Jesus was in the desert for 40 days. I feel like I've been in the desert for almost that long. We've been fighting sickness for the past month. Thank goodness tomorrow is February. Overall our family is really healthy and rarely gets sicks. But, this month the boys and I had the stomach flu and now we're fighting off a fever/cold/cough thing. Yuck! While Jesus was in the desert He was tempted and tested and molded and formed. I feel like that's what's been happening to me, too!
I'll fill you in on these deep revelations when I'm feeling better, but I thought you might be interested to know what I've been eating the last few days. When either Eric is in charge of meals or when I just want to grab something and lay back down.
Sunday
B: Trader Joe's strawberry granola bar shared with Samuel
L: 1 slice of mushroom pizza from Eric's favorite pizza place
D: 1 slice of leftover pizza
Monday
B: Whole wheat toast with almond butter and strawberry jam
L: 1 slice leftover pizza
D: Two tacos (these "tacos" were basically two corn tortillas and some ground beef that Eric made for a fiesta that I really wanted to go to, but couldn't...)
Tuesday
B: Whole wheat toast with almond butter and strawberry jam
L: Campbell's chicken noodle soup (shared with the kids, so I had about 2 tablespoons of noodles and 1/2 cup broth. I never realized how small those cans are)
D: Two tacos and small peach Jamba Juice
Wednesday
B: TJ's granola bar, not shared with Samuel, I ate it faster this time!
L: Frozen pizza made by Eric. 2 small pizzas
D: 1/3 bean, rice, cheese burrito and small orange Jamba Juice
So, as you can see I've eaten no fruits and veggies other than those in the smoothies. Yuck! And, I feel like I've hardly eaten any food. But, after thinking about that one, I've probably eaten the correct amount of calories based on what I've done since Sunday night....laid there!
Thank goodness we're on the mend and feeling better today. I have a midwife appointment today. I couldn't decide whether or not I should go, but I think I'm going to.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sweet, Sweet Samuel
Samuel had his (almost) 21 month appointment on Tuesday. I'm confused about that fact that he even had an (almost) 21 month appointment, but ok. They also said he didn't need to come back for a year, which confused me even more. The good thing about have babies close together is even if you're going in for one, you can ask questions about the other. Like, on Tuesday, I asked about Judah going to the dentist. I plan to make him an appointment this week!
Anyway, back to Samuel, he was 28lbs, 4oz and 35 inches tall. He is in the 70% for weight and 90% for height. He's a "tall, skinny boy," says his pediatrician, "but noone would believe that with those cheecks." We've heard that before, haha. We love Dr. Stanley! Samuel is incredibly healthy, but doesn't like the ped as much as Judah did. Judah, seriously, would never cry. Not even after his shots. Samuel cried the entire time we entered the exam room, when we went into the hall to weigh him, and didn't stop until we were in the hall to go home. He kept crying, "Put my jammies back on, Mama." I just quietly said, "We didn't bring your jammies, but we can't put your clothes back on yet." My poor baby! (Big boy!)
I'm finding that my husband is such an incredible businessman and entrepenuer! He has gotten 7 new pools in the last few weeks. Tomorrow he gets decals put on his truck, so I'll take a picture and post those. He's so excited about them and I'm so proud!
Anyway, back to Samuel, he was 28lbs, 4oz and 35 inches tall. He is in the 70% for weight and 90% for height. He's a "tall, skinny boy," says his pediatrician, "but noone would believe that with those cheecks." We've heard that before, haha. We love Dr. Stanley! Samuel is incredibly healthy, but doesn't like the ped as much as Judah did. Judah, seriously, would never cry. Not even after his shots. Samuel cried the entire time we entered the exam room, when we went into the hall to weigh him, and didn't stop until we were in the hall to go home. He kept crying, "Put my jammies back on, Mama." I just quietly said, "We didn't bring your jammies, but we can't put your clothes back on yet." My poor baby! (Big boy!)
