Trials and Joys

I had another routine appointment yesterday morning. Everything is going really well. The baby's heartbeat was good and strong, about 150 beats, and "he" (it's so wierd to call it "it") was squirming all over the place.

I have been having fluttering and popcorn popping sensations the last few weeks, but now I can definately feel jabs. The movement hasn't been disruptive to my sleep yet, which is nice since Natalia loved to kick and punch me in the ribs when I was sleeping...that will be coming I'm sure. Speaking of Natalia, she is simply loving the idea of being a big sister! She received two "big sister" kind of books for her 1/2 birthday and they are now favorites. She still insists that she's getting a sister for Christmas. We hope to find out on Monday at the ultrasound.

Pete's going with me on Monday, for a few reasons. He, of course wants to be there for the experience, but especially if the baby cooperates and is in a good position for us to check things out. We also will be having an ECHO done to check out the baby's heart in greater detail. Again, this is just precautionary, though doctor ordered, because of Natalia's heart condition.

I'm feeling much better and able to navigate through the world of smells nearly problem-free these days! That's definately a blessing. I'm still tiring really quickly, but that's to be expected and I know I'm especially affected by the extreme humidity we've had recently.

On a completely different note, in the past few weeks Pete and I have had multiple "heavies" come our way, (I already blogged about one of them)...but all are things we can walk through with God's help. We've already experienced great peace and reassurance, but we're human and it still has been a struggle at times. I've found it especially hard to sleep some nights, but it's primarily been because my pregnant body is already waking me. Spending time with the Lord, reminding myself that EVERYTHING that comes to me first filters through God's loving hands and is intended to grow me and/or bring blessing to others and honor Him somehow--this has refocused my eyes and given me great hope even in the moments when I question how that is possible.

One of those things in particular could be of some duration, we just don't know. If you think of us, please pray. Pray for wisdom, protection, and a right attitude, and that God would work in our favor, convincing all involved that our intentions and words are true...and that we would release the outcome to the Lord. He is always Faithful.