Backing Up A Little 8.21.10

I'm going to back up a tad and lead into how everything has gone.  First of all I want to say PRAISE THE LORD!!  We serve a mighty God and He proved Himself faithful once again.

On Saturday we had a sonogram scheduled with Erin Burow's (our midwife) back-up doctor, just to check and make sure the baby was growing well and that there were no dangers in continuing to wait for this little one to come.  We were grateful for the results as they did show a full term baby, but nothing looked abnormal.

Mrs. Herzog came along to watch the kids for us while we were at both our midwife appointment and the sonogram appointment.  Thank you so much!  That evening after the appointments, Stephen treated us all out to Chili's for supper, then we went to a nearby park and played for a little while.  It was a nice, fun evening.

(All the kids and there activity bags, changes of clothes, diapers and milk loaded up in the van ready to go with Mo)

Wouldn't you know the next morning (Sunday) the contractions I had been having finally got stronger and felt like they might be the "real thing".  Mrs. Herzog came up and took the kids down to her house and our midwife (Erin Burow) came out.

(Mrs. Herzog made spaghetti and meatballs for lunch...delicious!!)

There were some things she (Erin) was concerned about that we started praying about.  We took things one hour at a time and just kept watching my progress as well as monitor the baby.  The Lord continually answered our prayers, and it was evident that He wanted us to be totally dependent on Him.

(Stephen holding Lydia soon after she was born- right in the comfort of our own home!)

Lydia Elenore was born at 5:50 that evening.  The labor was the shortest I've had so far at right around 12 hours!  It only got really intense the last 2 hours and especially the last 50 minutes, but it was such an answer to prayer to be able to stay at home.  The whole labor and then birth was so rewarding. 

(Stephen warming Lydia in the evening sun while our assistant, Jessica wiped off our new baby's head with a warm washcloth)

Wouldn't you know that after Erin did all the evaluations on Lydia, she found out that she measured up to be 43 weeks!  We really were that overdue!  It was just a miracle from the Lord we both stayed healthy and delivered at home.  I am so grateful for Stephen heeding the Lord's prompting and taking off of work even before the baby was born.  The Lord knew my body and the baby need the extra rest and good nutrition we received while he was at home taking care of things.  

(Erin and Jessica doing the measurements and evaluations on Lydia as I lay there comfortably and watched)

There were so many things we could see the Lord orchestrating before during and after the birth.  I must confess though, that it is always easier to look back at a situation and evaluate it and see the blessing of the Lord vs. while you are going through a situation and not quite understand why.

We are so grateful for another miracle and blessing from the Lord!  Thank everyone for your prayers, love, and support.  It means so much to us.  We have enjoyed the fellowship of those who have stopped by and would love to have more.  Please don't hesitate to call and come see our little Lydia Elenore.

It's a Girl!! 8.22.10

She's here!!  Her name is Lydia Elenore Herzog.

She weighed 9 pounds even and was 21 inches long.

She was born at 5:50 pm on August 22, 2010

I'll fill you in on how everything's going a little later, 

but for now we are going to try and get some sleep.  

Thanks to all of you for your prayers...

the Lord answered them!!

Still Waiting...&...Stephen's Birthday 8.19.10

Well, here we are still waiting for this little one to "pop out" as the kids call it.  The only thing we can figure is that we must have been off on our dates.  So the last month of pregnancy is turning into a 6-7 week month.  The last month always seems like it is longer, but this time it really IS.  I am eating well, taking my vitamins, getting good rest (I have actually felt like a queen the last few weeks...hardly cooking, getting naps...I feel so spoiled) and the baby seems to be doing well too...still moving good, still growing, good heart beat...

Today we are looking into getting a sonogram done though, just to see if everything looks just as good as we have been predicting.  My body has done some good "pre-labor" for a few days now off and on which is normal for me, and hopefully one of these times it will kick in for good.  

I have been blessed with such a wonderful husband who takes such good care of me.  He has already taken off of work to take care of me even though I haven't had the baby yet.  We have also been called by lots of loving, caring family and friends who are excited to hear an update.  We will try to keep everyone posted when things really do happen vs. having false alarms.  We are grateful for everyone's prayers and thoughts as we are getting close to the end.  Thank each of you.

