Advent Thoughts

Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”) is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  Advent brings about a whole new meaning this year as we have been waiting for our precious Judah to arrive. 

I try to imagine what it must have been like to be Joseph and Mary, nearing the time of Jesus’ birth, knowing the immense, incredible weight of caring for the Redeemer of Israel—Savior of the world—God’s Son.  The frustration Joseph must have felt when the stable was the only available space for them; Mary’s wonder and amazement at the mere fact that she was chosen to birth, nurture, and care for the God of the universe in human form.  But before all of that…the waiting, the wondering, the travelling—the expectancy!

We have been waiting with bated breath every day as we inch closer and closer to Judah’s arrival, and it has given us a new perspective on this time of preparation for celebration.  What if we prepared our hearts for Jesus the way we prepare our hearts to accept a new life into this world?  What if, with the same anticipation that Joseph and Mary had, we marveled at the idea of the Savior coming into the world to preach the good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, and proclaim freedom to the captives (Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-19)?

So from now on, we understand a little better what Advent is all about!       

Almost there!

Wow!  It's been a long time!  This might end up being a long post...a lot has happened since August 31st.  We're 13 days from the due date (or 7 days from when Judah will be born, according to Lindsay), 38 weeks pregnant as of yesterday.  We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and Lindsay is 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and at a -3 pelvic station.  We like our doctor.  But a lot has happened in the world of doctors and this pregnancy...

Several weeks ago, our midwife found abnormal amounts of protein in Lindsay's urine.  So, Lindsay did a 24-hour urine sample and the protein was still there so our midwife put Lindsay on twice-per-week NSTs (non-stress tests) to monitor Judah's heartbeat and any contractions she might be having.  Also once-per-week blood tests, and once-per-week 24-hour urine samples.  All this was because she might eventually develop pre-eclampsia.  However, her blood pressure was never high (or even near being high), there was no upper abdominal pain, no blurry vision or headaches, no swelling, and no other signs of pre-eclampsia.

But the midwife went crazy...she just couldn't explain the protein.  Well, of course the lab fees and co-payments, etc. add up, and it was near impossible for Lindsay to do the 24-hour urine samples (except on the weekend).  The problem was, none of the reasons for any of these tests were ever clearly explained to us.  So we fired our midwife.  She was giving Lindsay high blood pressure!

We now have a wonderful OB/GYN doctor who explained everything in a very understandable way, and is letting Lindsay have a peaceful pregnancy without all the fuss and stress.  Lindsay knows the signs of pre-eclampsia (and knows her own body) and would go in if something were actually wrong.

In October, we went down to California with Lindsay's family and got to spend some wonderful time with family (both Lance's and Lindsay's), a beautiful baby dedication for our godson Gideon Ramirez (Daniel and Allyson's precious little boy), a trip to Disneyland, as well as a meeting with Lindsay's cousin, Taryn, who is our doula.  Taryn is a certified doula and works at Kaiser Permanente in California (also who we have our medical insurance through) and is very close to Lindsay (and has family up here), so it works out nicely for everyone.  She will be here for the birth, and we are grateful for the wonderful support she has given us throughout the pregnancy.

We also had the chance to take our hospital tour, and are looking forward to a very nice space for Judah's delivery (though most of Lindsay's labor will be at home).

Well, it's almost time to eat some turkey and give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings in our lives...we are so grateful for a relatively easy pregnancy.  The Lord has blessed us incredibly, and we cannot wait to meet the little boy that God has knit together in Lindsay's womb.  We'll be getting the profession photos soon from the photo shoot we had a few weeks ago, and will be sure to post them.

Here's one to leave you with...

  

More to come!

Belly Update

Here's my belly at 26 weeks!

Dear Judah

Dear Judah,

I prayed for you today...I prayed that your heart would be well; that everything would work itself out, and that God would cover you with His gentle hands.  Not only did He do that, but He touched your heart too! Everything is normal and healthy, and there aren't any problems!

We got to see you today too.  We got to look at your face (in 3-D even!), and it was so amazing!  I can't wait to finally meet in you person.  I love you so much already, and I just want you to know it!

Well, that's about it.  I'm so thankful that you are okay.  See you in a few months!

Love,
Daddy

Here are some pics from the Baby Shower!

SHOWER!!!

Today I have my first baby shower! I am so excited!  My lovely cousin Lauren and Aunt Robyn are hosting it.  So there is going to be really good food, which I am also really excited about and I am just thrilled to get to celebrate Judah.  We will put up pictures from the shower when I get home.

Yesterday we had a Dr. appointment.  All is well.  The Dr. measured my belly and I am a good size.  We still don't know much about his heart.  That appointment is on Tuesday the 23rd.  But I had to pee in a cup this appointment because I am 24 weeks.  I would really like to know how to become good at this because I am not.

That's all for now!  I will post pictures later...

A little about Judah

     I wanted to let you all know what has been going on inside my belly.  Judah first made himself known on July 8th.  He gave me one little punch to the belly and hasn't stopped. He does most of his moving around at night. We saw Les Mis this afternoon and he really seemed to enjoy it.  I think that he was applauding.   A few weeks ago we SAW him moving!  That was very strange and really neat.
    Last week we got a call from the Dr. letting us know that we needed to schedule an appointment because he has a regular irregular heart beat.  All we know from that at this point is that there is a consistent abnormality to his heart beat.  Our appointment is on Aug 23 so we will find out a little more then.  Keep him in your prayers!