Preggo Friday!

Baby Progress:
Your little one is now roughly the size of an apple. She is about 4 inches long and weighs about 2 ½ ounces. Her legs are now longer than her arms and her bones are getting harder and stronger!
At 15 weeks, her skin is still thin and transparent, but she has developed a thin layer of hair to help protect her body. This layer of hair is called lanugo and it is present on every part of your baby's body, even her finger nails!
She is also moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract. This action helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. And even though her eyes will remain fused shut until approximately 26 weeks, she can actually sense light in your womb!

My Progress:
How far along? 15 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +4 lbs.
How much does baby weigh? according to the above 2 1/2 ounces
Symptoms: Occasional waves of nausea, gassy (ew), pregnancy brain has settled in already, very sensitive, backaches, dry skin, snacky all the time!
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything, except for my PJ's.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Great!
Best moment this week:
Food cravings: milk shakes, fries and root beer.
Food aversions: never know when this will happen, for example Saturday night I was enjoying a hamburger-I ate about 1/2 of it when it suddenly started tasted disgusting to me.
Gender: Still waiting...
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? in.
What I miss: nothing as of right now, I've waited so long for this.....
What I am looking forward to: finding out what baby is; but that won't happen until the end of May!
Milestones: well, I have felt the baby move; but some people think I am crazy!

Thursday Update

Well, my belly is full and my feet are tired...we arrived in Rapid City, SD around 3:00 this afternoon! Checked into our hotel, went and grabbed a bite to eat using coupons and then went and bought a Christmas present for Joseph's parents! Yes, I did say-Christmas present! It was a good deal that we couldn't pass up! So, were staying in Rapid City tonight and will arrive home tomorrow!
This past week, we were still in Glenrock, Wyoming and had a blast! We stayed with our friends Andy and Theresa Stellpflug and their 4 kids...we played Mario on the Wii, watched movies and just had fun teasing one another and talking! Theresa and her daughter Shantelle actually gave me my first baby gifts, other than family-though they are like family to me! Shantelle made us 2 receiving blankets for baby, which is so special to us and I told her we would take baby home with us in one of the blankets-she will just have to come to SD to believe it!
Joseph had the opportunity to preach on Wednesday in Glenrock-the church there is already a supporting church of ours and it always nice to visit there! God really took care of us while we were in Wyoming, through unexpected opportunities for Joseph to preach and from love offerings! But, also God provided and blessed us in a tremendous way this past week, in a way we could never imagine! Someone, from we assume our home church, anonymously gave us enough money and then some to pay off our baby bills when the time comes to have baby! So, that means we will have a debt free baby! Yay! I was overwhelmed at the generosity that was shown to us and amazed at how once again God was taking care of us and meeting not only todays needs; but the needs of the future.
Also, this past week I discovered some unfortunate news...my passport was rejected because I have an expired license. Yes, I have been driving with an expired license since February 2nd of this year. I am so mad at myself that this happened, I think I got confused because my license was supposed to last for 5 years. When I married, I went and got a new license with my new last name and they just carried over my previous license to my new one, which left me with only 2 years-I thought when I got my new license it was for 5 years; but obviously, I was wrong. So, this means that I "get" to take the written test all over again...I haven't taken the written test in 13 years-I hope I pass! This also means that it will not be so fun proving to them my identity because they won't accept my expired license they will treat me like a brand new SD resident, I will have to show 2 forms of ID and 2 pieces of mail that have been addressed to me. Oh the fun times I have,
Well, I hope to see you tomorrow and I hope this has found you doing well! Happy Thursday!