I'm finding that my husband is such an incredible businessman and entrepenuer! He has gotten 7 new pools in the last few weeks. Tomorrow he gets decals put on his truck, so I'll take a picture and post those. He's so excited about them and I'm so proud!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Not Cool
So, I have an iPod, yes, but I have no clue how to work the darn thing! First I could not figure out how to download anything onto it. Eric figured that out, but downloaded every single thing from his itunes onto it. There was only 2 things there that I actually wanted. I have my own itunes on my login window, but Eric registered it to his side. Can I register it to my side, too? Can I download only some things and not others? Ugh, this is so frustrating. And, now it will not stop saying "Do not disconnect." I want to take it to the gym today, but maybe I'll stay home and cry instead. haha
Saturday, January 19, 2008
I'm Cool!
As of last week I am a proud new owner of an iPod Nano. Better late than never, right? It makes going to the gym that much more exciting. And, I feel productive because I am can listen to Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, etc.. Yay!!!
Eric had a fun birthday celebration. We had cupcakes at cell group on Monday and then a family birthday dinner with Eric's fam on his actual birthday. The highlight for Eric was that his mom had made TWO peanut butter pies (one to take home) with homemade whip cream. He plans to use his birthday money for business decals on his favorite birthday present....a Toyota Tacoma! Eric loves his new truck and, even though he put me on the paperwork, he won't let me drive it. haha I need to take pics and post them. It's pretty fun because it has an extended cab, so for now, the whole family fits. Until Baby Tiny comes, that is.
Speaking of Baby Tiny, I'm feeling really good. This pregnancy is flying by! I can't believe I enter into the third trimester in 6 days. Crazy! The boys are both so excited to meet their baby brother. Judah asked me the other day, "When Baby Tiny comes out can I hold him?" I told him, of course! "But you will help me?"
Eric had a fun birthday celebration. We had cupcakes at cell group on Monday and then a family birthday dinner with Eric's fam on his actual birthday. The highlight for Eric was that his mom had made TWO peanut butter pies (one to take home) with homemade whip cream. He plans to use his birthday money for business decals on his favorite birthday present....a Toyota Tacoma! Eric loves his new truck and, even though he put me on the paperwork, he won't let me drive it. haha I need to take pics and post them. It's pretty fun because it has an extended cab, so for now, the whole family fits. Until Baby Tiny comes, that is.
Speaking of Baby Tiny, I'm feeling really good. This pregnancy is flying by! I can't believe I enter into the third trimester in 6 days. Crazy! The boys are both so excited to meet their baby brother. Judah asked me the other day, "When Baby Tiny comes out can I hold him?" I told him, of course! "But you will help me?"
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Happy Birthday, Handsome Man!
Eric,
I praise God for your life. I praise Him for the gift that He has given me in You. I know that God has created us for eachother. He took you, with your strengths and temperment, and me, with opposite strengths and temperment, and perfectly and divinely placed us together as one.
You are a man of God. You are the rock of our family and the priest of our home and I know you do not take that role lightly. I love that you are so diligent to get in your Word everyday and it blesses me to watch you raise up your disciples to be men of God. As Pastor always tell you, you are an excellent leader- the best!
You are faithful and steadfast. Although I have given you plenty of reason to give up on me, I have never, for one moment, doubted your enduring commitment. I know that your eyes never have, and never will, look to the left or to the right, but you cherish me and honor me as your wife. I know that you do not take lightly the vows you made to me, before God, on our wedding day.
You are an excellent provider. I have never met anyone with work ethic like yours; and, so many people have told me the same thing. Because of your hard work and faithfulness in tithing, even when we didn't have much, we never lacked anything. It is exciting to see our business grow, and I know because of your character and commitment to God, He will prosper everything you touch.
You are a man of prayer and a mighty warrior in the spirit. I know that I tease you because you don't talk as much as the boys and me, but when you do your words have that much more power. When I heard you pray on the microphone on New Year's Eve, my heart soared. I was so proud of you and your authority in intercession.
You are an amazing father I I love to watch you hold both of the boys in your lap and gently kiss the top of their heads. I can't wait to see you hold Baby Tiny. The boys adore you and admire you and I pray they grow up to be just like you. To us, you are a tangible example of the love of the Father.
Eric, I love you so much. You are the perfect man- there is no other that compares to you. As time goes by I fall more and more in love with you. I am so excited about the new season and new level that we are coming into in our marriage and ministry. There is noone else I would ever want to experience this journey with. You are my kind and my knight in shining armor and my true love.
