Unfortunately, because our house has been hit by the flu bug, we were unable to participate in the birthday dinner celebration tonight. We hope it was wonderful and you know how much we love you Jenny!
This morning Brian and I went to the midwifery center for our 34 week check-up. I can't believe we are (almost) 34 weeks already. Soon we will be holding our little one and for some reason I don't feel very ready. We have no diapers, wipes, onesies, crib sheets or bedding, car seat, stroller...the list go on and on. Hopefully God will give us at least 4 more weeks before she comes so we can get on the ball with our preparations! :) The little one is doing very well, her heartbeat was a strong 140 - 145 beats and as always she was very active. Our midwife, Erin, was trying to get her to calm down a bit so that she could get a good reading of her heart rate. Thankfully, she is still head down, we aren't really surprised though, I don't think she has much room in there to rotate anymore.
As for her Mama....my weight fell a disappointing 3 pounds!!! That news was followed by a 10 minute evaluation of my weight gain (or lack-thereof) and conversation about how I need to eat more snacks and higher calorie foods. My snacks now mainly consist of fruit, yogurt, low fat milk, water, etc. She suggested eating hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter crackers, apples w/ peanut butter, snacks after dinner...she even said I could eat ice cream occasionally. :)
The problem is I am just not that hungry! She did tell us that nutrition is much more important than what the scale says though, so that is a good thing! I just can't believe I lost 3 pounds....who loses weight in their last trimester??? She pulled up my weight history over the past 34 weeks and told us that in the past 13 weeks I have only put on 5 pounds. (FYI - a little later on after my physical exam, she informed us that the baby weighs 4.5 pounds approx. right now; essentially, it is all baby). She said because I started my pregnancy being overweight that they "expect" me to gain between 15 - 25 pounds. Of course my response was, "so I need to gain 15 pounds over the next 6 weeks???" (I can assure you that would be nearly impossible). She said, "No, I don't think you are going to make it." So, the goal is to try and add a few higher calorie snacks in during the day and at least maintain what weight gain I can for the next few weeks. Please pray with me about this and I would love any suggestions of healthy "high calorie" snacks you all could offer.
We go back in two and a half weeks for our 36 week check-up. We will get our Group B Strep test at that point; we are already hoping and praying that this will be negative.
Thank you for all your continued prayers! We appreciate them!
Lots of love to all!
Most of all right now though they need prayer - Please pray like you have never prayed before! This news has really cut deep into my heart. I went to bed thinking about them last night and I woke up thinking about them this morning. The greatest news is that God is always in control and because of Daniel's life and struggles; I have the ability to carry out that legacy and help others.
Please just pray, pray, pray!!! His name is Clint, her name is Amanda and they are special people to me and my family. There are not many home videos of me between the ages of 2 and 14 that don't include Clint in them.
Also, please remember to hug those you love and tell them you love them! In a second, life can change, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
I love all of you that read this blog on a daily basis! :)
Thank you!
The only answer I really have is that I believe God created the miracle of life, He is the creator of our bodies; He has created my body to take care of, sustain, and at the end of it all (His timing of course), He has created my body to be able to do the work and “pop” this child out of my womb.
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT completely against the medical community. I do believe that God has given knowledge and information to doctors and nurses; I just don't believe that we should allow the doctors and the drug companies to lead us without our own research being done first. I believe that educating ourselves and making our own decisions for the health of our unborn babies is crucial in the long run. Also, it is my opinion that as Christians, especially, we MUST understand the Great Creator of life and the natural process He created for labor, delivery, birth, and the natural things (such as breastfeeding) that come along with that; without so quickly utilizing the man made remedies simply for ease and comfort; and although, I do say ease and comfort, I know that sometimes these "remedies" are necessary for health and safety and in times like that I am grateful to God for those provisions.
Here are a few of my other thoughts regarding this topic….
I personally have done some research on many topics. I believe the research that says the "jury is still out" on what is and what isn't okay to put into our bodies during pregnancy. There is no concrete evidence that says Tylenol or any other medications for that matter are safe during pregnancy. I am still confused why people won’t drink caffeine or alcohol, or eat tuna fish, or do drugs during pregnancy, yet they will take cold medicine, anti-nausea meds, etc. Isn’t it one in the same? There is research that suggests that a viral infection carried by the mother (such as a cold or the flu) will not cross the womb. So to take a medication or a drug that has potential to cross the placenta, is not a risk that I am willing to take. In discussion with our midwife (who is a certified Nurse) she does not recommend taking any kind of medication for colds. She did advise me though, that if I come down with a fever, I would have to combat it with something (she suggested Tylenol), because a fever (especially a high fever - which I did not have) can cause problems for an unborn baby.
