tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33494575988166112024-03-14T05:00:28.704-07:00Our Embryo Adoption JourneyLou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-24697904912133816572011-04-21T08:10:00.001-07:002011-04-21T21:18:18.518-07:00Our Sweet Baby Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-YL3rDxwE7Tc32ABemWlYbOKE2pNYYzFFhzJfS1pAFjzSM8ik6hjUs6NTVTPExG6M7HWYl3iFEEIOjEJPRFveBX4B0jaHFrr1mduwzXjgxtEyz34DIAHTAC0VJGWoDs7E3ZBNuhUXg/s1600/KLS_7946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-YL3rDxwE7Tc32ABemWlYbOKE2pNYYzFFhzJfS1pAFjzSM8ik6hjUs6NTVTPExG6M7HWYl3iFEEIOjEJPRFveBX4B0jaHFrr1mduwzXjgxtEyz34DIAHTAC0VJGWoDs7E3ZBNuhUXg/s320/KLS_7946.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Avery Lynn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">born Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 10:12am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">7 pounds, 8 ounces - 21 inches long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Perfect in every way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">There are so many things I want to write about her, but that will have to wait for another time. The three year old just left for the zoo with his Daddy and Avery is/was asleep in her bed, so I must be wise and use this time to do things for <i>myself</i>. Like eating...and showering. Aah, the glamorous life of a mom with a newborn!</span></div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-38458520514630386072011-03-30T06:35:00.001-07:002011-03-30T06:35:37.524-07:00Ten and counting(This one is actually from today!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GVLUXuqM4su0O9XumA4ZMRogwIMLOsUKfHMo7cGBn9zKvc2_rYKySh3DyHr3tcgwLKm694xf4KIvgMyHwSNcUbfvtgdldx5bMgYdFxEjjJ11X1Mj5n8ivpE1L5u5RPUTvffsR8qptg/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #1f5709; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GVLUXuqM4su0O9XumA4ZMRogwIMLOsUKfHMo7cGBn9zKvc2_rYKySh3DyHr3tcgwLKm694xf4KIvgMyHwSNcUbfvtgdldx5bMgYdFxEjjJ11X1Mj5n8ivpE1L5u5RPUTvffsR8qptg/s320/Picture+1.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(image from </span></i><a href="http://www.zendesk.com/blog/10-tips-for-interacting-with-customers-on-social-media" style="color: #1f5709; text-decoration: none;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">here</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I'm 10 days from my due date today. That can be counted on just two hands. I'm not excited or anything...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">yeah right</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">! I'm still being realistic though, and I'm not I saying that I can guarantee she will be here in that amount of time. I realize it could be longer by a few days, but I'm hopeful it will not be. Ten. T-E-N. TEN!! That is all.</span>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-7484206120564673012011-03-30T06:34:00.002-07:002011-03-30T06:34:49.097-07:0038<h2 class="date-header" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 11px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3b2104; letter-spacing: inherit; margin: inherit; padding: inherit;">SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011</span></h2><div class="date-posts" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" style="margin-bottom: 25px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="post-header" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8539537287343207364" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 490px;">I'm 38 weeks today, which has me feeling...I'm not really sure. It's been a long 38 weeks, yet it's also flown by so quickly. I have friends who have never known pregnancy to last this long. I have friends who have gone much longer than this. I have people who check in on me, people who (jokingly) request that I avoid certain dates to give birth, and people who are just as excited and antsy as we are. They're wondering the same thing...is today the day? It's the number one question on my mind at all times. Some days, it consumes me. (Like...the last few days!)<br />
<br />
In just a matter of time, I'll finally know what this little one looks like. Blonde hair? Brown hair? What color of eyes? In our situation, there are so many unknowns that the suspense is about to send me over the edge! I can't begin to guess about her features, her length, or even her size. All I can do is wait.<br />
<br />
A good friend recently reminded me that my life will not ever be as it is right now<i>ever</i> again...so enjoy this time. It's great advice and I'm trying to do just that. To enjoy these last few days/weeks as they are, taking every day as God has chosen to give it to me.</div></div></div></div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-25350634691905019882011-03-30T06:34:00.000-07:002011-03-30T06:34:03.625-07:00Gonna Miss This<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I've written a few posts on my personal blog lately and wanted to share them here to continue documenting our embryo adoption journey...<i>ALL</i> aspects of it.</span></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></h3><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><h2 class="date-header" style="color: #3b2104; font: normal normal bold 11px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3b2104; letter-spacing: inherit; margin: inherit; padding: inherit;">MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011</span></h2></span></span></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I'm waiting. I'm anxious. I'm impatient. And I'm content. Wait...what?! <i>Content</i>? I don't typically "wait" well for things (hence, the anxiousness and impatience), so I find it odd to look inside myself and find contentment too. I'm on the verge of <u>complete</u> fulfillment of a dream I have literally had since I was a little girl. It's so close, I can almost touch it. Any day now, it could be 100% fulfilled. I just don't know when that day might be. (According to my pregnancy ticker, it's only 19 days away!)</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2698814624755673893" style="color: #3b2104; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 490px;"><br />
So why am I content? I'm just trying to slow myself down and remember to enjoy this time I still have. On the outside, it's just our family of 3. Me and my boy. A mother of one. On the inside, it's just her and me - and no one else. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to share her or that I'm just SO physically comfortable these days that I don't want her to come out. That's <u>certainly</u> not the case at all! It's just knowing that after she's born, so many things will be different.<br />
<br />
My boy won't have the attention he used to. My love, hugs, kisses, arms, and lap will have to be shared. A bit of freedom that I have gained with a 3 year old will be lost as we re-enter the infant stage.<br />
<br />
