We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request.
1.28.2009
Pray for Me...Pray for Others
We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request.
1.21.2009
Help a Baby Girl to Her Forever Family ... And Win!
Hey, y'all. Just wanted to make you all aware of an opportunity to help a little girl plus a chance to win big!!
Jump on over to http://www.asisterforthebean.blogspot.com/ - this family is raising money needed to bring home a baby girl they have adopted from Korea. Plus, every donation of $5 gets you a raffle ticket, where you have the chance to win a Canon EOS Rebel XS camera package.
I have to be honest, it's great to help out, but I totally want that camera! I'm sure Jorde would be happy with a win, as I've put that on my list of "totally awesomely expensive gifts I would one day like to have" :)
So, visit http://www.asisterforthebean.blogspot.com/ - and good luck!
Jump on over to http://www.asisterforthebean.blogspot.com/ - this family is raising money needed to bring home a baby girl they have adopted from Korea. Plus, every donation of $5 gets you a raffle ticket, where you have the chance to win a Canon EOS Rebel XS camera package.
I have to be honest, it's great to help out, but I totally want that camera! I'm sure Jorde would be happy with a win, as I've put that on my list of "totally awesomely expensive gifts I would one day like to have" :)
So, visit http://www.asisterforthebean.blogspot.com/ - and good luck!
A+
We received another good progress report from our doctor today. I cannot tell you how relieving it is to have everything going so smoothly.
Ya know, except for the mild anxiety twice a day when I have to shoot myself. That has not gotten any easier! But other than that, all is well :)
In case you like specifics: my blood pressure is good (128/72), Peanut's heartbeat is strong (145 bpm), and no issues to report from my end. Dr. Spence (we finally got to see her again!) commented that she wished all her patients could be as complaint-free - and when you consider the nature of her specialty, I guess she does hear a lot of complaining.
But not from me :)
We did find out that Dr. Spence works out of Banner Desert, which is a bummer because we'll deliver at Good Samaritan. Jorde and I both really like her and were hoping she'd be "on" when our time comes, but it's not to be. Although, the likelihood of getting Drs. Elliot, Perlow or Lam are very good for us, and as they are all fabulous docs (we saw each of them in April), we're cool with that :)
And ... I felt Peanut's first movements on Sunday! Everyone kept telling me it would feel like a "flutter" (which, btw, I wasn't necessarily looking forward to, as I am currently easily nauseated), but Sunday evening I felt a nudge, then another, then another. And again on Monday. And Tuesday. And today. Not super consistent yet, though I feel it more in late morning and in the evening (after snacks and dinner!). Kinda cool ... and weird ... but definitely cool :)
Your prayers are working, friends, so keep it up! Thanks so much, and we can't wait to share the birth news of our Peanut with you all!
22 weeks and counting ...
Ya know, except for the mild anxiety twice a day when I have to shoot myself. That has not gotten any easier! But other than that, all is well :)
In case you like specifics: my blood pressure is good (128/72), Peanut's heartbeat is strong (145 bpm), and no issues to report from my end. Dr. Spence (we finally got to see her again!) commented that she wished all her patients could be as complaint-free - and when you consider the nature of her specialty, I guess she does hear a lot of complaining.
But not from me :)
We did find out that Dr. Spence works out of Banner Desert, which is a bummer because we'll deliver at Good Samaritan. Jorde and I both really like her and were hoping she'd be "on" when our time comes, but it's not to be. Although, the likelihood of getting Drs. Elliot, Perlow or Lam are very good for us, and as they are all fabulous docs (we saw each of them in April), we're cool with that :)
And ... I felt Peanut's first movements on Sunday! Everyone kept telling me it would feel like a "flutter" (which, btw, I wasn't necessarily looking forward to, as I am currently easily nauseated), but Sunday evening I felt a nudge, then another, then another. And again on Monday. And Tuesday. And today. Not super consistent yet, though I feel it more in late morning and in the evening (after snacks and dinner!). Kinda cool ... and weird ... but definitely cool :)
Your prayers are working, friends, so keep it up! Thanks so much, and we can't wait to share the birth news of our Peanut with you all!
