What I'm learning part 2

22. Lactation consultants are nothing short of miracle workers.
23. My skin would totally change and go crazy after delivery.
24. A shower can be therapeutic.
25. Time with God is still hard to schedule.
26. My husband still thinks I'm beautiful...more stretch marks and all.
27. I CAN stay in the house several days in a row and not go nuts.
28. Isaiah sleeping on my chest is precious beyond words.
29. I already cry at the thought of him growing up.
30. It's a lot easier to be assertive and direct when I need to be.
31. A camera is a priceless comodity.
32. Nothing in the world compares to Isaiah's smile.
33. There's an instant connection with other moms I didn't anticipate.
34. There's a much deeper connection with my mom.
35. Communication with Josh would require a lot more effort.
36. Much advise is given about preparing to be a mom and not enough about preparing your marriage for becoming a mom.
37. Date nights are a MUST....not a luxury.
38. Other moms are the greatest diamonds of wisdom and experience waiting to be asked.
39. I need to be reminded that I was a person before I was Isaiah's mom.
40. Friends that really know me well (Meghann) do that for me.

What I'm learning as a mom

1. Having an eternal soul enter this world through your body is truly a miracle.
2. I'm really selfish with my time and my agenda.
3. A date with your husband over Burger King IS a big deal!
4. A 3 hour schedule makes the day fly by.
5. I get done very little during the day.
6. I am very capable of getting mad at a newborn when I don't understand why he keeps crying.
7. A cesarean delivery is not scary.
8. Recovery is not scary.
9. Nursing a baby nicknamed "the Hoover" is.
10. I have a guilt complex about asking Josh for help when he comes home.
11. I need A LOT of help.
12. Staying a home requires a whole lot of discipline to do anything other than watch TV.
13. Post partum weight loss doesn't just come from nursing....you don't have time to eat!
14. We are surrounded by people who love to serve young parents.
15. Just when I think I've figured out a certain cry, Isaiah changes the meaning.
16. It takes at least an extra hour to get anywhere.
17. Cuddle time with Josh is so precious.
18. The fact that "it's not about me anymore" requires a much bigger change of heart than I realized.
19. I have sooo much to learn, it almost makes me feel like a child again.
20. My parents love me more than I ever comprehended before.
21. My Heavenly Father loves me more than I ever comprehended before.

More later...

Trying out a new hair do...

So Josh and I had some fun after bath time tonight at Isaiah's expense, although, he doesn't look too traumatized.

This is an attempt to look like big cousin Kayden who has a natural mohawk (he has a double crown...no kidding!).

Next, we'll try the messy look to be like Daddy!

Watch out girls!!!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Introducing.....


ISAIAH
STEVEN


Born August 6, 2006
11:32pm

7 lbs 11 oz 21 in


Welcome, sweet Isaiah and thank you, Jesus for this precious little boy.

















The short version:

We were playing cards with friends late Saturday night/Sunday morning when my water broke. We got to the hospital at 1:20 and was admitted a couple of hours later. After awhile with only 2 cm dialated and no super strong contractions they started me on Pitocin. About 16 hours later they had continuously raised the amount of Pitocin they were giving me until they hit the most amount they could. Dr. Jones came in (I absolutely LOVE that man!) once again to check me and very gently told me that I was STILL only 2 cm and that the only real option was for us to go ahead with a c-section. At that point, I was totally fine with that. Later he told me that one of my pelvic bones sits in such a way that the baby's head pushes against it but couldn't get past it. Therefore, all other children will be born the same way....following suit from my mom so no huge shock there.

Josh's cousin, Amy, happens to be the head nurse/manager in Labor and Delivery so she prepped us for the whole process of major surgery (which I had never gone through before), and then took me back to the OR. They gave me a spinal block and by the time they let Josh come in he said he saw the scaple go down....yikes! He QUICKLY rushed past that and took his seat at my head. Amy was there the whole time and, knowing that squeemishness runs in Josh's family, she did a great job helping him deal with it all. When they finally got to Isaiah's head Amy turned to Josh and said, "Josh, stand up! Here's the head!" Josh, with huge eyes, said, "Uh...I don't know..." So she said again, "Josh, stand up! You're going to miss it!" So he did and I cannot convey the sound in his voice as he started laughing and crying at the same time and said, "It's Isaiah! It's Isaiah!" (we didn't know what we were having so I asked the doctors to let Josh tell me the name of our baby). I have never heard my husband sound like that. He almost sounded like a little boy himself just overwhelmed with emotion. It was so precious and surreal.

