Relying on Someone Greater

I'm having mixed emotions as I blog tonight. Good thoughts--our church gave us a shower yesterday and it was WONDERFUL!!!! I was a little overwhelmed by the turnout of guests and the extremely nice gifts we received. I mentioned in our service last night that I was blessed to be part of such a church BUT even more thankful for God seeing my needs and meeting them above and beyond what I can imagine.

Today, God showed me a different way he would meet those needs. We had an ultrasound this morning and got to see baby again. She looks good!! Her lungs are working and she is appearing to weigh about 6 pounds give or take. AND she's DEFINITELY a SHE! We also found out that she is laying sideways. Her head is on my right and her feet often kick me on the left. I knew pretty much that she was in this position and until today it hadn't bothered me one bit. However, we found out that my fluid is kind of low. The level is about 8--which means its a little low is all I know. If it goes down to five, we'll have to have an emergency Cesarean. I asked if there was anything I could to do raise the level and Dr.K said I could drink MORE water and keep my feet up as often as I can--pretty much sit around and do nothing but drink water. This late in the pregnancy, most babies have turned and are head down. There is only a 15% chance that she's going to turn and with my levels being low, the doctors won't be able to ''help" her turn, at the risk of hurting baby or even me. So, it looks like I'll have to have a c-section even if we make it til the end of August.

As you faithful readers know or could imagine, my finding out that a cesarean would probably be most likely, shocked and scared me. I could feel the tears just ready to pour out as I learned more today. FORTUNATELY, I have a wonderful doctor who was willing to answer any questions I had and help calm those fears. And an even MORE WONDERFUL husband who immediately moved to my side and explained to the doctor just HOW scared I was. I've only had four stitches in my life, and those were in my knee. SURGERY!?? I was hoping I would never have to face the possibility of it happening to me. Now that it's real, it hit hard.

The good news is IMMEDIATELY God began filling me with a peace--once again meeting my needs beyond my imagination--letting me know that things will be okay. I've trusted Him for a healthy baby and everything so far has been good. He saw us through the first scare when my progesterone levels were low. He pulled me through some colds and muscle strains and baby stayed fine. And now, if I have to have a cesarean, I know He will see me through and calm my fears and anxiety. I'm continually amazed at how God's word affects us in different ways throughout our lives. Last night, after the shower, I thought of how God sees our needs and wants to give us those things. It seemed to be a more physical need that I was thinking about at the time--stuff for baby and such. The Lord brought this verse to mind, but I believe He gave it to me for what happened today and not so much yesterday's concerns. Hear it is:

"My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19

Yesterday I thought "He's giving us the things we need for the baby. Thank you, God." But today, more than anything, I needed peace and calm and my Savior knew that and provided immediately. Sometimes we learn the hard way what a MIGHTY God He is that we serve, but I am thankful that at least I've learned.

He's Crafty

I knew my husband was multi-talented when I married him six years ago. Many of you know what an incredible singing voice he has and have also had opportunities to see him act or hear his public speaking skills. He's quite humerous, too--I've got a great catch, definitely!! Computer whiz, Mr.Fixit, you name it. I hear stories from his family of the young "inventor" Geron and all the many contraptions he would come up with for performing different tasks. He's still very creative and I've recently learned, crafty. (My husband, who can't stand craft shows)

Yes, this all leads up to something baby related. He and his Dad went out to buy valances for the nursery Tuesday night. I wasn't feeling good, so I put my one request in. " Color: white. Other than that, get whatever you think will look good. " Geron has good taste, so I wasn't worried. He came back with white tab-top valances and rods to hang them on. Good job, Geron. After they were hung, we got to talking about different ideas to liven them up and Geron suggested buying pink ribbon to go across the bottom of all of them. I was thinking "yeah, if you want to sew it on there because I don't think I could do it straight." The rods they hang on fit in three little pegs that stick out from the walls and I thought it would be good to tie ribbons on those pegs. So, we set out to Hobby Lobby and bought pink ribbon with white polka dots---goes with the bedding perfectly. My brilliant man used fabric glue to add the ribbon on to the bottom of the valances and they are SOOOO O Cute!!!! We'll have to post a picture, I know. Then I tied the three bows
above each window and I love it. Its amazing what just a touch of color will do. Geron picked up some little butterflies at Wally World the other night and is probably going to attach them to the valances somehow. He's crafty, folks! Who knew?

