Unprepared and Unexpected

Since my last post many things have changed in our household and boy was I not prepared for it. Our Second baby was born 6 weeks early. To read full story read here.

Since that post just mentioned, here is an update. I came home from the hospital on Friday the 10th (landon was born on the 8th). He stayed in the NICU for 6 days. Coming home friday night was very anticlimactic. Not fun at all. :( My sister, Jerelyn, had come up with her 2 sons to help me out. Which by the way was so huge for Richard and I. It allowed Carson to be able to stay here at home with her, and we could leave as much as we wished to visit Landon and not having to take Carson to someone else's house.

For 4 days my life was consumed with pumping every 2-3 hours (even at night) and being in the NICU for as many feedings as I could be. (which was about 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening). Might I add, no mother should have to be walking into the NICU 2 days after giving birth and walking all over the place carrying her stuff. Those next 4 days were pretty tiring and not the easiest. What I kept telling myself is that Landon really is doing great. Thankfully I didn't have to do it for that long. I know many parents who do that for a lot longer, and now I will know how to pray for them.

Landon came home on Tues the 14th!!! and we were so excited. Jerelyn left with her 2 boys on weds morning. I was really nervous about being home by myself right away, and Richard going back to work. (my mom cannot come until her original date that she bought her tickets for).

Through this whole process we have seen the church body we are a part of come to help us just like family. I have had a couple ladies come for a few hours each day to help me with things and that is so helpful. People have been bringing us meals, and a bunch of people brought us groceries to hold us over. As hard as it is without my mom being here, our church family has made it a lot easier on us. (and when my mom does get here at the end of the month, everything will be normalized and we can party and go galavanting all the time) :)

It was quite the experience, although I know there are a lot worse situations. And through it all Richard and I felt God's strength. It's so true, he gives you the strength to go through whatever he ordains for you to go through.

Now things are looking so good - Landon is a great baby so far. Sleeps a lot and eats every 3 hours. He is my little timer. Our house was a complete disaster without one thing done for the new baby. (In fact Labor day was supposed to be our day to prepare for him, but I was in the hospital). Slowly I've gotten a few projects done here and there, and our hosue is slowly coming together for a baby. we have organized our lives a little too which helps me feel better about it. Richard started classes too - so that is added busyness for him. But we will make it through. Not what we were expecting, but such a blessing. And one of the best things about this whole event is I ended work so unexpectedly. I was so tired and burnt out from working and thought I had at least one more month of it. But now I'm done with that job FOREVER!! :)

We love you Landon and are so thrilled you came early to meet us. :)

Update

Since we came back - I have aprox. 8 weeks until the second baby is due. My stomach grew like at least 5 inches while on vacation. I know some women love being pregnant and I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but I am pretty tired of being pregnant and there is realyl nothing that I really enjoy about being pregnant. Ok - I'll try to think of the positive and not complain - I love that my skin is so clear, I haven't had to wear make up and my face doesn't really break out at all - and my hair is super healthy. But I am really starting to get uncomfortable and now that I know what it all is like, and the amazing feeling the first few weeks of not being pregnant - I cannot wait to have that agian. I can't wait to sleep comfortably, walk comfortably, eat comfortably, and start the process of running and losing weight instead of constantly gaining weight no matter what I try to do.
I have so much to do before the baby comes though. I have tons of organizing to do with our upstairs, with our clothes and extra room, and toys and arranging everything. But what I'm really trying to do is get through one month and a week of work. UGH!!!
And our whole family is really anxiously waiting the cooler weather now. I had a great summer of fun in the sun - but now i can't wait until my favorite season - FALL!!!!