22 weeks and counting ...
1.16.2009
Hubby and the Uncomfortable Situation
My Hubby cracks me up, y'all.
I wish you could've been a fly on the wall last night while he was relaying this story to me, because I'm not sure I can do it justice here. But I will try.
First, though, a little background info.
Those of you who know Jorde are aware of his, well, avoidance of all things medical. And not just for him, but as a witness to others, especially when it comes to girl-stuff (seriously, I'm impressed he made it through all the happenings in April, folks). So, needless to say, depending on the, um, extent of the OB visit, he has been known to leave the room and return to the waiting area until the uncomfortable time is over and the nurse sounds the "all clear". And it's not even happening to him.
So, now that you know that...
He came home last night from work and handed me a note with a name and phone number on it, and the website http://www.milksmile.com/ listed. When I asked what it was for, he threw his hands up and said in an exasperated voice, "It's about breast pumps!" Ya know, like I had forced this knowledge upon him. I will say, it's nothing I would have ever expected to hear comin' outta his mouth!
It seems that he and a customer at the music store started chatting about the economy and how business was doing, and Jorde mentioned that their band rentals were really what was keeping them going nowadays. The customer agreed that his rentals were also helping keep his business above-water. Of course, Jorde asked what the customer did for a living, and the response he received was, "I rent breast pumps."
Take a minute and imagine the look on Jorde's face. Really, go ahead.
Of course, this was a customer he was talking to, so he couldn't just leave. He was stuck in the breast pump conversation. You'd think he was being tortured, what with the put-upon attitude he had while retelling this story.
I totally laughed! And he saw the humor in the Hubby-having-a-breast-pump-conversation and laughed, as well, though you know he would have been happier had the whole thing never happened.
The upside? His customer said he would give us a good deal when we're ready for a breast pump. And a good deal is always welcome.
Plus, ya know, there's always the actual story to tell - that alone makes it worth it in my book :)
I wish you could've been a fly on the wall last night while he was relaying this story to me, because I'm not sure I can do it justice here. But I will try.
First, though, a little background info.
Those of you who know Jorde are aware of his, well, avoidance of all things medical. And not just for him, but as a witness to others, especially when it comes to girl-stuff (seriously, I'm impressed he made it through all the happenings in April, folks). So, needless to say, depending on the, um, extent of the OB visit, he has been known to leave the room and return to the waiting area until the uncomfortable time is over and the nurse sounds the "all clear". And it's not even happening to him.
So, now that you know that...
He came home last night from work and handed me a note with a name and phone number on it, and the website http://www.milksmile.com/ listed. When I asked what it was for, he threw his hands up and said in an exasperated voice, "It's about breast pumps!" Ya know, like I had forced this knowledge upon him. I will say, it's nothing I would have ever expected to hear comin' outta his mouth!
It seems that he and a customer at the music store started chatting about the economy and how business was doing, and Jorde mentioned that their band rentals were really what was keeping them going nowadays. The customer agreed that his rentals were also helping keep his business above-water. Of course, Jorde asked what the customer did for a living, and the response he received was, "I rent breast pumps."
Take a minute and imagine the look on Jorde's face. Really, go ahead.
Of course, this was a customer he was talking to, so he couldn't just leave. He was stuck in the breast pump conversation. You'd think he was being tortured, what with the put-upon attitude he had while retelling this story.
I totally laughed! And he saw the humor in the Hubby-having-a-breast-pump-conversation and laughed, as well, though you know he would have been happier had the whole thing never happened.
The upside? His customer said he would give us a good deal when we're ready for a breast pump. And a good deal is always welcome.
Plus, ya know, there's always the actual story to tell - that alone makes it worth it in my book :)
1.15.2009
Prozac, Anyone?
Dang, y'all.
