Remembering the beginning...

  With the beginning of June soon to come, I quickly realize that means July 1 is one month away, only 35 days until we meet our daughter! It seems like just yesterday that we were in Israel finding out we were pregnant! I was sitting on our room's balcony, feeling so full of life, wanting to scream it at the top of my lungs! DJ and I chose to keep it between us for the first week we were there and it was something I'll never forget. Being able to look DJ in the eye and he'd have that twinkle, that only we knew why it was there. Knowing there was life growing inside of me that God chose to allow with His very perfect timing and knowing how very significant it was that we find out in Israel. 

  After deciding to let the others in on the big secret, I had those that wanted to pray and bless the pregnancy. I'll never forget the day that the group gathered around us on top of Mount Carmel and prayed for our little one. Words such as "warrior"and "double portion"  came over and over again. And the Lord spoke to me. He said," This is my pregnancy! Trust me!" Since that day, I've had peace with every part of this pregnancy. Even now, I look down at my belly and I can't help but smile...it's been 8 months of ups and downs, but we put our trust in Him, knowing that He would guard and protect our precious gift. And now as we face the 35 wk mark, I am undone with blessing, joy, and peace. God is good and He truly gives us the desires of our hearts!
                        *     *     *     *     *

  Now we are in preparation mode, acquiring last minute necessities, packing hospital bags and the baby bag, and working on relaxation and breathing methods (more me, than DJ). I've always been the type to feel more comfortable in a situation having already experienced something similar to it. This will be mostly all new to me. Therefore I'm doing what I can to prepare, hoping I remember when I'm actually in labor! :) Depending on when she decides to come, this may be my last blog until after she is here! I'll post on Facebook best I can! Thank you for your continued prayers! Blessings!!

Stir Crazy!

  The time is drawing near for this little one to come...8 weeks to go! I can hardly believe how soon we'll be holding her and doing all the things a new Mommy and Daddy get to do! Although it seems to have gone somewhat quickly, I'm in awe that I've been able to make it 3 months on bed rest! Today I am definitely feeling STIR CRAZY! It's a beautiful day outside and having company come and then watch them leave was hard. Being able to just go grocery shopping or go on a walk or a road trip with DJ...the simple things that I once took for granted. I am so longing to be able to do simple things again! I have been so thankful for a schedule that would allow me to be on bed rest and a husband to be here to help me through. I have had some moments of stillness that I enjoyed, but today...I AM STIR CRAZY! 

  I think what I have learned is to not hold emotions in, but communicate with DJ as much as possible what I'm feeling. Even if I feel it might sound sillier outside my head, just getting it out really helps. I've also learned that it's okay to cry. Sad, happy, mad, irritated, nervous, etc. With all these extra hormones, it's bound to happen. I've appreciated DJ letting it be okay and offering up his shoulder to cry on. Don't get me wrong, we laugh and plan and dream. There are many, many good days. Not being able to lead a "normal" life and sometimes being alone during the day catch up to you.

  If I could offer advice to anyone on bed rest, it would be to fully rely on your husband! Make him part of your day and make an effort to have conversation not having technology in the background. I think it's so important to open up and reveal those things that seem to get pent up so easily.

I would also say that keeping date night is so important! It may not be much, but putting a movie on and eating something a little nicer or out of the ordinary really breaks up times and meals that have become routine. 

All in all, I must go all the way back to the beginning of this pregnancy and remember what God told me in Israel. He said," This is my (God) pregnancy. Trust in me." So...here starts my 8 week countdown to July 1!!

They say it tastes like orange sunkist pop...

DUNT DUNT DUUUUUUN! The week of the glucose test has finally arrived!! I haven't been looking forward to the test, but I am pretty excited we are at 28 weeks! I don't know if people who have gone through it really think it tastes like flat orange pop, but we shall see! I think I've been pretty determined to not have gestational diabetes, so I've watched my sugar intake. But when you crave something sweet, you have to eat it!! :) 

In all my magazines and books, they've announced the final decent of the pregnancy: THIRD TRIMESTER! For the past two trimesters, I have coasted on good reports and ultrasound pictures showing me glimpses of my baby girl. And now, all of a sudden, we are almost done! Exciting, but a bundle of nerves. Watching and paying total attention to how I feel with every braxton hicks contraction that passes. I've registered with the hospital, made my hospital/baby bag list of things to pack, and have learned a little bit about how to breathe during labor. Because we've chosen to have baby showers after Baby Steen is born, I think it feels like her arrival should be later. But we only have 12 weeks left!!!

We are all moved over from our house and DJ continues to finish little projects there to be ready to show it to potential buyers! When all is said and done, we are glad we moved. BUT transition is difficult, especially when I don't do particularly well with changes. Momma just wants to NEST here people! :) :)

Thank you to everyone who has visited and sent cards and goodie bags! It has really made this time pass by a little more quickly than I anticipated! When Baby gets here, watch out, cuz we'll be knocking on your door! No laying around for this Momma!! :) 

BLESSINGS!!!

