If you can't sleep, blog...

A mug of coffee that I worked on throughout the day is responsible for this update, which I'm writing at 2 a.m. :)

It's been a couple of months since my last post. Lydia is now 3 months old and starting to sit up a little, grasp at things, and is smiling the sweetest, most friendly smile. She still loves her bath, gets wide-eyed with excitement (and probably some alarm, as well) when Benjamin's around, and is thankfully settling happily into the fall schedule. We had a bout with her refusing the bottle but it only lasted a couple days.

The music academy is back into full swing and I'm teaching 3 days a week, about 5 hours each day (plus another hour for travel time). I'm blessed with an excellent advanced student this year and have been enjoying hearing some of the more difficult repertoire (some Gershwin, Debussy, Mozart, Grieg...beautiful stuff), and also enjoying the little beginners and the various levels in between...plus my faithful guitar students, many of whom have been with me going on three years. I learn so much from them and enjoy the interaction with each one. I was remarking to Jeff the other day how much fun all my students are this year. They are so disciplined, dedicated and friendly and are just a pleasure to work with. I've had the other kind, too, so that makes me extra thankful!

We had a few weeks of extreme excitement for us Hobbit-like homebodies...a houseguest from the wilds of New Zealand (not actually sure he's from the wilds, actually he's from Wellington, but he was still quite an exotic native to us). John is a friend of Jeff's cousin and came highly recommended to us as a houseguest in need of a place to stay while he conducted research at Emory. He's studying modern literature and pursuing his doctorate, and Emory houses a collection of works by the poet he's studying. It worked out perfectly for Jeff to take him with him to work since he drives right past Emory. It was a little crazy that John's coming coincided with the first week of Academy lessons and a visit to the pediatrician gone horribly wrong (more on that later), but things settled in eventually and we enjoyed having him here very much.

The terrible twos have begun a little early. Benjamin, my sweet, obedient, sensitive child (ok, sometimes he is) pitched a quite impressively long fit in the doctor's office. Lydia was there for a checkup, and either Benjamin did not like a stranger touching his "Lydda," or he just didn't like the attention she was getting...I'm not sure. In any case, he screamed, raged, balled up his little fists, and generally conducted himself like a drunken Irishman. The visit ended with a lecture about keeping Lydia safe from her brother and me close to tears and ready to give Benjamin the "talk" of his life. I've since learned that children have a remarkable gift for saving any unsociable behavior to the place where it will have the most effect, i.e., in public in an already tense situation (Lydia screaming, perfect time to do something crazy!)

I've been learning that mothering two children is incredibly sweet and rewarding, and also that I need God's help like I never needed it before. I'm also learning what to let go and what is absolutely not important, such as the dusting that has not been done since Lydia was born. I'm trying to remind myself every day that it is the time spent with the kids they will remember, not whether Mom had her act completely together.

Even with the two kids and the chaos that ensues, I've found some time to rediscover and learn some Debussy pieces and start reading The Chronicles of Narnia in Spanish...a fun way to keep up the Spanish skills that have been rapidly disappearing since college. I need to find more time for Bible reading as well, and somewhere in there I should fit in another mothering/childcare book. But if it gets done, it gets done...not stressing about anything if I can avoid it.

So...that's my caffeine-induced blogpost for the month. :)

Adjusting

Lydia at 3 weeks, already 10 lbs. 8 oz.












Sweet girl.












Benjamin helps with the bath.












Getting used to caring for two little ones definitely has its challenges. It's workable, though, and Benjamin has really risen to the occasion and is becoming a big boy before my eyes.

The night I went into labor Benjamin went to bed without a fuss and this trend has (pretty much) continued. He seems to understand that I can't hold him as much, and though it sometimes makes him sad that I can't hold two kids, he doesn't fuss too much about it. He loves Lydia and gets this protective, adoring smile on his face when he first sees her in the morning. He loves to give her kisses on the head. Don't get me wrong, he also sometimes wants to sit on her. (To keep her company.) But generally he's turning out to be a sweet big brother.

Lydia is still an easy baby most of the time, though she's showed us in the last few weeks that she's not exactly an Angel Baby. Still, she responds to comforting, and when she's out of control all she needs is a good tight swaddling. She is still sleeping 5 hours through the night with no fussing. Jeff and I are both getting more sleep than we did in Benjamin's early days.

