This Boy

Is officially 18 now, where did the time go? Just Kidding!

He's doing my laundry, bathing himself, and scolding me if I pick up a laundry basket to carry downstairs. "Mommmmm.......you put that down right now"

When did this happen? I went on bedrest and all of a sudden my little 4 year old became a "Boy"

A little Man

Looking after me, taking care of me and the baby.

He comes and talks to my belly and tells the baby, "This is your sweet, sweet big brother, and when you come out I am going to be sweet to you."

Awe! He just melts my heart :)

Thank you Lord, for this strong boy that you will rise up into a Man, ready to serve and work in your kingdom!

O' Christmas Tree

Every year the kids and I have a tradition to go and get the christmas tree the day after thanksgiving, and if you go back a couple years, you'll sure read some interesting christmas tree stories. Anyway with being on bedrest I could not get the tree this year, and well my mennonite hubby thought, ah, we don't need one. Then one day he called and said I am going to pick up a tree after work and set it up with the kids. :O Really? I was surprised, but elated that he has gotten into the christmas spirit, okay that may be going a little too far. But he sure did make this girl happy!

Ali is doing a welcoming indian dance for the Christmas tree.

She was so happy she could hardly contain herself.
Not sure why R is doing the homeboy thing, but he's been surprising us a lot lately. He has grown so much and become little, oops, I mean big mr independant :)
And yes, Ali is still doing her dance around the tree, which I think lasted all night ;)

One of my mothers ornaments.

Christmas in Pennsylvania.

R and Ali had so much fun hanging ornaments. I would put the hooks on, my contribution to the christmas tree this year, and then they would run over and hang them, they would fall off, and they would hang them again. They we're in such glory.

I am joyful to celebrate another christmas with my wonderful husband and two beautiful children. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of our third. Often times we wish time to go faster, to get through our days, but with all the time I have had lately. And boy, have I had a lot of time on my hands, SAHM's please don't be jealous! I've been more easily able to reflect on the special gift we get to celebrate every Christmas.

Jesus!

A sweet, sweet little baby, "born to us!"

A savior sacrificed for us.

So that I may live and raise my beautiful children and be married to my best friend.

Fellowship with great friends and family.

Serving an almighty powerful God who has "endless mercy" on me in this season.

Um...can I please get some medicine...PLEASE!

Well...........what an eventful week or should I say two weeks I have had, WHEW!

I had a scheduled ultrasound on tuesday at 8:00am to see Dr. B, the specialist, who is monitoring my cervix right now. And I was on the highway and it was backed up for a mile or two and moving very slowly, like 5-10 mph slowly. All of a sudden everyone was rear-ending each other. Everyone got out and accessed the damage, their was none. (to any of the other vehicles) But man oh man my foot was hurting real bad. I continued driving to the doctors. When I got there I thought I don't know if I can walk on this foot, but told myself to suck it up and just do it. When I got up stairs I could hardly walk, and told the doc I was in a car accident. He took me right in and checked baby and she was fine, and my cervix is still holding at 2cm. Great news!!!
But because I was in an accident they wanted to monitor me for "silent contractions" so down to triage I went. As soon as I got down there I asked for some medicine for my foot, cause it was killing me. They took me down by wheelchair which I was relieved, cause I didn't want to have to ask for a wheelchair, but knew i couldn't walk anymore. The nurses kept telling me they needed to send me downtown to the hospital for my foot and x-rays, but really wanted to keep me there for observation on the baby. I said, okay, can I please get something for the pain, please, cause my foot...um...it kinda REALLY hurt! The next thing I knew, I had an iv going in one arm, and 7 tubes of blood being drained from the other arm, yes I am serious! Immediately following I was rolled over to my side so they could inject my progesterone. OUCH!!!!!
And no, I still have not had any pain medication for my foot yet.
Okay, this is getting long.
They take me by ambulance to the hospital and do x-rays, scary when you're preggo. And come to find I have dislocated the bones in my foot and toe. The doctor walks in and starts smiling at me and rubbing my feet, I said oh please, can you give me somthing for pain first. CRACK...."sorry"..........Crack, Crack...."sorry!"
I shot up out of that bed and said......"PLEASE can I have something for my pain NOW!"
He had relocated my bones and said, Yeah, I'll bring you some tylenol. TYLENOL, WHAT?
My nurse said maybe some morphine, although that sounded heavenly, (I have never had this but had to administer it to my mom a lot and so I know how much better this can make a person feel) I looked at her like she was crazy, MORPHINE? Where was I, and what are these crazy, crazy lunatics going to do with me, take me back to kansas dorothy, PLEASE! Oh and by the way do you have a pain pill for me for my trip too :P
After 4 or so agonizing hours they gave me a low dose pain pill, and I was able to relax and the pain subsided some. On my way home I went. Oh and I guess I forgot to mention that on Monday I was diagnosed with strep throat, just to throw a little excitment in there!
So.....I am healing. I have wonderful friends who have really stepped in and we're able to take my kiddos all day as I couldn't walk on my foot hardly for the first few days. Just another hop, skip, and a jump, right?

