Pray for me

Just a short note to say that I am recovering very slowly. I am always tired. I have had a ceaseless headache since last Friday. I am often dizzy when I try to stand. It is likely just anemia, but I have no way to test it. And, with Paul's unpredictable schedule, I cannot make an appointment to see a doctor. I am taking all the supplements and vitamins that I took while pregnant. But, maybe they are not enough to support me and a nursing baby.

Paul is driving a UPS truck today. And, is likely to be driving far more often in the new year. UPS laid off 7 full-time drivers. And, in their place, they are using part-time drivers (like Paul). Good for Paul. Good for pay checks... not good for me at home trying to recover. I want to be stronger than I am. I want to be able to get up and cook meals, clean the house, etc... but I can't. A few ladies from the local homeschool association are bringing me meals for another few days. And, for that I am very grateful. Then... the real work begins.

In these hard days we are watching a lot more movies. We are reading a lot more books. Rebecca is reading to the little kids. And, I do not know what I would do without her! Praise God for teaching her to read at just the right time! (She read Meet Felicity this week, all by herself!!!)

Pray for me, in my extreme fatigue. Pray for Paul as he is working more hours than before - and very soon adding even more hours. We need a lot of prayers.

Meet Josiah Eugene

Since we left on the evening of the 24th, the hospital gave us a Santa hat. Though our family does not "do" Santa, this hat is just too cute!

We're Home

Baby Josiah and I were discharged from the hospital last night. We got home about 8pm (Thursday). My parents were with us all day today, but have now left to go home (to IL).

I am tired, but feeling as well as can be expected. I will post pictures and a birth story in the coming days. For now... I need sleep.

Thanks again for all your prayers. As you read our birth story, you will see how much we benefited from God's answering them!

Josiah Eugene Woods

We are glad to announce the birth of our newest family member. Josiah weighed in at 9 lbs. and was 21 inches long. He is doing quite well. Bethany is healthy as well. She is recovering a little slower than usual, but recovering all the same. Please continue to lift her in prayer. When Bethany and Josiah get home she will fill you in on all the other details. Thank you for praying.
Paul

It's Official...

My labor will be induced. I go in to the hospital at 6am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. It seems unreal, considering all the contractions I have had this past week, but I am no more dilated than I was last Tuesday! I am VERY surprised... so was my OB.

My OB has the rest of the week off for Christmas, so I will be under the care of a different OB tomorrow. I am OK with this change. We have been praying for months about this delivery, and I trust that God has a plan and reason for all things... including my delivery doctor.

I asked if they could break my bag of waters, rather than use Pit, but the answer was "no." It turns out that there is a greater risk of Baby's cord getting tangled when you break the water (as a means of inducing labor). So, the OB will start with the absolute lowest does of Pit in the morning... and we will go from there.

Prayer Needs:
1- That God would intervene and put me into labor without being induced
2- For my parents as they watch the kids all day
3- That Paul and I will share the Gospel through our life witness before the hospital staff
4- Last, but not least, that I would manage the pain well (My last 3 babies have been drug free! But, I am not so arrogant as to say that it is easily done...especially on Pit)

Today?

I did not go to the hospital last night. Shortly after I wrote my update, my contractions slowed down to stopping right at 9. It boggles the mind how this is all working out! I have never had anything like this happen before! This is just very odd.

Everyone here (aside from me?) is quite comfortable with Baby being induced today at my 41 week appointment. Unless I go into labor before then, I will not write another update till I come home. I assume that Paul will be letting you know of a new baby sometime tomorrow. (Like I said, we consider home internet a luxury, we certainly do not have fancy phones and gadgets to connect away from home).

Baby's Name: Did you figure it out yet? He's a good king, who was prophecied during the reign of King Jeroboam. If that does not give it away... this good king also tore down all the high places!

Update

My contractions are close... about 3-5 minutes apart. One might wander why I am still here, instead of driving to the hospital... simple - they have stopped so many times, that I want to be sure! I will wait for a few more contractions to verify. These contractions are pressure, but no pain. I ought to be feeling pain, if a baby is coming...

