My nighttime heartburn and acid reflex has gotten even worse. Well, maybe not worse, but more irritable.
Every night when I crawl into bed, I naturally turn to my left side. And I'll lay there for awhile, but I never fall asleep quickly. So of course, there comes a point when I'm uncomfortable and turn over. Like clockwork, as soon as I begin the turn to my right side, my mouth fills with acid and the burning sensation takes over.
So why is that? What is different about laying on my right side?
I was so irritated last night about the whole thing, I was determined to look it up first thing this morning to see if there was any rhyme or reason.
This is what I found:
A study conducted by the Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia found that sleeping on you left side is the best way to avoid nighttime heartburn. Sleeping on your right side may increase your heartburn symptoms because the acid takes longer to clear out of your esophagus when you lay on your right side. While sleeping on your back can allow acid to slip back into your esophagus more often, sleeping with your head elevated, such as on a wedge pillow, will allow gravity to keep the acid in your stomach.
And this was a tip on WebMD:
Try sleeping on your left side. Some studies have shown that this helps with digestion, simply because of a quirk of the body's design. Sleeping on your right side seems to be most likely to aggravate symptoms.
So, I guess it is just one of those weird quirks of our body. Needless to say, me and my Tums have become very good friends, and I do not lay down without having them within arms reach. Hopefully, only a few more weeks of this discomfort...then we move into the sleepless nights due to little hungry cries. :)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Julie moved up this week! Her new house is so cute and her room mates all seem very sweet. I'm glad she is getting settled in before school starts, and hopefully now I'll have a friend I can at least take to lunch sometimes. :)
Glad you made it up here, Juls!
Glad you made it up here, Juls!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
33 weeks- an interesting checkup
(Might include too much info for some...stop reading now if you don't want to know the nitty gritty.)
Yesterday I my 33-week checkup and ultrasound. I have been slightly irritated about having to go in for these bi-weekly checkups lately, because they seem so pointless! I go in, wait for over an hour, step on a scale, pee in a cup, have the doctor come in for about 2 minutes, measure my belly and the baby's heartbeat, and say, "everything looks good- see ya in 2 weeks!" Fun.
But yesterday, I was very anxious about going to see the doctor. Last week, I started feeling a new pain very, very low in my pelvis and even the tops of my thighs. I first noticed it when I would stand up from sitting, sit down from standing, or try to roll over in bed. It was bothersome, but nothing to panic about. I did some online research and it said it was common of ligament pain and stretching. I did not have that with Ryleigh's pregnancy at all, but frankly, this pregnancy has been very different, so who was I to question another difference? Well, the pain continued, grew more frequent and severe, and on Monday I literally had to take Tylenol throughout the day to even manage-- and I typically have a high pain tolerance!
So, needless to say, I was anxious to see the doctor and ask about it. Also, they had scheduled an ultrasound for growth of the baby, and since Jesse could not come in with me, my mom and Julie went with me. :)
The ultrasound was first. It was much harder to see cute features this time, as he is getting quite squished in there, but it was fun nonetheless. The ultrasound technician commented on how much hair he has, and then pointed out that it was standing straight up, down the middle of his head-- my boy was sporting a mohawk!! HA! Already a cool kid, I'd say.
When the technician got to the measurements of the cervix, she said that it looked nice and long, but then kind of paused. I asked if it was still holding strong because I have had a lot of pain the past week. At that point, she wrapped up the ultrasound pretty quickly and asked my mom and sister to go back to the waiting room. She called the doctor and asked about doing an internal ultrasound to check the cervix, which the doc agreed to.
I was sent back to the waiting room, but then called back pretty quickly, which was a miracle! (Seriously, I normally wait an hour!) The nurse tested my blood pressure and weighed me, and told me that I had not gained any weight from the last checkup (almost 3 weeks prior). I looked at my big belly and wondered how in the world that could be true! She took me back to the checkout room and there informed me that I was not actually going to get to see my doctor, because she was called to the hospital for a delivery. UGH. All this weirdness, and no visit with my doctor? (She had been out of town for the previous visit on vacation, so I did not get to see her then either.) I was visibly frustrated. The nurse assured me that the other doctor who was going to check me out was in communication with my doctor about the circumstances.
Sure enough the other doctor came in, and had the ultrasound in hand. Baby Boy is weighing a little over 4 pounds, but he should be weighing closer to 4.5 or 5 pounds by now. And considering I have only gained a total of 9 pounds and 4 of them is the baby...she told me I need to gain weight. She asked if I have been getting sick or had another reason why I might not be gaining, to which I answered no. I have eaten normally and have not been sick. She measured my belly, and it was measuring right on track. Weird. So yeah, my goal these next few weeks is to gain some weight!
Next she brought up my pain issues and the internal ultrasound of the cervix. She wanted to do her own internal exam and see what was going on. First she checked for any infection that might cause pain, and said there was no infection. When she checked my cervix, it was already softening and dialated to a 1. Not really a cause for concern, but the fact that I was having so much pain made her cautious. She spoke with my doctor who asked them to hook me up to the contraction monitor for 45 minutes. I told them I had not felt any contractions yet, but they were being cautious, just making sure there were no signs of labor, since we do not want to drive in from College Station in labor! Luckily, there were no contractions during that time.
SO, to sum up, the baby is measuring small and the cervix appears to be getting ready. Sure, I could stay dialated with no change for weeks. I'm not really worried about it, just perplexed because it is so different than my pregnancy with Ryleigh. With her, I literally did not have ANY cervical change until about 4 days before she was born. No softening, shortening, or dialating...then all of a sudden I was in labor. I think this time my body just "knows the ropes" and is getting ready a little sooner.
The pain has lessened but not stopped. I'm just being very cautious and not doing anything that could cause issues.
I go back on the 1st, and we'll check things out again at that time. Hopefully, my doctor is there this time! :)
Yesterday I my 33-week checkup and ultrasound. I have been slightly irritated about having to go in for these bi-weekly checkups lately, because they seem so pointless! I go in, wait for over an hour, step on a scale, pee in a cup, have the doctor come in for about 2 minutes, measure my belly and the baby's heartbeat, and say, "everything looks good- see ya in 2 weeks!" Fun.
