When you are married to a woman who is 13 weeks pregnant & whose morning sickness not only lasts all day, but is set off by pretty much everything other than her lying in bed on her side, what do you do? Well, you've come to the right place, because I have some ideas for you!
*Lay beside her & stroke her hair & back;
*Set aside your plans to clean the living room so that you can fulfill the above-mentioned idea;
*Run out to get lunch so she doesn't have to worry about fixing something;
*Decide not to complete your last-minute Christmas shopping in Birmingham because riding in a car is one of those afore-mentioned triggers, & you can't stand to go without her;
*Get some of that last-minute shopping done around town, allowing her to stay home in the bed;
*Show lots of understanding & sympathy about her situation, especially when she laments about being a "bad wife" because she's having difficulty cooking & keeping house;
*Run to the grocery store to pick up items that might help her nausea, even though it's late at night;
*Be forgiving for her overly sensitive emotions.
There, that should be enough to be getting on with. And if you need more suggestions, simply ask my beloved. After all, he's the fella who fulfilled every one of these ideas all in one day, all without prompting from me. Haven't I told you before that he's a marvel & a gift from God? I love my Michael Boyd & am immensely grateful for him!
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord!
I was 18 years old when the doctor diagnosed me with PCOS & laid down the news that it would be difficult if not impossible for me to one day conceive without medical intervention. Being an 18-year-old with no prospects for marriage in the immediate future, I didn't shrug it off, but I wasn't overly concerned.
I married Michael when I was 29, & we were full of hope for our future. We knew we had a hard road ahead of us in the children department. And thus has been our experience. In the course of our marriage, we've had grief over a disrupted adoption process & childlessness. I'm ashamed to say that I even railed at God a few short months ago, momentarily questioning the most basic truths of His love & goodness like a child throwing a temper tantrum because she's denied something she wants. I've had my medical diagnosis against me & neither Michael nor I are what you'd call slender, if you know what I mean! ;-) With PCOS, this is a definite strike against conception. Almost 4 1/2 years have come & gone since our wedding, & we've done pretty good at beginning a healthy, active lifestyle . . . but not so great at maintaining it.
Almost 2 months ago, something just clicked, & Michael & I not only began eating healthy & exercising, we kept it up. We trekked down to the bike trail that winds along the river 4 days a week, I worked out on the weekends while Michael went to his job, & we completely eschewed eating out, opting instead for home-cooked meals & homemade smoothies. No more ice cream, fries, or deep-fried chicken for us! Now we focused on farm-fresh eggs & dairy, coconut oil, fruits & veggies, & smaller portions. When I was hungry, I would picture my stomach & try to eat enough to cover the bottom instead of filling the whole thing. We ate just until we didn't feel hungry anymore; no more stuffing ourselves. And we felt great! Even on our camping trip, we strove not to undo all our hard work & maintain these principles.
Three days ago, Michael came home with a pregnancy test in hand. I looked at him sideways & initally refused to take it. Yes, I was late, but that had happened not so long ago as well, so I had decided that my body was simply rebelling against me. Yes, I'd had a little nausea the last 4 evenings, but that was just the food I'd eaten. Again, apparently, my body just hated me. But, I can't look into those beautiful blue eyes & deny him anything for long. So, I took the test, all the while lamenting that I didn't know why on earth we were doing this. "I'm never going to get a positive!", said I. He asked me to check to make sure the line in the test window showed up, indicating that we had done the test properly. I picked it up. "Ummmm . . . I think you need to come in here & turn on the light, because I think my eyes are playing tricks on me!" There it was - a bold, blue plus sign. But, that just can't be. My brain shut down. We snapped a picture on the cell phone & sent it to Beth, because I thought she would know what this meant. I just couldn't accept what I was seeing. She squealed with delight, "YOU'RE PREGNANT!!!" Michael raced out to get a digital test while I peppered her with the same questions repeatedly: "Can you get a false positive?"; "Can I trust this?"; "Is this for real?" Three days later, I'm still stunned. I keep looking at Michael & dreamily saying, "We're having a baby."
We're having a baby!!!
I married Michael when I was 29, & we were full of hope for our future. We knew we had a hard road ahead of us in the children department. And thus has been our experience. In the course of our marriage, we've had grief over a disrupted adoption process & childlessness. I'm ashamed to say that I even railed at God a few short months ago, momentarily questioning the most basic truths of His love & goodness like a child throwing a temper tantrum because she's denied something she wants. I've had my medical diagnosis against me & neither Michael nor I are what you'd call slender, if you know what I mean! ;-) With PCOS, this is a definite strike against conception. Almost 4 1/2 years have come & gone since our wedding, & we've done pretty good at beginning a healthy, active lifestyle . . . but not so great at maintaining it.
Almost 2 months ago, something just clicked, & Michael & I not only began eating healthy & exercising, we kept it up. We trekked down to the bike trail that winds along the river 4 days a week, I worked out on the weekends while Michael went to his job, & we completely eschewed eating out, opting instead for home-cooked meals & homemade smoothies. No more ice cream, fries, or deep-fried chicken for us! Now we focused on farm-fresh eggs & dairy, coconut oil, fruits & veggies, & smaller portions. When I was hungry, I would picture my stomach & try to eat enough to cover the bottom instead of filling the whole thing. We ate just until we didn't feel hungry anymore; no more stuffing ourselves. And we felt great! Even on our camping trip, we strove not to undo all our hard work & maintain these principles.
