Let's see...
God is soooo good.
1. The shingles only lasted a little over 2 weeks.
2. We finally sold the house. We got the offer (full asking price) on Saturday, April
4th and by Monday, the 6th...we had the move scheduled and all the paper work turned in.
3. We moved the 15th-18th.
4. My awesome friends threw me the most amazing baby shower...I felt so blessed and really
loved.
We are still unpacking...well I should be honest and say, Jeremy is still unpacking. I hate that I can't help him. I am on modified bed rest, meaning don't do anything unless you really have to. I normally like being spoiled, but this just isn't the same. I hate seeing him working so hard trying to get our house in order and not being able to help him. But, unfortunately the doctors seem to know what they're doing. Every time I try to help I end up flat on my back in pain and feeling like I've just finished a marathon or been hit by a truck...and that's just from the day I tried to sit on the bed and have Austin help me unpack boxes.
I even managed to over do it on a relaxation get away. This past weekend I went to Martha's Vineyard with some of my friends for a ladies get away...just to relax, fellowship, and maybe do some crafts. I didn't even take any crafts. I just wanted to relax and spend time with my friends. I tried really hard to sit with my feet up and rest....but the trip was still too much for me. How sad is that? I was only gone Friday morning thru Sat evening and I was wiped out. I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep Sat night and could hardly move on Sunday.
So I have now realized that there is a real reason why the docs want me to rest as much as possible and that I really need to listen to them. So if you don't see me aroud much for the next 4 weeks...that's why.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
SHINGLES STINK!!!
I am gonna try and blog about the "fun" in the Phelps home, if I can tolerate the pain of sitting up long enough to get it written.
As you may have noticed from the not so subtle title, I have shingles. No it is not common in pregnant women, but thank goodness it is also not dangerous for the baby. Quick medical course for those who need it. Shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus. After you have the chicken pox or the vaccine this lovely virus takes up permanent residence in your nerves. For some reason, later down the road it sometimes decides to rear its ugly head again. It is EXCRUCIATINGLY painful. Just think about it...a virus is iritating your nerves relentlessly. It is not contagious, thank goodness. The rash that also accompanies this does contain the active chicken pox virus so someone who has never had chicken pox could catch chicken pox if they touched the open sores, but that is it.
My shingles has decided to attack the left hand side of the middle of my back. This makes sitting and standing for more than a couple of minutes very painful. I spend most of my days in the recliner or stretched out in bed trying to find some relief.
I don't want to be a whiner, so I will switch gears and tell you the good that our gracious Lord has brought out of this.
My wonderful husband has really stepped up. He has jumped in with both feet. He has taken over everything in our home. He is the driver, the cleaning crew, the wait staff, and even the chef. Yes, Jeremy is actually learning to cook because I can't.
I can't imagine how I would get through this with out him. His support and help allow me to, and encourage me to be tough and struggle through this.
Thank you Lord, for giving me such an awesome husband and such a wonderful life.
As you may have noticed from the not so subtle title, I have shingles. No it is not common in pregnant women, but thank goodness it is also not dangerous for the baby. Quick medical course for those who need it. Shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus. After you have the chicken pox or the vaccine this lovely virus takes up permanent residence in your nerves. For some reason, later down the road it sometimes decides to rear its ugly head again. It is EXCRUCIATINGLY painful. Just think about it...a virus is iritating your nerves relentlessly. It is not contagious, thank goodness. The rash that also accompanies this does contain the active chicken pox virus so someone who has never had chicken pox could catch chicken pox if they touched the open sores, but that is it.
My shingles has decided to attack the left hand side of the middle of my back. This makes sitting and standing for more than a couple of minutes very painful. I spend most of my days in the recliner or stretched out in bed trying to find some relief.
I don't want to be a whiner, so I will switch gears and tell you the good that our gracious Lord has brought out of this.
My wonderful husband has really stepped up. He has jumped in with both feet. He has taken over everything in our home. He is the driver, the cleaning crew, the wait staff, and even the chef. Yes, Jeremy is actually learning to cook because I can't.
