So I am 22 weeks pregnant with my second child, a little girl. We are so excited to be having another child, but this pregnancy is so different.
For my first pregnancy, we had tried 2 and a half years to have a baby. We went to Ohio to visit friends and on the way home Hopson and I prayed for a baby, but told the Lord that He was enough. Even if He didn't allow us to have a child. Little did we know that I was already pregnant. I went to the doctor for a blood test and when the doctor called me with the results, I couldn't even answer the phone. My husband called the doctor back and told me that I was pregnant. I had horrible panic attacks and anxiety with my first pregnancy. I also had gestational diabetes. My skin cleared up a ton and my hair grew really long and fast and thick. My nails were also great!
This time it is so different. I have had no anxiety or panic attacks, which has been great. I also haven't had a great complexion, hair, or nails. I am not sure if it is because I am having a girl this time or not, but that's ok!
Those aren't the only differences. This pregnancy is going by SO fast! I am already past the halfway point! And my excitement is completely different. I am so thankful we are having a girl, but it has hit me that I will be teaching her everything. How to be a wife, a mother, a woman. I will be teaching her how to do her makeup and hair. How to cook and clean. It all seems overwhelming!
I also am concerned about taking away from my son. I spend so much time with him and I don't want him to feel unloved or left out. I know that before I had him there was no way I could comprehend the love that I would have for him, so I am hoping it is the same way with my baby girl.
I know that when the time comes for her to be here, God will give me the strength to love both of my children and to parent both of them, but this waiting period certainly is different!! Anybody else ever have feelings like this?
Monday, October 31, 2011
Date Night!
So my hubby and I got to go for a date night on Saturday night. It was great. I have struggled with date nights ever since having a baby. I hate leaving Jonah. Well I have been learning the importance of putting my marriage before my child, and it has been great!
So Saturday night Hopson and I went out and had a "us" time! We went to the mall, walked around, ate and hung out. I love going to the mall and window shopping. We split Chinese food and talked and had a great time.
I am so thankful to share my dreams with Hopson. He is a great husband and I love him so much! Our date nights are always filled with great conversations and laughter and sometimes tears. God has worked so much in our marriage. I am so thankful to see how much He has grown us and where He is going to take us. I hope that our kids will see the importance we place on our marriage and desire the same for themselves!
So Saturday night Hopson and I went out and had a "us" time! We went to the mall, walked around, ate and hung out. I love going to the mall and window shopping. We split Chinese food and talked and had a great time.
I am so thankful to share my dreams with Hopson. He is a great husband and I love him so much! Our date nights are always filled with great conversations and laughter and sometimes tears. God has worked so much in our marriage. I am so thankful to see how much He has grown us and where He is going to take us. I hope that our kids will see the importance we place on our marriage and desire the same for themselves!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
St. Louis
So a lot has happened since I have last posted.
My parents came for a weekend to spend some time with us. They watched Jonah so Hopson and I could attend a marriage conference called, A Weekend to Remember. It was wonderful! We were able to spend a bunch of time together while learning how to improve our marriage. Hopson and I want our marriage to reflect the image of God. That is who God created us to be and that is what He wants a marriage to be. We were able to learn practical ways to do this.
Jonah had a great time with my parents. When we came home, he was sitting on my mom's lap while she read to him. He cried when they left. We will see them again around Christmas time. So I hope he remembers them!
Four days after they left we went on our vacation to St. Louis. We had a great time. Hopson and I try to go on vacation every year. We have made some wonderful memories and explored some really cool cities. This was our first vacation with Jonah. We have taken some weekend trips with him, but not a family vacation.
My parents came for a weekend to spend some time with us. They watched Jonah so Hopson and I could attend a marriage conference called, A Weekend to Remember. It was wonderful! We were able to spend a bunch of time together while learning how to improve our marriage. Hopson and I want our marriage to reflect the image of God. That is who God created us to be and that is what He wants a marriage to be. We were able to learn practical ways to do this.
Jonah had a great time with my parents. When we came home, he was sitting on my mom's lap while she read to him. He cried when they left. We will see them again around Christmas time. So I hope he remembers them!
Four days after they left we went on our vacation to St. Louis. We had a great time. Hopson and I try to go on vacation every year. We have made some wonderful memories and explored some really cool cities. This was our first vacation with Jonah. We have taken some weekend trips with him, but not a family vacation.
