Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
What a wonderful, beautiful Christmas this year!! Our family tradition is to stay home and do Christmas just us with the kids, and then we normally head out to spend New Year's with family. However, with little munchkin #3 on the way and so close to due date, we decided this year that we would stay home through the New Year. The fun part?? Well, it's that family comes to us!! Earlier this week we were still unclear as to who was coming and when, but now we know. My sister and her family, along with my mom are driving in today. My brother in law and his family will arrive later in the week. We are excited to spend this special season with each one of them and look forward to their visits.
Yesterday was a wonderful day, busy but still great. Hubby worked on cleaning out and straightening our pantry; I made a trip to the grocery store, and cooked most of the morning/early afternoon; the kids played great, together some, and alone a lot. They were very patient for the most part. Kateli helped me cook a bit, but mostly helped with the prepping/baking of the our dessert. We baked sugar cookies, iced and decorated them; as well as iced our very yummy oreo balls. The kids hardly had a nap yesterday, which worked out well because they were tired and in bed by 9pm. I have to say that the weather really has surprised me, although I'm sure it was forecasted...but earlier in the week we had had fairly warm weather...and then it started to cool off and the precipitation came in about 2 days ago. Yesterday we woke up to sleet and an accumulating sheet of ice on the roads. We went to church service at 5:00pm. When we went in it was still sleeting. When we came out, it was SNOWING!!! It was coming down pretty good. There was a nice layer of snow on top of that lovely sheet of ice, which makes for some fun driving!!! YIKES!! We made it home safely, and enjoyed our quiet Christmas dinner. We had honey glazed, spiral ham, twice baked potatoes, veggies, and rice casserole, along with yummy butter rolls...and finished off with some delicious dessert. Katherine was so excited to share all the cookies she had made!!!
After dinner we did our usual, which is sit on the couch and enjoy our own personal dance show--thanks to Kateli and Joshua. They turn on the music and dance to their heart's content. We watched TV for a while--mostly listened to some beautiful Christmas Choirs. One of the specials we listened to/watched was the one with Andreas Bocelli--it was amazing. The kids loved the music and listened intently. Katherine asked lots of questions, and when she saw Andrea, she kept asking why he had his eyes shut--so we had an opportunity to talk to her about how God makes each one of us special, and in His own image. I don't know if she understood it all, but she seemed to show some understanding of Andrea's eyes not working like hers or mommy and daddy's.
Like I said the kids were exhausted and went to bed without much complaining about 9pm. Dan and I stayed up for a little while longer, but I think we were in bed by about 11pm. This morning we ALL slept in--the kids were up close to 8am. We got up and had a very leisurely morning, no rush whatsoever to get presents opened. We had a nice breakfast, and then sat with daddy and listened as he read to us the story of the birth of Jesus in Luke. We talked a little about what Christmas is about, and who Jesus is--and this year it was fun to hear Kateli's answers. She asked about Jesus dying on the cross, and asked us what "forgiveness" meant.
We then moved on to gift opening. Both kids had a blast. I think Kateli enjoyed much more handing out the gifts to everyone else, and saying Merry Christmas, than actually opening her very own. Don't get me wrong, she loved her gifts, but she was more eager to GIVE than to RECEIVE!! Isn't that what it's all about though??
We are so blessed, and so thankful that today is Jesus' birthday. That He came as a baby, grew up and lived in our fallen world, and died on the cross for you and for me. What better gift than that?? Nothing tops that off. At the service last night, we were reminded to think about the ultimate gift that God gave to us, His SON; that we can't overlook that gift and leave it wrapped under the tree just to look at and ponder about what's inside. Rather it's the gift that we need to most eagerly be looking forward to opening, and that is a relationship with HIM.
We hope that you have had a wonderful Christmas celebration this beautiful day. May you be filled with His JOY and peace as you bid farewell to 2009 and welcome what's in store for the new year!! WOW!! 2010!!
Yesterday was a wonderful day, busy but still great. Hubby worked on cleaning out and straightening our pantry; I made a trip to the grocery store, and cooked most of the morning/early afternoon; the kids played great, together some, and alone a lot. They were very patient for the most part. Kateli helped me cook a bit, but mostly helped with the prepping/baking of the our dessert. We baked sugar cookies, iced and decorated them; as well as iced our very yummy oreo balls. The kids hardly had a nap yesterday, which worked out well because they were tired and in bed by 9pm. I have to say that the weather really has surprised me, although I'm sure it was forecasted...but earlier in the week we had had fairly warm weather...and then it started to cool off and the precipitation came in about 2 days ago. Yesterday we woke up to sleet and an accumulating sheet of ice on the roads. We went to church service at 5:00pm. When we went in it was still sleeting. When we came out, it was SNOWING!!! It was coming down pretty good. There was a nice layer of snow on top of that lovely sheet of ice, which makes for some fun driving!!! YIKES!! We made it home safely, and enjoyed our quiet Christmas dinner. We had honey glazed, spiral ham, twice baked potatoes, veggies, and rice casserole, along with yummy butter rolls...and finished off with some delicious dessert. Katherine was so excited to share all the cookies she had made!!!