But yesterday, I was very anxious about going to see the doctor. Last week, I started feeling a new pain very, very low in my pelvis and even the tops of my thighs. I first noticed it when I would stand up from sitting, sit down from standing, or try to roll over in bed. It was bothersome, but nothing to panic about. I did some online research and it said it was common of ligament pain and stretching. I did not have that with Ryleigh's pregnancy at all, but frankly, this pregnancy has been very different, so who was I to question another difference? Well, the pain continued, grew more frequent and severe, and on Monday I literally had to take Tylenol throughout the day to even manage-- and I typically have a high pain tolerance!
So, needless to say, I was anxious to see the doctor and ask about it. Also, they had scheduled an ultrasound for growth of the baby, and since Jesse could not come in with me, my mom and Julie went with me. :)
The ultrasound was first. It was much harder to see cute features this time, as he is getting quite squished in there, but it was fun nonetheless. The ultrasound technician commented on how much hair he has, and then pointed out that it was standing straight up, down the middle of his head-- my boy was sporting a mohawk!! HA! Already a cool kid, I'd say.
When the technician got to the measurements of the cervix, she said that it looked nice and long, but then kind of paused. I asked if it was still holding strong because I have had a lot of pain the past week. At that point, she wrapped up the ultrasound pretty quickly and asked my mom and sister to go back to the waiting room. She called the doctor and asked about doing an internal ultrasound to check the cervix, which the doc agreed to.
I was sent back to the waiting room, but then called back pretty quickly, which was a miracle! (Seriously, I normally wait an hour!) The nurse tested my blood pressure and weighed me, and told me that I had not gained any weight from the last checkup (almost 3 weeks prior). I looked at my big belly and wondered how in the world that could be true! She took me back to the checkout room and there informed me that I was not actually going to get to see my doctor, because she was called to the hospital for a delivery. UGH. All this weirdness, and no visit with my doctor? (She had been out of town for the previous visit on vacation, so I did not get to see her then either.) I was visibly frustrated. The nurse assured me that the other doctor who was going to check me out was in communication with my doctor about the circumstances.
Sure enough the other doctor came in, and had the ultrasound in hand. Baby Boy is weighing a little over 4 pounds, but he should be weighing closer to 4.5 or 5 pounds by now. And considering I have only gained a total of 9 pounds and 4 of them is the baby...she told me I need to gain weight. She asked if I have been getting sick or had another reason why I might not be gaining, to which I answered no. I have eaten normally and have not been sick. She measured my belly, and it was measuring right on track. Weird. So yeah, my goal these next few weeks is to gain some weight!
Next she brought up my pain issues and the internal ultrasound of the cervix. She wanted to do her own internal exam and see what was going on. First she checked for any infection that might cause pain, and said there was no infection. When she checked my cervix, it was already softening and dialated to a 1. Not really a cause for concern, but the fact that I was having so much pain made her cautious. She spoke with my doctor who asked them to hook me up to the contraction monitor for 45 minutes. I told them I had not felt any contractions yet, but they were being cautious, just making sure there were no signs of labor, since we do not want to drive in from College Station in labor! Luckily, there were no contractions during that time.
SO, to sum up, the baby is measuring small and the cervix appears to be getting ready. Sure, I could stay dialated with no change for weeks. I'm not really worried about it, just perplexed because it is so different than my pregnancy with Ryleigh. With her, I literally did not have ANY cervical change until about 4 days before she was born. No softening, shortening, or dialating...then all of a sudden I was in labor. I think this time my body just "knows the ropes" and is getting ready a little sooner.
The pain has lessened but not stopped. I'm just being very cautious and not doing anything that could cause issues.
I go back on the 1st, and we'll check things out again at that time. Hopefully, my doctor is there this time! :)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Wiggles- LIVE!
A few months ago, my mother-in-law emailed me, very excited, to let me know that The Wiggles were coming to town! I did not hesitate in answering, "yes! get tickets!" knowing how much Ryleigh would love the show. I was curious about whether or not she would actually sit and watch the show, but I figured since it is a show for kids, the atmosphere would be conducive to whatever behavior she decided to display. My mother-in-law called my mom to see if she wanted to go with us, so we could all watch Ryleigh experience it together; of course Mom said yes!
So, almost two weeks ago, Ryleigh and I drove to Houston for the matinee showing of The Wiggles. The show was scheduled to start at 1:30, right in the middle of her nap time, but I assumed she would sleep some in the car on the way down there, so she would be happy and feeling good when we got there.
Well, she did not sleep in the car. And she was very excited when RaRa and Gaga got in the car with her- jabbering all the way downtown. Mommy even got a big kiss of appreciation for driving her to Houston for the concert! (That is what I'm going to tell myself anyway...)
And Miss Ryleigh was very excited about being in the same place with BOTH grandmas-- talk about getting some special loving and spoiling! These ladies know how to love my girl!
When we actually got inside the theater (once I ran back to the madhouse women's bathroom, where I had left our tickets sitting on the counter...yeah, slightly forgetful these days), Ryleigh was in awe. There were Wiggles things everywhere, kids everywhere, and "twinkle stars" on the ceiling.
She literally jumped up and down, looking at everything and everyone, for about 20 minutes straight. When the show started, she continued her excitement, pointing at the big red car, naming each of the characters...
...and thus began the trance. Ryleigh was totally sucked into the show, staring wide-eyed as the characters danced, tumbled, and sang around the theater.
About an hour into the show, we noticed she became even more subdued- very unlike Ryleigh. And sure enough, she had sleepy eyes. I tried to encourage her to clap and sing along with the songs...really in an effort to keep her awake and enjoy the show!
She finally asked to get down off my lap and went straight to RaRa, where she knows she is always welcome for a little snooze. Yep. My crazy two-year-old fell asleep in the middle of The Wiggles show. And it was not long before RaRa joined her in la-la land. :)
So, almost two weeks ago, Ryleigh and I drove to Houston for the matinee showing of The Wiggles. The show was scheduled to start at 1:30, right in the middle of her nap time, but I assumed she would sleep some in the car on the way down there, so she would be happy and feeling good when we got there.
Well, she did not sleep in the car. And she was very excited when RaRa and Gaga got in the car with her- jabbering all the way downtown. Mommy even got a big kiss of appreciation for driving her to Houston for the concert! (That is what I'm going to tell myself anyway...)
And Miss Ryleigh was very excited about being in the same place with BOTH grandmas-- talk about getting some special loving and spoiling! These ladies know how to love my girl!
