Herman? Really?!

Yep, we did it. We named our child Herman. Here's why:

1. We like it.
2. It was Pete's grandfather's name. Herman Honigfort was a wonderful, hard-working man who loved his family and laid his life down for them. He worked two full-time jobs for decades to provide for his family. We love this example of counting his life as one for the service of others. We hope that our sons would grow up to emulate these characteristics.
3. We love the meaning. Herman means "Army man" and we hope and pray that our little guy grows up to be a warrior for God's kingdom.

Thomas is Pete's middle name.

Labor Story

When I woke up Monday morning (Adam's birthday) I already had a couple early labor signs (lost mucous plug and bloody show first thing) but hadn't really experienced any contractions that I knew of. Throughout the morning I had a few light contractions and probably averaged about one per hour the rest of the day.

Since I thought I'd go into labor soon, I decided to take a nap. Again, I was so thankful for my mom who watched parts of "The Sound of Music" with Lucy while Adam and I took our afternoon naps. Pete was at work by the way.

When I woke up, I felt funny. Not good. But I wasn't exactly sure it was labor. I was suspicious that it might be the stomach bug since Adam had had it two nights earlier. I didn't eat dinner. Adam was acting funny again too, so while my mom and Lucy finished up dinner, I gave him a bath. During his bath I threw up. A lot. That was around 7 pm.

For the next 4 1/2 hours I threw up four more times, all while progressing pretty fast with labor. I think vomiting kicked my contractions in to full gear.

After 11 pm, there was nothing left inside my stomach, and I felt pretty dehydrated. I was trying to sleep but realized at some point that my contractions were 3 minutes or less apart and over a minute long. They were getting painful and I was anxious about being dehydrated and scared I'd push the baby out if I threw up again. So, I told Pete I thought we should go to the hospital.

I think we showed up at BroMenn around 11:45 pm, bowl in hand. We got checked in. I was 6 centimeters dilated. I basically begged for an IV because I knew I was dehydrated. I also knew I didn't want to be up and about. I asked for anti-nausea medication too. By 12:30ish I was in a room with everything hooked up, not feeling nauseated, eating lots of ice chips, laboring away, with Pete next to my side. I didn't throw up again.

The next 4 hours were pretty normal painful contraction after contraction. I think I did a little better this time around with handling the pain. Pete did such an awesome job coaching and encouraging me.

There were a couple things that kept me going. One: not knowing if it was a boy or a girl. We kept on talking about that during labor and that made me excited and able to get through another contraction. We'd get to meet our baby soon! We were also pretty excited that it was the morning of the 3rd, so indeed our third child followed that trend. (Lucy was born on the 1st, Adam was born on the 2nd...) Also, only a couple hours in, the nurse tech brought in all the equipment: the baby warmer and everything. So I thought "Wow! am I really that close?!"

At 3:15 AM the nurse checked me again and said I was at a 7 and my water was bulging (hadn't broken yet), and that it would break soon with a contraction and things would go quickly. So I continued on in transition for another hour. Finally at some point, I couldn't help pushing a little with the contractions, and my water broke. I was at 8 centimeters then, she said.

Also, at this point, they gave me an oxygen mask because I was hyperventilating. Apparently I'm good at that since I got yelled at for it the last two births. The nurses and Pete were good at reminding me to breath and it was more controlled while I was pushing.

From then on I couldn't help pushing. I don't remember how long I pushed but it seems like it was only a few pushes. The nurse urgently called Dr. Nord and told him I was "at 9 and feeling pushy" and then immediately called all the people to help deliver, including the "on call" physician, since she didn't think Dr. Nord would make it.

Herman's head came out pretty slowly and after it was all over and done with I was praised for my self-control. Ha. I didn't feel very in control. But, I was glad to have a more slow and controlled delivery. I only had a small tear. Dr. Nord came in the room, according to Pete, just as half of Herman's body was out, and took over.

At 4:30 AM, he was born! 8 pounds 1 ounce and 21 inches long. It was fun to hear "It's a boy!"