I don't know if the State of Arizona is going to survive the all-out-crazy, super-excited, oh-my-goodness-can-you-believe-it, pinch-me fun leading up to this weekend's NFC title game here between the Philadelphia Eagles and our own AZ Cardinals.
Not that I care, really - I just can't get away from it. I love football in the college arena, but only watch NFL when Hubby is home, 'cause, ya know, a Sunday/Monday cannot pass without watching some pro-football or the world might implode. (Or some such nonsensical excuse to get me to switch the channel away from House.)
But I digress. We were talking about the possible need to medicate my state en masse.
Granted, the Cards haven't gone this far in the playoffs since coming to AZ (as far as I know), so everyone - even folks who don't normally follow football - are so excited I think passing out Depends may be a real need soon. Even the talking heads were in disbelief last week! And, if they're this hyper about a conference title game, what is going to happen if (when?) they advance to the Super Bowl?
Y'all, I may have to move.
Either that or the shock of it just might lessen our population to the point that I can get into a restaurant for a date-night with Hubby and not have a 45 minute wait.
(Not that I have issues with that. Or have pregnancy-induced fits of impatience for all other breathing beings standing between me and a dinner that I need (need?) no later than 7pm. NO LATER THAN 7PM! Hello?! 7pm, People!)
Anyhu, I will say this: I am soooo glad at this moment that they no longer play at Sun Devil Stadium (very near my church), and that Glendale is far, far away so traffic won't be an issue for me. 'Cause ya know, it's all about my comfort level :)
Oh, and a total side-note but I'm going to bore you with my thinking anway - and keep in mind, I never "followed" the NFL until Jorde: the first time I heard of the Arizona Cardinals was in the movie Jerry Maguire. I thought the team was made up. Really. Cardinals?! What a stupid name for a desert-area football team! So I was sure it was a fake team used for the movie. Until I moved here. Why, oh why, didn't the owner (Mr. "One-Scoop After a Win" Bidwell) change to a more area-minded team name when he moved the franchise? It's my big pet-peeve where this team is concerned.
I figured you wanted to know ... and you're welcome :)
I don't know if the State of Arizona is going to survive the all-out-crazy, super-excited, oh-my-goodness-can-you-believe-it, pinch-me fun leading up to this weekend's NFC title game here between the Philadelphia Eagles and our own AZ Cardinals.
Not that I care, really - I just can't get away from it. I love football in the college arena, but only watch NFL when Hubby is home, 'cause, ya know, a Sunday/Monday cannot pass without watching some pro-football or the world might implode. (Or some such nonsensical excuse to get me to switch the channel away from House.)
But I digress. We were talking about the possible need to medicate my state en masse.
Granted, the Cards haven't gone this far in the playoffs since coming to AZ (as far as I know), so everyone - even folks who don't normally follow football - are so excited I think passing out Depends may be a real need soon. Even the talking heads were in disbelief last week! And, if they're this hyper about a conference title game, what is going to happen if (when?) they advance to the Super Bowl?
Y'all, I may have to move.
Either that or the shock of it just might lessen our population to the point that I can get into a restaurant for a date-night with Hubby and not have a 45 minute wait.
(Not that I have issues with that. Or have pregnancy-induced fits of impatience for all other breathing beings standing between me and a dinner that I need (need?) no later than 7pm. NO LATER THAN 7PM! Hello?! 7pm, People!)
Anyhu, I will say this: I am soooo glad at this moment that they no longer play at Sun Devil Stadium (very near my church), and that Glendale is far, far away so traffic won't be an issue for me. 'Cause ya know, it's all about my comfort level :)
Oh, and a total side-note but I'm going to bore you with my thinking anway - and keep in mind, I never "followed" the NFL until Jorde: the first time I heard of the Arizona Cardinals was in the movie Jerry Maguire. I thought the team was made up. Really. Cardinals?! What a stupid name for a desert-area football team! So I was sure it was a fake team used for the movie. Until I moved here. Why, oh why, didn't the owner (Mr. "One-Scoop After a Win" Bidwell) change to a more area-minded team name when he moved the franchise? It's my big pet-peeve where this team is concerned.