Three days ago, Michael came home with a pregnancy test in hand. I looked at him sideways & initally refused to take it. Yes, I was late, but that had happened not so long ago as well, so I had decided that my body was simply rebelling against me. Yes, I'd had a little nausea the last 4 evenings, but that was just the food I'd eaten. Again, apparently, my body just hated me. But, I can't look into those beautiful blue eyes & deny him anything for long. So, I took the test, all the while lamenting that I didn't know why on earth we were doing this. "I'm never going to get a positive!", said I. He asked me to check to make sure the line in the test window showed up, indicating that we had done the test properly. I picked it up. "Ummmm . . . I think you need to come in here & turn on the light, because I think my eyes are playing tricks on me!" There it was - a bold, blue plus sign. But, that just can't be. My brain shut down. We snapped a picture on the cell phone & sent it to Beth, because I thought she would know what this meant. I just couldn't accept what I was seeing. She squealed with delight, "YOU'RE PREGNANT!!!" Michael raced out to get a digital test while I peppered her with the same questions repeatedly: "Can you get a false positive?"; "Can I trust this?"; "Is this for real?" Three days later, I'm still stunned. I keep looking at Michael & dreamily saying, "We're having a baby."
We're having a baby!!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Laying a Foundation
For the first time in our marriage so far, we have a big indicator that I might be pregnant. Turns out, I'm just sick. I've wondered for days now if God might finally (well, "finally" in my mind, although that's probably wrong thinking) be granting my heart's desire by giving us children. I couldn't bear to take the test, though, in case it was negative. But my hand was lovingly forced at the doctor's office today. He knows how much we want to have children, & he's a wonderful doctor, so he was genuinely sorry to pronounce the results. At least I know now. But, realizing the possibility has set my mind whirling on how I want things to go if the time ever does come that I am with child. Thinking that I might have a child within me, several things occurred to me:
-I was more conscious of the attitudes & feelings that I allowed to hold sway. I don't want any sinfully negative feelings to affect our baby. I realize I can't always prevent this - something I've just proven over here; I am human, after all - but that doesn't mean I shouldn't fight against it.
-I was more conscious of what food I put into my body. I want our child/children to have the healthiest environment possible as they're developing. I do not want their little bodies to be invaded with the harmful chemicals found in so much of our food today, thanks to processing. And then, I want this healthy habit to continue throughout their lives.
-I was more conscious of the words I allowed to come out of my mouth. Even though a baby at this stage wouldn't be able to hear me, I would want to start a pattern of speech where I'm more in control of my tongue.
-I began to think of all of the ways that we want to raise our children. How we want them to love God first & foremost & for this to show in their conduct towards others. I thought of all of the things that I need to do - that I need to know - to be the best mother possible.
These are just some of the thoughts that paraded through my mind in the past few days. Even though I'm not pregnant, that doesn't mean that all of this thinking was in vain. I can - no, I must - lay the groundwork for each of these things now. I must have control over my own feelings & over my tongue. I've had a practically life-long battle with attitudes & behaviors towards food, but I must begin that fight again & win this time. In thinking of our baby's health, it occurred to me that I don't want anything unnatural going into my body &, thus, into his/hers. I can start now preparing a healthy environment for any little one that God gives us in the future. I have a strong desire to be a good mother, & that means many things for me. It is difficult for me not to want to be perfect. I want to be firm, but not too strict; disciplined, but not overbearing; methodical, but able to be spontaneous. I want to be loving & fun. I want to be godly. I won't be perfect. I won't be able to do any of this without fail, nor will I be able to do even the smallest part without the help of God. So, with His aid & in His power, I will lay the foundation for physical, mental, & spiritual health & well-being for our future children. And if He doesn't grant us children? Well, I'll still benefit from the sanctification this endeavor will bring. Nothing is ever in vain when done in Christ!
-I was more conscious of the attitudes & feelings that I allowed to hold sway. I don't want any sinfully negative feelings to affect our baby. I realize I can't always prevent this - something I've just proven over here; I am human, after all - but that doesn't mean I shouldn't fight against it.
-I was more conscious of what food I put into my body. I want our child/children to have the healthiest environment possible as they're developing. I do not want their little bodies to be invaded with the harmful chemicals found in so much of our food today, thanks to processing. And then, I want this healthy habit to continue throughout their lives.
-I was more conscious of the words I allowed to come out of my mouth. Even though a baby at this stage wouldn't be able to hear me, I would want to start a pattern of speech where I'm more in control of my tongue.
-I began to think of all of the ways that we want to raise our children. How we want them to love God first & foremost & for this to show in their conduct towards others. I thought of all of the things that I need to do - that I need to know - to be the best mother possible.
These are just some of the thoughts that paraded through my mind in the past few days. Even though I'm not pregnant, that doesn't mean that all of this thinking was in vain. I can - no, I must - lay the groundwork for each of these things now. I must have control over my own feelings & over my tongue. I've had a practically life-long battle with attitudes & behaviors towards food, but I must begin that fight again & win this time. In thinking of our baby's health, it occurred to me that I don't want anything unnatural going into my body &, thus, into his/hers. I can start now preparing a healthy environment for any little one that God gives us in the future. I have a strong desire to be a good mother, & that means many things for me. It is difficult for me not to want to be perfect. I want to be firm, but not too strict; disciplined, but not overbearing; methodical, but able to be spontaneous. I want to be loving & fun. I want to be godly. I won't be perfect. I won't be able to do any of this without fail, nor will I be able to do even the smallest part without the help of God. So, with His aid & in His power, I will lay the foundation for physical, mental, & spiritual health & well-being for our future children. And if He doesn't grant us children? Well, I'll still benefit from the sanctification this endeavor will bring. Nothing is ever in vain when done in Christ!
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