When we actually got inside the theater (once I ran back to the madhouse women's bathroom, where I had left our tickets sitting on the counter...yeah, slightly forgetful these days), Ryleigh was in awe. There were Wiggles things everywhere, kids everywhere, and "twinkle stars" on the ceiling.
She literally jumped up and down, looking at everything and everyone, for about 20 minutes straight. When the show started, she continued her excitement, pointing at the big red car, naming each of the characters...
...and thus began the trance. Ryleigh was totally sucked into the show, staring wide-eyed as the characters danced, tumbled, and sang around the theater.
About an hour into the show, we noticed she became even more subdued- very unlike Ryleigh. And sure enough, she had sleepy eyes. I tried to encourage her to clap and sing along with the songs...really in an effort to keep her awake and enjoy the show!
She finally asked to get down off my lap and went straight to RaRa, where she knows she is always welcome for a little snooze. Yep. My crazy two-year-old fell asleep in the middle of The Wiggles show. And it was not long before RaRa joined her in la-la land. :)
Overall it was a really fun day. It was so fun to watch Ryleigh get excited and make the connection that it was Sam, Murray, Jeff, and Anthony on the stage! The part she watched, she loved, and she talked about the show, asking to go back, for days after the concert. My mom got her one of the souvenir backpacks full of Wiggles goodies, including a t-shirt, which Ryleigh asked to wear every. single. day. for a week afterwards!! Needless to say, I was doing a lot of laundry that week...!
Now that I know how well she behaves during children's shows, I definitely want to take her again, and let Jesse get to watch her experience the magic. There is a Disney character show in September and The Imagination Movers are coming in October...I'm debating both of them, knowing she would love either one! Anyone else out there with a toddler, seriously consider taking your kiddo to these child-friendly shows. It was so worth it!
And she slept like a champ that night. :)
(Pictures courtesy of my mom, since my camera is dead. Thanks, Mom!)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
On the prowl
We have been in College Station about three weeks now. The first week was spent mainly unpacking, getting things situated, and making sure everything worked properly. Ever since, I've been slightly bored. Strange, right? I mean, I know there is still a lot to do. My house still has a long way to go before it feels homey. But, with Jesse still working crazy hours and not being around to help me much, there is not much I can do on my own. Not to mention we still need to buy several main pieces of furniture, and thus don't really want to decorate until we find the main bones of the room, ya know?
So, Ryleigh and I have been bored. Work is slow. I'm restless. Ryleigh has played and played with her toys and has watched every movie we own probably ten times. She is restless. She always wants to play outside, but in this crazy heat, I really cannot let her until the evening hours. It has made for some long, lonely days.
I need to find some friends!! We try to go for at least one outing a day, even if it is just running to the store, just to get out of the house. And I find myself scanning the aisles, making eye contact with every Mom in there, smiling super big. I'll take Ryleigh to lunch at a "kids" place, such as Chick-fil-A or McDonalds, hoping to connect with another Mom while our toddlers run and play together. We have gone to the park several nights, and have met many different people from our neighborhood, again, through uninhibited instant friendship of our kids. While searching for a church home, I find my eyes searching each congregation looking for couples our age, wondering, "could they be our friends?"
I'm searching, doing everything I know how. For those of you who know me, this does not come easy. I'm not an initiator by nature. I'm not exactly shy...but I'm not super brave either. To strike up conversation with strangers is not something that falls in my comfort zone. I usually fall back on old reliable: ask about their kids! I guess it is easier to have the limelight on the kiddos than to actually look at the adults; because if I ask about them, then they will feel like they have to ask about me...and what if I'm really just not that interesting?
It is hard to find friends at this phase of life. Not just acquaintances (though even those are hard to come by right now), but real friends. Life is busy. Schedules conflict more and more. Making time for all of life's demands, raising a young family, having a job, keeping up with extended family, and sharing fellowship with friends, how do you do it? I think I thought I would not have time for it, and therefore would not miss the friendship part. I have learned in these two weeks how much I do miss it. Friends matter. And I need them.
So, even though it is hard to start over and muster up the courage to put myself out there, I'm going to do it. I want to find people. Friends to hang out with when our little ones need to play. Friends to go to lunch with when we need out of the house. Friends that come over to hang out in the evenings on our deck. Friends that we can connect with in a real and meaningful way. And though I know it won't happen overnight, I know it can happen- which gives me hope.
Wanna hear the kicker in all of this? I admitted to being on the prowl in all public locations, actively looking for people who might fit with my idea of a friend, right? So in my daily "flip book," called Power of a Praying Woman, this is what it said yesterday:
Don't leave your relationships to chance. Pray for godly people to come into your life with whom you can connect. Don't force relationships to happen, pray for them to happen. Then when they do, nurture them with prayer.
Hmm, perhaps God is asking me to once again hand this area of my life over to him? I'm going to start praying long and hard that He brings us some friends, and I know that when He does, they will be worth the wait.
So, Ryleigh and I have been bored. Work is slow. I'm restless. Ryleigh has played and played with her toys and has watched every movie we own probably ten times. She is restless. She always wants to play outside, but in this crazy heat, I really cannot let her until the evening hours. It has made for some long, lonely days.
I need to find some friends!! We try to go for at least one outing a day, even if it is just running to the store, just to get out of the house. And I find myself scanning the aisles, making eye contact with every Mom in there, smiling super big. I'll take Ryleigh to lunch at a "kids" place, such as Chick-fil-A or McDonalds, hoping to connect with another Mom while our toddlers run and play together. We have gone to the park several nights, and have met many different people from our neighborhood, again, through uninhibited instant friendship of our kids. While searching for a church home, I find my eyes searching each congregation looking for couples our age, wondering, "could they be our friends?"
I'm searching, doing everything I know how. For those of you who know me, this does not come easy. I'm not an initiator by nature. I'm not exactly shy...but I'm not super brave either. To strike up conversation with strangers is not something that falls in my comfort zone. I usually fall back on old reliable: ask about their kids! I guess it is easier to have the limelight on the kiddos than to actually look at the adults; because if I ask about them, then they will feel like they have to ask about me...and what if I'm really just not that interesting?