VA Beach trip

We just got back from a wonderful trip to VA Beach!!! So much to talk about with even how this all came about. We have great friends from College that live there. Richard's good friend and my best friend. In college there was a group of 4 guys that all hung out, prayed together and really challenged each other - Mike, Wes, Dan, and Richard. when we graduated the same year at college they committed to stay connected and to pray for each other and hold each other accountable through the many years of life. Well it's been 4 years since College graduation. We have all been in each mother's weddings, (except for dan, who we're still waiting on to get married). But we haven't seen each other since the last wedding almost 3 yrs ago. (all the wives sorta get thrown in the mix, but we really get along great to0). So a while ago we decided to plan this major tirp to VA beach and all committed to making this happen. when we started planning it we didn't realize there would be a 3 month old, a 4 week old, and a 31 week pregnant lady in the bunch, but we still all made the effort, and it was well worth it. Great group of friends with great memories to talk about, and making great memories.

Great time at the beach a couple days, Great food and coffee, and great talks were had by all.

God blessed us with awesome godly friends - and we are so thankful for them, and their encouragement to us. We have all gone our own ways - but we still make an effort to keep in touch.

And I was most happy b/c I got to visit with my best friend who is also there with her husband, and their new baby. sadlly i didn't take any pictures of them - I'll have to wait until she sends them to me.

Nothing better than some sister time!

Last weekend I took a day off from work and went to visit my sister. I hadn't seen her since February and she only lives 3 hrs away. There's just something so relaxing and enjoyable about spending time with your sister. She is my twin - but we are as opposite in every way possible. Having kids together has been so fun. We both are pretty relaxed about things and her house is plenty big enough for all of them to run around. We understand eachother and love each other no matter what. There's just nothing like family - and sometimes I really miss being around my family. She did her youngest son's 1st yr birthday party and I helped her with everything. Although I missed Richard terribly - I was so thankful for the time that I spent with Jerelyn. (Plus I don't think we will ever live this close after we are done here with school)

The Fall

So this past friday turned out different than i was planning. Here's the story . . .

Of course it's 6AM and I know I won't be able to doze back to sleep for a little bit more unless I make my way down to the toilet first - yes, I go to the bathroom all the time. So I got up still sleeping I think and start my trek down to the first floor of our apartment where the bathroom is conveniently located right next to our stove in the kitchen. :-) But as i step on the first 2 steps down my foot slips on the edge and I start falling all the way down - still half asleep I have no idea what I hit or what happened. I just got to the bottom of the stairs and layed there. My blood is hardly flowing at all and I got so lightheaded b/c of that. UGH!!! not a good feeling, although I must admit it's not the first time I've falled down stairs first thing in the morning - in fact probably every house I've lived in i've falled down the stairs at one point or another but not that distance. Needless to say - I woke up Richard who was scared to death and also Carson. So our day got started off pretty early I think. But after I wasn't dizzy anymore I went and layed on teh couch for a little. My loving husband had the marvelous idea of going to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast since we were up so early on a friday morning. That was a nice little treat.

So then I debated so much whether to call teh doc or not. I went back and forth, knowing everything was probably ok, but also knowing that everyone takes things very seriously when you fall with a baby inside you. So I called the doc office at about 9 AM. I was hoping she would just tell me to look for certain signs and if something did start happening to call them back. But no, she told me to go straight to Labor/delivery and get checked out. Well I debated whether to take Carson with me - but he had been up so early, and was really needing his morning nap, so I took him to the neighbors to sleep there while I would be gone, thinking it would take about an hour or so. (ha, was I wrong about that).
So after calling the people I'm responsible to for work, I made the short trek to the hospital. Without going into too much detail - i ended up being there for over 6 hrs (which by the way is the minimum you have to stay if you go in for a fall) and had blood work done, an ultrasound, and was on the fetal monitor all day. But I just layed in the bed and relaxed watching tv all day!!! i wished I brought a book, or computer or something. Next time (hopefully there isn't a next time) I will know better what to expect.
So everything is fine with the baby- and it all turned out great. I was a little shook up from the whole ordeal and the what if's. And my lower back is very sore and healing pretty slowly. But other than that it was an event come and gone. Thankful nothing more serious happened, and thankful for God's protection when I was half asleep.

