Falling in Love: The Story of Your Birth

As part of our 31 Days of Fall, we'll be falling in love on Saturdays this month. Our first story is about the birth of P, our super special bundle of joy, and how I fell in love with him . This is not a method birth story, so no contractions or episiotomies, (but we love to hear about those from you strong mommas out there!) but more of a love story. Feel free to share links to your own birth stories in the comments-- I would love to hear about your experiences!

A Little About PCOS

I'm thrilled to be sharing my birth story for my first child. I was first inspired to write this when I read this excellent post, and then excited to share it @ Intentional By Grace.

At the age of 18, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and later with Insulin Resistance. Many women with these conditions have difficulty conceiving and maintaining healthy pregnancies.

One of the problems women with PCOS face is a progesterone deficiency. Progesterone is a hormone your body produces naturally. It increases rapidly during the first trimester, then drops off. Because women with PCOS often do not produce an adequate level of progesterone naturally, they often miscarry early in pregnancy.

If you know someone who has struggled with early-term miscarriages, please refer them to The PCOS Foundation.

A Love Letter to P

I wanted you from the time I held my first baby doll; I wanted you. Deeply, in my soul, was a desire to create you and love you and nurture you. God put that desire in my heart. God put my longing for you in my heart so that I would bring wonderful you into this world for His plans.

One day, when I was a lowly intern working for Child Protective Services in Gadsden, Alabama, a beautiful lady named Betty listened to my fears that I would never get married and have you. She told me that God had put that desire in my heart, and that He would never have put it there, without having a perfect plan to fulfill that desire.

I held that whispered truth in my heart, until I heard the Next Whispered Truth. Your father and I had met already, but that is another story for another time. I was sitting in the balcony of the church that Daddy was pastoring when we met, watching him play with children. I heard the Next Truth not with my ears, but with my heart. “You will have his children one day,” was clear like a bell, and warm like pajama pants. I knew it was true; I knew it was God's own secret promise to me... to be revealed in His perfect timing.

Daddy & I got married, and I wondered when you would come. Sometimes, mommies have problems waiting for their babies. Sometimes, mommies wait a long time, and we cry and pray, because we have that God-authored desire within us. When you are older, you will understand this more. I will tell you the story of Hannah and how she longed for Samuel, her baby boy. You will begin to understand.

The truth is, Mommy was afraid of waiting like Hannah. Mommy was afraid that she might have to hurt and cry, and that was scary for me. See Mommy has some things about her organs that are different... and other women like Mommy have had to wait for babies because their organs are different. Nana Jejo and Granmother were afraid, too, but they didn't tell me until later. But guess what? God didn't make us wait. He sent you!

I thought you were there, growing in my belly. I had an inkling, and I told Daddy one Sunday morning. He was making your Kenzie some pancakes. He said, “Okay, I have to go make pancakes.” You may notice Mommy talks a lot more than Daddy... this is because Daddies like to think about things while they make breakfast.

Sure enough, we went to a doctor, and she told us you were there, growing away, right in Mommy's belly. I was very happy (but also still a little scared, you know, because of that thing with my different organs). So I talked to the doctor about that, and she said she would test Mommy and see.

Later, the doctor's nurse called. They said that something was wrong, and they wanted to do an ultrasound, which is a fancy way of saying they wanted to take your picture. So Daddy and I went and got your picture taken, and they couldn't find you. Mommy sat in a huge waiting room, watching all the beautiful Mommas with big, pregnant bellies, and brand new Mommas with tiny, sleeping bundles of perfection and wanted to yell. I was hurting, and mad, and grief-stricken, and I wanted to know why in world they didn't have a “Your Body Doesn't Work Right, So Sit In Here” waiting room.

The doctor told Mommy that you would not be born. She told Mommy that this was okay, that it happens a lot, and that Mommy could try again to have another baby. Andma was there. She watched me smile and ask very intelligent questions to the doctor. She watched me thank the doctor politely, and watched me hold it together as the lab technician stuck my arm to draw out blood. She walked with me to the car, where she put her arms around me, and with tears in her eyes, explained to me, “You can understand this all scientifically and medically, but it's okay for it to hurt.” Mommy cried-- a lot. Mommy cried most of the way home.

A few days later, another nurse called. She said, “We reviewed your blood work. Your progesterone has doubled own its own. Dr. [name withheld] is on vacation, but we had another doctor that works with us look at it, and she wants to prescribe you this.” God sent our first doctor on vacation, P! Mommy went to get the medicine that the second doctor wanted me take, but I had to wait. The pharmacy couldn't fill it until the next day. Mommy was scared again... what if something happened to you in the meantime? How could I wait 24 hours? When would could I get off this jubilant/despairing rollercoaster?