I can't imagine how I would get through this with out him. His support and help allow me to, and encourage me to be tough and struggle through this.
Thank you Lord, for giving me such an awesome husband and such a wonderful life.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Welcome to the 3rd Trimester!
This was the greeting I recieved at my dr.'s appointment last Monday. Little did I know at the time it was not a "friendly" welcome...lol.
No, seriously, it was a very good day with drs. First I had my 3rd level 2 ultrasound and I guess they finally saw all the organs and stuff they wanted to. David is still measuring right on track, he is growing consistently, and kicking me constantly. Many of you know I was also concerned that some of the symptoms I was experiencing were pre-eclampsia, I am happy to say,
"I was WRONG!"
Dr. Travias said I was right they can all be symptoms of it, but lucky for us, in this case they weren't. The two missing pieces were the blood pressure and the protein, the 2 I couldn't check at home, and they were both fine. So Yea! we made it 7 months, so far, and momma and baby are both doing great.
Well...I don't know if I'd say momma's "great"??? Healthy, yes. But unfortunately all the symptoms are real, and while they're not serious, they're still quite uncomfortable. And the reason why I question whether Dr. Travias' welcome was actually friendly is because, he told me they will just get worse...
So now I have resolved myself to the fact that I am going to be exhausted and completely uncomfortable for the next 10 weeks...yeah, "Welcome to the 3rd Trimester!"
Here are the newest pics of our little guy:
this is his profile
this is him looking straight at the monitor
No, seriously, it was a very good day with drs. First I had my 3rd level 2 ultrasound and I guess they finally saw all the organs and stuff they wanted to. David is still measuring right on track, he is growing consistently, and kicking me constantly. Many of you know I was also concerned that some of the symptoms I was experiencing were pre-eclampsia, I am happy to say,
"I was WRONG!"
Dr. Travias said I was right they can all be symptoms of it, but lucky for us, in this case they weren't. The two missing pieces were the blood pressure and the protein, the 2 I couldn't check at home, and they were both fine. So Yea! we made it 7 months, so far, and momma and baby are both doing great.
Well...I don't know if I'd say momma's "great"??? Healthy, yes. But unfortunately all the symptoms are real, and while they're not serious, they're still quite uncomfortable. And the reason why I question whether Dr. Travias' welcome was actually friendly is because, he told me they will just get worse...
So now I have resolved myself to the fact that I am going to be exhausted and completely uncomfortable for the next 10 weeks...yeah, "Welcome to the 3rd Trimester!"
Here are the newest pics of our little guy:
this is his profile
this is him looking straight at the monitor
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A tale of functions, furniture, and friends...
This week has been a busy one for us...well especially me. I haven't been feeling well, but that's a topic for another blog...at another time, and this week was gonna be busy. Tuesday night we had our quarterly, Ladies Refresh event. Ladies Refresh is our women's' ministry at church. We have been doing quarterly functions to help the ladies of the church connect, be fed, and most importantly get refreshed. We have had speakers talk to us about organizing our homes and our lives from a christian perspective, encouraging each other, etc. We have had soup nights and tea parties and, this past Christmas, we had our 2nd annual Cookie Swap and Craft night. These events are no small affairs. We try our best to go all out and I am fortunate enough to be part of the planning/organizing team for these fun events.
Tuesday night, unfortunately, I did not feel good and did not feel "fortunate" to have people counting on me to do my part. This quarter's Refresh event was "A Word Aptly Spoken". It was all about having the right word, at the right time, to encourage someone and speaking it. We had a wonderful speaker and we were making cards to send to whoever God put on our hearts to encourage. I was the one who would explain the craft/card making process. I was also going to help with some set-up, decorating, and make over 4 dozen brownies/cookies. So after spending Monday evening and all day Tuesday baking, I dragged myself into the church, Tuesday evening. Thank the Lord that he has provided such a wonderful team of ladies to plan, host, and set-up these events, because I was pretty much useless. I tried to help with what I could from a chair, but the other ladies had it under control.