Love, Morgan
*I also asked Judah what he wanted to say to Papa and here is what he wrote:*
I love you, Papa! I like your birthday. I like you. You are the best papa in the whole world. Happy Birthday!
Love, Judah
I praise God for your life. I praise Him for the gift that He has given me in You. I know that God has created us for eachother. He took you, with your strengths and temperment, and me, with opposite strengths and temperment, and perfectly and divinely placed us together as one.
You are a man of God. You are the rock of our family and the priest of our home and I know you do not take that role lightly. I love that you are so diligent to get in your Word everyday and it blesses me to watch you raise up your disciples to be men of God. As Pastor always tell you, you are an excellent leader- the best!
You are faithful and steadfast. Although I have given you plenty of reason to give up on me, I have never, for one moment, doubted your enduring commitment. I know that your eyes never have, and never will, look to the left or to the right, but you cherish me and honor me as your wife. I know that you do not take lightly the vows you made to me, before God, on our wedding day.
You are an excellent provider. I have never met anyone with work ethic like yours; and, so many people have told me the same thing. Because of your hard work and faithfulness in tithing, even when we didn't have much, we never lacked anything. It is exciting to see our business grow, and I know because of your character and commitment to God, He will prosper everything you touch.
You are a man of prayer and a mighty warrior in the spirit. I know that I tease you because you don't talk as much as the boys and me, but when you do your words have that much more power. When I heard you pray on the microphone on New Year's Eve, my heart soared. I was so proud of you and your authority in intercession.
You are an amazing father I I love to watch you hold both of the boys in your lap and gently kiss the top of their heads. I can't wait to see you hold Baby Tiny. The boys adore you and admire you and I pray they grow up to be just like you. To us, you are a tangible example of the love of the Father.
Eric, I love you so much. You are the perfect man- there is no other that compares to you. As time goes by I fall more and more in love with you. I am so excited about the new season and new level that we are coming into in our marriage and ministry. There is noone else I would ever want to experience this journey with. You are my kind and my knight in shining armor and my true love.
Love, Morgan
*I also asked Judah what he wanted to say to Papa and here is what he wrote:*
I love you, Papa! I like your birthday. I like you. You are the best papa in the whole world. Happy Birthday!
Love, Judah
Monday, January 14, 2008
Birth Plan
I've had a lot of confusion on how and where to have this little baby boy! Before I was even pregnant with Judah I had this fascination with Amish people (random, I know). I checked out all the books from the library about the Amish and one of them just so happened to be a midwife to Amish women. She wasn't Amish herself, just their midwife. I LOVED her philosphies. Everything was completely natural, she never induced, she only transferred to the hospital when completely medically necessary, there were no "convenient" interventions, and she never, ever did episiotomies. I knew that when I got pregnant I would definitely use a midwife.
When I found out that I was pregnant with Judah we kept it a surprise for quite a while, so I didn't ask anyone for referrals on who to go to. I just randomly called some midwives and made an appointment. I liked them quite a bit, but wasn't completely set. After we did tell that we were pregnant a coworker's bestfriend told me about the midwives that she went to for all 3 of her girls. She, also, works with them at the hospital. This hospital was not the one that was only a few minutes away from our house, but instead was about 20-30 minutes away. It was well worth it, though, because this hospital is so much nicer! You have huge, private rooms that you labor, deliver, and stay in. There is a chair that converts into a bed, so your husband can stay right with you. There is a tub that you can labor in. Or, you can have a water birth right in that same room.
My birth experience with Judah was so great! Because I had been dilated so much and not gone into labor, my midwife had me come up to the hospital to be checked. When I got there I was dilated between 4-5cm and 80% effaced (if I remember correctly), so she decided to insert cervadil. Then she told me to go to lunch and go walking. Eric and I went to this really cute little cafe, then walked for over an hour. I went back to the hospital and was between a 5-6. I still wasn't having any hard contactions, so at 10pm she decided to break my water. They started the tub, I got in and the warm water felt so good! After a few pushes, and what Cheryl says was one of the quietest deliveries she'd seen, Judah was born at 11:14pm.
