33 weeks

I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but Saturday night (the night before this picture was taken) the baby did some dropping.  I woke up Sunday morning, and immediately noticed a difference - my belly was just lower!  Ha.  This has never happened to me before!  Bella and Balian never dropped before active labor started - at all.  Not to say that the baby has totally dropped - I think there's more to be done - but everything about this pregnancy has been different.  Makes me wonder how much it has to do with God healing my bicornuate uterus.  Anyway, so about halfway through Sunday, I started having much more pressure and started having a lot of Braxton-Hicks.  I wasn't dehydrated (I had 4 L of water the day before, and had already had 2 L of water for the day).  I took a nap, and they continued.  I took it as easy as I could the rest of the day. 

The only thing I can think of is that I just did way too much on Saturday.  We had gone to my parents' house to help them get a room ready for my grandmother coming to stay for a couple of days.  I was working pretty much non-stop for about 5 or 6 hours.  Neil yelled at me one time because he caught me doing something that he said I shouldn't be doing while pregnant (attempting to put bed raisers under a bed - with mattress and box spring on it - by myself). 

Neil: "Pam!  You're Pregnant!" 

Me: "So."

Stephen (my brother): "Stubborn women in our family..."

Then, of course, the guys took over the job. 

The good news is that I haven't had any problems so far today (Monday).  However, I guess I know my limitations now.

Midwife appointment tomorrow.  I'll post on that later.

Praise the Lord for Vision!!

The past couple of years, I feel like I've been in this slump.  Lack of vision seems to have been the culprit.  I know that being a full-time mom is my God-ordained #1 ministry.  Ministering to my children should come before any other ministry in which I take part.  However, I also know that God didn't create me to be simply a wife and a mother.  He created me to use my gifts, talents, and abilities to minister to others as well.  He has a plan and purpose for me, Pam, outside of my "wife" and "mom" titles.  The question of how I can be both a full-time mom AND do something out in the world for the kingdom has been a struggle for me, yet I knew deep-down that it was possible.

Over the past couple of months, God has started to put various things on my heart.  More questions than anything.  But over the course of this past week or two, God has totally bombarded me with a very real, very specific vision for what he wants me to do for his kingdom.

Many people (MANY) - over the past 2 years - have told me that I should sell the diapers that I make on Etsy.  I never really took them seriously, simply because I couldn't see myself setting all that time aside to work on diapers, when I don't really need the cash - and I didn't want it taking away from the time I needed to spend with my kids.  It just seemed selfish to me.

However, at the same time, I've been wondering how I could use making diapers as a ministry.  I thought about teaching other ladies to make them...or making some for people that couldn't really afford them...

Then BAM!  It all just kinda came together.  So this is the vision:

I'm going to sell diapers/ diaper covers/ training pants on Etsy for the going price (on the low-end of that going price, most likely...some people charge insane amounts for them - ridiculous!).
Because they sell for way more than what it costs to make them, I am going to use all the proceeds that I make on Etsy to fund making diapers for people that can't afford them.  I know that there are people out there that have to cut back on groceries, simply because they have to buy diapers. 
For each diaper/cover I sell, I should be able to make about 4 or 5 for people who need them.

How will I give them out?
That's where networking comes in.
1. crisis pregnancy centers.  I volunteered at one in college.  Most have a program where they take donated items and put them in a store.  Moms can then earn points doing various things (going to prenatal appointments, parenting classes, etc.) and can use those points to buy things in their "store".  I figure if someone needs diapers, cloth is the best way to go, because you don't have to keep buying them!  So my first goal is to talk to the crisis pregnancy center here, in town, and see if they would want any for their store, and go from there.

2. I'm also wanting to talk to my midwife about it - both for getting the word out about the Etsy store (for funding purposes) AND for if there is anyone that needs diapers and can't afford them, so I can give them some!

3. There's also Mission Granbury, Mission Arlington, shelters, etc. that I could go to as well...the list could go on and on...

Timing, of course, is important.  With me being less than 2 months away from having a baby right now, I know that now is not the best time to go full-force into this.  Plus, there's some groundwork that I need to cover first.
So, for now, the plan is to lay the groundwork, do the networking, and order a ton of diaper-making materials, and make diapers as I have time - so they are ready to sell when I feel it's the right time to begin.  God has given me the vision that I asked for, and I'm busting at the seems to follow through - I just have to be patient now :)

oh, and I've been thinking of what to call this vision.  So far, this is what I've come up with:

Love Bums
Showing love to the world one bum at a time...

because...Those that buy diapers, are actually donating/ showing love to others though their support.  And those that receive the donated diapers, are on the receiving end of that love.