10 on Tuesday

1. Tomorrow I will be 15 weeks pregnant, sometimes it feels like its taking forever to get to the next week of pregnancy; but then when I realize the week I'm on its crazy to think that I am that far along already!
2. Still in Wyoming and having a blast! Pedicures, a birthday party, a cookout, watching movies with friends, playing the Wii...fun times!
3. Sunday was a blessing! We stopped in a church that we went to last year and they let Joseph give a brief update and gave us a love offering! The love offering was an unexpected blessing which we are so thankful for!
4. For those of you that know that I have been craving Arby's...the craving is now gone! I had Arby's Sunday and yesterday! I had it two days because Sunday was a disappointment, they served me a cold sandwich; but yesterday was better and my craving is now satisfied!
5. Thursday we will begin our trek home, with an overnight stop in Rapid City before arriving home on Friday!
6. While home I will be kept busy with substitute teaching kindergartners, a doctors appointment and hopefully a hair appointment! We also have some area churches to visit while we are home; but look forward to seeing some of my church friends!
7. Joseph has been busy trying to schedule meetings for a summer and its been slow coming; but today he was able to schedule two meetings and our summer is slowly filling with meetings!
8. Please pray for us, we are looking to move into a different apartment and as of right now there are no openings until September/October and even then we are not sure if there will be an opening. We are praying that an opening will come and that God will work it out for us to move!
9. Today is a beautiful day, finally! Before we left to come to Wyoming, I looked at the weather report which told me it would be in the 70's while we are here-so I packed for warm weather! I should have known better, thus far it has only been warm 2 of the days we have been here-the rest of the days really called for winter clothing. Wyoming has such funny weather! Last year when we were in April, it was 70 on Sunday and on Monday we woke up to 18 inches of snow...oh my!
10. Still lots to do today, finish the addressing envelopes, the post office for stamps and whatever else that needs to be accomplished is calling my name! I better get to it-have a great Tuesday!

Preggo Friday!

Baby Progress:
By week 14, your baby is around the size of a lemon, measuring about 3 1/2 inches and weighing 1 1/2 ounces. His body also starts to even out this week, as his arms and head are finally proportionate to the rest of his body. His hands and feet now measure about a 1/2 inch long and are actively punching and kicking inside you. Don't be alarmed if you can't feel this movement, it's too small for you to feel.
Your baby is also busy making facial expressions by week 14. He can squint his eyes, and his lips can turn into a frown. His neck has grown longer and his chin starts to take shape. His kidneys can produce urine and his liver has begun to produce bile. His spleen has even begun to help in the production of red blood cells.

My Progress Report:
How far along? 14 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +4 lbs.
How much does baby weigh?
Symptoms: Occasional waves of nausea, tire easily, gassy (ew), pregnancy brain has settled in already, very sensitive, backaches.
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything, except for my PJ's.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Most of the time good.
Best moment this week: Making it 14 weeks!
Food cravings: Right now Arby's sounds really good....
Food aversions: Leftover Taco Casserole...for some reason the stench from it being reheated was totally disgusting.
Gender: Still waiting...
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? in.
What I miss: nothing as of right now, I've waited so long for this.....
What I am looking forward to: finding out what baby is; but that won't happen until the end of May!
Milestones: well, I have felt the baby move; but some people think I am crazy!

Thursday Update

Hello there! We are in chilly Glenrock, Wyoming where we will be staying until a week from today. We arrived on Tuesday and I must say I arrived here exhausted! I guess my body needs to readjust to traveling once again, I think traveling is harder on my body now that I am pregnant.
Last night, we had a meeting in Casper, Wyoming! It really was a great church-the people were so friendly and I think Joseph and the Pastor could relate well to one another! Afterwards, we were able to go for ice cream at Dairy Queen with friends and a blast! And, just for your information-ice cream lovers head to Dairy Queen where you can buy one blizzard and get the second for a quarter! What a deal!
This morning, we woke up early and had breakfast with friends and had the opportunity to meet the pastor of a church we will be with in August. I am still tired from waking up and really we didn't wake up that early; but I think it was just waking up and having to deal with our cell phone provider first thing in the morning! Apparently, there is a cell phone tower down; but thankfully, we are not having the issues. We are with Sprint and as long as we don't call a Verizon customer because their towers are down here in Wyoming our service is fine! So, after filling up on a big breakfast it is almost daunting to know that in just an hour were meeting our friends at Olive Garden for lunch-now really how do they expect me to eat with a full belly?!
This weekend, I really don't know what is planned; but we will be in Douglas, Wyoming visiting a couple of churches we were in last year! You know just to remind them that we still exist! Whenever we have a chance we like to stop back in and visit churches we have been in before, its a good way to stay before the peoples eyes and sometimes it actually helps gain support!
Okay, well this tired lady is going to go rest my tired eyes for a few minutes...see you tomorrow!