I figured you wanted to know ... and you're welcome :)
1.13.2009
Oh, the Sweetest Thing
I think my sweet tea consumption is causing an unnatural expansion in my belly region.
Of course, that could just be the Peanut I'm currently growing, but ya never know.
Aaahhh, sweet tea. The nectar of God (I'm pretty sure this is offered in Heaven. Oh please, let it be offered in Heaven!)
My love for this beverage should be pretty evident based on the TITLE OF MY BLOG, but just in case subtlety is lost on some of y'all: sweet tea is my favorite-est drink. Favorite-est.
And recently, McDonald's has begun offering sweet tea - and for the wonderful bargain price of a dollar for a large. Oh, the love I have for McDonald's right now.
Those of you back home (read: Alabama) are wondering why this is such a big deal. Isn't sweet tea offered at every McDonald's? NO. IT. ISN'T. Please keep this in mind when venturing from home, Southerners. It seems that not everyone drinks sweet tea.
Oh, the horror!
(I actually discovered this weird sweet-tea-is-not-a-universal-drink phenomenon in Louisiana, of all places. I've had sweet tea all over the South, and then I visited Ashli, in Louisiana. While still a Southern state, they apparently are outside of the sweet-tea-serving-South because I was accused by a waitress of being a tourist when I ordered sweet tea with a meal there. What-what? It was like I'd entered some alternate-Yankeefied-parallel universe. No sweet tea in a Southern restaurant? Just shameful.)
And as my brain does not always function on all cylinders (refer here for explanation), and I often forget that I haven't made any tea until I want tea, I am single-handedly keeping Mickey D's sweet tea distribution numbers high.
Which is good, since we surely do not want this sweetness to disappear. Ever.
Of course, that could just be the Peanut I'm currently growing, but ya never know.
Aaahhh, sweet tea. The nectar of God (I'm pretty sure this is offered in Heaven. Oh please, let it be offered in Heaven!)
My love for this beverage should be pretty evident based on the TITLE OF MY BLOG, but just in case subtlety is lost on some of y'all: sweet tea is my favorite-est drink. Favorite-est.
And recently, McDonald's has begun offering sweet tea - and for the wonderful bargain price of a dollar for a large. Oh, the love I have for McDonald's right now.
Those of you back home (read: Alabama) are wondering why this is such a big deal. Isn't sweet tea offered at every McDonald's? NO. IT. ISN'T. Please keep this in mind when venturing from home, Southerners. It seems that not everyone drinks sweet tea.
Oh, the horror!
(I actually discovered this weird sweet-tea-is-not-a-universal-drink phenomenon in Louisiana, of all places. I've had sweet tea all over the South, and then I visited Ashli, in Louisiana. While still a Southern state, they apparently are outside of the sweet-tea-serving-South because I was accused by a waitress of being a tourist when I ordered sweet tea with a meal there. What-what? It was like I'd entered some alternate-Yankeefied-parallel universe. No sweet tea in a Southern restaurant? Just shameful.)
And as my brain does not always function on all cylinders (refer here for explanation), and I often forget that I haven't made any tea until I want tea, I am single-handedly keeping Mickey D's sweet tea distribution numbers high.
Which is good, since we surely do not want this sweetness to disappear. Ever.
21 Weeks and All Is Well
Five months and counting, y'all :) Is it weird that pregnancy seems to take forever and flies by at the same time?
Most of y'all know I've been going in for weekly ultrasounds for 4 weeks now, to monitor for incompetent cervix. Today I graduated from weekly to every two weeks - yea! All measurements continue to come in great and no changes apparent. Praise God!
Also (and I don't think I've mentioned this yet), at the baseline ultrasound the tech noticed a polyp that now seems to be taking care of itself, which is good news, as well.
God is taking good care of us and Peanut.
Blessings abound, friends, and you all have a part in that. You've heard this from me many times and will continue to hear it, but always know I mean it - THANK YOU!