I know our Lord and Savior is watching over us. And I very well know that His protection was upon me on tuesday. Had my belly hit the steering wheel (my head did) or anything else, well, that could have been the end for this pregnancy. And as sensitive as my uterus is, that could have made my cervix shorten even more, but it didn't. And "HE is Good like that"

And so, although I don't understand all these trials right now, and quite frankly, not dealing with it all so well. I know that he will not give us more then we can handle right now. I PRAISE Him, because, He will pull me through!

Girlfriends

Adding this to the post, as Ang added this to FB. Look at us!
Last saturday I had an oppurtunity of a lifetime. I got to meet up with two special, special girlies that I grew up with. I used to walk with andrea to kindergarten and I would always tell her, "Now you get on the inside of the sidewalk, and I'll be on the outside, just in case we get hit by a car, it will be me, not you!" And then Becky moved in across from me, and it was an instant bond that was created. We used to dance to music out in the driveway, and pretend that when we grew up, we would be back up dancers and singers for my brothers rock band. (and she married a lead singer in a band, go figure) A fabulous friendship between all three of us formed, one that God prepared a way for me at the time and I didn't even know it.

Last saturday we met at Rachels in downtown lancaster. It was incredible seeing them for the first time in so long. Lots of laughter and cathing wa shad by all! See....after a lot of shuffling around from new holland to bainbridge to new holland, my mother became very ill and I needed to go and stay with her for a while. I eventually lost contact with these two wonderful friends. But it was super that our paths have now crossed again.

Oh.......how their parents used to cringe at the site of me knocking on the door again. This little girl who always came over, (I loved the security of the safeness in their homes and how their parents had rules, even though I was quite the temptress in making them break those rules sometimes). Always begging to stay over, these gentle loving couples who welcomed me, even though they knew I was not the best influence for their girls. They showed me how one day when I have children, I want to raise them, just like that. In a loving christian home. With boundries and Love! I owe so much to their sweet parents for the example they we're to me growing up. And for Beck and Ang, and how they always embraced me for who I was. Not needing to fit in and be like all the rest. I cherish these sweet, sweet memories :)

And thank our wonderful savior for the seed that was planted in my life at the time. When we we're together on saturday it seemed like we we're just picking up from one of our sleepovers, when we we're 8 or 9. Thank you sweet jesus for these precious ladies that have come back into my life.

Gilrfriends Part 2

Awe, just look at us peaceful, sleeping, good little girls!
On a trip to celebrate my 14th birthday down at the camden aqaurium, now known as the adventure aqaurium.

Checking out boys, I mean the animals, like this seal :P Ang really liked this one.

And apparently I used to have a lot of intelligent things that would come out of my mouth, to captivate an audience, well at least these two girlies.

And oh my, girlfriends, how could you ever let me wear those shorts, Ha!

(((((((( Shock )))))))) and Awe!

Here she is, praying for some more cozy time in the womb! We had an ultrasound with the specialist on monday and I was stunned by the news that he had to tell me :( My cervix is shortening. I am at 2cm, I should be above 3cm. I am NOT dilating. But I am at 2cm, and that's big stuff. At this time with aliana I was at 0cm, meaning there was nothing left of my cervix. They we're telling me that delivery was imminent. But "He is Good Like That" and I know He created a miracle once, and He can most certainly do it again.

So............................what does all this mean. I am back to the title of my blog "A New Season"

Ah yes, once again we are on bedrest. But so far it is modified bedrest. As I explained before we are not completely left with nothing this time. And not out of options. I still am in SHOCK as to the very fact that this is happening again. But in total and complete AWE that my fellow sisters in Christ are surrounding me and taking care of me. My kids have had fun things to do each day as the doctor ordered a couple hours a day to have help with the kids. So far so good! Meals have already started to arrive, which is awesome, I was getting a little tired of eggs and toast. Although hubs is a wonderful cook :P

It's harder to come to grips with this time as I just don't feel worthy of recieving all this help. I am much better at giving. I know the enemy is preying on my broken spirit right now. I won't be here long!!!! I know that the One who knit together me and my unborn child's inner-most being is One Awesome and Amazing God. And he will, and has already picked me up, dusted me off, and said (tear) "You are SO worthy" And I Love you my daughter! (sniff, sniff)

My Curlie Girlie

Concert

Yay! I just found out I am going to this concert in december, and hopefully with a dear wonderful friend too! I am so excited. I might just have to go out and buy the cd now, and get in the mood :)

Kahn Lucas

As some of you might know. There is a store over at rockvale outlet called kahn lucas. They sell really nice and cute dresses and outfits for cheap. One's that you normally get at jcpenneys and kohls for $70-$80. They started out in a little storefront off the centerville exit before they we're a store.

