted to stay in for hours, but after an hour I had to get checked again. With amazement the resident doctor said, “you’re 8-9 cent!” We all couldn’t believe it! They had to quick get the doctor who had went home for the night. When he got there I was 10 cent. and ready to push! Woohoo! I pushed for 45 min. and as she came out everyone in a huge chorus said, “It’s a girl!!!” Our little Jenna came 2 hrs before my parents had to walk out the door to the airport. Wow! What a miracle! Only God has the perfect timing even when we don’t understand. I couldn’t have had a better birth experience. The active part of my labor was only 4 hrs! Rick was my hero, I couldn’t have done it without his voice in my ear the whole time. We love our little Jenna Rachel and praise the Lord for this incredible opportunity to raise a child to love Him like we do. And now you want to see pictures I’m sure. Sorry, this turned out to be a little longer than a nutshell. But here’s the little peanut in the hospital.
December 10, 2008
Dec. 9th! The Due Date is here!
But I don’t think the baby is going to make an appearance today. =) The child is warm and cozy and wants to stay in a little longer. We’ve been trying all kinds of stuff to convince the child to come out! Like hitting pot holes, drinking raspberry stuff, rubbing my feet, and mall walking. The picture I’m posting is from our mall walk a couple days ago. Guess we need to go again! As of yesterday I’m not dialated yet, so we may still have a bit. Who knows but God! Can’t wait to meet the person! Hopefully the next pics I post will be of the baby!!! Pray for me!!!
November 25, 2008
2 weeks till Due Date!
I’m getting soooo excited. I don’t know if I’m supposed to be nervous, but I’m not! Let’s do this thing!
Here are pictures of the nursery we took 2 days ago! Can’t wait! Can’t wait! Can’t wait!
Notice, Zeke decided he wanted in the picture. We don’t usually let him into the room but he took the opportunity while we were taking pictures. =)
November 5, 2008
8 month Prego Pic!
I’m getting so excited for this baby to come! We just toured the hospital yesterday. Personally I’m not nervous. I’m interested to see how God created my body to do this thing. My body knows what to do even if I don’t. =) I think that is such a miracle. Can’t wait!
Here is a pic we just took. I’m in week 35 right now.
October 24, 2008
These are from the last 3 ultrasounds we had
Rick figured out the scanner for me! =) So here are the pics.
October 23, 2008
Last few ultrasounds
Yes, we’ve had 5 ultrasounds! Torture when you’re trying not to find out if it’s a boy or girl. But we’ve managed to succeed! Our last ultrasound was perfect. They could not find one thing abnormal or out of the right percentile. And the baby’s head is down ready to go! I just finished the 33rd week of pregnancy and it’s so fun to feel my body getting ready to do what God already made it to do. That’s why I’m not to nervous. My body already knows how to do this even if my brain doesn’t. Hahaha! Hopefully that motivation will get me through the delivery with out any medication! I’m pretty determined! Rick will be a huge help (And I have a friend who is a doula that is going to help me as well). I’m sooooo excited for the day!
Well I’m having troubles scanning the ultra sound pics, so I’ll have to wait until Rick gets home. I’ll post them soon! And belly pics.
Thanks all for your prayers!
July 27, 2008
Ultrasound #2 Peanut in 3D
We didn’t find out if baby’s a boy or girl! =) I’m glad we’re waiting! It makes it even more exciting.
They doc said everything looks great. I have a weird shaped placenta (it had a name I don’t remember) so I’m going to have a few more Ultrasounds just to check baby’s growth. But little Peanut is right on target now and a bit ahead. =) The 3-D one is a bit strange to me, but still neat to see a different angle.
Today Peanut bumped in me the hardest I’ve ever felt and then wiggled around. It was the funniest feeling!
