What is
a book that changed your life and why?
Connection
What did you do to connect with your baby while she/he was in the womb?
-
I sang the exact same song all the time when I was pregnant with the girls. After they were born, it was their favorite song!
-
We read Bible story books to Noelani. With the other pregnancies, Noelani and I and daddy did reading and LOTS of singing. All of my children recognized our voices but Maleia and Malachi especially recognized Noelani. A very amazing thing! -
We played a lot of music from our ipod for Micah and then tried to see what he liked based on his reaction (a.k.a. wiggliness). :) -
We did not have a midwife, mainly because we never found anyone here who had used one, and I hate randomly picking professionals. I did get a rec from someone who had successful natural births, for an OB and a hospital. I was fine with that as long as I had a doula. We got a rec for a doula from a natural baby store here. We did a lot of reading to prepare but did not go through a series of birth classes. Our doula conducted a 4 hr. class to introduce some pain easing techniques and explain the stages of labor. If I get pregnant again, I plan to take a more extensive class, focusing on one technique (maybe Bradley? I keep hearing good things from people who have used it).
to answer your question, I was very pleased with the end result because we have a healthy Sbaby who took right to breastfeeding and had no complications. However, there were some things during labor that we were not pleased with that definitely could have led to a different end result. I'll let you know more about that tomorrow. For now, Timothy is asleep, so I better get some sleep too! :) I never know how early he will wake me up! He has actually slept pretty good at night from the beginning (except for a few random nights) but this week he has been waking up more often than usual, probably because he hasn't felt great-a little congested and hoarse. We think it was from the hotel room-recirculatd air isn't the cleanest ! But he's definitely better today and we are back home so hopefully he will sleep well tonight. -
I emailed you
-
I do classical music from the ipod here and there and sing to her once in a while. But she just recently grew ears in there, so I, too, am thinking of new things... :)
The babe
We had our 25 weeks appointment today...strong heartbeat and funny times: in both the ultrasound and heart monitoring today our baby kicked or hit back at the monitor. If this is any indication of personality out of utero, we may have a sassy pants in store! Please thank God on our behalf for bringing us to this point. So many things go into good health...what is amazing to me is, not that our bodies ever break down, but that work so well for so long....what a Master we have who created these amazing machines that hold our spirits for a while. God, thank you!
-
You are such a cute Mommy! -
So happy to see you are expecting! Happy times :) -
glad everything is going well. it is an amazing process, isn't it? annalise was clearly kicking her left foot on the sonogram and sure enough she did that for months after she was born. -
I love it, you have a sassy pants! -
glad everything went well. . . . . i love getting to hear the little heart beat. Tilly was a kicker and she is a feisty little one, so ours held true :) being pregnant and the birth process and everything really brought home to me what an Awesome creator God is and how amazing our bodies are, and seeing that new little life all perfect. . . it's glorious!! glad ya'll are doing well -
time does fly...annalise is a little over 2 now! one of her cousins at Christmas taught her how to make a silly face and so now she likes making all sorts of faces. she has about 4 or 5 down pat and will attempt new ones from time to time. And just recently her pretending skills have developed and so she likes playing with her babies. Each stage is so wonderful. But prepare yourself for the curmudgeons who like to predict that brathood is just around the corner. Why do people have to say such things!
-
Does your husband have any family in the Navy? There is a Barger in my company. -
:) -
the short, non-nuanced, answer to your question is I think Dave Ramsey is great. The #1 thing keeping people from helping others is debt (in that it is a problem in and of itself but it also is a symptom of deeper problems). So Dave could probably show you stats about how much more is being given by people and by churches who have gone through his program and are debt free compared to the general population since those people not only are in a better position to share but also have addressed problematic attitudes. Likewise he wouldn't be in favor of "hoarding up" money because that is improper too. Stewardship would include a person taking a realistic, non-greedy, approach to what it means to provide for their family.
But I certainly understand your mixed feelings - it would be very easy to use the Baby Steps with the ungodly attitude of acquiring wealth as one's greatest priority especially given the materialistic oriented view of our culture. So any Christian has to take a very careful approach to this subject making sure that we are guided by the Lord and his purpose for life.
Kauai and baby
We just returned from our trip to Kauai: truly, it may be the most beautiful place I have seen. Brian and I had the chance to travel in Thailand and Vietnam, as well as all over China when were in Peace Corps, and beheld some amazing examples of God's glory then. Yet, never have I seen so much beauty condensed into a small space as in this small and magical island. If you have a chance, please go!
Some highlights from the last month:
1. One of the craziest airline flights I have ever experienced....if we ever have a face to face, ask me about it. It is reallly too bizarre to describe on Pleo.
2. Meeting an airline attendant on said flight who is named Debbie, and married a Mr. Harry, making her Debbie Harry (as in Blondie). Awesome. So I hung out in the beverage area with a redheaded Italian stewardess named Blondie, whose legal name is actually Debbie Harry. We talked about childbirth; it was fun.
3. Spending an uninterrupted week with Brian. He astounds me every day with his sweetness, humor, and the overall light that he brings to my life. Kauai is an amazing place to enjoy the person you love...I am very thankful for this opportunity and my husband.