They showed Isaiah to me and then wisked him away for weighing, measuring, etc and Josh, of course, went with them to cut the cord and just cry and laugh some more. We stayed in the hospital until Thursday evening to get all the help we could from the doctors, nurses, lactation consultants and pediatricians who were constantly in and out of our room. Our stay there was filled with a steady flow of family and friends visiting, but also plenty of down time for us to rest and just be together as a family. With the exception of the chair/bed that messed Josh's back up, we really enjoyed our time there.

And Isaiah is the most amazing gift God could give us. I never knew I would feel this way about a little person. I was constantly afraid that I wasn't bonding with him during pregnancy and that I wouldn't be nurturing enough or I would get impatient with him really easily. I'm just in awe of how God puts in us exactly what we need to do what He calls us to.

He'll be 2 weeks old Sunday and I already get misty thinking of him growing up. He's changed so much since his birth. I remember one of the doctor's in the OR saying, "He's got red hair!" That was a big surprise to us, but already it has started to darken and he's filling out all over (he's a good eater!).

Thank you to everyone who has prayed us through this whole process (please continue!), come to see us, brought us meals, lavished us with baby presents and have just loved and cared for us so well. We couldn't have imagined the love and care we've recieved. We feel God's kindness to our family through you.

Keep checking back as there will be much more on little Isaiah later....


Look at those feet! Definitely Daddy's boy!

Stuff on the walls!

It's not a ton, but definitely a start. Although, it makes a huge difference with all that green!

(Josh is afraid the color is going to overstimulate our child resulting in no sleep and a bright glow coming from the nursery at all times....it'll be ok, sweetie!)

We've decided that we want to paint a verse on the wall over the changing table. Any ideas on how we can pull this off???

3 Cheers for Pitocin!!!

So, we went to the Dr today and after all the hello's and handshakes he immediately proceeds to tell us that there is no longer a question of if they'll induce but now it's when they'll induce. He went right ahead and put us on the schedule to be induced at 7:00am Tues morning.

Then...he checked me and said, "Oh! You've progressed further than I thought!" Apparently, the membrane stretching trick worked and got me to a whopping 2 cm and 70% effacement. I was very encouraged about the effacement progression because they haven't told me anything about that for the last 3 visits so I had no idea where I was. He was talking a mile a minute all while "checking" me which was extremely uncomfortable this time (which I realized later was because he was stretching me again and was a lot more aggressive about it than the Dr I saw last week). But what I heard was that I have about a 50% chance of delivering on my own over the weekend, but he would keep me scheduled for Tues morning just in case. So that was encouraging.

So far today, I've felt uncomfortable....more pressure and cramping at times...but nothing big. We went straight to Concord Mills to walk and try to get this baby out ourselves. Then after a short nap we went out to eat with Josh's family and hung out at his parent's house until just a little while ago. That was fun and everyone seems super excited.

Thank you guys for bearing through all the details (Josh says I write too much) and checking in on us. I have felt so loved and cared for through this whole pregnancy, but especially here at the end. We are truly very blessed. This baby has no idea how loved it is by so many people!

Quick update

For those of you checking in on us, tomorrow is our baby's due date!!! However, nothing "seems" to be happening.....yet, anyway. At my appt last Friday I was still just 1 cm (same as the week before) so they stripped my membranes which sounds so awful but it really wasn't even that uncomfortable. The Dr just wanted to try to get me to 2 cm, but who knows if it worked. I was a little crampy that night and EXTREMELY emotional which led to a huge cry fest at almost no warning. So apparently I am not in any way hormone deficient!

