I've been high-fived by Andrea to do the Say What?! Hoopla that she created after reading something on our cousin Tammi's blog.
Here's the rules...
1. Post these rules on your blog.
2. Just list 10 things that won't likely ever come out of your mouth.
3. High-five (or 'tag') any amount of people to do the same on their blog.
4. Come back and let me know you did it, so I can go read your list!
1. No, Nathan, I don't think we should order in today.
2. I definitely don't want to drink Pepsi with my pizza.
3. A little less gravy please.
4. I love hemorrhoids!
5. Girls, you're not shouting loud enough in the house!
6. Please stop practicing piano.
7. Don't try your hardest at hockey practice today.
8. Winter vacations just aren't my thing.
9. Poutines are the worst food invention of all time.
10. Anybody want my ticket to the football game tonight?
I gotta go, baby's crying, so I don't have time to high-five anyone. If you feel like doing it, just leave a comment that you did so I can check yours out.
Friday, 29 February 2008
Thursday, 28 February 2008
We're going to Disney World!
OK, I didn't purposely leave the ticker at the top yesterday without a post about our Disney trip just to tease you all! I was planning to post about it, and then ran out of time - what with being a new mom again and all. (How long can I use that as an excuse, btw? LOL)
So, yes, we are going to Disney World! And no, we are not totally crazy. Nathan's parents and his sister Linsay and her husband Shaun are coming with us. So, there will be 6 adults and 4 kids, instead of just 2 adults and 4 kids - a much better ratio wouldn't you say?
We are planning to drive to Minneapolis on the 18th and fly to Orlando on the 19th. Reason being? Flights are less than $300/person from Minneapolis - with the amount of tickets we need, that's over a $2000 savings!
We are renting a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom house from a family owned "company" called Romancing the Mouse. You can see pictures of the house we're renting here. (I'm not sure on the copyright laws so that's why I'm not posting the pictures directly onto this post). We have our own pool and hot tub, each bedroom has it's own bathroom, and it's own 27" tv w/dvd player. It even comes with baby stuff (stroller, playpen) and a washer/dryer. We can make some of our own meals, or go out, or order in, whatever we want! So much more flexibility than a hotel.
The resort community is called Windsor Hills, which is only 1.5 miles away from Disney. We are able to use the resort community clubhouse which has it's own pool with waterslide, kids playground, gameroom and movie theatre - all for free!
We will be in Orlando from April 19 - 26th. We're tentatively planning to do Disney parks for 3 days - probably alternating a day at the parks with a day at the house (to rest and recuperate!). We'll likely do the Magic Kingdom 2 days, and I'm not sure what we'll do the 3rd day. The other adults want to go to one of the water parks one day, I'm not sure how much fun I'd have there with a baby so I'm undecided if I'll go along, or just have a relaxing time at the house with just Jacob - ahhhh, silence.....and a pool all to myself! Hmmm, sounds like a good idea.
One thing that is disappointing. We had wanted to have breakfast at Cinderella's Royal table one morning. For some reason I thought we had to call 90 days in advance to reserve a spot. But when I called I found out it was actually 180 days in advance (6 months!?!) and they were all sold out already. We were able to book a supper instead - Cinderella's Gala Feast Dinner at the Grand Floridian, but it's at a hotel instead of the castle - which was half the fun right? Oh well, we'll still have a great time.
If anyone has any Disney advice (especially regarding going with young kids - 7, 5, 2 and 3 months) - feel free to share!
So, yes, we are going to Disney World! And no, we are not totally crazy. Nathan's parents and his sister Linsay and her husband Shaun are coming with us. So, there will be 6 adults and 4 kids, instead of just 2 adults and 4 kids - a much better ratio wouldn't you say?
We are planning to drive to Minneapolis on the 18th and fly to Orlando on the 19th. Reason being? Flights are less than $300/person from Minneapolis - with the amount of tickets we need, that's over a $2000 savings!
