Today I am most thankful for my health. I woke up feeling fantastic (with Day 1 of thankfulness in my arms). Although there are days of sluggish energy or tiredness, I am not battling a major illness or disease. I thank and praise the Lord for this blessing he has given me. It certainly makes me want to be more health conscience and exercise to show Him my appreciation!
Day 1
Day 1 of Thankfulness for me this year is my new baby boy! I love him to pieces and he has brought new joy to my life I never imagined. He is healthy, happy, and definitely loved! Today I spent another day cuddling and loving him. Thank you Lord for this miraculous gift bestowed upon us!
F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!
Last night was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C since Samuel only got up once in the night! Yay!!! He is eating more and sleeping much better (with the exception of his rebellious afternoon yesterday!) For such a great night, I am saying prayers of thanksgiving!
I am thankful for:
F-family
A-amazing husband
N-new day
T-time with my son
A-a healthy body
S-strength from the Lord
T-team mates helping me at work
I-independence
C-caring people to support me
In honor of my fantastic night, I invite you to celebrate with me and take a moment to identify blessings in your life!
Love to all!
JJ
Failures
I’m thinking I should probably not be thinking…..my thoughts haven’t been the most uplifting and I’ve come to identify my recent failures that are holding me back from my utmost potential.
~ I couldn’t deliver my baby the most natural way possible….c-section
~ I can’t get Samuel on a schedule….not the best for either of us
~ I’m not interacting or talking enough to him each day…what if he doesn’t develop at the right time for the right reason
~ I had to try the pacifier today….I’m not able to soothe him myself
~ I can’t do things like I used to….it takes me longer to get ready and I can’t time it right
~ I think he gets upset or bored with me….he will cry and cry
~ I don’t want to go back to work….how will I ever be able to be a mother and business owner
~ I feel distant from God….I don’t find myself praying, reading His Word or getting into devotions
~ I feel worn down and so tired….how will I ever balance it all
~ I can’t get into an exercise routine….I need some energy
Hopefully, by putting them all out there they will vanish from my thoughts…..we shall see!
A Baby Changes Everything
Well, I’m living proof that yes, a baby changes everything! I’m not saying that is a bad thing or a curse…..I’m just stating an undeniable fact! Most of you know how organized, detail oriented, and quite honestly, borderline superwoman I was before I became pregnant or a mom. Since the birth of Samuel, not much else matters. Although my mind is still a nagging weight…better get this done, clean the house, work on his baby book, not much of that actually occurs each day. To be real blunt, I’m not even sure where most of my day goes!! A quick run down would include, nursing, changing his diaper, trying to jump in the shower and get “made up”, eat a little something if I’m lucky and the cycle starts again. Like I said earlier, I’m not complaining. It is absolutely amazing though, how work is the furthest thing from my mind most of the time.
Being a mom has taught me a lot, rather quickly! For one, you don’t matter much anymore. Anything and everything that was relatively important to you prior to parenthood has now gracefully faded into the background and to the land of “Did that really matter?” I never thought that I could love someone so much whom I barely met for more than a few seconds, but holding his little hand sealed the deal for me! Oddly enough, I can no longer just run in and grab something from the store. Naively as I was, I thought toting around this little bundle of joy would be a piece of cake. Do you know how much one of those car seats weighs AND with a baby in it? It’s not so easy getting it in and out of the car either. You’d better be prepared to lift some weights if you are contemplating a child! There’s a lot of muscle that goes into this job!
I could go on and on and list every little thing that has shifted in my world since July 22 but I’m going to savor some of those memories for just me and vow to never disclose some of the crazy discoveries I’ve made along the way. Bottom line…..I’m not trading my new life for one second of the old!
Can’t help that I’m a NERD
After this weekend, my child is surely going to think I”m a NERD and I can’t help it! The highlight of my time off included baby preparation! Yay! I’ve finally had the chance and the reality has smacked me upside the head that I needed to accomplish tasks such as these, but I’ve been in a bit of denial that the baby’s arrival is coming sooner than I feel ready for. So, I’ve placed various items and carefully selected how I will lay the baby’s clothes in each drawer and exactly how I’m going to fold them AS IF they will ever stay this way–I’m sure my child will have its own thoughts of how to do things soon enough. From there, I spent time practicing how to use the stroller, how to fold it up, how to put on the brakes….because one can never be sure! I moved on to the car seat next, in which at this point, I was struggling with the fact that while the baby is an infant, it is BACKWARDS. All my logic and reasoning went out the door and Nic insisted that it goes like this. Finally, I could wrap my brain around it and he was right (again–this is happening entirely too much lately). I felt comfortable enough to let that go when he challenged me to a “race” to see who could figure theirs out the fastest. I declined. I have a belly and that is impending my superwoman abilities lately. We’ll wait until he has to do it by himself with the baby and then we’ll see who was paying attention!! Haha! The last part of my training was for the Moby wrap I purchaseda couple of months ago. I read the pamphlet and watched the DVD all the while practicing with a teddy bear. This session consisted of “Oh wait, pause it.” “Okay, I think I’ve got it!”