The Dummy Went and Hurt Myself

So I'm a dummy. Apparently there are things you shouldn't try to do when you're expecting that I do anyway. I confess--I'm a very stubborn girl. (Mom, Geron, Ann, People, stop shouting your hoorahs so loudly!) I don't listen too well to ideas that aren't my own. (PLEASE, PEOPLE, QUIT CHEERING AND LAUGHING) So here's what the dummy has gone and done to herself. As you know from reading this blog, Geron and I sanded the nursery windows Monday. I, having never sanded before, thinking as long as I'm wearing my mask nothing can happen to me, tried to do my part to help get the job done. I watched what Geron did and tried to do the same thing. Of course, Geron is about a foot taller than me and can reach places easier than I can, but I just assumed I was doing the right thing trying to sand from top to bottom of my side of the windows. When we finished, and it needs to be said that Geron Brown worked a lot harder than I did for sure!, I felt fine, just tired.

The next day was the big surprise day--Geron painted the windows and put the furniture together with his dad. That day I was feeling a little ache in my right side, but figured it was just a growing pain. I made the beds in the nursery and set out some toys to make it look like home for baby. I also happened to pick up the rocking chair and move it at one point... and move the changing table at one point... and move the crib at one point... If Geron had been in the room, HE WOULD NOT HAVE LET THAT HAPPEN! So, don't blame him for my foolishness. In fact, when he saw what I had done, he gave me a good lecture about taking care of myself and baby and how moving that stuff around was NOT doing so.

So, Wednesday came and I still had that pain in my side. I took tylenol, went to work and called the doctor's office. By this point, Geron said I'd probably strained a muscle and that it wasn't just a growing pain.

Then, Thursday hit and I was in major pain last night. My sweet husband brought me a heating pack and put it on my side. I slept halfway through the night. Then, I got up and reheated the thing, and made it til the alarm went off this morning.

Today, I called the doctor's office again and asked to speak with him or his nurse directly. Finally, I got them! I have an AWESOME team taking care of me, by the way! Nurse J asked me what I could've done on Monday to hurt myself (the pain had started Tues, morning before the furniture moving). She said I probably over extended myself by reaching to do the sanding over my head. She confirmed Geron's opinion, that I had most likely strained the muscle in my right side and told me to stay off my feet as much as possible until it heals. In the meantime, I'm using a heating pack, taking tylenol about every 4 to 6 hours and wearing Geron's abdominal binder from his surgery. Dr K said it was okay to do so as long as I didn't wear it too tightly. Dr. Geron's orders have been to keep the phone with me at ALL times, to wash only the things necessary for this weekend, and though HE didn't say it, "to be less stubborn!" (Oh, and to get my bag ready for the hospital.)

AND DON'T WORRY, BABY IS FINE! She's still moving around, kicking, doing her usual thing. In fact, she's been such a good baby to keep her kicks to my left side only. I might give her a treat for that when she gets here.

great prank

this is a wonderful idea to get someone good if you happen to have an extra 3000 golf balls lying around

Nursery Pics

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps some of you know that we have been stuck in a rut for a few weeks now. Our nursery has been empty, windows waiting to be sanded and painted. Well, Geron has been working his you know where off trying to sand those windows. Yes, there were some big lapses in between sanding, but yesterday we both finally tackled the chore together and HE did a good job on them.

This morning, when we left for work, Geron mentioned he might take half a day off from work this week to paint the windows. I mentioned Friday would be good because I didn't have to work and could help get it done. He agreed that sounded like a good idea. Of course, we have a really busy weekend ahead with a baby shower, memorial service, prenatal classes and getting
ready for Assembly, so I don't know what I was thinking.