I'll never again feel her move inside of me. I'll never feel her stretch from head to toe and be able to complain at her that it hurts, insisting there's just NOT ENOUGH ROOM to do that. She won't be in there to flip-flop around or to practice kickboxing as I'm trying to fall asleep at night. I won't be the only one to feel her hiccups...like I do right now!<br />
<br />
However, I <i>will</i> be able to introduce her to so many people who have been praying for her. I will be able to gaze into her eyes and feel her in my arms as I take in her sweet smells, knowing that because of Him and His faithfulness, my body carried her safely through a full-term pregnancy and brought her into this world. I'll be able to grant her big brother's current request to hold "baby sister" and allow him to give her kisses. <br />
<br />
A <a href="http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/adkins-trace/youre-gonna-miss-this-23933.html" style="color: #1f5709; text-decoration: none;">song</a> came to mind as I was thinking about all of this. As a mom, it's always "gotten me", bringing me to tears wherever I am as I realize that there are times I DO wish certain days/ages/phases would pass. But Trace Adkins is right -- I AM going to miss this. All of it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cmt.com/videos/trace-adkins/217378/youre-gonna-miss-this.jhtml" style="color: #1f5709; text-decoration: none;">http://www.cmt.com/videos/trace-adkins/217378/youre-gonna-miss-this.jhtml</a></div></div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-26029839427330147612011-03-10T07:45:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:50:25.851-08:00An Update & Spiritual Encouragement for BirthIt appears that I often think about writing here the day before I have a doctor appointment! As I mentioned last time, I was about to have another ultrasound -- at 32 weeks, our baby girl weighed 4 pounds exactly. I can't even imagine what she'll weigh tomorrow at my 36 week appointment tomorrow, but I'm excited to see her! It'll (likely) be the last time we see her until she's born...SO exciting!! It occurred to me this morning that yesterday was March 9th...which means I officially can say I have less than a month to go...well...less than a month until my due date (4/9), at least! I can't believe she'll be here and in my arms in nearly 4 weeks! It felt like getting here took SO long and now I'm almost a little sad to see that our journey is almost over -- it's a bittersweet feeling, no doubt.<br />
<br />
Anyway...the real reason I came here to write today was to share this link/blog with anyone who may be preparing to give birth like I am. I ran across it a while back and thought it was a really great tool to take with me to the hospital. I don't have the book she mentions, but I'll read through the rest of it (as she suggests) before hand -- AND it will be good to have on hand during the "tough moments" when I need some spiritual encouragement. I hope it touches you like it touched me!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(from <a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/08/scriptural-encouragement-for-preparing-giving-birth.html">http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/08/scriptural-encouragement-for-preparing-giving-birth.html</a>)</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<h1 class="title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #b42f29; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal bold 36px/1.2em 'IM Fell DW Pica', Arial, serif; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/08/scriptural-encouragement-for-preparing-giving-birth.html" rel="bookmark" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #b42f29; font: normal normal bold 36px/1.2em 'IM Fell DW Pica', Arial, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Scriptural Encouragement for Preparing & Giving Birth"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scriptural Encouragement for Preparing & Giving Birth</span></a></h1><div class="post-meta" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #868686; font-size: 9px; font: normal normal normal 9px/1.2em Geneva, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 25px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="small" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;">by</span> <span class="post-author" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/author/ledmonds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #868686; font-size: 9px; font: normal normal normal 9px/1.2em Geneva, Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by Lindsay">LINDSAY</a></span> <span class="small" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;">on</span> <span class="post-date" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">AUG 12, 2009</span> <span class="small" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: lowercase; vertical-align: baseline;">in</span> <span class="post-category" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/category/bellies-babies" rel="category tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View all posts in bellies & babies">BELLIES & BABIES</a>, <a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/category/faith-womanhood" rel="category tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View all posts in faith & womanhood">FAITH & WOMANHOOD</a></span></div><div class="entry" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Although my newest addition is already five months old, I know there are plenty of new babies in the oven ready to be welcomed into the world. I wanted to share the passages of Scripture, quotes and encouragement that sustained me through my natural delivery. It is not an easy task to give birth to a child, nor is it something we can do on our own strength. I believe the Word supplies us with much needed sustaining grace to enable a mother to proceed through labor and delivery. My encouragement for all you mom-to-be’s is to take a few hours or a day off in preparation for your new arrival to prepare your heart for labor. I have done this prior to both my deliveries and it has been amazingly beneficial. Just go to a coffee shop, sit by a river, lake or stream, and meditate upon the Word. Write out your fears and pray through each one. Ask the Lord to prepare your heart. He is so faithful to do so! I pray these truths would be an encouragement and blessing to all you expectant mothers!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="more-6090" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 20px/1.5em Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Preparing for Birth</h3><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">I find more often than not, that many mothers experience fear about going through labor. We may fear the pain, or we may fear complications. It is extremely beneficial to mediate on these Scriptures to help conquer those fears. Truth be told, where fear exists there is more risk of complications. Fear tenses our bodies and makes it very difficult to relax…an important detail in allowing our baby to progress down the birth channel. I encourage you to take any fear directly to the Lord and cast it at His feet.