Prelude to the Crazy

Part 1:  Alright boys and girls...it's the story you have been waiting for!

Monday, February 13th.


I should preface this with we have been praying for a quick (but not too quick...no delivering on the highway!) labor, pain free, and healthy mom, healthy baby.  Because we were praying for pain free labor, we were praying that God would let us know it was time by one of three ways:

           1.  My water would break (which it had never done...the dr's broke my water the other two times)
           2.  My first contraction would be so painful, I would KNOW I was in labor
           3.  The Lord would literally say to me, "GET IN YOUR CAR NOW."

And we begin!:

Jordan had to work in the morning, but unfortunately until 3 pm.  Normally, that's not a big deal...but this is Valentine's week!  Essentially, the Superbowl at The Melting Pot...he was working ALL week in Addison.  He called the MP, and asked if he could take the night off...no reason, other than he knew he wouldn't see me and the kids all day (since he would have to leave from Starbucks and go straight to MP), and the rest of the week would be pretty limited as well.  They agreed, since they weren't that busy.

I was feeling really good all day...doing my normal mom things!  Picked up Rea from school at 3:20, came home, worked on Valentine's for her class. Read some books, relaxed, got ready to run errands.

6:10 pm: Get out of the car at Target, and hear a pop.  Most of the time, when I hear a pop, it's either my hips popping out of place or "Cletus" kicking me in the ribs.  This was different, but there was no "gush" like people said.

6:40 pm: Come back home, change clothes into sweats, and realize that instead of a "gush" it was more like a leaky faucet (sorry for those of you who do not have kids yet....).

6:45 pm:  I text my midwife asking, "How do I know if my water broke?"

While I waited for her to respond, I finished cooking dinner, did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen.  Jordan was spending time with the kiddos in the back.  Donnellyn (my midwife) called me back and we discussed why I thought my water had broken.  She was almost home (south FW) and said she would swing by her house, and then meet me at the Hurst location to check and see if my water had really broken.  She said if ANYTHING changed, to call me immediately and we would go to Argyle instead.

7:22 pm:  Donnellyn calls and lets me know she is about 10 minutes from the Hurst location.  Asks me how I am feeling, and I let her know I am feeling great.   She says she will see me shortly.

7:28 pm: Jordan calls Donnellyn and says that I have had my first contraction.  It is not painful, but it was definitely a contraction.  D and Jordan talk back and forth and come to the conclusion that we should just go to Argyle, where the birth center is...just in case.  We apologize for making her drive all over the DFW area :/

7:35 pm: We pack up dinner, and I text Erica (my beautiful friend and photographer!) to let her know the status.  She says she is finishing up dinner and will head out shortly.  I text my parents, my sister, and our friends the Duncan's (who are helping watch kiddos) just to let them all know this COULD be it.

8:00 pm:  We pass by our church, and the contractions are slightly stronger.  Still not painful, but letting me know that they are there.

8:35 pm:  Arrive at the birth center!  We come in, kids immediately start to play with the toys.  We talk to D, and she looks at me like I am crazy.  She says, "You do not look like a woman in labor."  Jor and I both laugh, and I say, "Well, we have been praying for pain free!  Either I'm not in labor or this is going to go down just like we prayed!"  She laughed, and agreed.  We started in just like a normal appointment.  Go to the bathroom, weigh myself, take my pulse and blood pressure.

8:49 pm:  Done with all of the "basics" we now get to test to see if my water really broke or I just have no control over my bladder (again...sorry for those of you who do not have kids yet...but one day you will understand).  D does the test, and the swab comes back dark brown...amniotic fluid!  We are officially in labor!!  Jordan and I high five each other, like nerds ;)  She checks me....95% effaced, 2 cm dialated, baby is at a -2.  We have a ways to go, but we are officially staying!

8:57 pm:  I text Erica and let her know to come on down!  She is excited and says she is leaving as we speak.

9:05 pm:  I send Jordan to Walmart.  We forgot a couple of items (like snacks for the kiddos) and Donnellyn says it will probably be awhile.  I change clothes into a maternity dress and put my hair up.  Nolan says I look beautiful, just like a princess....I love him so.  :)  Then, I do the normal 21st Century thing, and update my status.