I am also a strong advocate for taking vitamins during pregnancy. I am not taking prenatal vitamins - I passed on those and got my own vitamins approved by our
Of course, I can not know whether our decisions will have any effect on Sierra's development in the long run, but I am willing to be as safe as possible and I am willing to suffer through a cold if it means not passing any "medications/drugs" through the placenta to her. I also believe it is extremely important to drink lots of water and eat healthy foods; I do drink LOTS of water (and milk – something I crave!). I will admit that I have struggled with the eating SUPER healthy part. I do eat fruit, yogurt, cereals, proteins, but to be honest, the occasional Chick-fil-a nugget meal is thrown in there! :)
We are praying for a 100% natural childbirth - meaning a labor and delivery without drugs. Also, we are hoping to achieve other things as well, like NOT clamping the cord until it has completely stopped pulsating, providing skin to skin contact between me and the baby for at least the first 60 minutes of life before she is taken away (to help with bonding), breastfeeding exclusively, thoroughly researching vaccinations before Sierra gets them all, etc.
Some may call these things “weird” or “unconventional” but honestly these were the goals of many in years past, before the urging of the doctors to “get this baby out, so I can move onto the next delivery” and the pushing of the drug companies, so they can make a pretty penny.
Again, I will reiterate that I believe God already has a plan for how Sierra will enter this world, and if it is not how Brian and I had hoped, we will grieve together over that and we will cling to the knowledge that God is ALWAYS in control. However, we strongly believe that preparation is KEY and that is what these past 32 weeks (and going forward) have been all about!
We continue to covet your prayers for our natural childbirth decisions.
So, I am super late on this post, I know! But just wanted to assure you that our 30/31 week check-up went fabulous! We saw the midwife for our check-up on Wednesday, January 30th.
I gained 3 pounds in 3 weeks - so that is perfect, 1 pound per week! I am now at 6 pounds total! My blood pressure and everything checked out perfectly and Sierra's little heart was strong and steady!
The best news of all though, was the news that our little girl had flipped into the correct position. She is finally head down! Thank God for prayers and for techniques like the ones on the Spinning Babies web site. Hopefully she will stay that way until it is time for her to make an appearance!
Because I am posting this so late, I can't believe we are 33 weeks pregnant today and we go back to see the midwife again this coming Tuesday. I promise to provide that update sooner! :)
For now though, we are introducing our 33 week (stretching) "bouncing ball" ...
Chapter 5 - Diseases of the TongueDisease #1: Excessive Talking
Key Verse:
Proverbs 10:19 - "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (NIV)
Key Thoughts:
When we say too much, we are bound to say something wrong. There is no alternative. Ecclesiastes 5:3 tells us that to use too many words is the mark of a fool. Also, James warns us in James 3:8, "No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (NIV) James suggests that people who are always talking are restless people. Our contemporary culture is filled with them. Excessive talking can be a sure indication of someone whose heart is not at rest. (Prince, p 47)
Disease #2: Idol or Careless Words
Key Verse:
Matthew 12:36, Jesus says, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken." (NIV)
Key Thought:
If you don't mean, don't say it!
Disease #3: Gossip
Key Verse:
Leviticus 19:16 - Do not go about spreading slander among your people." (NIV)
Key Thoughts:
There are various requirements for access to God's presence, in order to "dwell on His holy hill." We must walk with integrity; we must work righteousness; we must speak the truth in our hearts. There are also three things listed that we should not do, we must not slander with our tongues, we must not do evil to our neighbor, and we must not take up a reproach or receive a reproach against our friends. It is not enough that we do not slander; we must not receive the slanderer as well. (51-52)
Disease #4 - Lying
Key Verses:
Proverbs 6:16-19 - "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." (NIV)
Proverbs 12:22 - "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful." (NIV)
Key Thoughts:
It is important to note that in Proverbs 6, out of the seven things the Lord hates, three of them are related to the tongue.
Different opposites are brought to our attention in these verses, including "lying" and "truthful". The Scripture teaches that there is nothing in between. If it is not truthful, it is a lie. If it is a lie, the Lord detests it. If it is truthful, the Lord delights in it. (54)
Disease #5 - Flattery
Key Verse:
Psalm 12:1-3 - "Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue." (NIV)
Key Thoughts:
Too often we find ourselves speaking flattering words, but they are not sincere. There is another motive behind it. We must work hard not to lead or be led into a commitment or relationship that is outside the will of God. Proverbs 26:28 reminds us that "a flattering mouth works ruin." (NIV) (58-59)
Disease #6 - Hastiness of Speech
Key Verse:
Proverbs 29:20 - "Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him." (NIV)
Key Thoughts:
A provoked spirit causes us to speak unadvisedly with our lips, and these hasty words cost us many privileges and blessings. Moses spoke hastily to the children of
Coming up in Chapter 6: The Root of the Problem
The root of every problem affecting our tongues is in our hearts.
Chapter 4 - Words Determine Destiny
Key Verse:
Numbers 13:30-31 - "And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we." (KJV)
Key Thoughts:
Men determine their own destinies by the way they use their tongues.
