Parenting Lesson from the Heart

I can't decide what to focus on more: the child who has obviously had a traumatic potty-training experience (and is still having one as his parents snap this photo) or the inoperable bathtub full of rubbish. 

This is clearly a case for both Martha Stewart and Dr. Sears.

Presenting Clare Bernadette (or, as Jon calls her, Eclair)

5 Months!!!

Thus far, I am convinced we've got a late night/ early morning baby who likes to sleep all day. He/She will wake up after a good meal; however, only for a few kicks and then back to sleep!

Got to love relativists with a cause.

Was at the opening night to the Defending the Faith conference tonight and was so happy to sing these words inspired by Job:

You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say 

Lord, Blessed be your name

When Jon and I experienced the complete molar pregnancy a year ago or so, it was God taking away the baby we thought we had (which ultimately wasn't a baby but an abnormality that you can read about on wikipedia if you're interested).

And tonight, here we were at Defending the Faith, with an unborn baby this time in our care. God has gifted us abundantly.

Truthfully though, as hard as it was finding out at three months that we didn't have a child and that we had to wait a year before we could even try again, I felt very close to God and to Jon at that time. I could still say Lord, Blessed be your name. And that by itself was an abundant blessing not to be overlooked.

Had our third childbirth class tonight and jumped on the scale. 147. From 125. 22 lbs. Woah Nelly. I mean, woah Willy. hehe I am laughing at myself for that one.

Also, a few days ago Jon had his ear against my stomach and was talking to the baby and the baby gave him a jab on his ear. It was great because I felt it and before I said anything, Jon said, "the baby got my ear"--so at least I know I am not imagining things. I really feel the most movement when Jon is talking to the baby; it's really great family bonding time already.

Other than that, we had to drive behind a man tonight who thought nothing of putting a giant wheelbarrow in his open trunk (with what looked like dental floss keeping it in). I'm glad he was so relaxed about the whole ordeal; meanwhile the people driving behind him (us!!) we're not so confident in his wheelbarrow transporting abilities. Only in Ohio. Really. Really, don't ever live here.

She has been violated and invaded and must 

have the option of "choosing abortion"...

Because, you see, she has been a victim of violence

And did not want to be pregnant.

The baby has been violated and invaded and must

have the option of life...

Because, you see, he has been a victim of violence

And did not want to be aborted.

Pro-death advocates support the choice of abortion in cases of rape because women have been violently victimized...but then, they advocate for the same violent victimization to be inflicted on another person, the unborn person. Even though over 99% of abortions are not related to rape, this is still an angle pro-death advocates use when arguing for the right to abortion, and what they are really arguing for is the perpetuation of violence. 

A woman is only further distressed by choosing to end the life of her child, committing a worse crime than the one that was committed against her. She is invaded yet again when the abortionist enters her body to tear her small child away and to leave her feeling empty of her child's life--the one she was supposed to nurture and protect. Her response to man's failure to protect woman is to deny her own maternal protection of her child.

This is not a "just choice" to give a woman who has already been violated by rape. This is a license so that she ends up being doubly invaded and doubly grieved. If a woman cannot look at her child with love, then there are those who will because that child, as all, is worthy and lovable. Allowing that child to live will help the mother heal, rather than perpetuating the violence she incurred with new violence. Promoting abortion in this way guides the woman who is victim into the role of the perpetrator. Rape victims deserve better than to experience what it is like to be in the rapist's or murderer's shoes.

19 Weeks...Almost halfway!! :)

19 Week Baby Pokes

For the last few weeks, I have felt some strange happenings going on inside, but could never have the full confidence to say it was for sure the baby and not a rumbling or satisfied tummy. This morning, the baby's arm or leg was undeniable! We can't wait to meet this new little person face to face.

Pro-Life is Divinest Sense

http://www.yourdevelopingbaby.com/sampleChapters/7.htm

Jon: You're like a flawless chicken.

Me: Huh?

Me: Can you hand me a highlighter?

Jon: Which color?

Me: Clear... Oops, I mean yellow.

Anonymous Baby @ 18 Weeks

Have been feeling okay lately. One new occurrence of me-meeting-toilet like the old days. Some tiredness. 21 pounds of baby-bubble. Less indigestion than when we were in NY and Boston, which surprises me because I thought it was going to stick. Getting excited that we're almost halfway through the pregnancy! Thankful to have all of the support that we do. God is good in trial and consolation. And apparently so are fragments.

Words no man wants to hear from his wife while she's in labor: 

"I'm leaving."

I've decided that the show "The Biggest Loser" just isn't for me--how about "The Biggest Gainer" instead??

Today I was at the birthing center and couldn't help jumping on the scale to see if I am at the point of moving the big dial--you know the one that doesn't jump single pound by single pound, but the one that jumps FIFTY POUNDS. Mouths drop.

At 4 mos and 1 week, I have gained a solid 20 pounds on a healthy diet with good exercise. Goodbye 125 small little waist days; hello 145 "where is my waist?" days. Originally my goal was to keep to the 25-35 lb gain recommended for women, but now I can see that I have 5 mos to go and only 5-15 lbs more seems unreasonable and unsafe.