What do you think about the name?  Too cheesy?  Just right?  some feedback would be great on that one! 

Can I just say that I am super-excited about this??

31 weeks

I had another appointment this week (Tuesday) with the midwife.  Everything looks good. 
* Baby is head-down still, and is in a good position (as far as rotation) for birth later.  It was pretty cool.  She put my hands on my belly to feel the baby's head, and then showed me how to follow the head down, and feel the neck and then the shoulders, etc.  pretty neat stuff.
* I got my blood drawn to check for anemia, but I'm good to go.
* They don't do a glucose test as standard of care - only if they see signs of glucose issues in the urine first (or other signs that gestational diabetes may be an issue).  Since I haven't shown any signs of anything, I don't have to do it - yeah!!
*  I gained back some weight this time, which is good.  I've gained a total of 20 lbs. so far.
* we went over all kinds of stuff - from handling GBS (Group B Strep) during labor (and how to decrease the chance of testing positive for it in the first place), the Vitamin K shot and eye gel for the baby when its born, to circumcision if we have a boy.  She actually sent me home with a video about circumcision.  Kinda weird, but ok.  Haven't watched it yet.

* There's going to be a breast-feeding support group/ class through the birthing center that actually starts tomorrow.  My friend Emily (the only person I know that has done a homebirth) is helping lead it.  I'm bummed about it though, because I can't go - It's during BSF. :(

* Today I ran for the first time in about 8 weeks (due to the sinus infection I've been battling forever and have finally overcome).  I took it easy - walked a quarter mile, ran a mile (in about 14 min. ha.), and walked another quarter mile.  I had some braxton hicks, but nothing really bad.  I shared all of this with the midwife, and she was very encouraging about the running.  She said that braxton hicks were going to happen - just to do what I felt comfortable doing and not to push myself too hard - but to go for it as long as I wasn't having any problems.

*I saw the pregnancy chiropractor at the birthing center, and it was great!!  She explained to me everything that she saw as problems (my legs weren't the same length due to my hips being out...she looked at something else and said that my pelvic bone was out of line...she found tension in one part of my back and asked if I had been getting enough water, or if I had been stressed out...) and how it would help get the baby (or keep the baby) in the right position simply by adjusting those things.  Pretty neat.  My hips had been randomly popping lately, and hurting at times, but she said it should feel better after adjusting the problem areas.  I do feel tons better.  Hooray for a wholistic approach to prenatal care :)

*I'm not sure if I mentioned this already:
At 35 weeks I'm going to start taking what they call "The 5-week Formula".  It's an herbal supplement that is supposed to kinda just bring the body into balance.  Specifically, if you have very long or very short labors, it's supposed to help labor be easier and more "average" in length.  It also does things like helps in the production of quality milk in the mother, aides in separation of the placenta, have larger dilation before discomfort arises, minimizes postpartum bleeding, reduces the risk of hemmorage, etc.  They pretty much encourage everyone to take it, but definitely someone like me who tends to have "fast and furious" labors.

Anyway, I guess that's it for now.

Had to Laugh!

We were doing our "clean-up" time before bed, and  as I was walking by the kids' bathroom, this is what I found:

Apparently, he was ready to brush his teeth :)  We have a stool under the sink, but how he climbed all the way up, I have no idea - crafty kid!

New FUN Diaper Covers!!

So...I've been sewing diapers and covers for a while now.  I'm constantly trying to think of ways to make them better and cuter, as well as easier to make.  After learning just how difficult making my own binding is for covers, I've been looking for a way to make the process much easier.  And now, friends, I am happy to say that I have found a way to make them more easily, but they are seriously CUTE!  I'm super-excited about them!  Here's the first trial-run:

This one is a size NB, with Aplix hook & loop closure.  The PUL is exposed on the inside, so it can easily be wiped clean and used again.
Anyone want to volunteer to try one out and let me know how you like them?

Spiritual Gifts Test

So our church gave us the opportunity to do a spiritual gifts test about a month ago.  It was much different than any I have ever taken before, so I figured why not?  This specific test is called Gift Quest Inventory: Discovering Your Motivating Spiritual Gifts.  There were 40 groups of 4 questions each, in which I had to say which statement was the MOST like me, and which one was the LEAST like me, and leave the other statements blank.  Sounds easy, but I had to do it over the course of about 2 weeks because I could only handle it in small chunks.