I have an appt tomorrow at 1:15pm and they told me that if nothing had happened by then we would talk about scheduling induction....oh boy! I am so tired of waiting around barely able to do anything, but at the same time I realize that these are the last precious days I have left with just me and Josh so I'm not sure I want to rush that away.

So, that's about it for us....we're headed to Walmart for travel sized toiletries so we can get our bag packed tonight (still haven't done that). Maybe the walking around will help.....and, by the way, if anyone knows of things that really help get labor going, please comment.

One more thing, we just changed our internet service and also had our home phone disconnected (trying to cut bills down) so for right now please send emails to my old hotmail address and call our cell phones if you need us. If you don't have this info, comment and I'll get it to you.

More soon....

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

Picture commentary: This is our crib and changing table. It's dark wood and off sets our bright green room but still nothing on the walls so it's still pretty bright. The baby doll is our "training" baby for Max. We're trying to get him used to having a baby around who gets most of our attention. (I think he's going to have a hard time with that) It also doubles as Josh's prop for his new video monitor. At random times throughout the day and night he checks the monitor to make sure the baby is ok.

My precious husband has been working so hard trying to keep up wth all my demands and "needs" :)

And this is a very swollen and pregnant me. I don't even care about doing my hair these days, but no, I don't have a crew cut.

No baby yet and we have been running around like little headless chickens! The last week and a half have been filled with baby furniture and a million house projects. Last week we went to Fayetteville (which reminded me once again why it is lovingly referred to as "Fayette-nam") with Josh's mom Patti, and brother Chris to pick up our nursery furniture. It is even better than we anticipated! We absolutely love it! Josh's parents are some of the most generous people I have ever met and this was among the MANY baby gifts they have showered on us....we are extremely blessed.

In the midst of assembling a large crib and changing table/dresser Josh and Chris continued in their venture of painting almost the entire interior of our house (Chris was a painter and has been so sweet to help us)! We have wanted to paint for about 2 1/2 years now and just figured that if we waited until the baby comes we'll never do it. Plus, we would like to sell our house in the next year or so and it desperately needed the makeover!

So our house has felt like absolute chaos for the last week with all our living room furniture in the middle of the room, nothing on the walls, no blinds, paint cans, brushes and rollers on the kitchen counters, etc. I've pretty much been locked up in our bedroom until the fumes clear out but I have to say that the guys have done a great job and the house looks SO much better. I feel bad being selfish and wanting everything to return to normal, but it's hard imagining bringing a baby home to what feels like a construction site. At least the nursery is on it's way to being finished (waiting on the glider and ottoman to come in), although there's still work to be done there too.

And by the way, how exactly is one to predict how many onesies, sleepers, pants, etc a newborn will need before growing into 3 mo and up sizes??? This has had me puzzled for days now as I try to decide what to wash and what to take back and exchange. Alll the estimates I've read have seemed so high compared to the number of moms who have told me that their baby was only in newborn clothes for a week. They're predicting this baby to be about 7 lbs but I think it will be bigger.

I have TONS of these questions and am so anxious that I won't have everything ready and clean for when our precious little one arrives. I feel sure this is normal but that doesn't make it go away.

To complicate things a little more, the Doctors have told me repeatedly that because of my severe puffyness in my feet and ankles (and I mean PUFFY!) I am to keep my feet elevated above my heart and keep walking around when I can......say what now?!? Whatever that means I have not done it well, but Josh stays on me about it. It literally takes several hours of elevation for even the resemblance of ankles to appear and as soon as I get up to use the bathroom, eat or whatever they're back to where we started....I give up (until it hurts to walk).

On a positive note, I'm officially 1 cm dialated and the baby has dropped (the Dr felt the head which was weird). When I asked him how much longer he said "could be tonight or 2 weeks from tonight"....thanks (I expected that).

So here are the ramblings of a 1st timer at the end (and biggest) part of these long 9 months. Thanks for having the patience to read it all and please pray for a peaceful heart that makes time to be with the Father as He brings us into this big life change and calling.

Testing out the new gear!

Samuel and Keziah are the first to test drive our new baby gear!

Now we can know if it's really "kid approved", although it's hard to tell what Keziah is thinking.

Looks like some more "testing" is needed.