This should be interesting.

First thing in the morning

This morning I woke up before Jon so I went to have breakfast, which is usually the first thing on my mind. When I went back, I found that he was still a lazy bear so I started to hug him and cajole him out of bed "Come on, I'll make you waffles"... "Sleepy-head, get up, it's sunny outside"...When none of my measures worked, I decided to read my morning spiritual reading out loud next to him (usually I like to pray in the living room where I can look at a nice painting of Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday--my ultimate favorite depiction of Jesus)....and this is where the funny part comes in....my morning reading JUST HAPPENED to be about Hell and everything pertaining to it ( you don't have to be Catholic to get the picture, but yes, Hell as separation from God is separation from Life itself). Let's just say, it wasn't "pleasant"...and, long story short, after I finished the reading, I couldn't help but let out a laugh/smile and say "Well, good morning"...hahaha Can you think of a better way to start the day??? lol

17 Weeks

Thought nausea/vomiting was gone for good; baby had other things in mind. ;)

Almost the worst song lyrics I've ever heard...Unless you like awful cliches repeated to you over and over again

"Just Like a Tattoo"    Annotated Version 

No matter what you say about love
I keep coming back for more     
Keep my hand in the fire
Sooner or later I get what I'm asking for    Huh? Okay, really bad analogy...not to mention embarrassing 

No matter what you say about life    I love how general this is
I learn every time I bleed        ??? 
The truth is a stranger              Ugh. I'm dying now.
Soul is in danger I gotta let my spirit be free        How did you get to this conclusion?? I think I missed something.
To admit that I'm wrong and then change my mind
Sorry but I have to move on and leave you behind    Doubtful.

I can't waste time so give it a moment   
I realized nothings broken    Cliche.
No need to worry about everything I've done   Cliche. 
Live every second like it was my last one       Cliche. 
Don't look back got a new direction
I loved you once needed protection
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo     I thought you were moving on and leaving him behind
Just like a tattoo     ??? ghetto-fab
I'll always have you (I'll always have you)
All right, I'm done annotating.
Sick of playing all of these games
It's not about taking sides
When I looked in the mirror didn't deliver
It hurt enough to think that I could stop
Admit that I'm wrong and then change my mind
Sorry but I've gotta be strong and leave you behind

I can't waste time so give it a moment
I realize nothings broken
No need to worry about everything I've done
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction
I loved you once needed protection
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo
Just like a tattoo
I'll always have you (I'll always have you)

If I live every moment
Won't change any moment
Still a part of me in you
I will never regret you
Still the memory of you
Marks everything I do, oh

I can't waste time so give it a moment
I realize nothings broken (yeah)
No need to worry about everything I've done
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction (don't look back)
I loved you once needed protection (no, no)
You're still a part of everything I do 
You're on my heart just like a tattoo

I can't waste time so give it a moment (i can't waste time)
I realized nothings broken
No need to worry about everything I've done (no need to worry)
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction (don't you ever look back)
I loved you once needed protection
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo

I can't waste time so give it a moment (i can't waste time)
I realized nothings broken
No need to worry about everything I've done (no need to worry)
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction (don't you ever look back)
I loved you once needed protection
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo
Just like a tattoo
I'll always have you

Just like a tattoo
I'll always have you (I'll always have you x3) 

Fireworks: almost as bad as giving everyone their own cars. Hmmm...yes, I quite agree with myself.

17 Weeks

First Baby Classes...

Jon and I have been very busy this week. We attended a breastfeeding class on Tuesday night and a childbirth class last night. Both were helpful, but the childbirth class really provided the most new information. It helped that the teacher was very engaging, funny, and supportive.

What I learned most is that childbirth is really cooperating with what the baby is doing. I have seen too many movies where as soon as the water breaks it's go-go-go/push-push-push as if everything were in your own hands...when really it's relax-relax-relax as much as possible and cope-cope-cope to help the baby make his/her way out...and THEN you PUSH ;) Instead of me doing all of this work, it's really Jon, the baby, and I working as a family team!

I am also thankful that Jon and I got to learn some strategies that will work for us as we go through labor together...my favorite of which is massage (which Jon is great at)...and also Jon's verbal reassurance that I am helping our baby in his/her passage (all of the different labor positions also appeal to me since I won't have to be stationary). It's when I think about me that I lose fervor, but when I think about the baby and offering up all of my suffering and effort that I feel the most focused. I hope that this all carries over into childbirth. :) We have about 4 more weeks of classes which should help reinforce everything as we go. It's not easy for us to take classes since they are an hour away and last 3 hours late into the evening (when we're both TIRED and HUNGRY--caps are appropriate here since I am pregnant and Jon is married to a pregnant girl), but it has helped us prepare for our first baby so it's worth it. Plus, it's the only time we watch anything that is "graphic" haha....it's either PG or graphic pregnancy videos I guess..lol!

Reality Check

Sometimes I forget I am pregnant...

Like today when I was at the gym and plugged 125 lbs into the cardio machine...

HA HA. Try 140, Sister. 

Less than a pound of that is baby; the rest--according to Jon--is snack bar.