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Philippians%204.6-7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Philippians 4:6-7</a> – “<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”</em> (NLT)</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/2%20Cor.%2012.9" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">2 Cor. 12:9</a> -<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> “My grace is enough; it is all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become!”</em> (NLT)</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Further meditation: <a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/1%20Peter%205.7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">1 Peter 5:7</a>, <a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Isaiah%2026.3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Isaiah 26:3</a> as written below.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">I found the NLT spoke to me powerfully about the reality of God’s grace. It is enough for me! Rather than worrying, reflect on all those things you are thankful for. He has blessed you with a child! A true gift from God! When we fully give up our own will and strength, that is when Christ’s grace and sustaining grace will truly be evident and powerfully effect us.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">“Birth is God’s time. It can’t be rushed or programmed to suit anyone’s clock. It is a time to simply be there, respecting the woman’s space and the natural rhythms of her body. Think of how time ceases to have relevance when you are caught up in the presence of God worshipping Him or when you are in love and spending time with your beloved. Time flies by and you barely notice. Birth time is the timing of nature. Who knows when spring will come? Can a budding flower be found open? Yet in time, these things unfold. So does birth. I sometimes suggest to my clients that they visit the ocean and see the rhythm of the waves on the shore. That right there teaches you, deep within, so much about the patterns, rhythms and power of labor.” – Julie Bell</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reflect upon the blessings of children!</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Psalms%20127.3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Psalms 127:3</a> – <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Children are a blessing from the Lord; the fruit of the womb a reward.”</em> Don’t fret over the changes, the upcoming sacrifices, but rather rejoice in the gift and the Giver!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Deut.%2028.4" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Deut. 28:4</a> – <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock.”</em></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reflect upon His beautiful workmanship!</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Psalms%20139.13-14" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Psalms 139:13-14</a> <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”</em></div><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 20px/1.5em Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Giving Birth</h3><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Isaiah%2026.3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Isaiah 26:3</a> – <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.”</em> Keep your mind on Jesus and the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (<a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Phil%204.7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Phil 4:7</a>). Focus your mind during your labor…do not let it stray to focus on the pain and process, but rather on Jesus and His sustaining grace. This verse really spoke to me while preparing for my birth. I memorized it and quoted it to myself throughout the most challenging moments of my delivery. It was such a blessing.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/1%20Peter%205.7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">1 Peter 5:7</a> – <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”</em></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Faith and Perseverance</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Hebrews%2011.1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hebrews 11:1</a> <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen, it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”</em></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Proverbs%203.34" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Proverbs 3:34</a> <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The L<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; font-variant: small-caps; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ord</span> mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.” </em>The Lord blesses those who put their trust in Him, not depending upon their own strength, but humbly acknowledging their Source!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Hebrews%2010.35-36" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hebrews 10:35-36</a> -<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! [A baby!] Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.”</em> (NLT)</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">I am walking in God’s will when I demonstrate patience! It brings great reward! My little one is coming!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/James%201.3-4" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">James 1:3-4</a> <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”</em> (NLT)</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">This birth is one means of God working to grow me in maturity and endurance. I will be stronger in my faith if I rely completely upon Him to accomplish His good work.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Psalm%2040.1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Psalm 40:1</a><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> – “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry.”</em></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nlt/Psalm%20119.165" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Psalm 119:165</a> <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">- “Those who love Your law have great peace and do not stumble.” </em>Store up the truth!<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">This final poem was a blessing to read as I prepared and welcomed my new little one!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gift from God</em></strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">I give thanks to You alone<br />
Who sits on the throne<br />
To loan me this precious gift<br />