The prospect of taking both kids with me anywhere is frankly pretty frightening to me. I had been freaking out all week that today I needed to take Lydia in for a hearing test at a Children's Rehab center 30 minutes away. As it turned out, Jeff had a doctor's appointment this morning and went into work late, so he watched Benjamin for me. I'm still not sure how that first "both kids" outing is going to pan out. I did get brave and took both of them for a walk around the neighborhood this morning. Benjamin held onto the stroller and pretended to push while Lydia slept. He did great. She did great. I was actually wearing makeup and jeans instead of pjs. It was a huge self-image boost. :D

I almost forgot a big piece of news...potty training has begun! It's the absolute worst timing according to the books...new baby and upheaval and all that...but Benjamin himself started it. He pulled off his diaper one day and I decided to see how he did going diaperless while he was downstairs. (There is no carpet to ruin.) He went right to the potty when I suggested it and used it. He continued that the rest of the day and there were no messes as long as I reminded him. We've had a few accidents since then because I'm now trying underwear, and he sometimes forgets if he's wearing a diaper or undies, but I think we're well on our way to buying diapers for only one child....hooray!

Birth Story

This time around I really thought I'd have a repeat of Benjamin's birth story, but things took a turn and it ended quite differently!

Once again, I found myself waiting and waiting for labor to begin. This time though, I was operating under a deadline, since the doctor that previously worked with my midwife was no longer at the center, and the midwife could not make the decision on her own to let me go postdates. As the date got closer, she reassured me that if I went over, I could finish my labor at the center after being induced at the hospital. The other option was getting one of her consulting physicians to change my dates, though this was unlikely since I had had an early ultrasound.

I was praying hard that Lydia would come in time, and trying everything possible to make it happen. If black and blue cohosh were addictive, I'd be a user by now! I did the every-twenty-minutes regimen for three hours at a time, on three different occasions. I used evening primrose oil every night for the last week. I also got myself into shape with the treadmill, evening and morning walks, and hikes. I explored every aisle in the local Walmart. I mowed the lawn. All this activity had me working up a sweat, but no contractions worth mentioning.

My midwife kept saying she'd like me and Jeff to come in to the center to try an all-morning routine of natural induction measures. That sounded like it might work, but it kept being postponed due to her packed schedule of problem patients and births. She simply couldn't fit it in. Saturday of my 42nd week passed, then Sunday. I knew Tuesday would be the magic 42 weeks, and we'd need to schedule an induction on Monday. I talked with my midwife on Monday morning. "Well, today's your day," she said. She recommended the cohosh, pumping and walking for 3 hours, and also getting a chiropractic adjustment in case the baby was hung up somehow and not engaging the pelvis. I practically ran on the treadmill for the 3 hours, talking to Lydia the whole time about how we needed to get going. Then I went to the chiropractor, who told me my hips were tilted very far forward and misaligned. I called my midwife again that afternoon to report the lack of progress and she told me to try the last resort....castor oil. I took half the dosage around 4 pm and the other half at 5.

Nothing happened...no diarrhea or nausea...but by evening (around 8:30) while watching Cars with Benjamin, I noticed some light contractions. After putting him to bed at 9:30 I realized they were regular. Nah, it can't be, I thought. I've spent the last three weeks imagining my Braxton Hicks are labor. I went to bed and tried to sleep but was too uncomfortable.

So I settled in the living room for an all-night vigil. I was familiar with this from Benjamin's birth. Just like before, contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and just hard enough to keep me from sleeping. I did a lot of internet surfing and some pacing. Around midnight I had some slight effects from the castor oil but nothing like the horror stories I'd heard. I started reading up on false labor for some reason and learned that some women have slightly painful, non-productive contractions (enough to disrupt sleep) for weeks before labor. Many midwives suggested taking Nyquil or a little wine to allow sleep. Finally I decided this was exactly what I was experiencing (false labor) and quit worrying and tried to sleep. I drifted off around 5 a.m. and was awakened by sounds in the kitchen around 7. I realized my contractions had stopped completely. At least I had SOME news to tell my midwife, though. I called her and she told me to come in at 9 for yet another adjustment with a chiropractor specialist.

We went and I had the adjustment. After that I had an appointment with my midwife and she told me, to my great surprise, that I was at 5 cm. and had a very favorable cervix. That was encouraging...it had been a relatively painless trip to 5 cm.! However, we still needed to reckon with my completely stopped labor. She told us to check in and start doing cohosh and walking again. She also brought out an electric double breast pump. Jeff and I jokingly called it The Inducer. (That thing worked so well that I expressed half an ounce of bright orange colostrum.) The contractions started again around 12 noon, but I had to work to get each one by walking very vigorously and pumping. They were 10 minutes apart and weak. These continued but gradually whittled down to 8 minutes apart over the next 5 hours. By 5:45 I was exhausted and convinced that I was just in false labor and would never progress. I felt so discouraged and the accumulated stress of waiting and wondering every day for the previous month (ever since my false labor episode) seemed to settle like a black cloud over me. I was tired of doing things to make labor happen. I just gave up and decided I needed a nap and didn't care what happened afterward.

