Stick a Fork in Me…

So I haven’t blogged in a while, I know. I had big plans and then realized that I was going to have a baby and had a lot of work to do. So I’ve been working during most all of my free time in the last couple weeks and just over the weekend got to a point where I had done all I could do (though in my line of work, that point never lasts very long :).

Just in time to start noticing some contractions that were becoming somewhat regular and more intense..

I have been convinced for a while that I would not make it to my June 12th due date with this baby. It’s just been a different pregnancy, a seemingly bigger baby, far more Braxton Hicks contractions than I ever had with Aed. I didn’t think it was possible that I’d even be close to late.

So, when I noticed over the weekend, I wasn’t all that surprised. Then when they were still coming on Monday I started to get nervous. Then when they kept happening all night and then all day Tuesday, I started to get just plain ready. With Aed, once the contractions started they led right into active labor and his birth.

Seems this pregnancy is still different. I was exhausted going to bed last night and was hopeful that even if Baby was ready to come I’d get some sleep first. With the usual tossing and turning, the night concluded uneventfully.

Then this morning I noticed that while my contractions hadn’t changed in intensity, they were becoming far less regular. Cue disgruntled spirit. We went for a long walk. I vacuumed. I showered. Any attempt to keep moving in hopes that it would give my body the final push into labor that seemed more productive. Not so much. So I decided to take a nap.

I knew as I was laying down that my heart was not in the right place. I knew when these contractions started that they might not amount to anything and that I still might get to or go passed my due date. But now, after having the hope held right under my nose, I was not ok with that.

I slept, and when I woke decided to look at my little ‘blessings’ book for women that someone gave me when I graduated from high school. It has a thought and a verse for each day, and I knew with certainty the Lord had planted something in there that would be relevant for me today. Let me show you what it said.

June 1

When we have Jesus, we indeed have everything. All that God demands of us is met in Jesus. He is the supremely all-sufficient One, the first and the last, the living One. Our greatest need, and God’s greatest gift to us, is to awaken us to the sufficiency, supremacy, and destiny of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to an undistracted and lifelong preoccupation with Him.

- Fawn Parish, It’s All About You, Jesus

Verse for today:

No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

- Psalm 84: 11

I was distracted. I was preoccupied. There was no way I was going to be content in my situation until I was able to take my eyes off of my situation and put them back where they belong.

I know all of you have a reason to be patient right now. It seems those opportunities are never lacking. Let me encourage you, and myself, to fix our eyes on Jesus as we wait, and not waste the time we have been given in wait. I don’t think the Lord intended for the time we spend waiting to be used to pine for the thing we are waiting for. He intended for us to live every moment knowing that it is valuable and important. Each task we’ve been given in the waiting serves a purpose.

I still have an afternoon of mothering, a dinner to cook, a house to tidy up, and work to do before I lay my head down tonight. And I might have to do those things again and again before I see this baby’s face. And that is perfect. There is much to be thankful for in all of it.

In the end, we will have a baby. We will embark on a new chapter of life with new challenges, experiences, expectations, blessings. In the end, we won’t give a second thought to these days in between. Which is why I want them to be good. Not tainted with impatience and annoyance, but full of noticing the many ways the Lord has blessed our family. Noticing how big my first son has gotten, how incredible he is. Noticing how big my second son has gotten and enjoying our last moments as we are. Basking in the love of my husband and marveling at the ways he is always ready to do what needs to be done. And, most of all, working toward an undistracted and lifelong preoccupation with Jesus. Because in the end, that’s where the meaning is found. That’s where the worth is in each day. That’s where peace and contentment lie. That is what will bring me through the waiting.

Things heard in our house…

Ian: Good news!

Me: What?

Ian: There’s a job opening in New Zealand!

Me: Well, that IS good news… For someone else.



Aed playing by himself while we are in the kitchen…

Makes his infamous ‘bite’ noise like he’s taking a big bite of something (which he also uses in the produce section of the grocery store) and then says:

'Bite. Doggy.'



Going upstairs to change a poopy diaper…

Me: Whew! You Stink!

Aed: Takes a deep sniff and then says, ‘Mmmmm MMMMMM!’

6 Things…

Six things that have happened in the last month or so.. Six things that have been neglected by yours truly.. They are not earth shattering, nor will they change your life, but they might make you crack a smile which is really what we’re going for here, am I right? So, here goes..

The babies gathered again! And have actually subsequently gathered once more since this picture was taken. I hear the most recent picture is exceedingly cute, especially when compared to this one, given that it was apparently a very serious April morning. May brings smiles much more easily. Also noteworthy: April was the one-year mark from our first tea!

This was the view out my laundry room window a few weeks ago. Cherry blossoms! I am so grateful for trees that are once again full of life!

There is a yearly parade here called the Kate Kennedy procession. It’s put on by uni students that are in the Kate Kennedy Club. Turns out this historical parade would be Aed’s first! He wasn’t as thrilled as we had hoped, but I couldn’t blame him since no one threw candy.. He did neigh really loudly when the first horses went by though :)

My UK mother’s day present bloomed in glorious purple beauty! Unfortunately, we missed most of the blooming since we were on a little getaway (next post!), but they were beautiful and oh-so-fragrant.

Easter! This is Aed’s plumped up Easter basket. It was going to be less than exciting, but then we got an awesome package in the mail that added lots of fun toys and candy for our little Easter Egg.

I know these are blurry, and I apologize.. blurry seems to be my thing these days. As you can see he is his mother’s son. He went STRAIGHT for the Reese cups and proceeded to eat two of them in quick succession. My heart melted. And he was wearing the cutest sweater for the special day! Also noteworthy: That sweater is now lovely shade of light blue thanks to a pair of jeans.

We had a small group of people over for an Easter breakfast and did a little egg hunt with the kiddos, which was so fun! I made the long-awaited braided Easter bread, and it turned out pretty tasty.

It was much cuter before it went into the oven, though..

We had an awesome spread of food (table spruced with flowers from our very own jungle garden) and I was SO uncomfortable sitting through church with such a full tummy! Totally worth it :)

This is how my child eats. He takes a bite out of everything he is given before he goes back to finish anything.

Love this kid.

(What, Mama?)

34+ weeks

We have made it to 34 weeks! It is crazy to think about how much change just right around the corner. I am tired but feeling good, and am soaking up these last few weeks as a family of three.

This morning we had some fun getting our pictures taken by a very dear friend here. I have wanted and wished and hoped for really nice family photos since Aed was born, but things just haven't worked out - until now! She sent me a few favorites today, so I thought I'd use them to show off my voluminous 34 week belly, and my two beloveds.

Aren't they beautiful?? Our friend is just so talented! I am so, so thankful! :)

I have so much to post about.. we have been busy, busy! Hopefully this week or weekend I'll have a minute to sit down and sort through everything because there is lots to share.

In other news, another friend has shed some light on the mystery of my last post. If you're interested in a little more information on the probable cause for the 'probably' in the cafe's street sign, check out the comments. It pays to have friends in the know! Thanks Julie! :)