Every once in a while, it's completely random. They will open this storefront and discount their merchandise even more. I went yesterday and bought ali 17 outfits and most of them we're anywher efrom $1-$3. This is a horse top with brown silky leggings, with a dolly and me matching outfit. It is for christmas.

Here is another dolly and me matching outfit. I normally would not buy this style or color but my neighbor was their and assured me it was cute!

I scored her two easter dresses, you know cause a girlie needs two of them right? $3

And our second one, $3. Such a great deal!

What are you reading?

Of course I have been scouring this book as of late. It's been tough this time coming up with names. I thought a week ago I had it narrowed down to 3 names, and now all of a sudden there are other one's that I like too. Ughhh! I might just have to wait until she's born to see what we think. Oh, and neal and I do not agree on the names. He's pretty set on one, and me, I am pretty set on one, till I see another that I like. Ha!

This book is very interesting. A friend of mine heard this woman speak on dr dobsons show one morning and said she really liked it, So I am checking it out for myself. I am not to far into it yet. I have been liking what I have read so far and feel like I can relate to the author in some things. Growing up, I saw a lot of abuse and encountred some, but my mom and brother bore the brunt of most of it. My father is definately a changed man. But I have seen the cycle of anger play out in scenarios with me. I said that when I have kids, I will never be like that. Don't we say that about a lot of things :) Especially now with being pregnant, I can really get irratated and lose my cool fast. She has some good tricks to use in her, like taking your own time out to calm down. I guess I should add the disclaimer that I have not in any way abused my kids physically. But I know I am very guilty of spanking or disipling in anger. Which Tedd Tripp teaches you not to do in Sheperding a Childs Heart, (another book I love) And I 100% agree with. But I am not a perfect mom!

If you're looking for a real life issue that you might struggle with some, or a lot, or this just peaks your interest check it out!

We had an ultrasound 2 or so weeks ago and found out.............................

Rowan cried and asked if I could please grow a boy! Aliana was quite exuberant to be having a little sister.

After my ultrasound the tech wrote it down on paper and sealed it in an envelope and about 7-8 hours later neal and I opened it together at the dinner table. I am happy, as aliana will have a special sister bond I keep hearing so much about! I will have another ultrasound in two weeks to check everything out again, looking at my length to make sure nothing is changing. So far, so good. But it will be a big thing for us to get past that 24 week marker as that is when everything started with aliana. So I am anxiously awaiting for it to come and pass with no problems. Shots are still going well. Neal is succesfully giving them at home. Last night was our second one. It burned some, but overall he is doing a fabulous job! Give him a pat on the back :) We are praying that they are doing their job, more importantly that this baby will be healthy and full term.

A Weekend Getaway

A couple of weekends ago we spent a whole glorious weekend "embracing our pink" Just Kidding! Neal and I went on a marriage retreat with a bunch of other couples from our church. Number 1 it was nice to have a break from the kids. Neal said on saturday night, you know, I actually miss the kids, I said really :O He asked, why don't you, ummm......yeah! ;)
And two, we had a blast hanging out with friends we knew and getting to know other one's really well. 3. Oh yeah, and we enjoyed the alone time too. Our weekend was packed with little mini seminars, which we're phenomenal! Our speakers we're from our church and had great stories to tell. It was a very refreshing weekend for us. Neal and I got to re-evaluate some things and we're reminded to focus on us first.

Here is a morning view of the beach on sunday, the day we we're to leave. Unfortunately, the only day it was sunny. I have not laughed that hard in so long, the whole weekend was full of laughter. With such good friends!

We brought back 4 hermit crabs for the kids. The blue one is hermie and the yellow one is flower. The other two still don't have names.

The kids use our wooden blocks to build a fence for them to crawl around in. So far R has been pinched, but he didn't cry :) And yes hermit crabs can fly, oh lets see what else, if you consistantly hit the hermit crab on a hard floor over and over and over, it will not kill or harm the hermit crab, they will live. Ha!

