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!