I am so glad I "dragged" myself there. I was totally blessed by the whole evening. The woman who spoke, Deb Hogan, had such an incredible testimony. Not to mention, a lovely voice. By the time I needed to explain the craft, I was feeling a little better and it was so refreshing to see all these awesome women having fun making cards and socializing. (Even Kathy D.-I have no thumbs, so I can't do crafts-made a card, ALL BY HERSELF.)
I got home about late Tuesday, and then of course couldn't sleep. (story of my life lately)
Long story short, after about 4 1/2 hrs of sleep the delivery guys showed up to deliver our furniture. Now, since when, do they give you a 3-hr delivery window from 6:30am-9:30am and actually show up on time.
Not only did they show up on time...they were at our door at 6:40am to deliver our new living room furniture. We desperately needed it. Anyone who has visited us lately...well actually the entire time we've been in Mass., and the last year or year and a half we lived in Hawaii, knows our old furniture. It was hand-me-down from a friend about 6 1/2 or 7yrs ago. I don't know how long she had it before us, but needless to say, it was shot and it was killing my back, especially since I got pregnant. So we went and got new stuff with our income tax refund.
Wow...it's only Wed!
Tomorrow I have a fun day planned...but it's another day I have to get up, get myself ready, and go somewhere. I think it will be worth it, too.
First, I get to spend the morning with my good buddy, Paulette, just relaxing, and knowing the two of us...laughing a lot.
Then I have a lunch meeting with one of my bestest buddies, Dani...oh but she has to wear her other hat to the meeting...her Pastor Danielle hat. LOL
She is meeting with a me and a couple of other ladies, who were not able to make it to a children's ministry meeting a couple of weeks ago. I am gonna bring lunch for us so even though it's "business", it should still be nice.
As far as I know, so far....that's it for this busy week.
Unless...the people who were interested in buying our house, (again...another blog, for another time...) decided they'd like to come see the house on Saturday.
As much as I want and need to rest...I sure hope they do. And it's the perfect house for them and they want to buy it...
...Am I asking too much?
Here are some pics of our new furniture:
"my" new rocker/recliner.
our new sofa
and our new loveseat. (Yes, they are comfy..and they don't hurt my back. Yea!)
Tuesday night, unfortunately, I did not feel good and did not feel "fortunate" to have people counting on me to do my part. This quarter's Refresh event was "A Word Aptly Spoken". It was all about having the right word, at the right time, to encourage someone and speaking it. We had a wonderful speaker and we were making cards to send to whoever God put on our hearts to encourage. I was the one who would explain the craft/card making process. I was also going to help with some set-up, decorating, and make over 4 dozen brownies/cookies. So after spending Monday evening and all day Tuesday baking, I dragged myself into the church, Tuesday evening. Thank the Lord that he has provided such a wonderful team of ladies to plan, host, and set-up these events, because I was pretty much useless. I tried to help with what I could from a chair, but the other ladies had it under control.
I am so glad I "dragged" myself there. I was totally blessed by the whole evening. The woman who spoke, Deb Hogan, had such an incredible testimony. Not to mention, a lovely voice. By the time I needed to explain the craft, I was feeling a little better and it was so refreshing to see all these awesome women having fun making cards and socializing. (Even Kathy D.-I have no thumbs, so I can't do crafts-made a card, ALL BY HERSELF.)
I got home about late Tuesday, and then of course couldn't sleep. (story of my life lately)
Long story short, after about 4 1/2 hrs of sleep the delivery guys showed up to deliver our furniture. Now, since when, do they give you a 3-hr delivery window from 6:30am-9:30am and actually show up on time.