After some skin on skin contact with my new little boy, Pete cutting the cord, and stitching me up, Dr. Nord came over and prayed with us and for Herman. Then, Herman proceeded to nurse for an hour (he's turned out to be great at eating) and Pete went home to get some sleep before visiting with Lucy, Adam, and my mom later that morning.

Stomach Bug Update

A week ago, Adam had a 12ish hour stomach bug that kept him and us up all night. Two days later, I got it and was also in labor. By the time I got to the hospital, around midnight, I had ceased throwing up and then gave birth at 4:30 am. Two days later, Lucy got it and Pete stayed up all night with her since it was our first night home from the hospital with new baby. Two days later, my mom got it while traveling home to Georgia. And finally, to top it all off, Pete got it yesterday and threw up in the middle of the night. Phew.

Needless to say, we are all very tired. We are praying that this is the last straw and we won't see this virus again.

God is good and he is gracious, even in the midst of this chaos. He's given me what I need: enough sleep to function, help from family, friends to watch the older kids, and meals from people from church. We are so thankful.

Currently it is snowing outside, Pete is sleeping, the kids are playing quietly, and Herman is napping. We are in a warm house and God gave me energy to make a nutritious breakfast for me, the kids, and Pete's family before they left.

I can't say I will have this peaceful mood in all moments today or this week, but I pray that God would continue to give us much grace and we would rely fully on him.

"You keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3-4

Herman Thomas Avery is here!

In case you hadn't heard through other social media outlets, Herman was born at 4:30 Tuesday morning after a relatively short labor. He was 8 pounds 1 ounce and 21 inches long. We are doing okay. Actually, Herman is doing fabulous. I'm doing okay. I got some sleep last night. Pete was up almost all night with Lucy throwing up. Lucy is miserable. Adam is overjoyed every time he sees the baby. We are in a little bit of survival mode at the moment and praying no one else gets sick.

I will post later with pictures and labor story, but right now there are more important things to do.

Little Update; Please Pray for Me

You know that stomach bug Adam was up all night with a couple nights ago? Yep, I think I have it. Also, today I have been showing early signs if labor. I really do not want to know what it is like to go through both at once.

So, we would love prayer, first of all, that no one else catches it! So far its just been me and Adam. It would be really great if Lucy, my mom, and Pete all stayed healthy. Secondly, for me and my health/body; that I would get rest tonight, that the stomach bug would go away, and that if it doesn't, I'd be able to handle labor still if that comes soon. Also, for my heart and emotions. Pray that I would trust the Lord. None of this is a surprise to Him. His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

40.4 Weeks

Since we're simply waiting for Baby to make an appearance, we've been trying to fill our days with productive and fun things. Last Friday we celebrated Adam's 2nd birthday which is really tomorrow. Will he have a brother or sister sharing his birthday?? Or do we think this third child will follow the trend that the other siblings have set and wait until the third of December to be born??

 

Today we decided to go ahead and get our Christmas tree and decorate. Pete also vacuumed a lot.

40 weeks and 4 days

 In a way, I'm thankful I haven't gone into labor yet because we've needed a few extra days to get over some sickness in our house. We all had some form of a cold last week, and last night Adam had a stomach bug. He and the rest of us are feeling much better, albeit a bit sleep-deprived. We are hoping for a good night's sleep tonight.

Two Days "Overdue"

My brothers left Thanksgiving day and my dad left this morning. It's kind of weird just going through life waiting for something to happen. I'm a planner. I like knowing what's going on and what we're doing. I planned on having a baby already on this lovely, chilly Saturday. Once again the Lord is reminding me that I am most certainly not in control, and His plans are better than mine.

How I'm feeling: annoyed, impatient, in a fog, sad that some of my family won't be here for when it happens, thankful that we've had some good times this week still, super thankful for my mom (and dad) for help with the kiddos, kind of embarrassed that I made such a big deal of thinking I'd go early, confused, prayerful, selfish, still excited and looking forward to meeting our baby girl or boy sometime in the next week.

