Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Who knew...

a love like this.

So for those of you who don't know...our sweet little princess, Daelyn Grace is here.

She made quite the appearance last Wednesday and has been rocking our world since. That's both physically, emotionally and every other aspect of life!!!

I told someone, when I saw her taken and passed from one doctor to the next in the operating room, I literally held my breath and tears just began to flow. That "alien" that resided in me, had made her way and I could see her. Of course the tears just continued when her pediatrician brought her face to mine for the first contact. Sometimes just thinking of the miracle that has been pregnancy and now this new life has me tearing up again.

Its that face that I continue to just stare at...and kiss...and smell and kiss some more.

I can confidently say, my God is a very creative, awesome being to come up with this brilliant idea of bringing forth life.

Okay..so considering I've probably had less than 8 hours of sleep in the past 72+ hours, I'm signing off now to rest while she peacefully naps.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

PS. Remember it may be awhile before I'm regularly blogging again. Got to make sure first things are dealt with first. ;)


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

it's been too long

So I'm still alive.

In the last post, you got how VERY pregnant I was and my new found need to be grateful in the small things. Although painting my toes was a huge deal. lol

Anyway, the past week has been quite interesting. I learned that my little alien is really a chunky monkey with a really big head. I also learned that because of this, what we could call "natural" delivery is a challenge and since then, there has been tons of conversations as I prayed, sought counsel and just tried to "be" with this reality. The "reality" is that having baby via c-section is, according to doctor, the most ideal scenario.


To this end, roller coaster is probably a great way to describe the past week. I'm not opposed to c-sections but I was not prepared to have one personally. Even though D-day (i.e. the day that Daelyn arrives) could be less than 24 hrs away as I'm to be admitted into hospital tomorrow morning with the sunrise, I'm okay with it as an option but still not okay with it...if that makes sense.

Without belaboring the point that probably have no relevance to many of you who are reading, this post is about two things:

1. To officially let you know that I'll be on baby sabbatical beginning now and

2. To just encourage you to know what you want in life. That's an odd point to make and leave so I'll expound a bit before saying adieu.

Because I knew what I wanted as it relates to this pregnancy and more importantly to the labor and delivery experience, I was able to advocate for myself. As my doctor joked yesterday, apparently I read too much. Essentially, even though it was quite scary to say so---I was able to stand my ground and say "slow down, not yet".

For those who don't know me personally, I'm not one to ever question or rebel against authority. I'm a rule-keeper (as compared to my hubby who by nature seems to be a rule-breaker or at the very least a rule-challenger). So with my doctor, who I trust, suggesting...almost requiring one course of action - this put me in a very precarious situation as I said.."not yet". I asked for time. And although she wasn't happy- I got the time I asked for.

During that time, I read, prayed, consulted, prayed, talked...yea you get the point. I found peace with a decision and I'm proud to say, this decision is based on my original desires and has been accepted as a viable course of action for me by the doctor.

For some of you, this process may have been easier...but this was a big step for me. Advocating for my own wants. Somehow it tends to be easier for me to do that for others but I'm proud that I've made this step. However the cookie crumbles tomorrow, I'll know that I didn't just go along with a recommendation or suggestion without question. I took time to question, seek counsel, think, pray...I then challenged and found a happy medium!

As you go about your day tomorrow, send positive thoughts and prayers my way on my D-day!

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Monday, July 15, 2013

I painted my toes!!!

slightly swollen feet WITH pretty toes!
Okay, so that's really not much to blog about BUT at 9 months pregnant...feeling like 12 months pregnant (doesn't really exist), I've got to celebrate the small stuff.

At first I was just excited to myself...but then as I thought more about the feat that is bending over and reaching ones toes with about a 6.5lb baby in your belly and said belly hindering every.single.movement....I had to share. :)

You see, just yesterday, while at church we were celebrating. Nothing in particular...just the goodness of God. We declared and reminded ourself that God is GOOD. We danced and jumped and had ourselves a good ole time. Well, "we" is a bit deceptive. I sat and watched and wished....I found myself even getting a bit sad in such a happy, celebratory atmosphere. So, I redirected my disappointment to thank God that I have full use of my feet even though the pressure from the pregnancy made using these feet a bit more cumbersome. I thanked God that I'm having a healthy pregnancy and despite the discomforts and limitations, that I am carrying a life...a miracle indeed. I thanked God that my voice and arms still worked and so with my voice I was able to sing and shout. With my arms, I was able to clap and wave. I continued this until I forgot that I wasn't able to physically "dance" but I was still praising...it turned out to be a half dance. You know the ones you do when you can't actually get up out your seat to bust a move but you are wiggling in your seat? yea - that!

In my reflections, I realized that its human nature to not miss something until its gone...or taken away from us. In this fast paced life, we tend to take most things for granted. Seriously, when was the last time you noticed that your fingers are agile and moving and respond at will for your to hold a pencil/pen, send a text or wave goodbye?

Its my challenge today..and particularly for the rest of this pregnancy (as I experience tons of discomfort) to remember all that I am blessed with...even as I may be slightly limited due to a rapidly growing human alien and uterus to accommodate this little alien! ;)


Grace peace and love (and pretty toes),
Gia