With Samuel, although I liked the experience with Judah, I decided I didn't wan to be induced. I still wanted to labor in the water, because at that time, they weren't doing waterbirths. I, again, was dilated a lot super early. I think I was at 5cm 2 weeks before Samuel was born. So, because my body had done so much work in advance, when labor came it was quick! I woke up at 1am and Samuel was born at 1:58am just a few minutes after we got to the hospital. That time my midwife was Janice and she didn't even make it in the room until after his head was out.
So, this time I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I love my midwives and I love the hospital that I have delivered at. I didn't really want to be induced because it just didn't feel 100% right to me. I didn't really want to go to the hospital down the street because there's always the possibility that I would have to share a room and Eric couldn't stay. And, you can't have waterbirths. It's just not as nice. One of the midwives suggested that I have a homebirth. I know some people think it's crazy to use midwives and even crazier to have a homebirth, but personally, I love the idea! I never was (and still am not) concerned about complications. I have had really easy labors/deliveries thus far, and even more so, I completely trust God to protect my baby and I know he will be safe and healthy. So, I called the one that I'd heard of, but she lives in the town 20-30 minutes away. That kind of defeats the purpose, because what if she didn't make it to my delivery? I called the other lady and met with her. I really, really wanted it to work because I wanted to have a waterbirth, but I just didn't feel right with her. First, she seemed...uhhh...new-agey? Is that a word? Also, she doesn't bill insurance, so we'd have to pay in cash. And, the clencher, she said that during our appointments she wanted to "get to know me" so they'd last between 1-2 hours. That first one did last about 2 hours and I definitely do not have the time for that. One of the things I love about the midwives is I'm usually in and out in about 20 minutes. Especially being my 3rd pregnancy I don't really have any questions.
So, my next option was an ob here in town. I knew him from where I worked before Judah was born and I liked him as a person. The reason I say, "as a person" is because being an ob, he has a much higher rate of c-sections, inductions, and episiotomies than my midwives. All things I wanted to avoid. So, I called and made my appointment. I was scheduled for noon, but they told me to come in at 11:30am to do my paperwork.
Because I wanted Eric there to talk to him about the questions we had (he'd already met him through my work) I asked my mom to watch the boys during her lunch break. She got there a few minutes before 11:30 and Eric met me at the office right on time. As I was doing my paperwork he walked right through the waiting room. Eric said, "I wonder if he is doing a delivery?" To make a really long story short, I finally left his office almost 3 hours later. Eric had to leave to watch the boys, so my mom could go back to work. I totally understand that as an ob things happen and sometimes you have to leave. That wasn't what made me decide against him. He asked about previous pregnancies and I told him about my boys. He said, "Has anyone ever told you about birth control?" Maybe he was just trying to be funny, but that seemed really unprofessional. One other time he mentioned birth control ("We'll definitely be talking about birthcontrol in June") and even asked if I wanted to get a tubal after delivery. I told him about my deliveries (the cervadil with Judah) and how I wanted to go to stay in town because I didn't want to be induced. He said he would never use cervadil, instead he thought I should be induced with pitocin. Although it makes deliveries longer and harder, "if you want to have a baby you use pitocin." Another thing I didn't care for was just how sterile and cold the whole office is. I guess this isn't necessarily a bad thing, some people might say it's more professional. While I was in there a woman who looked, at least, 8 months pregnant came in and she had to tell them her name. When you walk into the midwives office it's so warm and inviting. Not only do they greet me by name, but Eric and the boys, too.
So, last week I met with Cheryl my favorite midwife. She suggested that at 36 weeks she'll see how dilated I am. At 38 weeks we will talk about using cervadil to start labor. I really want to have a waterbirth again this time, but because of policy changes I probably wouldn't be able to if they broke my water. I've decided to stick to the midwives I love, the hospital I love and trust God with the rest. Maybe my body will go into labor on the way to the hospital, maybe with the cervadil and they won't have to break my water, or maybe they will but it will be fine. I know that no matter what I'll have my perfect baby boy and that's all that really matters. That's what I've resolved myself to!