That's when things took a turn. My theory is that the hormones from a good, relaxing cry, combined with nightfall coming on (my midwife has theories about that one) kicked things into gear. Perhaps too, simply giving up control of the labor experience helped. My next two contractions were only 5 minutes apart.

The contractions became gradually longer, stronger and less far apart over the next two hours. At first I liked the rocking chair (same good ol' chair I spent so many hours in during labor with Benjamin) and did well there. I got very cold at one point and had Jeff cover me up. The midwife came in and checked on me and warmed up a blanket in the dryer for me. Things were finally starting to happen.

This time counting through contractions didn't appeal to me. My sensations of the actual point of pain of the contraction were so much clearer this time. I didn't feel a general area of pain; instead it was almost like I could visualize my cervix being stretched. I felt and thought of them as muscle stretches and visualized the "turtleneck" image of the cervix coming over the baby's head. The contractions were quite strong, but not sharply painful.

Then transition began. I had been chatting with the midwife and Jeff between contractions and simply stopping to close my eyes when contractions came. So far I hadn't made a peep and was coping just fine though they were strong. Transition hit and it was like riding a fast-moving escalator. 2 minutes apart with a 1 minute contraction, then quickly 1:30 with a one minute, and then they were coming with one minute of hard pain and one of rest. I was too immobile in the chair and felt I needed gravity to assist me. I stood up and put my arms around Jeff's neck in the "labor dance" position. I couldn't talk at all and moaned softly through each one. Then I felt I needed to get on all fours to relax my legs and let my abdomen be loose. I crawled onto the bed and had five agonizing contractions. Jeff was about to get the midwife, but before he could go I felt a sudden pop and was soaked to my knees...my water broke all over the bed! That gave temporary relief but I knew now this labor was out of control and would be happening very quickly. Jeff ran to get the midwife from the next room and by then I was writhing, "in the throes" as she put it. Unlike my rational and somewhat detached state of mind at Benjamin's birth, I was laboring this time in a confusing whirlwind. I learned at that point that there are many different kinds of labors!! This one was a wild ride that was happening way too fast. I didn't want anyone to touch me, but I knew they had to clean up the water and get rid of my soaking pjs. That got done and then the dreaded check. When she said I was ready to push, I wasn't at all surprised. Transition had lasted about 20 minutes. There was some conversation about needing to call someone named Jessica and bringing the camera and I just really wished everyone would hush and let me concentrate. They asked if we wanted pictures, and in an effort to end the annoyance of conversation I said "Sure." (I wasn't sure I wanted the pictures, but probably later we'll be glad we have them!)

Pushing was not the strong, empowering feeling I experienced with Benjamin's birth. It was a desperate attempt to end this crazy labor! The first few contractions were so strong I couldn't remember to push effectively and pushed all up in my chest. After some eye-to-eye refocusing and coaching from the midwife I did better. I don't think I'll ever forget the animal intensity of pushing through the 5 contractions it took to get the baby's head out. Somewhere in there she checked the baby's heartbeat, and, horrifyingly, it was weak and very unsteady. I registered that clearly in all the labor noise and thought, "That's it...she's coming out. No holding back." I pushed HARD...I'm not even sure I had a contraction, I just pushed back to back for all I was worth. Jeff was a wonderful encouragement here. He kept telling me, "almost there...there's her head...you're doing great..." If he hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known when her head was out, because it didn't feel much different. The midwife told me, "now on this next one, you're done." It was actually kind of hard to get the body out, instead of the effortless slippery slide that was Benjamin.

So, she was out, covered with vernix and with a head full of thick, black hair. I felt her little limbs and couldn't think much past "that was crazy, and now I feel fine, just like that!" Things went from a life-and-death intensity to complete calm in a split second. It took me a few minutes to come down from the adrenaline. I was wide awake and wanted to see the cord and the placenta and everything. Lydia came out completely calm and alert and started nursing right away. She's a quiet, easy-going baby with nothing like the volume Benjamin showed the minute he came out and ever since then! She seemed completely unaffected by all the hullaballoo of a bumpy labor.

It wasn't until afterward that my midwife told me how amazed she was at my luck, or rather how blessed I had been. Lydia was a posterior presentation, facing the wrong way (face toward my belly instead of toward my back). All the textbooks say this presentation is usually accompanied by severe back labor and a very long pushing time. I had not a hint of back labor, and a far quicker pushing time than my previous anterior birth. And even with the difficult presentation, I had not torn in the least.

