Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Time Warp

I thought it would be fun to do a little comparison with these babies of mine. Since, let's face it, that is what I will be doing for the next year or so. They are already SO different. This little one is so still and Baby H was a mover and a shaker. I always felt great with Baby H and well... so far with this baby I have had 4 months of nausea, followed by 2 weeks of cold that ended with a sever ear infection and then another 3 weeks of cold/allergy/sinus funk that has resulted in a bruised rib/ torn side muscle. Fun times people. Fun times. And I still have 4+ months to go - no telling what is in store for me next.

I thought I would share these pictures taken at nearly the same time but two years apart. Yes, only two years.
Here is one of me with Baby H at 20+ weeks:
Here is one of me with Baby on the way at 20+ weeks:

I know that your first response was "Wow you look great and haven't aged a bit." RIGHT?! And then you can go ahead and say what I am thinking - that belly in the second shot looks a lot bigger. Yikes! Oh and yes it is the same tank top, for my fashion conscious readers. I have heard all about the showing earlier, but I didn't know that meant you showed bigger too.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

No words

There really are no adequate words to describe the range of emotions that I have gone through over the past month. A range of EXTREME emotions. I have gone from complete and utter stress and despair to high celebratory joy,  to be brought down by grief - and there is the ever present overtone of anxiousness that I can't escape. I am not going to go into the details of the causes but let's just say the sermon I heard Sunday could not have come at a better time. Jesus calms the storm, Mark 4:35 - 41. It is no secret to me, nor the Hubs that I have some real worry/anxiety issues. I am better than I used to be, but they have gotten to the point of frustration - the point and which I am ready to really do something about it. So, God and His incredible timing gave me these verses:
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

So the part that I had always overlooked was where Jesus said "Let's go across to the other side." Now why would he have suggested this journey's destination had he not intended to reach it? Anyone who knows me knows that I always have a keen eye on the weather, especially if things are predicted to get stormy. Throw in a large body of water and you might as well throw me the Valium. So if I was on the boat I would have been the first person to inform Jesus of my personal assessment of the situation. And then politely but emphatically suggest "Stop sleeping and get up and DO SOMETHING!"
But in an effort to conquer, over the next few weeks or however long it takes I will just keep repeating this tailored version to myself and imagine Jesus saying "Megan, why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" and then plead for an increase in faith in my weak moments. Because I know that God would not have told me I would get to the 'other side' and then not let me get there to meet Him. Amen?

Oh and looking forward to heaven and angels. Here is a picture of one sweet angel baby!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Back from Texas

One of my favorite Christmas presents this year was a trip to Austin, TX to visit my sister! My friend Meg went with me and we had a wonderful and relaxing time. The relaxation was much needed. That and a lot of Mexican food, seriously I never eat so well anywhere else. I don't know what it is, but the food there is always so fresh and healthy. Most of the restaurants we visit are all about local growers and sustainability. And there is always a vegetarian and most of the time vegan option. So everyone was happy! And I finally managed to get my pregnancy weight gain on to the positive side, I gained 2lbs so I am now 2+ over my pre-pregnancy weight. My OB will be so proud, and will stop threatening me with Ensure shakes, nasty!

This pic was taken from my favorite meal of the trip, ha. Really it was a ton of fun and really good to see Boo Boo for several uninterrupted days. We did a little bit of shopping, went to this handmade art pop-up store, and did a lot of walking. I needed the walking. This poor baby is not getting nearly the amount of exercise that H got. But I guess it's the baby's fault because I was also not nearly this sick for this long either! Not that I am complaining, by this time with H I had gained 15lbs so now I just have less to come back from. Not to mention chasing a toddler helps - of course there is still plenty of time left to pack it on so I better not speak too quickly!