After dinner we did our usual, which is sit on the couch and enjoy our own personal dance show--thanks to Kateli and Joshua. They turn on the music and dance to their heart's content. We watched TV for a while--mostly listened to some beautiful Christmas Choirs. One of the specials we listened to/watched was the one with Andreas Bocelli--it was amazing. The kids loved the music and listened intently. Katherine asked lots of questions, and when she saw Andrea, she kept asking why he had his eyes shut--so we had an opportunity to talk to her about how God makes each one of us special, and in His own image. I don't know if she understood it all, but she seemed to show some understanding of Andrea's eyes not working like hers or mommy and daddy's.
Like I said the kids were exhausted and went to bed without much complaining about 9pm. Dan and I stayed up for a little while longer, but I think we were in bed by about 11pm. This morning we ALL slept in--the kids were up close to 8am. We got up and had a very leisurely morning, no rush whatsoever to get presents opened. We had a nice breakfast, and then sat with daddy and listened as he read to us the story of the birth of Jesus in Luke. We talked a little about what Christmas is about, and who Jesus is--and this year it was fun to hear Kateli's answers. She asked about Jesus dying on the cross, and asked us what "forgiveness" meant.
We then moved on to gift opening. Both kids had a blast. I think Kateli enjoyed much more handing out the gifts to everyone else, and saying Merry Christmas, than actually opening her very own. Don't get me wrong, she loved her gifts, but she was more eager to GIVE than to RECEIVE!! Isn't that what it's all about though??
We are so blessed, and so thankful that today is Jesus' birthday. That He came as a baby, grew up and lived in our fallen world, and died on the cross for you and for me. What better gift than that?? Nothing tops that off. At the service last night, we were reminded to think about the ultimate gift that God gave to us, His SON; that we can't overlook that gift and leave it wrapped under the tree just to look at and ponder about what's inside. Rather it's the gift that we need to most eagerly be looking forward to opening, and that is a relationship with HIM.
We hope that you have had a wonderful Christmas celebration this beautiful day. May you be filled with His JOY and peace as you bid farewell to 2009 and welcome what's in store for the new year!! WOW!! 2010!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Update on baby in the womb...
So, you've seen pics but I have not shared very many updates. I'm about 35 weeks along, and anxious to meet this little one that constantly is giving me loving kicks in the belly. I was riding in the car last night, running errands and while stopped at a light baby gave a HUGE kick, literally kicking me into a moment of realization that the day is coming soon...oh so soon!! Katherine was delivered at 35weeks, and Joshua made his appearance at 37 weeks, so we may be meeting/holding this baby any day now.
I've been feeling great. I've got this tiny, cute little ball protruding from my belly (okay, I'm partial cuz it's my baby bump). You'd think that after almost 3 full pregnancies, the baby bump would just be, well that, just a baby bump. But, I'm still amazed and in awe every time I look in the mirror and see the miracle that God is working inside of me, the way that our bodies are built to conform and expand and make room for such little miracles, and the awesomeness of feeling this little person move inside of me. I don't know that any words can express very well all that goes through my mind when I take a second to really think about the whole realm of pregnancy.
So...a lot has happened in 35 weeks. We did find an OB in town who will allow me to try for my second VBAC. I started seeing her at 24 weeks. At about 26weeks I was referred to the high risk OB, same doctor that performed the ultrasound, and diagnosed the Vasa Previa with my first; same dr. that did an ultrasound and said everything was good to try for a vbac with my second. In fact, I asked to be referred to her. I wanted her to do an ultrasound and make sure everything looked good. And everything looked and continues to look good on the ultrasounds. The High Risk dr advised us to do a monthly ultrasound because of my Sjogren's-to make sure baby's heart remained healthy and strong. So, we've had the oppty to take Katherine and Joshua to two ultrasounds now, to see baby on the screen. However, they are more interested in what the tech is doing to my belly, than watching the screen--which is kinda cute.
The last ultrasound was last week. I was 34 weeks, and baby was already estimated to weighing 4lbs 11oz. The doctor said that was just a little bit over average weight, and that we should still be okay to continue our attempt for VBAC delivery. I will now be seeing my regular OB weekly, through the delivery.
I'd like to rally all of you into prayer for us, as we excitedly await the arrival of this little one.