It is hard to find friends at this phase of life. Not just acquaintances (though even those are hard to come by right now), but real friends. Life is busy. Schedules conflict more and more. Making time for all of life's demands, raising a young family, having a job, keeping up with extended family, and sharing fellowship with friends, how do you do it? I think I thought I would not have time for it, and therefore would not miss the friendship part. I have learned in these two weeks how much I do miss it. Friends matter. And I need them.
So, even though it is hard to start over and muster up the courage to put myself out there, I'm going to do it. I want to find people. Friends to hang out with when our little ones need to play. Friends to go to lunch with when we need out of the house. Friends that come over to hang out in the evenings on our deck. Friends that we can connect with in a real and meaningful way. And though I know it won't happen overnight, I know it can happen- which gives me hope.
Wanna hear the kicker in all of this? I admitted to being on the prowl in all public locations, actively looking for people who might fit with my idea of a friend, right? So in my daily "flip book," called Power of a Praying Woman, this is what it said yesterday:
Don't leave your relationships to chance. Pray for godly people to come into your life with whom you can connect. Don't force relationships to happen, pray for them to happen. Then when they do, nurture them with prayer.
Hmm, perhaps God is asking me to once again hand this area of my life over to him? I'm going to start praying long and hard that He brings us some friends, and I know that when He does, they will be worth the wait.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Hmmm...food for thought
I was bored this morning and started looking up random things on the Internet. Do you ever do that? C'mon, I know you do.
My search started on reviews of a Christian book I just finished reading. For those interested, Rocking the Roles by Lewis & Hendricks was a great book, and one I would definitely recommend to anyone who is married, has been married, or wants to get married. It might be my new gift to all engaged couples I know.
Anyway, so after reading a few commentaries and reviews, I moved on. My new search led me to home decorating tips. Hmmm. Fun, but oh-so-much $$$!!
Next, I looked up Playhouse Disney's Fall schedule, wondering if Little Einsteins would be returning, since Ryleigh was thoroughly engrossed in one of their movies at the time.
Which led me to think about my show: Grey's Anatomy! We still do not have any kind of cable hooked up at our new house, and so I've been completely out-of-the-loop with all shows, news, you name it. It has been good, being productive, reading, playing on the floor with Ryleigh, etc, and to be honest, I have not missed it much. BUT, I also know that Grey's should be starting up again sometime in the Fall, and then I will definitely want to know what is going on!! (Yes, I am addicted and need help.)
Okay, so I'm on the Grey's website (the season premiere is Thursday, September 24, for those interested), and I see one of those online quizzes you can take to find out which character you are most like on the show. I was intrigued. Honestly, I don't know who I think I'm most like. There is not one clear cut personality on the show that I totally fit. So, I took the quiz to find out who they think I'm most like. This was my result:
You are Cristina!
Very few people have, or can understand, the sheer determination and drive that propels you, but you’re just as fiercely protective of your friends as you are of your own hopes and dreams. If they’re smart, your friends already know that. They also know that you’re more vulnerable than you seem and are only glad to offer a shoulder to cry on.
Hmmm, am I like Cristina? There are times in my life when I am very driven and focused. I do feel propelled to excel in certain areas of life, and can try to appear less-vulnerable on the outside than I really am. Of course, I am protective of my family and friends, and I think they all know that about me. So, am I Cristina?
My search started on reviews of a Christian book I just finished reading. For those interested, Rocking the Roles by Lewis & Hendricks was a great book, and one I would definitely recommend to anyone who is married, has been married, or wants to get married. It might be my new gift to all engaged couples I know.
Anyway, so after reading a few commentaries and reviews, I moved on. My new search led me to home decorating tips. Hmmm. Fun, but oh-so-much $$$!!
Next, I looked up Playhouse Disney's Fall schedule, wondering if Little Einsteins would be returning, since Ryleigh was thoroughly engrossed in one of their movies at the time.
Which led me to think about my show: Grey's Anatomy! We still do not have any kind of cable hooked up at our new house, and so I've been completely out-of-the-loop with all shows, news, you name it. It has been good, being productive, reading, playing on the floor with Ryleigh, etc, and to be honest, I have not missed it much. BUT, I also know that Grey's should be starting up again sometime in the Fall, and then I will definitely want to know what is going on!! (Yes, I am addicted and need help.)
Okay, so I'm on the Grey's website (the season premiere is Thursday, September 24, for those interested), and I see one of those online quizzes you can take to find out which character you are most like on the show. I was intrigued. Honestly, I don't know who I think I'm most like. There is not one clear cut personality on the show that I totally fit. So, I took the quiz to find out who they think I'm most like. This was my result:
You are Cristina!
Very few people have, or can understand, the sheer determination and drive that propels you, but you’re just as fiercely protective of your friends as you are of your own hopes and dreams. If they’re smart, your friends already know that. They also know that you’re more vulnerable than you seem and are only glad to offer a shoulder to cry on.
Hmmm, am I like Cristina? There are times in my life when I am very driven and focused. I do feel propelled to excel in certain areas of life, and can try to appear less-vulnerable on the outside than I really am. Of course, I am protective of my family and friends, and I think they all know that about me. So, am I Cristina?In the show, she comes across calloused, cold, and unswerving in her beliefs. She is meticulous and controlling, never allowing for spontaneity or much humor. She is a good friend, one who speaks the truth in all circumstances, having no problem laying her thoughts out there for anyone/everyone to see.
Is that me? Is that a good thing? Or a bad thing? Should I have wanted to be Meredith, who is a dreamer, tends to bring chaos into her own life and has a hard time trusting people? Should I want to be Izzy, who is everyone's friend and seldom focuses on herself?
Food for thought, brought to you by Grey's Anatomy. See? Who says television cannot help us probe into ourselves and make us think?
Friday, August 07, 2009
Six
That is how many times Ryleigh got up last night, between 2:56 am and 4:13 am. Six times. Six times, I got up and walked her (sometimes chased her) back to her room.
What gives??
I do not understand. I really don't. I do not want to lock her in her room or anything rash, but seriously, how do I make her understand she cannot get out of bed at night, six times? I have tried the sweet, soothing Mom approach. I have tried the stern approach. I have tried the angry approach. Nothing is working!!! HELP! Any suggestions??
What gives??
I do not understand. I really don't. I do not want to lock her in her room or anything rash, but seriously, how do I make her understand she cannot get out of bed at night, six times? I have tried the sweet, soothing Mom approach. I have tried the stern approach. I have tried the angry approach. Nothing is working!!! HELP! Any suggestions??