We are renting a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom house from a family owned "company" called Romancing the Mouse. You can see pictures of the house we're renting here. (I'm not sure on the copyright laws so that's why I'm not posting the pictures directly onto this post). We have our own pool and hot tub, each bedroom has it's own bathroom, and it's own 27" tv w/dvd player. It even comes with baby stuff (stroller, playpen) and a washer/dryer. We can make some of our own meals, or go out, or order in, whatever we want! So much more flexibility than a hotel.
The resort community is called Windsor Hills, which is only 1.5 miles away from Disney. We are able to use the resort community clubhouse which has it's own pool with waterslide, kids playground, gameroom and movie theatre - all for free!
We will be in Orlando from April 19 - 26th. We're tentatively planning to do Disney parks for 3 days - probably alternating a day at the parks with a day at the house (to rest and recuperate!). We'll likely do the Magic Kingdom 2 days, and I'm not sure what we'll do the 3rd day. The other adults want to go to one of the water parks one day, I'm not sure how much fun I'd have there with a baby so I'm undecided if I'll go along, or just have a relaxing time at the house with just Jacob - ahhhh, silence.....and a pool all to myself! Hmmm, sounds like a good idea.
One thing that is disappointing. We had wanted to have breakfast at Cinderella's Royal table one morning. For some reason I thought we had to call 90 days in advance to reserve a spot. But when I called I found out it was actually 180 days in advance (6 months!?!) and they were all sold out already. We were able to book a supper instead - Cinderella's Gala Feast Dinner at the Grand Floridian, but it's at a hotel instead of the castle - which was half the fun right? Oh well, we'll still have a great time.
If anyone has any Disney advice (especially regarding going with young kids - 7, 5, 2 and 3 months) - feel free to share!
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Challenge completed - you did it!
How has this challenge changed your heart and life, dear friend? Did God encourage you as you planned ways to encourage your husband? Were there difficult days where you simply needed to trust that God was working? Days when it was hard to leave the results to God? Remember that God is faithful, and He will bless you for your willingness to obey Him. His ways are not our ways, and perhaps He will honor you in ways you do not expect, but one thing is sure - you will never be the same because of your commitment to be more like Christ!
What kinds of victories have you experienced in your home since you started the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"?
May encouraging our husbands become a habit that we do every day!
Day 31
Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God.
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
What kinds of victories have you experienced in your home since you started the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"?
May encouraging our husbands become a habit that we do every day!
Day 31
Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God.
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Baby Pictures!
Here are the pictures I promised.
Here I am right before heading out to the hospital.
Proud parents of our first son!
Our beautiful children.
Here I am right before heading out to the hospital.
Proud parents of our first son!
Our beautiful children.
Challenge - Day 30
Day 30
"...This is my beloved, and this is my friend..." Song of Solomon 5:16b
Friends can be completely honest with each other, but friendships are strained when truth is not spoken in love. How are you speaking to your beloved? Are you so "used" to him that you don't appreciate the wonder of his friendship? That is your challenge today. Is your sweetheart your best friend? Does he know this? Have you told him, or do you assume he "just knows"?
Friendship is something that is cultivated through the good times and the bad. Friends can share their hearts, but they don't step on each other's hearts.
The way to have and be a good friend is to cultivate and celebrate the relationship. As you end this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge," celebrate your friendship with your husband. Get alone and reflect on your beloved friend. Write him a letter, listing the qualities you admire and appreciate about him. If you are creative with words, write and frame a poem about him.
Perhaps you can prepare a special meal, just for the two of you, and read the letter or poem to him. Ask if you can pray for him, and if he is willing, thank God for your love and friendship, asking for His blessing on your home.
Day 30
Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin.
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Encouragement, as you have seen these past 30 days, is a synonym for love in action.
"...This is my beloved, and this is my friend..." Song of Solomon 5:16b
Friends can be completely honest with each other, but friendships are strained when truth is not spoken in love. How are you speaking to your beloved? Are you so "used" to him that you don't appreciate the wonder of his friendship? That is your challenge today. Is your sweetheart your best friend? Does he know this? Have you told him, or do you assume he "just knows"?
Friendship is something that is cultivated through the good times and the bad. Friends can share their hearts, but they don't step on each other's hearts.