Yesterday my parents took the kids to the Children's Discovery Museum and out to lunch while Pete and I spent the morning together and went out to lunch ourselves for some spicy food and then walking in the grocery store. It was nice. Last night we celebrated Adam's birthday early since my dad left early this morning and we're not sure what the next few days will look like. His birthday is really on Monday. We had fun making cupcakes and wrapping presents all afternoon and then celebrating after dinner.

Today our plans are to watch football all day and stay inside. The kids have new toys from Adam's birthday that they are happy to play with; mostly trains and other transportation toys.

It seems silly to be discouraged when you think I was almost two weeks late with Lucy and I'm only two days past my due date today. I think its more of the "not knowing" that is hard. It could be another week, or it could be this afternoon.

Thankfully, my mom "has no plans" other than staying with us until baby is born. So thankful.

40 Weeks Tomorrow!

Still no labor. I went to the doctor today and I've progressed a teensy bit: I'm 3 centimeters dilated and about 60-70% effaced. Baby is still at -1 station.

This evening we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a big meal (one day early) with my parents and two of my brothers. It's been fun to have them here, even if some of them end up missing the birth.

Now, back to cooking!

Still Waiting...

Well today came and went and I'm still pregnant. So Adam wins the prize for coming the earliest. Today would have been four days early. Both my parents are here now. It is wonderful to have them and they are so helpful. My brothers are coming tomorrow and we will have Thanksgiving meal together probably sometime on Wednesday depending on when/if I go in to labor.

Other than that, I really have no news. Nothing is happening. No contractions. Nothing. I got to take a nice nap today however, which I am thankful for. And we've all been enjoying watching Downton Abbey together.

39-Week Update for Baby #3

Not much happening here yet. I just got back from the doctor and I am two centimeters dilated, 50% effaced, and the baby is at -1 station. Seems pretty normal to me. I haven't been experiencing any Braxton Hicks contractions this week (probably because my stress levels went way down due to our week off.) So, who knows when I'll go in to labor?  Twelve days late with Lucy. Four days early with Adam. You can't predict these things.

My mom is coming tomorrow, with other family members trickling in next week. I'm hoping for Baby's arrival to come sometime this weekend. As I scheduled next week's doctor's appointment, I did have a moment of reality that it could still be a couple weeks. I'm envisioning Thanksgiving with my family here and an infant in my arms... but Thanksgiving could come and go and Baby might still enjoy his or her current home more than the outside world.

So I'm praying for an early arrival. But I'm also praying for patience! And waiting on God's timing and sovereign will.

Ready and Waiting

With two weeks until our due date (and Thanksgiving too!) we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little girl or boy! He or she could be born any day now really. I wouldn't be surprised.

I have been especially grateful to have Pete off of work this week as we have taken a week of vacation (staycation really). We've been chipping away at our "to do" lists, and spending quality time together as a family, and Pete has been helping me a lot with the kids and everyday chores. I am so, so thankful. We even got around to picking out names!

Nesting: Three Weeks To Go!

I'm officially nesting with only three weeks til due date! This week I bought some newborn diapers (just to use while others are in the house the first week or so), and other baby odds and ends. The kids and I just pulled out some boy and girl clothes today to be prepared for either gender. Lucy informed me that she wishes there were two babies. I told her I was sorry to disappoint, but there's really only one in there.

This morning I was greatly surprised upon arriving at our staff women's time to find that they were throwing me a Baby "Sprinkle!" It was so refreshing to spend time with friends, be affirmed by their words, and pray together for new baby, Lucy, and Adam. I'm so thankful for them! I got to take home some balloons for the kids.

I've had a doctor's appointment every week for several weeks now and everything is totally normal. Boring, but good. Today I measured right at 37 weeks, blood pressure was "really great," and the strep B culture came back negative.

35 and 35

Today I'm 35 weeks with 35 more days til due date!