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Confessions of a Rebellious Pregnant Woman
I'm not rebellious by nature. In fact, I probably missed out on a lot of fun growing up because I thought everything was against the rules...and I followed the rules to a T. And while it made for a "good" kid, it was also seen as boring, monotonous, and scared. Scared to step out of the box of comfort I had built for myself. It was as if I knew my life was boring, but by living with rules for myself, I also knew the exact outcome I could expect. So, rules it was!
When I was pregnant with Ryleigh, naturally, the rule book came out. All the do's and dont's of pregnancy literature governed my every move. If some all-knowing author said I should not clean my bathroom due to the strong smells of the chemicals, then my bathroom was going to get nice and dirty! I never missed a single prenatal vitamin. The rules said no medicine, thus living with an intense headache because I was terrified of what could happen by taking a Tylenol. And that headache I'm referencing? Yeah, that lasted about a week long when I stopped ALL forms of caffeine cold turkey. You get the picture.
What I have learned since Ryleigh is that life is fragile. No one is promised a healthy baby. And though I can control my circumstances to help aid with the health of my baby, nothing I do or don't do will guarantee a healthy baby. If it were really up to us, how would we explain to someone who did everything "right," why their baby was called home early? How could we justify healthy babies born to unfit families? God already knows this little one growing in my womb, and the number of days he will live in this world. Following the rules will not change that.
For all of you thinking, "Yes, BUT, God has entrusted you with this precious life, and it is your job to be wise and responsible, caring for it to the best of your ability..." I agree. And normally, if you really know me, you would know that is how I operate by nature. I am a perfectionist and a rule-follower! I do not take risks, and I strive to always give my 110%. Normally. Problem is, nothing about this pregnancy (and its timing) has been normal.
So back to the title of this post. I have been rebellious this pregnancy. Not necessarily intentionally rebellious, just slightly more laid back. Not so paranoid. And though some of my rebellious acts have been just pure selfishness, others have been driven by circumstance and not many options. Here are my confessions:
When I was pregnant with Ryleigh, naturally, the rule book came out. All the do's and dont's of pregnancy literature governed my every move. If some all-knowing author said I should not clean my bathroom due to the strong smells of the chemicals, then my bathroom was going to get nice and dirty! I never missed a single prenatal vitamin. The rules said no medicine, thus living with an intense headache because I was terrified of what could happen by taking a Tylenol. And that headache I'm referencing? Yeah, that lasted about a week long when I stopped ALL forms of caffeine cold turkey. You get the picture.
What I have learned since Ryleigh is that life is fragile. No one is promised a healthy baby. And though I can control my circumstances to help aid with the health of my baby, nothing I do or don't do will guarantee a healthy baby. If it were really up to us, how would we explain to someone who did everything "right," why their baby was called home early? How could we justify healthy babies born to unfit families? God already knows this little one growing in my womb, and the number of days he will live in this world. Following the rules will not change that.
For all of you thinking, "Yes, BUT, God has entrusted you with this precious life, and it is your job to be wise and responsible, caring for it to the best of your ability..." I agree. And normally, if you really know me, you would know that is how I operate by nature. I am a perfectionist and a rule-follower! I do not take risks, and I strive to always give my 110%. Normally. Problem is, nothing about this pregnancy (and its timing) has been normal.
So back to the title of this post. I have been rebellious this pregnancy. Not necessarily intentionally rebellious, just slightly more laid back. Not so paranoid. And though some of my rebellious acts have been just pure selfishness, others have been driven by circumstance and not many options. Here are my confessions:
- I did NOT give up caffeine this pregnancy. At all. Most days I make an effort to cut back on how much I drink, but other days, I don't even think twice. I guess if I get a hyper child, I'll only have myself to blame. That being said, I was "good" with Ryleigh, and she is one of the most active kids ever. Go figure.
- I have skipped prenatal vitamins...intentionally. When I was going through the sick phase this pregnancy, it hurt more. Obviously, having another little one running around, I could not just be sick. So when I figured out that I felt less nauseous on the mornings after I would skip a vitamin...well, you get the picture. I will say that I would try to eat much more nutritiously on those days to make up for it, but still. Bad mommy.
- I'm a stomach sleeper. Apparently you are not supposed to do that, but sometimes you gotta sleep! Sure, it typically gets the baby kicking and moving around, trying to find a new comfortable spot in Mama's belly, but I don't always mind feeling his movements at the end of the day. If he gets really irritated with me, you know, kicking hard and aiming for ribs and other important organs, then I'll roll over and let him win. Such a nice Mama.
- During the move from Houston, I did way too much. Yes, I painted. I packed heavy boxes. I moved things around myself. I worked out in the insane heat and felt myself get light-headed, yet would not stop. I cleaned with strong chemicals. Yeah, it was rough. But, with Jesse being gone, some things had to get done. When I had help, I'd let them help me. However, there came a time when it was just me. And I had to do what I had to do. You will be proud to know that when it came to moving into our new house, I was good! I did not move any furniture or any boxes. I sat back and let others help. I did not clean with chemicals. I did not make the trips to the hot storage unit. I followed the rules. :)
- I took a bath. Hey- I had to try out the new jacuzzi tub and make sure it worked! And, man, did it feel good!
- I have painted. On a ladder. Yeah. Don't need to go into that.
Okay, so all of these things have thus far not affected me. Sure, there were days when I worked a little too hard and was really tired. But that happens anyway during pregnancy, so no worries.
Yesterday, I was dumb. I thought twice and went against my better judgement. And I paid the price. Ryleigh had been asking to play outside and "cut the grass," and I looked outside and realized the grass really did need to get cut. And at the time, it was early in the morning, I was wrapped in a blanket, cold, thinking, the warmth outside will feel good. (Pregnancy brain=Memory lapse as to the fact we live in Texas...it is not warm in August.)