I feel very fortunate considering the details of this birth. I got the peaceful, unmedicated birth I wanted, just in the nick of time. Though the fact that Lydia was posterior could have caused complications and prolonged pushing time, it did not seem to affect my labor at all, and pushing time was anything but prolonged. I should have torn with a posterior baby, but fared even better than with Benjamin....not even a scratch. I can't say anything except that God is good and merciful to me when I don't deserve it. My birth experience follows in the theme of the biography of John Newton: God's providence, and His delight in pulling back the curtain just a little to show us what potential problems He is protecting us from. I know he had me wait until the last minute so He could show me His mercy toward me and care for me. My midwife told me later that she had been praying for me, and God gave her peace that I would not go postdates and all would be well. Thus her confidence in telling me "today's your day!" I don't doubt that sometimes God in His providence has us go through painful situations we would rather avoid, and when that happens He also gives us grace to handle it, and shows us things about Himself that we couldn't have learned any other way. But other times He just breaks in on our worry and dilemma with clear sunshine, like fog lifting, and makes us wonder at our lack of faith.

Praise You God for a wonderful, crazy, powerful birth after such a long season of waiting. The little girl you gave us was well worth the wait!

Early Labor

I'm not sure if it was the herbs this morning, or the chiropractic adjustment, or the castor oil (which has not yet affected my stomach b/t/w) but I am in early labor. I sang Benjamin to sleep around 9:15 and he made not a peep...unusual for him. Then I started to notice the contractions were fairly regular.
Not one day too soon. :)
Yay for no induction. They're 30 seconds long and only about 3 minutes apart, but I learned my first time around that that doesn't mean anything. I tend to start out with very little time between.
Baby Lydia will be here soon!

13 days late

Today I took black and blue cohosh again every 20 minutes while walking fast on the treadmill...kept this up for 3 hours. Then at the suggestion of my midwife I went in to a chiropractor for an adjustment to help align the spine and pelvis, allowing the baby to move down further.
Tonight I took castor oil in two doses...2 oz. with orange juice and a pinch of baking soda, followed by crackers. I did one dose at 4 and the other at 5. Nothing's happening yet. It would be too funny...okay, not funny...if I have absolutely no reaction to castor oil!

11 days late

Tried taking blue and black cohosh tinctures today to speed things along. Took 2,000 ml of each with a swish of water, every 20 minutes, while also walking and pumping. I did this for 3 hours. I got a few contractions out of the deal, but alas, nothing that felt stronger than anything I would have gotten exercising normally. Cohosh is nasty stuff!

We did have a nice complimentary dinner (thanks MIL!) at Cracker Barrel tonight and I had the spicy grilled fish, and the yummy fried apples. There's nothing quite like a no-holds-barred, buttered-up, down-home meal.

Tuesday is 42 weeks and "time's up" for a nice peaceful birthing center delivery. Tomorrow I try the dreaded castor oil...though at this point I'm wondering if it will have any effect! At least if I need to be medically induced, I can finish up my labor at the center. At this point I'm really ready to have it over with!

Yay, no surgery.

Jeff's infection started responding to the third dose of antibiotics, so it looks like surgery will not be necessary. They said it was most likely MRSA so I'm relieved it's not so resistant to antibiotics to be untreatable. He has another checkup next Monday.
I see my midwife tomorrow so we'll see what's going on with the baby (or not going on). Tomorrow she'll be a week late.

Strange Turn of Events!

It should be interesting to see how the timing of everything plays out...

On the way to Gville Friday night, Jeff noticed that his elbow felt kind of sore. He didn't think much of it but the aching started to get worse through the evening and it turned red and swollen. Mom G and I were looking concerned so he figured he'd better go to the emergency room. We thought it might be a spider bite, because he had a couple of pin-prick marks on his elbow.

Hoping it wasn't a brown recluse (especially after seeing the gross pictures on the medical help site), he went in and was told it was an infection of the cells in his skin. The bite marks were old, so if a spider had bitten him, he would have noticed something much earlier. They prescribed a mild antibiotic and told him to use a marker to circle the area so he could tell if it had spread.

By this morning it had doubled in size and was still hot to the touch and fiery red. He kept taking the meds hoping they would help, but by dinner it was no better so he went in again.

