After seven weeks on bedrest, six hospital visits, three episodes of magnesium, and two tries at the epidural, this Amazing Race is OVER...Baby Ellie is finally here! We are so blessed to have had this beautiful baby girl on a beautiful Friday evening on June 10th. She weighed in at 6 lbs. and 20 1/2 in. in length at 7:02pm. She came out after only pushing through two contractions. For the first time in our experiences of having our children, we allowed for my mom and sister to be present during the delivery. After helping a friend with a homebirth this past fall, I realized that personally being able to see a baby being born is such a blessing. My mom and sister had both really wanted to come in, and how could I deny them after what I had been able to experience. It was so awesome having them there and watching their tears of joy shed as she was born. She was perfect!
Ellie has been able to stay with us in the room from the get-go. Everything has gone well. She loves to be held and snuggled, which I am sure she will get plenty of at our house. The kids came to see her yesterday and just fell in love...especially Savannah. I know she is excited for Mommy and baby to be home for good. We are so excited to just get our lives back and begin our new normal....whatever those details might entail?!
I am so tired, but so overjoyed and full of love. Everytime I've had a baby, I get a better glimpse of God's love for me and all of us for that matter. His love is so overwhelming and it is that way for each of us. We really don't know how much love we have in us until we're asked to share it so intimately and with so many, especially with our spouse and then many children. And we fall hard for those little babies!! Just to look at Ellie and see that God had knitted her to perfection in my womb and kept her nestled there until the perfect time...and really, His timing seemed like a reward on Friday...the situation could not have been more ideal and gone more smoothly. I really felt rewarded for our perseverance. I know I spent many weeks and days in frustration and feeling defeated, but through that time, I know God really worked on me, and worked so this transition with our new baby girl would be much easier...and now it will be since she will be coming home WITH US today!!
Finally, I could not end this entry without expressing our appreciation for all of you who have followed us through this journey...whether through prayers, meals, watching kids, sending a card, a phone call, an email, words of enouragement, books and magazines, gift bags for our kids, Starbucks, fountain Cokes, or milkshake runs, etc... you have touched our lives. We are still feeling the love!! We look forward to getting home and sharing her with each of you. We will always let her know how special this experience was for us and how so many great friends and family rooted for her to make it as far as she did...she will always know she is a champion! Thanks again and hugs and love to all of you! Take care.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Blessings
One of the first things Savannah said to me this morning was, "Mommy, baby coming out?" I think she is just as anxious as me to meet this little one. It's so hard to wait for a surprise or a special gift...we always want to know what's inside...what are we going to get? I am now 36 weeks and 4 days...so exciting! I know the end is coming, I just hope baby knows he/she can only hide up there only a little while longer and eventually he/she will have to get his/her stubborn self out of there. I just keep praying that he/she will see the light and bolt towards it!!
I spent the evening by myself going to the store after a long (but good) day with the kids. I realized as I drove to the store belting out praise music in the car that this might be one of the last evenings I am able to really spend alone for awhile. On the way home I stopped at Steak 'N Shake and got a milkshake for Cade and I...mmmmm, it was good. I also came to the realization that these will be the last days I can just stop for burgers, milkshakes, and fountain Cokes. It won't be long before I'm eating carrot sticks, fruit, and drinking only water, trying to shed these pounds...but in the meantime, I think I'll enjoy these last little cravings!
The more I've spoken to people the last couple of days, the more I have thought about what God is really trying to show me through this never-ending pregnancy! Over the last three days, I feel like I've finally come to terms with the fact that God is ultimately in control. I'm not trying so hard anymore to make baby come, but have really tried to lavish in the time He's given me with the three precious babies I have in front of me. I've taken the time to play games, read books, get in the pool, and pitch balls, all because I want each of them to know how much I love them, and to not ever think this new baby will replace that love. It's been so good spending my days just enjoying each of them and their unique personalities.
Recently, I heard of the song Blessings by Laura Story. This song is really reflective of how God teaches us through difficult times and how He shows us His mercy and grace when He doesn't always answer our prayers the way we would like. In the last few days, I've really seen how God might be working for a reason to keep this baby toasting a little longer. I am trying to see the goodness in this waiting game instead of the frustration and demand of keeping my legs shaved! Really, James 1:2-5 says,
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
God has definitely produced some perseverance in me and our entire family. He has matured my faith and given me no excuse why leaning into Him and the power of prayer should ever be doubted. I am sure I am still lacking wisdom that will come through other valleys I will face in the future, but I know now to only make sure I'm relying on Him and not my own strategy, agenda, or comforts. Our trials come in many circumstances, events, time periods, and are, of course, mostly unpredictable. They don't always initially bring out the best in us or bring us to our knees right away. Whatever difficulty that comes in our way as a family, from now on, will be seen as a time to see God's hand working in our lives, and not a time to huddle up and figure out our next move. I know I have mentioned this earlier, but hopefully this whole experience is simply a way to teach our children God's perfect timing and that He has a plan for each of us.
