Welcome home...fish?

Over the past weekend I attended the Cup of Joy retreat at Berry College.  It was a lovely experience full of relaxation, reflection, and renewal.  The theme of the retreat was "The Bride of Christ," and we talked and studied about how God told Jesus to "go get yourself an adulterous wife" - just as he told Hosea.  It was a very  unique way of looking at the love that the Father and Jesus have for us.  We are adulterous on so many different levels...whenever we put anything above or before  Him.  Yet, despite our adultery, He still pursues our hearts as His bride.  One of my favorite quotes from the weekend is this: "God wants you to lose sight of yourself long enough to be overwhelmed by the sight of Him."  Beautiful.

If you'd like more information about Cup of Joy, you can visit them online at www.cupofjoy.org.  There are some amazing women who orchestrate the organization.  (While I was on the retreat, I got an idea of what Scott and I can do for our 6th anniversary next year.  I hope we can go on the Winshape "Romantic Adventure" retreat.  Fun, fun!)

It was surprising to me how "well" I did away from Ella Beth.  I would say that I thought about her often, but I didn't necessarily long for her like I thought I would.  I am so thankful that God allowed me some time away to renew myself - as His daughter, as a wife, and as a mother.  I can't wait for the opportunity to do it again.  Albeit, it may be a while!

Well, I arrived home to pets.  Ella Beth and Daddy's pets.  Which of course become Mommy's pets. :)  Daddy does, however, promise to clean the tank.  Thank goodness!

Ella Beth loves her fish.  She asks to feed them at least 15 times each day.  We are currently feeding them about 5 times per day, but not too much at one feeding.  She HAS to feed them herself, of course.  We're still working at getting all of the fish food in the tank!!!

Today, my friend Meredith and her little boy came over to visit and play.  It is always SO nice to have them visit, and today was especially nice.  I started having very persistent and intense contractions early this morning.  Today was the first day that I have ever experienced back labor.  Oh My Word.  It was horrible.  If I didn't have Mere's visit to distract me, I would have balled up and just cried in misery for a while.  (I probably should have called my doctor b/c my contractions lasted about three hours, but since I have my appointment tomorrow I was trying to "tough it out."  I felt better in the afternoon, but started feeling badly again this evening.  We'll see what the perinatal specialist says tomorrow.)  Anyway, Meredith's little boy, Jackson, is a sweetie and Ella Beth loves him to pieces!  When she woke up from her nap this afternoon, her first word was "Jackson!"  Here's a cute pic of the two of them together on the sofa.  Ella Beth has a tendency to put her fingers in her mouth when she gets a little shy or embarassed.  I think Jackson lovin' on her made her blush. :)

Oh, boy! Prego update.

Well, well, well.  Of all the appointments, this has been the most interesting (and longest) of this pregnancy.  I actually saw 4 different doctors/nurses/midwives this morning.  I had an ultrasound to determine how Landon and I are growing.  Apparently, we're not growing much.  I lost a pound.  Landon and I both measured 32 weeks today, which is 3-4 weeks behind where I am in pregnancy.  (They have concluded that they can't really determine my due date all of a sudden.)  Anyway, my cervix hasn't dilated, but I am "thin" and almost 50% effaced.  The doctor said that Landon is "right there" and "the only thing keeping him in, is that my cervix hasn't dilated more."  Okay.  Interesting.

Landon and I are having another "test" at the Perinatal Center on Tuesday.  They want to make sure that everything is okay in case he does come, or they decide they need to induce me, within the next 2 or 3 weeks.  Apparently, my body just gets to a point where it just can't grow any more.  I did this with Ella Beth, too.  However, since my body never showed signs of progression the way it is with this pregnancy I didn't have to do these special tests.  I am sure things are all fine, but I am thankful that I have doctors and midwives who really do look out for our best interests.  Can I also say, that I'm glad to know that
my misery isn't all in my head.  I have been in such discomfort for the
last two weeks; it's just nice to know that I'm not a weeny. :)  I am relieved to know that Landon isn't a "big baby," too.  Hopefully, that will make labor and delivery as wonderful this go 'round as it was with Ella Beth.  People think I'm crazy, but that's what I'm looking forward to the most.  It was just such a fantastic experience with Ella Beth, that I am so excited about being in the hospital and giving birth!

I'll be sure to post an update next week after my perinatal appointment.

This weekend, my friend Ashley and I are going on a women's retreat at Berry College - my old stomping grounds!  It is the Cup of Joy retreat, and it is supposed to be wonderful.  I can't wait to share how it goes and what I learn.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. :)

Oh, boy! Prego update.

Well, well, well.  Of all the appointments, this has been the most interesting (and longest) of this pregnancy.  I actually saw 4 different doctors/nurses/midwives this morning.  I had an ultrasound to determine how Landon and I are growing.  Apparently, we're not growing much.  I lost a pound.  Landon and I both measured 32 weeks today, which is 3-4 weeks behind where I am in pregnancy.  (They have concluded that they can't really determine my due date all of a sudden.)  Anyway, my cervix hasn't dilated, but I am "thin" and almost 50% effaced.  The doctor said that Landon is "right there" and "the only thing keeping him in, is that my cervix hasn't dilated more."  Okay.  Interesting.

