24 weeks

At 24 weeks, I am feeling pretty pregnant already. I am having some sort of issue with the left side of my body. This did happen with Cheyanne a little, too. There is discomfort in the left side of my lower back, deep into my behind and down the back of my leg. It feels like poor circulation. I have been exercising for 2 weeks now, but it does not seem to be helping at all. I tried to go to the Chiro yesterday, but he was not open. I might try experimenting with the therapeutic massage place down the road. I definitely need to drink more water. I have added nettles to my supplements. It does aid in respiratory health (my allergies are terrible), but also does a ton of other great things.

Sunny stuff...baby is active when I finally settle down at night or to take a nap. I love thinking about baby girl names. :O) We found an 11 passenger van we are praying about. My black maternity skirt is still in great condition. I have tons of coupons to use at the pregnancy center for a few more clothing items. Rich loves having lots of babies and is confident Cheyanne will be walking by the time baby comes. :O) Okay, I think my happy list out weighs my grumble list.
Love,
Amy

Surrender

Why is that such a huge huge thing? To surrender?

Rich asked me last night how I was feeling about being quiver full. About opening our lives to all of the children that God has planned for us? Why does he always ask that after a super duper long week or 5 minutes after I have just given birth or when 4 out of 5 children are sick with runny noses and fevers? Do I want more babies after having 5 babies in 5 years? UM, dare I say, not really. I feel so unequipped. I feel so overwhelmed. I feel so tired, so defeated. But, in the same breath, I look at the most beautiful children in the world and I wonder how I could ever ever say no. Deny blessings from above? Have Rich doubt because the mother of his children doubts that our convictions are true and genuine?

It has been amazing watching Rich's heart transform to God's will for our family. His obedience to a concept ( having a quiver full mindset) that was so foreign to both of us less than 4 years ago is nothing short of miraculous. So why is it that after endless prayers for mine and Rich's hearts to be lined up regarding this issue am I so struggling? Is it an attack of the enemy? Well, sure it is. SO, now what? Well, drawing closer to the Maker of my babies and the Protector of my womb. To REST knowing that my Savior will never give me more (yes, even itsy, bitsy, tiny babies) than I am capable of handling IN HIM. That is the key. Remembering that I/We are not meant to be handling this alone. This is all a supernatural thing accomplished only through a Super Savior's Grace. Accomplished only when we truly SURRENDER. Refine me with fire, my dear sweet Savior and please, please stay close by.
Love,
A pregnant, nursing emotional mama of 4 sick babies and 1 healthy, challenging 10 year old

Ready, set., here we go...again.

Things went well at my prenatal visit today. Baby's heart rate was 147. It was good to have Leslie and Mary Frances encourage me to get back on the same track I was with Cheyanne only one short year ago. They dropped off a big baggie of preggie tea and I already have some steeping on the counter. I have gained about 5-6 pounds and hope to maintain a nice 15 pound gain from now until the end. My weight is always so easily managed during my pregnancies when I am taking good care of myself.
I am quite pooped due to being up with Cheyanne almost all night last night and a very busy day today with the littles. I am going to hit the sack early and try to catch some good zzzz's tonight.
Nighty-night.
Amy

Future jitters

At only 22 weeks, I am already feeling pressure about the logistics of my labor and delivery. I was talking to Rich about how I really do not want to spend the last few weeks of my pregnancy anxious over all of the details of other people. I had a wonderful birth experience with Cheyanne, but it was a lot keeping everyone at ease. Rich is a like to know type of guy and he is still not convinced that I do not know when the baby is coming EXACTLY. Dealing with him and his pacing and questioning is a lot in itself. Then there is Dante. Dante who just wants to see the birth. Dante who just wants to see the birth so that he can reinact every moment of the process in a very public place for a big audience. And my mom and my dad and Leslie and Mary Frances and the extra helper they would like to have there and my 4 other children. It is a lot to keep up with.
I want to be prayerful about the decisions. I have to remember that one of the big reasons for choosing a homebirth is so that I can be in charge of the decisions.
My prenatal was rescheduled for today, so I will update within the next 2 days.
Oh yea, I am loving the name Mira right now for a girl. Rest assured that I will find 1,500 other names before the baby comes along.

First Prenatal Visit scheduled

I have definitely been putting off scheduling my first prenatal. For starters, it has been hard to schedule anything with as sick as the children and myself have been.
Also, I feel like I just did all of this. Oh yeah, I did just do this. The paperwork, the blood pressure, the peeing in little cups and on and on. Don't get me wrong, I love my midwives, but it just seems like A LOT right now. I finally caved and realized that I needed to get the ball rolling.
First prenatal visit will be Friday, February 13th. I will update after that.

Little morning bundle

I woke up this morning having slept on my right side for a few hours. It was so cute. The baby must have snuggled his way in between the placenta and my uterus, because there was this hard little ball all stashed away way up on the left side of my belly.

Time to Move

I am a little over half way through this pregnancy and I think that is really hitting me this week. I am noticing how tired and wiped out I am. It has been hard admitting that a lot of this physical exhaustion is due to me not taking care of myself. I must start making my health a priority. I have stopped exercising, eating right, and taking regular vitamins.
I am making a commitment to my newest little one that I will do this now. I will start not only preparing for a wonderful and manageable labor and home delivery, but also for life with 6 kiddos.
Love,
Amy