Apology

Okay, so really the only time I view my own blog is when I publish a post...the 1st song in my playlist is, I Surrender All and very rarely do I ever stay on long enough to make it to the next song on my playlist. Well, today I had my blog minimized and was catching up on some blogs that I like to read, when suddenly this pretty piano song I was listening to became a very unpretty song! My husband was like, "what is that?" I naturally replied, believing it to be trues, "it must be this blog that I am reading." Well, I close out of the blog because the music really was beginning to give me a headache and the music continued to play, so I closed out of another blog and the music was still playing! I then realized, could it be true? Yes, it could be because it was completely true the nasty music was being played on my blog. So, I do apologize for that offensive music that I couldn't even stomach and my friends all know that I do not agree with. Please accept my apology? Next time, I will be sure to listen to the song completely before posting it to my blog!

Wedded Wednesday

So,apparently-being the next one to marry if you catch the bride's bouqet is a myth! Everyone who voted in my poll, voted that this has never happened to them and in the 2nd poll that it really is just a myth-no one even dared to vote that they are wishing it to be true. I must admit, I do kind of side with everyone! Considering, I caught the 'flower' that the bride threw at a wedding when I was around 7-8 years old and I never did get married the following year, in fact I had to wait 17-18 more years...lets just ignore the fact that I was a child and really wasn't of legal age to get married, we will just focus on the fact, I did catch the flower! Then when I was 20 something, I went to my friend Tisha's wedding, and her throwaway bouqet was actually 3-I caught one and I remember Hannah, a girl in our church who was probably around 10 caught one and that was about 6-7 years ago. Needless to say, Hannah has not married yet and I would have been completely mortified if she had already married and I was still waiting considering I'm at least 10-11 years older than her! But, even catching Tisha's bouqet and being at what one might consider the marrying age, I still did not get married the following year! And, the girl that caught my bouqet now 2 years ago is still not married! All these conclusions just keep leading me to believe this really is just a myth!

10 on Tuesday

1. Ladies retreat was this past weekend, the theme was, “For Such a Time as This”. And, what a great time it was! I did 1 workshop and three short “lessons” throughout the retreat….I really do enjoy public speaking!
2. I learned that while yes, I always get really nervous before I speak and when I get up there in front of everyone, my nerves flee away; but when pregnant, the nerves I get wreak havoc on my tummy.
3. I have had an excruciating backache all weekend, it started Saturday afternoon and it was bad. Gloria, a nurse for Sanford was at the retreat advised me to go home immediately after the retreat was over, lay down and drink lots of fluid and not to go anywhere unless it was absolutely necessary. She said I probably overdid myself this past week. As of, Monday the ache had moved to my shoulders and eased quite a bit and my doctor says not to worry.
4. You ask, how in the world did you manage to overdo it? Well, last week was very busy! Monday, we had traveled home from Iowa and did many errands that day. Tuesday, I babysat all morning and afternoon long, laundry, followed with errands, paying bills, cleaning. Wednesday, babysat once again, with more errands to follow and church! Thursday, last day of babysitting, major cleaning and final prep for ladies retreat. Friday, my parents came into town, shopping and ladies retreat-didn’t get home until after 10 that night and on Saturday, was up very early to ready for the ladies retreat that started at 8 and finished at 3!
5. We are on our way to Wyoming for some meetings. I discovered that being pregnant actually makes it easier on me to pack for the trip! I’m limited to only maternity clothes and I don’t really have a lot of them, so picking out my clothes is very quick and easy!
6. I have officially completed my 1st trimester, yay! I am told that nausea should subside; but I kind of wonder if whoever said this knows what they are saying because I still have it!
7. Because of my nausea that I have, it doesn’t happen every day-its very sporadic several people think that I am going to have a boy; but then there are others who think I am having a girl because of the baby’s heart beat being in the 160s! We have decided that someone is right; but who that is we will not know until next month sometime!
8. Today we finish our trek to Wyoming, where we will be for the next week to week and a half.
9. I should have internet access this week, so I will be attempting to be faithful and post Wedded Wednesday, Thursday Update and Preggo Friday! Limited internet is very much a disadvantage to having a blog that is meant to be updated several times a week.
10. I’m trying to figure something out, why is it that my husband is always so willing to drag me to stores like Scheels with him; but is so unwilling to let me drag him to stores like Hobby Lobby? I think he goes out of his way to avoid Hobby Lobby….mmm?