So, we put on tank tops and shorts, and I put her toys on the driveway, blocked by my car, and got ready to examine our new yard and plan my attack. Yeah, the yard pretty much attacked me. Jesse had already told me how "spongy" it was, but I was not sure what he meant. Now I know. The lawn mower died 3 times on me, flooded with grass, leaving massive streaks in the yard, as if I was bailing hay. And though the grass was slightly tall, it was not that tall...Jesse has just mowed it last weekend, 4 days prior! I ended up having to pull out the rake and pick up extra grass from all over the yard. And the yard is not even at all. Dips in the yard, the house sitting slightly uphill...not cool. I'm used to having a pretty yard, with nice grass, where the biggest mistake I can make is to slightly scalp the edges if I'm not paying attention. Normally, when someone cuts the grass, the yard always looks better; maybe not nice, but better than how it started! Yeah, I did not feel that way yesterday. And it took me for-ev-er (to be pronounced like Squence in The Sandlot) to finish. Needless to say, I did not do the backyard. I was hot, frustrated, and exhausted by the time I was done.
When Jesse got home last night, he found me laying on the couch- sunburned, laying on an ice pack, with a bottle of Tylenol and a box of Bandaids sitting next to me. He cautiously walked over, kissed me, and said, "did you cut the grass?"
I just sighed.
He shook his head and said, "Honey, you do not need to do that! We're here together again, and I will handle that. It's not good for you!"
I started tearing up, exhausted and hurting and said, "I was trying to be nice and helpful."
He gave me a hug and said, "Thank you, babe. But, please don't do it again. What are our neighbors going to think when they see my 8-month pregnant wife out there pushing a lawn mower in this insane heat? What if you passed out? What if you really did hurt yourself? What if you started having contractions? Thank you for trying to help. Next time, just cook dinner. I like when you do that." Grin.
"Speaking of dinner," I said, "You're on your own tonight. I'm pooped."
Soooo YEAH. LONG story short, my rebelliousness caught up to me. I was stupid, and last night, I paid the price. Now it's back to the rule book for me. Well, at least most of the rules. I don't want to be considered a goody-too-shoes, or anything. :)
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Life
Disclaimer: This post is going to be scattered.
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Update on sleeping situation.
I gave Ryleigh Benadryl last night. I did. Not the full dose, but some. And Jesse rough-housed with her for awhile before bed to get her nice and sleepy. And she slept, all night, in her bed, until 6:45 this morning. Thank you, Lord, I will take that!
Ryleigh is still in a mood, testing me at every turn, frustrating me to no end, throwing tantrums, throwing toys, hitting me, and being all-around not fun. I'm running out of options for discipline, and what works one day, does not work the next. Parenting is exhausting. I know, or at least I pray, that one day all of this discipline and frustration will be worth it, as demonstrated by her character. I can only pray. But in the meantime, it wears me out.
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. Proverbs 29:15
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We picked up our TV this weekend, from a friend's house who was keeping it for us, while the rest of our stuff was in storage. Still no cable or anything hooked up, but I did pull out the DVD player. We have been to Blockbuster twice and have been enjoying catching up on the movie scene. So far we have watched:
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Update on sleeping situation.
I gave Ryleigh Benadryl last night. I did. Not the full dose, but some. And Jesse rough-housed with her for awhile before bed to get her nice and sleepy. And she slept, all night, in her bed, until 6:45 this morning. Thank you, Lord, I will take that!
Ryleigh is still in a mood, testing me at every turn, frustrating me to no end, throwing tantrums, throwing toys, hitting me, and being all-around not fun. I'm running out of options for discipline, and what works one day, does not work the next. Parenting is exhausting. I know, or at least I pray, that one day all of this discipline and frustration will be worth it, as demonstrated by her character. I can only pray. But in the meantime, it wears me out.
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. Proverbs 29:15
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We picked up our TV this weekend, from a friend's house who was keeping it for us, while the rest of our stuff was in storage. Still no cable or anything hooked up, but I did pull out the DVD player. We have been to Blockbuster twice and have been enjoying catching up on the movie scene. So far we have watched:
- Slumdog Millionaire
- Taken
- Seven Pounds
- Yes Man
- Marley and Me
I have to say, I have liked every single movie! Sure there are always some scenes which could easily have been avoided, but they are made in Hollywood. I would honestly recommend any of them to you! If you haven't watched a good movie lately, take your pick!
We have also watched our share of The Wiggles, Baby Einstein, Elmo, Veggie Tales, The Little Mermaid, and A Bug's Life. Apparently, for a 2-year-old, they never get old.
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I've been enjoying cooking again, trying more new recipes and bringing out some old favorites. Really since the end of May, we have eaten out more than I care to mention. Something about working on home projects, packing, moving, living out of suitcases, and having your kitchen stored away somewhere makes eating home-cooked meals kind of difficult. Granted, while I was staying at my parents, we had more regular meals. But Jesse has literally been eating out every meal since coming up to College Station. If I even mention grabbing a bite, he turns green. Haha.
Some of the new things I have tried have been Eggplant Parmesan (his Italian favorite), BBQ Brisket using my Grandad's original BBQ sauce recipe, and Herbed Chicken and Roasted Potatoes. Tonight I'm trying a spin-off of my favorite Chicken Enchiladas.
So far, everything has been really good. Jesse said the Eggplant Parmesan might be his new favorite recipe of mine, and he would not stop talking about how tasty the BBQ sauce was last night. Literally, he was licking the spoon and then re-dipping for "just one more" taste. :)
Ryleigh seems content to eat corn, green beans, rice, and fruit. As long as we have one of those staples with every meal, she eats. If not, she just picks. Hoping this is a phase...
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Along with movies, I have also pulled out the books. A quiet house can be too quiet, but it can also set the stage for a perfect reading situation. Some things I have been reading:
- Vanishing Acts by Jodi Piccoult: Love this author! I have read most of her books, and have not found one I didn't like. This book might not have been my absolute favorite, but it was still a good read.
- Rocking the Roles by Robert Lewis and William Hendricks: Jesse had bought this book for us a few anniversaries back, and we never got around to reading it together. So, now we have started. So far, I'm enjoying the perspective, explaining that the Biblical model for roles within marriage is not what we typically think. People normally think of either the Traditional model (think 1950's) or the Modern model (no roles, everything must be equal), and most associate the Traditional model with Biblical principles. This book explains that it is not true. We're still reading, but so far, so good.
- Baby name books...and websites...and suggestions from friends...still no news on that front. I honestly have not had a single name that I really liked. Yikes! Still hoping that some beautiful boy's name just falls in our lap.
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We met some neighbors! The next-door neighbors were out this weekend, and came over to introduce themselves. They have three girls, the youngest who is 3-years-old. She and Ryleigh got along right away, running and giggling together. They seemed very nice, and we look forward to getting to know them more.
