Our Fur-Child...Shira

I have to take a minute and tell you about our fur-child, Shira. I have never really been around cats before. I owned a cat at one point in my life...but that sucker was so mean and hateful. So I have really never cared for cats.

When Ed was living in Montrose he needed a companion. So he adopted this furry mess...

I remember going with him to pick her up. I was so unsure about her. She didn't jump up on my lap and cuddle with me...she didn't beg for my attention....she didn't play "nicely"...she really couldn't have cared less to know me...

Ed kept telling me that she was not like a dog (go figure!) :) And she would get more "lovey" with age. I was still skeptical.



That first year with her was actually very entertaining....have a look:

Shira's name means "song or tune." And if you are around her for one second you know this name suits her PERFECTLY!  She loves to be center of attention...but doesn't want you to know that she loves it. She literally dances around the house so gracefully that it is sickening :)I think I have heard her "meow" once or twice...instead she chirps (I guess because "meowing" is below her). haha... It is a beautiful sound...except for in the middle of the night when she doesn't want to be alone :) When we have company over she will sit on the outskirts to listen and watch intently. She loves to snuggle...but this cannot be forced...she comes to you whenever SHE is ready. (I've had to get use to that). She understand practically everything you say but is so stubborn when it comes to doing what you ask of her...

She is who she is and makes no excuses for it....

But after 2 1/2 years...she is finally "growing" on me :)

This past Monday, Ed started his new job. He is up and out the door by 5:30. Shira is not allowed to sleep with us or even be in the room when we go to sleep (she likes to wake us up 5-200 times at night). But Monday morning I awoke to Shira curled up next to my belly! I guess she weaseled her way in the room when Ed was leaving...but every morning this week Shira and I snuggle for 30 minutes before my alarm goes off.

I have come to love this furball. What would I do without her...

The Picture That Changed Our Lives

Today my phone decided that it had run out of space for my pictures...which is fine because I don't usually use the pictures I take on my phone. So I decided to relieve my phone of the unnecessary pictures. As I was going through the pictures, I came across this one...

:) This just made me smile. I leaned back in my chair...closed my eyes...rubbed my belly...and said a quick "thanks" to the Lord.

I will never forget the day I took this picture. It was the day after I peed on about a dozen pregnancy sticks. I was not convinced. I mean...'comeon! I had only been married for a few weeks! And we had the "proper" protection (sorry, mom if this is TMI)

But as soon as the nurse handed me this paper, my soul was overwhelmed with emotions...and now we are... on our 29th week with only 10 more weeks to go (if you are wondering about my math skills read "Baby Update" below). And I couldn't be happier...

Baby Update

I was anticipating our doctors appointment today. Two months have gone by since we found out that I had placenta previa. Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta is "lost." Instead of being in the right spot, my placenta had a mind of it's own and decided to complete cover my cervix. I was placed on complete pelvic rest--no lifting over 10 pounds, no intercourse, no heavy housework...etc. So it has been a tough couple of months.

Today we found out that my placenta has a stubborn streak and has not moved at all! So this was our first "downer" of the day. But the baby looks great! His heartbeat is strong and he is growing beautifully.

After the ultrasound I had to get my blood pressure checked, weight taken, blood drawn (testing for gestational diabetes) and finger pricked (to test my iron). Everything looked great. My blood pressure was perfect, I've gained 6 pounds, we get the blood results tomorrow and my iron was normal.

We then waited to see the doctor. She informed us that since my placenta has not moved that a c-section is likely our only option. There is still a slim chance the placenta will move...but unlikely. But this means that I am still on complete pelvic rest (bummer #2). She also informed us that there is a possibility of early bleeding (between week 30 and 32). We don't know what could cause this but if it happens I would go to the hospital and have a c-section that day.(Bummer #3)

Because the baby's lungs are not fully formed until 37 weeks, the doctor  ordered a set of steroid shots that will help speed up the growing process of the lungs just in case I do start bleeding early and have to have a c-section. This way he will be able to breathe mostly on his own.

So today has been a tough day. But we are focusing on this beautiful life inside me. We just want him healthy and happy.We love him more every day and are honored to be his parents. Please continue to pray with us as we go through the last phase of this pregnancy. We love all of you and are so thankful to have you in our lives...

Mel, Ed and Eddie :)

Baby Bailey

What a beautiful morning I had today! My cousin Nick and his wife Alex are expecting their first child in January. I had the opportunity to go with Alex this morning to the anatomy ultrasound...here is the result! :)

Nick and his brothers grew up with me and my siblings. They are more like brothers than cousins...
When I found out that Alex was pregnant, I was so excited. Not only would I have someone to walk through pregnancy with me, but our children would be close in age (she is about a month and a half "younger"). I cannot wait for our children to know each other.

So, hello Baby Bailey! I cannot wait to love all over you!

My Elizabeths

It was the perfect day to sit on the porch with a cup of coffee and a good book. The sun had just come up, the wind was gently blowing and the birds began singing. I pulled my rocking chair out of the nursery and put it in just the right spot on the porch...right where the sun was shinning to warm me just a bit. I made the best cup of 1/2 caf coffee :), grabbed my bible study, threw on a little jacket and headed out to enjoy the morning with Jesus.

Luke 1:30 "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever;and His kingdom will have no end..."

Ho-ly.Cow. I have read this passage before and have heard it time and time again at Christmas...but soak this in for a moment:

Mary--a 13 or 14 year old CHILD...minding her own business when out of nowhere an angel appears and dumps this news in her lap. Bless.her.heart! Not only is she young but she is not married yet and still a virgin. What will people think? What will they say? How are they going to treat her now? Will she ever be accepted? Will her betrothed still want her? How is this even possible? What will her parents think?

Could you imagine the emotions that ran through this girl's body?

The Lord knew what he was asking of Mary....He knew the pressures she would face, the glances she would get, the "aloneness" she would feel. He knew all of these things...so He did not overlook her emotional needs.

"And, behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age..."

We read about Elizabeth in the first part of chapter 1. She had been married to her husband for years and had never conceived. So can you imagine the rumors that flew out of people's mouths when she conceived John! The Bible says that she even kept herself in seclusion for five months. I bet the same emotions that ran through Mary ran through Elizabeth.

So the Lord gave them to each other...to walk through life together. To share their feelings, desires, fears, joys, and woes with each other...they shared things together that they couldn't share with anyone else. No one else could empathize. What a great God we serve! He didn't HAVE to meet their emotional needs....He WANTED to!

I have had many Elizabeths in my life. Women who have come along side of me and loved me and walked through life with me. What would I do without you girls?

So this blog is for you! My friends, my sisters, my family...My Elizabeths

I love you, respect you and cherish you

Busy Hands

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."

I have never thought of myself as "crafty." But I got into crocheting at the beginning of the year. I learned everything I know from a beautiful man on youtube.com! :) Thought I would share what I have been working on for the baby. 

 Eddie's First Blanket

Cute High Tops

Baby Outfit

 

More to come...