Not only did they show up on time...they were at our door at 6:40am to deliver our new living room furniture. We desperately needed it. Anyone who has visited us lately...well actually the entire time we've been in Mass., and the last year or year and a half we lived in Hawaii, knows our old furniture. It was hand-me-down from a friend about 6 1/2 or 7yrs ago. I don't know how long she had it before us, but needless to say, it was shot and it was killing my back, especially since I got pregnant. So we went and got new stuff with our income tax refund.
Wow...it's only Wed!
Tomorrow I have a fun day planned...but it's another day I have to get up, get myself ready, and go somewhere. I think it will be worth it, too.
First, I get to spend the morning with my good buddy, Paulette, just relaxing, and knowing the two of us...laughing a lot.
Then I have a lunch meeting with one of my bestest buddies, Dani...oh but she has to wear her other hat to the meeting...her Pastor Danielle hat. LOL
She is meeting with a me and a couple of other ladies, who were not able to make it to a children's ministry meeting a couple of weeks ago. I am gonna bring lunch for us so even though it's "business", it should still be nice.
As far as I know, so far....that's it for this busy week.
Unless...the people who were interested in buying our house, (again...another blog, for another time...) decided they'd like to come see the house on Saturday.
As much as I want and need to rest...I sure hope they do. And it's the perfect house for them and they want to buy it...
...Am I asking too much?
Here are some pics of our new furniture:
"my" new rocker/recliner.
our new sofa
and our new loveseat. (Yes, they are comfy..and they don't hurt my back. Yea!)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Another baby moment...
Today, being Sunday, we went to church. We taught our Sunday School class and proceeded to go into the sanctuary for worship and to be fed by God's word, through Pastor Rick.
Praise and worship was great and the Holy Spirit was definitely in that place, but that wasn't what made today different.
Baby David did.
This morning as Pastor Rick began his sermon I noticed those, now unmistakable, flutters and kicks that let me know that the Lord has definitely blessed me with a new life. The funny part is that David, kept moving. He flipped, and flopped, and kicked...and whatever he was doing in there the entire time Pastor Rick spoke. When Pastor Rick turned the service over to the worship team David settled back down.
This is very funny to me, because this is the second time that David has reacted to Pastor Rick's voice. Other people talk, and are miked too, but he reacts when he hears Pastor Rick's voice. At our valentine's dinner, people were talking around us and speaking to us, but when Pastor Rick took the mike to say the blessing over our meal and evening, David started moving around. This was the first time he had reacted to someone other than our family, so I thought it was funny and told Pastor Rick that the baby liked him, but I also thought it might be a coincidence.
Now I think, he actually recognizes Pastor Rick's voice and responds to it.
I told Pastor Rick, after the service that I need him to stop preaching out loud so I don't get seasick from all the movement in my belly. I suggested that maybe he could preach in sign language. Somehow, I don't think that's gonna work...but at least I know, I won't have to worry about being too tired on a Sunday morning to stay awake during the sermon, David will see to that...lol.
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This is my 6 month picture.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
New Beginnings
This week we finally began our family nights. I have wanted to have a family night for a long time now, but I just kept talking about it and doing nothing. Jeremy and I had a nice long talk Sunday night...you know those don't go to sleep until 3:30am kinda talks...about everything and anything. The result being that we both want to focus more on the quality of our family. We know we have been blessed to build some great memories with our children, but they've been more about big vacations. They are great, but we want to build great day to day, little moment, memories, too. I kept thinking that it was too late...Austin is 12yrs old...we should've started this stuff years ago. And I still wish we had.
But I finally realized that it's never too late.
So we talked and decided what we wanted from our family nights and what the "rules" would be.
We've agreed that Thursdays will be our family nights. One of my big "rules" was that I wanted to spend time together that matters...not just occupying the same space. So for me this meant no TV. We can sit in front of the TV for days and never connect at all. We do have certain shows we enjoy watching together and I don't think it's a bad thing to enjoy them, but that is not quality family time.
We also agreed that family nights should begin with a nice family dinner at the table.