4. Seeing our baby grow! Before Kauai I was barely showing at all, and the picture above reveals that Kauai was good for the baby belly revealing itself!
5. Returning home....no matter amazing and refreshing our travels, we love coming home. We are blessed with a comfortable and warm shelter...with color, 2 sweet dogs, and lots of love.
6. A constant reminder of our blessings comes from seeing people who are homeless and/or poor every weekday. We had the opportunity to share meals on Christmas Eve and day with guests from the agency that I lead. It is humbling to see gratitude in the faces of people who have a fraction of what I have been blessed with. This makes it very difficult (or at least convicting) when I am tempted to complain about anything.
What are your favorite blessings from this December or holiday season? Please share....
Some highlights from the last month:
1. One of the craziest airline flights I have ever experienced....if we ever have a face to face, ask me about it. It is reallly too bizarre to describe on Pleo.
2. Meeting an airline attendant on said flight who is named Debbie, and married a Mr. Harry, making her Debbie Harry (as in Blondie). Awesome. So I hung out in the beverage area with a redheaded Italian stewardess named Blondie, whose legal name is actually Debbie Harry. We talked about childbirth; it was fun.
3. Spending an uninterrupted week with Brian. He astounds me every day with his sweetness, humor, and the overall light that he brings to my life. Kauai is an amazing place to enjoy the person you love...I am very thankful for this opportunity and my husband.
4. Seeing our baby grow! Before Kauai I was barely showing at all, and the picture above reveals that Kauai was good for the baby belly revealing itself!
5. Returning home....no matter amazing and refreshing our travels, we love coming home. We are blessed with a comfortable and warm shelter...with color, 2 sweet dogs, and lots of love.
6. A constant reminder of our blessings comes from seeing people who are homeless and/or poor every weekday. We had the opportunity to share meals on Christmas Eve and day with guests from the agency that I lead. It is humbling to see gratitude in the faces of people who have a fraction of what I have been blessed with. This makes it very difficult (or at least convicting) when I am tempted to complain about anything.
What are your favorite blessings from this December or holiday season? Please share....
-
My son!! We had his newborn pics taken today and our doula brought by our 'birth story'. We are in the car on the way to Louisville to spend the rest of the week with the fam so we are about to enjoy reading the birth story and reliving those couple of days--with much less pain this time. :) I'm excited to see how the nieces and nephew interact with Timothy. :). So glad you enjoyed Kauai- we went to 3 islands but not there. We figures it's a good excuse to go back to HI someday. I remember thinking my belly was so big in HI (not in a bad way-I loved my 'big' belly). Then last month I looked back at those pics and realized I
wasn't so big yet. :) -
Seeing my new baby niece getting her first bath, and then getting to hold her, and then kissing her chubby cheeks as often as I can, and then trying to calm down my 6 1/2 year old nephew when we told him he couldn't go back to see his new cousin because he wasn't a sibling. It's amazing to see the love children have for each other, even when they haven't met each other yet, even when you think they cannot perceive those feelings yet. The true unconditional love, the love of a child, is amazing. -
Erin~ it was so hard for me to get through your post bc I first saw this beautiful picture up there. With tears in my eyes I struggled to read your wonderful words. You look wonderfully pregnant. I wish I could see you and rub your tummy! :) I know many who are suffering through pain of illness and some who have lost fathers and husbands and children VERY recently. I can't help but think of my blessings that none of this has visited me so far in my life. I am truly trying hard to build up my faith for these types of struggles. I am also thankful for a husband who I love as much, if not more than you love yours! :) I know it's arguable! We are 5 days away from our 12th anniversary-- another blessing! :) xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
btw, I would LOVE to keep up with you by phone. I am a TALKER! I know it is nice to get on here, but I SO love to hear and talk to others. SO--- if you get off for a while PLEASE call me!!!!
I need your address, too! I think I emailed you, right? SO, you should have my info! if not let me know!
-
This december? Spending time with family and loved ones and just being together was quite a blessing. -
Aw, it IS a pregnant belly! I love it! :-) Thanks for your prayers for Zion. I'll be remembering you, Brian, and the little Barger in my prayers, too. You are going to be an amazing mother. -
glad you had a great trip and wonderful holiday. we just returned from a week with my family in OH. It was great to be with all my mom's family: my grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins and their kids - I think about 60 in all. I can't imagine how my grandparents felt seeing all of their progeny under one roof sharing a meal, laughing, talking and singing praises to God. That will be a treasured memory.
-
I love your baby bump! -
You look beautiful! -- my yet-to-be-born nephew "high fived" me -- that was incredibly cool.
-
I haven't forgotten about your questions...just trying to sort through my info (and get it typed up-we haven't been able to get the scanner to work on our printer ever since we got a new computer :/) My doula typed up a birth story for me but it was 15 pages long...yes, fairly large print and spacing....but still! :) I plan to get back to you soon. Hope you are still feeling well and praying for everything to go safely!