The first day we went to the Museum of Transportation. Jonah LOVES trains. We had a blast!
The second day we went to Grant's Farm.
Jonah loved the goats!! He would feed them and hug them.
My wonderful family. (Jonah hardly ever cooperates in a family picture)
On Sunday we went to St. Charles and walked around.
Having fun running around the park!
Up in the arch!
We spent a long time at the St. Louis Zoo.
Jonah wanted to carry the camera bag...It was so funny watching him try to walk.
Our last day in St. Louis.
On the way home
We were in St. Louis while the World Series was going. I am glad that they were playing in Texas while we were there, but the city as a whole was very excited about their team. St. Louis was a great city to take a toddler to. There were many free things to do and Jonah had a blast. It is amazing as parents how much joy you receive when your child is having fun and enjoying himself. It helps me to understand God's love for me. As the perfect parent, He takes pleasure in giving us gifts. I am so thankful that He is my Father.
These pictures only give small glimpses of our vacation, but we had a wonderful time. It was so great to spend so much time together as a family. It was very relaxing and refreshing for all of us.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Quick Catch-up
So this past week has been busy. On Monday I had doctor's appointments for both of my kids! We found out that our baby is a little girl. Her name is Zoe Elizabeth. Zoe means "life" and Elizabeth means "consecrated to God."
Jonah also had a doctor's appointment on Monday. He is in the 50th percentile for weight, 80th percentile for height, and off the charts for his head measurement. Hopefully this means he is really smart!
I also have started my second term of classes in the Seminary Wives Institute. The first term I took Discipleship 1 and Biblical Parenting. This term I am taking Discipleship 2 and Old and New Testament Survey. I have enjoyed taking these classes and learning alongside my husband. When Hopson was at Mid America I often felt as if he was learning so much and I wasn't learning much. Now I am so thankful to be learning about the Bible and how to be a pastor's wife.
My parents came to visit us this week. It is always a joy to see Jonah interact with family. I love watching them play together and Jonah talk to them. My prayer is that one day God will allow us to move closer to family and be a bigger part of each other's lives. It is a much bigger hope now that my in-laws are moving close to my parents.
More to come later...just a quick catch up.
Jonah also had a doctor's appointment on Monday. He is in the 50th percentile for weight, 80th percentile for height, and off the charts for his head measurement. Hopefully this means he is really smart!
I also have started my second term of classes in the Seminary Wives Institute. The first term I took Discipleship 1 and Biblical Parenting. This term I am taking Discipleship 2 and Old and New Testament Survey. I have enjoyed taking these classes and learning alongside my husband. When Hopson was at Mid America I often felt as if he was learning so much and I wasn't learning much. Now I am so thankful to be learning about the Bible and how to be a pastor's wife.
My parents came to visit us this week. It is always a joy to see Jonah interact with family. I love watching them play together and Jonah talk to them. My prayer is that one day God will allow us to move closer to family and be a bigger part of each other's lives. It is a much bigger hope now that my in-laws are moving close to my parents.
More to come later...just a quick catch up.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Taco Bell, A Fever, and the Emergency Room
It all started at Community Group on Sunday. Hopson was in a group with 3 other guys, and he invited them and their wives to dinner on Thursday night. We are really working at being more hospitable. We also want to have true community and fellowship with our group, so I didn't mind at all.
Fast forward to Wednesday. Hopson had to work a late night, so he didn't get home until around 7. We went to Taco Bell for dinner. As we were leaving Taco Bell, I started to get really cold. It was like 80 degrees out and I was shivering. I thought I had a fever, but Hopson didn't think I felt that warm. So we went to the grocery store to get the food for our dinner on Thursday. As we were walking down the refrigerated sections, I was shivering...I knew I had a fever, but didn't think it was a big deal. We came home and I sat on the couch covered with a blanket and tried to get warm. I went to bed thinking that my fever would break in the night and I would be fine in the morning.
Well, I was wrong. I woke up Thursday morning, with no symptoms but still had a fever. I talked to Hopson about whether or not we should cancel dinner for that evening, and he wasn't sure. I didn't know if I was contagious or not, and I didn't want anyone else to get sick. So since I am pregnant and had a fever, Hopson told me to call my ob/gyn. I left a message, and about 20 minutes later they called me telling me to go to the emergency room. I hadn't showered or gotten Jonah ready or anything, so I kind of panicked. I was really scared that there was something wrong with the baby. (I mean they don't tell you to go to the emergency room for just anything...right?) Hopson left work and came right home. He knew I would be worried.