(I know...we should be eating together at the table every night and we're gonna work on that. One thing at a time...lol)
Then we'll do whatever activity we chose together...they don't always have to be at home, but they have to be together.
This first one was fun. We still have a few bugs to work out...
Like this week we decided to have Digorno pizzas for dinner. No problem, except that we make two different kinds because I don't like the one the boys like. We sat down at the table and started playing a game while the 1st pizza was cooking. When it was ready the boys could eat, but mine still had to cook. So we didn't quite get the eating together thing. It was also kinda hard to play games with pizza fingers...lol.
So revision #1: We will have a dinner that we ALL like...together...Before we begin our game or activity.
We'll see how this week's family night goes and what new bugs arise.
But I finally realized that it's never too late.
So we talked and decided what we wanted from our family nights and what the "rules" would be.
We've agreed that Thursdays will be our family nights. One of my big "rules" was that I wanted to spend time together that matters...not just occupying the same space. So for me this meant no TV. We can sit in front of the TV for days and never connect at all. We do have certain shows we enjoy watching together and I don't think it's a bad thing to enjoy them, but that is not quality family time.
We also agreed that family nights should begin with a nice family dinner at the table.
(I know...we should be eating together at the table every night and we're gonna work on that. One thing at a time...lol)
Then we'll do whatever activity we chose together...they don't always have to be at home, but they have to be together.
This first one was fun. We still have a few bugs to work out...
Like this week we decided to have Digorno pizzas for dinner. No problem, except that we make two different kinds because I don't like the one the boys like. We sat down at the table and started playing a game while the 1st pizza was cooking. When it was ready the boys could eat, but mine still had to cook. So we didn't quite get the eating together thing. It was also kinda hard to play games with pizza fingers...lol.
So revision #1: We will have a dinner that we ALL like...together...Before we begin our game or activity.
We'll see how this week's family night goes and what new bugs arise.
Now with our 2nd date night and our 1st family night under our belts I think we're making progress.
Even with the bugs...I am very glad that we are taking these steps toward making our family stronger.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
My awesome Valentine's weekend
I had a wonderful weekend, thanks to my loving husband.
I cannot begin to express how blessed I am that my Lord gave me such a wonderful spouse. At a point in my life when I was living my life for me instead of my ever-faithful Savior, He was still there and His hand was still guiding my life. This aspect of God's love never ceases to amaze me. How no matter how far we try to run or how far we let ourselves slip, all we have to do is turn around and He is there, right where we left Him, waiting for us to come back.
When he brought Jeremy together was one of those times I had no idea He was there, but yet he was and He definitely blessed me. Much, much more than I have ever deserved. Thank you Lord.
Sometimes I take it for granted that Jeremy is so supportive of me...in everything. He stands by me no matter what. I tend to forget it when a "spark" ignites and sometimes even starts a "fire" at home, but the truth of the matter is he is my rock and I could not ask for a more wonderful, loving husband. He has worked hard to provide a good life and happy home for us. He has allowed me the freedom to stay home when I need to stay home and to go when I need to go. He is very good at sharing me with my many loves...friends, family, scrapbooking, etc. He always lets me go out to lunch or dinner with a friend... scrapbook for a weekend...talk to a friend or family member on the phone in the middle of whatever we might be doing (unless it's Lost...lol)...or whatever it may be. He loves my scrapbooks and even offers suggestions on layout and album choices. He supports me in everything I do.
Well, this weekend was no different.
Friday, even though he had the day off from work, he let me go to a weekend scrapbooking crop all afternoon and even followed me to Tewksbury to the store(about 25 minutes from our house) to help me unload my stuff.
Friday evening we went to the Valentine's dinner and movie at our church. This was my idea and even though Jeremy's picky eating habits left him hungry after dinner was served (something we were kind of expecting) he agreed to this and we had a great time.
Saturday he let me go back to the crop ALL day long...I left the house at 9:30am and didn't get home until after 10:30pm...he didn't complain about this being on Valentine's day or anything.
