Okay, it's official, I love a man at my office. He walked in today and the first words out of his mouth were "oh yeah, you're showing." :) I'm SHOWING! Not "jeez, Leslie's really packing on the pounds," or "She's got to get her munchies under control," but "YOU'RE SHOWING!!!!"
Just makes me want to smile.
Before we move onto our main topic, I just realized how many titles I've ended with an exclamation point. I apologize to you punctuation buffs but sometimes I'm just excitable! lol Did it again.
Anyhow, we are all moved in. My parents and my sister along with her hubby, my grandparents and a couple of cousins were such a tremendous help. I never thought we'd have as much done in just two days as we were able to complete. Our bedroom is totally set up (and all my furniture finally fits), my kitchen is in order (except that we have no food yet) and most of the house feels "done." My sister is a serious task master but it was good to have someone directing traffic because I was worn out on Saturday and Scott needs some direction at times so she kept us on our toes and helped us get a TON of things accomplished. I've even done three loads of laundry already! No more letting dirty laundry pile up in the hampers. :)
There is just one thing . . . that empty bedroom at the back of the house just waiting for baby furniture. I cannot wait to start putting things in there but I can't do that until I know for sure what we're having. It's so hard to wait though. We were at a play last night and there was a woman in the row behind us who was 7 months pregnant. I was talking to her and she said that she and her husband have opted not to find out what they're having. I just don't think I could do that! I am so excited to find out what we're having. I know it sounds silly but I'm already going to be praying that this baby will just open those legs wide so we can find out! No "I THINK it's a . . ." for me. I need to KNOW.
Okay, we are now eating healthier. And by we, I mean myself and the peanut (or is it a cocktail shrimp by now?) Monday evening I went home and marinated chicken strips and grilled them so I could use them on salads this week. I don't know if it was the marinade or the grill but for some reason, the chicken is charred. Now, I like charcoaled meat, don't get me wrong but charred chicken on a nice salad just isn't my cup of tea.
I'm trying to do the 6 small meals a day thing that my doc's nurse told me to try so that I felt better about my eating habits. Because I felt bad eating three times a day, so six times a day will make me feel sooo much better. :) Anyhow, yesterday and today I've done a pretty good job. But today, the things I'm eating are just not sticking with me. I had Honey Bunches of Oats (hey, it's not Fruity Pebbles) for breakfast and then some Malt-O-Meal for lunch and now I'm having one of the salads I made Monday night. But I'm still friggin hungry! I don't know. . . maybe I should just eat some more of the charred chicken?
Okay, so maybe we just HOPE it will be gourmet cooking. Whatever it is, the cooking bug has certainly hit the DeHart household. We are HOOKED on cooking reality shows. We started watching The Next Food Network Star on Sunday. Then, last night was (probably the most fun show of our lineup) Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef starts on Wednesday. It's a culinary lineup that will hopefully inspire us to try new things. We've already decided that in order to save some money and enjoy our new digs, Friday nights at the new house are going to be date night but with a twist. Instead of going out and spending 60 bucks at dinner and a movie, we're going to stay in and have a cooking night. That way we can learn new things that will hopefully make us culinary masters as our child grows up. When he/she is old enough, it'll be family cooking night!
Another lifestyle change I'm going to be making: holy moley, I'm joining the YMCA in Norman. They actually have a water fitness class that is just for pregnant women and new mommies. It works on strengthening the muscles you need during delivery and then after you have the baby, it helps you get those muscles back in shape! Mine are in a shape now but it's a very abstract, chunky, round-ish shape. :)
Scott and I are both looking at the move to the new house as a way to leave old habits behind and step into a new lifestyle. For example: I'm going to try and keep my plants alive instead of letting them die of thirst. We're also going to do better about laundry, load the dishwasher directly instead of letting dishes pile up in the sink, mow the grass with some frequency, etc. People can change and we're going to be living proof of that.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. James 1:2
We have to put a new roof on the house we're moving out of in less than two weeks. . . . oh joy! :)
Someone asked me Sunday how my week had been and the words that came out of my mouth surprised the heck out of me. I told her "it was blessed because it could have been much worse." But it really was blessed. We found out that we have to put a new roof on the house we're selling BUT, that's what you have homeowner's insurance for, right?