Anyway, yesterday I got my results for the test.  It's pretty crazy how accurate it was.
My Primary Gift is Perception (aka Prophecy)
My Secondary Gifts are Administration and Giving
but let's focus on Perception...

The GOOD:
Those possessing this gift have an inner prompting and ability to perceive what is right and wrong, good vs. evil, or true vs. false.  They are gifted to perceive, proclaim, promote, and pray about the will of God.  They possess an intense desire to correct what they see as wrong.  Perceivers are usually quick to come to and express their perceptions, thoughts, and ideas verbally.  They possess an inner prompting to bring others to a point of accountability and conviction.  Those gifted are frequently able to perceive when someone or something is not what they or it appears to be.  Considered the "eyes" of the Body of Christ, they are gifted with spiritual sight.
...they are willing to suffer for what they perceive as "right."  They have refreshing openness when speaking of what they see in themselves as well as others.
...Those gifted have a zeal relating to themselves and others for total commitment and outward confirming evidences of commitments made.  They posses a special persuasiveness in defining and convincing others regarding what is right and wrong.
...Those gifted have an intense desire for justice to be done.  They can be loyal to truth, even if it means cutting off relationships.  They can possess the strength of character to not be respecter of persons.

GOOD or BAD?
...Those gifted tend to make quick judgements relating to what they see and hear.  they tend to express their views, perceptions, and ideas before others speak.

The BAD
...Those gifted may try to assume a seemingly unlimited realm of personal responsibility.  They may regress into a tendency  to jump to hasty conclusions regarding the meaning of words, actions, and motives of others.  They may make broad generalizations based on few known facts.  They tend to look for confirming evidence to support hasty  conclusions.
...Those gifted may  regress into pointing out problems while not working on solutions.  In this, they may emphasize judging and exposing rather than the restoration of individuals.  They can react harshly to what they perceive as sin, and may lack cautiousness and tact in the expression of their opinions.
...Those gifted have the potential for extreme self-criticism and condemnation if and when they experience personal failure.  They have great difficulty separating the sinner and his sin.  Both may be rejected with equal force.  They may adopt a negative approach to life.

Yeah, I underlined what I think describes me in the BAD section.  No question there.  Its stuff that I already knew about myself, and that I'm trying to work on - like the cautiousness and tact in the expression of opinions.  I'm sure many can attest to my lack-there-of in some situations, in which I have hurt others (or my relationships with others) pretty severely.  I feel like I've been better about this lately - being able to hold my tongue a lot more, to really think about what I'm saying and how it may affect the other person, and change the way I state my opinion (or just choose not to state it if I don't think I can do it well) no matter how opinionated I am about it. 

However, I think I could also stand to use this giftedness MUCH more within the context of where it is good - sharing the gospel and speaking truth into the lives of others.  It's one of those things...when I don't do it like I should I feel totally purposeless.  I suppose that's the way it is with anyone who's giftedness is just sitting there not being put to good use.  I need to dig up the talent I've buried and use it more.

Bella's Adventures in Learning to Read!

For the past month or so, Bella has been working on putting together letter sounds to make words. We have a letter of the week (this week is the letter P). Each week, I change the "Word Builder" (a great contraption that I got at the Teacher's Aide store in Pineville, LA) and make words that start with the letter of the week. So this week, we have words like pop, pot, pen, pin, pig, pray, etc. Everyday, when we do circle time, we go over the letter of the week - what the letter is, what it says, and then we go over the word builder. Bella tries to sound out all of the words by herself. She's been doing really well with it, so I wanted to find some books to help further her learning, and give her a sense of accomplishment. Do you realize how hard it is to find books with only a couple of words on a page, that are easy (short) words? It's very difficult. All of the Pre-beginner books at the library have like 5 or more words on a page. Or, if they don't have a lot of words, they have words that are totally not at Bella's level yet. Grr.
Well, today my quest for a developmentally appropriate book came to an end!! Amazingly enough, it ended with a Dr. Suess book - Hop on Pop.



It is fabulous!! Not only does it not have a lot of words on a page, it groups words into categories. For instance, the first page says:

UP

PUP

Pup is up.

Then for two more pages, it all goes along with the "UP" theme.