For your prayers, encouragement, love, and support, Jordan and I are sincerely grateful.
Much love and blessings to each of you,
Most of y'all know I've been going in for weekly ultrasounds for 4 weeks now, to monitor for incompetent cervix. Today I graduated from weekly to every two weeks - yea! All measurements continue to come in great and no changes apparent. Praise God!
Also (and I don't think I've mentioned this yet), at the baseline ultrasound the tech noticed a polyp that now seems to be taking care of itself, which is good news, as well.
God is taking good care of us and Peanut.
Blessings abound, friends, and you all have a part in that. You've heard this from me many times and will continue to hear it, but always know I mean it - THANK YOU!
For your prayers, encouragement, love, and support, Jordan and I are sincerely grateful.
Much love and blessings to each of you,
1.06.2009
It's a Southern Thing
Some of y'all are not gonna care one whit about this post. But I don't care, I'm sharin' anyway!
I came across a blog today that made me grin like the Chesire Cat.
Most of y'all are aware that I'm a transplanted Southerner (as often evidenced by the common use of "y'all" in my posts). I'm Alabama born-n-raised, with a short stint in Texas thrown in for good measure. I love the South (yes, always with a capital S). It's in my blood - I cringe at the idea that I may live my grandchil'en years in Arizona (please, God, naw!!). I've spoken before about the manners that are expected there that I hope to instill in our children (yes ma'am, no ma'am, etc), and the little kindnesses that happen between folks who don't even know each other (an 80 year-old gentlemen holding a door open for you, getting a wave from a back-roads wanderer as you pass in the car, every car pulling off the road as a funeral procession passes). Then there's the food...mmmm-mm! And the scenery. God blessed that land with beauty and none-a y'all will ever convince me there's a better place on earth! The land of porch sittin', sweet tea drinkin', and firefly catchin' in the evening dusk. I admit I get homesick quite often.
Now, I'm not delusional. The humidity sucks (although I only realized that after not living in it a few years - good hair days are easier when you're not battling frizz) - it saps your energy and makes you look like you need another shower at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. And it makes mosquitoes, I just know it (my hubby thought I was kidding him when I told him about the special "mosquito trucks" that drive around in the early evening spraying bug-killing-stuff into the air).
My point is: I know no place is perfect - but the South is awful close. And more importantly, it's close to my heart.
So, I came across BooMama's blog today and bless-her-heart, y'all, it felt a little like being at home! You can hear her accent in her writing and I love it!
Of course, she apparently believes her presence at her parent's house caused the Georgia win over Auburn in '07 and was happy about that, so we may never be able to watch SEC football together without throwin' down, but otherwise, I have totally enjoyed visitin' over at her blog.
One post in particular that I loved can be accessed by clicking here - it cracked me up because I remember all those rules!!
So, I hope all y'all enjoy a trip down home - and y'all come back now, ya here?!
I came across a blog today that made me grin like the Chesire Cat.
Most of y'all are aware that I'm a transplanted Southerner (as often evidenced by the common use of "y'all" in my posts). I'm Alabama born-n-raised, with a short stint in Texas thrown in for good measure. I love the South (yes, always with a capital S). It's in my blood - I cringe at the idea that I may live my grandchil'en years in Arizona (please, God, naw!!). I've spoken before about the manners that are expected there that I hope to instill in our children (yes ma'am, no ma'am, etc), and the little kindnesses that happen between folks who don't even know each other (an 80 year-old gentlemen holding a door open for you, getting a wave from a back-roads wanderer as you pass in the car, every car pulling off the road as a funeral procession passes). Then there's the food...mmmm-mm! And the scenery. God blessed that land with beauty and none-a y'all will ever convince me there's a better place on earth! The land of porch sittin', sweet tea drinkin', and firefly catchin' in the evening dusk. I admit I get homesick quite often.