Monday, I was half asleep during Ryleigh's nap, just out of the shower, no makeup, hair not done, and the door bell rang. It was another neighbor, bringing us a beautiful hanging basket and introducing herself. She and her husband are retirees from Ohio, who moved to College Station because their son lives here, and owns the Texas Roadhouse restaurant. (Yum!!) She was incredibly sweet.
Hooray for nice neighbors! Hopefully when it cools off some more, we can hang out outside and meet others.
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Okay, that's life in a nutshell. Hope it was not too scattered for ya... I did warn you. :)
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Rough night
Since we have moved, Ryleigh has been slightly out-of-sorts when it comes to sleeping. I'm honestly not sure why. She is normally a pretty good sleeper, and as long as we stick to her sleep schedule, we have no issues.
Lately, she fights us when it is time to go to sleep, coming back out of room, crying, asking for more cuddles, etc. Originally, we thought perhaps it was just her adjusting to us again being a family of three-- most of her cuddle requests were at Daddy. Naturally, he was happy to oblige, missing his cuddle time with her as well. But now, we're worried she is getting into the habit.
More than that, she is waking up throughout the night, sometimes screaming, running across the house to our room. Again, at first, we thought perhaps she was nervous in her new room or just needed confirmation that we were still there. But when she would climb into bed with us, she would be wide awake. For at least an hour, sometimes more. And eventually, I would end up having to take her back to her room, where she would cry and beg to sleep in "Mommy's bed."
Last night she got up three times, starting at 2:45. The first time, I gently picked her up, carried her to her room, rocked her for awhile rubbing her back, and sweetly put her back to sleep. The second time, around 3:20, I walked her back, holding her hand, and told her that she had to stay in her room and sleep in her big girl bed until morning. The third time, at 3:40, I was mad. I told her to go straight to her room, and I just followed behind, making sure that she got in bed.
(On a side note, Mondays are Jesse's long day at work: 5:30am until about 7:00pm. Needless to say he was exhausted, and had taken a Benadryl to help with his allergies and get a good night's rest. So the whole time this is going on, he is sawing logs...)
So, after the third trip to Ryleigh's room, I got in bed, mad, and now wide awake. And yes, the baby had started kicking and rolling around, probably wondering what in the world was going on.
Well, within 5 minutes of getting into bed, I heard a really weird beep. Then again. And again. Being that this is a new house, we're still not used to all the little sounds we hear at night. I sat up, listening, agitated. When the beep did not stop, I got up to see what it was. I looked around, and it stopped. Of course. It made me slightly nervous, but whatever, I was tired, and just wanted to sleep! So, I got back into bed. And Jesse rolls over and says, "what was that?" I told him I had no idea, because it stopped on its own.
5 minutes later, it started again. And it was more frequent. We both sat straight up and headed for the door. Sure enough, it was the house alarm at the front door. And the "trouble" light was blinking. My heart started racing. Jesse and I do not have the alarm activated yet, but we did have cables run for activation last week when we ran our telephone/Internet lines. So, how can a disabled alarm be beeping "trouble?" We checked all around the house, turned on all outside lights, and came back to the alarm. I picked up the phone and the line was dead. Then I remembered some automated message I got from our phone provider (the same one who ran the line for the alarm) that there was going to be shutdown between the hours of 2am and 6am.
About that time, Ryleigh again came out of her room crying, and ran straight to Daddy. He just looked at me, both exhausted and frustrated, turned off the light, and we went back to our room. We all fell in bed around 4:10. Jesse's alarm went off at 4:30.
WOW. It was a long night.
I kind of wonder if Ryleigh knows that I'm going to need some preparation for the long nights that are to come when the baby arrives...perhaps she is just trying to help...I don't know. I do know that she cut some molars sometime over the past few weeks, which might have had something to do with her initially waking up. She also wakes up during nap time, needing to go potty. I'm thankful that she is learning, but man, I need her to take that nap!! Plus, she is a much nicer girl when she sleeps well; you can imagine how nice she has been these past couple of weeks...!!
Okay, I'm done venting now. I need a nap. Literally.
Lately, she fights us when it is time to go to sleep, coming back out of room, crying, asking for more cuddles, etc. Originally, we thought perhaps it was just her adjusting to us again being a family of three-- most of her cuddle requests were at Daddy. Naturally, he was happy to oblige, missing his cuddle time with her as well. But now, we're worried she is getting into the habit.
More than that, she is waking up throughout the night, sometimes screaming, running across the house to our room. Again, at first, we thought perhaps she was nervous in her new room or just needed confirmation that we were still there. But when she would climb into bed with us, she would be wide awake. For at least an hour, sometimes more. And eventually, I would end up having to take her back to her room, where she would cry and beg to sleep in "Mommy's bed."
Last night she got up three times, starting at 2:45. The first time, I gently picked her up, carried her to her room, rocked her for awhile rubbing her back, and sweetly put her back to sleep. The second time, around 3:20, I walked her back, holding her hand, and told her that she had to stay in her room and sleep in her big girl bed until morning. The third time, at 3:40, I was mad. I told her to go straight to her room, and I just followed behind, making sure that she got in bed.
(On a side note, Mondays are Jesse's long day at work: 5:30am until about 7:00pm. Needless to say he was exhausted, and had taken a Benadryl to help with his allergies and get a good night's rest. So the whole time this is going on, he is sawing logs...)
So, after the third trip to Ryleigh's room, I got in bed, mad, and now wide awake. And yes, the baby had started kicking and rolling around, probably wondering what in the world was going on.
Well, within 5 minutes of getting into bed, I heard a really weird beep. Then again. And again. Being that this is a new house, we're still not used to all the little sounds we hear at night. I sat up, listening, agitated. When the beep did not stop, I got up to see what it was. I looked around, and it stopped. Of course. It made me slightly nervous, but whatever, I was tired, and just wanted to sleep! So, I got back into bed. And Jesse rolls over and says, "what was that?" I told him I had no idea, because it stopped on its own.
