Having a little Baby Boy

Yes boy, I realized recently I have not "posted" on the internet that we are having a little boy, according to a sonogram on December 10th. We enjoyed announcing to the campus with Claire and Nate here through a cake with a blue middle.

Just thought I would take some time to highlight and focus in on the pregnancy. I am not one to take the baby bump photos so I regret to inform you I don't have a lot of pictures on this post. I need to take a new one soon as I was given some maternity clothes and I LOVE wearing them (thanks to family this christmas)

Here are a few weeks highlighted in the journey so far:

week 7; confirmed we are expecting through home pregnancy test and hospital visit (I had a hard time fathoming this concept and was reluctant to expect the little baby to grow and flourish. Josh was diligent in prayer for our little one). This first trimester involved ignoring nausea and blaming it on the new foods and new experiences of the Dominican Republic. I enjoyed jogging with the girls in the mornings and continued to work with the girls many hours in the house. Nothing was really sinking in and nothing really showing.

week 13; while at a beach resort with the students here at CMA and my mom I started to have some real complications. One of my fellow staff members, my mom, and I visited the local Puerto Plata hospital (Josh was not in the area so he was not able to come with us but was supportive and concerned by phone). At this time, we were all pretty sure these were the signs of a miscarriage. As I sat there with my mom and Jaci I realized how much I did want to still be pregnant. It became more real and my mom was able to have a good medical experience in the Dominican Republic. The doctors reported it was only a hematoma around the baby but everything looked healthy. The doctor was able to actually guess the gender as a boy but didn't want to promise as it was very early (we would find out about 5 weeks later that he was in deed correct)- and my mom was able to see the little guy in a sonogram.

week 14; moved to a new house on campus so I would not have to be walking as much as the doctor encouraged me to take it easy till the hematoma dissolved. Announced we were having a baby.

week 15;  had the opportunity to meet a local missionary that is a Doula with a good amount of experience here on the island. She is flaunt in Spanish and works with the Christian doctor we were feeling comfortable with here in Jarabaco. So decided to move forward on planning on having our little one at the local clinic in town.

week 17; found out we are looking forward to parenting a health baby boy. So far. This was Josh's first time seeing the baby and getting to experience the medical process.

week 21; I got to start wearing maternity clothes. My mom Ramsier sent some clothes in the mail and my sister brought some clothes from my mom and sister-in-law. I love them so much. I truly am enjoying the baby belly. It is hard - definitely not my fat (not really looking forward to working on losing it in a few months but.)

week 22; I started having immense pain in my back and glut. I was at the point of not walking much, bending over, lifting anything. I just wasn't real useful. Josh really stepped up in this time and I had to practice asking for help with things that seemed ridiculous.

week 23ish; started to feeling some "nesting" possibly. I started looking at baby clothes, baby items, baby prepping. During this time I became overwhelmed and realized I just need to put this aside and work on this project when I am home in the states February 5-16.

week 25; that is this week. I don't know. The pain has passed, I started gently exercising again. I enjoy looking at baby items but I am not worried about how God plans to provide what we need for our first baby or even WHAT we need. The baby boy "Rufus" as my sister has taken to call him, is very active, especially after eating.

One of my friends here on campus is about ready for her little Selah to enter the world. It has been so helpful to journey with her and I am blessed to have her a few months ahead of me as I journey in this new experience in a new country with new friends.

I am sure there are many highlights I am missing but those are the ones that jump out at me while I am sitting here briefly. I am continually struck by the complete lack of control and power I have. In this realization, I can chose to become bitter or better. I can chose to be in awe of the power and shepherding the Lord has in my life or I can become bitter and try to control everything around me. I have to admit, at times I have chosen the darker road unconsciously but the Lord is faithful through my husband, his word, this christian community, and so many other ways to draw me into His peace and surrender and closer in relationship with His Son.