A little over two weeks of bedrest/"limited activity" and the days have ticked by so slowly. Argh! I am trying to keep myself as busy as possible... from the sofa. I enjoyed a morning off thinking about not much this morning, but by midafternoon, my brain--which has to be accomplishing something as much of the time as possible--almost had a meltdown.
So I put in the movie Julie & Julia. For a writer like myself, I can relate to both Julia's adventure of writing a book (although hers was a cookbook) and Julie's adventure of blogging. Plus, I love their love of cooking and it made me just a little sad that I can't just bustle around the kitchen right now making these fabulous recipes.
It did inspire to make an omelet for dinner. My omelets, I must admit, have been less than stellar in the past. Slowly, but surely, Food Network and Erik and my interest in cooking has caused me to keep trying and improving omelets. Today's actually turned out decent, although I still haven't figured out how they keep the eggs looking so flat and nice in the pan while cooking it.
I've also improved at making eggs over easy... they used to become scrambled eggs, more or less, but my last three for Erik were practically perfect.
I know... way boring information, but hey! I gotta do something to amuse myself waiting for baby! :-) You just happen to be a recipient of my thoughts while I do so.
Oh and I guess the biggest "news" of all is I decided to give myself an extra reason to stay off my feet... I bruised my toe. Okay, the reasoning isn't true, but the bruised toe is. I'm what some may call clumsy when it comes to keeping my toes out of the ways of doors and bed frames, and yesterday, I got out of bed and slammed a toe into the bed. Whoops! No major harm done. Just a different colored toe.
Exciting life, huh? :-)
**I should clarify that although the title says "bedrest boredom," I am not officially on bedrest anymore, which I noted in a previous post. I'm on the "limited activity" schedule, but I'm still on the sofa resting quite a lot. Plus "bedrest boredom" is a much cooler sounding title than "limited activity boredom." :-)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
handicapped
So I'm getting a new perspective on life with my assignment of limited activity. Last night I was at church and based on how I was feeling, I decided it would be better to sit down during praise and worship so I would be off my feet, just as a precaution. That decision was mentally humbling for me because everyone else was standing around me and I was supposed to be standing. I imagined people were looking at me thinking, Why is she sitting down? What's wrong with her? Doesn't she know she's disrespecting God?
Tonight I'm going to a musical with my mom at my alma mater and we're bringing a wheelchair so I don't have to walk the distance between the car and the theater, which is a decent length. Since you can't really see a preggo belly yet, it will be humbling to be in the wheelchair because my mind will tell me people will wonder what's wrong with me.
Even just in my day-to-day tasks, I feel lazy not doing certain things, and I assume because I've had the thought I'm lazy to avoid certain activities that are precautionary for my situation, I assume others are thinking the same thing. (funny how that works!)
In reality, I have to just be humbled to accept people's help, not care about what people think, and do what's best for the baby.
Yes, some people may think I'm lazy, but they don't know the story behind why I'm doing what I do. Plus, in reality, most people are probably too concerned with their own lives to even think much about the rather healthy-looking lady sitting during praise and worship or coming in on a wheelchair!
Tonight I'm going to a musical with my mom at my alma mater and we're bringing a wheelchair so I don't have to walk the distance between the car and the theater, which is a decent length. Since you can't really see a preggo belly yet, it will be humbling to be in the wheelchair because my mind will tell me people will wonder what's wrong with me.
Even just in my day-to-day tasks, I feel lazy not doing certain things, and I assume because I've had the thought I'm lazy to avoid certain activities that are precautionary for my situation, I assume others are thinking the same thing. (funny how that works!)
In reality, I have to just be humbled to accept people's help, not care about what people think, and do what's best for the baby.
Yes, some people may think I'm lazy, but they don't know the story behind why I'm doing what I do. Plus, in reality, most people are probably too concerned with their own lives to even think much about the rather healthy-looking lady sitting during praise and worship or coming in on a wheelchair!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
"patiently" waiting for baby
So I thoroughly have a new appreciation for military families who say goodbye to their spouse/parent/sibling, etc. for months to a full year or more so they can serve our country. I admit that I've been glib enough to tell some people I know coming up on a waiting period, "It'll be over before you know it." Yes, time flies in the grand scheme of things... but when it comes down to 24 hours passing over and over and over again to create a string of days and then weeks without someone in your life, it's extremely difficult.
