The Only Thing Constant in Life is Change...

Change is always upon us. Sometimes, it is difficult to experience change. And sometimes it is a wonderful thing. There are events to look forward to - like the birth of a sweet little boy. And then are those changes that are difficult to muddle through and swallow.

So far, it's been a wacky 2012. I had a baby, and now I'm back at work. Good for the budget but miss the little smiling baby. The weather has been mild this winter - good for my heating bill, bad for experiencing snow with the kids. And so many other changes that would be too complicated and possibly boring to mention.

The experts tell us that there are stress levels associated with change, like marriage, moving, and starting school are some are the heavier ones. And I am very happy that I experienced getting married, moving to another town (to be with my new husband) and starting medical school - all within a span of about 6 weeks. And the cool thing is that my Lord carried me through those changes.

As a doctor, I see a lot of stressed people. And they often seek medication to help them. And because I believe there are some benefits to those medications, I will prescribe them.

As a Christian, I also know that "Great is Thy faithfulness" and that stress needs to be turned over to Him who will fulfill His will. And our trials will make us stronger for Him as well. We just need to trust the Lord and not fear what lies ahead. Our future is great.

So change can be a really good thing!!

Baby, Oh, Baby!

So we did not go into labor, and on January 3, 2012 at 7:47 am we welcomed Simon Carl into our family from the womb to the world.

He is a big guy - can't believe he was in my belly. He weighed in at 8 lb 1 oz and was 20 inches long. Came out with a head full of dark hair. (By the way, no heartburn!!!).

We came home from the hospital last Thursday! We were eager to be home - especially to sleep in our own beds. I was eager to see how big brother would do, and Luke has been great!

So we are settling in to a new routine of sorts and enjoying our expanded family.

Here's to 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!

Our family enjoyed a very good Christmas with a happy Luke and a lot of surprises for him. He received enough toys to make my head spin.

We also enjoyed a nice service at church on Christmas celebrating our Lord's birth - complete with the Lord's supper.

The past week has been pretty uneventful - work and waiting on the baby.

And now we are in 2012 and we are still waiting for our little baby's arrival.

So many things to look forward to...

L-O-V-E

Sounds cheesy - but it is really all about love. What you ask? Why Christmas of course.

The presents, the get-togethers, the good food - all of that is done because we love.

And that love started with Jesus' birth, a birth prophesied when Adam and Even failed. A birth that was done with the knowledge that death was coming on a cross - just for you and me.

So enjoy it all. Don't forget about Christmas on December 26th like the rest of the world.

And do something nice for someone else - randomly. Like the idea I had this afternoon while in the drive-thru at McDonald's. I felt God's nudging and obeyed. So what was done? I paid the whopping $12.37 for the meal for the people behind me. I did not know them. And the money won't break me, but maybe, just maybe I showed them God's love.

Merry Christmas!!

Nesting 101

With Luke, I never nested. Too much going on! I was just happy to get my little baby home.

With this one, I have definitely been nesting. I organized the samples and vouchers at the office last week, and now I have 1) finished Christmas shopping 2) packed my hospital bag 3) packed baby's bag 4) washed the baby's clothes 5) set up the pack n play / bassinet 6) organized the baby's clothes, etc 7) cleaned our shower 8) done countless things that have obviously been more OCD than I normally am.

So we are at 36 1/2 weeks. I had an ultrasound on Wednesday and the estimate is 6 lb 5 oz. He's got hair and nails, and apparently, I have some signs that he is making his way lower into my pelvis. And my weight has been good - only gained 13 lbs the whole pregnancy.

I have a C-section scheduled for January 3rd. Until then (or earlier), we wait...

Munchkin Milestone #2

Today we are at 32 weeks and the coolness about that is that my local hospital can care for babies at 32 weeks. So that means my doctors are around, and if needed, my baby boy would be around 15 minutes away from home versus an hour. Still, we pray for baby to come a little later.

I have been doing pretty good with the gestational diabetes. I have also lost weight with it, and that does worry me a bit. And there are the fun contractions. Some are those Braxton-Hicks ones, but occasionally I have those intense ones that just take my breath away.

And my little boy will be 5 years old in 9 days! I cannot believe he is 5. Luke is growing up way too fast. I am very lucky to have such a sweet little boy. I think he is going to be a great big brother. I know Luke will have his days, and even though he can be babied a lot, he is also very mature sometimes. He will say things and just catch me off guard because they are just so, well, mature. He thinks a lot of others' feelings and that has been special to me.

One of the hardest things to explain to him has be related to death. We had to go to the funeral home for a friend's brother who recently passed away. Luke asked so many questions and most of them were easy to answer. But the hardest one was related to "why is there a body if he is in heaven?" So quickly, I told him that his heart was with Jesus in heaven. I thought it would be too hard to explain souls to him. Then again, he might understand it better than most people I know.

So I am looking forward to the arrival of my second little boy. I pray he is as loving and kind as my big boy.

Munchkin Milestone

Well, I am still pregnant. Yep, that is a milestone.

With Luke, I had a C-section when I was 28 weeks pregnant. I had pre-eclampsia and he was taken. A miracle baby with his 1 lb 13.7 oz self.

And now I am about 28 1/2 weeks. My blood pressure has been pretty good. I have only gained about 8 lbs this pregnancy. I have not had the swelling, and I can even wear my rings.

Of course, I think this baby is bigger than Luke was at 28 weeks. I just feel a little bit clumsier and off-balance. I have learned to take time and rest, which I did not do with Luke.

So my prayers continue for a healthier pregnancy. Praying for a December delivery...