So we go to the emergency room. We wait for a few minutes before going back into a room.
After asking a bunch of questions, they want to do a flu test, strep test, and urine test. I have never had a flu or strep test before. Having a huge q-tip shoved up your nose, and then another one shoved down your throat wasn't exactly what I would call a pleasant experience, but I made it through!
Fast forward to Wednesday. Hopson had to work a late night, so he didn't get home until around 7. We went to Taco Bell for dinner. As we were leaving Taco Bell, I started to get really cold. It was like 80 degrees out and I was shivering. I thought I had a fever, but Hopson didn't think I felt that warm. So we went to the grocery store to get the food for our dinner on Thursday. As we were walking down the refrigerated sections, I was shivering...I knew I had a fever, but didn't think it was a big deal. We came home and I sat on the couch covered with a blanket and tried to get warm. I went to bed thinking that my fever would break in the night and I would be fine in the morning.
Well, I was wrong. I woke up Thursday morning, with no symptoms but still had a fever. I talked to Hopson about whether or not we should cancel dinner for that evening, and he wasn't sure. I didn't know if I was contagious or not, and I didn't want anyone else to get sick. So since I am pregnant and had a fever, Hopson told me to call my ob/gyn. I left a message, and about 20 minutes later they called me telling me to go to the emergency room. I hadn't showered or gotten Jonah ready or anything, so I kind of panicked. I was really scared that there was something wrong with the baby. (I mean they don't tell you to go to the emergency room for just anything...right?) Hopson left work and came right home. He knew I would be worried.
So we go to the emergency room. We wait for a few minutes before going back into a room.
Jonah didn't last too long in his stroller. There were too many things to explore and play with.
No make-up and beautiful hospital gown
So now we are just waiting for the results...
As we are waiting for the results, the nurse comes in to check the baby's heartbeat. I was hoping they would do an ultrasound so we could find out the sex of the baby, but they didn't. (I FIND OUT MONDAY!!) It takes the nurse about 10 minutes to find the heartbeat. She is moving the wand all around, and she finds my heartbeat over and over but not the baby's. I look up at Hopson and can tell that he is really worried. He has this look on his face and I know that he thinks there is something wrong with the baby. I could feel the baby move, so I knew that everything was ok. I don't know why I didn't tell him that, but I didn't. Finally she found the heartbeat and Hopson was so relieved. 148 precious little beats per minute. The nurse thinks it's a boy. Did I mention that I find out MONDAY?!?! It did touch my heart how much Hopson already loves this little baby. He can't feel the baby move, he doesn't know what it looks like, it hasn't done ANYTHING to "earn" or "deserve" his love, yet Hopson still loves this little one. Isn't it great that we serve a God that we don't have to earn His love? We don't have to do anything to deserve His love? It is all grace and a gift. (I could go on and on, so we will save it for another post, another day)
Jonah actually did really good (he wasn't perfect by any means)
So about 45 minutes later we get the results from the tests...a UTI. I was kind of shocked that the ob/gyn would have me go to the emergency room for that. Now don't get me wrong, I am sooo thankful that I didn't have anything seriously wrong with me or the baby, but I was a little surprised. So it is Friday afternoon. My fever broke last night, I am drinking lots of water, and getting ready for my date with my husband. :) I am so thankful that God does hear our prayers, that the baby is doing great, and that I am doing great!
Oh and we did end up canceling dinner last night.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Parenting
So it is amazing to me how much I have forgotten when I was pregnant with Jonah. I feel sooo tired this time and so out of sorts. I am constantly asking Hopson if I felt like this when I was pregnant with Jonah. He always tells me yes. I thought once I hit my second trimester I would have some energy. Sadly this is not the case. I am still sleeping in with Jonah EVERY morning and taking a nap at least once a day...sometimes more than that. Thankfully I have a wonderful toddler who will nap with me and who loves to keep himself occupied with legos or books.
I also have a wonderful husband that allows me to stay home with Jonah and this new baby. I know "allow" may sound weird or controlling, but he is willing to work so hard to provide for us so I can stay home. He believes in Titus 2:4 that my role is to be "working at home," and I love being a wife and a mommy.