The attending physician has had the same exact problem (even in his arm) and diagnosed it as a staph infection that may have been caused by a bug bite (carrying the staph germs) or even by bumping his arm. Probably the bug bite since he has those little holes in his elbow. They gave him much stronger antibiotics through an IV and he's taking more orally. And, he has to schedule surgery later this week with an orthopedic surgeon to remove the inflammation on the bursa. Thankfully the infection has not spread to the lymph nodes, which could be really dangerous.

Now for the providence part, which we didn't even think of until we prayed together tonight!

Jeff just happened to notice it on his way to Gville, where he could have some help and be with family. If it had happened in Atlanta, he probably first of all wouldn't have gone to the emergency room and second of all would have had no help with the surgery etc. I would have worried myself sick :) and he may have ended up having surgery in Atlanta while I had the baby here...crazy!

The doctor attending Jeff had the same exact problem and diagnosed it quickly. He also was a friend and colleague of Jeff's uncle. Talk about expert and personal care.

The baby is late, which (may) turn out to be a convenient thing. Still waiting for the verdict on that one and whether or not surgery will coincide with birthing...please no :) But there is already so much evidence that God's hand is in this that I can't really worry about that.

Though I've been second-guessing my wisdom in coming out to Greenville to wait for a birth, now I am VERY glad we are where we are, and will have Jeff's mother to help us out! With Jeff partly incapacitated and Benjamin being as active as he is....well, it's just working out very well. And, I'm even thankful we came up as early as we did, much as I've felt a bit displaced and homesick. Benjamin has had plenty of time to adjust his high-strung little temperament to living at Grandma's and they're becoming best of friends.

We've both been reading a biography of John Newton (writer of Amazing Grace). One of the themes of his life was God's providence, and he often used examples of it in his own life to encourage others and to thank God. He said that, even when we think things are going fine and we have nothing to fear, God is protecting us in myriads of ways. Every so often He pulls back the curtain just an inch so we can see how much His goodness is guiding and planning and putting a hedge about us. I can honestly thank God for this situation because it reminds me of His care for us.

Baby update

Due date was Tuesday and still no baby. Everything seems fine though. She's still very active. Amy estimates she's not huge, smaller than Benjamin when he was born, so maybe about 7 pounds. I got some bloody show/mucous plug on Wednesday, but after doing some reading I'm realizing that doesn't mean labor is impending. It could be up to two weeks away. At least I know I'm dilated 2 cm and the cervix is favorable. If nothing happens by next weekend, I will try black and blue cohosh. Ideally it's best to wait until the baby decides to come on her own, but Amy can't deliver for me if I go past 42 weeks (trying not to think that far ahead!). I was really letting the waiting get to me earlier this week, but really the baby is only 3 days late, and there is no need to try anything extreme yet.
I took stock again of my labor supplies and washed Lydia's first outfit...it's so tiny! Can't wait to have a baby to put in it.

Still Waiting!

Tuesday, June 2nd, will be my due date. It's weird...I'm actually having fewer BH and nothing seems to be happening. Only change is I've started feeling slightly nauseated mid-morning.
We're doing well camped out here in Greenville. Jeff's mom has been great. We've worked out a schedule with Benjamin where he plays in his pool on the porch, plays with his Matchbox cars, and goes for walks with Mom and Gma in the evening. Jeff is here this weekend, and Benjamin is overjoyed to be able to spend time with his Daddy!
It would be just perfect if the baby could come this weekend. However, I keep reminding myself that God's timing is best!

Belly Shot 38 wks

It really is true what they say about swallowing watermelon seeds. :)