Yes, the big picture is it will go fast, but I've learned now to think twice before telling someone in a waiting period (even people on bedrest like me) that it will go fast. The reality is that no matter how "long" or "short" their waiting period is, that person still has to walk through hour after hour after day after day of some integral person being out of their lives.
I remember after both Brian and Brody passed away that I wished time would just vanish in some way and that it would be magically six months after my brother/baby had passed and that time would magically healed my wounds. I could see and imagine the day that the grieving wouldn't hurt as intense, but that didn't change the fact that I was still living out the moments and days and weeks immediately following a tragic death. It wasn't easy.
The same goes for military wives, bedrest, and any other type of waiting period for someone you love (whether waiting for heaven or just a return home). Those days are long and can sometimes be slow.
I am trying to make the most of my time down. I want to enjoy my rest time - the times when I'm alone and the times when friends and family visit and help me through it. I want to enjoy my time with Erik and enjoy my time without a baby crying at night. :-) I've made up goals and activities to getting certain stuff done during this time--like cleaning out the junk in our house and keeping it clean (as best as I can on bedrest) one little bit of junk at a time and doing crossword puzzles and reading books or playing games.
In fact, Erik and I now play cribbage. It's a nice way to relax on the sofa and enjoy each other's company. It took four games of him having amazing cards and me learning how to play before I actually won a game!
So that's all for now. Slowly but surely I'm making it through each day. I know the day will soon be here when I will be posting baby pictures and updates, but until then, I'll simply process my waiting period as patiently as possible.
P.S. I know that the waiting process is the growing period as well. Just as baby is growing inside me now, I want to grow as a person and in my character during this time as well. Lord, please help me do that! Thank you! You are wonderful! :-)
P.S.S. Thank you to all the military families for what they've done for our country! Words can't properly express my gratefulness!
I remember after both Brian and Brody passed away that I wished time would just vanish in some way and that it would be magically six months after my brother/baby had passed and that time would magically healed my wounds. I could see and imagine the day that the grieving wouldn't hurt as intense, but that didn't change the fact that I was still living out the moments and days and weeks immediately following a tragic death. It wasn't easy.
The same goes for military wives, bedrest, and any other type of waiting period for someone you love (whether waiting for heaven or just a return home). Those days are long and can sometimes be slow.
I am trying to make the most of my time down. I want to enjoy my rest time - the times when I'm alone and the times when friends and family visit and help me through it. I want to enjoy my time with Erik and enjoy my time without a baby crying at night. :-) I've made up goals and activities to getting certain stuff done during this time--like cleaning out the junk in our house and keeping it clean (as best as I can on bedrest) one little bit of junk at a time and doing crossword puzzles and reading books or playing games.
In fact, Erik and I now play cribbage. It's a nice way to relax on the sofa and enjoy each other's company. It took four games of him having amazing cards and me learning how to play before I actually won a game!
So that's all for now. Slowly but surely I'm making it through each day. I know the day will soon be here when I will be posting baby pictures and updates, but until then, I'll simply process my waiting period as patiently as possible.
P.S. I know that the waiting process is the growing period as well. Just as baby is growing inside me now, I want to grow as a person and in my character during this time as well. Lord, please help me do that! Thank you! You are wonderful! :-)
P.S.S. Thank you to all the military families for what they've done for our country! Words can't properly express my gratefulness!
Monday, July 25, 2011
14 weeks!
I'm 14 weeks along! Glad to be here... but it does seem like time is crawling right now. It's very difficult for me to not do stuff! I hate not being able to just do chores around the house or cook dinner without thinking about how long I've been standing/walking around. From that perspective, these months of light activity won't be my favorite time, but I will try to enjoy the relaxation as much as possible because once the baby comes, I won't get this time again!
I do remind myself that we're over halfway through July already, and I know that ultimately, six months will go by quickly. (And you'll probably "hear" myself remember that a lot!)
