My Munchkins
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ahh, the ramblings of an "overdue" woman...
I wonder if Mary was over-due when she made that journey on the donkey. I 'spose not, because they probably didn't have "due dates" then. She probably just had a vague idea of when the baby would be born. See, that's the problem with the way we "do it" these days. As much as you try not to "pin your hopes" on a specific date, you just can't help it. Everything revolves around it. Fundal heights, your weight, baby dropping, the frequency of your midwife visits, the amount of phone calls from interested people...it all revolves around your date.
Sigh.
And I promised myself that this pregnancy, I would be good. I wasn't going to even thiiiiink about my date.
Impossible.
So here I sit. With my hopes pinned on a date that happened a few days ago. A day that passed by with merely a twinge. Obviously baby didn't want to be born on that day. So now I get to be lumped into the "over-due" group, and watched with suspecious eyes every time I say "I don't feel so good." My life has been reduced to a mere waiting game. I can't plan ahead because who knows what I'll be doing on that date, and yet, I have to plan ahead to give myself some purpose to my days!
If I could magically make this baby come....I would. If I could visualise it enough to make it happen....I would. If I could eat more curries, pineapple, and fish'n'chups...I would. But it aint gonna work. I learned that with Christian's pregnancy (my almost 3 week over-due bubby). Baby will come in his own grand time. My role is to relax and take it easy, and trust in the Lord's plan for our lives. Much much much easier said than done.
That being said...I'm happy. I have my friend here, helping out. My word, she's such a blessing! She has her own little baby, but she's been basically single-handedly running this house. Baking bread for us every day, making dinners, doing washing, being oh so patient with the kiddies and loving them, encouraging me and cheering me up when I'm flat, laughing with me over the most ridiculous things... yes, she's wonderful. I woke up the other morning and found my kiddies already eating their brekky. You have to be me to know how awesome that was! I didn't have to do it. Infact, I hardly had to think at all that morning. I got to just exisit. Bliss!! I'm so grateful she's taken this time to come and help...being away from her hubby isn't easy, and I'm pretty sure I'll always be in her debt for this sacrifice. ;-)
My husband's awesome too. I don't talk about him much on this blog, mainly because if I did, you'd all be green with envy and someone might try to poison me and steal him away... but I'm going to just brag on him for a bit because, well, he really is awesome.
He's my rock when I'm all hormonal and weepy and irrational. Every night he lies in bed and just listens to me talk. For hours. I chatter on and on about the silliest things, and he never makes fun of me, and listens intently to what I'm saying, even if it's completely ridiculous, and then he'll only offer advice if I ask for it. He scratches my back and rubs my aching muscles (and feet!) whenever I ask. I'm so spoiled by him!! The other night was I dealing with what I thought might be the beginning of labour starting. I was starting to tense up a little, and wonder if I could really do it (not that I have much choice in the matter, but still... it was a mental process I had to sort through!), and he looked deep into my eyes and told me that I could. That I am a strong woman, and I could do this. And I would do it well. I just felt so loved and cherished, and ready to face whatever the night threw at me.... which happened to be a good nights sleep, much to my disappointment. Hehe. But I feel so blessed that I'm not going into this transformation process (as that is what labour is...) on my own. No. We are facing it as a team, and will ride it out together.
I love my husband. God was so good when He gave him to me!!
Anyway! That gem of a man is downstairs at the moment with all four children, entertaining them while I flob on the couch. So hi ho hi ho, I'm going to go join them. Family time is just way too precious these days!
xoxox
Sigh.
And I promised myself that this pregnancy, I would be good. I wasn't going to even thiiiiink about my date.
Impossible.
So here I sit. With my hopes pinned on a date that happened a few days ago. A day that passed by with merely a twinge. Obviously baby didn't want to be born on that day. So now I get to be lumped into the "over-due" group, and watched with suspecious eyes every time I say "I don't feel so good." My life has been reduced to a mere waiting game. I can't plan ahead because who knows what I'll be doing on that date, and yet, I have to plan ahead to give myself some purpose to my days!