Just curious.....

Did you or anyone you know travel close to their due date??? If so, how close and how did it turn out?

Our peaceful little nursery

So here's the nursery as of 2 days ago. When it's finished it will have different furniture and the theme is called "Malawi" which is a jungle theme. Yeah....we have a lot of work to do!

July 4th Baby Shower

Ok, so let me just say that I had to get over a lot of personal pride in publishing this belly pic, however it still doesn't do justice to how puffy and huge I feel right now. I have other much more flattering pictures that I'll put on here soon

That being said....for July 4th my family gave us a shower and I wanted to just share a couple pictures from that. It was so much fun and as you can tell even Josh feels 100% ready to dive into his "new Daddy" duties. He was given a "Dad's Diaper Duty Device" tool belt complete with rubber gloves, tongs, goggles, face mask, hand santizer, diapers, wipes, toys, etc. He is fearless and ready to go (bring on the meconium!).

Since our nursery theme is jungle safari my sister Doria made us a HUGE diaper cake with the middle tier made out of receiving blankets and burp cloths. Isn't she creative??? I still have a towel cake she made for our wedding. She also told me that her shower gift to us is inside the cake! It will have to wait because I'm not pulling that thing apart anytime soon.

We have also been so blessed by Josh's family who gave us a shower last Sunday and I will publish pictures of that as soon as I get them. We had such a good time and are starting to feel more prepared and ready to take on this huge change in our lives thanks to Godly, loving and generous families! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

A quick update on our pregnancy is that our baby has been measuring a little small so we had another ultrasound done. Basically the baby's head circumference is about 6 days behind which we were told was not a big deal at all and that there is a lot of variation towards the end of pregnancy because of genetics. I was pretty surprised since I'm from a family of big-headed babies (we were all c-sections) and Josh was almost 10 lbs when he was born. I'm praying this means easier delivery (fingers crossed). I was also told at my last check up that I have started to efface.....YEAH!!! (I know that process can take forever, but at least it has started!) So, we're now 3 weeks from due date! So far, I have been sleeping a lot and trying to get some cleaning done every day so that when nesting hits I won't be completely overwhelmed. We've also been working on the nursery (although only we can tell) and our furniture should be here in the next week or so. In addition to that, Josh is rallying the troops to help him paint almost the entire house and caulk all the chair railing before baby gets here. I think that sounds like the perfect time for me to go to the beach!

More updates soon.....

My heart is a theme park

This is so sad. My own blog address is no longer on my drop down screen! It has been exactly one month since I have updated so if you're actually reading this you are such a sweet friend to still check in with us! I promise I will be better in the future!

Soooo much has happened in my heart and life since the last update and I really do feel like I've been on a roller coaster. I guess the biggest thing has been finally arriving at the decision to resign from my teaching position and become a full time mom! My last day was today and it felt pretty surreal (but tomorrow we go to the beach so all is ok!). This has been such a struggle for me...not because I don't want to stay home with my child, but because I didn't think it would be financially possible. I still get REALLY freaked out when I start crunching numbers. This is a huge step of faith to reduce our income to ONE teacher's salary! I know so many do this and do this well, but it is so scary! I have to say though, that in the midst of all my fear and doubt, God has poured out His kindness to us and has made it clear that this is what He is calling us to. And apparently Josh listens better because he arrived at this conclusion a long time ago.....WAY before me! I have had so many conversations that have just confirmed to me over and over that this is what I need to do. I guess it's just a little harder not knowing the joy on the other side of this. I have to trust all the moms that have told me how worth it it is. (and by the way, if you're reading this and bouncing a little one on your lap at the same time, please feel free to include any advice you might have for me!)

So, from a rookie to those of you that are out there on this journey a few steps ahead of me (or a lot) please respond and tell me your story. How did you reach this decision and how has God proven faithful to provide even when it didn't work out on paper (my worst fear)? And feel free to include any budget-cutting tips or things that you have found to be helpful in sticking to a very modest budget. Also, please share this blog with other women you think could offer insight (I'm desperate, people).