In addition to handling all that this week, we also have another ultrasound but this one is supposed to be super cool. Dr. Goff said that after this one, his will seem totally boring. It's actually our first scan for birth defects. I'm sure it's going to be just fine. After all, my baby's heartbeat is perfect, why wouldn't the rest of him/her be?
I can't believe that in about 5 weeks we'll find out if our baby is a boy or girl. It seems so fast! Of course, sometimes I still think December is for-ev-er away. I just keep telling myself that after June 15th, we'll be able to really begin the nesting process the way we want because we'll be settled into our new house and should be able to fill our time transforming that house into the perfect home.
Sorry I haven't updated much lately. Time at work has been extremely hectic and by the time I get home I'm just beat. Our moving saga continues as we get ready to move into our bigger home in Moore. Yesterday we had two snippets of news that were not the greatest. First. . . Scott has a hernia. How weird is that? And what remarkable timing! So now we have to rely on the graciousness of our friends and family to help us get moved since we are both out of the heavy lifting game. Then, I arrived home yesterday after our house was appraised and found that the appraiser left us a little gift. A HOLE in the FRIGGIN CEILING! Yep, I suppose they were checking out an old water stain (that was there when we moved in) and he poked a hole right through the ceiling and left the mess all over my floor. I was NOT a happy camper. Ah well, what can ya do, right?
Yesterday I heard a song that is one of my favorites (and yes, it just happens to be from a Gaither Homecoming video. . . what's wrong with that?) It was such an awesome reminder of why I say things like "no morning sickness, in the name of Jesus," or "I lay claim to a peaceful, calm temperament for my child." It's just a very cool way to illustrate the power God has and how some people forget that. I know many of the people who log on to read this blog and I know that lots of you have been touched in miraculous ways by my God. What I don't know (and I am guilty of doing this too) is why we, after having experienced the power of God in our lives, don't think He'll be able to take care of other things.
One day, four men brought a crippled man to Jesus
Still and lifeless, he lay upon his bed
He had not moved since he was just a baby
Still he longed to become a normal man
Now we don’t know much about the men that carried
The corners of his tattered bed that day
But if we may create an illustration
We’ll see what these men might have had to say
Suppose that first man said, “I hate to doubt it
For Jesus touched my eyes when I was blind
He made me see and there’s no doubt about it
But this man’s needs are more serious than mine”
Suppose that second man said, “No need to bother
This man’s condition will remain the same
Though Jesus touched my hand when it was withered
I don’t believe He can heal a man so lame”
Suppose that third man said, “I hate to question
But no one here is more skeptical than me
Though Jesus cleansed me when I was a leper
This helpless man will never walk, you see”
Then every eye was turned to the fourth man
To see how he might criticize and doubt
But all three men were startled with amazement
When that fourth man stopped and said his name out loud
He said, “My name is Lazarus, could I testify?
My name is Lazarus, it feels good to be alive
When I in chains of death was bound
This man named Jesus called me out.
If you think your little problem is too big for Him to solve
Take it from the one who’s heard the mighty voice of God
A living testimony of His death-defying touch, my name is Lazarus”
Seriously! Can you imagine complaining about a problem being too big for our God and then meeting Lazarus? I am learning more about faith during this pregnancy than I have in a long while. I'm learning to say, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, "I believe my God can, I believe my God will, but even if He doesn't, I will still praise Him." I'm learning that no worry is too small to carry to God in prayer. Most of all, I'm learning to praise God for everything. I know some people think it's overkill when I say "hallelujah" or "praise God" because I've found a good parking space or I got out of work a few minutes early, but why not? I once heard a pastor remind us that EVERY good thing is a gift from God and we all know that finding a good parking space at Wal-Mart is a good thing, right? So why not praise God for the parking spaces, the evenings of rest, the recognition at work, the baby growing inside!?
I cannot begin to describe how thankful I am for this little miracle inside me. When I do try to express it, I realize that the greatest thanks I could give is to dedicate my son or daughter, even at this early stage, to God and commit to raising him/her under a heavy cover of prayer. After all, when we get these gifts from God, it's a lot like being given bakeware (I have a point, stick with me. . . or non-stick with me). When you're given the gift of bakeware, it's pretty much a given that you're going to use it and using it suggests the potential of being able to bless others with what you've created. So take the gifts God has given you, infuse them with love and use them to bless others around you!