If I could magically make this baby come....I would. If I could visualise it enough to make it happen....I would. If I could eat more curries, pineapple, and fish'n'chups...I would. But it aint gonna work. I learned that with Christian's pregnancy (my almost 3 week over-due bubby). Baby will come in his own grand time. My role is to relax and take it easy, and trust in the Lord's plan for our lives. Much much much easier said than done.
That being said...I'm happy. I have my friend here, helping out. My word, she's such a blessing! She has her own little baby, but she's been basically single-handedly running this house. Baking bread for us every day, making dinners, doing washing, being oh so patient with the kiddies and loving them, encouraging me and cheering me up when I'm flat, laughing with me over the most ridiculous things... yes, she's wonderful. I woke up the other morning and found my kiddies already eating their brekky. You have to be me to know how awesome that was! I didn't have to do it. Infact, I hardly had to think at all that morning. I got to just exisit. Bliss!! I'm so grateful she's taken this time to come and help...being away from her hubby isn't easy, and I'm pretty sure I'll always be in her debt for this sacrifice. ;-)
My husband's awesome too. I don't talk about him much on this blog, mainly because if I did, you'd all be green with envy and someone might try to poison me and steal him away... but I'm going to just brag on him for a bit because, well, he really is awesome.
He's my rock when I'm all hormonal and weepy and irrational. Every night he lies in bed and just listens to me talk. For hours. I chatter on and on about the silliest things, and he never makes fun of me, and listens intently to what I'm saying, even if it's completely ridiculous, and then he'll only offer advice if I ask for it. He scratches my back and rubs my aching muscles (and feet!) whenever I ask. I'm so spoiled by him!! The other night was I dealing with what I thought might be the beginning of labour starting. I was starting to tense up a little, and wonder if I could really do it (not that I have much choice in the matter, but still... it was a mental process I had to sort through!), and he looked deep into my eyes and told me that I could. That I am a strong woman, and I could do this. And I would do it well. I just felt so loved and cherished, and ready to face whatever the night threw at me.... which happened to be a good nights sleep, much to my disappointment. Hehe. But I feel so blessed that I'm not going into this transformation process (as that is what labour is...) on my own. No. We are facing it as a team, and will ride it out together.
I love my husband. God was so good when He gave him to me!!
Anyway! That gem of a man is downstairs at the moment with all four children, entertaining them while I flob on the couch. So hi ho hi ho, I'm going to go join them. Family time is just way too precious these days!
xoxox
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I'm still here!!
(just incase you were wondering...)
Obviously baby is needing some time to pack on the weight, as I've somehow managed to put on 2kg in two weeks! Insane. :-) Pregnancy can be a wild ride at times!
In all honesty, I haven't been the nicest person to be around the past few days. Feeling oh so impatient, and so uncomfortable. If I could make this baby come in a natural way, I would! But the Lord has been slowly impressing on my heart the need for patience and trusting Him for His perfect timing. The song "All to Jesus I surrender" has been like a healing balm on my heavily pregnant body, and the Psalms have been a real place of refuge. Please pray for me in these last few days... (weeks.... but not months! Definately not months. ;-) ) as Satan is having a hay-day planting doubts and fears into my mind over my ability to birth and bring forth this baby into the world.
I was thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus, earlier. She was supposedly this pregnant when she was spending her days on the back of a donkey. Poor woman. What a back-ache she must have had! I've had a killer of a backache the past few days, but mine is from poor posture on the couch. She must have been such a gracious woman, and I doubt she complained about it as heavily as I've been complaining about mine. :-( I do feel for her. I wonder what thoughts were going through her mind. I wonder if she was scared about her upcoming birth (it was her first baby!!). Such a courageous woman to give birth in those conditions. I can't wait to talk to her in Heaven and swap birthing stories. ;-) She'll probably wonder what in the world a birthing pool is for. ;-) hehehehe.
Anyway. Enough ramblings. I promise to let you know all the details after the birth is done and dusted. :-) (I know some of you can hardly wait... mauhahaha)
(just incase you were wondering...)
Obviously baby is needing some time to pack on the weight, as I've somehow managed to put on 2kg in two weeks! Insane. :-) Pregnancy can be a wild ride at times!
In all honesty, I haven't been the nicest person to be around the past few days. Feeling oh so impatient, and so uncomfortable. If I could make this baby come in a natural way, I would! But the Lord has been slowly impressing on my heart the need for patience and trusting Him for His perfect timing. The song "All to Jesus I surrender" has been like a healing balm on my heavily pregnant body, and the Psalms have been a real place of refuge. Please pray for me in these last few days... (weeks.... but not months! Definately not months. ;-) ) as Satan is having a hay-day planting doubts and fears into my mind over my ability to birth and bring forth this baby into the world.
I was thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus, earlier. She was supposedly this pregnant when she was spending her days on the back of a donkey. Poor woman. What a back-ache she must have had! I've had a killer of a backache the past few days, but mine is from poor posture on the couch. She must have been such a gracious woman, and I doubt she complained about it as heavily as I've been complaining about mine. :-( I do feel for her. I wonder what thoughts were going through her mind. I wonder if she was scared about her upcoming birth (it was her first baby!!). Such a courageous woman to give birth in those conditions. I can't wait to talk to her in Heaven and swap birthing stories. ;-) She'll probably wonder what in the world a birthing pool is for. ;-) hehehehe.
Anyway. Enough ramblings. I promise to let you know all the details after the birth is done and dusted. :-) (I know some of you can hardly wait... mauhahaha)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
I had my 39 week checkup with the midwives at the hospital this morning (although, they think it's only my 38 week appointment... I really can't understand why they try to change a woman's dates when she's completely sure of them. *shake my head*)
But! I'm over the moon, because finally my baby is measuring up to their standards! Infact, the midwife even poked a little fun at the doctors who were trying to scare me into another scan because they thought my baby was too small. My baby is fine. :-) Legs, arms, knees, elbows, and a bony butt sticking out everywhere. :-) Nice and firmly engaged, she thinks I'm gonna pop this one out early. I'm hoping I pop this one out early! It would make a great blog post. Haha! No, really, while I'm "over it" and very uncomfortable, I'm happy to wait on the Lord and His perfect timing for this little soul to be born.
The midwife was awesome. She was able to pinpoint where the placenta is (on my left side near the belly button), which makes me wonder if it's position is why my baby is not turning his/her back onto that side. Having the baby's back along the left is the "best" position for birth, because apparently having their back along your right side can cause them to go posterior more easily. This baby has been a stubborn right-sider since the beginning, despite my doing evvverything to try and change it. That being said, Rachie was a right-sider until the very first contraction when she flipped onto the left-side. It will be interesting what this baby chooses to do!
I'm so glad I have such a peace about this birth. I know that whatever happens is in the Lord's hands, and I'm quite happy to rest in Those Hands too. :-) e
I talked to the midwife this morning about homebirthing too. Her one reason to not have a homebirth?? The mess! Hahaha. This made me laugh. :-) She said I'd be better off coming to the hospital to just push the baby out and go home straight afterwards. That way someone else can clean up the mess. I'm so glad I have more valid reasons for birthing at home than that!! Besides, birthing in the water makes it pretty mess free. ;-) But it made me giggle to hear her biggest reason, and I do appreciate a good giggle these days. :-)
But! I'm over the moon, because finally my baby is measuring up to their standards! Infact, the midwife even poked a little fun at the doctors who were trying to scare me into another scan because they thought my baby was too small. My baby is fine. :-) Legs, arms, knees, elbows, and a bony butt sticking out everywhere. :-) Nice and firmly engaged, she thinks I'm gonna pop this one out early. I'm hoping I pop this one out early! It would make a great blog post. Haha! No, really, while I'm "over it" and very uncomfortable, I'm happy to wait on the Lord and His perfect timing for this little soul to be born.
The midwife was awesome. She was able to pinpoint where the placenta is (on my left side near the belly button), which makes me wonder if it's position is why my baby is not turning his/her back onto that side. Having the baby's back along the left is the "best" position for birth, because apparently having their back along your right side can cause them to go posterior more easily. This baby has been a stubborn right-sider since the beginning, despite my doing evvverything to try and change it. That being said, Rachie was a right-sider until the very first contraction when she flipped onto the left-side. It will be interesting what this baby chooses to do!
I'm so glad I have such a peace about this birth. I know that whatever happens is in the Lord's hands, and I'm quite happy to rest in Those Hands too. :-) e
I talked to the midwife this morning about homebirthing too. Her one reason to not have a homebirth?? The mess! Hahaha. This made me laugh. :-) She said I'd be better off coming to the hospital to just push the baby out and go home straight afterwards. That way someone else can clean up the mess. I'm so glad I have more valid reasons for birthing at home than that!! Besides, birthing in the water makes it pretty mess free. ;-) But it made me giggle to hear her biggest reason, and I do appreciate a good giggle these days. :-)
Monday, May 16, 2011
It really IS a baby in there!!
We seriously discovered the coolest thing yesterday!
I had heard that if you're far enough along in your pregnancy, someone else can hear the baby's heartbeat with just the naked ear. No doppler. No fetascope. No nothing! Just some bare belly, knowledge of the position of the baby, and a willing ear.
So we tried it last night. :-) And it works!!! James, my dear sweet hard-working husband, who hasn't been able to come to a single antenatel appointment with me in this pregnancy, was able to hear the heart-beat for the very first time. Dee-dumm, dee-dumm, dee-dumm. It's awesome!!! However, I'm wildly jealous that I can't get my OWN ear down there to listen. Some people just get all the perks. ;-)
I had heard that if you're far enough along in your pregnancy, someone else can hear the baby's heartbeat with just the naked ear. No doppler. No fetascope. No nothing! Just some bare belly, knowledge of the position of the baby, and a willing ear.
So we tried it last night. :-) And it works!!! James, my dear sweet hard-working husband, who hasn't been able to come to a single antenatel appointment with me in this pregnancy, was able to hear the heart-beat for the very first time. Dee-dumm, dee-dumm, dee-dumm. It's awesome!!! However, I'm wildly jealous that I can't get my OWN ear down there to listen. Some people just get all the perks. ;-)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
So, my four-year-old-Little-Lady has decided to change her favourite colour from PINK to purple.
Which is fine. Everyone has the right to pick their favourite colour right? It's like one of those basic human instincts that we all have.
I like blue. Ohhhh, I love blue! It's so calming and relaxing and fresh. It makes me happy. :-)
However. If you have a favourite colour, and you then choose to change your favourite colour into something completely different, please oh please let your Mum know! *sigh* For the sake of sanity, let her know.
I went out shopping this morning. I had just a few more supplies to get for the birth, and while I was out I thought I'd pick up a couple of long-sleeved (it's been chilly in Rocky these last few mornings! Crazy huh! I wasn't prepared for that... last year we didn't even need jerseys!) shirts for Livvy and a pair of shoes. (She had to go to church this morning with ballet shoes that had almost no soles. Poor Baby. It was way past time for some new shoes!)
So anyway. I got her some pink shirts and some pink shoes. Merely trying to be the nice Mummy that I know is hiding in me somewhere!
When she got home from church, I took great delight in getting her to sit on our bed, so I could surprise her with this wonderful treat.
Well. I got tears. Big fat shuddering tears. The kind that make you wanna cry yourself because the person is obviously in agony of spirit.
Somewhere, somehow I must have missed the "changing colours" memo, because apparently it was common knowledge around here.
I look forward to giving birth and transforming into the wonder mum who's always in tune with her babies little quirks. Until then, I guess I shall just muddle on, always getting it wrong, but trying ohh so hard!
Which is fine. Everyone has the right to pick their favourite colour right? It's like one of those basic human instincts that we all have.
I like blue. Ohhhh, I love blue! It's so calming and relaxing and fresh. It makes me happy. :-)
However. If you have a favourite colour, and you then choose to change your favourite colour into something completely different, please oh please let your Mum know! *sigh* For the sake of sanity, let her know.
