Saturday goings-on

Yard sailing this morning turned out to be a flop... so disappointed! Even if it is threatening rain, it seems that everyone cancels. But there's always next week...and, I use poor yard sailing as an excuse to go thrifting :) So after Abel's nap, we're headed back out!

This morning while Daddy worked, Abel and I hit the veggie co-op and picked up 5 lbs of cabbage and collard greens. For $35, we get 24 weeks of veggies, 5 lbs a week. We also get tons of free corn and a pumpkin! The line was long this morning and the pickings were slim, but we regularly buy cabbage at the grocery store (so getting it cheaper here was great) and I'm looking forward to cooking something new (the collards). Usually, I pick our fresh veggies for the week from the grocery store based on sales. My hope is that this summer nearly all our veggies will come from the co-op. Since I'm planning on making Abel's food when he begins eating solids (in 2 months or so) we will be using the extras for that endeavor.

We visited Reed at Starbucks after picking up the vegetables. I love how Abel looks for Reed when we're there, and how once he finds his Daddy, he just stares at him. The typical handful of people stopped me to coo at Abel, saying how precious and sweet he is. I think that in 4.5 months, I have yet to go out without someone stopping me to talk to Abel. I love it! He gets tons of smiles as we walk by people, but I am surprised at how many people actually come up to us to chat with him, and to ask me his name and age. I've been out with lots of babies, and he really gets reactions like I've never seen. It's nice to know that other people agree with how cute I think he is!

Tonight we're watching the son of a couple Reed and I worked with in college. I first watched this little guy when he was only 2 weeks old, and his mom had to go back to school. She and her hubby had class at the same time twice a week, so I took care of him in one of the academic buildings during that time slot. We still watch him occasionally, and have been invited to all three birthday parties. It's been fun seeing him grow, and I'm glad his parents feel comfortable enough with us to still call and ask us to watch him. I'm glad we're able to help out.

Looking forward to Reed getting home this afternoon! I still get so excited when I hear his car pull up :)

3 Months/ Abel's Birth Story Part One

Abel Kenneth- 3 months old

My baby is three months old today! Abel is so much fun to have around, and I wake up each day so thankful for his precious life. So thankful as well, for the Lord's guidance and protection as I brought him into this world.

We moved him to his own room a few nights ago... not a choice I was too excited about, but I guess it's for the best! Reed has been using the computer more often, and will continue to do so, for his new job. I also had really wanted to get back to blogging. Unfortunately the computer set up right next to the crib, and typing wakes Abel up! We figured it would make more sense to move the crib into the nursery rather than the computer desk :)

I wanted to take the time to finally write down Abel's birth story. At the time, I was in so much pain and on some crazy medication, so I already don't remember all the details. But I'll do my best! Here's part one:

The beginning of the week before Abel was born, I began to feel strange, most noticeably I had a strange ache in my shoulder. I thought I might have caught a bug from one of the kids I babysat for, so I took off of work for a few days. I had a scheduled non stress test (I had these 2x a week in the last few months, to check the baby's wellbeing) on Tuesday, and the baby was fine. My blood pressure was elevated, but because my shoulder had started aching a lot, the doctor thought it was high because I was in pain. By Wednesday, I was nauseous, headache-y, and had this dull ache in my abdomen. It was our 3rd wedding anniversary, though, so I cooked an awesome dinner and told myself to enjoy it! After dinner, Reed and I went to church that night to teach in the kids program. After class was officially over, I slipped out of my room into Reed's class, trying to hide my tears. I felt like I was going to collapse from exhaustion and get sick-- and I just wanted to be home. I remember changing my Facebook status to something like, "It's terrible to have the stomach flu in the third trimester" and I remember thinking, "My morning sickness just quit a few weeks ago, and now I've got this yucky bug."

I don't think I slept well that night, and the pain in my abdomen was more pronounced when I woke up. The shoulder ache was still there, too. I had another scheduled non stress test on Thursday, and I told my doctor about my pain. The baby looked good, though my blood pressure was high again, my doctor again decided it was because of the pain. He said it sounded like I had the stomach flu, but before I left, he told me to come back if anything changed. By that evening I was glued to the couch, only getting up to throw up. The pain in my stomach had become so intense, I couldn't think straight. I remember sobbing when Reed left for work because I didn't want to be left alone. I'm pretty sure I was crying when he came home hours later. We didn't sleep that night.