Okay, so last night I'm at a high school graduation and I didn't stand for the procession of the graduates. I was tired, It was warm, etc. My cousin looks over and tells me to stand up and I told him no because I was pregnant (I love getting to use that excuse now). He then reminded me that I'd told him my baby was only about as big as my thumb right now and I told him that was true but I was also fat. :)
Anywho, my other cousin (who is supposed to be this innocent young lady as far as her family is concerned . . .) looks over and told me that the whole pregnancy thing was my fault. I told her that I didn't actually get into this condition on my own . . . at which point she says "wrap it before you tap it."
I about fell out of my little seat there at the Marietta High School Auditorium! Oh, it was just too funny. But it makes me think, what kinds of things are my kids going to learn when they're growing up that I won't have a clue about? Because my aunt had NO idea that her daughter knew that kind of euphemism.
Scary . . .
Tomorrow we have another ultrasound. I'm so excited because to be honest, I do not "feel" pregnant. I've read lots of blogs and message board posts from new expectant mothers who have that same issue. I am so blessed not to be dealing with morning sickness right now but absent that symptom, I just feel super tired and that doesn't necessarily always equal pregnancy you know? Even though mine is a result of the little bean inside, it's not a unique pregnancy symptom so it's easy to think "am I really pregnant? That's why I'm so excited about the ultrasounds. It's proof positive that I am definitely pregnant and there's a little person inside.
I realized after our first ultrasound that, even though I didn't know it, part of me wasn't expecting to see anything in there. I've had so many ultrasounds where they've looked to see if my follicles were growing well, where they've measured the size to see if we could conceive, etc, that I'm used to just seeing a big black hole. Seeing that white figure in the picture last time was incredible.
I can't wait to see how much he/she's grown!
I came home today, sat down and realized it has been a very eventful week. Last Thursday we put our home on the market and since then, not only has it sold but we've bought a new one, started packing up the house and oh my gosh, we're moving in less than a month!
It's been such a whirlwind of activity but we're so excited. The house is going to be a fabulous place to raise our baby. It's quite a bit bigger than the house we have now. Almost 50% bigger than the one we're in now. Plus it's in Moore so it's in a better neighborhood and closer to the folks.
I honestly can't express how blessed we are. I can't wait to get into the new house.
Oh! On a side note. . . my dork of a husband and father of my unborn child. . . left the house this evening to take some stuff to storage. Great, yeah, but I was in the tub and when I got out and walked to the living room, THE FRONT DOOR IS FRIGGIN OPEN! Holy moley. Men. . .
Today we had our first ultasound. Our baby is approximately 21mm long and due December 15th. Which means I'm not quite as far along as we thought but we're really only about a week behind where we thought we were. We have another ultrasound in two weeks and then a screening around week 13. Today is week 8, day 5.
Dr. Goff (who is my own personal angel and whom I would recommend to anyone and everyone who will listen) said that since there's been no bleeding and the baby's heartbeat (and how surreal was it to see that flutter on the ultrasound screen?) is strong, the odds are 95% that we're going to do just fine. But (say it with me) "in the name of Jesus," we are believing for 100% odds. This baby is going to be just fine.
After the ultrasound and some lunch, we went to Storkland and picked out the furniture we like. and oh. my. goodness . . . the baby's room setup will cost more than my bedroom suit! But he/she's worth it. :)
In other news. . . our house is officially "on the market." And we're believing God for a quick sell and the blessing of the home we love in Moore. I can't wait!
#1 - no more classes or tests or homework until August! (and late August at that)
#2 - my house is ready to go on the market and we found another very possible house in the listings the realtor sent today.
#3 - only one more day of work this week because we're headed to Texas to see family and RELAX!
but most of all . . . TODAY IS BABY DAY! We have our first ultrasound at 1 p.m. today and we'll get to see our baby (or babies as Scott likes to remind me), hear the heartbeat, and get some tangible proof (besides my wildly changing moods) that I am, in fact, pregnant. I'm so excited.
Okay, so it's actually my baby but according to Parenting.com (and if my due date calculations are correct), our kiddow is the size (and shape) of a cocktail shrimp.