Discoveries

Since I'm sure that soon a lot of my time and attention will be focused on the newest little one, I thought I'd do a post now about how amazing life already is watching Benjamin grow up! I never knew how much fun it could be to watch him discover the world. Bugs (and the words for them...there's generic "bug," "moth," "blie"--butterfly--"beetle," "pider" and "ant") became and still are a fascination a few months ago. How amazing for him to realize the little black dots on the ground move! The squeals of excitement make us as parents appreciate how amazing God's world is all over again.
Yesterday it was frogs. We had a good rain, and we could hear the frogs calling to each other. Then we saw a big 3-inch toad on the patio. More squeals of excitement as he watched it hop! We found a little inch-long toad and he held it on his hand (and we loved watching the conflicting desires to run away or scream in delight play out on his face!)
Sounds are another source of delight and discovery. The school bus comes through our neighborhood 4 times a day. Then there's the trash truck on Wednesdays and Thursdays. He hears them and asks me, "Hee? Hee?" which is his way of asking to go see. (He has trouble with initial "s" sounds.) There's the magical moment when I opened a window and we heard the rat-a-tat of a woodpecker. I hopped on youtube and showed him a video of woodpeckers busily pecking at a tree. Now one of his favorite things to do is tap with his fingers on a flat surface or make the sounds himself. Last week we heard the beautiful song of a whipporwill at dusk. It was so loud, right outside our door! I haven't shown him what one looks like (you rarely see them anyway, they're so shy!) but he knows it's a bird. Of course dogs barking have been a favorite for a while now, and he knows what an "ambulance truck" sounds like.
Benjamin is a talker. Jeff and I counted up how many words he can say (or sort of say.) It's 185 and counting! He's also a little actor, as we're finding out. He'll pick up his toy bus and then put it down as if it's really, really heavy, huffing and puffing and sagging his shoulders like a jock who just made the winning goal and is trying to look nonchalant. When he's trying mightily to communicate some word I don't quite understand, he'll let his arms fall to his sides, roll his eyes a little, and sigh in frustration.
The hyperactivity we sometimes saw there has started to give way to some self-control. (Yay!) Last night he had a bit of a meltdown while I was teaching a piano lesson at home. Jeff tried in vain to calm him, and then finally just stuck him in his crib and calmly told him to stop crying, and then they could go have fun. He struggled and then got control of himself (he was exhausted...no nap...busy day). He's becoming easier to take places, since he'll obediently hold my hand while we walk across the parking lot or wait in line.
Having kids really is a source of fresh delight every day. They are like little flowers slowly opening. You think each stage is amazing in itself, and then they surprise you with an even more delightful one.
Of course, I'm remembering Benjamin's first three months of life and (I have to admit!) hoping our next baby is more settled and less in pain than he was, but when the tough times do come, I'll know from experience that they give way to times of wonder and delight!

Not the real thing!

Well, the contractions continued until I went to bed, but were gone in the morning. I guess things are back to normal! I did pack my bags though in case it starts again. We're getting excited. :)

False labor? Hopefully.

After running errands this morning, I noticed the Braxton Hicks were more than just noticeable, they were making me stop and sit down. I drank lots of water, lay down and called Jeff. Benjamin and I hung out outside while he played with bugs and his dirt pot and I sat on the lawn chair. Now they've subsided in intensity but are still there.
I think it's false labor but I'm definitely going to pack my bags just in case. I might pull a Kimberly and miss my shower tomorrow! I hope not.

Shower pics

Last weekend we drove to Sumter for a shower. It was SO much fun and so nice to see everyone again! Here are some pictures (more on Elizabeth's blog).

Baby Update

I think this one won't be late. I had a checkup today and the baby has dropped and I'm 2 cm. Of course that doesn't mean anything really...many people walk around for two weeks at 2 cm, but then again it could mean something. I was carrying this baby low anyway, and now it feels like she's in my lap! I've lost two pounds, which sometimes happens in the last month. And...the Group B test came back positive, but I feel pretty sure we can get rid of it before the birth (we were successful with Benjamin).

It will be interesting to see how things turn out with the timing!

35 weeks and counting!

It won't be long now! I have a feeling this one won't be two weeks late like Benjamin...I've been having Braxton Hicks every time I do anything mildly strenuous.
I've had a pain-free pregnancy (after the first trimester nausea) up until last week. The baby has been hammocked with her head on one side and feet on the other for a long time. Two weeks ago she moved head down...an odd experience since I could actually tell she was doing a huge somersault. Now that she's head down the pelvic and leg pain has started. It's still not so bad that I have trouble with stairs, like I did with Benjamin. It's just an occasional uncomfortable nerve-pinching pain when I move the wrong way. Still, I'm very thankful our little girl has been kind enough not to "get on my nerves" for the entire pregnancy until now. :D
Benjamin's dropped his afternoon nap, alas. Since I really need that nap with him in the mornings, I'm getting less done in the way of Bible readings, blogging...all those quiet activities that require no interruptions. But, Benjamin's a little trooper at playing by himself downstairs while I cook or clean. He's loving the warm weather and spends as much time as possible outside playing in his dirt pot. He loves to dig around while Jeff tends to his garden.
Only two more weeks of teaching, so unless the baby comes early, I'll have two weeks to nest and get things ready. :) Just in case she's early though, I'm gathering birthing supplies. I think we're in for another active baby, judging from her movements in the womb, so I'm trying to enjoy time with Jeff and Benjamin now before things get too crazy!
I'm looking forward to the shower in SC this weekend!