Take notice of the words in the verse from Numbers. Caleb said, "We are well able to overcome it." The other ten spies said, "We are not able." One set of spies said the positive: "We are able." The other set said the negative: "We are not able." If we continue to follow the story through the rest of the chapter in Numbers, we will see that each group got exactly what they said. Each ones' destiny was settled by their words. (Prince, p 37) The men that spoke negatively settled for death, and the men that spoke positively received life.
In the New Testament, we as Christians are warned that the same lesson applies to us. Hebrews 4:1-2 reads - "Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith." (NIV)
Consider this, when we face God's promise concerning a certain situation, what are we going to do with our tongues? Are we going to give assent to the promise of God? Are we going to identify ourselves with the promise of God and say, "God said it; I'm able." Or are we going to be one of those who say, "Nevertheless, look at all the problems, God said it, but somehow I don't feel able." (41 -42) Just as the spies settled their destinies with their tongues by the words that they spoke, so the same lesson applies to whoever has heard the gospel.
This is why people in
I woke up this morning to head to my 1st grade classroom and my truck was covered by snow and ice!!! I could not believe it! Last week it was near 80 degrees and this morning while driving to school, it was 34 degrees.
Needless to mention, I got to school and shortly thereafter returned home, because VA is nothing like upstate NY and a dusting of snow and ice on your car calls for a 2-hour delay of classes! UGH ... to think, I could have slept in next to my hubby in our warm bed on Valentine's Day!
O'well! I returned home and Brian got up and made me coffee and breakfast! :) I guess I will try again tomorrow to get my observation in - I only need 1 more visit and then I can start working on my portfolio for Teaching Reading and Language Arts! :)
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL!
It is our prayer that you feel God's love and blessings all day and always!
Hello Hello Hello!
First I must apologize that we have been non-existent in the blog world for a little while. I always know when it is getting serious when I get a phone call from my Nana in NY to ask me if we are okay. She checks the blog regularly to keep up with us and make sure that everything is going okay and when I don't blog for a bit, she calls to check in. She called the other day to check in and I figured that was a clear indicator that our blog is lacking. :)
For those of you that have been praying, my cold is still hanging around. I thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to do so. Our midwife did say it could last for 3 weeks, but I secretly was hoping that she was over exaggerating; possibly not as we are going on week 2 now. This may be too much information, but you just can't imagine how much green yucky stuff can come out of such a little nose. It is not fun, but bearable, thankfully.
Brian and I have been so busy, going, going, going. I recently joked and might have mentioned it on here that I think we actually need to have a baby in order for life to settle down. Those with small children already may disagree. Still, I can not wait for our little ones arrival. Sometimes I find myself during the day, sitting in the nursery, rocking in the glider, talking to her and thanking God for the miracle that she already is and the miracle she is going to be in this world. Brian and I can't wait to hold our little angel.
Until that day comes, I have much to blog about and next week will hopefully bring some time when I can do that.
Here are some upcoming posts:
Exciting Events to come in February:
Thanks for all your continued prayers!
Blessings and Love to each of you!
On Saturday morning, my little brother proposed to Blakely Hunnings on the Virginia Tech Campus in Blacksburg, Virginia (Blakely's hometown). She said YES (of course) - 1. who wouldn't want to marry my brother - he is a great catch! and 2. I know I am biased, but who wouldn't want to become a Stank? Our family is the greatest! :)
I have much to blog about, unfortunately, Tuesday morning I woke up with a yucky head cold. Wednesday brought early morning vomiting, severe sore throat, headache, and green yucky stuff! Besides being overwhelmed with school this week and many appointments, I have just been resting, eating soup, and drinking lots of fluids. Please pray that this yuckiness passes soon. In our attempt to maintain a 100% non-medicated pregnancy, I am not taking any drugs, I am just waiting for it to pass and hoping that is soon! Although our midwife has informed us that it takes about 3 weeks for a cold to completely get out of our systems.
As promised, here are my devotionals for Does Your Tongue Need Healing - Hope they are a blessing to you in some way or any other.
My friend Lisa has a requested prayer need. You may have seen this on the news too. I saw it on Fox News last night. Please click the link below to read the prayer request. Please Pray!!!
One of the greatest blessings in my life is the fact that I attend a Christian University.
For many that know me, especially my mother and co-workers at Advance, I am famous for reminding them to watch how they speak. Trust me, I am not perfect by any means, but specifically when Daniel was battling his illness, through our studies, God clearly spoke to us and reminded us how imperative it was to watch how we spoke and what we spoke. I started reminding others around me, by saying "don't speak that" so many times. It was a great blessing to help others guard their tongues as we were learning to guard ours as well. I am excited to be studying this book and diving into the Scripture revolving around guarding and healing our tongues yet again.