So, the day went on. This afternoon Geron called to tell me that he was busy on a project and was sending his dad to come pick me up from work. I asked "Did you paint?" and he answered, "yes". So, Preston showed up at work and we headed home. On the way I asked "What are you doing on this side of town?" (They live about 20 minutes away from us.) "Oh, we just had a bite to eat and I've been hanging out." was his reply. When I got home, I walked in the house and went back to see how the painting went. As I opened the door, I saw that Geron had done WAY MORE than paint today. HE PUT UP OUR BABY FURNITURE!!!!!!!!!! MY HUSBAND ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!! He and his dad had been busy today doing that while I was working and clueless. I AM SO EXCITED THAT I CAN FINALLY START PUTTING THINGS OUT IN THE NURSERY!!!!!! I'm sorry I'm yell-typing, but I just can't help myself. This has been a very good surprise. We'll post pictures when we get the room together, or you all can just wait and see it when you come to visit baby!

Hot headed

I'm actually not referring to my temper here. Its my hair--or was. I'd let
my hair grow til it was almost halfway down my back. And for the last year
or so I've been wearing it in a pony tail or hair clip. While its a kind of
easy do, I was very bored with it and it was getting quite heavy and making
me hot. Around February I started saying "I'm going to get my hair cut."
I'm sure people finally got tired of it and said "Yeah, whatever. We'll
believe it when we see it." Well, I took the plunge Friday. A good church
friend of ours is a hairdresser and she told me I could come over to her
house and she'd cut it for me. I armed myself with a picture of something I
wanted it to look like and headed over.

For most people, getting a haircut is just a regular thing you do about
every 6 or 8 weeks. You have a standing appointment with your stylist and
they know exactly how you like it. For me, it is GRUELING. I don't care
who the stylist is or how good their reputation is. Naturally curly hair
can be a major pain and sometimes you run across those people who don't know
what to do with it and you leave the salon looking like you have an afro.
So, needless to say, I was nervous, nervous, nervous. When we first moved
to Chattanooga, my hair was as long as it was just recently and I let a lady
chop it all off--above my shoulders. It actually turned out really cute and
for a few months I had regular appointments with her. Then I decided I
wanted to let it grow back out. But now, with baby on the way and the
summer air being as hot as you know where, I needed to have a lot less
hair.

So, I arrived at Chris's house. Her husband, Warren, gave me a can of diet
coke and then I sat in "the chair". I sat there for two hours, about, and
when Chris was finished, I stood up and made the long walk to the mirror. I
was a little scared, but then I saw that hair I had right after moving to
Chatt. and LOVED it! I feel like I've lost 5 pounds!! And, to see all the
hair that remained on the floor after the cut, you would believe I'd lost
that much and more!

The nicest thing about having my hair this short is that I rarely get
tangles and it takes maybe 10 minutes to fix, counting the blowdry. Even
letting it dry natural doesn't take all day now. (No kidding, there are
nights that I've gone to bed with my hair STILL wet, even after I'd used a
blow dryer on it that morning.) And best of all, when baby gets here and my
hands are full with her, I can set her down for 10 -20 minutes, do the
routine, and be ready to go. YEA!!!!!!! I'm glad I've made the change.

vacation pics

On our recent mini-vacation to atlanta we stayed at a courtyard marriott and they had the most comfortable memory foam beds.
Mom and Dad thought they were comfortable too

(mom-dad-me)

PYFU

that's "put your feet up" to those of you who don't know.

Lydia has been taking all of your advice very seriously. We had a great vacation, and spent many hours in the pool. very realxing.

O happy day!!

The days of eyestrain are over!!

For almost a year now I have been trying to talk the "powers-that-be" at work into buying me a LCD monitor. I've had a big clunky 17" CRT since I came here. After a few severe photoshop sessions resulting in major eyestrain, I began trying to get a 19" LCD. Last week a good deal came on tigerdirect and the boss agreed to order one. My monitor no longer takes up half of my desk.