Landon and I are having another "test" at the Perinatal Center on Tuesday.  They want to make sure that everything is okay in case he does come, or they decide they need to induce me, within the next 2 or 3 weeks.  Apparently, my body just gets to a point where it just can't grow any more.  I did this with Ella Beth, too.  However, since my body never showed signs of progression the way it is with this pregnancy I didn't have to do these special tests.  I am sure things are all fine, but I am thankful that I have doctors and midwives who really do look out for our best interests.  Can I also say, that I'm glad to know that
my misery isn't all in my head.  I have been in such discomfort for the
last two weeks; it's just nice to know that I'm not a weeny. :)  I am relieved to know that Landon isn't a "big baby," too.  Hopefully, that will make labor and delivery as wonderful this go 'round as it was with Ella Beth.  People think I'm crazy, but that's what I'm looking forward to the most.  It was just such a fantastic experience with Ella Beth, that I am so excited about being in the hospital and giving birth!

I'll be sure to post an update next week after my perinatal appointment.

This weekend, my friend Ashley and I are going on a women's retreat at Berry College - my old stomping grounds!  It is the Cup of Joy retreat, and it is supposed to be wonderful.  I can't wait to share how it goes and what I learn.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. :)

My baby girl

My baby girl is 18 months old today.  That's a Year and a Half.  That's 6 months shy of turning 2. 

That's unbelievable. 

I can remember so much about her birth, but her first year is a little more hazy than I last remembered.  I am so thankful that I have photographs to remind me of her tininess, her innocence, how much she has grown.

I love watching Ella Beth smile.  Laugh.  Play.  Learn.

 

She has been such an amazing gift to me.  I can't believe 18 months have passed since she became my baby girl.  I can't remember life without her in it.

Being a mother, being Ella Beth's mother, is such a special blessing.

(Stats from her doctor's appointment today:  Weight - 18 lbs, 8 oz/ not on chart% ;  Height - 31"/ 30%)

My baby girl

My baby girl is 18 months old today.  That's a Year and a Half.  That's 6 months shy of turning 2. 

That's unbelievable. 

I can remember so much about her birth, but her first year is a little more hazy than I last remembered.  I am so thankful that I have photographs to remind me of her tininess, her innocence, how much she has grown.

I love watching Ella Beth smile.  Laugh.  Play.  Learn.

 

She has been such an amazing gift to me.  I can't believe 18 months have passed since she became my baby girl.  I can't remember life without her in it.

Being a mother, being Ella Beth's mother, is such a special blessing.

(Stats from her doctor's appointment today:  Weight - 18 lbs, 8 oz/ not on chart% ;  Height - 31"/ 30%)

Proud moment

No pictures for this post, just a little pride. :)

Today, Ella Beth and I went over to our friend Julie's house to play.  Ella Beth has generally been a very shy little one who doesn't venture far from Mommy; even around people we know well.  Today, however, was a little different.

Ella Beth played, played, played with her new friends Joey and Mac.  Ella Beth acted timid for maybe the first 5 minutes we were there, and then after that she was very out-going.  I am so proud of her!  When Mac's friend, Jace, came over to play we all went downstairs to the play room.  Ella Beth found lots of fun things to get into.  She would venture off and play, and then she would come "check" on ME every once in a while.  I never had to check on her.  She never fussed, acted scared, or anything! 

Most of you know that Ella Beth is an extreme Mommy's girl, so usually our play-dates involve a lot of Mommy playing with Ella Beth.  Not today!  Today, Mommy got to enjoy a reasonable amount of adult conversation and interaction.  Such a nice surprise.  Now, don't go thinking we just left the kids alone to themselves; we were always in the same room.  But, Ella Beth really enjoyed herself.  She even let Mac pull her pants up over and over again!  (Ella Beth has finally moved into 12-18 month pants b/c her 6-12 month pants are too short; however, they don't stay up so well!)  Mac would just say, "Your pants are falling down," and Ella Beth would stand still long enough for him to hike 'em up!  It was too cute!

Okay, so maybe you don't appreciate my pride in Ella Beth the way I do, but today was a bit of a milestone for Ella Beth.  Hopefully, this means that she will be a little more out-going for lots of play-dates in the future.  Or at least maybe when Landon comes she will occupy herself a bit more while I'm nursing/changing his diaper/etc.  Crossing my fingers!!!

Proud moment

No pictures for this post, just a little pride. :)

Today, Ella Beth and I went over to our friend Julie's house to play.  Ella Beth has generally been a very shy little one who doesn't venture far from Mommy; even around people we know well.  Today, however, was a little different.

Ella Beth played, played, played with her new friends Joey and Mac.  Ella Beth acted timid for maybe the first 5 minutes we were there, and then after that she was very out-going.  I am so proud of her!  When Mac's friend, Jace, came over to play we all went downstairs to the play room.  Ella Beth found lots of fun things to get into.  She would venture off and play, and then she would come "check" on ME every once in a while.  I never had to check on her.  She never fussed, acted scared, or anything! 

Most of you know that Ella Beth is an extreme Mommy's girl, so usually our play-dates involve a lot of Mommy playing with Ella Beth.  Not today!  Today, Mommy got to enjoy a reasonable amount of adult conversation and interaction.  Such a nice surprise.  Now, don't go thinking we just left the kids alone to themselves; we were always in the same room.  But, Ella Beth really enjoyed herself.  She even let Mac pull her pants up over and over again!  (Ella Beth has finally moved into 12-18 month pants b/c her 6-12 month pants are too short; however, they don't stay up so well!)  Mac would just say, "Your pants are falling down," and Ella Beth would stand still long enough for him to hike 'em up!  It was too cute!

Okay, so maybe you don't appreciate my pride in Ella Beth the way I do, but today was a bit of a milestone for Ella Beth.  Hopefully, this means that she will be a little more out-going for lots of play-dates in the future.  Or at least maybe when Landon comes she will occupy herself a bit more while I'm nursing/changing his diaper/etc.  Crossing my fingers!!!