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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Halfway

well, we are halfway through this pregnancy. the first trimester is way over (thank goodness) and i am well into my second. i honestly couldn't imagine myself not being pregnant. it is such a blessing to be carrying this beautiful child that i will finally meet in 20 short weeks. :P

on monday, i had my 20 week ultrasound. as i sat there looking at the little one being active inside my little womb, i couldn't believe it. it was so surreal. it was so fun to look at the baby and then back at joseph's face as we both sat there amazed at what we were looking at. it is always a plus to hear the doctor say, "healthy, growing, active baby" all in one sentence. ptl. then the big head and weighing 1 pound already got me freaked out. classic "plantz" baby, i guess.

yes, joseph tried to cheat and figure out what the baby was, but he had no idea what he was looking at half the time. (phew). i love surprises, so of course i would wait to find out.

so, after seeing my little lamb, i am so thankful and in awe that the Lord chose joseph and i to be parents to this little baby. my pray today is that we will first figure out how to be parents ;) but more sincerely, to raise this child up in a home that firmly believes in Jesus Christ. and my prayer for this little one is that no matter what it does that above all, their first love and priority will always and forever be their savior, Jesus.

take a look at this little one, i mean, how cute is that:
so, what is your guess? ;) boy or girl?

until next time...


Thursday, March 10, 2011

Baby Snare. 8.28.11

sorry blogging world - i have neglected you yet again. i have wanted to blog and tell you all about my growing tummy and extra weight that i have gained, but feeling awful 24/7 for the past 10 weeks had my focus on my daily tasks and trying not to throw up.

okay, i'll say it, i thoroughly did not enjoy my first trimester. i would say, hate, but that is harsh- and I am in LOVE with my little lamb already.

if i had to sum up the past 10 weeks in one word, i would say, "tough." i have endured a lot in my short little 24-25 years of life. i have trained and ran 3 full marathons, numerous half marathons, trekked through a semester with 21 credit hours in college with two jobs, dealt with a loss of a brother, and many, many other things.

however, this pregnancy probably makes it in the top 5 toughest things i ever had to endure. not only was i waking up to awful nausea and gagging (and still am), and then eventually, vomit - but my "morning sickness" was "all-day sickness." at first, i dealt with it, got on some medication and went on with life. but as the weeks went on and days would end in tears, i eventually told myself i couldn't do it.

phew, finally week 13. prior to this week, i was told i was going to get better. but, of course, i didn't. it got worse. it was clock work. everyday at noon, i was throwing up whatever i ate. and to make matters worse, i work 40+ hours a week, so i didn't have the comfort of my home to "do my thang." nah, my co-workers have experienced and heard my vomit as much as i have. ;)sorry, guys.

and to make things even tougher, i find out that three other girls i know are due right around me and their first trimester was a breeze. another word: depressed.

i wasn't angry with God but i was frustrated. i didn't understand why i had to go through such a terrible first trimester, and part of my second while no one else was. why only me?

but after much prayer and thinking, i realized that i forgot i was carrying a baby, a human being, being formed with our CREATOR's hands. i realized that there are hundreds of women that can't even get pregnant and spend hours crying because they want the opportunity to be a mommy. i realized that God puts us through situations to grow and test our faith. i realized that one day, i will be able to encourage a woman in my life when she is dealing with a very difficult pregnancy. i realized that in six short months, i will have my first child in my arms and nothing that i went through will matter, nothing. i realized a lot. and i felt convicted.

so here i am, almost 16 weeks with my next doctors appointment on monday to see my little lamb and let me say, i couldn't be more excited. i am finally feeling better. this week has been a huge encouragement. i am still nauseous but haven't thrown up in a few days. (sigh of relief.)

thanks for all the prayers for those who have been praying for me and little snare. i feel it. and praise to my Lord who has given me the opportunity to carry a child that in a short 25 weeks, i will be holding and calling my own.

i can't wait share this journey with you over the next 24-25 weeks. i am sure there will be a lot of joys and a lot of discouragements, but i am glad i can share each week with those who love me.

as a start, here is the first picture and heartbeat pattern of little snare at seven weeks. yes the peanut looking thing in the center is the baby. ;)




For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works my soul knows it very well. psalm 139:13-14

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Day 23: Christmas Story


take time to read this today and reflect on the true meaning this christmas.

Matthew 1:18-2:12

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”


7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.



Luke 2
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Day 22: Decorate Christmas Cookies

today you should decorate christmas cookies. i did. :)

i had six freshman girls over at my house to decorate a bunch of sugar cookies i made. i was nervous it was going to be disastrous but it was quite fun.

and it is simple. just get some dough. (store bought, is completely fine) + some cookie cutters + frosting + sprinkles and Wallah! you have cookies.

make some today and take over to your family for christmas eve and christmas day.

(do you like my masterpieces above?) talent.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Day 21: Christmas Parties


did you attend any christmas parties this year? white elephant? ugly christmas sweater party? christmas dance party? work christmas party?

i love parties, but unfortunately didn't attend many this year. i wanted to throw one at our new house, but got too busy.

i did attend a white elephant christmas party and got a fantastic gift that i am excited to share in 2011.

any fun stories? games? memories? you would like to share?

Monday, December 20, 2010

Day 20: Wrap Your Christmas Gifts

i actually don't mind wrapping my christmas gifts. i find gratification in the beauty of a simple wrapped gift. strange, maybe . . . but i love it. i love giving so that just makes the wrapping part that much better.

so, if you haven't done so already, wrap your gifts. only a few more days. (eek, so excited)

can you tell which ones are joey's? (of course, the john deere christmas paper... ;) )

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Day 18: Decorate a Gingerbread House

today, joseph and i decorated a gingerbread house. it was preassembled, so it made life a bit easier.

it a cheap and fun project to do with your family. we bought our kit at walmart for nine bucks.

so, go grab a gingerbread house kit and have fun! can't wait to see your masterpiece!