How am I feeling at 31 weeks and 4 days pregnant?

I used a dictionary to make sure I had an adequate description for you.

Let's take a look at two words, shall we?

adj. ex·treme (ik-strem)
2. Being in or attaining the greatest or highest degree; very intense: extreme pleasure; extreme pain.
3. Extending far beyond the norm: an extreme conservative. See Synonyms at excessive.

and...

n. hun-ger (hnggr)
1.
a. A strong desire or need for food.
b. The discomfort, weakness, or pain caused by a prolonged lack of food.
2. A strong desire or craving: a hunger for affection.

Yeah...that would be it. Uh huh..."extreme hunger" would be the most precise way of identifying what this is that has overcome me the past few days.

Strangely enough, it seems to overtake me almost every two hours. I'm not talkin' "I need a snack" hunger. I'm talkin' "Pass the meat and potatoes!" hunger, if you know what I mean! I don't know if I remember reaching this extent during the last two pregnancies, but there just doesn't seem to be enough food to satisfy my peculiar, unceasing state of...you know... "extreme hunger."

Because I love all things radical...

...I immediately thought: "I MUST read this!" After reading an excerpt from Carolyn McCulley's new book; "Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World," I was very much inspired about my role as a Christian wife and mother in today's society. I visited her blog and it also seems to be wellspring of inspiring support for a gal like me, always on the prowl for more info on virtuous living! Below is a small portion of the excerpt I read at www.boundless.org.

"...Ever since, Satan has labored to destroy the offspring of those who are made in the image of God. The real mommy wars are not against flesh and blood — other mothers and their parenting methods — but against the one who seeks to destroy the next generation of those who would rise up to praise God. We can debate all kinds of parenting philosophies, methods, and practices, but the real conflict is not with the proponents of opposite ideas. Most assuredly, there is a war and the price is high. Mothers (and fathers) are called to be strong warriors in this battle. But, as we've explored before in this book, Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our true opponents are not flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of evil in this present darkness...

You may be a mother and in the thick of rearing children right now. Perhaps it took you many weeks to read this chapter, thanks to the constant interruptions of young children. Your daily life may consist of dozens of repetitive tasks that feel so mundane and irrelevant. You kiss boo-boos, you make dinner, you do dishes, you answer a homework question, you drive to soccer practice, you read a good night story, you do laundry, you make dinner again. Unglamorous daily tasks and unimportant in the big picture, you may think.

This is absolutely not true! You are engaged in spiritual warfare, battling against beliefs and philosophies that slander God's name and tarnish His gifts to us. You are standing against those who believe heinous lies, like "the most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it." By giving life and nurturing life, you are reflecting the life-giving characteristics of our holy God! Made in His image, you are reflecting Him when you care for the lives He has created.

I think it is very easy for mothers to lose sight of the big picture when they are consumed with the daily "ordinariness" of life. I hope that this chapter has helped you to see how relentless the assault against bearing and mothering children can be. I hope it has helped you to take the long view of what you are doing in training the next generation to be worshipers of God. None of us can make that happen — it is the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in each of us — but we are called to plant and water the seeds of the gospel and wait with expectant hope that God will give the growth..."

Our Flower Girl Princess

I'm finally settling back into "normal life" after the holidays and our trip to Atlanta for my brother-in-law's wedding.

Our 3 year old was sold on the idea of being a flower girl after we told her she would wear her very own "princess dress" for the day. Although she was a bit nervous, she was adorable and did a great job!






After the ceremony, "the princess" and her little sister were elated to be rewarded with a box fruit loops!

We Love ATLANTA!

I'm blogging to you from our hotel lobby in Atlanta. We attended my brother-in-law's wedding last night and had a great time. Hubby and I are about to be off the the airport soon, but we are sad to go! We didn't know we'd like Atlanta so much!

More updates to come...

"Frogs and snails, and puppy dog tails"...

...we're about to see if that's what little boys are really made of!!

I went in by myself while hubby waited in the lobby with the girls. Our ultrasound technician was very serious at first, which made me hesitant to ask her alot of questions. So, when it seemed as though she was almost done, I asked her if she could see the gender and she said, "Yes, its boy." She then proceeded to point out all the important...ahem..."parts" so I could see for myself:) I was tickled to say the least!

After a few minutes they invited my husband and the girls to come in and she told him the news. And boy...you talkin' about a PRAISE!!!. This man stood in the ultrasound room with his hands lifted toward heaven and just began to praise God without a bit of inhibition! As we walked down the hall, he stopped every stranger within earshot and told them, "I just want to let you know I have two girls. I prayed and asked God to bless me with a son, and He did it! God answers prayer!" People laughed, smiled, and rejoiced with us as we relished the moment.