When I found out that I was pregnant with Judah we kept it a surprise for quite a while, so I didn't ask anyone for referrals on who to go to. I just randomly called some midwives and made an appointment. I liked them quite a bit, but wasn't completely set. After we did tell that we were pregnant a coworker's bestfriend told me about the midwives that she went to for all 3 of her girls. She, also, works with them at the hospital. This hospital was not the one that was only a few minutes away from our house, but instead was about 20-30 minutes away. It was well worth it, though, because this hospital is so much nicer! You have huge, private rooms that you labor, deliver, and stay in. There is a chair that converts into a bed, so your husband can stay right with you. There is a tub that you can labor in. Or, you can have a water birth right in that same room.
My birth experience with Judah was so great! Because I had been dilated so much and not gone into labor, my midwife had me come up to the hospital to be checked. When I got there I was dilated between 4-5cm and 80% effaced (if I remember correctly), so she decided to insert cervadil. Then she told me to go to lunch and go walking. Eric and I went to this really cute little cafe, then walked for over an hour. I went back to the hospital and was between a 5-6. I still wasn't having any hard contactions, so at 10pm she decided to break my water. They started the tub, I got in and the warm water felt so good! After a few pushes, and what Cheryl says was one of the quietest deliveries she'd seen, Judah was born at 11:14pm.
With Samuel, although I liked the experience with Judah, I decided I didn't wan to be induced. I still wanted to labor in the water, because at that time, they weren't doing waterbirths. I, again, was dilated a lot super early. I think I was at 5cm 2 weeks before Samuel was born. So, because my body had done so much work in advance, when labor came it was quick! I woke up at 1am and Samuel was born at 1:58am just a few minutes after we got to the hospital. That time my midwife was Janice and she didn't even make it in the room until after his head was out.
So, this time I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I love my midwives and I love the hospital that I have delivered at. I didn't really want to be induced because it just didn't feel 100% right to me. I didn't really want to go to the hospital down the street because there's always the possibility that I would have to share a room and Eric couldn't stay. And, you can't have waterbirths. It's just not as nice. One of the midwives suggested that I have a homebirth. I know some people think it's crazy to use midwives and even crazier to have a homebirth, but personally, I love the idea! I never was (and still am not) concerned about complications. I have had really easy labors/deliveries thus far, and even more so, I completely trust God to protect my baby and I know he will be safe and healthy. So, I called the one that I'd heard of, but she lives in the town 20-30 minutes away. That kind of defeats the purpose, because what if she didn't make it to my delivery? I called the other lady and met with her. I really, really wanted it to work because I wanted to have a waterbirth, but I just didn't feel right with her. First, she seemed...uhhh...new-agey? Is that a word? Also, she doesn't bill insurance, so we'd have to pay in cash. And, the clencher, she said that during our appointments she wanted to "get to know me" so they'd last between 1-2 hours. That first one did last about 2 hours and I definitely do not have the time for that. One of the things I love about the midwives is I'm usually in and out in about 20 minutes. Especially being my 3rd pregnancy I don't really have any questions.
So, my next option was an ob here in town. I knew him from where I worked before Judah was born and I liked him as a person. The reason I say, "as a person" is because being an ob, he has a much higher rate of c-sections, inductions, and episiotomies than my midwives. All things I wanted to avoid. So, I called and made my appointment. I was scheduled for noon, but they told me to come in at 11:30am to do my paperwork.
Because I wanted Eric there to talk to him about the questions we had (he'd already met him through my work) I asked my mom to watch the boys during her lunch break. She got there a few minutes before 11:30 and Eric met me at the office right on time. As I was doing my paperwork he walked right through the waiting room. Eric said, "I wonder if he is doing a delivery?" To make a really long story short, I finally left his office almost 3 hours later. Eric had to leave to watch the boys, so my mom could go back to work. I totally understand that as an ob things happen and sometimes you have to leave. That wasn't what made me decide against him. He asked about previous pregnancies and I told him about my boys. He said, "Has anyone ever told you about birth control?" Maybe he was just trying to be funny, but that seemed really unprofessional. One other time he mentioned birth control ("We'll definitely be talking about birthcontrol in June") and even asked if I wanted to get a tubal after delivery. I told him about my deliveries (the cervadil with Judah) and how I wanted to go to stay in town because I didn't want to be induced. He said he would never use cervadil, instead he thought I should be induced with pitocin. Although it makes deliveries longer and harder, "if you want to have a baby you use pitocin." Another thing I didn't care for was just how sterile and cold the whole office is. I guess this isn't necessarily a bad thing, some people might say it's more professional. While I was in there a woman who looked, at least, 8 months pregnant came in and she had to tell them her name. When you walk into the midwives office it's so warm and inviting. Not only do they greet me by name, but Eric and the boys, too.