He also let me get a new toy for my Valentine's day present...I got a Cricut. (a die cutting machine for scrapbooking)
Sunday, after we taught Sunday School, he encouraged me to go back and have fun and was willing to come to the store at MIDNIGHT to help me bring my stuff back home (lucky for him I was wrong about the ending time, we actually were done at 4pm, and Marilyn's hubby helped me load the car. So he didn't have to come back, but that he was willing to was worth millions).
After our parenting class at church Sunday night, we went out to dinner for our "date night" and once again my wonderful husband, thinking about my happiness and social nature, invited our very good friends to join us for dinner...(I know this kinda seems counter productive to "date" night, but my theory on date night is that Jeremy and I do something together...without our child(ren)...that we enjoy... and that helps us relax, de-stress, and remember why we love each other. So by thinking about how much I love spending time with the people I love, Jeremy reminded me how much he knows me and loves me.)
So I am ending this post with a smile on my face, my heart overflowing with love for my wonderful husband, and filled with gratitude to my Lord for His never ending, unconditional love, and His never ending blessings.
I cannot begin to express how blessed I am that my Lord gave me such a wonderful spouse. At a point in my life when I was living my life for me instead of my ever-faithful Savior, He was still there and His hand was still guiding my life. This aspect of God's love never ceases to amaze me. How no matter how far we try to run or how far we let ourselves slip, all we have to do is turn around and He is there, right where we left Him, waiting for us to come back.
When he brought Jeremy together was one of those times I had no idea He was there, but yet he was and He definitely blessed me. Much, much more than I have ever deserved. Thank you Lord.
Sometimes I take it for granted that Jeremy is so supportive of me...in everything. He stands by me no matter what. I tend to forget it when a "spark" ignites and sometimes even starts a "fire" at home, but the truth of the matter is he is my rock and I could not ask for a more wonderful, loving husband. He has worked hard to provide a good life and happy home for us. He has allowed me the freedom to stay home when I need to stay home and to go when I need to go. He is very good at sharing me with my many loves...friends, family, scrapbooking, etc. He always lets me go out to lunch or dinner with a friend... scrapbook for a weekend...talk to a friend or family member on the phone in the middle of whatever we might be doing (unless it's Lost...lol)...or whatever it may be. He loves my scrapbooks and even offers suggestions on layout and album choices. He supports me in everything I do.
Well, this weekend was no different.
Friday, even though he had the day off from work, he let me go to a weekend scrapbooking crop all afternoon and even followed me to Tewksbury to the store(about 25 minutes from our house) to help me unload my stuff.
Friday evening we went to the Valentine's dinner and movie at our church. This was my idea and even though Jeremy's picky eating habits left him hungry after dinner was served (something we were kind of expecting) he agreed to this and we had a great time.
Saturday he let me go back to the crop ALL day long...I left the house at 9:30am and didn't get home until after 10:30pm...he didn't complain about this being on Valentine's day or anything.
He also let me get a new toy for my Valentine's day present...I got a Cricut. (a die cutting machine for scrapbooking)
Sunday, after we taught Sunday School, he encouraged me to go back and have fun and was willing to come to the store at MIDNIGHT to help me bring my stuff back home (lucky for him I was wrong about the ending time, we actually were done at 4pm, and Marilyn's hubby helped me load the car. So he didn't have to come back, but that he was willing to was worth millions).
After our parenting class at church Sunday night, we went out to dinner for our "date night" and once again my wonderful husband, thinking about my happiness and social nature, invited our very good friends to join us for dinner...(I know this kinda seems counter productive to "date" night, but my theory on date night is that Jeremy and I do something together...without our child(ren)...that we enjoy... and that helps us relax, de-stress, and remember why we love each other. So by thinking about how much I love spending time with the people I love, Jeremy reminded me how much he knows me and loves me.)
So I am ending this post with a smile on my face, my heart overflowing with love for my wonderful husband, and filled with gratitude to my Lord for His never ending, unconditional love, and His never ending blessings.
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