Everyone here is getting a little antsy... they would all really like me just to go in and get this show on the road. Since I am already overdue, everyone is hoping that the OB will just break my bag of waters or induce me.... hmmm... those are the two reasons that I have not yet gone in. I want to do this as naturally as possible.

As it is, if I do not go into labor tonight, I have an OB appointment tomorrow at 3pm. She mentioned last week that (if I should be late) she would induce me at that time.

So... it looks pretty certain that tonight will be my last night as a pregnant mama. Either I go in to deliver naturally, or she induces me tomorrow afternoon. I pray that God will let it be all natural. I really hate being induced. I have a high pain tolerance, but being induced hurts worse than the normal labor/delivery pains. Plus, do we really know what these medicines do to Baby?! I do not like taking any risks with Baby's health. Yet, I will submit to being induced tomorrow... so long as the OB agrees to begin with the absolute lowest possible dose of the "Pit."

Please God, I will not have to worry about these issues... May He, in His great mercy, deliver my Baby before it comes to that point!

Timing

I slept through the night. I did not have too many contractions after I laid down. Paul went to UPS to work.
Everything is fine... just waiting for God's Timing.

Another Day

My parents arrived safely this afternoon.

No Baby yet. I have had contractions 10 minutes apart for over an hour. But, I am tired now. I am going to bed. I do not expect to have this baby during the night. In fact, I am hoping he does not come, as Paul expects to head into UPS very early (leaving before 2am). The week before Christmas is not a good time for a UPS employee's wife to have a baby...

My parents are staying in a hotel in town (15 minutes away). So, if I do "pop" while Paul is gone, I have to wake up his parents and ask them to drive me into the big city.

Wrong Again...

I thought the baby was coming last night. I had contractions to 3 minutes apart. I did not go to the hospital, for two reasons: 1) Since my contractions kept stopping all week I wanted to be sure. 2) I was not in any pain, and contractions that cause birth - hurt! So, I stayed home... again... and slept... again.

My parents will be here this afternoon. I am not sure how long they will be able to stay. But, while they are here we will celebrate Christ's birth together.

Grandparents Coming

I consulted with my mother and father, and they have decided to come tomorrow morning. So, my parents will be here by afternoon and will be able to watch the kids as needed. This is a great relief to me, knowing that we will have child care when the Baby comes.

As for how I am feeling... I feel "weird." I feel "different." I think it will be soon.

Happy Day!

Paul and I celebrate ten years of marriage today! We have both changed so much!

We hope to have another member added to our family today!

I had contractions during the night... again. And, they stopped... again. But, I will not lose hope! He has to come some time!

Waiting...

No Baby yet. I am SO surprised that Baby has held out this long, knowing that my body was laboring days ago! Each baby's birth is so different!

However, Baby DID drop during the night. I can breathe with greater ease, as he is no longer at my ribs!

Baby Name Clue

This is a big clue... in fact, you ought to easily find the answer.

Baby's first name will be a good King of Judah. His particular kingship was prophecied during the reign of King Jeroboam (of Israel).

Baby's middle name is still undecided. Though I think it will be a family name.

Almost there!

I had slow, steady, time-able contractions all evening (last night) and into the wee hours of the morning. I could not wake my poor husband, and decided to let him sleep "till the last possible minute." I laid down and fell asleep. At 2, when Paul's alarm went off, I told him not to go to UPS... I was still having contractions.

He went back to bed and we both slept. The contractions ceased sometime during the night.

So, Paul and I are both well-rested and ready to meet this baby today! We really want it to be today, as my own OB is the Dr on call all day!

I am making a hearty Baked Oatmeal for breakfast... should this (hopefully) be my last meal pre-delivery!

Getting MUCH closer

Went to the OB this afternoon. Without being crude or specific, I will say that it is very likely that Baby will come tonight or tomorrow. I would be very surprised if Baby stays in more than 48 more hours!

Keep us in your prayers. Pray for my in-laws too, they will watch the kids while Paul is with me at the hospital.

