Pregnancy Update

The last couple of weeks have been busy with Dr. appt.'s, ultra sound, tests & dietitian visits.
On Tuesday I had an ultra sound and the technician said everything looked great. I seem to be measuring right on with my due date, meaning the baby is about the right size, so that is an answer to prayer.

I also saw the dietitian again on Tuesday and she was pleased enough with the way things were going that I do not have to go back to her unless my sugars start to go up. I still have to test myself like before, but we are so glad that change of diet is working and I won't have to take insulin.

As for my change of diet, I am finally starting to get used to what I can eat with what and so on. I won't lie and say it's easy. It's very hard sometimes, especially with my sweet tooth :) But I thought I would crave sweets a lot more than I have, so for that I am thankful. And I am also thankful I didn't have to give up my all time favorite night time snack, POPCORN! I did have to give up the lemonade that went so beautifully with it but OH WELL!

I saw the Dr. today and she was pleased with last weeks blood tests. She agreed to let me see my midwife next week, so I am very excited about that. I really want my midwife to be able to be involved in this birth if at all possible. Even though I have a super nice Dr., it is really hard to go back to one after having a midwife with the last 4 babies. But again, I am have a great respect for my Dr. She is caring, listens, takes the time to explain things, and I don't feel like just a number. Really, she's the best Dr. I have ever been to.

I am feeling great! Baby is moving lots and lots and lots! I am not usually even that tired, which is a great blessing. The weather has been co-operating with me, as we have only had a couple of real scorching days this summer, and Mark got the air conditioner in just in time for most of those days :)

The rest of the family is excited about when they will meet their new little brother or sister. We bought a few little clothes and diapers, so that always makes it seem more real to them. Soon we will have to have a serious name discussion. I think each of us have a couple of favorites in mind, but nothing is for sure yet. It gets harder and harder to pick names the more children we have!

So thanks again for all who have been praying for me! I appreciate it so much, and am so grateful to God for answering them. God is good.....all the time!

Don't forget to vote for what you think this baby will be.....a boy or girl. And if you want to leave a comment telling us what you guessed....even better :)

Random Life Things

Here is what our days have been like around here (and I'm sure many others as well:)

We wake up and see if the sun is shining or not. 9 times out of 10 it isn't, many times in fact, it is raining. If it's raining we try to think of some inside projects that can be left at a drop of a hat, just in case the sun shines. Because if the sun shines....we rush outside and the frantic weeding, mowing, tilling, and anything else that has had to wait for the sun to shine, begins. It's been quite a spring to say the least. Today we were able to get most of the garden weeded and tilled before it started to pour.....again!

Over the years Mark and I have said that we would rather rain than drought. I know lots of rain floods things and drowns things out, but there still seems to be hope with rain. With a drought, when everything is dead with no seeming chance of growing, it is a lot more hard to take.

We have been very blessed in our area. We were able to get all of our crops in and sprayed. There are others in this province, and other provinces who have not been able to get either accomplished. Our prayers are with them as we can only imagine how hard that must be. A farmer's life this time of year is supposed to be crazy busy, instead many are waiting around for things to dry up.

On another note I thought it was time for a pregnancy update. Up until last week everything was going super well. My blood pressure was well controlled, baby growing and moving lots (did I say LOTS!). Then I went in for my routine blood sugar test. The random one came back high, so I had to do a one hour one. That one came back high, the next step was a 3 hour fasting test. That also came back high so now I have been told I have gestational diabetes. This means that I am back to seeing a Dr. at least for a couple of weeks. My Dr. is super nice, I am thankful for that, but still not the route we wanted to go. I was sent to a dietician and we are now trying to bring my levels down simply by diet change. I am happy that this is the first step they take.

So now eating is not such a simple thing anymore. I have to write down everything I eat and test myself 4 times a day to see how my levels are doing. Eating takes a lot more thinking, as I have to eat protien and vegetables with my carbohydrates. I am not supposed to go any more than 3 hours between eating and concentrate on eating smaller meals. Basically I have said good-bye to sweets. I could eat, in moderation, things sweetened with fake sweeteners, but I am not too keen on that.

My Dr. said that if my levels aren't able to be controlled with diet then I will have to take insulin. But the dietician said that this changing the diet route usually works. So we are praying for that.

From what I have read, there is usually no symptoms for gestational diabetes. I do not feel bad at all. There is one thing that I have noticed though since I have changed my diet. It used to be that when I got hungry, I would immediately feel headachy. But now my stomach just feels the hunger. So not sure if that is related or not?