This whole time, I am praying, please...I do not want a Valentine's Day baby...... (Continue to Part 2!)

Worldly vs Godly Pregnancy

I'm going to be honest, and it's going to sound bad....

As I approach my due date (still 8 days away), I find myself getting more and more annoyed/anxious.

Anxious to meet Cletus....to introduce "shim" (as my students have taken to calling the baby, since we don't know whether we are having a boy or a girl) and reveal the name.

Annoyed because I'm competitive...and I think everyone who is due AFTER me, has already had their baby.  I want to join the party tooooooo!

This pregnancy has been different for a number of reasons: Put on the least amount of weight (hooray!), my numbers (bloodwork wise) have been better than ever, we are delivering at a birth center...etc.  But one of the biggest differences, is that we are Christians during this pregnancy.  We were with Nolan as well, but we were still unsure of what that truly meant.  Four years later, we have grown a LOT in our walk.  No where near "perfect" and, clearly, have points of weakness.

I bring this up though, because while I am greeted by everyone with a version of: "You are STILL pregnant??  When are you having that kid??" It is followed up by encouraging words.

I am reminded of a friend's blog (who I have spoken about many times), when she talks about can a baby really be born "late"?  I know, I know...I'm still 8 days from my due date.  No where close to late.

A friend of her's sent her an excerpt from a pastor in Kansas City, Dan Wolgemuth.  Here is what he said:

"Today, August 20, 2010 is eleven full days after the due date of our daughter Alli's first baby.  She's in labor as I type.  Just yesterday I informed a friend that she was "over a week late." But I was awakened this morning to the reality that our Father's watch never runs slow...that He's never late for an appointment, that He never oversleeps or reacts too quickly or scrambles to get something done...time, every second of evert day, every day of every month, is His.  Babies are born in the fullness of time.  The last breath of every creature is deployed in the fullness of time.  God Himself stands at the end of the phrase..."when the fullness of time had come, GOD...";  just as He stands at the end of every moment in our journey.  He's not stuck in traffic. He didn't misplace His watch.  He hasn't forgotten to adjust for daylight savings.  His batteries are fresh.  His wisdom is impeccable.  In the fullness of time...at St. Anthony's Hospital in west Denver...a baby will be born.  Not eleven days late, but right on schedule.  This reality extinguishes anxiety while it ignites hope.  Yes, my fourth grandchild will be born right on their due date..."- Dan Wolgemuth


I constantly think of this post as I get closer and closer to my due date, but I was also reminded about it by a sweet friend.  She sent me an e-mail this morning and let me know that she was praying for me.  She reminded me that we have prayed over this delivery and we are trusting Him for the best possible outcome...so we need to trust Him in these last moments and allow myself to be flooded with joy, rather than annoyance.

I am used to being the rational one...and it drives me bonkers that I'm not rational at all right now.  But I am so grateful that God has placed friends, family, and a wonderful husband in my life who will speak the Word into my life right now.

So I leave you with this (wish I had a better version though):

New Adventures!

I know that many of you know about the 15for50 project that our Elevate students took part of this last semester.

If not the idea was simple: Ask 15 people to give you 15 dollars.  Get 250 students to do that, and we would have enough money to build an orphanage in India that rescues 50 orphans.

Our students went above and beyond!  We raised enough money to build 2 orphanages, 2 churches, and 2 water wells!  This is an incredible blessing to the community...we literally are giving them life through clean water and spiritual life by providing a place for the entire area to gather and worship God!

 

During the project, I knew that they would be taking a team to India over the summer.  I started praying about the opportunity to go, and that if it was meant to be, then God would speak to me about going. 

Long story short (I know, shocking, right??), I received confirmation!  We are taking a team of about 35 leaders/students to India in June!  We will be leaving on June 17th and will be in India for 7 days (returning on the 24th).  During those 7 days, we will be visiting the two orphanages that our youth group built, AS WELL as 8 (YES 8!) other orphanages!  It is going to be such a crazy adventure, but I cannot wait to see the blessing that we get to provide for these families and I know that they will be a blessing for us!

