12 Weeks

Last night I had some girls over, and they asked if I had a bump yet. I pulled up my shirt to reveal the answer and there was a small round of "oooooh"s! I guess it's time to start taking the weekly photos.

My most exciting moment this week was when I felt the baby for the first time! Two precious little kicks one night in bed, and then another one last night!

One of the most precious moments of each day is when Sophia comes over, smiles and pats my belly and says happily "Baby!!" Then she reaches up and kisses my belly. I love these moments.

I am very happy to report that my raging appetite has begun to subside. My hunger is on a much more normal level these days. I have also started to regain some energy, which is such a blessing.

Craving of the Week: meatloaf

11 Weeks

I went to my first prenatal appointment yesterday, and saw Fern for the first time (my new midwife). She was just as incredible as everyone says, and I am looking forward to being under her care for the duration of this pregnancy.

I was able to hear baby's heartbeat! Yup. It's still amazing. They had a hard time pinning baby down, because s/he was moving around so much! Fern declared it must be a boy, with how active the little bugger was being! Baby has a good strong heartbeat at 168 bpm. Everything else at the appointment was review, nothing noteworthy. I'm healthy, baby's healthy, enough said.

For most women, this is the point in the pregnancy where their sickness starts to subside. It's just the opposite for me. I have been more sick lately than I was during the beginning of the pregnancy. There are usually a couple of days a week that I feel extremely nauseous, exhausted, and have a throbbing headache. I am just so thankful that I don't feel that way constantly (sorry Erin!).



I am starting to grow and it is getting ever-more noticeable. I have also noticed a funny phenomenon. Every time I eat, my belly grows by three months. After an hour or two of digestion, it shrinks back a month at a time. I think my muscles are so stretched out that it just spills out all over the place when any pressure is put to it. Ha ha!

Craving of the week: blended drinks (smoothies), steak gyros, bulgoli

Attitude Adjustment

Sometimes, when God answers your prayers, it hurts. But the pain you endure helps you to learn and grow in your faith. Sometimes, it is that pain that matures us as Christians.

Yesterday I was having a very bad attitude, and asked God to give me a better one today. He did, via my husband who gave me a big perspective check. The conversation was painful and humbling, but afterwards I realized my bad attitude was not just confined to yesterday... it's been present for a long time, and affecting my dear husband in ways I never realized.

Today, I am thankful for a God who has changed my attitude and perspective, for a husband who can lovingly put me in my place, and for the painful growth it took to get this fresh view of my life.

10 Weeks

This pregnancy, along with my first two, has been going so smoothly. Yesterday I was reminded how blessed I am that I rarely feel sick or nauseous. It was a hard day, since I am not used to feeling that way. I was starving, but the mere thought of any kind of food made me literally gag. I felt on the edge of "tossing my cookies" all day, especially when trying to eat anything. It addition, I had a throbbing head ache, and was so exhausted that I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Today I woke up feeling refreshed and "normal."

I have definately started growing around the waist. Jared and I can see it, but I don't think it is too apparent to the world yet. I have started making use of the ol' Bella Band again with my unbuttoned jeans.

Craving of the Week: Organic chocolate milk, noodles, bread

A Rose By Any Other Name is a Whole New Flower

This week, Sophia is not eating very well. At all. She doesn't want anything. She is never hungry. She just won't eat. Finally, after fighting with her at every meal, I decided not to feed her anything until she told me she was hungry. It is the fourth day now, and she has eaten 3 decent meals (one per day). This morning, I decided to try something...

Her favorite show in the world right now is Ratatouille. It is about a little mouse who loves to cook. For anyone who has seen Ratatouille, you know he debuts his cooking career by making the most delicious pot of soup. Thus, soup is Sophia's favorite food in the world right now.

So back to this morning. I made a bowl of oatmeal a little extra runny, sprinkled in a little brown sugar, and offered Sophia some breakfast soup.

Whaddya know. She loved it.

Phoebe's Goin' Home!!

Phoebe was released from the special care nursery this morning with stable glucose levels.

Visiting with cousin Jazi

Precious Phoebe

Snoozin

So beautiful.

Getting in the car seat!

Ready to go!

Finally going home!

9 Weeks

I almost wrote in the title "8 Weeks." Then I saw that I already had a post names "8 Weeks." I could hardly believe that I am already 9 weeks. My mind is too far gone to keep close track anymore, but it was a pleasant surprise!

Again, not much to report. HUNGRY. Still. Ugh.

The highlight of my week pregnant-wise, was when we stopped by the MCCL booth at the State Fair and saw cross-section models of the uterus and baby during each month of pregnancy. We found the model of the 2-month old fetus. It was so beautiful. A tiny, beautiful little life nestled in snugly. It brought tears to my eyes as I looked at the little model, thinking about our little baby. I bought my baby feet pin (the exact size and shape of a baby's feet at 10 weeks along), and have been wearing it everywhere. Every time I see it, I marvel at how tiny they are, and I am reminded what a miracle I am currently housing.

Craving of the week: Klondike bars and SA iced coffee (bad bad bad)

Phoebe Bella

PHOEBE BELLA WARREN

HAS ARRIVED!!!

10 lbs 1 oz

(and no pain meds! can we get a round of applause for Shinae?!!)

20"

8:20pm (approx.)

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Phoebe was born with low blood sugar levels. Normally it should be around 45. She was born at 38 so they rushed her into the special care nursery. After feeding her, it dropped further to 24, so they put her on an IV. Fairly quickly, it her levels rose, and when we left, it was at 84! She needs to stay in the special care nursery to be constantly monitered until further notice. We are hoping and praying hard that she can get out tomorrow. Please pray for Phoebe, that her blood sugar levels stay stable.

Shinae is doing well, but in a lot of pain. She had a long labor that did not progress very quickly. She had a few complications but is doing well now. Please pray for quick healing. She will need a long recovery time.

And most of all, praise God for this new miracle, and that everyone got through it safely.

She is ALL CHEEKS!!

First family photo