prayer update: they work

I feel like I need to express my thanks and gratefulness to any and everyone that really has prayed for me and this, yet to be born, baby. Even though she hasn't come yet, and there is still a chance of a repeat c-section, I have been given an amazing opportunity.

When I went to the Dr. on February 17 I was told "if you haven't had the baby by next week (the 24th) we are going to have to schedule your c-section for the week after (March 3rd), because we cannot induce you, and we do not 'let' you go past your due date". I was discouraged but hoped that over the next two weeks, I could hopefully get this done. When I went to the Dr. February 24th (I saw the same physician) I was told "over the last week, all the of practice has met and we've decided that we will augment (induce) labor in v-bac patients (such as myself). So not only do we not need to schedule your c-section, but we will also let you go to 41 weeks (March 10th)". So suddenly what I thought was only a week left to get things going, turned into three! Now, the idea of being pregnant until the 10th doesn't really sound appealing, but nonetheless, I know that it is an answer to the prayers that have been said on our behalf.

What are the chances that the practice would change their minds during the exact week that I was given to make a decision. If I had scheduled that c-section on the 17th, when I was first asked to, I'm quite confident that I would not have been told of the "rule changes" and would've proceeded to have my second c-section sometime next week.

I'm still hoping that I won't need the induction, and that I'll be able to lay on my stomach sooner rather than later, but I just felt like I needed to write all this down and say thank you.

One way or another, I'll have this baby by March 9th.

upcoming event.....

Who here likes to pray? Good, I saw a lot of hands, this is encouraging. If you happen to be sitting around looking for someone or something to pray for, let me through my name, and the name of my baby (which by the way is Samantha, or if it happens to show up a boy, I think it'll be Simon) out there for you. I'm due in a week and am trying to do this whole labor/delivery thing "the way God intended", instead of the way Natalie came....which was, I guess the way that SHE intended. So far things are looking fine, and after a hiccup or two, I'm still trying to be optimistic. But it never hurts to ask for a little extra faith and prayer, on our behalf, that this baby will come safely, and "naturally", at some point in the next 7 days. If that doesn't happen, I promise I won't blame you....much.

And here's a nice melon-y visual for you while you fold your arms and bow your head.

useless

I love sharing this kind of thing. I bought these pacifiers, when I bought diapers from diapers.com, so that I could get free shipping (its the best deal around). They sent the diapers and the pacifiers separately.....how cost effective.

22 months-ish

I cannot bear/bare to post more pictures of our house, cars, yard, sidewalk, all buried deep in snow....but I took this cute picture after Natalie's bath yesterday and though I'd share.

Poor little thing has no idea what's about to hit her with a new baby.

promise you'll make this...and then thank me for it.

Ok, so Janssen needed an idea for a good chocolate dessert. I have the very best idea for her, but it felt way too tacky to copy and paste the whole recipe into a comment on her blog....therefore I had to blog about it here and add the recipe. Its criminal that I don't have a picture, but alas, I don't. I had it the first time at Janaya's birthday dinner (go to that link, laugh a bunch, and then harass her into blogging!!!!) but I've made it once myself, received very appreciated praise for it, and have craved it daily since! Just trust me.

1 pkg devils food cake mix
1-3.9oz pkg instant chocolate pudding
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup hot water
2 cups sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven 350. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil, eggs, water, sour cream and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into the pan. Bake for 1 hour.( Make sure to check it, it make take less or more time depending on your oven.) Allow to cool slightly before removing it from the pan. Then allow it to cool completely.

You can dust it with powdered sugar or use the ganache which is what we use. 2 parts chocolate to 1 part cream. Heat the cream, remove from stove and stir in chocolate to melt, cool until it is the right consistancy to pour over the cake.