I suppose in short after doing these things, I had to wonder if anyone else tries to be educated and prepared as I do. I venture to guess that I”m close to one in a million! Maybe my baby will see this as a blessing or a curse, only time will tell!
Me, a MOM?!?
As I am awaiting the doctor to come in at my 4 week check up, it is becoming more real by the minute!! I am almost 21 weeks along and the baby is moving quite a bit. My bump has officially made it’s appearance and I couldn’t be happier.
Time is certainly flying by and I am sure that it’s not going to slow down in the least bit from here on out. Nic and I are so excited about the new world that is to come.
But really, me a mom??? I think I can, I think I can. Of course I can and it will all work out just fine.
Love to all!
JJ
I’ve got a feeling
Well last night was confirmation that what I’ve been feeling off and on for the last few weeks has in fact been the baby moving! It was very evident last night when I laid down for bed! I’m so excited and thank God for this little blessing every day. Each day I become more anxious to meet the baby, yet a little nervous. What am I supposed to do with a baby? How will I know when it may be sick? What if I do something wrong? So many new emotions and feelings are sweeping through me daily. It’s hard to believe that in 21 weeks, we will be welcoming one of God’s newest creations into the world!
Definitely not a candidate for bedrest!
These last two days have quickly allowed me to discover that I would not do well on bed rest. I guess I have quite a bit to get in order before August. The love and support of family and friends has been great! I hate having to ask others to help me or do things for me. I know everyone has a busy life!
So my days have consisted of repeated nose blowing and coughing. Yesterday when I visited the doctor, I had lost 4 pounds since my last visit (January 27). Goal of the next two days is to step up the flood and fluid intake even though it is sooooo difficult. Afternoons are reserved for naps! Koko is certainly enjoying a new snuggle buddy except when I disrupt her from coughing.
God has a time and reason for everything and I guess this is his way of slowing me down some more, preparing me for having the baby, depending on others and of course trusting in Him.
Love,
Jenn
p.s. I love you….
So, yes, I am crazy! I watched p.s. I love you back in December right after finding out we were expecting and I bawled–I am serious. I cried so hard I went through a box of kleenex for this movie. BUT….I absolutely love it so Brittany I watched it again this past Sunday and yes, I started crying before it even started. Insane! Yes! And I could watch it again. I think I’ve determined why it is so sad…..for one, they must have really had a special love. You could just see it, especially when she reminisced on when they first met. Then, he planned everything out for a year! WOW! Now that’s a man who truly loved and adored his blessed wife. Things just kept happening and falling into place throughout the movie which added to my magical love story. Of course, it is a movie and I’m sure these things don’t happen in real life so I should probably stop comparing my love life to theirs. What this movie also makes me realize though is that we never really know when our time is coming that we will go home to be with the Lord. Sure, if you are terminally ill, you know its coming more certainly than the person who gets in a tragic accident. While everyone wishes they are taken away quickly, it really made me ponder on what a blessing it is for those who might have an illness. Their families can prepare, they can plan, and most importantly say their good byes. Someone who is taken so suddenly from your life leaves the griever with so many what ifs. I guess my point is, we REALLY should live our lives to fullest, tell those around us that we love them and REALIZE that everyday is a blessing. No more complaining about how our day is going, no more being mad at someone, or wishing for something more. God is giving us what he wants, not what we want. I wish the world could grasp that better. We are here to live out his purpose and give him glory! Your holiness is more important than your happiness…..think about that for a minute, or two. What is unseen (eternal home) is more important than what is seen today (temporary happiness). Are you living your life to God’s fullest? Are you in search of your eternal home or feeling good and being happy in today’s world? Do you complain too much about your circumstances? Do you wish for something more…job, money, spouse, material possessions? I know I’ve been just as guilty but if we keep our eyes on the prize maybe it will be worth it in the end!
Live your life to God’s glory….you might just be surprised at what happens!
Love,
Jenn
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