-
I have a son that has had 111 surgeries (4 kidney transplants) and lived in the hospital much of his life. I am greatful that we still have him and that he was baptized about 1 1/2 years ago. My other children and now my husband are members of the church. What more could I ask for?
-
Your "Mom" look is great!
-
Micah turns 9 months old tomorrow! I can hardly believe it. :) And I will definitely let you know next time we are in ATL!
-
I am so glad your trip was beautiful! My dog bowl show was a smash and we sold out before the opening was over! Everyone loved it! and I am dog tired let me tell you. I cant wait for you to meet Mark one day, you are going to love him and I can just see all of us laughing alot. -
Lauren is telling me I should go to this free conference near us discussing government grants for starting emergency homeless shelters (we don't have any here). Your example is pushing me to agree with her.
Hot Christmas
So excited about the holidays this year- Brian and I are leaving for a babymoon in Kauai, Hawaii this week! We will return just in time to celebrate with folks in Athens who come to our soup kitchen (a combination of people who are homeless and/or working poor). Our nonprofit does a special Christmas Eve meal every year, and my nieces will be coming up to help us serve. I have always wanted to spend the holiday doing something like this, and now it looks like this will be a part of our annual family tradition! I am so grateful that God has placed us here at this time in our lives. Being surrounded by people with so little is very humbling...no matter what we do, there is always more to be done.
We are at 19 weeks in our pregnancy! Our sweet pea (the one in my belly) will spend his/er first Christmas surrounded by one of the most beautiful places on earth, and then will experience the love and grace of sharing a meal with those in need. I pray that our child will be raised with constant reminders of why we have material blessings, and the real point of this journey on earth. I know that many of you pray the same for your children.
As God's people we have so many opportunities to enjoy God's beauty and to share it with others. God bless you in His service and as you glorify Him for all of the blessings of this season.
EMB
We are at 19 weeks in our pregnancy! Our sweet pea (the one in my belly) will spend his/er first Christmas surrounded by one of the most beautiful places on earth, and then will experience the love and grace of sharing a meal with those in need. I pray that our child will be raised with constant reminders of why we have material blessings, and the real point of this journey on earth. I know that many of you pray the same for your children.
As God's people we have so many opportunities to enjoy God's beauty and to share it with others. God bless you in His service and as you glorify Him for all of the blessings of this season.
EMB
-
I love reading your posts. Hope you all have a fun Babymoon!
-
Have a wonderful Babymoon. SO NICE!!!!
-
Sounds like a fantastic xmas! Have fun.
-
And here I thought your title was referring to the Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas album! Sounds like a great trip and a marvelous family tradition to begin! -
That is a great tradition you are starting, why not do Hawaii every christmas too? J/K
I feel so guilty b/c I haven't yet made it a family tradition of ours. Our two girls give their toys & clothes to needy people, & they see us feeding needy saints in our house quite a bit (thank you God, for my wonderful Lauren) but I can't wait for them to be exposed to even greater needs as they get a little older.
I do like Wright, I think I might be able to write like him if I lived in his estate, Auckberg Castle.
I have not read Keller, but have wanted to give him a look due to hid good titled books.
I'll be praying for a safe baby & mother development. -
i hope you guys have a wonderful trip, sounds awesome, and I daily pray also that we teach Matilda what loving others really means. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by teh material blessings that we have around us and want to each her that there is so much more and much more important things in life that that.
-
oooooo....i want to go to Kauai!! have a great time. -
JUST LOVE YOU DEAR SISTER!
YOU WILL BE THE BEST MOMMY!
STILL HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE STUFF I WANT TO SEND YOU! :)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
-
ALMOST! Colby has been there with the guys and we both like it there!
We just can't seem to stop heading Nashville way, BUT Colby's sister Becca and Adam are most likely moving to DENVER so I think this is where we will spend our next couple road trips and I must say that we are WAY excited about FINALLY having a good excuse to take our kids to Co!!! You know how much we love yall, too though so maybe we could come there sometime!
You know, I never understood why MORE people don't come HERE!!!!!!!! Besides, we have 4 kids now so road trips are getting a bit crammed! :) LOVE YOU!!!! How was your trip!!!! SO jealous!
Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door. It's about not traveling in a bubble.
Because it made me realize that I need to think about where my food comes from.
As for books that changed my life - there are two, but in unconventional ways.
1. The Iron Mistress. Biograpy of jim Bowie's life. It is the first book that caused me to do research on things it mentioned. Historical figures, events, and places. Ever since then I am constently looking up information on things that are suppossed to be trivial in the book that I am reading. It has broadened my knowledge and horizons. (Not to mention that Iron Mistress is a great story unto itself.)
2. The Light fantastic. This was the first terry Pratchett book I ever read. I have now collect well over twenty of them, read more than thirty, and turn to Prachett when i need a pick me up. the last few years I have had my nose buried in Discworld novel after Discworld novel. Prachett helped me through some very dark times with his sense of humor and satirical writings. It was especially life changeing to find out that he himself is/was batteling cancer.
How did you like UNC in general? I'm sure I'll come up with some more specific questions later.
"To Train Up a Child" and "Created to be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. Good stuff, too.