PUP

CUP

Pup on cup.

CUP

PUP

Cup on pup.

Then it will change to a different grouping like "ALL" - words like tall, small, ball, fall, wall... and make short sentances with the words. I am seriously loving it! Perfect for what we need. It definitely still challenges Bella (she got tired of it after about 6 pages), but she also seemed to really like that she was reading an actual book. YAY!

Potty Training Update

We are full-fledged potty training now. We had to. After about 2 months of doing the routine, Balian was still just not even caring if his diapers were wet, so we had to go to training pants (The Gerber kind). At home we just let him go around in a shirt and the cloth trainers. When we're out and about, or he needs to be dressed, we put the plastic pants over the trainers. Since the trainers are less absorbant, it's necessary to take him potty a lot more often than with diapers. However, within 2 days of putting him in the trainers, he was starting to pat himself where he wet, and didn't like it. YAY!

Then life happened...
Balian got an ear infection, but still wanted to potty train. So we continued, and he continued to do well...
Then, we had to go out of town for a weekend for my grandfather's funeral...
then we had Christmas...
and we went to Louisiana for New Year's.

After the funeral, he started resisting going to the potty (didn't want to be interrupted from play-time and would just sit down and whine - no fun.) Between that and Christmas being within the same week, Balian was beginning to regress. We started getting back on track the day before we left to go to Louisiana, so once there, we broke down and started giving M&Ms as a reward for being all-dry (in an attempt to keep things going well), and while we were there he actually did really well. We had a day where he only had 2 accidents (one that wasn't his fault - I just wasn't paying enough attention).

So now, we give M&Ms when he's dry AND goes on the potty. nothing when he's wet.
We set the timer for 20 min, on average, and take him when the timer goes off, unless he "tells us" that he's either wet, or needs to go before that.

The main problems:
1. He's been waking up at night because of not liking his wet diaper, but he will go back to sleep.
2. He's been waking up at nap-time because he needs to go potty - and he WONT go back to sleep!
3. Balian has a lot more accidents when he's with Neil, rather than me.
4. lack of vocabulary. If we don't watch him like a hawk, we don't know that he's walking to the potty and telling us he needs to go. He just doesn't have the vocabulary that Bella did at this age, in the least, and although he can do the signs for going potty, he doesn't use them.

However, he is still showing signs of improvement, definitely. I just have to keep reminding myself that boys are so much different (and take so much longer) than girls.

The Good things:

1. He's started to really try to go every time we take him (perhaps because of the M&Ms), which usually means less accidents in-between.

2. He's also started just walking to the bathroom when he needs to go (although this doesn't happen very often...it does happen sometimes).

3. We have usually taken Balian to the kid's bathroom to use the potty. Yesterday, though, He took me to my bathroom because he had to go (more convenient sometimes because it's closer to the kitchen/livingroom area). So, I got another on-the-potty seat for our bathroom. It has ducks on it, which he likes. It's also a bit longer than the other one, and Balian can see himself peeing, and is somewhat fascinated by it - such a boy. He points down and says "that!" as he's peeing. Yes, it's funny, but it's also a huge thing for a boy to see himself going. Since I'm not ready to teach him to stand up and go yet, it's a great thing - so I'm excited about it :)

We'll see if he picks up on it better since things have calmed down for now. I'll keep updating as things progress.

the Jones Family

The last picture we took of everyone was when Bella and Chase were 8 and 9 months old. No Balian. No Addison. So glad we got an update :) We have a new (not family) member in this picure - Jonathan's girlfriend, Jess (in black, next to me). I think we'll be seeing a lot more of her in the future :)

29 weeks

I had a prenatal appointment with the midwife on Tuesday.

*Baby is still head-down
*I lost almost 2 lbs. Not sure how that happened over Christmas and New Year's, but ok...perhaps the sinus infection is the reason (or not running because of it, and therefore losing muscle mass) hmm.. I've gained a total of about 17 lbs. at this point. I usually gain 25-30 total, so I think I'm doing good with what's normal for me.
*I got my "Homebirth Checklist" - a list of all the things I need to have on hand for the birth. My 36-week appointment will be at my house, so they can scope it out and see what all the possibilities are...and I think I have to have everything on the checklist ready at that appointment.

Time seems to be flying by...
seriously? 11 weeks left? crazy.

If you want to see a picture, look at the Jones Family picture...it was taken this week :)