I went out shopping this morning. I had just a few more supplies to get for the birth, and while I was out I thought I'd pick up a couple of long-sleeved (it's been chilly in Rocky these last few mornings! Crazy huh! I wasn't prepared for that... last year we didn't even need jerseys!) shirts for Livvy and a pair of shoes. (She had to go to church this morning with ballet shoes that had almost no soles. Poor Baby. It was way past time for some new shoes!)
So anyway. I got her some pink shirts and some pink shoes. Merely trying to be the nice Mummy that I know is hiding in me somewhere!
When she got home from church, I took great delight in getting her to sit on our bed, so I could surprise her with this wonderful treat.
Well. I got tears. Big fat shuddering tears. The kind that make you wanna cry yourself because the person is obviously in agony of spirit.
Somewhere, somehow I must have missed the "changing colours" memo, because apparently it was common knowledge around here.
I look forward to giving birth and transforming into the wonder mum who's always in tune with her babies little quirks. Until then, I guess I shall just muddle on, always getting it wrong, but trying ohh so hard!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
This morning was such a gloriously sunny but crisp day, that we just couldn't help ourselves but have a picnic outside under the trees...
The kiddliwinks wanted to do eating poses for you all...
(ignore the fringe. We enjoyed our day outside, and obviously not in front of a mirror!)
(yes, that's coffee in his hair) (how did you guess!?)
(and coffee down her shirt. :-) Someone stole my cup!)
The kiddliwinks wanted to do eating poses for you all...
(ignore the fringe. We enjoyed our day outside, and obviously not in front of a mirror!)
(yes, that's coffee in his hair) (how did you guess!?)
(and coffee down her shirt. :-) Someone stole my cup!)
Twas a glorious morning. Thank you Lord. :-)
38 weeks...
...and counting. :-)
THIS photo is 'specially for all of you who still have the nerve to tell me that I'm tiny. I may look "small" to you, but honestly, I look down and see this and feel like an elephant. :-) (and incase you're wondering, that's my shadow there, NOT someone I'm about to run over while I admire my bump. hehe)
I've dropped. You probably can't tell in this photo, but Baby-boo is waaaaay down there. I've never had a baby get so low before! It's nice not to have a little bottom in my ribs anymore, but ohhhh... a new list of aches and pains have surfaced. :-) I was so mad last night because I jumped into bed at 7:30pm with FULL anticipation of an early nights sleep, and gave up at 9:30pm after getting up for the fourth time for the bathroom. I'm pretty sure Bubby is playing hopscotch on my bladder, or something. I despise having to get out of bed for anything when I'm exhausted, so this really was a true test in patience. hehe. How lovely that it'll all be a distant memory in the not too far future!! (but sad too. I do love being pregnant and having such a precious life tucked inside of me...)
The day we took off from everything...
Yesterday morning I woke up with this overwhelming desire to just "take off" for the day. So, after a quick call to the school office ("Uhh, Jimmy won't be in for school today, sorry!") (am I allowed to do that?! I don't know. But I figured it was more dangerous to ignore my urgings, than to let my son wag school for the day), we packed our togs, the sunscreen, and some apples, jumped in the car to the songs of "Little Bunny Foo-foo" and "I've been working on the rail-road", and took off down the highway towards the beach.
BLISS!!
Just for a special treat, I grabbed a coffee to go, and settled myself down on the sand for a morning of relaxation (hah!). The kiddies had a blast!
Clothes were strewn everywhere...
and the sight of four (I was smiling too, but I couldn't see myyyy face!) smiling happy faces was enough to know that this was the right thing to do today.
Sometimes we just need to do that, hey? We need to dig our toes into the warm sand...
...and just spend time enjoying the pure and simple things of life. It's so easy to get clogged up with the cares of this world!
There was literally no one else on the beach (they say it was cold yesterday...?? :-/) so I got to sing out to my heart's content. Songs like "Tell it to Jesus" "There is HOPE" and "God is GOOOOOD" were blasted out, with little regard to making sure they were on tune or pitch. Who cares. I was havin' fun, and spending time with my awesome Lord, in His amazing Creation!