God has been teaching me so much about what it means to be a homemaker. It is so much more than cooking and cleaning. This semester I took a Biblical Parenting class and my teacher said that being a stay at home mom was tending to souls. I am tending to Jonah's soul. WOW! What an amazing and huge task. I feel so unworthy to accomplish this task, but my God has told me that HIS strength is made perfect in my weakness. I am so thankful to have a heavenly Father who gives me guidance and direction on this whole parenting thing. I am thankful for other parents who I can look up to. The ones who have done things wrong and will give guidance through their mistakes. I am thankful for the ones who have done things right and share the way with us.
So I have to ask myself the question...Did I prayerfully tend to Jonah's soul today? Did I discipline him consistently? Did I spend time with him? Am I being joyful in my tasks as a mom and homemaker? Am I being a woman that models the type of woman I want Jonah to marry someday. Thankfully I have a God who forgives and gives so many chances. He gives me a new day to work on this mom thing!
I also have a wonderful husband that allows me to stay home with Jonah and this new baby. I know "allow" may sound weird or controlling, but he is willing to work so hard to provide for us so I can stay home. He believes in Titus 2:4 that my role is to be "working at home," and I love being a wife and a mommy.
God has been teaching me so much about what it means to be a homemaker. It is so much more than cooking and cleaning. This semester I took a Biblical Parenting class and my teacher said that being a stay at home mom was tending to souls. I am tending to Jonah's soul. WOW! What an amazing and huge task. I feel so unworthy to accomplish this task, but my God has told me that HIS strength is made perfect in my weakness. I am so thankful to have a heavenly Father who gives me guidance and direction on this whole parenting thing. I am thankful for other parents who I can look up to. The ones who have done things wrong and will give guidance through their mistakes. I am thankful for the ones who have done things right and share the way with us.
So I have to ask myself the question...Did I prayerfully tend to Jonah's soul today? Did I discipline him consistently? Did I spend time with him? Am I being joyful in my tasks as a mom and homemaker? Am I being a woman that models the type of woman I want Jonah to marry someday. Thankfully I have a God who forgives and gives so many chances. He gives me a new day to work on this mom thing!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Family Weekend
We love to spend our weekends doing family activities. In Louisville, there are tons of festivals and events to go to.
Our weekend started earlier than normal. Hopson got off work around 1:30 on Friday afternoon. He came home with our weekend all planned out. Friday afternoon we went to the St. James Art Fair. The weather was beautiful and we were able to look at tons of different art from all over the country. I am amazed at what some people think art is and how much they charge for it! I love going to get good ideas of things I can make.
Friday night we went walking along Frankfort Avenue. One Friday a month, they keep all their stores open late and have lots of music and fun things to do.
Our weekend started earlier than normal. Hopson got off work around 1:30 on Friday afternoon. He came home with our weekend all planned out. Friday afternoon we went to the St. James Art Fair. The weather was beautiful and we were able to look at tons of different art from all over the country. I am amazed at what some people think art is and how much they charge for it! I love going to get good ideas of things I can make.
Friday night we went walking along Frankfort Avenue. One Friday a month, they keep all their stores open late and have lots of music and fun things to do.
Jonah loves dogs (from far away at least)
Jonah is helping me make French Toast to start our Saturday off!
As soon as he saw the bread he grabbed a piece and started eating.
Saturday morning we went to the Harvest Homecoming Parade,
Jonah didn't care too much for the parade. He wanted to explore.
He wouldn't even take a good picture with Daddy.
Saturday afternoon we went to Huber's Farm. Jonah LOVED the goats.
Family picture in the pumpkin patch...too bad the stroller is in the picture too!
Almost 18 weeks pregnant!
We found the best pumpkin!
Jonah was more interested in eating than pumpkin picking.
Another family picture, minus the stroller
Me and my number one love!
Jonah is finally happy after his bottle and snack!
We had a great weekend together! We spent lots of quality time together in the great outdoors! We spent Sunday worshiping Christ and in community with other believers. Every Sunday night we get pizza, and watch a movie or spend time together talking. Jonah gets in bed a little later than normal, but it is a great end to a wonderful weekend. I hope your weekend was as blessed as ours.
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