The kids have transitioned now to sleeping in the same room and are doing pretty well going to bed, but are now, oddly, waking up several times at least throughout the night (sometimes ten) for various reasons. I know God knows what I need... but I feel like what we all really need is a good night's sleep! I pray almost every night with the kids that we will all sleep well, with good dreams, the whole night through. I'm not sure this will happen anytime soon. If you'd like to pray with us, you can pray specifically that Lucy and Adam will create new habits of sleeping well throughout the night. I'm not so sure I can handle three children keeping me up all night, every night, for months. But like I said, God knows what I need and He is not surprised by our current season.

34 Weeks

I think this baby had a growth spurt this week.

43 more DAYS til due date.

Memories (old video of Lucy) + Appointment Update

Pete and I had a sweet time a few nights ago night looking through old pictures and videos of our kids (after our kiddos were finally asleep in the same room!). Our hearts just melted and we were reminded of how cute they were and how much we enjoyed them at that stage. Looking back and remembering makes us want to be more intentional about enjoying them now.

My prayer request yesterday at my church Bible study was for patience and wisdom for me and Pete in parenting. As I think about another baby joining our family, I eventually want to look back on this next year with the same sweet memories.

I had my almost-33 week doctor's appointment yesterday. As usual, thankfully, everything looks good. He said my personal glucose monitoring numbers looked good, and even confirmed that the head was down!

Here's a video of Lucy when she was Adam's age:

Go U NU!

Some pictures from our homecoming game day today!

The only one when Adam smiled.

 

Throwback to Fall of 2006. I was a junior, Pete and senior.

This is when NU wasn't very good at football, but we had fun going to games anyway.

Friends

Before a bowl game when I was 6 months pregnant with Lucy.

At the bowl game. I think it was new years 2010.

32 Weeks

Now that the first six weeks of the university schedule are over with and we have our Fall Getaway checked off the list, it seems we can finally start to prepare for this baby. Its been a whirlwind past few months and this week has been one of recovery as we battle sickness and try to catch up on sleep.

 One of our goals for October is to move Adam out of his crib and in to the toddler bed in Lucy's room. They both seem excited about this prospect but their parents are less optimistic that it will go smoothly. We expect less sleep, and much more discipline... but hopefully only for a short time. We've already moved things around just to prepare them for the change.

By the way, if anyone has any advice on moving kids into the same room, or transitioning to three, please send it our way! Any feedback is much appreciated!

The "new" bed is a fun place to play, read, and wrestle.

Baby Wise: Our Survival Plan

We love the wisdom that is found in this book and know many other families who have followed the advice and been so thankful. On Becoming Babywise is sort of a "how-to" on feeding and facilitating sleep for your baby. It offers guidelines for scheduling naps and feedings, always with the notion that you have to be flexible with a newborn baby and constantly evaluate what his or her needs are. This is not a "feed the baby whenever he cries" philosophy. You wouldn't do that with your two-year-old, or yourself.

I can say we did this really well with Lucy, and we were a little more lenient with Adam, but it works, and we got sleep, and so did the kids. They both grew and ate well as infants.

In my experience, the people that criticize the book haven't actually read it.  It was recommended by several family members and friends, and Pete and I think its pretty logical. It contains a lot of good practical advice from baby's first day through over a year old. I will be referring to it quite a bit, once again, in just a handful of weeks. Nine more weeks til due date!

The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth: What It Is and Why We Chose It

{This post is in no way meant to look down on anyone who hasn't done birth this way or isn't planning to in the future. When all is said and done, a healthy and alive mama and baby is the goal. There's a lot of different information out there about childbirth and everyone is entitled to research and make her own decision about it.}

What is Natural Childbirth?
 Laboring and delivering your child without the use of any drugs and with little to no interventions. Basically, it's letting nature take its course and working with your body.

What is the Bradley Method?
Natural Childbirth with an emphasis on 1) Relaxing (or trying to) during labor through a variety of ways, 2) Having a coach (husband usually) to support you and coach you through the labor process, and also be an advocate for you in a hospital setting, and 3) Knowing whats coming, or education. Knowing what birth will be like and what the options are to relax or work with the pain during labor was so important to me in my last two births.