Friday morning brought more pain. I kept forcing myself to take a hot shower, convincing myself that the heat would somehow help my throbbing shoulder and the knives in my abdomen. Reed even bought me icy-hot to rub on my shoulder, thinking it might be muscular. By that afternoon, Reed said we had to go to the emergency room and I begged to go to my OB instead. By this point, I was thinking I might not have the stomach flu, and wasn't surprised when the doc drew blood to 'check on something.' He said he would call with the results the next day, but to go straight to labor and delivery at the hospital if I felt any worse- my doc was the doctor on call that weekend. Again, we didn't sleep that night.

The next day (Saturday) around noon, Reed was getting ready to go to work when my phone rang. It was my doctor, calling with my results. "Your liver enzymes are high, meet me at the hospital now." I told Reed he wasn't going to work as I staggered into our room to find some presentable clothes. The awesome people he works with covered his shift- and many shifts after- and I am so thankful to them. I called my mom and my dear friend Abigail as we drove to the hospital, telling them the little I knew.

As we drove through Lynchburg, I remember confessing to Reed that I hoped they would knock me out when I got to the hospital, take the baby, and fix whatever was wrong with me. It hurt so much, I just wanted it to be over.

2 Months!

Abel is two months old today (okay 2 days ago- I'm late posting this), and I can hardly believe it! Not that I'm surprised it's been two months since his birth, but when I realize where we were as a family a year ago, I'm in awe of all that has changed since then. I'm in awe of a God who would guide Reed and I through the sadness of the sudden end of my first pregnancy, and teach us trust and patience as He led us through a subsequent high risk pregnancy. Then, even more trust as we surrendered our plans to His through a dangerous delivery.

Now two months later, here we are. Healthy baby, healthy mama, thankful daddy.

My little man is getting bigger and cuter every day. He is holding his head up more often, and beginning to add a few 'happy' expressions to his repertoire of faces- through we've yet to see a true smile. Abel is getting rounder in the belly, but is still pretty small overall, making his cloth diapers fit funny (so we're currently still in disposables). He began focusing on things in front of his face a few weeks ago, and it makes this mama's heart happy to watch Abel stare at his daddy when they read together.

You might remember that we were following a problem with Abel's kidney from the time I was 16 weeks pregnant with him. We now know one of his kidneys is multi-cystic dysplastic, and is non-functioning. Praise God you can live with one! Over time, the good one will get bigger to take over function for the bad one, and the bad one should shrink away. We'll continue to see a specialist for blood work (to check the good one's function) and sonograms (to check the size of both) for a few years. We also need to be extra careful that Abel does not get a kidney infection by following up with any unexplained fevers (not related to something obvious, like the flu).

I can't wait to bring Abel to Tennessee and Maryland to meet the rest of his family and many dear friends! Until then, here are some pictures:


Abel as a newborn:


One month:


Two Months:

Finding Time

Now that Abel is here, I'm realizing pretty quickly what my priorities are- I can find time to sit and stare at my little one, but no time to write on my blog! Now that he is 8 weeks old and I've gotten into a bit of a schedule, I am slowly but surely making time for more things in my day. Things like the household chores my husband had been doing and cooking regularly were the first tasks I needed to fit back in, and the luxuries (like blogging) are trying to work their way into my day, too.

But staring at my baby? And snuggling with my boys? You can be sure I do that everyday :)

How could I resist?

First Outing!

Abel Kenneth is here!

The past two weeks feel like such a time warp to me. This time two weeks ago, I thought I had the stomach flu. Two days later I had an emergency c-section, and at 10:28 PM on January 16th: a little boy! Of course I will go back and share his birth story and my recovery, but I don't want to miss out on other things I want to post until then-- I have a feeling it will take a little while to type up all that has happened.

And all that really matters now is that both Abel and I are home safe and sound. God is so good to us! It is amazing to me that when life seems so out of control and worst-case scenarios pile up, God is not surprised. In fact, He was the one that planned it that way!