We had a quick visit with Mo and Pawpaw on Wednesday evening right before bed.  It is always so fun having them come up to our house.  No matter how many times a day or week they see them, the kids are just as excited each time.

Thursday was Stephen's birthday and we went out to breakfast to celebrate.  I felt like the day was more of him taking care of me as I had several hours of some good contractions where he took over with the kids.  We did have a great time at breakfast though (we forgot to get pictures this time).  He even ordered dessert!  After that we went to the grocery store to get some more last minute things.

These are pictures of he and I before we left.  Mrs. Herzog and Aunt Margaret watched the kids for us at the farm while we were gone.  They had a great time as well.  Thanks to all.

41 weeks and Counting 8.9.10

Wouldn't you know that during our 41st week of pregnancy and the hottest month of the year, our AC decided to act up.  Thankfully we have a good AC man....Papa Troy.  The next day he came over and after spending an afternoon looking around and working on some things, he got us up and running again.  In the meantime we spent the night and the next day down at the Herzog's where it was much cooler.  It was getting up to 85 degrees downstairs and into the mid 90's upstairs...kinda warm and sweaty.  We called Mo and Pawpaw to see if it was ok if we spent the knight down at their house and they accepted with open arms.  We were so grateful!  We packed up and headed down there right after we finished baths, just before bed.

Here are Bella and Elaina tucked in bed.

James with his bottle in his crib.

Martin on one of the bottom bunks, 

and Millie on the other.

The next morning Mo had a delicious breakfast for us...eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy!

Stephen and Elaina and James off to change some dirty diapers.  Thankfully it is only the 2 of them in diapers as the others are all potty trained and have been for a few months now.

Kevin is having some dozer work done around Mr. & Mrs. Herzog's house.  We have gone out there a few times to watch the progress.  

Stephen and all the kids as we drive around and watch the dozer work.  It is inevidable that that they want to play in the soft fresh sand.

My boys and me.

Jacob Burow has come over this week and started work in our kitchen.  He got all the hanging cabinets built and hung.  They look just beautiful!

He will come back next Tuesday and work on the lower set of cabinets and counter top.  I am so excited!!  Stephen has wanted to get me a kitchen built for years now.  We are so grateful to the Lord for his direction and conviction on our lives.  It is so rewarding to save up and have things done a little at a time and be debt free.  It makes you so grateful for what you do have, and creative ways to do with what you don't.  We are so truly blessed in more ways than ever imaginable.

40 Weeks and Counting 8.2.10

Our midwife gave us instructions for me to get more nutrition and more rest.  Mrs. Herzog offered to have the kids sleep down at their house and Stephen took her up on that offer.  The next morning before we went and got the kids Stephen took me out to eat at IHOP for breakfast.  It was so fun and delicious!

Here we are by the lake at the restaurant.

This is our delicious breakfast...I had an omelet and Stephen had a burger and we shared a carafe of cranberry juice.

When we got home a little later we found all the kids having a great time down at Mo and PawPaw's.

Martin playing with some special toys at the table.

Millie sliding down Mo's lap backwards.

Bella and Mo dusting.

Elaina and James playing with Papa.

All the kids tumbling with Papa.

We are so blessed to have family close by and so willing to help.  I just love where we live!

Our Little Potty Boy 8.2.10

Our little busy boy found a new place to play.  Thankfully the water was clean!

Kevin and Karen's Birthday Party 7.30.10

Kevin and Karen both have birthday's at the end of July, so Mrs. Herzog had a party for them.  Kevin was unable to attend (he ended up working late), but Karen and a good group of her friends came.

Keith and Karen

Millie and Elaina

Martin

Karen and some of her girlfriends.

Ryan and Mick

PawPaw and little Anna Parker.

Me and all my little ones (Stephen was at work).

Friends

The kids watching old fashioned Mickey Mouse cartoons.

Karen and Bella.

James Hambone Wyatt

Mo, Granny, and Aunt Glenda (Grannie and Aunt Glenda are sisters).

Karen, Granny and PawPaw.  Karen is a fun and happy lady!  She is a real joy to be around and we have all enjoyed getting to know her.  Happy Birthday Karen!!