Knowing there would be pain, and that I would want to quit, was also very helpful. Its important for Pete to know that I will say to him at some point "I can't do this, I can't do this" and him saying back, "yes you can, its almost over, you're in transition, keep breathing, it's almost over..." He reminds me of why I chose to do it naturally, and coaches me through the hardest parts. And once the baby is born, probably only a short time after I want to quit, I am SO thankful I didn't give in to drugs.

Why we chose this route:

• The recovery is better for the mom.
• The baby is alert after birth and there is no risk that drugs have reached him or her.
• I want to remember the labor and be fully there as I experience the birth process.
• Labors are usually faster when done naturally.
• Less intervention in labor usually means a healthier mom and baby (obviously there are exceptions.)
• There are a lot of things we still don't know about pitocin, epidurals, and other drugs, namely the long-term effects. I'd rather not take the risk if it's up to me.
• Woman have given birth naturally for all of time, save the last century and a half. And the usual problems didn't go away when drugs came along. In fact, when doctors and drugs came on the scene in the 1800's to replace midwives, a whole host of new problems arose, according to the birth history books I've been reading.

But we still like our hospital:
Many people who are for the natural childbirth are against hospitals, preferring a home birth. I actually had two great experiences at our hospital and enjoyed my time there. The nurses and doctors listened to me and didn't pressure me to take drugs or change my wishes. The environment was actually restful... kind of like a two-day vacation. Other people clean up after you and bring you food, and are constantly there in case you or your baby need anything, which is reassuring to me. I know hospitals aren't for every woman who's having a baby, but for me, I thought it was a great experience overall. My doctor and pediatrician are both very obliging and worked with me to let me have the birth I wanted as well as forgo (usually) unnecessary treatments to the baby after he or she is born, like the prophylaxis eye drops.

Plus, there is always the possibility that there will be a true emergency and I like having the reassurance of already being at the hospital.

If you're considering doing natural childbirth I highly recommend you and your spouse doing a Bradley Method class together and both read "Husband-Coached Childbirth" by Bradley.  You can say you'll "try to do it naturally" when you go in to labor, but you'll probably give in because it really hurts and you and your coach are not prepared adequately. I was tempted to give in both times. Or at least I had the thought, "Okay, I know why people beg for the drugs." But my education and research helped my stay strong and cope with the pain, along with Pete, and God. Prayer is definitely important too.

This is such a short post on such a huge topic. I felt is was important for me to write my thoughts down not only for my own sake, but also for others who are thinking about and doing research on how they want their births to be.

Cloth Diapers

Why we do it: I was totally against cloth diapers when we first had Lucy, unlike Pete who was surprisingly open to the idea. In fact, we didn't get in to them until she was over a year old if I remember correctly. Part of that was that for her first year of life, we were traveling a lot, in other people's homes.

Eventually, after seeing a friend do it while staying in her house and realizing it wasn't that hard, we went for it.

Our number one reason is probably that its cheaper. Also, I enjoy the idea that I'm not just adding tons of disposable diapers to landfills. Plus, it's kind of fun. And its really not that hard.

What we do: We take a pretty flexible approach, trying to use cloth as much as we can, even out sometimes, but always feeling the freedom to use a disposable if we want to or need to: when we're out of town, church, when babysitters are over sometimes, during the night (I didn't bother to get in to the nighttime cloth diapers), and sometimes when I just forget to wash the cloth ones...

We use Best Bottom Diapers. There are tons of cloth diaper brands these days. I like Best Bottom because of the snaps which you can adjust to any size child who wears diapers, the leg gussets which rarely leak, and they're easy to wash. Adam wears the same diapers now that he wore in his first week home from the hospital as an infant. (They have different sized inserts for different weight categories.) The website is bestbottomdiapers.com for more info.

Adam at 1 or 2 months

We usually go through 4 or 5 diapers per day with Adam now that he's older (it was at least 8 per day when he was born and Lucy was still wearing them at that point too.) After a diaper is soiled, I unsnap the insert and throw it in the wet bag. If its number two, I dump it in the toilet and then put it in the wet bag. If the outer shell is still clean I might reuse it with a new insert once or twice- this is usually if its just a wet diaper.

