November 13, 2008-Ain't she beautiful? Birth was good. No complications and she was completely healthy. I had some complications afterward, but am better now. Alyssa then came down with jaundice and we were back in the hospital for 2 more days. Now-she's doing great :)

What joy!

Here's the scoop: Basically after having contractions most of this week and being in and out of the hospital-we are being induced Wednesday, November 12th!!

Thoughts and Feelings:

Surreal-Our baby will be here in 5 days...this time next week, I'm going to officially be a mom and have a little precious daughter...

Scared: What do I know about being a mother? What do I know about delivering a baby?

Excited: She'll finally be here...not just someone we talk about, but she'll actually be here!!

I am a mixture of everything really and am so thankful that Bobby is right by my side. He helps me calm down and relax. He makes me smile and laugh. He brings me joy. He's going to be an amazing father. I feel less scared when I consider the fact that I have Bobby right by my side-to learn with, to mess up with, to depend on, to go through this journey together! He's amazing and God has blessed me so much.

Why do I always want to read about the spiritual life and not really live it? --Henri Nouwen

If we let our progress in religious life depend on the observance of the externals alone, our dedication will quickly come to an end. --Thomas a Kempis

Bedrest....sounded nice...and now it's not so nice.


I went into premature labor on Saturday, stayed overnight, given medication to stop the contractions, given shots to mature Alyssa's little lungs to she could breathe on her own...and then was sent home with a prescription of the med to stop my contractions. So-we wait until our appointment tomorrow to find out exactly what is going on: Is she coming early? Will I be induced? We did get to see her on the ultrasound machine though!! She was doing great! Her heartbeat was still stable in the 150's and she was not in distress of any sort! She's about 5 pounds, 5 ounces and is ready to get the party started apparently! I am 34 weeks today.


Bobby is doing great! Being in the hospital really made us aware of what we needed to finish and have done becuase-she could have come Saturday night and we would have only been semi-ready for her. But now, we're definately ready! Bags packed, sitting by the door-ready! He's been amazing taking care of me these past few weeks...months...years. I have been blessed to have him as my husband.

We got our pictures done!!! How exciting!!! I love them !!!

September is almost over...hard to believe :)

My Bible Study is going really well. I have really been enjoying the material, just not sitting in the hard chairs for 2 hours...

Bobby's birthday is the 30th...hmmm...what to do...what to do...He's going to be 25!!! :)

Our baby shower was last Sunday-what fun! I really had a fun time-and the dip that Terra made was amazing!

Speaking of baby, Alyssa is doing great. I had an appointment today. Her heartbeat is still strong 150's and she is still head down, getting ready :) I, on the other hand, have been really light-headed and dizzy, feeling like I am going to pass out, lethargic, etc. Doctor ordered hemoglobin and thyroid tests and also cut my work hours back-30 a week, 6 hours a day max. We should find out in a few days what the results from the tests are.

Also, I think I've been an emotional mess these past few days. Last night I had a dream that Bobby was in a boat and Alyssa and I were trying to get into the boat too to be with him. The boat was apparently a submarine and it was getting ready to go underwater. I was trying to open the door and Alyssa was in her carseat and we drowned in the water. Pretty freaky. But, I've had a few of these dreams and I really don't like them. So, I just love it even more when Alyssa wakes up and kicks me. I don't have very much time left to enjoy the "baby kicking me" feeling. Alyssa will be here in 7.5 weeks! I'm not too nervous about the delivery part-just the everyday-Hey! That's my baby!-part.

We started our childbirth classes on Tuesday. We did some relaxation stuff that apparently comes in handy during the first stage of labor (the part where you're still at home until the contractions get regular). Of course, I fell asleep during one of the relaxation exercises and drooled on my arm. I am a winner! Bobby did great supporting me and then laughing at me :) What a fun and new bonding experience with my husband!

Bobby has been working hard for us. He's been working some doubles and getting some overtime, which has really helped! He's been a trooper taking care of me, carrying all the big stuff, doing some extra house stuff, and making sure I am doing good emotionally. We've had some hard times over the years and this time we've spent here in North Dakota has been really good for us.