My recovery from the surgery has gone well. The past weekend I was able to get outside and spend time with some friends and neighbors - I sat pretty much the whole time (exciting, huh?!). It was super nice to get out. Now I'm back on the couch resting and working, letting baby grow inside without any pressure on my body.
This morning I sat outside and prayed while enjoying the sunshine. It was wonderful.
Other than that, I don't have much else to say. Hope you have a wonderful week! :-)
I do remind myself that we're over halfway through July already, and I know that ultimately, six months will go by quickly. (And you'll probably "hear" myself remember that a lot!)
My recovery from the surgery has gone well. The past weekend I was able to get outside and spend time with some friends and neighbors - I sat pretty much the whole time (exciting, huh?!). It was super nice to get out. Now I'm back on the couch resting and working, letting baby grow inside without any pressure on my body.
This morning I sat outside and prayed while enjoying the sunshine. It was wonderful.
Other than that, I don't have much else to say. Hope you have a wonderful week! :-)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
officially off bedrest!
I'm officially done laying around today... and boy, it sounded like I had a good week to be "stuck" indoors with air conditioning! :-)
Everything has gone really well in recovery and now I'm set for these next six months of letting baby grow inside me. I'm on "light activity" mode. I can't lift and I can't walk a lot. The biggest thing is to listen to my body and if it isn't doing well, take it easy. So at this point, I don't know what my body will be able to handle over the next few months, but I'll gradually find out as Erik and I get into a routine that works with this new stage in life.
Everything has gone really well in recovery and now I'm set for these next six months of letting baby grow inside me. I'm on "light activity" mode. I can't lift and I can't walk a lot. The biggest thing is to listen to my body and if it isn't doing well, take it easy. So at this point, I don't know what my body will be able to handle over the next few months, but I'll gradually find out as Erik and I get into a routine that works with this new stage in life.
I will be able to drive, but I can't walk around a lot once I'm there, so Erik and I will probably be home a lot more often. We'll definitely have a chance to enjoy our time together before life changes once again.
Thanks to all my neighbors, friends, and family - and especially my mom! - who have helped immensely over this past week! Erik and I are grateful for your help!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Esther... married a non-Jew
The morning I headed into surgery last week, I decided I would start reading the book of Esther. Then it hit me that God called Esther to marry outside of His expected laws for her. She married the king, a non-Christian, non-Jew, non-everything! If she hadn't done that, the nation of Israel wouldn't have been saved in the way that it was. Crazy!
It reminds me of a post I made last Christmas about how the Christmas story was nothing like we expected it to be. In fact, I bet we could find something in every Bible story that shows us that God's ways are definitely not our ways!
The book of Isaiah chapter 55 puts it this way:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I don't think we'll ever get this as humans. No matter how hard we try to figure him out, He operates on a different level than us.
God does go on to reassure us using terms we are familiar with...
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
The rain and snow always accomplish what they are supposed to do. In fact, all of nature just does it thing naturally. In that same way, we can expect that God's Word will achieve its purpose here on earth.
Now I know we're humans and we are great at figuring out ways to mess up things, but God also knows that and knows how to work around that. :-)
The rest of Isaiah chapter 55 reads:
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
I like that. We'll go out with joy and be led forth with peace--definitely two elements I want personified in my life.
Have a good day!
It reminds me of a post I made last Christmas about how the Christmas story was nothing like we expected it to be. In fact, I bet we could find something in every Bible story that shows us that God's ways are definitely not our ways!
The book of Isaiah chapter 55 puts it this way:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I don't think we'll ever get this as humans. No matter how hard we try to figure him out, He operates on a different level than us.
God does go on to reassure us using terms we are familiar with...
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
The rain and snow always accomplish what they are supposed to do. In fact, all of nature just does it thing naturally. In that same way, we can expect that God's Word will achieve its purpose here on earth.
Now I know we're humans and we are great at figuring out ways to mess up things, but God also knows that and knows how to work around that. :-)
The rest of Isaiah chapter 55 reads:
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
I like that. We'll go out with joy and be led forth with peace--definitely two elements I want personified in my life.
Have a good day!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Brody's getting a sibling!
Yep, the rumors are true. Brody is getting a little brother or sister! The baby is due 1-23-12.