After two or three days (because I have only one child in diapers now and we have accumulated quite a few), I wash them. (I'll probably be washing them every night when the new baby comes). I do a lot of laundry anyways, so it doesn't seem like a huge burden. First, everything is rinsed with cold water twice. Then washed with soap in hot water (and that's when I add other things that need to be washed such as sheets, towels, kitchen rags, and the occasional needed clothing item.) Then we usually line-dry the outer shells, and throw the inserts in the dryer.

Doctor's Appointment Today {almost 29 weeks}

Just got back from the doctor where everything looks good and they seemed fine with me choosing to test my own blood sugar, instead of doing the glucose screening test.

• I'm measuring right as 29 weeks.
• My blood pressure was great.
• According to my records I've gained two pounds in between this appointment and the last one (they were a month apart.)
• Baby's heartbeat was good. 
• I'm supposed to log my blood sugar numbers and report back in a month.
• Today, I got two shots: flu vaccine and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis-  mainly to prevent the baby from getting whooping cough in the first few months of life.) I am for vaccines. 
• I also had my hemoglobin tested (for anemia) and it came back 11. They said they usually supplement with iron if its 10.9 or lower. I was glad to know this, because I haven't really been paying attention to my iron intake (just protein). Now I can pay more attention to that (and take my vitamins more often which I haven't been.) The nurse said it'll give me more energy, which I would love. 

Speaking of low energy, I've had a couple of horribly low-energy days in the past week. I would love prayer specifically that God would give me enough energy to be there for Pete and the kids, and generally keep our house running. And also that I wouldn't despair. Sometimes I get so tired physically that it affects all my emotions too. I want to choose to trust God as He gets me through every day.

My Alternative to the Glucose Screening Test

These came in the mail today: All the stuff I need to test my own blood sugar!

Instead of doing the standard glucose screening test at my doctor's office, I've opted to test on my own; regularly at first (per whatever the doctor recommends) and then from time to time when I want to check in to see how I'm doing.

Through my own research I've come to terms with the fact that anyone can get gestational diabetes (high blood sugar issues specifically in pregnancy which can lead to many problems). So, that is why I didn't just want to throw everything out the window and assume I'd be fine.

However, I haven't had good experiences with the screening tests in the past (expensive, time-consuming, incorrect results at first, makes me feel sick...), and I'm eating a very low glycemic diet anyways, which is what they put you on if you have GD. Plus, I don't want to drink the junk they make you consume before testing you. I don't think my body would handle that well at all considering I almost never put real sugar in my body, especially in that form.

So, today begins the fun part of testing my blood sugar. I'm actually kind of excited to see how it goes (is that weird?)!

Trim Healthy Mama

This is a shameless plug for a new way of eating I've been trying, and loving, for several months now.

Think: whole foods, good and traditional nutrition, energy, and biblical weight loss/body image specifically for, but not limited to, moms.

It's too complicated for me to try and describe everything here. After all, these two sisters wrote a 600-page book explaining everything. But I would say it is definitely worth it.

I was skeptical at first but my own story so far is this: I started eating "on plan" before I got pregnant (and still wasn't a stickler about doing everything "right"). Before I reached the second trimester I had lost 15 pounds (felt like I wasn't even trying). Even since then, I have only gained 8 pounds in my entire pregnancy so far. And I'm eating TONS of calories and good, nutritious food. Its all about eating the right things at the right time with the right other foods (mainly, controlling your blood sugar.)

I'm very interested to discover how I feel eating this way in the last couple months of pregnancy and postpartum. I've previously had a hard time shedding pregnancy weight despite religiously counting calories, exercising, and trying really hard to eat well. Honestly, I'm tired of the emotional battle- of constantly thinking about and trying to lose the weight. Trim Healthy Mama is so refreshing. I personally think its biblical, natural, and God-honoring.