Well, I started my Bible Study on Tuesday at the church. It's called "He Speaks to Me" by Priscilla Shirer. It's a different format-we watch a 20-25 minute DVD of the speaker talking about the lesson and fill in an semi-outline. Then based off that, we have 5 daily sessions to do as well. It's a pretty neat format because there isn't really a leader of the study-except the author! It's a neat format and I really enjoy it. I've also got to meet some of the other ladies in the study. There were about 20-25 ladies there so I was very excited. Except, I was sick-coughing sneezing, etc.

It never got nay better so I went to the doctor today-I have a bronchial infection-given some antibiodics and some cough syrup to help with the cough. Apparently, severe and hard coughing can lead to contractions and premature labor! HAHA!

Bobby received an email from the church in James Island. It was a general e-mail to all the applicants, but it was very encouraging. Excited, nervous, anxious, prayerful.

We should be getting Ally's crib soon! I'm 30 weeks today-only 10 more weeks and we'll be able to hold our beautiful blessing! Again, excited, nervous, anxious, prayerful :)

Today, Bobby sort of had a phone interview with a church in James Island, SC. He called for some more information and ended up talking to the current youth pastor (who will stay on part-time) for over an hour. They talked about typical interview stuff-it was really encouraging. Not just because it was for a youth minsitry position, but just an encouraging phone call overall.

I've been reading a neat book called "The Joy of a Promise Kept: The Powerful Role Wives Play" It's been really eye-opening and overall, a pretty neat book. A short chapter book by wives of Christian ministry leaders-It's sort of a quick read, but I am trying to take my time with it and not rush through it.

I got to talk with my friend Cherie today! We've been playing phone tag since July it seems. Rhylee, her baby girl, is getting ready to turn one. Cherie said that she is talking, crawling and already has two teeth. I can't believe how fast time has gone by! Cherie and I met 6 years ago. SIX YEARS! Six years ago we were going to ballet classes, wasting time on the wrong boys, slip and sliding through mud puddles, photography, and watching cotton candy sunsets.

Other than that, it's been pretty uneventful. I've been taking Lucy for walks before I head to work. It's been good for her to get some exercise while the weather is nicer and it's been good for me to get moving as I am most comfortable sitting in bed...Alyssa has been kicking pretty good lately and from what I've read, she'll slow down her kicking alittle bit because she really won't have any more space. She should be almost 3 pounds by now. We'll see on September 15 (they moved my appointment date). Then my appointments are every 2 weeks-it's getting closer and I am getting more nervous. I had a dream that my skin was transparent and I could see her. It was pretty weird-but I just felt full of love.

First blog...let's see here...

Bobby is at work at a meeting and doing paperwork.

I am hanging out at the house...getting bigger.

Lucy is in her kennel.
Alyssa is kicking around.

These past few days have been a little dificult-feeling really depressed and lonely. Of course, the fact that we live in a state where we don't know many people doesn't help. So, I've been trying to get out a little more and meet people. I am excited about the Bible Study at our chuch that starts next Tuesday morning! I've been working on some crafty projects (like the baby shower announcements) and am considering re-arranging the bedroom. I suppose this is considered nesting-whatever it is-I feel like being busy all the time. We have a dresser and an awesome glider ricking chair for the baby so I feel like we are getting closer.

Sometimes it's hard to move around really-there's a huge mass in my stomach that likes to kick my ribs. It's awkward getting in and out of the car, the bed, chairs, etc. Almost 30 weeks-that means I have 10 more weeks to get bigger...I think I am ready for Ally to come :)

Bobby's sister Tiffany has been here to visit and our schedules have worked out so that in the last week-we've each worked only one day. NICE! A vacation-sort of. Just time hanging with the family. Bobby's other sister, Cassie, had her handsome little boy on August 25th. A few nights ago, I got to hold him-so precious. He had the hiccups and so did Ally-which is WEIRD!

Next appointment is September 11-then I go every 2 weeks. It's about 55 degrees today (yea!) and rainy (boo!)

Very thankful to have had so much time with Bobby! He's such an amazing man and a wonderful husband! He brings me joy and laughter each and every day-and he's been so great during my pregnancy. God has blessed me in so many ways I don't deserve. I have a wonderful family, a wonderful husband, a loyal dog (I can't forget Lucy!) and we have a little baby girl on the way. What joy!

Looking forward to:
my next two days off (Monday and Tuesday) because Bobby ahs those days off too!
the bible study!
joining a small group with Bobby (if they are set up at FBC)
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!!!!
Heroes!!!
baby shower on the 21st
photo shoot with bobby on 29th
bobby's birthday on 30th