And to call it my own.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">May I always see, Lord<br />
In every waking hour,<br />
Your majesty and grace<br />
In this delicate flower.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Help me, O God,<br />
To guide and preserve,<br />
This wonderful blessing<br />
to love and to serve.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">-Doran Richards</em></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font: normal normal normal 15px/1.5em Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For further encouragement, I strongly recommend the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976554127?ie=UTF8&tag=passionhomema-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0976554127" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #941a16; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Christian Childbirth Handbook</a>. It was a huge blessing to me! The poem and quote above by Julie Bell were found originally in this book.</em></div></div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-80149458081757486672011-01-27T06:25:00.000-08:002011-01-27T06:25:55.402-08:00(Almost) 30 weeksIt's been a while since I've updated this blog, but there hasn't really been news to post. It's SO hard to believe I'll be 30 weeks on Saturday. In my first trimester (and even into my second), I was feeling so sick that I was SURE it would take forever to get into my third trimester. Now I'm there, and I feel like 10 weeks just isn't enough time. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow with another ultrasound to measure our baby girl. Last time, she was 2 pounds, 8 ounces, so I'm excited to see how much she has grown in just three weeks! Things are going well but I think I've started to feel the third trimester slump that you hear about. I went through a couple weeks where I had a few days in a row that I'd feel tired, followed by a few days that I felt my energy again. Lately, however, those days of energy have been non-existent. (I'm sure our 3 year old running around is not influencing that <i>AT ALL</i>!)<br />
<br />
As far as preparations go, her room is painted and the furniture is set up and in place. The bedding is here and I have "hand-me-down" clothes sorted, but nothing is washed. I have a plan for what's going up on the walls, but it requires some assistance from my husband so I'm stuck playing the waiting game until the weekend. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all that needs to be done before she arrives, so I started a "to do" list and I feel much better. Even if everything doesn't get checked off before she's born, it still makes me feel better to know it won't be forgotten!<br />
<br />
Much excitement going on around here as our time gets closer and closer. 10 weeks may seem like a long time, but for me...not so much. OHMY, OHMY, OHMY!!! I can hardly wait to see what our little one looks like...and I'm wishing we'd paid for one of those 3D ultrasounds to get a sneak peak. I guess *some* surprises aren't so bad. :)Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-18269066178647207312010-11-06T11:19:00.000-07:002010-11-06T11:19:50.639-07:0018 Weeks and Counting...As of today, I'm officially 18 weeks along! I had an ultrasound on Thursday, where we found out there will be lots of pink in our future...IT'S A GIRL!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk__jXDKvfXvAvTDEc029Vfv3oJfRlloIl0pewZkh9m0CLrYlRnEjdYJL0bVLOf0ykof466LDhxLkp3BqaLMo4RwsogXBtRG2_zeRoCIvYShXYuk0t6ND9VgB7Ery_zZPTvbViQiiAadI/s1600/sarahnov438.cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk__jXDKvfXvAvTDEc029Vfv3oJfRlloIl0pewZkh9m0CLrYlRnEjdYJL0bVLOf0ykof466LDhxLkp3BqaLMo4RwsogXBtRG2_zeRoCIvYShXYuk0t6ND9VgB7Ery_zZPTvbViQiiAadI/s400/sarahnov438.cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Due to the fact that she is not genetically related to either my husband or I, my doctor sent me for a comprehensive ultrasound. The technician felt it was a bit early to be doing one, (she prefers at least 20 weeks) but she tried her best. I have to go back in 4 weeks to finish it up, partially because the baby would not flip over so she could complete her assessment, but also because certain things (like her heart) are just not big enough yet for them to truly evaluate it. (I must say, I'm not upset that I get to spend another half hour of my life looking at the little princess growing inside of me!)<br />
<br />
God, You are so amazing.Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-49577900023114645602010-11-03T13:02:00.000-07:002010-11-03T13:22:44.721-07:00Little Did I Know...Little did I know, the whirlwind I thought I faced in my last post was NOTHING compared to what was about to come! I'll try to pick up where I left off...<br />
<br />
We began my progesterone injections on Saturday, July 17th and it turns out, my husband is a pro at this. (Remember, we're not big fans of needles in our house!) Monday morning, we drove to Knoxville for our transfer, again staying at the Hampton Inn in Lenoir City. Basically just took it easy that night and tried to get some sleep. I followed the NEDC's instructions for the next morning, eating a light breakfast, drinking my water, and taking my medications as instructed. About 20 minutes before we planned to leave the hotel to head to their office, our nurse called and asked if we could come now - they were running ahead of schedule. I wasn't sure if I needed to take both Valium pills or not, but at that moment, I felt so nervous and anxious that I decided it was probably best. At this moment, I want to include a post from my personal blog to describe God's faithfulness:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d230a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Last Sunday, I stood in church during praise and worship and suddenly had a "picture" in my mind. I was in a beautiful garden, walking down a path. As I looked ahead, the stones were not laid out already for me to walk upon. Instead, God was there with me, laying each stone as I took another step. I got the feeling it was all to remind me that He goes before me and leads me down this path through the beautiful garden of my life. It was so beautiful and such perfect timing that I tried so hard to hang on to that picture; to remember that He guides my steps (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2016:9&version=NLT">Proverbs 16:9</a>).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I didn't tell anyone about this; even my husband. Not because I was keeping it to myself on purpose -- it just never occurred to me until Tuesday morning. We were on our way to the NEDC for our transfer and I decided to check my email to try to calm my nerves a bit. A good friend of mine had sent me this scripture:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yes the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>"This is the way; walk in it." </b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Isaiah 30:18, 21 -</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Just minutes away from the office, I quickly tried to contain my tears as I explained to my husband why I was crying. I don't know why I was surprised at His perfect timing, but once again, there it was. Just the thing I needed to hear at just the right moment.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Why am I constantly surprised at His goodness?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d230a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><br />