Leading up to this day, both my husband and I kept wondering, why it was taking so long for us to be able to find out the gender of this baby. Nevertheless, somehow all the suspense made the moment even more special. Now, I'm thinking that perhaps this was God's version of a little "Christmas Bonus.":)

Round 2!

On Saturday, Anonymous said...
"I don't get to see or talk to you EVER so i read your blog...So, do you know if you are having a boy or a girl?"

Well..funny you should ask! It just so happens that tommorow hubby and I go for a second ultrasound! Hopefully, what happened at our first ultrasound will not happen again.

I'll be sure to let you know the results!

My children are so helpful...

See? Even when their sleep, they serve as a great cushion for my bread products!

Day 13

It's day 13 of eating Thanksgiving holiday leftovers for my husband. I was done at about day 4. Although he seems to be doing fine, I'm beginning to worry. I am yet to hear of any incidencts of illness as a result of eating 13 day-old leftovers.

To be honest, I'm actually a little flattered by the whole thing because its primarily the dressing that he keeps coming back for (which is the dish I took the lead in cooking this year;) Perhaps he has really just fallen in love with my cooking?

Ecological Breastfeeding

When our second daughter was about four months old, I believe it was God that ordered my steps of find out about the book, "Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing: How Ecological Breastfeeding Spaces Babies" by Sheila KIppley. I already had a desire to nurse my baby on demand, but the book opened my eyes to a new way of mothering. Now, I plan on taking the ecological breastfeeding approach with all of my children.


Here is more from Sheila Kippley on "Scriptural Mothering":


SCRIPTURAL MOTHERING
In Scripture breastfeeding is usually associated with a special kind of care, a human example of God’s loving care for his people. We read of the nursing mother or of the child who is nursing or is weaned. Mothering is mentioned several times in Scripture and is often associated with breastfeeding.

What follows are biblical references to breastfeeding and/or mothering1 that may be helpful and supportive to parents, especially mothers. The Scripture quotes appear in the order they appear in Catholic bibles.

“And the child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned” (Genesis 21:8).
Here we read for the first time in the Bible of a child being weaned. Prolonged nursing of several years was common during Biblical times, and weaning was a cause for celebration of the child’s new stage in development.

Hannah: “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear to the presence of the Lord, and abide there for ever.”
Elkanah, Hannah’s husband: “Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him” (1 Samuel 1:22-23)

Breastfeeding keeps Hannah with her baby. Hannah’s household planned to travel to Shiloh to offer a yearly sacrifice at the house of the Lord. Hannah excused herself because she was breastfeeding her child. Her husband supported her in that decision. Scripture then said: “So the mother remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him.” After the child weaned, she made the trip with her son, Samuel, and gave him to the Lord forever in the care of a priest and prophet.

Many husbands today support the mother-baby oneness of breastfeeding, and for this their wives are most appreciative. Hannah cared for her son during the early years of breastfeeding. When the breastfeeding ended, she then gave her son to the Lord.

When couples anticipate the conception of a new baby, they, like Hannah, can offer this child to the Lord and pray that the child grows up to do the will of the Lord. At the time of weaning, the mother or the parents, like Hannah, can offer the child spiritually to the Lord and pray that the child will grow up in the ways of the Lord.

“Thou didst keep me safe upon my mother’s breasts” (Psalms 22:9).
The psalmist describes breastfeeding as safe or protective. A nursing baby or toddler often seeks security at his mother’s breasts when hurt or insecure or upset for some reason. While this behavior is common among breastfed babies, it is also described in Scripture.

“…like a child quieted at its mother’s breast” (Psalms 131:2).
Here comfort nursing is described perfectly! One of the advantages of breastfeeding is that suckling has a quieting effect upon the child. A nursing mother soon learns that nursing is an easy way to pacify her baby into a deep sleep or to comfort her baby.

“Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?” (Isaiah 49:15)
The Sacred Author used the bond that develops with breastfeeding to illustrate the enduring bond of God to his people.

“…that you may suck and be satisfied with her consoling breasts” (Isaiah 66:11).
Comfort nursing is again described in Scripture. “Consoling breasts” is a wonderful definition of the mothering that takes place at the breast. Hunger satisfied, intimate closeness to mother, a wonderful answer to fatigue and the need for sleep, physical reassurance, pacification…many needs are fulfilled at the breast.

“…and you shall suck, you shall be carried upon her hip, and dandled upon her knees” (Isaiah 66:12).
Here a mother has close physical contact with her nursing baby. There is much holding and carrying of the baby by the mother. The baby is described as being on the mother’s hip and being danced upon her knees. Today this type of baby care is often called attachment parenting. And it is described in Scripture!