Please pray as you are led, but specifically:
1. readiness. We know baby will arrive in God's perfect timing, but we have NO idea when. So, pray that we can be motivated to getting prepared.
2. logistics. Pray that we can have a plan in place, specifically someone to watch our oldest two when we have to head out to the hospital.
3. calmness. When Joshua came I was calm. I wasn't scared, or worried, or bogged down with the fears and risks doing a VBAC. Please pray that I can be surrounded by Holy Spirit in the same way this time, so that my fears do not hinder my body from doing what God designed it to do during child birth.
4. timing. The doctor that we have chosen to deliver this baby, is LITERALLY the only doctor in town to still be doing VBACs, and she will allow me to try for a vbac if she is the dr to deliver. Pray that I go into labor on a day/night that she is not travelling.
5. baby growth. Of course we want baby to grow and be healthy to be born, but please pray that he/she doesn't gain too much weight. I haven't asked the doctor what would be too big to let me continue with a VBAC, but I know there is a limit. So just pray that baby stays on an average gain weight :).
6. Please pray for my labor, the delivery and a healthy baby. Pray that my labor is fast, delivery is safe, and baby is healthy!
Thank you all so much for your love, support and your prayers.
I've been feeling great. I've got this tiny, cute little ball protruding from my belly (okay, I'm partial cuz it's my baby bump). You'd think that after almost 3 full pregnancies, the baby bump would just be, well that, just a baby bump. But, I'm still amazed and in awe every time I look in the mirror and see the miracle that God is working inside of me, the way that our bodies are built to conform and expand and make room for such little miracles, and the awesomeness of feeling this little person move inside of me. I don't know that any words can express very well all that goes through my mind when I take a second to really think about the whole realm of pregnancy.
So...a lot has happened in 35 weeks. We did find an OB in town who will allow me to try for my second VBAC. I started seeing her at 24 weeks. At about 26weeks I was referred to the high risk OB, same doctor that performed the ultrasound, and diagnosed the Vasa Previa with my first; same dr. that did an ultrasound and said everything was good to try for a vbac with my second. In fact, I asked to be referred to her. I wanted her to do an ultrasound and make sure everything looked good. And everything looked and continues to look good on the ultrasounds. The High Risk dr advised us to do a monthly ultrasound because of my Sjogren's-to make sure baby's heart remained healthy and strong. So, we've had the oppty to take Katherine and Joshua to two ultrasounds now, to see baby on the screen. However, they are more interested in what the tech is doing to my belly, than watching the screen--which is kinda cute.
The last ultrasound was last week. I was 34 weeks, and baby was already estimated to weighing 4lbs 11oz. The doctor said that was just a little bit over average weight, and that we should still be okay to continue our attempt for VBAC delivery. I will now be seeing my regular OB weekly, through the delivery.
I'd like to rally all of you into prayer for us, as we excitedly await the arrival of this little one.
Please pray as you are led, but specifically:
1. readiness. We know baby will arrive in God's perfect timing, but we have NO idea when. So, pray that we can be motivated to getting prepared.
2. logistics. Pray that we can have a plan in place, specifically someone to watch our oldest two when we have to head out to the hospital.
3. calmness. When Joshua came I was calm. I wasn't scared, or worried, or bogged down with the fears and risks doing a VBAC. Please pray that I can be surrounded by Holy Spirit in the same way this time, so that my fears do not hinder my body from doing what God designed it to do during child birth.
4. timing. The doctor that we have chosen to deliver this baby, is LITERALLY the only doctor in town to still be doing VBACs, and she will allow me to try for a vbac if she is the dr to deliver. Pray that I go into labor on a day/night that she is not travelling.
5. baby growth. Of course we want baby to grow and be healthy to be born, but please pray that he/she doesn't gain too much weight. I haven't asked the doctor what would be too big to let me continue with a VBAC, but I know there is a limit. So just pray that baby stays on an average gain weight :).
6. Please pray for my labor, the delivery and a healthy baby. Pray that my labor is fast, delivery is safe, and baby is healthy!
Thank you all so much for your love, support and your prayers.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
baby on the way....32 weeks and counting!
In an effort to continue practicing doing self portraits for my real maternity shoot, I captured these images, which I just love. Here is baby in the womb at 32 weeks.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Our Christmas Tree is up...
We're on it, or I should say dear hubby is on the ball. He put up our Christmas tree this weekend. I think this is the earliest we have ever put it up. As much as I'd like to post a fam pic in front of the tree, today it was NOT going to happen. Maybe another day. So for today, you get yours truly...by the way, this is me at 32weeks pregnant!! I have not taken too many pics of my belly, so I thought this worked, even if it is out of focus. It's hard to take pics of oneself!
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