You are my hiding place...

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance...Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" Psalm 32:7 & 11

I was reading this morning and this scripture really ministered to me. I feel like sometimes I can get down and feel sorry for myself about being on bed rest. But knowing what I'm fighting for encourages me and gives me that much  more gusto to get through one more day! I've been trusting in the Lord to give me strength and comfort each new day. It's not easy, but I will continue to press on :) 

I can't believe it's been 8 weeks already! We are between 26 and 27 weeks now and baby is measuring right on and weighing 2 lbs. She has been very active! I just love feeling her move around! Visitors have been able to feel her movements as well, which is fun! 

We are moving this weekend to a new home. It has been kind of hard not being able to help, but I have AMAZING family that help selflessly! I can't even imagine what we'd do without them! I'll be posting pictures as I can take them!

We are very excited to start this new leg of our journey together!

Be blessed today! 

My cup is full!

3 WEEKS DOWN!! AND INTO WEEK #4!

We are into our 23rd week now! Bed rest has been going well. And surprisingly I've stayed pretty busy! I've had several visitors, two who have brought their babies! It filled my baby cravings! Thank you friends! 

I appreciate everything that has been provided for my never ending entertainment!! What a blessing to have such amazing friends and family!!

Things I have begun to appreciate more:

1) A full water bottle

2) A warm shower

3) Clean comfy pants

4) A chocolate stash within arms reach

5) Internet- that is always working!

6) A charged phone (phone calls, texts, and Words with Friends tends to drain it!)

7) Clean comfy pants! (Did I already mention that??)

8) Friends/Family visits...means more than you know!

9) Pinterest & Netflix

And last, but surely not least...

10) My husband!! Over the last month he has acted selflessly to make sure that all my needs are met, like the cravings that require him to leave the house even when he has just arrived home! I am so blessed!

We have a doctor appointment next week! We'll have an ultrasound to see the baby and will also be scheduled for the steroid shots for the baby's lungs development. Please be praying that this week goes by with ease and that I'll remain peaceful and joyful! Each day is a gift and I'm treating it as such...especially when this little one is bouncing inside of me! 

Thank you for reading! Blessings!

Definition of Bed Rest..

Rest: Cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.

Before being pregnant, I would think about what it would be like to be on bed rest..."Time off" or "I could catch up on so many things!" or "I can sleep in every day!!". As I lay here (one week and one day having been on bed rest), I feel as thought those answers have changed quite a bit! 

I went in for a routine checkup and ultrasound, baby cooperated and was able to show the tech if she were a boy or a girl and I was ecstatic! The doctor came in and said that my cervix was shorter than she'd like to see and that I would need to start bed rest as soon as I arrived home. BUMMER!!! None of those feelings of having time off or being able to sleep in every day crossed my mind! In fact, it was quite the opposite. I began thinking about everything that I would be missing because of being laid up at home. Coffee dates, pedicure/lunch dates, and possibly even my own baby showers! I had to have some time to process everything and it came down to this: DJ and I would do anything for our baby, and that even meant being on bed rest for the entirety of the pregnancy! My quiet times since then have consisted with prayers of protection and life. That I would keep my gaze fixed on Jesus and continue to steward an atmosphere of peace and love. And that I would take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 

Last Saturday we had our family over and partook of the amazing cake pops (Made by Crystal Lynn!!) to reveal our baby's gender...we are having a baby GIRL!!! It was such an amazing experience finding out that way!

Since then we've been praying and anointing the belly mostly every day and just watching it grow and grow! She has been VERY active, moving around all the time. It's one of the coolest feelings---I can't wait for the kicks!!

So, is bed rest all that bad?? No. I am still able to enjoy friends and meals. And I do get to sleep in some. Ultimately, I am a mother and I will do whatever I have to keep her safe and sound until it's time for her to come out! 

You can be praying for extra miraculous results of our ultrasound next week and a good report! We believe in a BIG God and are trusting in His promises!! Be blessed!!

Time flies when you're expecting a baby...

I'm noticing that as time goes by, it's going by quickly! I was going over some old blog posts and read the one where we announced being pregnant. It just seems like yesterday that we found out, now we are almost 19 weeks already! For as excited as we are, I wish time would slow down a little too. We have so much to look forward to, showers to attend, registries to create, and decorating- I'm trying to take each moment and savor it! 

All my life I've wanted to be a mother and I'm so close. It brings me to tears thinking how God would be so trusting to place a tiny seed in me to want to be a mother and then to be so faithful to allow it to come to fruition. He is good and He is truly the giver of good gifts! 

As I said before, we are about 19 weeks and things are really starting to change. It seems my belly popped out over night! I notice now that bending over is difficult and sleeping at night is becoming a challenge. I don't feel sick anymore, just the occasional craving. I feel movements constantly, which is reassuring and encouraging. I have an ultrasound this week and will possibly even be able to find out what the baby's gender is! Very excited!! We will likely announce it within the next couple of weeks! 

Feeling so blessed today! Give God thanks! :)