I'm 15 1/2 weeks pregnant but feel much more. It seems that in the last week, my tummy "popped", as they say. My friend has kindly loaned me 2 "Bella Bands" to allow me to stretch out a few more weeks in regular pants with out using a safety pin to keep the button area fastened. This is not a fun stage since maternity pants are a little too loose, maternity shirts are still too huge, but regular pants and shirts are mostly too tight. Do I go for the "Is she pregnant or just chubby?" look by wearing too-tight clothes? Or the "90's baggy clothes/balloon" look in maternity clothes?
I apologize for the recent lack of pictures. I am tempted to blame Brad since I was finally motivated today to transfer pictures from our camera to our computer so I could upload some here but he took our personal camera with him on the youth group outing. I didn't realize it was gone with him until I decided to upload the pictures but couldn't find the camera. But, to be fair, I can't blame him since the camera has been hanging on the same hook for over a week and I had plenty of opportunity to upload pictures earlier. How is it that it seems like the times I really want to use the camera are the times when it gets commissioned to be a "church camera"? Such is life. Sometimes I find it frustrating sharing anything that is ours with church. That's another post, though.
Cora has a middle ear infection. Did I post this before? I can't remember. It's her first ear infection and she spent 10 days on Amoxicillin which caused some vomiting and a suspicious rash. The Dr. said "it's a sensitivity, not an allergy". But when we went back for the Dr. to check on her ear and found out it hasn't gotten any better I wasn't eager to re-up on the antibiotics. We are trying a nasal spray to open up her sinuses to hopefully allow some drainage in the eustacian (sp?) tube. We also have to put an earplug in her left ear for swimming lessons. Anybody know some other homeopathic/natural remedies for ear infections? Cora isn't in discomfort - unless she's gotten used to the pain, which I doubt is the case - so at least that is not a concern.
Also, maybe you heard about our vehicle drama of 2008? It was a nightmare. In January, this year, we finally got the Jetta in good working order and decided to sell it while it was good. A few weeks later we purchased a 1994? Toyota Camry. Our hope is that, even though it is an older car, it will run better for us and when it does need work done it will be easier and cheaper to find someone to work on it than the Jetta. Anyway, what I'm excited to tell you is that the Toyota is a manual transmission. I had never learned (sadly) to drive a stick shift before but now I have the opportunity and necessity to learn. I'm proud to say that I've been driving it by myself all over town for a while now and I think I'm even getting comfortable enough to have a conversation while driving! Earlier this week I refused to drive my friend Kami to MOPS because I would not have been able to enjoy the 15-20 minutes in the car with her if I was driving (and Brad needed our other vehicle so I would have had to drive the Toyota) so she graciously drove her car. Next time, I'll drive, Kami! :) And we'll be able to talk, too.
Finally, in case you didn't know or forgot, the pastor of our church took a call elsewhere early last fall. Brad's dad has been working as the interim pastor for us since then, preaching regularly and giving leadership and guidance for council and other things. I was reflecting today on how God's hand guided this even years ago when Mom and Dad decided to purchase a home in Montrose and we ended up moving to GJ. I have always selfishly liked how it worked out because I've enjoyed living near them. But it has come to be a blessing for our whole church to have Dad and Mom nearby! Again, selfishly, I am thankful to be able to enjoy hearing God's word taught to us by my dad-in-law. He is a truly gifted preacher and teacher and Brad and I often hear from others in the church how much they enjoy and are blessed by his sermons. I don't know that I would ever tire of hearing Dad preach.
It saddened me when it dawned on me today that I only know of one lunch invitation they have received from someone in our congregation. Maybe it's old-fashioned to invite people over for Sunday lunch? The invitation did come from one of the oldest couples in church, actually! (And I know Brad and I don't very often follow through on our intentions to have other people over for Sunday lunch.) Anyway, the point is that I hope Mom and Dad not only are appreciated but also feel appreciated and welcomed...We sure love having them at church on a regular basis! So "Thanks Mom and Dad!" Cora loves it, too. Church is now associated with: Daddy's work, playing in the nursery with friends (who's names she likes to list) and seeing Grandma and Grandpa. I think that's wonderful for a 2 year old!
Hey there!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're felling well despite the clothing issue. Having babies makes that such a challenge.
I have a suggestion for Cora, but, well, not everyone likes this approach, so I suggest it with caution. Neither of my kids have never had an ear infection and I believe that's because we take them to the chiropractor regularly. However, our chiropractor isn't a typical "crack your back" kind of chiropractor. He practices a specific type called the tophness (sp?) method. It works a bit more like acupressure so it's extremely gentle, even for a newborn. I also know it works and I know our chiropractor would say her neck is out and so fluids can't drain or something like that.
However I wouldn't want to go to anyone who practices any other form and I would probably get adjusted first to know what they're like. I do know it works though!
I thought I should clarify, our chiropractor uses an activator tool to help with the adjustment, he doesn't just use his hands to "crack" the back.
ReplyDeleteYeah, When Gabriel got an ear infection my brother (who's a Chiropractor) told me to bring him over for an adjustment right away. Let me know if you want to try the aloe product I told you about.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about not driving to MOPS. No biggy. I totally understand, I had to learn the stick shift once too.