Beautiful images to distract me

Tonight Caleb showed me how to download photos into my Ipod. I've selected pictures that will help distract and relax me during labor. I've put sonogram photos of Isaac (to remind me of the goal of the contractions), family photos, and nature photos taken by my friend Vickie. Here are a few:

Countdown.....

This pregnancy is almost over. I'm due in six days. We are all so excited and anxious to meet Isaac. I went to the OB yesterday; I'm 2cm dilated, and he thought the baby was about eight pounds. Please keep us in your prayers, that God would bless me with an easy labor and delivery, the baby would be born healthy and safely, and the transition of adding a new member to our family would be smooth.

Hope to be posting a new baby photo soon!

The Nesting Instinct

I'm nesting. You know, the uncontrollable urge to do unusual cleaning to prepare the nest for the baby at the end of pregnancy. So far I have:

1. Rearranged the family room.
2. Moved the crib.
3. Shortened the blinds (the excess all piled up on the bottom was really making me mad)
4. Organized the medicine shelf.
5. Dusted wall tile and picture frames.
6. Sterilized the plastic valves that go in Noah's cups.

Happy Anniversary

Today Bo and I celebrated our eighteenth wedding anniversary. Also significant was our first date, exactly twenty years ago, at a Chili's Restaurant in Atlanta. We met in bible school; we had an Old Testament class together. Bo's friend Rick and my friend Rebecca set us up with each other. Who knew two years later they'd be standing beside us while we exchanged vows?

Albany just opened a Chili's here and we went there to celebrate. The hostess took us to a little table that I couldn't fit my belly under! The table top and the seats were attached to the wall and could not accommodate my fetal girth. So, she moved us to a larger table but I had the same problem there too. Third time was a charm when they took us to the bar and hoisted me up to a tall table with free-standing chairs. Oh my, the challenges of late pregnancy.

Happy Anniversary Dear. I've got your present in my womb.

Goodbye Sleep

I can't sleep anymore. I can't get comfortable. I sleep on my side surrounded by pillows but always wake up with pain in my back or my hips. So, I shift everything over to the opposite side and that lasts for another hour or so til I wake up again. Taking Tylenol before bed helped for the first two nights, until my body figured out a way to bypass the medication and went right back to being uncomfortable. I've resigned myself to getting half my sleep at night and the other half during the day. Might as well get used to it; this will probably be my sleep pattern once the baby is here as well!

My Soul Can't Dance Without You

This photo was from a dance Bo and I did together last Christmas, illustrating the intimacy we have with Christ through communion......

This is my favorite worship video right now....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Anq3lmJboW8&feature=PlayList&p=C999A6215DA6EAD2&index=5

I'm crazy about it; watch it every day. The song is "My Romance", sung by a band called Jesus Culture. I especially love the lyrics in the bridge. They are:

The angels dance around You

The Earth, it sings about You

Open up the heavens Lord

Let Your Kingdom come to Earth

My praises all surround You

My soul can't dance without You

Open up the heavens Lord

Let your Kingdom come to Earth.

Joyful Expectation

"The longer we wait,

the larger we become,

and the more joyful our expectancy."

Romans 8:22

Thank you veterans

Today our church honored men and women who faithfully serve our country in the military. I am proud of my friends that are veterans, and my father and father-in-law's service, too.

This video is a touching reminder of the importance of praying for and honoring our military.....
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

Four Weeks!

I'm thirty-six weeks pregnant and my daily thoughts are on my impending labor and delivery. Bo and I went to the hospital last week (Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital) to tour the labor unit and ask all our questions. Although I've been with my friends who've delivered there and photographed births, it's different when it's your own! Finding out more about the hospital routines and birth options have helped me feel more prepared. Bo will bring his laptop when we go to have Isaac and we'll post news and photos from the hospital if we can get Wi-Fi.

I plan to labor at home as long as I can, using relaxation techniques, prayer, and scripture like I did with Noah. I read a book written by a midwife which suggested such "comfort measures" as arm wrestling and mooing like a cow. A friend of mine said if I did that at the hospital, I'd quickly get transported to the psyche ward and have to give birth in a straight jacket! Well, we'll see if I can avoid such drastic measures....

My mommy is coming!

My adoptive mother/mentor/counselor is coming to see me tomorrow! Can't wait. She lives in Atlanta and we try to see each other as often as we can. I took this photo of her with her grandson in her beautiful garden. It's a picture of love, which is the perfect way to introduce her to you. She has shown me the love of God, led me into divine healing and deliverance, and taught me deep things of the spirit which I pour into others as I can. Also, she is a beautiful illustration of God's promise in Psalms, to "place the lonely in families", as she has taken me into her heart and loves and cares for me with sweet mother love. I hope she will be here for Isaac's birth, but if not, I know her powerful prayers will help me through!

Snuggle Nuggle

This morning when Noah woke up he climbed into my lap to snuggle, causing me to cuddle with two of my babies at one time. There's not much room in my lap anymore so Noah has to lay on my thighs! Isaac still moves around all the time and together we felt the baby move. Noah thinks it's hilarious to lay his cheek on my belly to get kicked in the face by his little brother.

It's a little strange to realize how much the family dynamics are about to change. I pray God will give me the wisdom to parent each child and do my best to meet their needs in spite of the time-consuming task of caring for a newborn. I wonder how Noah will handle sharing me with the baby. I know he'll be curious and probably constantly touching him and talking to him. I can't wait to see Joshua holding him and Caleb carrying him in the Snugli. And Bo is great with newborns; I can't wait to see the bond there, too.

We are really looking forward to meeting you Isaac!