If this interests you, I would recommend reading this short review since that is how I first became interested: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/02/review-of-trim-healthy-mama.html

Another piece of advice is: Don't be overwhelmed. It was overwhelming at first for me but I changed little things one step at a time. It doesn't have to be a total overhaul in what you eat, just little changes. Pick a couple new things per week that you want to try.

Also, I should say, that I don't personally agree with everything in the book. For instance, they choose not to eat pork. We eat tons of pork. Pete and I don't agree with their reasoning and that's okay. I still thoroughly enjoyed "getting to know" these wonderful, fun, Christian women and the massive amounts of wisdom they had to share.

You can "like" Trim Healthy Mama on facebook for recipes and stories. And of course, always feel free to ask me questions.

Sweet Children

Psalm 127

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

 Sometimes, I just need the reminder of Psalm 127. As I sit here thinking about how I've lost my patience with them several times in the last 24 hours... it seems especially good to let this scripture sink in to my heart. Perhaps I should rephrase: Knowing my own heart (always prone to sin and deceit- Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick"), I always need to remember Psalm 127.

27 weeks

About Baby: Baby is the size of a head of cauliflower and weighs over two pounds now.

How I'm feeling: Mostly just tired. But also frustrated that I can no longer bend down to clean the floor easily.

How Pete is feeling: Glad that Baby still has awhile. Too much to do.

How Lucy is feeling: Excited. Claims she can "hear the baby moving" and has had a chance to actually feel kicks.

How Adam is feeling: Oblivious I think... although he does like to hug my tummy and say "Baby."

I'm due on Thanksgiving Day. I was 12... yes 12, days late with Lucy, and 4 days early with Adam. So I'm not sure when to predict the birthday other than "sometime around Thanksgiving." I think everyone's hoping I'll go a little early though.

"Mommy, can we read another Bible story?"

What sweet words to hear! I love it when Lucy asks me that because I LOVE reading this particular children's Bible. Even Adam sometimes pays attention. Even if Lucy doesn't quite get all of it yet, I enjoy reading this to my kiddos because I am pointed back to the Gospel again and again. In every story, Jesus, the great Rescuer, is glorified. In my opinion I think the author beautifully interprets the Bible and emphasizes what matters. I highly recommend it (even if you don't have kids!!).

Thankful and Anxious

"He will keep in perfect peace, he whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the Rock eternal." - Isaiah 26:3-4

In the midst of being so thankful for life and God choosing to give us another child in this season of our lives, it is so easy to worry. These last couple of weeks I've worried about too many things... What if baby comes early? What if it's actually twins and they've totally missed it? What if I can't handle the next 14 weeks?

Even as I am writing this I'm reminded that dwelling on those questions is choosing not to trust God. I am thankful that God is gracious. He has poured His grace on our family in so many ways.

This last week and a half have been insanely busy for our family because of the exciting start of the school year with Cru. God has done some neat things on campus, graciously brought us through it, given me strength for every day, and somehow our house is clean and we've all been fed regularly.

26 weeks

Favorite Current Parenting Book

God used this book to convict me and prick my heart so many times.

These next two are also favorites. I am so thankful that there are solid, gospel-centered parenting books out there. Let's just say, God brings children in to your life not just for joy and purpose, but for your own sanctification! Pete and I have been forced to pray and feel our great need for our Savior and his grace all over again. Praise the Lord that He uses our kids to show us our need again and again.

Number Three is on the Way

After a long hibernation, this blog is waking up. I've debated abandoning it several times, but after just spending several minutes perusing old posts, I've decided to keep it going, if for no other reason than for me to look back on it in the future.

Yep, Baby Three. He or She will be making an appearance around Thanksgiving 2013... the due date actually is on Thanksgiving Day: November 28th. And I hope he or she waits long enough to be born close to that time. I find myself slightly more anxious this pregnancy than before. I'm not really sure why, but I will save that for another post.

My most frequently asked question these days is one of gender. The answer is... its going to be a surprise this time! No, we don't have names picked out.

I am currently almost 25 weeks along and according to the doctor today, everything looks good.