1. The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers for Ignatius Press, 1966.
Copyright 2006, Sheila Kippley

Thankful Thursday-Happy Thanksgiving!

What am I thankful for today? There are so many things, but what comes to mind is:

-Turkey
-Dressing
-Cranberry Sauce
-Macaroni and cheese
-Green Beans
-Sweet Potatoes
-Sweet Potatoe Pie

Also, I'm thankful my husband did most of the cooking, while I've done most of the tasting this year. Let's just say we have not "officially" sat down to eat yet, but I'm already full. Oh well...gobble, gobble;)

Enjoy your turkey-day!

"The Modern Challenge to Motherhood..."

"The modern challenge to motherhood is the eternal challenge—that of being a godly woman. The very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other type of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly woman--or of a godly man either, for that matter. I believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife, than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thing in the realms of morals to be old fashioned, than to be ultra-modern. The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct."

~ Rev. Peter Marshall

I found this quote at this lovely site dedicated to encouraging women who agree that virtuous living rocks!

Help for Growing Families

Have you noticed my great new sidebar button called "Help For Growing Families"? Click on the button and you will be taken directly to Mother Hen's blog. You'll see she has started a new Mr. Linky called "Help for Growing Families".

Here's how she describes it:

"A place for more experienced moms of several children to share practical advice and helpful hints with new moms just starting out and with each other.

Almost all young (ok, all of us) moms are looking for helpful ideas to make their jobs a little easier or possible. When God sends us many gifts it can be lonely territory. And it can feel like you’re sailing in uncharted seas.
God has a plan for us though. He tells us in Titus chapter 2:3-5,

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
So, every week I’ll be hosting Help for Growing Families here at Ship full O’ Pirates.

I’ll be putting the Mr. Linky post up every Monday evening at about 9pm cst.

What kind of advice and practical help am I talking about? Anything that makes life with lots of children in one family easier or more do-able. Sometimes you just need to know how to get all that laundry done and kept in orderly fashion. (Ah, laundry, my arch nemesis!) Or how about how to feed ‘em all without goin’ broke and having to give up gasoline! Or maybe you have a good way to grocery shop with all of your children with you. Any helpful, mothers-of-several type advice. Every week, girls, just write a helpful bit of advice and link up here."

===============================================

When I read that description, I thought to myself, "Okay, now you're talkin'!" I am a mother of two with one on the way and I hope to have more. Nevertheless, as a young mom, I will be to the first admit I'm not quite sure how I'm going to pull this off. So, I will be checking out Mother Hen's advice as well as all the other seasoned moms who share link their ideas to her Mr. Linky.

Perhaps you're a young mother who hopes to have many one day or you already have many and are interested in sharing your ideas and getting more tips on how to manage your home. Take advantage of this free "real life" mama advice and let me know what you find most helpful! Enjoy!

Pregnancy Makes Your Brain Shrink?

So, after talking to a friend of mine who recently gave birth to her 6th child, I have become more interested in the effects of pregnancy on the brain. She told me that her and another friend of ours, who is a mother of 7, are both experiencing something really weird. She explained that their memory, vocabulary, and concentration have all seemed to diminish considerably after having their last babies.

Now I know for sure I don't feel as "sharp" as I usually do when I'm pregnant (this is also why I haven't written as many blog posts since I've been pregnant;) I've always attributed that "out of whack" feeling to hormones. However, now I'm wondering if its actually related to the changes that the pregnant brain undergoes.

In my research on this subject, I ran across an article entitled, "Pregnancy Makes Your Brain Shrink". The first paragraph reads,

"The brains of pregnant women appear to shrink during late pregnancy, according to research which offers an explanation for cognitive problems some women complain of before and after giving birth. The doctors at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London found that it can take up to six months for the women's brains to regain their full size."

Another article, "Placenta Brains"suggests that if you are pregnant or post-partum and have recently:

Lost your keys.
Forgotten an appointment.
Forgotten your name.
Stopped talking, you'd forgotten what you were saying.
Felt just plain fuzzy mentally.
Gotten lost driving on your own street.
Forgotten names, particularly that of your husband, children, or pets.

you may be experiencing the symptoms of this brain shrinkage!

This is quite the explanation for alot of undone work, missed appointments, and "spacing out" that I've done over the past few years, is it not? Boy, if I had gotten ahold of this information when I was working outside the home, I might have sucked this one dry! Can you imagine me apologizing to my boss, "I'm sorry for missing our meeting. I just forgot. Its the pregnancy. Yeah, in fact, my brain is shrinking right now as we speak."

Noelle's Recipe

Noelle: "Mommy, I'm using 3 cups of dirt and 3 cups of water." (as she stirs with her plastic spoon).

Me: "Really? What are you making?"

Noelle: "Ummm...pie."