Listen closely, child, to the next part. I drove home. I prayed hard. I told God that I was afraid my body couldn't hold you, couldn't keep you safe-- so I asked God to hold you for me. I prayed—silently, out loud-- until I reached a certain stop sign. I sat at that stop sign (I will take you there someday), and said, “I don't know what else to say.” Then something different happened. Mommy opened her mouth, and something different came out. A prayer language, little one, was being spoken for you. The Holy Spirit was speaking to God the Father for us-- for me and you.

Fast-forward, about 8 months. Mommy and Aunt Charity are looking a new picture of you. We think your fist is by your face. The ultrasound technician says no, that's your foot. Mommy is only 5'2”. There was no where else for you to grow! We decided to meet you the next day.

Mommy and Daddy were in the room when you cried for the first time. Daddy says my face lit up, and hasn't looked the same since. Daddy held you first. There's a picture of Kenzie holding you with the same look that Daddy had. I've shown it to you probably 100 times by now.

When babies are growing in their mommies, they are in a big bubble filled with a special kind of water. The doctors who delivered you said that you and I had more special water than they had ever seen. Nana called this the evidence that God was holding you, like Mommy prayed for.

You are an absolute blessing from God. You were prayed for and planned for and loved beyond measure. No one can bring to the world or to others what God has planned to do through you. My prayers for you never stop.

We all love you, beautiful boy!

Love, Mommy

 

 

Shared with The Purposeful Mom

Being the Heart of the Home

Attention Ladies:



image derived from knitted heart by mararie via flickr

You are the heart of your home!

 

We all know that keeping our physical hearts healthy is important.
 

But what do we do to keep the heart of the home healthy?

The Mayo Clinic provides five great steps to keeping up our cardiac health. Let's use the same advice to keep our spiritual hearts, and thus us, as the heart of our homes, healthy.

 

1. Don't smoke or use tobacco.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.

Colossians 3:5

First things first: do away with the things that are hurting you. Flee from the things that drag you down. Just as tobacco clogs our lungs and constricts our blood flow, sin brings us down.

This is not a one-time step. Ever hear a former smoker say they still want a cigarette occasionally? Or a recovering addict say that they'll never be "cured?"

We need to die to flesh daily, making our commitment fresh everyday.

 

2. Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week.

So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:12

When we workout, our hearts get much needed exercise. Are you exercising daily?

Do you find yourself being stagnate, or are you looking for ways to grow, to improve? It's tempting to curl up on our hypothetical couches and become spiritual couch potatoes. It's tempting to become comfortable and lazy with where we are. But we need exercise! We need to challenge ourselves, to try new things, to constantly seek to grow and become more like our Lord.

Are you getting enough exercise?

 

3. Eat a heart-healthy diet.

Man does not live by bread alone...

Deuteronomy 8:3

Whole-grains, lean protein, fruits & vegetables, cut the fat: the heart diet.

Dear one, consume the things that are good for you. Listen to songs that uplift you. Pour over Scripture. Find friends who speak truth to you.

And cut your fat. You know what I'm talking about here... the fluff that you use to make yourself feel good, or those delicious time-wasters that end up sucking up hours of your time.

Please know that I'm not saying that we should never do things that make us feel good, or help us relax (refer back to point 2!). But as mature, Godly women, we know when there's something shrouding us from our true identity in Christ-- and we need to address it.

 

4. Maintain a healthy weight.

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.

Psalm 55:22

When we gain weight, our hearts have to work harder to pump. The added weight makes it difficult for your heart to send oxygen-rich blood to your lungs, causing shortness of breath.

When we allow the weight of anxiety, the drive to be perfect, fear, stress, self-doubt, self-pity, and shame to accumulate around our home and in our life, we make it hard for us, as the heart, to operate. Chris's grandfather recently passed away after being admitted to the hospital during an episode during which his heart was functioning as 10% capacity.

Just as our physical hearts begin to suffer and weaken under added weight, so too, do we, the heart of the home suffer and weaken under burdens.

And just as our heart can suffer long-term damage the longer we carry extra pounds, the same is true for us.

The good news? The Lord tells us we can put our burdens, our extra weight, on Him. He does not tire or weaken.

Put your weight on Him; see how easier it becomes to breathe.

 

5. Get regular health screenings.

Search me, O God, and know my heart.