Thursday Update

Well, the week is almost over and boy has it been busy and to think that the next few days are going to be just as busy-whew! Monday, had us traveling home and trying to get errands done that we knew we wouldn't have time to do except for then. Tuesday, I spent the day babysitting, followed by errands and an attempt to clean the apartment. Wednesday, more babysitting, errands and church to end the evening. Today, my last day of babysitting, a couple errands to run afterwards and extreme cleaning of the apartment is to be done! I was going to make mention that I did a ton of laundry on Tuesday; but I decided otherwise after all the comments I had gotten from friends when I had shared this information with them on Tuesday. People seem to think its funny that I think I have a mountain load of laundry now and the baby isn't even here yet! Well, for two people- 5 loads in 1 week seems to be alot. And yes, I do realize that when baby comes I will still have mountains of laundry!
We are praying for God to give us direction concerning our apartment. We pay rent according to our income, which is wonderful since we are always on the road. Well, August will bring us to the time of recertification and our rent will be going up quite a bit, because thankfully our support has doubled since last August! Wow! There are apartments, that would cost us the same amount if we were to just stay in our current apartment; but with a few more advantages, such as: a garage, a dishwasher, washer/dryer in the unit...I think some of those advantages make it worth it to move especially if its going to cost us the same amount that our current apartment rent would go up to and we don't have those amenities now! If we do move it would be kind of nice to get it done with before baby arrives! So, please pray with us concerning this!
Speaking of apartment cost going up, we are praying that God gives us more support! We are at approximately 40% of our needed support and it would be so awesome to be in Norway sometime next year! Please pray with us concerning this as well!
Well, again ladies retreat is this weekend, my parents will be here and packing for our next trip will keep me very busy! Enjoy your weekend!

Wedded Wednesday

Here I am throwing my bouqet to all the single gals at the wedding, they all want to be the one that gets married next. I just wonder how accurate this tale is? In my lifetime I have the caught the bouqet twice and never got married within a years time. What do you think about this tale? Please vote in my survey that is located below my profile.

10 on Tuesday

1. Today started out bright and early, as I am babysitting my friends 3 kiddos for the day...tomorrow and Thursday as well.
2. While babysitting she is letting me catch up on my laundry which is a mountain load; but thankfully I am currently on my last load for the day and Joseph will finally have clean socks once again!
3. Last night I was able to catch up on my pregnancy scrapbook-I love scrapbooking! Speaking of scrapbooking, Michael's has their Cricut cartridges on sale! So, needless to say, I had some extra money and had to purchase a cartridge and I can't wait to use it! I bought "Forever Young", its a girly cartridge; but fun and I am going to put it to use on my next scrapbook!
4. I really have accomplished a lot today, I worked on my workshop and my tidbits for ladies retreat and I now only have one more tidbit to finish and I will be all ready for the retreat!
5. Tomorrow, I will be 13 weeks pregnant! The end of my 1st trimester!
6. I have really been enjoying this nice weather, do you think its possible that Spring is really here?! I hope so!
7. You know I really like the idea of 10 on Tuesday; but I think pregnancy brain is setting in and I am having a hard time remembering things that I thought would be good to put on here!
8. Sometimes we don't always know how, but the Lord always has an answer for us and it looks like He is answering a prayer of mine! Can't wait to see the outcome!
9. Next week, we are Wyoming bound and I can't wait to see some friends out there! I am looking forward to a good time!
10. May, beginning of June really can't come fast enough-that is when we get to find out if we are having a boy or girl!