An answer to prayer: I met a doula today... quite by God's providence (rather than "accident.") She was a lovely and encouraging lady! She told me that the staff at my hospital is very good about following the wishes of the patient. She also said that the birthing rooms are wonderful. Since I knew little of the hospital before now, this is greatly encouraging to me!

Cloth Diapers

I forgot to mention y-day that I got a package of cloth diapers in the mail. This is what they look like, I don't know exactly where they were purchased. (I bought some a few years ago at the links I used below)

Indian Pre-fold - our kind friends sent us 20 of these! Adorable... I love cloth diapers!

Bummis cover - the ones we got in the mail are size small and white... SO CUTE! (Our generous friends sent us 5 covers!)

Today? Maybe...

I went to bed last night with slow steady contractions. When Paul's alarm went off just before 2 AM, I was still having contractions. I timed them for hours, after 4 AM the contractions were 10 minutes apart. I was about to call Paul and give him some notice at work, but decided to wait and make sure... mostly for the sake of my in-laws, whom I did not want to wake at that time of the morning. Anyway, the contractions stopped between 4 and 5.


I have my last (hopefully) OB appointment this afternoon at 3. Will today be the day? Will I even make it to the scheduled appointment. I know I am getting close... but today? We will all have to wait and see.

No News

No Baby yet. No news. Will you settle for pictures of the other kids instead? ; )

Below: Paul reads to the kids

Lydia holds Joshua

Mommy helps Lydia sew a paper mitten (I punched holes around the edges, and she sews with yarn). Rebecca hand sews with real needle, thread, and fabric. Nelson also sews a mitten.

 

I still feel good... just tired (which is, of course, to be expected). I like being pregnant, and I will miss feeling the Baby inside of me... these are most precious times! When I sound like I am eager for the Baby to arrive, it is because I know that the only thing better that feeling Baby move in my tummy is to feel him in my arms... and I am eager to meet him!

Also, I want to assure our readers that Paul understands his duty of posting a notice as soon as he can after Baby arrives. But, we do not have fancy phones or a lap top. So, there may be a bit of a delay. He will do his best to keep you informed!

Still Here

I am still here, no baby yet.

We drove down around on a lot of gravel roads today... still no contractions.

I am due one week from today!

Ask the Blind Man...

He Saw it All, performed by the Booth Brothers

39 Week Check Up

I had almost all good news at the OB!

Not such good news first:
- high blood pressure (145 over 89, for me that is VERY high!), but NO other sign of hypertension

The good news:
The baby measured beyond 40 weeks, so she ordered an ultrasound. Remember, the concern was that the baby would be larger than 10 pounds (Baby #4 was 9 pounds 5 ounces). Well, the ultrasound showed a LOT of fluid, but my smallest baby yet! His weight y-day was about 7 1/2 pounds... and they supposedly put on a half pound a week. So, this could potentially be my smallest Baby! We will have to wait and see, but that is a huge answer to prayer!
Rebecca got to attend the ultrasound with me. This was her first time to see an ultrasound, and she had a great time! She did amazingly well identifying body parts! We could see on the pictures that Baby has hair on his big head. We could see Baby's whole rear end and legs under my rib cage... that explains all the shortness of breath. We even got to see the blood traveling through the umbilical cord! All very neat!

No signs of labor yet. I have not had a tummy contraction for about a week. I still have back spasms, but the OB did not think they are back labor. The OB wants me to come into the hospital when my contractions are 8 minutes apart (because this is Baby 5, and because I am roughly 45 minutes away from the hospital). I have only had one baby in the past in which labor started with contractions, and hers began at 6 minutes apart. But, no worries... she still took a few hours to arrive!

I am feeling more confident these days. I know that you all are praying for me. And, in addition to that, I am trying to put my focus on the good times following the pain and trauma. Every time that I think about labor and/or get panicked, I simply tell myself it only lasts a short while, then I get to hold my new little man! I try to set my mind to guessing the color of his hair... or how long he will be... or remembering the smell of the infant shampoo they use (with a hint of lavender)... and then I calm down again.