Psalm 139:23

Are you keeping your appointments with the Great Physician? Are you allowing your Heavenly Father to examine your heart, and to make suggestions on what you might need to change? Has He prescribed a course of treatment for you? Are you following it?

When we visit our doctor, he or she listens to your heart with a stethoscope. What are they hoping to hear? A strong, steady heartbeat.

God listens to your heart, too. He longs to hear a strong, steady heart beating for Him.

Pray for the Lord to help you understand the condition of your heart. Ask Him to care for your heart.

 

Shared with My Daily Walk in His Grace for Winsome Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Raising Arrows, AWise Woman Builds Her Home, Deep Roots at Home, Mercy Ink, Abiding Woman, Growing Home, Live Called, Christian Mommy Blogger, and Walking Redeemed 

5 Ways to Incorporate Bible Stories into Homeschool Lessons



Image derived from photo by photo boy via flickr



 

It's not all reading, writing, and arithmetic, but the freedom to teach our children the most important lessons-- the lessons about our Heavenly Father. And also, you get to go on all the fieldtrips.

The first way most of us begin to teach our children about our faith is in the form of Bible stories. We buy My First Bibles with cute rhyming summations of stories like David & Goliath, and even the Christmas story. Some of us tell stories of Moses for bedtime stories or on long trips in the car.

The really cool thing is incorporating lessons about history, literature, science, and all the rest with those Bible stories. My child needs to know that my faith in Jesus pervades everything I do, that I hold a Biblical worldview, and all the ideas I hear, and books I read, and even the conversations I have are filtered through the scope of my faith. He needs to know that my prayer for him is that the same will be true for him, and in an even greater sense than for me.

So, here's a peek into how I put things together:

Daniel & the Lions' Den

Scripture: Daniel 6

Summary: Daniel is thrown into a den of lions, basically a death sentence, for continuing to pray to God. God delivers Daniel from being killed by lions, and Daniel emerges unharmed because he trusts God.

Connect: Children around age 4 & 5 will enjoy trips to the zoo or a wildlife preserve to see real-life lions. Talk about how God created lions, and point out different parts such the tail, the mane, and the sharp teeth and claws that God gave lions to hunt and eat with. Explain why we can't pet lions-- how wild animals like lions are dangerous to us. Tell the story of Daniel-- helping your child understand what a miracle it was that the lions did not harm Daniel!

As children grow older, you can revisit this teaching method as you begin to teach biological classification (species, class, etc.), anatomy of animals, and ecosystems (how lions are predators).

Act it out!: Take a fieldtrip to the zoo or wildlife preserve.
 

Moses in the Reeds

Scripture: Exodus 2

Summary: Moses' mother hides baby Moses among reeds in a basket to keep him from the Pharaoh who wants to hurt people like Moses. Moses is found by Pharaoh's daughter, and he is raised as part of Pharaoh's household. He grows up to play a big part in God's plan to free His people.

Connect: This story can be used when exploring water plants like reeds, or for older children, ecosystems. It's also a good story to illustrate social science themes like adoption and families, and for much older children, political science & history of slavery,  or genocide. Children of all ages will enjoy learning about Egypt, including architecture, art, climate, history, & archaeology.

Act it out!: Travel to Egypt (just kidding!) Visit a museum that has Egyptian artifacts on exhibit. Go play in a pond or near a stream to find reeds.

Bonus: Have your little ones write something that they want to trust to God on a rock, stick, or leaf (something biodegradable, please!) Leave it in the reeds!
 

The Burning Bush

Scripture: Exodus 3

Summary: God speaks to Moses through a bush that is on fire, but doesn't burn. He calls Moses to speak to Pharaoh about releasing the Israelites from Egypt.

Connect: This another great story for introducing science such as heat, fire, conversion of mass, & phases of matter (gas, solid, liquid). By demonstrating that when we set a bush on fire, it burns-- you'll again help your child understand that this "burning bush" is a miraculous event. This story is also a good illustration of why our sanctuaries and churches are treated with special respect (think "Take off your shoes, Moses.") Also, don't neglect to use this story when teaching kids about how our differences (speech impediments, autism, eye-glasses, Down syndrome, any number of special needs, red hair) make us special, and how God uses the things about us that are special and unique to glorify Him.

Act it out!: Set something on fire! (And then put it out...)
 

Noah's Ark

Scripture: Genesis 5:32-10:1

Summary: After seeing that men were becoming wicked, God tells Noah to build an ark & sends a flood over all the Earth. In the end, God protects Noah & his family, and all the animals with them, because Noah obeyed God. God makes a promise never to flood the Earth again.