I know that I serve a faithful God and that He will provide and equip us for anything He calls us to. I have to remind myself of that often or ask others to, but He has comforted my heart and confirmed His calling to me. Thank you to those of you He has used to remind me of that! It was pretty scary handing in my classroom keys and shaking my principal's hand today and then I think to myself, "Seriously, Dana. How much security did you really think you had in that job (or any other job) anyway?" My security is not in a job or paycheck or account balance...it's in the God of all riches and the One who provides my every need anyway....whether it comes in the form of a paycheck or not. This has been good for my heart to really feel my need for Him. I get so comfortable so easily and I should know by now that sooner or later He will graciously yank me out of that!

So, keep checking back (now that you know I will be here at home more) as I will be tracking my journey and keeping you updated. Also, I will try to get some preggy pictures on here soon. I am getting huge! (you should see my feet and ankles....it's pitiful!) I can't believe that we are only 7 weeks away from our due date (Aug 4th). That sends me into a tail spin....I don't feel ready AT ALL!!!! And, for the record, I think this is going to be a precious, little boy..... this child is VERY active!

To All the Mommies!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the moms and moms-to-be!
(we can celebrate too)
What blessings you are to us!

PS.....Major Announcement!!!!

I meant to include that we have officially decided on names for little bit!!!! They are.....(everyone drum on their computer desk).

Boy -- ISAIAH STEVEN

Isaiah means "salvation is from the Lord" and we just liked it a lot. Steven is Josh's and his dad Randy's middle name and is also Randy's dad's first name. Definitely a family name (although Randy has said that all his grandchildren will be called Jack after his dad so if you feel so inclined that is fine with us too!)


Girl -- ELLA BRENNON

Ella means "beautiful" and while we wanted a biblical girl name we just couldn't find one that we liked (um, Dorcus?!?). Ella is very close to Emma which was my first pick originally until it hit the #1 spot so Ella it is (and we both also love to listen to Ella Fitzgerald but that's just a coincidence).
Brennon is my grandmother's middle name whom I love dearly and have always been close to (but she doesn't know yet).


So there you have it. For the time being, since we're not finding out the gender, Josh has settled on calling little bit Isella....it stuck.

Hmm...Should I order ignorance or responsibility?

Sorry it's been awhile since my last post. The oasis of spring break is now gone and I'm back in the desert....but the end is in sight! Only 20 something days of school left! I should post a countdown, shouldn't I? I'm everyone would be soo interested in that.

So, I've been doing some thinking lately (and "some" is relative), which has brought me to the conclusion that I simply don't think enough. I feel like all the "thinkers" around me are shedding light on my lack of thought. I shouldn't really say that I don't think....I teach 200 middle schoolers a day. One doesn't survive unless they learn to think at least one step ahead....and, trust me, 13 year olds are ALWAYS thinking! I guess I've just been "thinking" about not "thinking" about important things.....but then what one deems important is always changing too. Much of this was spurred on during my trip to Seattle. Meg took me out with some of her friends there, and now, Meg is a "thinker." She stays caught up on current events and has decided thoughts on a whole conglomeration of politically charged topics. She's a faithful reader of Time magazine and the founder of a book club (now, please raise your hand if you belong to a book club!). In fact, she stays in books.....and not just fluffy Christian books. She could map out a Barnes and Noble on a napkin (ok, maybe not). The point is, she's informed. And so are her friends. They were a huge mix of different people but were somehow able to quite naturally fall into conversation about the books they're reading, current issues in politics, religion, how different churches celebrate Easter, etc. I'm embarrassed to say that I felt like a fish out of water that so desperately wanted to swim with them....I had almost nothing to contribute! Maybe that's not true either. I know I used to discuss important issues like that, and I really think that speaking on a 7th grade level all day has seriously stunted my growth! I want to have opinions about the issues that surround us...not because it's the popular opinion but because I have seriously thought through that! DOES ANYONE ELSE EVER FEEL LIKE THIS?!? I feel utterly surrounded by strong opinions (and many really idiotic ones) and I want to know whether I agree or disagree and why. Maybe I just need a good argument. Does this mean I need to start a book club and subscribe to Time? Perhaps it means that I just start paying more attention (which I have, by the way). Our brains are often left unstimulated...never really leaving our daily routine. Our paths of thought are worn and easy to follow...I'm ready to explore new ground.....you know, think about social security, the 5 points of Calvinism (and why the "L" is so hard to swallow), immigration rights, vaccinations for infants, and the bird flu. Not just who I think will win American Idol (Chris Daughtry all the way).