I will do my best while I'm there to update, but if I cannot, then I will update as soon as I get back.  In the meantime, if anyone who reads this would be willing to pray for safety for us and for the children that are being rescued, we would appreciate it! 

If you would like to help with my fundraising (which I would be SO grateful for!) you can click here and select my name under the "Who are you supporting" drop down. 

Wanted to get this blog in before Cletus arrives!  Cletus should be here ANY day now...kids are excited, mom and dad are excited....friends are excited :)  Blessed by all of you!

To the end of the road....

When I typed the title of this blog out, all I could think about is the Boys II Men song....you know...

Although we've come
To the end of the road
Still I can't let go
It's unnatural
You belong to me
I belong to you
Although we've come
To the end of the road
Still I can't let go
It's unnatural
You belong to me
I belong to you

You're welcome :)

But really....it's the end of the road for this pregnancy...we are in the final stretch!  Four-ish weeks left until we find out if we are having a girl or a boy, and we find out what my pain tolerance is as well ;)

I am resting as I can, and am excited that the baby should come at the end of the 21 day fast (which I am clearly not participating in, at least food wise).  The next 21 days, I plan to spend computer/tv free (when I'm not at work, since I need to use the computer at work), and the time that I normally "devote" to those activities will be spent in prayer, reading of scripture and speaking promises over the baby, myself and the delivery.

I read this great book, Supernatural Childbirth, a week ago and would recommend this book to anyone! 

I know that this labor is going to be completely different than any other labor I have had before...but what labor is really all that similar?  I am excited about what is going to happen, and how involved my family gets to be in the process.

More exciting news to be posted soon!! 

Runaway Dog

Okay, so this post has nothing to do with my Tweedles (both big, numero uno is sick right now though), or the newest Tweedle.  It has to do with my dog.


                                                                             Meet Beans....Beans the Beagle.

                                                                                     He's the real one ;)

And he is an escape artist.

We have tried putting lawn furniture on its side, full tupperware boxes along the fence, and cinder blocks to cover the holes.

We have FILLED the holes with large rocks, pebbles, poop, more dirt, sand.

We have tried only letting him out for a few minutes (usually resulting in him later pooping in the garage...or, even better.....the house) and we have tried tying him up in the back.

Seriously...I don't know what else to do to keep the con-man in the backyard.  We live next to a busy street, and train tracks.  It's only by the grace of God that this dog is still alive.

WHAT DO WE DO TO KEEP HIM IN THE YARD?!?

Not a rhetorical question...taking any and all suggestions.  The winning suggestion gets Beans.

Just kidding ;)

Well it finally happened...

For anyone who has raised sweet babies (which I will say I am gifted with sweet babies...), they know that there will be a day where their child is bullied.

We met that day.

About two weeks ago, I was training a client of mine at her house and J took the Tweedles to the park.  When he came and picked me back up, you could tell something was wrong.  He just says, "Well...that was an interesting time."  GREAT.

J starts the story, and informs me that Nolan met his first bully.  The boy was probably 3 (yes, 3!), and about the same size as Nolan, but his speech was a little more developed.  The boy's dad and sister were both at the park as well.

It started off pretty tame:  Nolan was climbing UP the slide and the boy slid down and knocked him over.  #2 cried, Jordan apologized to the dad.

Then, Nolan started climbing up the curved ladder...one like this:

The little boy greeted Nolan at the top, and refused to let him up.  He pushed Nolan, not enough to push him off, but to make Nolan cry.  The boy's dad took him aside to talk to him, and J went and got Nolan and moved him to another area of the playground, where Nolan could collect acorns and sticks.  (This is where Nolan learned how to break a stick on his leg...which made him feel pretty cool).

While they were over collect acorns, the little boy came over for a third time.  J thought maybe he wanted to come play; Nolan did too.  Instead, the little boy walked right up and pushed Nolan in the face, trying to push him to the ground.  J told the little boy "NO" and went to console Nolan.  

  *** Now, for any mom's out there, we know that this is a part of growing up.  But let me just tell you...my blood pressure was HIGH, and I was fiddling with my hands.  I am already a protective mama bear, but add in the pregnancy hormone...OH MAN.  That kid should be glad I wasn't there.... ***

Let's just say that I am grateful that J was the one there.  He pulled Nolan aside and made sure he was okay.  He then told Nolan not to let that little boy over by him any more.  J said, "If he comes back over here, tell him he cannot play with you and turn around and walk away."