2nd pregnancy

So here I am at 25 weeks. Onlly 15 or less to go. Some people say - oh that's not very much, others say - you still have a long way to go. So take that as you want to. :-)

this pregnancy I've craved lots of cold, expensive, calorie rich drinks. It's cold and costly - I want it. :-) Slushies, iced coffees, frappes, smoothies, milkshakes. Anything like that. I really need to get a blender and make some myself - but there is something about buying one that was made for you that tastes so good. :-)

Needless to say the only one I have really indulged in is the Iced Coffees - mostly b/c I can get them for $1.16 and they are very accessible. So wonderful. Hot coffee is not appealing to me at all but you say the work iced before it and I want it. :-)

I think it's probably b/c I'm pregnant through the summer and it's been so hot. But I will admit - so far the heat hasn't been as bad as I was anticipating - although the humidity realy does zap me of my energy. Overall i feel great still. Hoping that sticks around for a while.

I am so excited to have this baby and hold him, and enjoy him. With carson i had no idea what to expect and didn't understand the love you have for your children. this time around I understand all that. I cannot wait to have another child. God really does place something in a woman's heart for family and taking care of the home. I feel like I have just flourished as a woman in motherhood. Just thoroughly enjoying it.

One thing i'm very nervous and tend to get anzious about is the delivery. I really have my hopes up for a Vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC). But it's so hard to know what's going to happen. i will do all in my power - but most of it I'm powerless with. I know that I will be terribly disappointed if I have to have another surgery - but I'm just trying to prepare my heart for what God has and not have expectations. but at the same time I want to go into it with determination and even anticipation for what doctor's will want to do and prepared to stand up to it if I can. but the waiting game is the problem - I have no way to predict what will happen - and I just have to wait and see what will happen. So far everyone doctor or U/S doctor says I'm a perfect candidate but also - even they can't predict what will have to happen. SO I trust GOD!

End of June

So we finally go through the busiest part of our summer. I'm thankful we made it through. Now to enjoy the really hot summer days while working :-)

We week of the 21st - 25th we had our VBS at our church. Richard and i were in charge of the 3rd and 4th graders. VBS is always a lot of work - but so fun and rewarding in the end. It's such a funny thing - b/c you just are waiting the for the week to be over - but every day with the kiddos is so fun. You pray that you're time with them is profitable and that you are planting more seeds than it looks like you are. :-) We had another great couple helping us out - and we had fun working together.

June 27th Richard had the wonderful opportunity to preach at our church. We are in a transition period right now with no Senior pastor and trying to fill the pulpit. I guess everyone that was asked could not do it. It wasn't the most convenient time for him to prepare a message - but how can he turn down an opportunity that we wondered if we would ever have. So he gladly did it - it's so cool to see him doing what we know God has called us to eventually. He has such a passion for true expositional preaching centered on the gospel and to see him be able to prepare and do that makes my heart glad as his wife. he did a great job. Both of us pretty nervous about it - but he did so great. I was so proud of him. Cannot wait until the future when we are doingn stuff like that full time. (patience jessica, patience)

Then on the 30th of June we left after work and drove to NYC. The teens from our church were on their summer ministry trip. The youth pastor had to leave on thurs, so we drove to help take over and bring them home. Boy were we excited for this opportunity. it was so fun. We did take Carson and that does alter how much I could do with actual ministry - but boy we had a great time. The fact that it was NYC made me nervous - but it truly was enjoyable. Carson was flexible and although wasn't the happiest kid ever, he survived. we got to know a lot of the kids in the youth group and that was so wonderufl. Since both of us have a burden for the youth also. We learned things about what and what not to do or what we would like our youth group to look like as far as philosphy. Have a lot to learn about teens - but were so thankful for the opportunity.

We got back Sat July 3rd in the afternoon. Poor Carson isn't feeling too well, but we're hoping that it doesn't damper our plans to much.

Looking to the future - I have the 5th off of work!!!!!!! WOOHOOO. My twin Jerelyn will be coming to my hosue this week. And in August we will be taking a family vacation to VA beach to have a mini reunion with college friends. My last day of work will be Sept 30th and I cannot explain to you the happiness that I feel when I realize that. :-) then the baby comes.

Over all we are so thankful for the opportunity to experience and serve in our church and hope for more opportunities in the future. Please pray with us for decisions in the future.