I hope this makes sense. It probably doesn't since my brain has dissintegrated into to pregnancy mush....but I'm working the muscle more than I have and that's the only way to move forward, right? (I'll figure out my opinion and let you know)

HELP!

Ok, so here are pics of Josh, Me and Max (in case you don't know what we look like....and all of you do). If anyone can tell me how to post them on my profile I'll be forever grateful. I have tried multiple times, but continue to be told that the file is too large...it's just one picture! Are our heads seriously that big?!? (please don't answer)

Tulips and Eggs

Just a quick update to show off God's amazing display of tulips we saw at the tulip festival on Easter Sunday....it was breathtaking. Also are a few pics of Meghann, her sister Darian and myself dying Easter eggs. Enjoy!

No plane crashes

Well, I'm safely here with all limbs attached. The fight was long and pretty boring (but they at least showed "Narnia") so I was glad to finally land. Meg has been the perfect host and, despite the 40-something degree weather, rain and HAIL (for which I brought no rain jacket or umbrella...I know, I know...Seattleans swear this isn't normal) we ventured out to see the famous Pike's Place fish market. It was a much bigger market with a much smaller "throwing fish" section than I expected. It was full with homemade jams, crafts, paintings, jewelry, fruits, vegetables, belt buckles, handmade soaps, fish and they had the biggest tulips I believe I have ever seen. I also purchased a precious, hand-painted newborn onesie with whales swimming on it and "Seattle" written at the bottom....it made the reality of a little bundle hit home....it's so cute! We also visited the "original" Starbucks where they sell the famous "Pike's Blend" coffee that is only carried by that store. You're all welcome to come over and try it! The store was absolutely packed with people so I opted for getting my hot chocolate at the grocery store where we made a quick stop to purchase egg dying materials....yes, Starbucks is on every corner and in every grocery store (and I bet you didn't know that Seattle's Best is actually owned by Starbucks....yet they act like tough competitors -- thanks for the factoid, Meg!)

***Pictures: Top -- Super-silly Meghann at the beach for a girl's weekend
Right -- Pike's Place Market (sorry, Gary and Ashley...you didn't know your picture would be on here)
Bottom -- Partial view from Meg's living room that has a wall of windows. This piciture does it no justice. On the right side, when it's clear, she has a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier and the cascade mountains. It's stunning.

More later as our adventures continue....

Virgin Blogger!

Ok....first timer, here. I have been so intrigued by my friend's blogs and have recently felt the need to have my own place to vent, journal thoughts, ask questions and update those of you who love us and are interested in the journey we're all on...but from our point of view. Also, since I'm not great at keeping in touch with multiple people at a time this will hopefully offer some temporary redemption in that.

It's Good Friday and I'm headed to Seattle! Don't be fooled by the exclamation point...while I'm very excited to be visiting my close girl-pal Meghann, I have been hit over the head with huge waves of anxiety and many tears. It's the strangest thing - not that I'm emotional but that I'm this emotional. I have been looking forward to this for a long time as I haven't seen Meg in awhile and it's the last time I'll be able to travel for awhile with "little bit" on the way. This must be the 2nd trimester onslaught of weeping I've heard about (let me know if you can relate). 3rd trimester starts in May....WOO HOO...let the bigness begin!

I've always wanted to visit Seattle and I know I will have a fantastic time (look for pictures as soon as I figure out how to post them). I think I've just conviced myself that my plane will crash....very revealing of my heart. When you have much to lose, you fight to save it....despite the impossibility of it. Jesus' words sting a bit..."Those who seek to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" Mt 16:25. I need for that to sink in....along with the assurance that His plans are to prosper me and not to harm me....hard to believe when you think you know how to do that better. I'm so grateful for grace.

Happy Easter everyone!