Weeping Cherry

Last Wednesday, Jeff surprised me with a weeping cherry. I've had a terrible yen for one for the last, oh five years or so. I love weeping willows, and a tree that flowers as well...well, that's just about perfect.
We tried ordering one a couple years back from a catalog, but it turned out to be just a dead stick. Of course, I suppose it's possible we killed it. After that I resigned myself to not having one since they're pretty pricey if you buy them live and thriving and a decent teenager-tree size.
Jeff went by Lowe's for another gardening supply trip and saw one in bloom. He felt overcome with the idea that he should get it for me. He somehow fit it in the Bug (!) and got it in the ground and everything while I was at work. The next morning, I saw it outside the window, but thought it was in the neighbor's yard...and figured, oh well, at least I get to look at it. Then I realized it was in our yard and it was Jeffrey's doing.
I love my weeping cherry. Makes me happy every time I see it! And I like the idea that it will be a "remembrance tree" of my pregnancy with our little girl. :D
Thanks sweetie.

Belly Shot

This is at 26 weeks. Just three whole months left...it's hard to believe! I was just talking to Jeff about the difference between my first pregnancy and this one. It's not as exciting since it's not a first, but it's also not as stressful. At 25 weeks last pregnancy we were in the middle of turmoil about switching practices and wondering how all that would work out. It's a relief to have that all settled this time. I had my checkup with Amy on Thursday and all seems fine. No heart problems this time! I was a little worried about weight gain, since I've already gained 25 lbs. She thinks I most likely need to gain a little more than the standard 25-35 during pregnancy. We figured out I'm right on track if I gain a pound a week until delivery to be at the same weight I was at delivery before. I'm certainly not starving this little girl. It seems I'm always eating! I had no cravings first trimester, but they have hit just in the last couple weeks. Must be a growth spurt. :)

More Crafty Stuff

I finished three baby hats for The Girl, one for Benjamin with sweet ear flaps, and the brown throw that I've been working on forever. Also a yellow and blue scarf for a stuffed rabbit, which Benjamin is sort of attached to but not really. He's not one to carry around a "lovey," but he does enjoy inspecting its eyes and ears and tossing it out of his crib :) The scarf makes it go well in his very yellow nursery!
I liked how the ear flap hat turned out and probably will be making some more.

Finally Done

Just a quick post to say I just finished reading the Bible in a year!! Well, a little over a year. I was way behind but doubled up to finish before January was over. Now I'm starting again.

I just discovered the possibility of listening to my daily readings using the downloadable MP3 on the ESV Chronological Reading Guide. The readings are not dramatized, just plain and simple and easy to listen to. I like turning one on as I crochet during one of Benjamin's naps. It's a great way to multitask and get those readings in. I'm not an aural learner, but it is easy for me to follow along when I'm doing something else with my hands.

Recently Benjamin has created his own "quiet crib time." When he's looking tired, I put him in there with some toys and go in the next room to check email or do readings. I check on him every few minutes, and eventually he falls asleep by himself. This is such a change from before and so nice!

Craft Phase Returns

Early pregnancy has not been good for my creative side. I have actually felt nauseated whenever I thought of crocheting. I'm not sure if it was the smell of the fisherman's wool I was using or what, but I really felt like I'd never crochet again and wouldn't miss it. Sewing...same thing. Just no inspiration.
But I picked up the hook and yarn last week and quickly made Benjamin a brown hat (just like the one in the photo on the right bar, only bigger). That was kind of fun so I started a throw from the leftover brown yarn. It should be nice draped across the bedroom easy chair.
Now I'm thinking about making a maternity skirt. I found this tutorial online: http://apatchworkworld.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-make-maternity-skirt.html but instead of cutting up a skirt I'll make a simple A-line and add the panel.
One of these days I'd like to start making a few baby girl things. Definitely a couple of hats and some of the easy T-shirt pants I made Benjamin, and maybe I'll get brave and try a dress.
I'll post pictures as I make some progress on these projects.

Benjamin is talking more and more and understands so much of what we say. His new phase is climbing (finally!). He was never a great climber but in the last week has conquered chairs, the cedar trunk barrier (rats!) and his sturdy cardboard box. He's getting good at the stairs, but knows not to go down "without Mommy." He's also in the yelling phase. He thinks loud shrieks are pretty funny. And, he's starting to help. He LOVES unloading the silverware from the dishwasher. It's a game to see how many spoons or forks he can fit in his hands at once. Then he insists on throwing them in the drawer (which he can barely reach) himself. I always save the silverware tray for him, even if he's napping, because he loves it so much! Now, if I could get him to love picking up his toys and books. :)

Ultrasound pics

This is another active one, at least judging by her behavior during the ultrasound! She's about 9 inches long from head to foot. I updated my baby ticker; you can see it at the foot of the page if you scroll all the way down.

