Saturday, October 18, 2008
Explain this to a 2 year old!
This year Elias really notices all of the Halloween decorations and stuff in all the stores and houses. He has started to become scared of skulls, masks, witches, etc. Part of his fear has to do with the fact that Gus put on a very scary mask one day in Party City that made Elias literally try to jump out of the shopping cart. Now when he sees a skull or something scary he says "mask, mask!". When he started to show fear towards these things I told him that we don't have to be scared. We can just say "In the name of Jesus, I'm not scared". I have said this to him over and over again. I thought it would be a good way for him to learn to call upon the name of the Lord when he is scared. Turns out I am not so sure he understands. Now EVERY TIME he sees something scary he screams out "Jesus! Jesus!". Down the aisles of Walmart and Target I hear "Jesus! Jesus!". Passing Halloween decorations while driving I hear "Jesus! Jesus!". Looking at the Judgment set at the church I hear "Jesus! Jesus!". I am not sure if he is really calling upon the name of the Lord, or if he thinks those things represent Jesus. I think I need to work on clarifying the matter to him. I've had to explain this subject to many people that have heard his exclamations of Jesus as we pass Halloween decorations. It is not easy to explain things to a 2 year old!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Elias Update
-We had Elias' 2 year checkup, and of course he is a happy and healthy boy! He is only 26 pounds (which is in the 23 percentile) but is 36 inches tall (which is the 90th percentile).
-He has become rather obsessed with pumpkins after our visit to the pumpkin farm. He points them out everywhere we go.
-His speech has just exploded in the last few weeks. He has really began to use full sentences all the time, rather than just occasionally. He is growing so fast! I think I am finally ready for another baby, but we still plan to wait another year.
There are so many other things that have happened lately, but this happens to be a very busy time of year for us, so it's all I can do!
-He has become rather obsessed with pumpkins after our visit to the pumpkin farm. He points them out everywhere we go.
-His speech has just exploded in the last few weeks. He has really began to use full sentences all the time, rather than just occasionally. He is growing so fast! I think I am finally ready for another baby, but we still plan to wait another year.
There are so many other things that have happened lately, but this happens to be a very busy time of year for us, so it's all I can do!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Elias is two!
Elias turned 2 today. 2 years has flown by, and we have enjoyed this little boy so much. I decided to finally write out his birth story. It is very long, and I wrote it not so much for others to read but for my own records. I don't want to forget even the painful details of that day! Don't worry, it is not graphic.
I was scheduled to go to the hospital to be induced on October 4. We got to the hospital about 9pm to get things started. I had been on bed rest for 2 weeks because I was showing signs of preeclampsia. One symptom was that my blood pressure was a little high. However, my blood pressure was perfect the entire time I was in labor. Anyway, as the nurse (who was WONDERFUL) put my IV in I began to have a slight panic attack. I HATE needles. It actually made Elias’ heart rate drop a little. After we both recovered everything was fine. At about 11 pm they gave me something to prepare my cervix for labor. When I went to be induced I was not dilated at all, and my cervix was not effaced. My body was showing NO signs of labor. My chances of having a vaginal birth were not really high considering my body had done nothing on its own to prepare for labor. So about 11 pm they give me a drug to prepare my body for labor. I sleep fairly well until about 6 am, and then I began to feel cramping. At about 8 am my doctor comes and breaks my water and starts me on pitocen. Things begin progressing well, and the pain is not too bad. About 11 am I get a shot of some drug that took away the pain, but it made me feel very loopy. I got another shot about noon, but it did not work. At that point I asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in the room with a great air of arrogance and acted as though I was an inconvenience. As he begins to place the epidural I feel cramping in my back and say “ouch”. He replies with “You feel that? You are not supposed to feel that”. Very comforting. He has some trouble, but finally gets it placed correctly. I anxiously wait for the pain to magically disappear. I continue to wait and NOTHING happens. The pain does not disappear or even fade a little. He comes back in and tries to readjust it with no success. Then, the head anesthesiologist comes in and does it all over again. At this point I am freaking out a little, because I want the pain to end. Gus ends up getting stressed and almost faints. That actually made me laugh a little even though I was hurting. Long story short, the epidural only numbs my right leg. A lot of good that does. I feel EVERY single contraction. Due to the pitocen they are long and very strong. I have a breakdown and begin to say that I can’t do this. I really start FREAKING out. It was so very painful. After a good 20 minutes of this I finally buckle down and tell myself that I HAVE to do this. It will be painful, but I have to get through it. Honestly in that moment seeing my mom in the room gave me such strength. She had 2 out of her 4 labors without drugs, and she was still alive! At that point I knew I would not die. (Yes the thought of death crossed my mind. I was also about to request a c-section.) Through it all Gus and my mom were so great. I could not have made it without them both there. With every contraction I would grip the bar of the bed and begin to pray in the Holy Spirit. It was the only thing I knew to do. I had NOT prepared for natural childbirth. I could hear Gus and my mom praying too. Finally right at 4pm the nurse told me I could start pushing. What a relief! Pushing actually gave me relief from the contractions. I pushed for 38 minutes, and then our sweet baby boy was here! I could not believe that I had just given birth to him. I could not believe that I was holding my son! It was overwhelming to say the least. He was perfect in every way. Praise God! The pain (and complete agony) were absolutely worth the reward of having him!