Nerves calmed a bit more by my experience, we arrived at the office a few minutes later and were taken back to the recovery room. We went over the day with an incredibly sweet nurse who cared for me the entire time we were there. Dr. K and the embryologist came in and told us that all three embryos from our first choice had survived the thaw, so they would be transferring all three that day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbwP2unALKLE4COat3t2hjx5WxqHlMARkY6MJO3SBHdL0EzQDoZY3-nfSzuGeVgM3Cg07Hq7unPaf96LLgcCkExnCdRjKFh2JDHQ6tiSjMct9-tvgYTbOJqJSYithYX_t7Zb7bCBPzbw/s1600/Embryo+Adoption.July+2010.Embryos.cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbwP2unALKLE4COat3t2hjx5WxqHlMARkY6MJO3SBHdL0EzQDoZY3-nfSzuGeVgM3Cg07Hq7unPaf96LLgcCkExnCdRjKFh2JDHQ6tiSjMct9-tvgYTbOJqJSYithYX_t7Zb7bCBPzbw/s320/Embryo+Adoption.July+2010.Embryos.cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Meet our embryos! These multicells were all graded very highly, the one on the right being the highest and the one on the left being the lowest.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They wheeled me into the next room and began the transfer process. An ultrasound quickly told them my bladder was too full (AGAIN, even though I drank less water this time), so I had to get up and go to the bathroom for 5 seconds...TWICE. After the second time, they began. Let me tell you now that when they say they're going to do a cleaning and "it might burn a little bit"...that's an understatement. I know that labor will feel a million times worse than this did, but OH, the burning I felt during this time. It only lasted a couple of minutes, but I still haven't forgotten that sensation. Before I knew it, I watched the ultrasound screen as they transferred the embryos into me. It was one of the most incredible sights I had ever seen in my life -- I saw the white line of the catheter come onto the screen and then -- one, two, three -- I watched all three embryos pop right out. I watched in amazement for a few seconds as a few of them slightly moved around a bit. (I'm pretty sure I cried too!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijzIB37axfldEdbelo8jyOWoBPTJ78Yj9Xltoe_LfVuvkPZUbT0-LlLdginz5IAEp9EVq5AArZPTOETfrXiu7s94YU3aXYXmr9xeani3MkYgAkzCfMRLcMeWAODMYEy137I0JT2YErbw/s1600/Embryo+Adoption.July+2010.Ultrasound.cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijzIB37axfldEdbelo8jyOWoBPTJ78Yj9Xltoe_LfVuvkPZUbT0-LlLdginz5IAEp9EVq5AArZPTOETfrXiu7s94YU3aXYXmr9xeani3MkYgAkzCfMRLcMeWAODMYEy137I0JT2YErbw/s400/Embryo+Adoption.July+2010.Ultrasound.cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Meet my uterus. No, not the large black mass at the top of the picture...that would be my bladder, which had refilled itself yet again by this time. See the slightly darker oval in the midst of the white? That's my uterus. The white line you see within that oval is all three embryos just after they were transferred.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wheeling me back into the recovery room, my husband joined me and they had me rest for a while. After we were cleared to leave, we went to get some lunch (I was SURE everyone I saw knew that I was now carrying three embryos inside of me!) and went back to the hotel. My husband worked for a while and I decided I was going to read. FOUR HOURS LATER, I woke up. Huh. I had no idea I was even tired, but apparently I took quite a nap! We headed out for a late dinner and drove back home the next morning on July 21st. I had some minor cramping here and there, but the ibuprofen they recommended seemed to help. It was a LONG drive home and I was glad to finally be able to be out of the car and lay down!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Continuing my Estrace and my progesterone injections twice a day, along with the added meds they want you to take following the transfer, the waiting period began. I was scheduled to get my first round of bloodwork done on July 30th, just 10 days after our transfer. We did not tell anyone when I was scheduled to go and had asked family and friends that they respect our privacy and not ask us if we knew yet. We explained that no news may mean it's good news and that we're waiting until we feel more comfortable making an announcement...or no news may mean we're grieving our loss and need to take time to process our emotions before we talk to anyone about it. Most understood completely and respected our privacy...<i><u>most</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">...but not all</span></i>. :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I anxiously got our two year old dressed that Friday morning and drove to the lab to get my blood drawn. They had put a "RUSH" on it, so the technician said my doctor (the NEDC) should get the results in 3-4 hours. As I was waiting for the call that afternoon, I began to think about how I'd started feeling nauseous just two days before...but I was scared to think more of it. It was then that I wrote this post:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d230a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Don't be afraid; just believe. - Mark 5:36</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The last few days, I admit, I've been a little afraid again. I'm afraid to lose, I'm afraid to hope. I'm afraid to let myself "go there" for fear of what will need to be reassembled, should everything be shattered to pieces. I realize I'm going directly against God's Word, and that's exactly why I sit here and write. I've had several scriptures that I've been holding onto - very tightly - for the last few weeks. As I sat down to look over them again, the one I mentioned above struck me the hardest. I'd like to think that Jesus was speaking directly to me when I read that a few minutes ago (though my situation is not the same as the "woman's"). </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The only thing that I know to do is to trust; to HOPE, that this is exactly what He's trying to get through to me. Just believe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d230a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I was so afraid; nervous; excited; antsy; scared...yet full of faith, knowing He is good. Around 1pm, my phone rang and it was one of the nurses at the NEDC. When I got the news, I gasped. I barely heard what she was telling me, but I knew I had to