So, last week I met with Cheryl my favorite midwife. She suggested that at 36 weeks she'll see how dilated I am. At 38 weeks we will talk about using cervadil to start labor. I really want to have a waterbirth again this time, but because of policy changes I probably wouldn't be able to if they broke my water. I've decided to stick to the midwives I love, the hospital I love and trust God with the rest. Maybe my body will go into labor on the way to the hospital, maybe with the cervadil and they won't have to break my water, or maybe they will but it will be fine. I know that no matter what I'll have my perfect baby boy and that's all that really matters. That's what I've resolved myself to!
Friday, January 11, 2008
This Too Shall Pass
Well, I'm back. Yay! We got a new keyboard. Is anyone still reading? Ok, I know a few of you are. Unfortunately, neither our keyboard or our dvd drive were covered by Apple Care. The keyboard because it was dirty and the drive because they found a penny and a dime in it. haha We got a really cool new keyboard that's all flat. I keep accidentally pushing caps lock, but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.
Since Wednesday we've been dealing with fevers/flu. I'm really ready to be over it! On Thursday night there was a huge storm here and most of the city lost their power. Praise God we didn't because Friday night Judah started throwing up. It seriously was God because less than 1/2 a mile on both sides of us the power was out. Monday Samuel started throwing up and then Wednesday I did. Last night Eric came home not feeling good, but slept from 6:30pm-9:30am and woke up feeling fine. We're all feeling pretty good today, Samuel just has more diarrhea. Pray for completely healing for all of us and protection for everyone that's been around us. We're more than ready to move on!
I can't believe that I'm 24 weeks pregnant today! This pregnancy is flying by- even more so than with Samuel. I just want to enjoy every moment of it because I know it will be over quickly. (How cliche is that?) I finally took a pregnancy picture, then when I tried to upload it I realized the camera batteries are dead. They are charging right now, so I I will post it as soon as they are done. We're so excited to meet our baby boy and it's so fun having Judah fully comprehend the whole idea of me being pregnant and having a new baby brother. Surprisingly, Samuel understands the concept very well for a 20 month old. He says "Baby Tiny in Mama's tummy. See Baby Tiny." Then he'll want to lift up my shirt to see my stomach.
Tomorrow we're having a movie night/ice cream sundaes for our youth with the purpose of them bringing in their friends. I'm praying for a healthy, relaxing day with the family before all the excitement!
Since Wednesday we've been dealing with fevers/flu. I'm really ready to be over it! On Thursday night there was a huge storm here and most of the city lost their power. Praise God we didn't because Friday night Judah started throwing up. It seriously was God because less than 1/2 a mile on both sides of us the power was out. Monday Samuel started throwing up and then Wednesday I did. Last night Eric came home not feeling good, but slept from 6:30pm-9:30am and woke up feeling fine. We're all feeling pretty good today, Samuel just has more diarrhea. Pray for completely healing for all of us and protection for everyone that's been around us. We're more than ready to move on!
I can't believe that I'm 24 weeks pregnant today! This pregnancy is flying by- even more so than with Samuel. I just want to enjoy every moment of it because I know it will be over quickly. (How cliche is that?) I finally took a pregnancy picture, then when I tried to upload it I realized the camera batteries are dead. They are charging right now, so I I will post it as soon as they are done. We're so excited to meet our baby boy and it's so fun having Judah fully comprehend the whole idea of me being pregnant and having a new baby brother. Surprisingly, Samuel understands the concept very well for a 20 month old. He says "Baby Tiny in Mama's tummy. See Baby Tiny." Then he'll want to lift up my shirt to see my stomach.
Tomorrow we're having a movie night/ice cream sundaes for our youth with the purpose of them bringing in their friends. I'm praying for a healthy, relaxing day with the family before all the excitement!
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