It's very odd because for the first time ever, I'm actually desperately looking forward to winter!
Just yesterday, I went in for a minor, same-day surgery that will help prevent what happened with Brody so my body can keep baby around until January. Everything went really well, and I'm on bedrest for a week recovering. I'll be on light activity after that... so if you see me even think about trying to lift something heavy, stop me! :-)
I have basic instructions from the doc, but all the details of what I can and can't do from now until January will be taken on a day-by-day and week-by-week basis, depending on my body feels. The most important thing is to take it easy and make sure baby #2 can stay inside as long as possible!!!
Thanks for all your prayers and support during this time! Now that I went through the surgery and we have a plan in place for protecting the baby, we're a lot less nervous about this time around! Thank you, Lord, for technology and a good doctor!
Just yesterday, I went in for a minor, same-day surgery that will help prevent what happened with Brody so my body can keep baby around until January. Everything went really well, and I'm on bedrest for a week recovering. I'll be on light activity after that... so if you see me even think about trying to lift something heavy, stop me! :-)
I have basic instructions from the doc, but all the details of what I can and can't do from now until January will be taken on a day-by-day and week-by-week basis, depending on my body feels. The most important thing is to take it easy and make sure baby #2 can stay inside as long as possible!!!
Thanks for all your prayers and support during this time! Now that I went through the surgery and we have a plan in place for protecting the baby, we're a lot less nervous about this time around! Thank you, Lord, for technology and a good doctor!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
today's top 5 (7/6)
Here are today's top 5 things I'm thankful for...
The reason the timing has been so perfect is that he's been our joy through all the difficulty we have faced since that day (plus we could train him as a puppy during the spring, not the winter!). I can't imagine going through any of the difficulties we've been through without our floppy eared dog by our side, always coming to comfort us or having a goofy look on his face right when we needed it.
God is good. :-)
5. Good food. I waited for a week before making this recipe last night from my Food Network magazine. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/grilled-lasagna-recipe/index.html. Super good! I love the fresh take on lasagna. If you like Italian, you'll love this. It makes four individual lasagna servings.
1. Sleeping boys. Erik, Tucker, and I had a wonderful weekend away with family for the 4th of July. We came back midday yesterday. Erik and Tucker both slept for 5 hours while I worked. I loved the feeling of tip-toeing around the house because I had my two sleeping boys I didn't want to disturb. So glad they got their sleep!
2. Tucker. I watch him and realize how perfect it was to have him come into our life right when He did. Erik and I married in March 2009 and I had told Erik we could get a puppy for Christmas 2009. Within a month of being married, we heard about a litter of puppies a friend of the family was giving away (aka FREE!). It kinda intimidated me to get one so soon into marriage since it was my first pet, but since Erik grew up with English springers and he wanted a lab, I figured a free lab/springer mix was a perfect combination! More than anything, I had a peace from God about it. Tuck was born early April 2009 and we picked him up at 7 weeks or so on Memorial Day weekend.
The reason the timing has been so perfect is that he's been our joy through all the difficulty we have faced since that day (plus we could train him as a puppy during the spring, not the winter!). I can't imagine going through any of the difficulties we've been through without our floppy eared dog by our side, always coming to comfort us or having a goofy look on his face right when we needed it.God is good. :-)
3. God's leading. Right when I need it the most, God shows up and reminds me that He's by my side, I'm on the right track, and as I keep following Him, He will take care of me. I'm so grateful. I can confidently follow Psalm 55:22, "Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail)." It's not always easy, but I know I can do it and God reassures me right when I need Him that He is trustworthy.
4. Nature. We live in a beautiful world that screams the goodness of God. Such a blessing to take time to be surrounded by lakes, trees, mountains, flies (okay, not flies! They are annoying!).... Always a reminder to me that there is peace in this world and we find it in God, our Creator.
5. Good food. I waited for a week before making this recipe last night from my Food Network magazine. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/grilled-lasagna-recipe/index.html. Super good! I love the fresh take on lasagna. If you like Italian, you'll love this. It makes four individual lasagna servings. All for now! Hope you had a great 4th of July!
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