listen. My hCG levels weren't as high as they would've like to see them (over 50, mine were 33), but I was still <b><u><i>pregnant</i></u></b> and they were "looking up", remaining hopeful. I hung up the phone with her and sobbed...and sobbed...and SOBBED at the amazingness of it all. I'm not sure words can even describe what I was feeling in that moment. I was in awe. I was blessed beyond belief, once again. I was still nervous about the idea of now being pregnant. I was SCARED because of the results. Then I realized...I was the recipient of yet another miracle...of course things were going to be fine! I immediately went to find <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Supernatural-Childbirth-Jackie-Mize/dp/0892747560">a book</a> a friend had recommended to me for the scripture and prayer/confession segments. I immediately found the one on miscarriage and prayed the prayer out loud with my hand on my stomach, confessing everything before God and declaring His word. Three days later, I had more bloodwork done and my levels were still not as high as they would like (over 100, mine were 87), but they had - indeed - more than doubled like they wanted them to, so they were still being optimistic. Two days later, I went once again and received a voice mail ending with "Congratulations!" They wanted my levels to be over 200 and mine were at 241. (Praise God!)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My Estrace and progesterone schedule continued on for several weeks after that, as they predicted. After cutting my dosage in half on September 17th, I was able to stop the Estrace on September 24th, almost 12 weeks into my pregnancy. They cut my progesterone dosage in half on the 9th, but my progesterone levels were still not as high as they wanted them to be, so I had to repeat my bloodwork in five days. This cycle continued until September 30th when Dr. K said that although my levels were still not as high as they would like, I was nearly 12 weeks pregnant by that point and the placenta will start producing it on its own at 12 weeks. I retested again in five more days and my levels had only gone down one point, which meant the placenta is doing its job and the injections were no longer necessary. (HALLELUJAH!!)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The NEDC requested an ultrasound at 6 weeks (just one baby in there! Don't worry, I cried when I saw it.) and I also got a "freebie" from my local RE, who also did one at 7 weeks (again, just 1 baby confirmed). After that, the RE released me to my regular OB for my 9 week ultrasound (once again, saw just 1 baby - who did a kick-punch for us - and we heard just 1 heartbeat...the most amazing moment of our journey so far, no doubt). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AZM6U_17yviVvy-HaXwRGnZ-SeZQlOfjM5RxLPpZDS7Ko5kbBfGeXHMwSEQVrkLnJDLOh92xW77gvhmjAw5I_41OdzZaOclkaz3Kk97uHQ3vrKykDFnjSwFhzeYC89Lnpsp8aJrOhd8/s1600/Ultrasound.09.09.2010.cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AZM6U_17yviVvy-HaXwRGnZ-SeZQlOfjM5RxLPpZDS7Ko5kbBfGeXHMwSEQVrkLnJDLOh92xW77gvhmjAw5I_41OdzZaOclkaz3Kk97uHQ3vrKykDFnjSwFhzeYC89Lnpsp8aJrOhd8/s400/Ultrasound.09.09.2010.cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Meet our newest little miracle!</i></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">At that point, I was released from the NEDC's care and put on a regular 4 week schedule. We headed back to my OB for my 14 week check-up and I was so excited as I laid on the table, about to have my first "external" ultrasound...to find out the machine wasn't working. UGH! 4 weeks later, I still wait...not so patiently at times...for my "big ultrasound" tomorrow morning. My OB requested a comprehensive ultrasound to learn as much as he possibly can about this baby, since it is not genetically linked to either my husband or me. I will be 18 weeks on Saturday, so we're hoping, praying, and jumping up and down about the fact that we should be able to find out the gender of the baby. Turns out, we're not the type who can wait 9 months for a surprise -- it's driving both of us CRAZY!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I regret that I lost track of this blog for so many months between the time leading up to the transfer and the moments I'm living right now. I tried my best to remember everything I could about the last three months, but "pregnancy brain" is a very REAL thing, ladies and gentlemen. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect and I DO forget things...a lot. As things come back to me, I'll be sure to post them here.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When we announced our pregnancy, we used Psalm 115:1 -- "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes <b>all</b> the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness." We truly give God <u>all</u> the glory for this miracle He has given us and pray that He will someday use our story to encourage those who may need it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-26099202844428536602010-07-07T18:28:00.000-07:002010-11-03T11:52:34.619-07:00Whirlwind<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It's been a whirlwind around here!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">One June 20th, I began the Lupron shots in my abdomen. I made the hubby sit in the room with me while I did the first one, mostly because I was afraid. (We don't do needles in our house very well.) It took me a while to muster up the guts to do it, but I finally did and found that it wasn't so bad. By the next day, I came out of the bathroom and bragged, "This is nothin'. I'm an old pro at this already; I can SO do this." Two weeks later, it's still an easy thing to do, but it's starting to hurt a little more than it used to. Maybe that area has just taken enough abuse from and is saying "enough's enough"? It's still bearable and not something I even dread; it's just unpleasant.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My D&C had to be moved to adjust to my medication schedule, so I had that done on June 29th. Everything went well and the polyp (a.k.a. the entire reason why I had to get a D&C) was not even there, so my OB just did the D&C, per Dr. K's request. I had little to no pain afterwards, which was a big relief. My biggest problem was the weariness I felt from the anesthesia, but even that wasn't so bad.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On June 30th, I began taking Estrace again. I had not had any side effects from the Lupron up until this point, but it seems as if the day I added the Estrace to my regiment, the evening hot flashes began. Even just a week later, they're not coming as often so hopefully my body is adjusting and those will be over soon. I take my last Lupron injection on July 9th, so change is just around the corner once again.