Needless to say, the little boy came BACK.  I wasn't there for this part, but I imagine it looking something like this:

Nolan, "NO!  You are not allowed to come over and play with me anymore!"

Only, clearly Nolan isn't a 40 year old man with a shaved head, and he had the "Stop" gesture, rather than the finger point...but what I'm describing is not an easy picture to find boys and girls!

All in all, I think J and Nolan handled themselves well in this situation.  Do I want it to happen again?  Definitely not.  Do I think that it will?  Yep.  And it's just a great reminder that we need to raise our children with the belief that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, the Lord knows each of us intimately, and that He has plans for each of us...one of future and of hope.  

You're giving birth where?!?

So, as we have FINALLY crossed over the halfway point (23 weeks!), I am starting to get a lot of questions.

1.  When are you finding out what you are having?  A.  In February.

2.  What are you planning on naming the baby?  A.  You will find out in February :)

3.  When are you going to start looking pregnant?  A.  My friends are sweet..... and liars.

4.  What hospital are you delivering at?  A.  I'm not.  I'm delivering at a birth center.

I get a variety of responses after I tell people I am delivering at a birth center.  Some people are excited.  I even had one friend say, "It's totally different than with an epidural.  You're gonna love it!"...followed by an evil smile, and a little bit of an evil laugh......

Other people, most people, think I am out of my mind.

Jordan and I discussed the option of a birth center long before we knew Tweedle #3 was on the way.  I wanted his opinion on the matter...and I wanted to see which response he would give me.  He gave both multiple responses.

Initially, he laughed and thought I was nuts.  Then, he realized I wasn't joking.  Then, he started to panic.  After some discussion, he was excited.

Maybe you're one of the people that think I'm crazy (that's okay, I may be).  Here's why we decided to move this direction:

-- I don't remember labor from my first two deliveries.

* Rea and Nolan's deliveries were so different.  I remember that Rea tried to kill me from the get-go.  She was coming out, come hell or high water.  And then when it was time to push, she changed her mind (just like a girl, right??).  I had an epidural, and I remember bits and pieces of the night...I remember Jordan wanting to "talk" about how if this was false labor, I could be induced the next day.  I remember filling out a TON of paperwork.  And I remember them putting the needle in my hand for my IV, and then when asking me to "sit up, arch my back, and not move" while I got the epidural, the IV came out of my vein.  That was fun.  The remaining 7.5 hours, I remember nothing.

* Nolan was induced, because my doctor was worried about my blood clotting.  As soon as I got in the door, they started the IV.  Once the epidural kicked in, I passed out, and woke up to them telling me it was time to push.  I had to wake Jordan so that he could participate.

* What I do remember, is that I actually LIKE the delivery process (WHAT??!?!).  There is no other feeling in the world like it, men can't do it, and it gives you a crazy rush of hormones that take you on a roller coaster of emotion, ending in pure elation and exhaustion.

-- These birth stories/pictures, give such an amazing testimony of the strength of each of these women, as well as the strength of their husbands.  I am literally moved to tears at the complete surrender these women are going through, and I only know one of them personally (the other I know the photographer....who I am going to convince to drive up for the birth of our third!!), but through these pictures, I FEEL what they are going through.  If you have some time, check them out:

Arden Prucha's Birth Story

Caitlin Hines' Birth Story

-- Finally, the biggest thing I think that God has shown me over the last several months, is that I, Stefanie, am a control freak.  Yes, you heard it here (not first, but I did say it).  Through this process, I am going to have to completely surrender myself to the process of birth, to my midwife's instruction, and most importantly, my wonderful husband.

Here is a time in my life where if I hold onto to control, the process is harder.  Even in life, when we hold onto control, and don't relinquish the decision to the Lord, the climb can be more difficult.  I am praying that through this labor and delivery, Jordan and I will become closer and I am more reliant on him.  Spiritually, we know that we will have to rely on God's strength to get us through the end (and maybe the beginning if this one is anything like Rea!).  Emotionally...oooo buddy.........