I was scheduled to go to the hospital to be induced on October 4. We got to the hospital about 9pm to get things started. I had been on bed rest for 2 weeks because I was showing signs of preeclampsia. One symptom was that my blood pressure was a little high. However, my blood pressure was perfect the entire time I was in labor. Anyway, as the nurse (who was WONDERFUL) put my IV in I began to have a slight panic attack. I HATE needles. It actually made Elias’ heart rate drop a little. After we both recovered everything was fine. At about 11 pm they gave me something to prepare my cervix for labor. When I went to be induced I was not dilated at all, and my cervix was not effaced. My body was showing NO signs of labor. My chances of having a vaginal birth were not really high considering my body had done nothing on its own to prepare for labor. So about 11 pm they give me a drug to prepare my body for labor. I sleep fairly well until about 6 am, and then I began to feel cramping. At about 8 am my doctor comes and breaks my water and starts me on pitocen. Things begin progressing well, and the pain is not too bad. About 11 am I get a shot of some drug that took away the pain, but it made me feel very loopy. I got another shot about noon, but it did not work. At that point I asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in the room with a great air of arrogance and acted as though I was an inconvenience. As he begins to place the epidural I feel cramping in my back and say “ouch”. He replies with “You feel that? You are not supposed to feel that”. Very comforting. He has some trouble, but finally gets it placed correctly. I anxiously wait for the pain to magically disappear. I continue to wait and NOTHING happens. The pain does not disappear or even fade a little. He comes back in and tries to readjust it with no success. Then, the head anesthesiologist comes in and does it all over again. At this point I am freaking out a little, because I want the pain to end. Gus ends up getting stressed and almost faints. That actually made me laugh a little even though I was hurting. Long story short, the epidural only numbs my right leg. A lot of good that does. I feel EVERY single contraction. Due to the pitocen they are long and very strong. I have a breakdown and begin to say that I can’t do this. I really start FREAKING out. It was so very painful. After a good 20 minutes of this I finally buckle down and tell myself that I HAVE to do this. It will be painful, but I have to get through it. Honestly in that moment seeing my mom in the room gave me such strength. She had 2 out of her 4 labors without drugs, and she was still alive! At that point I knew I would not die. (Yes the thought of death crossed my mind. I was also about to request a c-section.) Through it all Gus and my mom were so great. I could not have made it without them both there. With every contraction I would grip the bar of the bed and begin to pray in the Holy Spirit. It was the only thing I knew to do. I had NOT prepared for natural childbirth. I could hear Gus and my mom praying too. Finally right at 4pm the nurse told me I could start pushing. What a relief! Pushing actually gave me relief from the contractions. I pushed for 38 minutes, and then our sweet baby boy was here! I could not believe that I had just given birth to him. I could not believe that I was holding my son! It was overwhelming to say the least. He was perfect in every way. Praise God! The pain (and complete agony) were absolutely worth the reward of having him!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
My Husband
My husband is seriously so amazing! I know I always proclaim Elias' greatness on here, but I often fail to mention Gus' awesomeness. I just have to say that I have a great Godly man that loves his family. I honestly hope that our little boy grows up to be like his daddy. There is no greater role model for Elias. Gus is loving, devoted, caring, supportive, FUN, humorous, and most importantly he loves the Lord! My message to Elias is: Watch your daddy. He knows how to serve God and he knows how to love his wife. Your daddy knows how to go above and beyond to be a loving father to his little boy. Watch and follow him. He will lead you the right way!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Beginning
Exactly 11 years ago my life completely changed. I walked into that youth service at First Assembly of God a typical 15 year old girl, but I left a new creation. My life, my heart, my future, my goals, my everything was changed. That was the night I realized that God was real, His Son had died for me, and that His love for me was great enough to accept me as I was.
I can remember every detail of that night and that moment where I gave everything I had to the Lord. I literally felt as though a huge burden and weight was lifted off of me. I remember the incredible sense of love and joy I felt. Since that night living my life for the Lord has not always been easy. In all honesty there have been times when my faith has been weak and I have doubted Him and His truth. In those moments all I have to do is remember September 17, 1997 and every doubt vanishes. I KNOW that night was real. I KNOW that night I encountered God. I KNOW that what I felt was not emotions created by me or by a human being. I KNOW it was true. It was my moment with Him.
All I have and all that I am (at least all the good parts of me) I owe to my God, my Savior. Thank you Lord for that moment that has led me to a lifetime and eventually an eternity of serving and loving you!
I love the lyrics to this song:
I have known you now for many years
And life has not always gone perfectly
Gentle whispers followed by the storms
And life has caused tears to fall
But if you ask has it been worth the price
And would I do it over again
I would give my life all over again
I'd run to you with no regrets
On my knees I give my all to you
For your Kingdom's sake
I can remember every detail of that night and that moment where I gave everything I had to the Lord. I literally felt as though a huge burden and weight was lifted off of me. I remember the incredible sense of love and joy I felt. Since that night living my life for the Lord has not always been easy. In all honesty there have been times when my faith has been weak and I have doubted Him and His truth. In those moments all I have to do is remember September 17, 1997 and every doubt vanishes. I KNOW that night was real. I KNOW that night I encountered God. I KNOW that what I felt was not emotions created by me or by a human being. I KNOW it was true. It was my moment with Him.
All I have and all that I am (at least all the good parts of me) I owe to my God, my Savior. Thank you Lord for that moment that has led me to a lifetime and eventually an eternity of serving and loving you!
I love the lyrics to this song:
I have known you now for many years
And life has not always gone perfectly
Gentle whispers followed by the storms
And life has caused tears to fall
But if you ask has it been worth the price
And would I do it over again
I would give my life all over again
I'd run to you with no regrets
On my knees I give my all to you
For your Kingdom's sake
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Pictures!
This is his take off postition.
How could you deny anything to this sweet face?!
Preparing to jump!
Climbing is second only to jumping.
He is always full of big smiles at the pool! He feels right at home in the water.
He is saying "cheese" on his way to his first day of school.
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