Pregnancy at Week 25

Well as you can see I am trying to catch up in updating.

I can't believe that I am in week 25 of my pregnancy.  When you do the math, out of 40 weeks (for a typical pregnancy), I only have 15 more to go! I can't believe how fast this has been going so far.  I mean, I know there are times I feel like this is taking forever, but when you look at the numbers like that, it's like "woah" where did the time go?  I am in my 5 month, and only have 4 more to go! It just gets me more and more excited to meet this little one. 

As for other pregnancy fun I'm having, I no longer have any morning sickness, although there are smells out there that will make me want to gag.  My belly has definitely gotten bigger.  Sometimes I feel like I am small from where I am supposed to be, but at my last doctor appt, I measured at 24 cm (since I have completed 24 and in 25, so she says I'm right on track.  The heartburn is not very fun, and I'm told the old wives tale is that my baby will have a head of hair with all the heartburn I get.  That should be interesting considering I was a bald baby for awhile.  Back pain has started.  It is not excruciating by all means, but there are times I get up and walk to where I need to go, and I do get a little "Ooo that kinda hurts" feeling.  Not sure if that makes sense at all.  I know as the baby continues to grow that that pain will most likely get sharper.  I just keep telling myself that it WILL be worth it in the end. 

In other words, hopefully the remaining 4 months will go by fast so I can hold my little girl in my arms!

As always, prayer is most welcomed and appreciated for a healthy baby, pregnancy, and momma.  Thanks! :o)

22 Weeks (sorry this was the last one I took)

A Note From God to You -- For Those that Need Encouragement or a Friendly Reminder

Dear [insert your name here],

Today, I will be handling all your problems.  Please remember, I do not need your help.  If a situation you cannot handle happens to appear, DO NOT attempt to resolve it.  Kindly put it in the SFJTD (Something For Jesus To Do) box.  It will be addressed in MY time, not yours.  Once the matter is placed into the box, DO NOT hold on to it or attempt to remove it.  Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem.  If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution.  Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep.  Rest my child.  If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.

Love ALWAYS,
God

Psalm 55:22: “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” AMEN!

I got this out of a book I'm reading so I can't take any credit but it sures makes me feel good! :o)

 

It's A Girl!!

So I have realized I have not done a good job keeping up with this whole blog thing.  Hopefully I will get better at this, most of the time I forget about this, which is why I am bad at blogging.

Well on April 14th, Zach and I found out the wonderful news that we will be having a little girl. :o) I know Zach, as most guys do, would have liked having a boy first, but now that we have been planning for the arrival of our precious little one, he is getting more and more excited for this little girl.  I know he will be such a great dad to her, and that they will have this wonderful father-daughter relationship. 

We are so excited for our new addition! Will try to keep more up-to-date on this!



Here is how we decorated our soon-to-be nursery room
when we announced to our families (our moms and
sisters came down for this).









April -- A Time to Celebrate Christ's Death and Resurrection

I have been impacted by my dad to get just as excited about Easter as I do Christmas time.  Christmas is a significant time of year as it is the time of the birth of our Savior, and the worldly decorations make the holiday such a warm and joyful time of year.  However, Easter is just as, if not more, important than Christmas. 

There are countless scriptures in the Old Testament that refer to the coming of Jesus and what He will do for us.  It was not until the New Testament that what the Old Testament prophets came true.  Even Jesus himself tells his disciples of what is to happen, and that there is nothing they can do to prevent it.  His first predictions of his own death (and the meaning behind it) are found in Matthew 16: 21-28; Mark 8:31-38; and Luke 9: 21-27.  Take a look at those verses as sometimes we lose sight of why it was necessary for Jesus to go through with the crucifixtion. 

After seeing the movie "The Passion", my viewpoint of how much pain Jesus truly did endure changed.  When you are given a visual of what he went through (which the movie did a pretty good job), it changes your perspective a bit more.  Seeing what how the movie depicted Jesus crucifixtion, and everything leading up to him on the cross, was definitely eye-opening, and made me truly thankful for what he endured for all of us.  It also makes you realize how much God really LOVES us.  I don't know any human father that would be so willing to let their son go through what Jesus did for the sake of others.  It goes to show how great our God is and how His love is so deep for us.  I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to go through what Jesus went through. 

Take this time to thank God for all that He has done, and use this time to really celebrate the life we can have in Heaven because of what Jesus did for us on the cross!!

10 Reasons Why I have a Relationship With God

10. He NEVER breaks His promises

9. He protects me, and helps me fight my battles (Exodus 14:14) –can’t get any better than that have God fighting on my side

8. When the world/people seem to turn their back on me, I know He is ALWAYS there!

7. I ALWAYS have a friend who is there for me, and is willing to listen

6. There is NOTHING you can EVER do to make Him stop loving you

5. It is through Him I have hope & peace, and filled with joy & purpose & self-worth in this life

4. He is available ANY TIME OF DAY for me, and I’m NEVER an inconvenience

3. His forgiveness and mercy is INFINITE, and through that example, I can forgive others

2. When you have a relationship with God, everything that mattered before doesn’t because it is through Him I find fulfillment, and nothing in this world can do that.

1. He sent his son to die for me, and save me from an eternally miserable life in Hell, and the least I can do is dedicate my life to saving those that need Him and the good news too!

These are just some of the great things you can have….there is so much more!! Do not be afraid to ask questions and explore to learn more about Him J

"Life's Sunny Moments" Photography

For those that have not already seen this on facebook, yes I am getting into photography.  However, this will not be a full-time thing whatsoever, but more a hobby of mine.  My goal is to use this passion for photography, and serve the church (as well as others) with taking portrait pictures like family, baby, senior, etc.  I don't plan on ever doing weddings, unless I go as a guest, and just take some snapshots of my own--too much pressure to be a wedding photographer!  Props to those that do do the weddings. 

Anyways, I am just getting started so right now I'm using every opportunity to get practice in, so I had asked some of the girls in the youth group if they would like to be my models, and of course with these girls, there is no hesitation! I am thankful I have such a good group to work with. 

Here is a little of what I have done so far.....I'll be doing my first baby portraits once one of my besties has her baby in April! I am so excited for her!!

Day 101 of My Pregnancy Journey



Kelly & Lexy made this for Bella...She is so cute!



So yesterday marked the 100th day of my pregnancy, and according to my tracker, I have only approx. 180 (now 179) days left till I meet my little bundle of joy!! I can't believe how fast this is going by!! I am now a second week into my second trimester.  And for all those that are wondering, I am feeling much better even though I really didn't have the whole morning sickness thing that bad.  I still get tired quite a bit, but I am trying to motivate myself to go on walks with Bella so we both get exercise, and to help with my fatigue.  I still have food aversions, so it is still sometimes hard to find something to eat that sounds good to me....I mean even pizza sometimes sounds so gross to me, and who doesn't like pizza?? I do get pregnancy heartburn as they call it, so sometimes that is annoying.  I love drinking milk and eating ice cream, but I don't think I can just survive on that :o) 



My Week 15 Baby Bump...yes that little pudge is
my bump as that was not there before :o)



I have started to get a little bit of a baby bump now.  Some of my dress pants that I wear to work are getting a little snug around the waist, and there are times I have to not button them and just wear long shirts! haha At this point in time, I wish I could wear sweatpants every where I go.  They are just way more comfortable. 



I am excited for next month.....Zach and I will find out if we will be having a boy or a girl!!







Baby Schaef's First Baby Toy w/ Blankie....
Thanks Bitsy! :o)