Almost there... only 9 days (or so) to go!

The Bondage Breaker

I wrote about the book, The Bondage Breaker, on my old blog. I want to keep all potential controversy far from our family blog.

Click HERE to go read about the book and how God is moving in my life.

Healed - Brian Free

A terrific song to bless you today!

One Day Closer

Every day is one day closer to Baby Day! My lovely widget says that I have 13 days to go!

I am trying to stifle my nesting instinct, so that I do not over-do! I tried to clean my oven y-day, but I got too tired... so now the job is half done. It looks and smells better, but I did not get it rinsed well enough, and the baking soda left white residue... oh well.

Paul is driving a UPS truck this morning, and he forbid me to do housework while he is gone. He said specifically that I am not to clean the oven... oh well. I will try to obey... I'll try... does baking count as housework?

I know. I'm naughty. I just cannot seem to sit down and "take it easy." But, I'll try... really, I will try. But, my common sense says, "Do what you can while you can! Don't you know you could have a baby any day now?!"

Galloping the Globe

I have had the Galloping the Globe Geography Unit Study homeschool curriculum for about a year and a half now.

Negative points:
- It is supposed to be for the primary grades, but most of the activities and books are for the older end of that spectrum
- It is by Christian authors, who are supposed to be putting forth a biblical wordview, yet almost all of the books recommended promote secular evolution
- Many of the sources recommended are from websites that are no longer active
- Some of the books recommended are from a set, but do not say which title within the set

Positive Points:
- it is a unit study... if you like that kind of thing...
- neat worksheets for bigger kids (3-4 grade)
- includes cooking around the world lessons, geared towards bigger kids
- emphasis on missionaries

Basically, I like the idea of the curriculum, but it is not working for us. I may try it again in a few years. But, I  doubt that I will ever use it as a unit study. I would more than likely just use it's worksheets and some of its suggested books as a supplement to something else.

Waiting Game

So... last night I was terribly sick. (I will spare you the details!) And, I was up half the night. I was so sure that it was pre-labor purging that I got panicked. I actually started shaking so bad (from an adrenaline rush) that I could not lie still! I just knew that I was starting labor! I was wrong. No sign of labor at all today. No contractions, no back spasms, nothing.

My dishes are all clean, the laundry is all done, I got a nap, the house is clean, the house is vaccuumed... I am ready to go to the hospital... but things rarely happen in my timing. The way I figure it, the Baby will come when the dishes are stacked to the ceiling, the laundry is piled up, the house is a wreck, and I have not had a nap... that's usually the way it goes.

As you can see, I don't really have anything to say. I just wanted to write a post, so that you would know I am not having a baby today.

38 Week Check Up

I am not showing any signs of labor yet. Despite all my back spasms and contractions, it does not look like I will have a baby this week. I am not disappointed. We want this all to happen in God's time!

Last week's vitamin D test came back. It was the 25(OH)Hydroxy D test. New research shows that scores should be around 55-60. My score was a 41, which qualifies to my OB as "low-normal." This past week I have been taking 5,000IU of Vitamin D one day, and then alternating with 10,000IU the next day. I have felt much stronger in the past few days! And, I know there is no danger of overdose. (The blood test confirms that, plus I have been prescribed with much higher doses before - while pregnant too).

In other news, we are still trying to get everything on the house ready for winter and for Baby. We still have not gotten all our plastic on the windows. We are trying to heat without propane this year. We have our space heaters running in almost every room. This keeps the house at a consistent temperature, but the circuits are TERRIBLY overloaded, and we blow/trip a fuse at least hourly. You see, we have a system, we know exactly how high each heater can be. But, if/when a child adjusts a setting... you guessed it, it blows the fuse.
We keep the central furnace set at 61, so if the house does drop in temperature, the "real" heater will kick on. So far our plan is working pretty well. The price per day of running electric heaters is a WHOLE lot cheaper than it was to use propane last winter!

That's all of my news for now. I know I have been pretty quiet lately... not too busy on the blog. I am just finding other things to do, like baking (just one more way to keep the house warm!).