. . . Your BabyThis week, your baby measures about 1 ½ inches from top to bottom--about as big as a cocktail shrimp and similar in shape. Tooth buds are forming, bones are growing, and hair is starting to sprout. Her eyelids are fused shut and will remain closed until week 27, but she can hear you now since the inner workings of the ear are complete. Neurons appear at one end of the spinal cord, and the basic divisions of the brain are present. She can also bend her arms at the elbows and has distinct fingers. Genitals continue to form, but your doctor would not be able to determine the sex yet, even by sonogram. . .
Oh lordy. . . he/she can hear me now. That could be scary. I suppose I should start trying to sound smart so as to impress the little shrimp. And I should probably start watching what I say about people too. . . dont' want to give him/her bad impressions of the people who will be around.
Okay, by now, we should all know that the words that come out of our mouths are very powerful.
According to Proverbs 18:21, "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose." (MSG)
What if . . . mine might have gotten me into a blessed bit of trouble? The more I keep thinking about it, the less I'm worried about the possibility of having twins. Not that I don't think it's possible because it is, but because I keep being reminded that twins would be a double blessing and that God will provide the means to take care of two babies at once.
See, for the past three years, we've been trying to get pregnant. For about the last one and a half, I've been shooting my mouth of, saying "if God wants me to have more than one baby, He's gonna have to give me two at once."
Rule number 1: don't say dumb things that challenge God! lol
So Wednesday we will find out just how many babies are in there. I'd be ecstatic for one, but I'm realizing that I'd be just as happy with two (more scared, but happy). Now that the week of the first ultrasound is here, I cannot WAIT for Wednesday!!
Okay then. . . I didn't get a job I'd applied for and oddly, I'm pretty relieved about it. I may be unhappy about the way that the decision was made but I'm okay with staying in my current position until after the baby is born. Who knows what I'll do after that but I'm certainly not interested in staying here much longer. There seems to be a glass ceiling for administrative assistants (which to be fair, someone did tell me long ago). There's really no training offered to us to help us expand and be more valuable to the organization so there's nowhere to go really.
However, where I am is going to be much less stressful for the duration of this pregnancy and that's all that really matters now.
In other news, we have been in contact with a real estate agent and a mortgage broker today about the pending move. We're hoping to get this show on the road soon and move asap. I just hate having to deal with the financing issues. blech!
But again, it's a good move for little Jackson/Emily so I'll tough it out.
It's difficult to know what to write tonight. I have been so overwhelmed all day by "baby stuff." Today I spent some time with my sister and niece and we went on a long walk. Like 2 miles long. Which may not be long for many of you, but let me tell you kids, 2 miles is a lot for big momma over here! lol. Anyhow, we were talking about baby stuff, then Scott and I went looking for a new car (I'm totally going to tell the kiddo to buy his/her own car at 16 because I'll tell them I bought "them" one before they were even born!) (DANGED CAPS LOCK HAS FROZEN!!). phew. Okay. . . back to my rant. After the hassle free car browsing (that can only happen on Sundays of course), we went to have lunch. Let me tell you, I loaded this baby up with vitamins! Spinach, broccoli, carrots, a green salad, and some tilapia for good brain cells. Once the little tadpole was fed, we went to Burlington and looked through the Baby Depot and then moved onto Babies R Us where I again threatened the tadpole for spending all this money even before he/she is here! Have you seen the price of cribs lately??
However, getting home to my newly painted house (thanks to dee, kyle, mom, dad and of course my wonderful hubby) made it all worth while. I can't wait for May 9th. I am so thankful for this baby and things are happening in other areas of friends' lives right now that make me realize just how blessed we are to have all of these new things coming up. I cannot adequately express just how sweet it is to know that by the end of this year, I'm going to be a momma. Every day there's something new to praise God for. Today it was seeing the look on Scott's face as we wandered through aisles of baby clothes and strollers. He's going to be such a great dad. I just hope he's not right in the counting department. . . he's hoping for 2 at once!
Okay, so there are two parts to this post.
The first is: today has just been a crying day for me. If people were a little cranky with me, if something sentimental came over me, whatever. . . I cried. I talked to a friend of mine who I haven't talked to in months and it was so good to hear her voice and to get the gentle reassurances I used to get when I saw her every day that I started crying (I think this was the third time that day) and once it started, I couldn't get it to stop.
I was driving home and turned on some Israel Houghton and the first song that came on begins like this:
