A Time For Every Season....

Little Gabe is growing and kicking! Another week down, only 6-10 week left. Gabe's room is ready for him and his big brother is quite anxious for his arrival. I am enjoying my life with only one child, trying to relish the simplicity of it all. I can only imagine a grocery trip with 2 kids! Plus, I am beginning to remember those late night feedings, 2 hour breastfeeding cries, tons of diaper changes, reflux, etc! I can't wait! It will be very life altering - possible more altering than when we first became parents? Gabe is already differing a little from Drew - Drew always had the hiccups and loved it when mommy would eat! Gabe has yet to get the hiccups and doesn't get too excited when I start eating. He does get riled up when he hears his brother talking frantically or running and goofing around. I can already tell these boys will be very different, but will love to play together! Baby Development for Week 29 Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He appears...

(Written for the mentoring group at my church) Today, September 21, marks the first day of autumn! Since moving to Texas in 2003 Autumn has become my most treasured and anticipated season! As a family nester I chose Autumn, the first year of our marriage, to be the season most celebrated, most anticipated, and most enjoyed by our family. I love the simplicity of this season, the shortening of days, the drinking of hot tea, the reaping and gathering of food put in the freezer for winter, the coming together of family, the falling of leaves, the changing of the colors, the smell of winter fast approaching, and this year the new life inside that will soon grace us with his presence! I also adore traditions! Our autumn traditions include: the reading of the Pilgrims story throughout the month of November, decorating the house with autumn colors, fall cleaning and organizing, easy crock pot meals, the getting rid of the unnecessary and bringing out of well loved fall paraphernalia. I adore...

As a short, 5 foot 1 inch, 30 week pregnant woman, I tend to spend a decent amount of time in the restroom. Today was an ordinary day, I walked into the downstairs half bath for a quick 1 minute trip to the restroom - I sighed, anticipating a quiet few seconds to catch my breath. No sooner had I sat down when our 2 year old walked in "Mommy, what ya doing?" I would think after 7 months of frequent trips to the restroom it would be blatantly obvious! "Mommy is going potty" I replied. "Oh, Drew said. Then he came in and tried to flush the toilet for me. In the process, since the door was now ajar, our dog Kitty walked in, sniffed the air and laid down on the floor. I closed the door! The next thing I know our cat Winston, who hates closed doors, walked by and started crying for something - food or to be let outside. As I was finishing up my husband yells from the kitchen wanting to know where something was. I smiled in disbelief at the life before me! "Isn...

Drew had such a fun weekend, he played with friends, went grocery shopping with mommy, and helped Daddy build a shed for the neighbor . On Saturday we visited the new Hobby Lobby that opened near our house. Drew saw a model train set there that he fell madly in love with. I explained that we weren't buying the train, but he could ask Daddy later and maybe he would build it with him. That evenings, Drew remembered! He asked Daddy if he could build the train set and kept saying "Daddy buy it!" I am sure this train set is meant for kids around the age of 12 not 2 1/2. Anyhow Daddy told him that he would buy the train when he went poopo on the potty for a whole week. Maybe that will be enough incentive to start potty training!

My checkup went well - my FFN test was again negative and I am still not dilated. I did get a eppy pen and a steroid spray for my injection sites. I have been having a large welt develop where my injection is given each week. I only have 5 more injections left and can't wait to be done with them. I am tired of the hormonal changes and being tired for 3 days after the shot. The spray seems to be working well and I will be using 4 injection sites instead of the two. Hopefully that will reduce the itching and burning in my hip/butt. I have also been taking benedryl at night to try and stop the irritation. Gabe's heartbeat was strong and Drew had fun listening to his brother. He kept saying that the baby was sleeping! We took a baby dinner to a friend who had a 6 pound little boy on Monday. He was so little and looked and felt just like Drew when he was born. So sweet! Drew loved petting his hair and pointing out his eyes and nose and mouth and fingers! Drew can't wait for ...

151. our little boy's sweet response of "sure" 152. a tiny mouth munching on Fuji apples 153. Drew's leaving his classroom and said "bye ms. Lilo ( shilo )" 154. Good Will Bargains on Saturday mornings 155. Watching Drew intently reading his "Home Depot Book Of Tools" 156. John volunteering to help a neighbor in building his shed 157. Drew's big boy bed 158. Sleep! 159. Nice clean tile floors with white grout! 160. Bargain and coupon shopping that drops the grocery bill in half! 161. Dinner Menu list so I always know what to make for dinner 162. Anticipation of a great friends visit 163. 2 negative FFN tests 164. Being confident to take Drew to my Dr. Appointments, watching him sit quietly in the chair reading "Green Eggs and Ham." 165. The smiles Drew brought to the Dr. waiting room when he proudly announces " Mommy there are two nemo's in there!" The doctors waiting room has a huge fish tank! 166. Daddy coming home ...

Tonight as John and I were putting Drew to bed, he ran into the office to get something. He then came running back into his room and placed John's Bible on my lap and said "Mommy read to Jesus?" Such a sweet little boy with a gentle spirit, we are truly blessed as parents. Drew has been talking a lot more, he has also been able to name all of his colors and count to 5. Drew's favorite activity is playing with friends, he is the social butterfly on the block - always saying hi to all the neighbors as they come home from work, especially our body builder neighbor Roy. Drew loves to say hi to Roy!

I am so excited, we had our Mentoring coffee last week - we now have 4 new mentee's who are being mentored. I have the great privilege of praying and exhorting these women over the next 6 months! Please pray that I will have wisdom and as my fingers type the Lord would reveal Himself to them. In our last set of mentee's /mentors we had one person come to Christ! I believe all the rest were already Christians. I have opted to not mentor or be a mentee this first half of the year since I don't know what to expect with the pregnancy. I would hate to be a mentor and then not have the time to fulfill my commitment. I did sign up for a weekly mentoring program at another church so I could "steel" some of their ideas. Their program is much less formal and has one mentor to 4-5 people, they meet at church once a week to pray and do a bible study. I am very excited! That starts on Thursday! I will also be involved in a book club put on by a friend from our old church in ...

Drew and I were playing with some play dough today - going over colors. I asked Drew what color the cork was that we use as a rolling pin. He replied " a circle mommy." Drew, I asked you what color, he replied "oh, blue." (he gets his shapes and colors mixed up a lot) Then I tried to explain that the cork had two circles on the end but since it was a 3 dimensional object it was a cylinder. Drew replied "No mommy, it not a cyndr , it a circle." You can't argue with a two 1/2 year old, nor explain the rational of a 3-D object!

We have hit the home stretch! Week 28 marks the beginning of the Third Trimester! Little Gabe is growing fast and kicking mommy a lot. He has moved into my ribs so breathing is starting to be more difficult - especially when walking up the stairs! I have had a ton of energy the past three weeks, I hope it never goes away! I am getting tons of things done around the house and enjoying taking Drew and Kitty out on walks again. I weighed myself again today and to my surprise all that energy has left me at the same weight I was two weeks ago - so far I have gained a total of 25 pounds which is average. I don't suppose I will maintain my goal of only gaining 30 pounds total! Little Gabe is slowing down a bit which means he is probably around 2 1/2 pounds. Drew did the same around this time. Only 7-11 more weeks to go. Up until now I wasn't too anxious about him coming - I was enjoying Drew and getting tons of things done. Now that almost everything is ready, I am finally ready to me...

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. By Nicole Johnson It started to happen gradually … One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, "Who is that with you, young fella?" "Nobody," he shrugged. Nobody? The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we crossed the street I thought, "Oh my goodness, nobody?" I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family - like "Turn the TV down, please" - and nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, "Would someone turn the TV down?" Nothing. Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking...

Tonight was just like most nights, we had our bath, read books, and then I left Drew to look at books for about 30 minutes. Only, tonight when I went to kiss him goodnight and say his prayers he was fast asleep. The funny part is that he logically decided to go to sleep because he neatly stacked all his reading books back in his nightstand where they go. He is definitely a type A - he also insists on hanging up all our keys on the hooks, he always turns out the lights, and hates having doors open. Just look at the two pictures - one was taken at nap time a few days ago and the other was from tonight! Too funny! Drew has been chatting a ton this week. He has also been engrossed in reading books. At night he would listen to us read for hours. He is doing great in his big boy bed - he won't get out without one of us coming in and telling him he can. This week we played at the park, went on some walks around the neighborhood, kept to our cooking schedule, gardened, and cleaned up the...

My Glucose test came back normal! The nurse said that a bowl of ice cream the night before will throw off the results. So, lesson learned - fast before taking the 1 hour glucose test even though they say you don't have to, otherwise you get to take the 3 hour test where they taken your blood 4 times. Ouch! Also, my FFN test came back negative. So, this pregnancy is a huge miracle! With Drew I was in the hospital by this point, after 3 weeks of bed rest at home, and I was 2 cm dilated. God is so good! Drew and I went to the pond with Kitty this evening. I was able to conserve some energy today and made it all the way there and back with only 5 contractions. Kitty had fun swimming in the pond and running all around. Drew enjoyed playing on the rocks and finding sticks to play with. I was also able to take a few good pictures of the little guy. Then I left my camera laying on the ground where we were playing. I remembered about an hour later and had to borrow a neighbors car to go ba...

Your little one's brain continues its rapid growth. Don't forget to share music, conversation, and even books with your baby! Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. Your baby's hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognize your voice as well as your partner's. Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates! He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born. Eyelids are now open more. Your baby can distinguish between light and dark. Retinas have formed. Your baby will grow over 1 inch this week alone! You may suspect this phenominal growth rate repeats in the preteen years! Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound (875gm).

There are 5 things that every one of us can do to help the 50 million people in our world suffering from HIV/AIDS. Here's how it works: Give 5 minutes a day to pray for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Give 5 hours a week to fast for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Give 5 dollars a month to the Five for 50 Fund and support worthy causes. Give 5 days a year to travel overseas and help alleviate poverty and suffering. Give 5 people an opportunity to join you on your journey. More details are given in the book. But this is a way everyone can participate and be part of the solution to a world-crisis. All proceeds will go directly to HIV/AIDS projects around the world. The children are worth it! It is amazing how so little can do so much. We have checked out this organization and they are ligitimate, the statement is below. To read Tom Davis' blog click the link . I challenge you to read his new book "Red Letter - Living a Faith That Bleeds." His blog has an intro video to hi...

We found out on Friday that my FFN test came back negative! I am so excited I could do jumping jacks! I am wondering if some of my contractions are due to me stressing out, today I worked for two hours in the yard planting a few things our neighbor gave us. I was exhausted, but felt great - even the heaviness in my abdomen is gone! I have had one contraction all day long, I guess that is proof that stress/worry induces my contractions. The bad news is that I failed my glucose test so I have to go back and take a three hour test on Tuesday. I really hope it comes back negative! My friend who is a L&D nurse says that about 75-80% of people who fail their first test pass their second - so I am hoping I'm not in the 20-25%. Overall we are so excited to be free for another two weeks! I am feeling great, enjoying getting everything organized, and cleaning like mad, oh and reading a ton of books. I did manage to put together our weekly meal plan for this upcoming week, then I loo...

Wow, I was so worried going into my Dr. Appointment today. I thought for sure I would be dilated a little, but God was so good! I am still fully closed! To give you a perspective, when I was pregnant with Drew at 27 weeks I was 2 centimeters dilated already. My FFN test will come back tomorrow and the nurse should call me with the results. My orders were to keep doing what I've been doing - monitoring contractions, drinking water, going potty every 20 minutes, and resting on my right side if I have more that 4 contractions in a row. My next appointment is September 21, they won't check dilation, just perform another FFN test. The tests are only valid for 2 weeks, so my appointments are now being scheduled on two week intervals. My blood pressure is still holding strong at 120/80, which is slightly higher that my normal 112/72, but being pregnant has a lot to do with that. Also I had my glucose test today and should get those results on Monday - I don't expect any issues t...

Drew loved his first day of school! He walked right in to his classroom and didn't look back - didn't even cry. On Drew's first day he played with paint and made circle art, learned the color red, went to music, ate lunch out of his Thomas lunch pale, met new friends, played in the playground, and went to Spanish class. He also loved resting on his nap mat! Drew chatted my ear off all the way home and on into the afternoon. He was so buzzed from socializing that he wanted to play more with his friends. Alas, in the evening he came down with a fever and his cold/cough became worse. Poor little guy went to bed at 7:00 pm with a decongestant and fever medicine. He woke up feeling much better this morning, but his cough is still raspy and deep. Mommy has her big DR appointment today, please pray I am not dilated and my FFN test comes back negative. My contractions are still fairly controllable , but are more frequent. In fact, all I have to do is think about contractions and I...

I just finished the best books! They were written by Kim Meeder and were short stories involving her ranch - Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. The organization is located in Bend Oregon; rescuing abused horses and hurting children are their specialty. Both hurting children and horses are united and healed. The book will make you cry and smile! Woven throughout the books is the undying love that Jesus has for his creation - children and horses. Many shining and defining moments take place on this ranch; Meeder has a dynamic and humble way of drawing the reader into ranch life and her day to day blessing of being used by God to heal the hurting. Amazon's Book Description is below: Hope is like the stars—always there, yet shining brightest in the blackest of nights. It is like the dawn, always rising anew. Hope is for everyone, and that includes you. This collection of more than twenty true stories from a ranch of rescued dreams unveils the heart of true strength and the character of gen...

Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments. Air sacs in the lungs form now. Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born. Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes. Retinas begin to form. Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable. Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, yo...

Funny Things You Never Thought You Would Say "Drew, please take the cereal off your toe, it belongs in your mouth." In response to Drew wanting his bear to have a glass of coffee (vanilla milk). "Oh Drew, bear doesn't want coffee, bears are allergic to coffee." "Don't dip your roll in your milk." Drew replies "can I dip my broccoli?" Drew is so excited for school to start tomorrow. He met his teachers Mrs. Shiloh and Mrs. Amy today, his favorite part was playing with all the toys. We also saw his teacher from last year and Drew couldn't figure out why we weren't going to her class. He was a little shy meeting his teachers today, but is very excited to go! Tonight we got his backpack ready and then Drew insisted on wearing his Preschool T-shirt from last year to bed. After placing Puppy, Bunny, his plane, and a few other toys in his backpack he informed me that he was leaving. I said "where are you going." to which he rep...

I just loved this article in Christian Women Online by Ann Voshamp . It touched my heart and pushed me onward to seek a life of giving. I especially liked the scientific data backing up the delight we get when we give to others. John had me listen to an NPR program on the concept of love and the various hormones that are released when you fall in love. Funny that the release of oxytocin in present in both falling in love and generous giving. YOURS! Teaching Children to Give Ann Voskamp , September 2007 He was all of eighteen months, crowned with a mess of ringlets that fell over one eye, when he began gloriously saying it. An only child, yet to be joined by siblings, he lifted our house with exuberance. The place was his. But he kept charitably, delightfully saying, “Yours.” Our hands would fall upon his glossy 1456 International tractor, his engine-red train, scuffed and worn, his basket of board books and beloved Beatrix Potter. And he would singsong: “Yours! Yours!” What a rhapsod...