Now, I'm not delusional. The humidity sucks (although I only realized that after not living in it a few years - good hair days are easier when you're not battling frizz) - it saps your energy and makes you look like you need another shower at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. And it makes mosquitoes, I just know it (my hubby thought I was kidding him when I told him about the special "mosquito trucks" that drive around in the early evening spraying bug-killing-stuff into the air).
My point is: I know no place is perfect - but the South is awful close. And more importantly, it's close to my heart.
So, I came across BooMama's blog today and bless-her-heart, y'all, it felt a little like being at home! You can hear her accent in her writing and I love it!
Of course, she apparently believes her presence at her parent's house caused the Georgia win over Auburn in '07 and was happy about that, so we may never be able to watch SEC football together without throwin' down, but otherwise, I have totally enjoyed visitin' over at her blog.
One post in particular that I loved can be accessed by clicking here - it cracked me up because I remember all those rules!!
So, I hope all y'all enjoy a trip down home - and y'all come back now, ya here?!
Halfway to the Goal
Wow, folks. We are officially half-way through our pregnancy today. One week further along than when Samantha came to us earlier this year.
And no problems or worries to report.
Yea, God!! Woo-hoo, Jesus!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou for these blessings!
Today is the first day I haven't felt tense with anxiety - well, after the monitoring ultrasound earlier this morning came back perfect again :) Not that my concerns are magically gone - letting go of worry is harder than it should be - but they are much less in the forefront of my thoughts today. And that is a blessing, too. Part of my prayers have been to help me let go of my anxiety and worry, to have as stress-free a pregnancy as possible. Lots of deep breathing involved and mentally pushing away unwelcome thoughts - it's definitely an effort and not something that happens overnight. I'm a easy worrier, but it's getting better all the time. "Let go and let God", as they say.
One of the beautiful gifts of our Catholic faith is the communion of saints and the prayer support they offer us. As we have asked for prayers from our family and friends for us and Peanut, so, too, do we beseech Mary and the saints to pray for us to her Son.
O Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Your tender Mother, Our Lady of La Leche, who bore You close to her heart during those long months before Your birth, I place my baby and myself entirely in Your Hands. Free me, I beseech You, from useless and consuming worry. Accept the sacrifice of my aches and pains, which I unite to Your sufferings on the Cross. Above all, most merciful and loving Jesus, protect this child You have given to me from all harm, bestowing the health and vigor every baby needs. Implant in my heart and on my lips the words and prayers of Your Mother and mine, our Lovely Lady of La Leche. All this I ask that my child and I may live to praise forever Your Holy Name. Amen.
And no problems or worries to report.
Yea, God!! Woo-hoo, Jesus!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou for these blessings!
Today is the first day I haven't felt tense with anxiety - well, after the monitoring ultrasound earlier this morning came back perfect again :) Not that my concerns are magically gone - letting go of worry is harder than it should be - but they are much less in the forefront of my thoughts today. And that is a blessing, too. Part of my prayers have been to help me let go of my anxiety and worry, to have as stress-free a pregnancy as possible. Lots of deep breathing involved and mentally pushing away unwelcome thoughts - it's definitely an effort and not something that happens overnight. I'm a easy worrier, but it's getting better all the time. "Let go and let God", as they say.
One of the beautiful gifts of our Catholic faith is the communion of saints and the prayer support they offer us. As we have asked for prayers from our family and friends for us and Peanut, so, too, do we beseech Mary and the saints to pray for us to her Son.
O Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Your tender Mother, Our Lady of La Leche, who bore You close to her heart during those long months before Your birth, I place my baby and myself entirely in Your Hands. Free me, I beseech You, from useless and consuming worry. Accept the sacrifice of my aches and pains, which I unite to Your sufferings on the Cross. Above all, most merciful and loving Jesus, protect this child You have given to me from all harm, bestowing the health and vigor every baby needs. Implant in my heart and on my lips the words and prayers of Your Mother and mine, our Lovely Lady of La Leche. All this I ask that my child and I may live to praise forever Your Holy Name. Amen.
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