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I have so many things swirling through my mind right now, it's sometimes hard to keep up with it all. I know it's in God's control, that He is entirely faithful (Psalm 89:8), and that His will is greater than anything I can do or over-think...but that doesn't make this wait any easier. Our transfer is scheduled for July 20th. Just two weeks from today, we'll be heading back home...but I feel like I'm facing the longest two weeks of my life right now!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Patience, Lord...give me patience.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-55453328709378143522010-05-25T15:27:00.000-07:002010-11-03T11:53:47.839-07:00Consultation & Mock Transfer<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The hubby and I left on Sunday, May 16th to drive to Knoxville for our consultation appointment with the NEDC. We took our time getting down there, stopping for lunch and dinner, along with a slight detour to visit a friend. It rained for a good portion of the day, but we arrived at our hotel, safe and sound. We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Lenoir City, TN, which is about 10-15 minutes from the NEDC's office. We often choose Hampton Inns and could tell right as we walked in the door that this was one of the "good" ones. We ended up on the ground floor, which was very nice, though a parking lot light was shining in our room the entire night, even with the curtains closed. Normally not a big deal, but I was already a restless mess of nerves, so between that and some noises coming from the floor above (ice machine?), it was a long night for me. I awoke at 5:45am to a dog barking in a nearby room. Just as I was about to find the phone to complain, the a/c turned on in our room, drowning out the sound. Unfortunately, I was already awake though. I wrote the following about what happened next on my personal blog:</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">~*~*~*~*~*~</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." - Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I woke yesterday morning to a dog barking at 5:45am after a full night of tossing and turning. The a/c kicked on in our room to drown out the sound, but I never went back to sleep after that. It was early. Way too early to be moving around the hotel room and waking my hubby on his birthday. We weren't leaving until 8:30am and here I am, awake. I find my flip flops, throw my hair in a (messy?) pony tail, and stumbled down the hall to get some coffee. (I never really even looked in the mirror; I'm sure I was quite the sight to see!) Coffee mission accomplished, making no eye contact with anyone, I drag myself back to our room. As I was packing the night before, I thought to bring my Bible with me. I don't normally bring it on short trips, but I've really been keeping up with the 2 year plan, so I figured "why not".</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The above scripture came to mind as I was thinking about the morning so I scrounged around for the book light and sat down in the dark with my coffee. Remember, I do not choose what I read in a day; it's already laid out for me. I ran across a scripture that, in the course of my life's journey, has been read many times -- Psalm 113:9. "He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother." I'm not sure I've ever read this in the NLT before, so "a family" really hit me. Yes, I do have a family now, but the word "family" makes me think of MORE...more than one child. This whole time I've wanted obvious confirmation. Did I really just get slapped upside the head with it and still walked away in doubt?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I go on to finish my reading and start listening to "None but Jesus" (with earbuds in, of course, remember the birthday boy is still sleeping!):</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">...In the chaos, in confusion</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I know You're Sovereign still</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In the moment of my weakness</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">You give me grace to do Your will...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And there it was; the peace came. In the multitude of my anxieties within me (there were many!), His comforts delight my soul. How could I ever do this without Him? I'd rather not find out.</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">~*~*~*~*~*~</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We left the hotel for our 9am appointment a little after 8:30am and headed to the NEDC's office. We signed in and waited a bit until they called us back. They had recommended I drink 48-64 ounces of water that morning before the appointment for the ultrasound so I drank 60 ounces. My bladder was about to burst, so when the nurse called us in, she found me standing in the waiting room because sitting made it too painful! We sat and talked with Dr. K for what felt like an eternity (simply because I had to pee!) and then they brought us to an exam room. I undressed and waited for the doctor to come in to do the ultrasound and mock transfer. After it was done, they let me go to the bathroom (RELIEF!!!) and I came back into the exam room for two more ultrasounds/exams. Everything looked great, with the exception of what he thinks is a polyp that shouldn't be there so he wants me to go get a D&C a couple weeks before the transfer to have it removed. It's not a big deal, just something that shouldn't be there, especially during a pregnancy.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After my exams with Dr. K, we met with the NEDC patient coordinator and the embryologist. Next came the office manager to discuss finances, a nurse to draw some blood so they could test my thyroid, and our last visit with our nurse to go over the remaining details.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We left the office around 1pm, I think, and headed to get some lunch before we hit the road. The drive home seemed to go a lot faster, partially because we gained an hour, but also because it was sunny most of the way home. We opted to eat dinner in the car to get us back to our boy that much faster -- we were both missing him pretty badly by this point and wanted to try to catch him before bedtime.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Later that week, I called a local fertility doctor that Dr. K had recommended and set up a new patient consultation with him so their office could handle the necessary ultrasounds and bloodwork I'll need before and after the transfer. I also scheduled the D&C with my regular OB/GYN for what should be the correct dates before our transfer.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Right now, they told us we'll probably be scheduled for the September transfer cycle because July is pretty full. When I asked if I should just take the July dates (and babysitter) off my calendar, they said "not yet" because there could be cancellations. (Praying!!!) This basically means I have to plan for a July transfer when coordinating appointments and medications...but only with the knowledge that I may have to reschedule for September. Frustrating, but if there's a chance we can get in for July, then I'll do whatever it takes!