Connect: I use this one even with our toddler to help him identify animals. Some other ways to connect this story include: prisms & rainbows, weather, and topography (think: sending out of the dove.)

Act it out!: Use prisms, or the sprinkler, to make rainbows. Bubbles work too. Go in search of a rainbow after a rain shower. Pull up and examine topographic maps. Some libraries and museums have touch-and-feel maps of various terrain. Go for a hike and talk about elevation.
 

The Good Samaritan

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Summary: Jesus tells the parable of a Jewish man who is robbed and beaten on the road. The man is cared for by a the Good Samaritan.

Connect: This story is an excellent way to teach children to be kind and to have empathy. But for older children (think 13+), it's an important illustration of political science/current events (Israel & Palestine, Syria) and civil rights.

Act it out!: Visit the a civil rights museum. More importantly, put the parable to action by finding a way to help someone else.

 

 

 

Shared with A Wise Woman Builds Her Home and Intentional By Grace for Fellowship Fridays

 

Newborn Worries: Body

Yes, you know you'll worry. You see that your mom and grandmother worry. Others will tell you that you'll worry. But you won't fully experience this wonderful worry until your child arrives.

The minute you hear his sweet cries for the first time the worry starts. This is gut-wrenching love. This is beautiful worry.

Poop- this is something you'll read in every parenting blog, every static site devoted to babies, every book, every forum. You will experience lots of poop. It will not bother you. Breastfed baby poop has been described as smelling like yogurt or buttermilk. What will really worry you about poop is when your tiny tot stops pooping. Parker didn't poop for like 4 days. Of course, being the Google goddess, I learned this must be because he was dehydrated. My RN mother-in-law assured me continuously that he wasn't dehydrated. This is when I learned about Karo syrup in his bottle.

Genitals- If you have a girl, you'll have better luck with this (assuming you are female yourself). However, if you have a boy, you'll be totally confused by your son's penis for the first 3 months, at least. It took about 3 weeks before I was completely convinced that Parker's circumcision would eventually heal. After this, a weird cheesy, fibrous matter started forming under his foreskin. Didn't seem to bother him, but it certainly bothered me. Then my pediatrician chided me for NOT pulling his foreskin back to keep it from growing back! Growing back?! Is this really an issue?

By the way, your husband/boyfriend will be no help with this. Just because he has one, doesn't mean he remembers anything about it at this size.

Belly button/umbilical stump- I was terrified that the child was going to develop an adominal infection. I kept an eagle eye on his tummy for any trace of red marks. Chris caught me sniffing Parker's belly at least six times a day. I worried he would go to kindergarten with an umbilical stump. Then it fell off and he bled. And I cried. It doesn't matter what amount of blood comes out of your child-- at that stage, its always a big deal.

Breastfeeding- I attempted this... It was not enjoyable. I did not feel bonded with Parker during feedings. It was not magical or calming, or any of happy/joy words that the Boobie Police use. It was hard, and caused me to dread meeting the needs of my child. Not good for me or him. (If you breastfeed, I'm impressed and awed. I do wish it had been a better experience for us.) Parker did not associate breastfeeding with food. He was a large child, and we supplemented from Day 1; so he was not a fan. He was hysterically hungry, and screamed at me for letting him starve. It was devastating. It did not last long. Then the guilt of not being able to breastfeed set up house, and stayed for a few weeks.

 

 

Update: P is now 10 months old, and the above issues have been resolved... or at least accepted.

Finally!

Yay! I finally got my blog up and running! It took at long while to figure out how it all works... call me slow.

I'm using Fat Cow hosting which I've been very pleased with thus far. I had a bit of an issue trying to link my domain back to my blog, and their support was very prompt, thorough, and helpful!

I also found a great background here.

In the midst of all this, I attempted a little HTML code myself, and was quite pleased to make words appear in a web browser. Hey, I like to celebrate the small things!

On a parenting note: Pumpkin Doodle has started on solid foods! He was none to happy about rice cereal, until this momma added applesauce. Carrots have been the hands down favorite, with today's first try at green beans coming in a close second. I'm so excited to have a good eater! Here's hoping he doesn't develop his dad's tendency to be a picky eater, or food allergies.

Hubby is allergic to all manner of food (onions, lettuce, tomato, coffee, chocolate, you get the idea). The only serious problem food, as in induces anaphylactic shock, is strawberries. So we keep a bottle of infant allergy meds close by when introducing new to food to Pumpkin Doodle, just in case.

So, until the next post, anyone have any great blogging tips for me? Or allergy busting recipes?