After nearly 2 weeks of only being at either the doctor's, the hospital, or home, by Tuesday the 26th I really wanted to go out into the 'real world.' I had been in so much pain- and throwing up- since coming home from the hospital, that going out wasn't an option before that. I wasn't even sitting up for long periods of time for a week after Abel was born! But the first day I felt like I had any strength at all, I wanted to go somewhere!

That morning, Abel and I both had doctor's appointments, back to back. I had been hoping to go to Wal-Mart after those appointments, but I was in tears from exhaustion after just going to the doc's. So, Reed vetoed my plans :) But after having a pretty good day, we (okay, Reed) decided I could try again that night. Reed wrapped me up in my Moby Wrap (a baby sling/carrier) at home, because he wanted me to make sure before we left the house that I could carry Abel without hurting my incision.



We went to Wal-Mart first. This consisted of me sitting on various benches throughout the store, while Reed ran around to fill the basket. This was great because I was able to tell him where everything was, and I was able to go out, but I didn't have to walk around too much :) A few different people stopped me to ask about the baby, and I was thankful that no one tried to touch him (he was only 10 days old!). Reed picked me up at the door, and then I decided I could handle Starbucks! I figured sitting and having coffee does not involve walking around, and we could leave as soon as I wanted.





When we walked in, I almost cried! It smelled so good and felt so cozy! I am in Starbucks (where Reed works) almost every day; sometimes I just bring a book and sit for hours while he is working. I know this sounds weird, but it was honestly so awesome to be there after having been away for so long. And, we were able (pun not intended) to show off Abel to some of Reed's co-workers.





When I watched baby Michael, I would bring him in a sling to Starbucks when he was tiny. I loved having his sleeping baby company while I read and soaked up Reed's company from afar. I am so excited that now I can bring my baby with me. I have wanted that for so long!


This trip though, was more of a date with Reed :) Abel slept while Reed and I enjoyed hot drinks and each other's company. We sat and talked for a long time- I so throughly enjoy my hubby's companionship. It was such a blessing to sit in a quiet place, with yummy drinks, and focus on my husband. Reed even showed off the baby to a couple 'regulars,' which I know was fun for him.





I wonder where we'll go next? I think I could handle another little outing :) But, they are calling for snow this weekend so we'll probably just stay at home. Reed is even off of work this weekend!

I just love spending time with my boys!

35 Weeks

As of today, I am 35 weeks and 1 day pregnant! So many people have told me that their pregnancies have dragged on forever, particularly at the end-- but this has flown by! We're so thankful to have a healthy baby, and a healthy mama, that our focus is more one of thankfulness than impatience. Not to say I'm not ready to meet him, because I surely am! I cannot wait to hold my little Abel, but would keep him in as long as necessary if he needed it to be born healthy.

Right now, I am focused on enjoying these last few baby-less weeks with Reed. We began dating over 7 years ago, and we've so deeply enjoyed one on one companionship throughout our 4 + years of dating and 3 years (next week!) of marriage. I don't know how to put into words the love and admiration I have for Reed, which I know will only increase when I watch him with our baby. But until then, I am trying to be aware of every precious alone moment we share.

While we still are waiting on Abel's birth date, my OB has told me that he'll induce in my 39th week. We originally thought he would go earlier than that, but without an amniocentesis to confirm lung maturity he will only do 39 weeks. And, he won't do an amnio because it is a risky procedure when you're on blood thinners, like I am. We're praying I don't deliver early on my own.