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They started me on Prometrium the following day for 5 days to make me start my period. Right on track with the medications, it worked. Now it's a matter of waiting for a phone call to see if we got in for July or if we have to wait. Have I mentioned that waiting isn't an area of strength for me? *sigh*</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-71576973633241209492010-05-07T06:10:00.000-07:002010-11-03T11:54:08.237-07:00Here We Go!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On May 1, I started the Estrace. So far, so good. Can't say I've really had any noticeable side effects, although I've also been battling a UTI so my body is not exactly normal. It's crazy to think that this process has really begun! I know it's just the mock transfer, but it's one step closer. So exciting, yet so scary all at the same time...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-43363119708848083372010-04-23T13:51:00.000-07:002010-11-03T11:54:40.808-07:00Thank God for Insurance<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Two pieces of good news to add:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">- While a 12 day period isn't ideal, that's thankfully all it ended up being. I take my last bc pill on Tuesday and should start (again? really? so soon?) within 5 days. The first day I do, I begin taking the Estrace.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">- I picked up the Estrace (name brand only - specifically what the doctor requested) from the pharmacy today. Our insurance does not cover anything regarding fertility other than the process to determine the cause of it, so I wasn't sure if any of my medications would be covered. I ended up paying $50 and insurance covered $153. Thanks for hooking me up there, God!</div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3349457598816611.post-9289570752454910722010-04-20T07:57:00.000-07:002010-11-03T11:56:14.864-07:00Our Journey So Far<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In attempt to keep this information all in one place, I'm making my first post a timeline of events so far:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Friday, August 28, 2009:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Submitted online application to the NEDC</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Thursday, September 10, 2009:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Received information packet from NEDC with paperwork to complete, including testing and bloodwork for both my husband and I.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>September 19, 2009:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Submitted application for homestudy renewal to Bethany Christian Services.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>October 1, 2009:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Picked up packet of paperwork for homestudy renewal from Bethany.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>December 9, 2009:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Met with our adoption coordinator at Bethany for our homestudy renewal visit! ($1200)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>December 21, 2009:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Called the NEDC for an update to find we are currently 18th on the list and that their calendar is currently booked through March 2010. Everything else is on hold after that, waiting for the doctor to schedule his vacation.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>January 4, 2010:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Called the patient coordinator at the NEDC to see if anything had changed. We're still #18 on the list.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>January 25, 2010:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Received email from Bethany Christian Services in Tennessee, letting us know our family assessment has been received and approved. A letter has been sent to the NEDC stating this. We should be hearing from them within the next few weeks to schedule our consultation.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>February 9, 2010:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Called to check in again with the NEDC's patient coordinator and learned we are #6 on the list! Dr. K's calendar is booked through May and June hasn't been opened up yet. We could possibly get our consultation appointment in late June/early July, then we would be scheduled for our transfer during next available period. Learned that transfer periods are every other month: Jan - Mar - May - Jul - Sept - Nov.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>March 16, 2010:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Received a call from the NEDC to schedule our consultation/mock transfer appointment! We're set for May 17, 2010 -- a lot sooner than I expected! (Thanks, God!)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>March 30, 2010:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Learned from the patient coordinator at the NEDC that the policy for Bethany's fees has changed. For anyone who signed an agreement with the NDEC after November 1, 2009, Bethany's $3000 fee applies, whether you choose an open or an anonymous adoption. Thankfully, this fee does not apply to us, as we signed our agreement in September 2009.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>April 8, 2010:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If things had gone according to plan, my cycle was going to be perfectly lined up with where it needed to be for my mock transfer in May. I haven't had a period like this in over a year, but I went 37 days this time, which of course, threw everything off by a week. They started me on birth control (Reclipsen) and I'm supposed to take it until April 27, 2010. After that, my cycle should start within 5 days. When it does, I'm supposed to begin taking the Estrace.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>April 20, 2010:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I think I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel! A 12 day period? Seriously?! I've read that this is common when starting birth control, but I find it pretty annoying. If they need me to go back on bc after the mock transfer, I think I'll ask for a different kind. This stuff definitely did NOT agree with me -- nausea, extreme fatigue in the late afternoon/evening, severe "Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde" syndrome...that just doesn't work for a SAHM of a 2 year old!</div></div><div></div>Lou and Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513934170135330408noreply@blogger.com0