BLISS!!
Just for a special treat, I grabbed a coffee to go, and settled myself down on the sand for a morning of relaxation (hah!). The kiddies had a blast!
Clothes were strewn everywhere...
and the sight of four (I was smiling too, but I couldn't see myyyy face!) smiling happy faces was enough to know that this was the right thing to do today.
Sometimes we just need to do that, hey? We need to dig our toes into the warm sand...
There was literally no one else on the beach (they say it was cold yesterday...?? :-/) so I got to sing out to my heart's content. Songs like "Tell it to Jesus" "There is HOPE" and "God is GOOOOOD" were blasted out, with little regard to making sure they were on tune or pitch. Who cares. I was havin' fun, and spending time with my awesome Lord, in His amazing Creation!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sometimes things just don't go according to plan.
Why? I'm really not too sure. I thought I had it all planned out. It was the perfect plan. The plan of all plans! And yet...sometimes things just really ARE too good to be true.
I got a call from my friend on Sunday. She had been planning to come over for this birth, and help me through it. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances have happened and she can no longer come. (those who need to know, know what I'm talking about...)
I cried my way through Sunday.
I doubted myself, and my birthing abilities. I doubted myself as a person. I doubted myself as a mother. I went up and down and up and down, wondering what in the world I was going to do.
My heart is set on a homebirth. I firmly believe it to be the safest place for both baby and me, barring any true medical emergency. The thought have having to go to hospital, in labour, and subjecting myself to their constant interventions sent cold chills up and down my spine. The thought of having to actively protect the baby from their "protocols" made me feel sick to my stomach.
So I cried. And I cried. And I'm still crying.
The fear inside of me as made my body feel so nauseous. Baby has been jumping around, and literally spinning like a clock inside of me. I feel bruised, and scared.
What am I going to do? I don't know. But the Lord has been comforting my heart today, and bringing positive and empowering verses to mind:
"Perfect love casts out all fear"
"For with God nothing shall be impossible"
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ"
"When thou liest down , thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."
"I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
and my favourite:
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
I don't know about tomorrow. God does, and He's holding my future in His hands. But I do know about today, and at the moment I'm focusing on spending lots of time on my hands and knees (the floor needed a good clean anyway!) and getting baby back into optimal positioning for birth. Wherever that may be.
Appreciate any prayers you wanna lift up for me at the moment. Especially for wisdom. :-)
Why? I'm really not too sure. I thought I had it all planned out. It was the perfect plan. The plan of all plans! And yet...sometimes things just really ARE too good to be true.
I got a call from my friend on Sunday. She had been planning to come over for this birth, and help me through it. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances have happened and she can no longer come. (those who need to know, know what I'm talking about...)
I cried my way through Sunday.
I doubted myself, and my birthing abilities. I doubted myself as a person. I doubted myself as a mother. I went up and down and up and down, wondering what in the world I was going to do.
My heart is set on a homebirth. I firmly believe it to be the safest place for both baby and me, barring any true medical emergency. The thought have having to go to hospital, in labour, and subjecting myself to their constant interventions sent cold chills up and down my spine. The thought of having to actively protect the baby from their "protocols" made me feel sick to my stomach.
So I cried. And I cried. And I'm still crying.
The fear inside of me as made my body feel so nauseous. Baby has been jumping around, and literally spinning like a clock inside of me. I feel bruised, and scared.
What am I going to do? I don't know. But the Lord has been comforting my heart today, and bringing positive and empowering verses to mind:
"Perfect love casts out all fear"
"For with God nothing shall be impossible"
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ"
"When thou liest down , thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."
"I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
and my favourite:
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
I don't know about tomorrow. God does, and He's holding my future in His hands. But I do know about today, and at the moment I'm focusing on spending lots of time on my hands and knees (the floor needed a good clean anyway!) and getting baby back into optimal positioning for birth. Wherever that may be.
Appreciate any prayers you wanna lift up for me at the moment. Especially for wisdom. :-)
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