Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Prayer Requests

Here are some of the things I am praying about as life is about to change in the next month or so! I know these are pretty detailed, but I know that God is in the details and He does care about even the smallest stuff.  Thank you for praying with me.

  • Natural labor and delivery process without complications.  Smooth transitioning from laboring at home to the birth center and ability to use coping techniques and supports.  For the balance of mental and emotional focus along with the ability to let go. 
  • A healthy remainder of the pregnancy and a healthy baby boy who does not need extra interventions or specialists.
  • Good recovery and bonding time with JB.
  • Stress free experience with nursing. Specifically that he will have a good ability to latch and will not have any food or milk protein allergies or reflux issues. 
  • Emme's adjustment to being a big sister.  That she will continue to have the same love and excitement about her little brother as she does now.  And that she will enjoy time with him and respond well to the new family dynamic.
  • Financial provision to pay for the rest of what we owe towards the birth and early infant costs/check-ups/etc.  Also just extra costs that come with adding another child to be covered.
  • Overall peace and a laid back atmosphere in our home as we adjust to #2.  Also opportunities to rest and adjust as a family.
  • For me to be relaxed and enjoy the infancy stage and not second guess every decision.  I am really praying about less anxiety overall and just enjoying the whole process rather than trying to feel like everything has to be perfect.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

L&D Storyboard

I mentioned in earlier posts that I was hoping to create a story board for inspiration and encouragement during labor.  I have been feeling the urge to nest lately, and Ben was gone with Emme for the evening... so tonight was the night!  It was a lot of fun to look through pictures and come up with the phrases and verses I wanted to include on the poster.  Emotionally cathartic I would say!  4 weeks and counting till JB'S due date, I am glad to have had a little time to start getting my head in the game.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Praying Through Your Pregnancy

Just stole this from a neat book I've been reading (title of the post).  I think these are great to pray for not only during pregnancy but into every stage with my kids!

Passion: Lord, please instill in my child a soul wiht a heart for You; a heart that clings passionately to You (Psalm 63:8) and the things that are good, true, noble, lovely, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Purpose: Lord, I pray that my child's life will serve Your purpose in his own generation (see Acts 13:36; Esther 4:14).

Faith: Lord, I pray that faith will find root and grow in my child's heart and that by faith my child may gain what has been promised to him (see Luke 17:5-6; Hebrews 11:1-40).  Reveal Yourself to my child at an early age (see I Samuel 3:7).

Favor: Lord, I pray  that my child will grow in stature and favor with You and with men (see I Samuel 2:26).

Courage: Lord, may my child always "be strong and courageous" in his character and actions (see Deuteronomy 31:6).

Contentment: Lord, teach my child "the secret of being content in any and every situation as You give him strength" (see Philippians 4:12-13).

Monday, October 3, 2011

Quick Update

Here's some of what Emme is up to these days:

  • She is taking a Tiny Tutus class at the rec center on Saturday mornings.  She says she loves it, and will do the moves for us at home... but while we are there she is firmly planted in either mommy or daddy's lap ;)
  • She loves, loves to read.  We have started revisiting story time at the Library again (this time around she is much more interested, haha). Some of her favorite books are the "words" books she got for her birthday.  She just loves to point at each picture and name it.  I get a kick out of how many she knows- there is nothing cuter than hearing a two year old say "watermelon" "popsicle" "shovel" "kite" "picnic"
  • She is super excited about her little brother.  She rubs my belly, kisses it, feeds it, "puts it to sleep". tickles it, shares with it... I could go on... Needless to say I am fairly certain she will be happy to play the mommy role to JB when he arrives.  I was out of town this weekend and when I got back her first words to me were, "I miss JB." Haha- mom hold second place, clearly.
  • She still loves blocks, puzzles, and anything with pieces that can be put back together.  She is extremely methodical in her thinking. Everything as a place and there is a procedure for most everything.  A needs to happen before B and C. Mess with that at your own risk :)
  • She just started counting all the way to 10 by herself. And she will count anything!  Also, she will mostly just count to 10 anway, even if there are only 3 objects.
  • She can sing pretty much the entire alphabet song, Jesus Loves Me, and Open Shut Them.  We also just hear her busting out a random pitch a lot of times- she will tell you she is singing if you ask what she is doing.
  • There are times when Emme is practically talking in complete sentences now- this still astounds me!
  • She is growing very attached to Veggie Tales now.  Whereas in the past she would never pay mind to the TV at all, she is starting to request one of the Veggie shows at least once a day now (a skill I hope will be helpful when brother gets here, woohoo!)
  • She is beginning to memorize a few verses.  At night we have been learning John 3:16, Ephesians 6:1, and Luke 6:31. She likes to do the motions with them :)
  • The park and mall/chick-fil-a play place are a lot of fun for her.  She requests them practically every day ;)
  • She likes to pick out her outfits and begins almost every day by saying, "I need a bow!" (even at 7 am).
  • She is forever mommy's helper- cleaning, laundry, dishes, organizing... no task is too big for her! She wants to be a part of it all.  One of her favorite things to do is help me cook in the kitchen. 
  • Meltdowns happen.... often for no apparent reason :)  One positive thing though, is that I can see the Lord working in her heart even during those times.  A couple of weeks ago after a random fit, followed by discipline she said, "Jesus help Emme's heart."  Thank you, Lord that you redeem us. 
  • She is more and more fun, and more and more of a blessing each day!!!