Vacation (The Devil Went Down to Georgia)

Atlanta was a great getaway! Geron and I went down with his parents and
stayed for two nights. We spent most of the time in the hotel
pool--perfect! I spent lots of time with my feet propped up--on a noodle,
on the pool steps, floating, on the side of the pool--you get the picture.

On Sunday night we drove to Stone Mountain, GA. I'd never heard of this
place, but apparently its a misplaced ROCKY Mountain....Well, its just
exactly a big, stone mountain. It boasts the world's highest relief carving
on the side. I've forgotten what the scene is, but I think its soldiers on
horseback. Anyway, this place is known for their laser light show they
display on the side of the mountain. They show different cartoon type videos
on the side of the mountain with music playing in the back ground. One was
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia." I think this one was especially
appropriate that night for the following reason. Since this was a last
minute decision to go and see, we didn't get very good seats. We wound up
sitting on very HOT pavement way far back from the show. It took us awhile
to even find these seats and I was starting to get rather hot. Well, once
we sat down, I pretty much lost it. I was utterly miserable and thinking
"Somebody say 'Let's go Home. Please, anybody!' " I had a psycho chic break
down and started crying and couldn't stop for awhile. Geron recommended us
going back to the van and waiting in the air conditioning until it was over.
(turns out we should have because we actually had a better view from the
van.) Geron, Preston and I remained on the sidewalk, though, and Patsy sat
on the step of one of those binocular type stands that you put a quarter in.
Directly in front of her, on the wall, sat a little kid who kept farting.
So, needless to say, we stayed for maybe 30 minutes of the show and then
left. We grabbed some cool treats at Sonic on the way back to the hotel.
My sonic Cherry slush combined with about 2/3rds of Preston's coconut one
was the best thing about THAT particular trip.

The rest of the vacation was really good, though. We spent more time in the
pool--the last two times we were in it, we had it all to ourselves--that
rocked! We taught the parental units how to play one our favorite games
"Hand and Foot". I'm not so sure that was a great idea because the in-laws
got to see a side of their daughter-in-law that they didn't know existed.
Yes, I can be a very sore loser, especially to beginners who cheat and don't
even know they're cheating. I'll just say that this is a partner game and
someone assumed that because you have a partner you can show your partner
what you're holding. THose of you who play this game will know what I'm
talking about. I still love her, though, and would play again with the same
partners.

Coolest thing about the trip--BABY GOT HICCUPS!!! I woke up in the middle
of the night the second night we were there and felt what seemed to be a
singlel kick coming every 4 seconds or so. It finally hit me that she had
the hiccups. She got them again yesterday, right after supper. And when we
finally got home last night and went to bed, I think she realized how
comfortable I was and got REALLY active. Vacation was good and any one
after this will never be the same.

P.S. I bought a pair of Crocs. Geron was with me at the checkout and told
the clerk "Anytime she tries on a pair of shoes without crying, I buy them
for her."

the prez does u2 covers?

this is awesome, finally bush is getting with one of the best songs ever. saw this on markos blog

mini vacation

Hey guys i greet you from the A-T-L. Lydia and I are with my parents on a little excursion. Everyone keeps telling us that life will change drastically when the baby comes. So, this is kind of our last hurrah of freedom before the shackles of parenthood are firmly fastened to our appendages. This dumb hotel has high speed, but for some reason I can't get gmail.

yesterday we ate at my all time favorite Atlanta joint. It's called pappadeaux, and it's some of the best Cajun food you can find inland. I drowned myself in crawfish ettoufee and fried crawfish. It was quite tasty.

I'm not sure whats on tap for today, but thats the joy of vacation.

in honor of one of our new vavorite shows on vh1, i may start ending all of my post with this...

"God is love
Rev Run"

A new registry

Check it out, everyone!! We started a new registry at www.Target.com today.
We took some items off the Babies R Us list and added them to the Target
list. The Babies R Us list is still active, though, since Target didn't
have some of the same things. We added a few toys this time and I think
Geron may have even scanned one of those "crinkle" toys. He and baby can
get up in the middle of the night to play with that one while I sleep!