I was supposed to travel to Raleigh this past weekend with my brother and my other, well.......my other brother, (not blood related, long story). But by docs orders and trying to be cautious, I had to give my U2 ticket up. The last time I saw them was in november 2001. Rob got on stage and sang with Bono, and played guitar next to The Edge. I wish I had digital then, there are some really cool pics. Anyway Rob and Scott went and Rob brought me back this beautiful picture! Thanks :)

My brothers have informed me that they will be returning next year and that I WILL be seeing them in Philly in July. Can't wait!

OUCH.....that hurt!

I started my Progesterone shots, and last night was my second one of 15-19 total. Last week I got one and it didn't hurt. The nurse said alright you ready, this is gonna hurt a lot, some women say these are some of the worst shots you can get. I was like "Uh Okay, I guess" It wasn't like I was gonna walk out of the room with my pants pulled down and say no, that's okay :) Ha! This week, completely different story. Whew! I heard her pop the needle into my skin, and OUCH! I did everything I could to keep myself from losing my stomach contents right then and there. It hurt for some time after as well. The needle above thankfully is the needle we use to draw the serum up, and then we need to attach a different one to inject, which is really long and it takes a good 2-3 minutes to get it in, since it is so thick. I am not sure as to why it was so different from last week. All I can think is that my left is my more dominent side, where I got it last week. Oh I guess I didn't explain where I am getting them, in the cheeks if you know what I mean. I will have two more shots at the doctors office, and then I will start getting them at home. Neal is going to be administering them to me. I am a little anxious about this. The nurse did mention that I can go online and watch a video of how to give them to myself. I was stunned. I don't even know how I would do that? ;-)

Strasburg Railroad

Last week we took a trip to the Strasburg Railroad. We had so much fun. The kids we're involved with the summer reading program this summer at the library. And they got one free ticket each to go on a train ride. They both really loved it, although it was very hard to wait and wait till the train started moving. R kept calling the conductor the partner, it just made neal and I laugh, we told him conductor, but he insisted it was partner. We passed Cherry Crest Farms, we will be visiting there in october. I planned a trip for a group of us moms to go from our church. It looks like it will be farmtastic-fun!

Fun Shots

A self portrait of our fam!
I love R's expression! And Ali's too, even though her eyes are closed, I love that contagious smile :)
Not quite sure what's going on here, but it still makes me laugh, and I just had to post ;)

My little "Baby Girl" as she calls herself now.

And of course the cutest couple ever....well....maybe just on our evening train ride that night!

A Long Overdue Announcement............

The new addition to our family! We are four months along and excited as ever :) We again are being blessed with another gift from God! We feel a lot of peace about this pregnancy. I feel God has given me confirmation that it will go smoothly and so I am hanging onto that :) The midwife said yesterday that my cervical length is 5cm, which is not common with most pregnant women, normally they just have 4 cm. But He gave me and extra 1 cm to work with. Gotta Love it!
Our 3-D. I really don't love these. I had a lot of these with aliana and remember not loving the way they looked. The baby just doesn't look right. I don't know?
Right now my placenta is low-lying and this could cause a problem if it should stay this way. But they really seem to think it will move. God is in control.

The kiddos are super excited to have a baby growing in my belly. Aliana says it's a girl and of course rowan says it's a boy. I wasn't going to find out, as I thought it would be fun to have a surprise. But hubs informed me that he wants to know. So we may do what our friends T and D did and have the tech write it down on paper for him to see, at the next one. Since the ultrasound rowan says he wants the baby to come out, I said "Oh no, not for another 6 long months" Ha!

The midwives are reccomending that I take progesterone shots. Honestly I have known this from the beginning but have pushed it off, And now I literally have 3 weeks to decide if I will do them, as I need to start them at the 16th week.
I had a friend over today and she share dwith me a parable, that maybe has almost convinced me that it's okay to take them.
"Ther ewas a man who drowned in the ocean. A helicopter came and the person on board said here climb on board, and he said no, my God will save me, then a boat came and a person offered to help him in and he said no, my God will save me! He died, when he got to heaven he said, God why didn't you save me? God replied, I sent you a helicopter and a boat, what do you mean?

I keep thinking that since God has given me such peace about this pregnancy and now that I know that I have 5cm, is he trying to tell me to just trust!? And not use medical intervention. Yet on the other hand, I don't want to lose a baby to preterm labor and my own selfish wants and desires, because I chose not to take the medicine.

Yeah I know, I am thinking way to deep into this!

So yep, it's been a while. I am really hoping to not let it go this long again :)

Rainy Days

I just can't get enough of this sweetness! She is starting to come around and let me take her pic again.
I bribed them with, "I'll show you the picture if you let me take it" works for now!

Meee-oooow

Playing marbles. She has finally stopped putting them in her mouth and so I am more trusting of having this out.Having fun!