Monday...is here!

So,here we begin Monday! This week I have much to do...finish my workshop notes and tidbit notes for the ladies retreat that begins Friday. I am babysitting Tuesday through Thursday for a friend and on top of all this packing up once again to get back on the road for a few weeks. Life is so busy; but maybe it will help me get to my 4th month of pregnancy quicker.
This past weekend took us to to my parents for a visit. On Friday my mom and I went to lunch and did a little shopping to look at baby things! What we couldn't get over was the fact that alot of stores no longer carry maternity clothes...do they think people in their community will no longer be having babies? But, we had lots of fun 'window shopping'! Joseph went with my dad to a preachers meeting and was able to get in contact with several pastors for possible summer meetings!
Last week, I had my 1st official prenatal visit. I really believe that my "Firefly" is a little mover because every time we have heard the heart beat, it takes the doctor a minute to find it and have the chance to hear it before the baby is off and moving again! It is so neat to hear the heart beat...it just makes it even more real-there is really a life in my tummy! Wow! I had to do a bunch of tests as well at this appointment, one of which lots of bloodwork was taken-4 vials! And needless to say they were some uncomfy tests, that you don't want to know about and I am just thankful to know that I don't have to do those test anymore! When we left the doctor, we came away with an armful of stuff...a free book, free magazine, free journal, hospital packets and already my registration form for the hospital! That registration form looks a little daunting, with all the decisions that need to be made concerning delivery...this little life inside of me is already changing our lives and once again we are so excited!
Okay, well I should probably go and clean up our mess and pack up so we can head home today!

Preggo Friday

Baby Progress:
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.


My Progress Report:
How far along? 12 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: 4 lbs.
How much does baby weigh?
Symptoms: Occasional waves of nausea, tire easily, gassy (ew),very dry skin and lips, pregnancy brain as settled in already, very sensitive.
Maternity clothes? Most things are except for a few shirts.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Most of the time good.
Best moment this week: Heard baby's heart beat!
Food cravings: Funfetti cake!
Food aversions: Leftover Taco Casserole...for some reason the stench from it being reheated was totally disgusting.
Gender: Still waiting...
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? in.
What I miss: nothing as of right now, I've waited so long for this.....
What I am looking forward to: finding out what baby is; but that won't happen until the end of May!
Milestones: making it 12 weeks, they say the 1st trimester carries the strongest chance of miscarriage.

10 for the Week

1. Obviously,I did not post 10 on Tuesday so I decided to just do it for the week. I am so far behind on being good to update my blog weekly, so this is to help make up for things!
2. Currently, we are in Iowa with my parents. I am looking forward to spending tomorrow afternoon with my mom, were going to lunch and maybe a little shopping. Joseph is going with my dad to a preacher's meeting!
3. Next week is our ladies retreat and I still need to finish my thoughts for my workshop and tidbits. I am so excited about doing the workshop, I have had the desire to do this particular workshop for a long time. My workshop is, Serving God in the Unplanned Journey.
4. Since I am attempting to drink as little caffeine as possible, I have discovered Vanilla Bean Frappuccinos from Starbucks...so good.
5. But, one thing that I don't want to drink is water...I need to I just hate it so much-it is disgusting to me. Nonetheless, I am trying and I am hoping that everyone is right and that I really will crave it in the summer heat.
6. I have to say, I was very disappointed in the Butler/Duke game...I was pulling for Butler and my mother in law was unfortunately pulling for Duke-which kind of makes me doubt her salvation! Just kidding! But, a big congrats to her for being the only in our family to win the bracket!
7. In a couple of weeks we go to Wyoming for a couple of weeks for some meetings. Please pray with us that God will give us meetings this summer we really need them since we will not be able to schedule them for fall because of our bundle of joy that is on the way!
8. I had my 1st official prenatal visit today and it went pretty good. Uncomfortable but I think good. I will post some pregnancy updates tomorrow with possible belly shots as I am now 3 months!
9. With my prenatal visit, I had lots of bloodwork done and it now hurts to bend my arm. But, thankfully I don't have anymore bloodwork to look forward to until somewhere between weeks 28-30!
10. Well, I must be going my parents have Thursday night church and I must make myself presentable...see you tomorrow when you are reading Preggo Friday!