5 minutes later, it started again. And it was more frequent. We both sat straight up and headed for the door. Sure enough, it was the house alarm at the front door. And the "trouble" light was blinking. My heart started racing. Jesse and I do not have the alarm activated yet, but we did have cables run for activation last week when we ran our telephone/Internet lines. So, how can a disabled alarm be beeping "trouble?" We checked all around the house, turned on all outside lights, and came back to the alarm. I picked up the phone and the line was dead. Then I remembered some automated message I got from our phone provider (the same one who ran the line for the alarm) that there was going to be shutdown between the hours of 2am and 6am.
About that time, Ryleigh again came out of her room crying, and ran straight to Daddy. He just looked at me, both exhausted and frustrated, turned off the light, and we went back to our room. We all fell in bed around 4:10. Jesse's alarm went off at 4:30.
WOW. It was a long night.
I kind of wonder if Ryleigh knows that I'm going to need some preparation for the long nights that are to come when the baby arrives...perhaps she is just trying to help...I don't know. I do know that she cut some molars sometime over the past few weeks, which might have had something to do with her initially waking up. She also wakes up during nap time, needing to go potty. I'm thankful that she is learning, but man, I need her to take that nap!! Plus, she is a much nicer girl when she sleeps well; you can imagine how nice she has been these past couple of weeks...!!
Okay, I'm done venting now. I need a nap. Literally.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Welcome Madilynn Grace!
Madilynn Grace arrived last Thursday afternoon, after a speedy labor and delivery. She is a tiny thing, weighing only 6 lb 14 oz and measuring 18.5 in long.
Stacey said that labor and delivery was very smooth, and they were discharged within 24 hours. Nice! I'm sure they had a lot of family and friends this weekend to come meet the baby, and it truly took everything in me to not get in my car and go see them!
Ben and Stacey have been some of my best friends since high school. It seems we always hit major crossroads of life at the same time, which has been such a blessing to me. I love knowing that Stacey understand exactly what I'm thinking and feeling about a situation, because she's right there too. They are true friends in every sense of the word, and I'm so blessed to have them in my life.
We are so excited for you guys and your beautiful new addition. We'll continue to pray for a quick recovery for Mama, extra time for Daddy, and lots of love and attention for Gabbi. Miss Madilynn is precious, and we cannot wait to get there and meet her ourselves. We love you!
Yes, I shamelessly stole their pictures off Facebook to post on my blog... :) Aren't they the cutest family you ever saw??
Stacey said that labor and delivery was very smooth, and they were discharged within 24 hours. Nice! I'm sure they had a lot of family and friends this weekend to come meet the baby, and it truly took everything in me to not get in my car and go see them!
Ben and Stacey have been some of my best friends since high school. It seems we always hit major crossroads of life at the same time, which has been such a blessing to me. I love knowing that Stacey understand exactly what I'm thinking and feeling about a situation, because she's right there too. They are true friends in every sense of the word, and I'm so blessed to have them in my life.
We are so excited for you guys and your beautiful new addition. We'll continue to pray for a quick recovery for Mama, extra time for Daddy, and lots of love and attention for Gabbi. Miss Madilynn is precious, and we cannot wait to get there and meet her ourselves. We love you!
Yes, I shamelessly stole their pictures off Facebook to post on my blog... :) Aren't they the cutest family you ever saw??
Sunday, August 02, 2009
6 years
Today is Jesse and my 6th anniversary. Six years ago, we pledged our lives together.
I don't remember much, to be honest, except through pictures. I know it was an incredibly emotional day for me, full of nerves, anxiousness, excitement, and powerful joy. The words we spoke to each other, barely audible to the rest of the audience, were sincere and heart-felt. There was passion and desire to strive towards an amazing marriage.
Those vows we repeated have been the basis of our life. Definitely not always easy to follow, but solid convictions in our hearts. The past six years have had ups and downs, joys and sorrows, as I'm certain the rest of our lives will also hold. I know this. I know that I vowed my life to Jesse, and him to me. I know that whatever might come, we will face it together. I know that God brought us together, and it is only because of Him that we will be able to make it together. I'm thankful for every positive aspect of my husband's character, and prayerful for every...well, not-so positive aspect. :) As I'm sure he is of me. We have grown individually and together over these past six years, and I'm curious to see what we look like as a couple in another six years from now.
I found pictures from our honeymoon on an old digital card when we were moving. We went to Colorado for a week, hanging out together, hiking through beautiful mountains, climbing up the sides of waterfalls, having picnics beside streams, fishing in quiet lakes. We enjoyed nature and spent time with only each other. It was a beautiful week, and looking back at these pictures makes me remember how young we were. Young, in love, and full of faith in each other. It was a special time, full of memories.
(If you notice, we don't have any pictures of us together from the entire week. We truly spent the week secluded from the rest of the world, therefore having no one else to take our picture. And we had not mastered the arm-outstretched pose yet...)
I don't remember much, to be honest, except through pictures. I know it was an incredibly emotional day for me, full of nerves, anxiousness, excitement, and powerful joy. The words we spoke to each other, barely audible to the rest of the audience, were sincere and heart-felt. There was passion and desire to strive towards an amazing marriage.
Those vows we repeated have been the basis of our life. Definitely not always easy to follow, but solid convictions in our hearts. The past six years have had ups and downs, joys and sorrows, as I'm certain the rest of our lives will also hold. I know this. I know that I vowed my life to Jesse, and him to me. I know that whatever might come, we will face it together. I know that God brought us together, and it is only because of Him that we will be able to make it together. I'm thankful for every positive aspect of my husband's character, and prayerful for every...well, not-so positive aspect. :) As I'm sure he is of me. We have grown individually and together over these past six years, and I'm curious to see what we look like as a couple in another six years from now.
I found pictures from our honeymoon on an old digital card when we were moving. We went to Colorado for a week, hanging out together, hiking through beautiful mountains, climbing up the sides of waterfalls, having picnics beside streams, fishing in quiet lakes. We enjoyed nature and spent time with only each other. It was a beautiful week, and looking back at these pictures makes me remember how young we were. Young, in love, and full of faith in each other. It was a special time, full of memories.
(If you notice, we don't have any pictures of us together from the entire week. We truly spent the week secluded from the rest of the world, therefore having no one else to take our picture. And we had not mastered the arm-outstretched pose yet...)I love my husband. I'm thankful that God has blessed us with each other and the life we lead. I look forward to the future and the continuation of this road we have begun. Thank you Jesse for choosing me to be your wife, friend, lover, and life-partner. I can't imagine going through life with anyone but you. I love you.