I have been going to the OB 2x a week for non-stress tests, which look for signs of distress in the baby. The tests roughly predict Abel's chances of survival for the next 4 days. While laying on an exam table, the nurse straps 2 monitors to my belly-- one to measure Abel's heartbeat, another to measure uterine activity. Then, I am given a little button to push every time I feel him move. The hope is that in 20 minutes, he will have 2 periods of activity in which his heart rate accelerates, then goes back down. Because of the uterine activity monitor, we can also see how his heart rate changes if I have a contraction. Sometimes, they also do an ultrasound afterwards to do another test called a bio-physical profile (BPP). In this test, they check his diaphragm activity, the flow of blood in the umbilical cord, his heart rate, the amount of amniotic fluid, and various parts of his body to make sure he is growing. After the BPP, Abel is given a score out of 8, similar to the Apgar scores they give babies after birth. He has always received 8/8 :)

Reed and I are still traveling to Roanoke (every 2 weeks now) to see my high risk specialist, because of Abel's kidney. Now that he is bigger, the doctor can tell from the sonogram that he has a multicystic kidney, with one large cyst and several smaller ones in his right kidney. (Thankfully, his other kidney is perfect. One affected kidney should be monitered and might need surgery, but is not too big of an issue. Two affected kidneys is fatal.) We (the doctor included) still do not know what will need to be done after he is born regarding treatment for his kidney. Abel may need surgery, he may need nothing. The first step is for him to have an ultrasound of the kidney soon after he is born.

I am also continuing to see my hematologist every few weeks to keep an eye on my blood. I am eager to talk to him again, to find out when I should stop my Lovenox (blood thinner) and asprin before the induction, when he wants me to start on them again after birth, and how long he wants me on them. I really love how proactive he has been with my medication, bumping me up to a much higher dosage of medication after my miscarriage in March. However, most of his patients are elderly, with cancer, and I don't think he really knows what to do with me. While I am thankful I have his input, I am even more thankful to have such a wonderful OB and high risk doctor on my case.

Well, I am off to go make a space in our bedroom for the crib-- which just arrived today! I hope Reed doesn't have any other plans for when he gets home from work because he's forbidden me to move furniture (unlike most women, I do not want to go into labor early!)

I'll leave you with my most recent picture, taken at 34 weeks 3 days-- I think I'm bigger now, and it's only been 5 days!

Blog Party!

I am still learning more and more about this blogging world, and one thing I've just stumbled across is this Blog Party. I know that lots of you who read my writing (mostly old friends and family, I think!) do not blog yourselves. This Blog Party is a way to introduce my blog to like-minded bloggers, because we all list our sites on the blog that is hosting the party. You can check out the hosting site, and look at the other blogs that have linked up here.

The host of the Blog Party, Lynnette Kraft, has posted 20 questions for participants to answer about themselves as an introduction to new visitors. Here are mine!

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?
A latte I picked up from my hubby when I visited him at his job-- Starbucks!

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
God's grace; it has changed the way I live, what I hope to accomplish in life, and the way I view myself.
Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
I live in the mountains now. They're little, but I love them!

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?
Folding the white laundry. Endless undershirts and socks with no matches!

5. Who do people say you remind them of?
No one in particular, but people say I act like a mom and teacher... which is fine by me!

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?
I love spending time with my husband, and would choose alone time with him over a party. But we enjoy socializing together.

7. What's your all time favorite movie?
Honestly, Toy Story. I don't think that will every change!

8. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?
Every night? No way!

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
Reed bought me a sewing machine for my birthday this year, and I can't wait to master it! I think that might take a while, though.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?
Finding my way out of a town we're completely lost in. At least, I'm better at it than Reed is!

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?
Reed's desire to live for God attracted me to his life before I was attracted to him. I told my friends that he was the exact type of person I wanted to marry, even though I wasn't attracted to him yet! Then, within the year, I knew he was for me.

12. What is something you love to smell?
A warm house filled with yummy food. And newborns.

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
I bite my nails, and that bothers a lot of people. Particularly, Reed and my grandmother.

14. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?
Pay off the ridiculous amount of student loans that Reed and I owe, for sure!

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
I hope my laugh isn't obnoxious, but I think I am a loud laugher. Silly kids, story telling with friends, and enjoying genuine fellowship make me laugh.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?
I love T.J. Maxx.

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
Practice on my sewing machine.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?
Frugal! Trying to grow my frugal skills with every week.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time (from a movie or book)? (Can't be real)
After wasting way too much time trying to think of someone, I'm just going to say that I'll have to come back to this one.

20. Would you want to be famous?
Nope. I have enough trouble trying to please God and my husband. I don't need millions of others judging my actions and choices!