Wedded Wednesday

25 Random Things About Our Wedding

1. I was 25 and Joseph was 27 when we were married!
2. We had no clue as to what we were supposed to be doing at our wedding reception, so we didn't stay around to long!
3. In the middle of the night, on our wedding night, we opened all of our gifts and cards...because it was so spontaneous, to this day we do not know if proper thank you notes were ever given to the people who were the actual givers of each gift!
4. The only thing we had to eat at our reception was the bite of cake we fed one another.
5. I wanted wedding mints so bad for the wedding, so my friend and her mother made them for the wedding and I didn't even have one-so sad.
6. Joseph gave the groomsman cuff links and money clips for their gift...our groomsman all thought the money clip was a tie clip-it was very funny!
7. Our Wedding Songs: Household of Faith, When God Made You and Lord, Bless Our Home.
8. Our good friend, Jeremiah sang, When God Made You and basically made up his own lyrics to the song because he noticed that I started to tear up and it made him lose his concentration! But, he did wonderful-I didn't even notice that he wasn't singing the right words!
9. Joseph's dad did the wedding charge and my dad did our vows!
10. We did not have a traditional flower girl, Joseph dropped the petals down the aisle to prepare the way for his bride!
11. I am a gum chewer and at the last minute realized I still had gum in my mouth and didn't think it was really appropriate to be chewing it during the ceremony...so my good friend Chelsea held out her hand and took the gum! What a true friend she is!
12. Joseph and I did not see each other on our wedding day until I started my journey down the aisle.
13. I was fine all day long, then after I had my pictures taken before the ceremony I started to hyperventilate and my matron of honor, Diana, had to give me a stern talking to!
14. I wore white lacy tennis shoes!
15. Our wedding party wrote out grades for our kiss; but our kiss was so short they barely had time to unfold the paper to show our guests!
16. When it was time to exchange the rings, Diana and Jennifer thought it would be funny to tuck the groom's ring into a Cracker Jack box. Mmm...
17. Our wedding night was spent at the Comfort Inn in Brandon,SD! It was so nice that we didn't have far to travel after a very busy day.
18. To this day, we joke that our ushers were actually our bodyguards as they all stood above 6 feet tall!
19. I had our wedding programs printed a week before the ceremony, the Tuesday before the wedding the couple who was to sing "Household of Faith" were very sick and to be replaced with Clarence and Sandy Collins-so unfortunately our actual singers did not make into our wedding program. But, we know who they are and are ever so thankful for them stepping in at the last minute!
20. We spent, maybe $100 for the sanctuary decorations...in my opinion that is cheap and I believe it was decorated beautifully! Beauty doesn't have to cost tons of money!
21. Our only real issue that happened during the ceremony was that our aisle runner kept getting stuck and would tear; but other than that our ceremony was smooth, beautiful and wonderful!
22. Kinda funny, but during the 1st song, Household of Faith-after my dad had given me away, no one at the altar could make eye contact with one another because we knew if we did the tears would come.
23. I always said, I would never be one of those couples that talk during the songs; but during the lighting of the unity candle, thats all Joseph and I did was talk.
24. When we lit the unity candle, wax poured all over my wrist-ouch!
25. January 4th, 2008 was one of the best days of my life! Forever and always!