As for my birth plan, everything is up in the air right now. I have an ultra sound coming up to check how the baby is doing and his/her size. One of the common complications with gestational diabetes is that the sugar goes to the baby and the baby grows big. If the ultra sound shows the baby is growing too big, then the Dr's plan is to take the baby earlier. So we are again praying that we caught this early enough and baby is not getting too much chub :)

Once again I am getting practice at trusting God, His timing, and knowing in my heart that He is in control and being A-OK with that. I don't know what this birth is going to look like. I don't know the purposes that God has in allowing us to go through this and that's OK. I don't need to understand, I just need to hold His hand (as the song goes). I am so thankful that I do not need to figure it all out....there's freedom in that!

So for now it is a wait and see thing. See if the diet will work, see what the ultra sound results are, and see if I will be able to go back to my midwife after things are under control. And in the mean time, look forward to meeting our little reward :) Time is flying by and we know baby will be here faster than we think.

Thanks to all of you who have prayed for my blood pressure! And could you please add this concern when you think of praying for us? Oh, and if there is anyone out there who has been through this and can give me some pointers, it would be greatly appreciated :)

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome. Deuteronomy 10:17

New Year's Resolution

I had given up on New Year's Resolutions many years ago. For me they just don't work! But this year I have one. LOOSE AT LEAST 10 POUNDS IN 1 DAY :) Maybe today?

Still Waiting!

Did I mention that God's timing is PERFECT :)

Who Ever Knew

Talk about a blast from the past.

19 years ago.....

I was at the hospital, induced and waiting for labor to kick in.

Today..... I am waiting for labor to kick in, just not in the hospital.

What are the chances of having 2 New Year's babies out of 11?

For the Record

Joshua-I was induced 1 week early because of high blood pressure. He was born 6 days before his due date. Jennifer-2 1/2 weeks overdue. I still think the dates were calculated wrong as she was one of our smallest. Megan- 3 days overdue Kerri- right on the due date Caleb- right on the due date Zachary- 2 days early Jesse- 2 days overdue I still get confused today over Zach and Jesse's birthdays because Zach was due Oct. 18 and born on the 16th. Jesse was due on the 16th and born on the 18th! Nathan- 5 days overdue Brooke- 1 day overdue Mikaya- 9 days overdue (again, my cycle was not yet regular, I don't think due date was very accurate. So there you have it. My record of early/on-time/overdue. I'm still waiting........And I'm okay with it......Really :) I have learned that God's timing is absolutely perfect!

Baby # 11 Update

Well, I've realized it's been awhile since I have done a baby update.

So.......here it is.

Every pregnancy around this time I marvel at how soon I will meet this little one that has been growing inside of me for so many months, kicking, hiccupping, doing somersaults. And around this time I really fall in love with our baby. A deep longing love. A love that consumes me all day long. I wonder what he/she will look like, what will be the color of his/her hair, will he/she have hair (not too likely around here:), will it be a sleeper or an awaker, what size will it be, will it be a boy or a girl........and the list goes on. And it seems almost unbelievable that Lord willing in a few weeks we will have another baby to hold and love. Another little one to raise for the glory of God's Kingdom, another little heart to train.

The mystery, the beauty, the miracle of birth is all so amazing. No matter how many times I've been pregnant I go through the same feelings. Anticipation, apprehention, excitement and fear. The apprehension and fear are mostly about labor. I have to give this over to God and know that this is in His hands. Some people think because I have been through it 10 times that it will be a cinch :) Not so for me. It is still labor. I think I have learned to deal with it better, but it is still pain. So I focus on the end result, not the means of getting there. I have to do that or I would be a basket case! John 16:21 talks about how when a baby is born the mother quickly forgets about the pain of labor because of the baby she now has. While this is quite true it seems that every time I go through labor it is a little harder to forget the pain. But I also easier remember the first little cry, the first little nuzzle for milk, the pure joy of meeting them face to face for the first time, the relief that labor is over.

I know these last few weeks are going to go by very quickly as we are approaching the Christmas season. Part of me doesn't even want to plan for Christmas because I don't know when the Due Day will be, and the other part of me feels for my family and wants to make things special for them even though I have 'other' things on my mind.