The way to have and be a good friend is to cultivate and celebrate the relationship. As you end this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge," celebrate your friendship with your husband. Get alone and reflect on your beloved friend. Write him a letter, listing the qualities you admire and appreciate about him. If you are creative with words, write and frame a poem about him.
Perhaps you can prepare a special meal, just for the two of you, and read the letter or poem to him. Ask if you can pray for him, and if he is willing, thank God for your love and friendship, asking for His blessing on your home.
Day 30
Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin.
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Encouragement, as you have seen these past 30 days, is a synonym for love in action.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Challenge - Day 29
Day 29
"A prudent man foresees evil, and hides himself; the simple pass on, and are punished."
Proverbs 27:12
As you near the end of your Encouragement Challenge, take time to think about your husband's responses to the wickedness of the culture, the media, etc. Does your husband recognize and avoid evil? Does he regularly turn his back on pornography, sexual temptations, and the urge to lie and cheat?
This is a valuable character trait. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, who fled from the wicked advances of Potiphar's wife, this takes an understanding that these kinds of sins are first and foremost, sins against God (Gen. 39:9).
Praise your husband when he recognizes and turns his back on wickedness. If you can think of a circumstance where your husband stood for righteousness, remind him of that today-and express your gratitude.
Day 29
Pray that your husband yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography.
Proverbs 27:12
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
"A prudent man foresees evil, and hides himself; the simple pass on, and are punished."
Proverbs 27:12
As you near the end of your Encouragement Challenge, take time to think about your husband's responses to the wickedness of the culture, the media, etc. Does your husband recognize and avoid evil? Does he regularly turn his back on pornography, sexual temptations, and the urge to lie and cheat?
This is a valuable character trait. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, who fled from the wicked advances of Potiphar's wife, this takes an understanding that these kinds of sins are first and foremost, sins against God (Gen. 39:9).
Praise your husband when he recognizes and turns his back on wickedness. If you can think of a circumstance where your husband stood for righteousness, remind him of that today-and express your gratitude.
Day 29
Pray that your husband yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography.
Proverbs 27:12
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Monday, 28 January 2008
Birth Story - Short Version
OK - this is the less detailed version for those who just want the basics.
My water broke just before 4:30 am Wednesday morning. We went into the hospital an hour later. As no contractions were happening (my usual MO), they induced me with cervadil gel at 10am. Contractions started and got somewhat closer together, but they wanted things to keep moving along, so they induced me with pitocin at 6pm.
I was ready to push at about 10:40. There was a scary moment when the head was delivered but the shoulders were stuck. Thankfully, the first maneuver they used to remedy the situation worked and our precious boy was born!
Jacob Nathaniel Glenn was born on January 23rd at 11:06pm. He was 10lbs 8oz, 22 3/4" long and had a 37cm head.
I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.
My water broke just before 4:30 am Wednesday morning. We went into the hospital an hour later. As no contractions were happening (my usual MO), they induced me with cervadil gel at 10am. Contractions started and got somewhat closer together, but they wanted things to keep moving along, so they induced me with pitocin at 6pm.
I was ready to push at about 10:40. There was a scary moment when the head was delivered but the shoulders were stuck. Thankfully, the first maneuver they used to remedy the situation worked and our precious boy was born!
Jacob Nathaniel Glenn was born on January 23rd at 11:06pm. He was 10lbs 8oz, 22 3/4" long and had a 37cm head.
I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.
Birth Story - Long Version
**Disclaimer - this is the long version. If anyone gets uncomfortable and/or squeamish reading about birthing details, read the short version here.
I woke up shortly after 4am on Wednesday to make another routine run to the bathroom. A few minutes after getting back in bed, my water broke with a big gush! We left for the hospital at 5:30. As usual for me - no contractions, well, nothing more than the braxton hicks type contractions I've been having for months.
After walking around trying to get contractions going, my dr came in at 8:30 to check me. I was already 3 cm - which is a lot more than I've ever been at the beginning before, so I was happy about that, hoping I would go into labour on my own for the first time.
Unfortunately, due to being at a small town hospital with minimal extra staff on hand, there was no one available to help with a pitocin induction if it became necessary, until 6pm. If nothing happened, 6pm would be too long to wait due to my water breaking and the risk of infection.
So, after talking to another ob, she decided it would be ok to induce with cervadil first (not usually done if you're already "ready" and dilated to 3cm) as long as it was put in front of the cervix. (If it goes into the cervix it can cause a contraction that won't let go, which is obviously not a good thing.)
The cervadil worked to some degree. Contractions came regularly but only 10 mins apart at first. They gradually started to get closer together - by 6pm they were about 4 -5 mins apart and my dr came to check things out again and I was 5cm. So, the nurse was now available to come in and monitor the pitocin induction, so they started that right away, and contractions immediately became more intense and closer together. Being a small town hospital, an epidural was not an option (my last 2 didn't work anyway). They could've done a spinal, but I opted for the laughing gas instead. It helps enough to get me through it.
By 9 o'clock I had progressed to 8cm and was starting to feel a bit pushy so the nurse called my dr in, knowing that things can move quickly at the end, especially when it's not your first. By the time the dr came I was pretty much fully dilated, but there was a lip along the top and right of the cervix that wouldn't dilate - it was stuck. And whenever my body involuntarily pushed it would thicken everything else too. So, I had to flip to hand/knees to keep the weight of the baby off the cervix to get rid of the lip. It worked until I turned back around and then the lip came back.
So, I had to start pushing - only involuntarily (which is incredibly difficult!) - on hands/knees to get the baby past the lip. This type of pushing was so much harder than any I had ever experienced before. My last two were so easy by the time pushing came, I just assumed that this would be the same. I had to push slow, stop pushing, push hard, push slow - everything! I thought it would never end. Finally the head was out - but then there was another problem - the baby's shoulders were stuck (shoulder dystocia) which can be very dangerous. They have about 7 mins to deliver the baby before things are really serious. They immediately called in more help in case extra measures were necessary for delivery. The words, "we need more help in here" are not ones a mother wants to hear. Meanwhile the nurse and Nathan forcibly pushed back my knees as far as they could physically go, and the dr inserted her hand and manually twisted the baby's shoulders to get them out. Yes, this hurt. And yes, that's an understatement. Thankfully, this maneuver worked and our precious boy was finally delivered at 11:06pm! I could not believe it was finally over. For me anyway. As he was already turning blue they worked on him immediately (instead of giving him to me like they were going to originally). But everything was finally ok and they could finally let me hold him.
Unfortunately, with the "trauma" of the delivery, it took me awhile to grasp the fact that we actually had a boy! The laughing gas, combined with the intense pain of this delivery, along with the panickyness I could sense in the room was hard for my mind to take in, and I didn't fully understand what was going on at the time. Perhaps this was a good thing.
It took awhile to deliver the placenta, probably because it was so big. In fact, it was so big, it came out folded in half! Miraculously I only needed 3 stitches - which my doctor credited to my controlled pushing. I told her I had never felt to out of control in my life! But I guess I managed to obey pushing orders successfully, so that's good. I asked my dr how long I pushed for and was shocked when she told me only 26 minutes. It felt way longer than that that's for sure.
Jacob Nathaniel Glenn was born on Wednesday, January 23rd at 11:06pm. The doctor immediately said he was over 10 lbs and she was right - 10 lbs 8 oz to be exact, and 22 3/4" long.
Thankfully he wasn't shorter or he would've been even chubbier! And thankfully I didn't go any more overdue than I did - that could have turned pretty serious. His head was 37cm (average is 35cm - 2cm makes a big difference!), but obviously it was the size of his shoulders that was the problem, not the head. Amazingly, he didn't have a cone head after all that either!
So, that's the long version of our birth story. The ending has cemented what was already finalized - this is definitely our last baby. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.
I woke up shortly after 4am on Wednesday to make another routine run to the bathroom. A few minutes after getting back in bed, my water broke with a big gush! We left for the hospital at 5:30. As usual for me - no contractions, well, nothing more than the braxton hicks type contractions I've been having for months.
After walking around trying to get contractions going, my dr came in at 8:30 to check me. I was already 3 cm - which is a lot more than I've ever been at the beginning before, so I was happy about that, hoping I would go into labour on my own for the first time.
Unfortunately, due to being at a small town hospital with minimal extra staff on hand, there was no one available to help with a pitocin induction if it became necessary, until 6pm. If nothing happened, 6pm would be too long to wait due to my water breaking and the risk of infection.
So, after talking to another ob, she decided it would be ok to induce with cervadil first (not usually done if you're already "ready" and dilated to 3cm) as long as it was put in front of the cervix. (If it goes into the cervix it can cause a contraction that won't let go, which is obviously not a good thing.)
The cervadil worked to some degree. Contractions came regularly but only 10 mins apart at first. They gradually started to get closer together - by 6pm they were about 4 -5 mins apart and my dr came to check things out again and I was 5cm. So, the nurse was now available to come in and monitor the pitocin induction, so they started that right away, and contractions immediately became more intense and closer together. Being a small town hospital, an epidural was not an option (my last 2 didn't work anyway). They could've done a spinal, but I opted for the laughing gas instead. It helps enough to get me through it.
By 9 o'clock I had progressed to 8cm and was starting to feel a bit pushy so the nurse called my dr in, knowing that things can move quickly at the end, especially when it's not your first. By the time the dr came I was pretty much fully dilated, but there was a lip along the top and right of the cervix that wouldn't dilate - it was stuck. And whenever my body involuntarily pushed it would thicken everything else too. So, I had to flip to hand/knees to keep the weight of the baby off the cervix to get rid of the lip. It worked until I turned back around and then the lip came back.
So, I had to start pushing - only involuntarily (which is incredibly difficult!) - on hands/knees to get the baby past the lip. This type of pushing was so much harder than any I had ever experienced before. My last two were so easy by the time pushing came, I just assumed that this would be the same. I had to push slow, stop pushing, push hard, push slow - everything! I thought it would never end. Finally the head was out - but then there was another problem - the baby's shoulders were stuck (shoulder dystocia) which can be very dangerous. They have about 7 mins to deliver the baby before things are really serious. They immediately called in more help in case extra measures were necessary for delivery. The words, "we need more help in here" are not ones a mother wants to hear. Meanwhile the nurse and Nathan forcibly pushed back my knees as far as they could physically go, and the dr inserted her hand and manually twisted the baby's shoulders to get them out. Yes, this hurt. And yes, that's an understatement. Thankfully, this maneuver worked and our precious boy was finally delivered at 11:06pm! I could not believe it was finally over. For me anyway. As he was already turning blue they worked on him immediately (instead of giving him to me like they were going to originally). But everything was finally ok and they could finally let me hold him.
Unfortunately, with the "trauma" of the delivery, it took me awhile to grasp the fact that we actually had a boy! The laughing gas, combined with the intense pain of this delivery, along with the panickyness I could sense in the room was hard for my mind to take in, and I didn't fully understand what was going on at the time. Perhaps this was a good thing.
It took awhile to deliver the placenta, probably because it was so big. In fact, it was so big, it came out folded in half! Miraculously I only needed 3 stitches - which my doctor credited to my controlled pushing. I told her I had never felt to out of control in my life! But I guess I managed to obey pushing orders successfully, so that's good. I asked my dr how long I pushed for and was shocked when she told me only 26 minutes. It felt way longer than that that's for sure.
Jacob Nathaniel Glenn was born on Wednesday, January 23rd at 11:06pm. The doctor immediately said he was over 10 lbs and she was right - 10 lbs 8 oz to be exact, and 22 3/4" long.
Thankfully he wasn't shorter or he would've been even chubbier! And thankfully I didn't go any more overdue than I did - that could have turned pretty serious. His head was 37cm (average is 35cm - 2cm makes a big difference!), but obviously it was the size of his shoulders that was the problem, not the head. Amazingly, he didn't have a cone head after all that either!
So, that's the long version of our birth story. The ending has cemented what was already finalized - this is definitely our last baby. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.
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