Well, I head to the doctor again this Friday. Hopefully I will get a better idea of where baby is and how I am possibly progressing. I am looking forward to a pool playdate tomorrow with a friend...it has actually been fun to make plans and I'm trying not to be so cautious about where I am...I really am letting go of that control (but there is a hospital within 10 min.). I hope anyone reading this can take the time to check out the YouTube video of the song Blessings. If you're going through a trial now, know prayer is essential, and even if God isn't answering in a way that fits your fancy, there are blessings in the raindrops and through your tears...His mercy and love endure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0&NR=1,
Have a great rest of the week...love, Jill
I spent the evening by myself going to the store after a long (but good) day with the kids. I realized as I drove to the store belting out praise music in the car that this might be one of the last evenings I am able to really spend alone for awhile. On the way home I stopped at Steak 'N Shake and got a milkshake for Cade and I...mmmmm, it was good. I also came to the realization that these will be the last days I can just stop for burgers, milkshakes, and fountain Cokes. It won't be long before I'm eating carrot sticks, fruit, and drinking only water, trying to shed these pounds...but in the meantime, I think I'll enjoy these last little cravings!
The more I've spoken to people the last couple of days, the more I have thought about what God is really trying to show me through this never-ending pregnancy! Over the last three days, I feel like I've finally come to terms with the fact that God is ultimately in control. I'm not trying so hard anymore to make baby come, but have really tried to lavish in the time He's given me with the three precious babies I have in front of me. I've taken the time to play games, read books, get in the pool, and pitch balls, all because I want each of them to know how much I love them, and to not ever think this new baby will replace that love. It's been so good spending my days just enjoying each of them and their unique personalities.
Recently, I heard of the song Blessings by Laura Story. This song is really reflective of how God teaches us through difficult times and how He shows us His mercy and grace when He doesn't always answer our prayers the way we would like. In the last few days, I've really seen how God might be working for a reason to keep this baby toasting a little longer. I am trying to see the goodness in this waiting game instead of the frustration and demand of keeping my legs shaved! Really, James 1:2-5 says,
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
God has definitely produced some perseverance in me and our entire family. He has matured my faith and given me no excuse why leaning into Him and the power of prayer should ever be doubted. I am sure I am still lacking wisdom that will come through other valleys I will face in the future, but I know now to only make sure I'm relying on Him and not my own strategy, agenda, or comforts. Our trials come in many circumstances, events, time periods, and are, of course, mostly unpredictable. They don't always initially bring out the best in us or bring us to our knees right away. Whatever difficulty that comes in our way as a family, from now on, will be seen as a time to see God's hand working in our lives, and not a time to huddle up and figure out our next move. I know I have mentioned this earlier, but hopefully this whole experience is simply a way to teach our children God's perfect timing and that He has a plan for each of us.
Well, I head to the doctor again this Friday. Hopefully I will get a better idea of where baby is and how I am possibly progressing. I am looking forward to a pool playdate tomorrow with a friend...it has actually been fun to make plans and I'm trying not to be so cautious about where I am...I really am letting go of that control (but there is a hospital within 10 min.). I hope anyone reading this can take the time to check out the YouTube video of the song Blessings. If you're going through a trial now, know prayer is essential, and even if God isn't answering in a way that fits your fancy, there are blessings in the raindrops and through your tears...His mercy and love endure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0&NR=1,
Have a great rest of the week...love, Jill
Friday, June 3, 2011
What's Funny About This??
I'm trying to keep my sense of humor about the fact that I layed around for 7 weeks afraid of doing too much of anything to keep this baby from "falling out" and now I'm doing everything I can to get this baby to come out, and he/she doesn't want to budge...what gives? It is such a blessing in my mind at this point to know that I will get to hold this baby in my arms at the hospital and he/she will not likely be put in the NICU at this point. The idea of normalcy is not far from being here...well, as normal as things will be with 4 kids under 5 1/2. It is almost humorous how many myths we've tried to get this labor naturally induced, but baby seems settled and comfortable (for him/her at least!). The doctor keeps reassuring me at least there is a due date and we know there will be an end...it's just not been soon enough. I think if this were a "normal" pregnancy I could except any date they'd give me, but I considered myself well overdue last Friday;)
Today at the doctor, I did have a slight meltdown, which told me I might be losing it. The nurse told me I had to do another test, which I knew I had already done at the hospital. Unfortunately, the office and hospitals don't tend to share records with each other, which has been frustrating at times from the standpoint of having to be poked and prodded to repeat tests (and pay for them...praise God for insurance). It was just frustrating. It didn't take long to calm down though...I think I am slowly finding ways to smile and find the humor in all of this and realize that God's timing will be perfect and that I really can't change His plan.
I have been enjoying this beautiful weather and spending time outside with the kids and Cade. We are looking forward to baby and anxiously awaiting his/her arrival and are exicted to you all to meet baby too! Thanks for your prayers and continued support...now we're just praying baby will make his/her appearance soon!!
Today at the doctor, I did have a slight meltdown, which told me I might be losing it. The nurse told me I had to do another test, which I knew I had already done at the hospital. Unfortunately, the office and hospitals don't tend to share records with each other, which has been frustrating at times from the standpoint of having to be poked and prodded to repeat tests (and pay for them...praise God for insurance). It was just frustrating. It didn't take long to calm down though...I think I am slowly finding ways to smile and find the humor in all of this and realize that God's timing will be perfect and that I really can't change His plan.
I have been enjoying this beautiful weather and spending time outside with the kids and Cade. We are looking forward to baby and anxiously awaiting his/her arrival and are exicted to you all to meet baby too! Thanks for your prayers and continued support...now we're just praying baby will make his/her appearance soon!!
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