So the days go by. The days go by very quickly. There is still lots to be done before this little one arrives. Everyone here is excited to meet him/her. Zachary kisses him/her every time he goes to bed or I go away somewhere. This baby will be so loved. Lots of hugs and kisses. Lots of attention. After all, it's not every year you get a new baby for Christmas :)

Baby Update

First of all, just so you all know..... NO , I am not going to do photo shoots of my growing belly :) Not that I am not proud of it, or glad it is there, it's just that......it's just not my thing. But I will try to let you know how things are going. So far everything is going great. I have had a couple of midwife appointments and we are all happy with the way things are going. And except for tiring a little easier my daily routine continues on. So after being through the 1st trimester 11 times, and the 2nd & 3rd trimesters 10 times, I think I can safely say I enjoy the second trimester the most. Why? Well let me tell you :) 1. I can feel the baby move, but I don't get my ribs kicked. Although sometimes when I get a little kick it startles me as I am not quite used to it:) You'd think being the 11th time..... 2. The baby seems more real as my belly starts to fill out, but I am not huge....yet! 3. I can still eat what I want and I don't have any heart burn. 4. I still sleep relatively well at night despite a couple of bathroom breaks. 5. My hands and feet are not swollen. 6. Unlike the first trimester, I don't get as many headaches. 7. Food is appealing but, not "revolting" or "I need food nowish!" 8. My face is not puffy. 9. I can still fit multiple children on my lap. 10. When people meet me and look at my belly (they always do! I guess they think I don't notice!?!?!?) they still are guessing if I am pregnant or not. Can't start the rumors yet!!! So there you have it. Time is flying by.....and I know baby will be here (Lord willing) before we know it. It is so different from the first couple of pregnancies where you wait and wait and the due date seems to take forever. Now the weeks seem to go by so quickly. I guess I have lots to keep my mind busy. Actually, that is quite an understatement!!!!! My mind is 'always' busy. So my lady readers, tell me about you. What was/is your favorite trimester? And why? I'd love to hear from you.

First Pregnancy

This is one of the blog surrveys going around. Let's see if I remember that far back :-)


1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes, by God


2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes, for 7 mths


3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Very excited!


4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely NOT


5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 18


6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? In those days (boy that makes me feel old) you went to the good 'ol clinic and got a test done. That's what I did!


7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My amazing husband


8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? No


9. DUE DATE? Jan. 4/90


10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, but nothing real bad.


11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Chocolate Swiss Rolls


12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? My husbands boss because he made him work so much (we were on a farm)


13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? A boy


14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, we were thrilled he was a healthy red headed boy.


15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? Very little, I think under 20 (wish I could have kept up that trend!)


16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes


17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew.


18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Yes, high blood pressure (which I have had every pregnancy since and found out it is the 'white coat syndrome' meaning it goes up just for the doctors :-)


19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Morden Hospital


20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Induced 1 week early because I had high blood pressure. Mild labor for approx. 2 days before he decided to make his appearance.


21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My husband


22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? My hubby and the Dr. and Nurses


23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural


24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Demoral, but I would never do it again. I felt so out of control of what I was saying (something about the pelicans at Pelican Lake :-)


25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7lbs 8 oz.


26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? Jan. 1/90 (New Year's Baby)


27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Joshua Mark


28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 17 years and 4 months

This is me just a couple days before Joshua was born.

Looks like I had to stick my belly out so it would show!

I don't seem to have that 'problem' anymore!!

STILL WAITING!

It's a good thing that God's timing is perfect!

We are still waiting to meet our new little blessing.

Every morning my family looks at me

with a question in their eyes, "Not yet?"

The gramas keep calling, "Not yet?"

People at church yesterday said, "Not yet?"

NOT YET!!!

I have been having slight contractions all week

and by evening I am sure it will be 'the time'

but I go to sleep and everything slows down.

There is one thing for certain, "This baby will come!"

We have been getting lots accomplished though,

new counter top, fixed plumbing and other odd jobs.

Nathan's birthday is on Wednesday.

Maybe we will be celebrating 2 together, like Jesse and Zachary.

We'll keep you posted!

The Countdown is On!

I just realized that I really haven't posted much about this pregnancy. That's mostly because it has went by so fast. I have been feeling really good. A few aches and pains, but nothing compared to some of my previous pregnancies. I have lots of energy some days and other days, ZERO! I have appreciated our older girls more than ever, they have been and continue to be such a huge help to me. Everyone is excited for the baby to come. Jesse loves to feel it when it has the hiccups. Yesterday we took out the 'little' baby clothes and the boys couldn't believe how small they were. We also watched a home video that happened to be when Zachary was a newborn. Caleb wanted to know why he couldn't laugh yet! I think they will be anxious for this baby to grow up! Brooke just wants to dress her doll. So three more weeks and counting down. I know it will go very fast for me, and the baby will be here before we know it. So for now I will: try to get all those little projects done, calving, get some fresh air, finish up our parenting classes, homeschool, get out the cradle, pack my bags, enjoy my family, waddle, waddle, waddle, and get some SLEEP! AHHHH....