I squealed once we got out of the doctor's office. I can't believe we're having a girl. Suspecting it is one thing, knowing for sure is another!

I don't know why it was any different from before, but this time around I could tell everything we were looking at. The face looked like a face, etc. Of course, the 3D is pretty clear. The technician said usually they look awful at this stage and the 3D doesn't turn out as well. (Not sure why they look bad...covered in vernix maybe?) Anyway, everything looks normal and healthy. We're so excited! Jeff's mom pulled out some pink outfits for us and it was pretty touching for Jeff and I both to see them and realize a little person is going to be wearing those. A little GIRL.

It's a Girl!

Yesterday we did the ultrasound. Sure enough, it's a girl! And, I have a new due date...June 1st. Everything looks normal and they even got a good 3D shot of the face. It's hard to tell what she'll look like, but I think she'll be precious. :)I'm still not sure how good we'll be at raising a girl, but we'll figure it out!
I'll scan the face shots and post them when I get a chance.

Gender Hinder, and The Holidays

Latest news on the Mystery Baby: ultrasound has been postponed because of scheduling difficulties until January 9th. Hopefully then we will find out 1) the gender and 2) an approximate due date. I am measuring 21 centimeters. Centimeters correspond roughly to weeks, so I'm about 4 months along. (I know, 20 weeks=5 months, but 40 weeks=10 months, so I'm actually just 4 months pregnant. Ugh, why does it have to be so confusing?)

We had a great holiday despite The Virus, which goes in two stages--smacking you upside the head twice. First the vomiting, then diarrhea. We were finally all over it by Christmas Eve, but not so much over it that we avoided passing it on to Jeff's mom and grandmom. We kept our germy selves in Greenville for an extra two days, not wanting to risk spreading it to my folks. Fortunately no one got sick there.

Benjamin really seemed to enjoy the holiday visits. He discovered squirrels at Jeff's mom's house, and enjoyed the neighborhood dogs as well as the donkey and mules down the road. He had fun taking a walk with Grandma and playing with the Little People she keeps at her house for him. At my parents' he enjoyed seeing real chickens (not just the ones on this sweet youtube video.) He was not at all scared of the horse and enjoyed feeding him carrots and apples. My dad loved taking him outside whenever he begged for it and letting him see the chickens once again!! Ella and Benjamin enjoyed riding in Ella's little red wagon. She pulled him most of the time. Benjamin was very interested in baby Caleb and touched him very gently on the head while we watched. Laura is doing a great job handling two little ones. Will and I had a rare moment of duo guitar playing. He had found the words to an old piece my grandparents used to play years ago. It was wonderful to make music together. I'm always wishing we lived closer to Laura and Will. We had some time with Laurance and Kimberly as well after they returned from visiting her parents. Jonathan and Benjamin did not quite know what to make of each other but they were definitely fascinated. Jonathan gave Benjamin a kiss and, boy, I wish I had had a videocamera to capture his expression. Indignation and surprise were written all over his face! Jonathan is a sweetie and has grown so much.

We're finally back home and it feels like we've been gone forever, though it was only 10 days. The first thing Benjamin did when he was back in his nursery was point at everything and open his drawers and closet. He even wanted to be put in his crib, where he hung out for some time. I think he's glad to be home!

Books for 2008

Jeff told me I should catalog the books I've read for 2008. He keeps a running list for me on Keynote with the book read and month finished. As Benjamin gets older and more mobile, my list begins to shrink! I put an asterisk by books I especially enjoyed.

1. L'Abri by Edith Schaeffer


2. * Singing Wheels by Alice and Jerry Brooks
(a childhood favorite with wonderful illustrations...now out of print, but found one on ebay!)

3. A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman


4. * Grace Like a River by Christopher Parkening


5. Too Small to Ignore: Why Children are the Next Big Thing by Wes Stafford


6. 1066 and All That by W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman


7. * Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver


8. To Train Up a Child by Michael Pearl


9. Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian


10. Infant Massage by Vimala McClure


11. The Attachment Parenting Book by William and Martha Sears


12. * Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick


13. Heritage of Britain by A.L. Rowse


14. * The Woman in White by Wilke Collins


15. * Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous


16. * Pamela by Samuel Richardson


17. The Making of England by C. Warren Hollister


18. The Time of Your Life: Finding God's Rest in Your Busy Schedule by Susie Davis


19. The Fruit of Her Hands by Nancy Wilson


20. * From My Grandmother's Trunk compiled by Cora Martin


21. The Old Testament (English Standard Version)


22. The Gospels and Acts (English Standard Version)