tnewbell's Xanga

A Business Idea for My Creative Friends

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:08:57 GMT

So I just found out that my creative friend in the DC area is not offering her photo card thingys to folks outside of her local area this year. Last year I ran into the same thing but last minute she opened it up but it was too last minute for us financially (we had decided to skip it and spent the money on something else). This year however I think we might do it with a new baby and all and since we won't be buying Christmas gifts for everyone in our fam because of the new baby, etc.

Here's the thing- I am not creative in the least bit when it comes to designs and such but think it's fascinating and would love to buy a photo card to give out for Christmas that wasn't generic. I could create one I guess but how much more fun would it be for someone else to do it for me-haha! What a great little side business that could be. There are so many folks who purchase those cards. What a great way to be a HELP MATE (if it's helpful) or use the gifts God has given you.

So I urge you creative friends of mine- create this (for me!-giggle). All I can offer is administrative help and encouragement because I'm just not gifted this way!

Josh Harris just did a message on the Proverbs 31 woman listen at Cov Life Church....

Enjoy! Create! and Call me if you do!! :)

What a Difference a Day Makes! 37 Week Update

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:16:28 GMT

Last week I didn't post an update because it seemed like I was getting a lot of "bad news" and I just wanted to wait and pray and see what this week would bring. So first let me recap last Thursday.

Last week we discovered that I have a wheat and/or gluten allergy that may or may not be pregnancy induced. I was a little shocked but immediately consulted some friends who helped me tremendously! My iron was still dangerously low and so again I decided to try to figure out ways to really take action and get this thing up (not sure if it's working, I will know tomorrow but I do feel great). Then I was told my fluids were low (amniotic fluids) and the doctor wanted to see me sooner this week. Finally I got into a little fender bender (wasn't my fault) but we were all okay. This was all on Thursday. Thursday was a bit trying and so I didn't feel an update would really serve anyone! But I am thankful to the friends who prayed and that nothing was more than I can could bare because God is faithful AND His mercies are NEW in the morning. I was thankful for Friday to come!

Today I went in expecting them to admit me in the hospital. My doula, Sharon, and Thern came to support me. First, it was just so fun chatting with my doula. I just am so thankful for her. My fluids went up by 5 pts. (or mliters- I have no idea how it's measured)!!! That's GREAT news! AND I'm 50% effaced and 1/2 to 1 centimeter dilated! Woohoo! I was really praying that I would be effaced because I was 2 centimeters dilated with Weston for three weeks prior to his birth and not effaced and so there was no real progress until my water broke.

All this to say, prayers were answered and things are looking really good! Hopefully Sydney will come before Nov. 16th because they'd like to induce me then. YES- I go "naturally" and get induced- I know crazy! Oh and I lost 1 lb! This may seem superficial but when you've gained 15 more pounds than you did when you gave birth to your first and your part time job is exercise, it's good news!

One last funny story- my doctor, my doula and my sweet hubby all asked me to try to "wait" (as if I have some control over it) because this is a busy week and two of them are tied up this weekend! It was so funny. They all shared their various reasons why Sydney needed to wait until Monday! :)

I say: BRING ON THE PAIN! :) I want to see this girl!

Weston's Dinner Time Habit!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:32:54 GMT

Weston loves to sing this little song thanking God for his food at the end of some meals and then he flies off the chair like superman. Did I mention it's to the theme of Superman! So funny and so very cute. My friends, the Maples, are watching Weston while I give birth and so I gave them a "heads up" about this little sweet habit of his. I thought I'd post the videos I did last week so they and my fam and friends could get a look. I couldn't get the whole thing!!

So, A- here's what you have to look forward to! I know, he's a little more, how can I say this, rambunctious than your little Sadie during dinner-haha!

(someone please teach me how to embed videos!!)

Here's a pic of little Sadie. Weston's little friend he adores.

36 Week Pics and Sydney's new bed

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:59:50 GMT

Thern took some pics of Weston and I with our babies (see pics). 36 weeks!!

Weston has his giraffe baby. (AND super man shirt and batman underwear-haha)

Weston kissing Sydney!

Weston asked me to kiss his baby too...:)

More kisses from Weston.

Weston's crib was recalled so we needed to get Sydney a new bed. Thankfully we got a voucher from the old crib company. Weston and I went to Babies R Us yesterday afternoon and bought this sweet bed. Can't wait to put it together!

Oh so soon!

A Weston First!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:10:12 GMT

Had a weird experience today. Weston's train came apart and he began to cry. I came to help him and he put his hand up and sad "NO!" still crying. I sat down to see what he would do. He fixed it himself. It's a little complicated to fix because it's a hill that is balanced by two blocks. Then he said, "See Mommy!" I said good job buddy. I was slightly sad. I know he needs me but to see him be so independent made me just slightly sad. I was also really proud of him for learning how to do it himself and consoling himself.

My big boy! He was actually awake but his little eyes were closed for the picture. He is so sweet- rubbing my head!

35 Weeks and Counting: A Few Updates

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:01:59 GMT

I can hardly believe it but I'm finally here! In a few short weeks I'll be holding my little girl Sydney, by the grace of God. I am so excited and thankful. I still can't get over the fact that I have a son let alone I get to now have a little girl. What a blessing! At church this Sunday I was speaking with a few friends and realized I have completely confused a few folks and thought maybe it's just time for an update.

Bedrest:

I was never on bedrest but I was praying and had friends praying that I would not be placed on bedrest. Well I'm happy to say that those prayers were answered! At this point they would not place me on bedrest even if I were having contractions. Thank you to all who prayed. I am very thankful to have been able to function seminormally (nothings normal during pregnancy!).

Low Iron:

I had my blood drawn again and I am still very low and they have offically classified me as anemic. I am taking the pills but not much is happening. So I'd like to ask for another prayer request, please pray that my blood iron level miraculously increases before her birth. There is some danger with giving birth and being anemic such as hemorrhaging and needing a blood transfusion. I'd like to have my own blood increase rather than borrow someone else's- I'm just sayin'. Seriously, it can be dangerous and thank you for praying!

Rest:

I am really looking forward to November because I will no longer be working my part-time job, the house will be ready for this new life to come on in, and I'll be able to rest. I am learning though that I don't rest well. Please pray that I would be humble and not proud and self-sufficient. Part of the reason I look forward to Sydney coming is because I will be forced to rest! I'd like though to rest now and listen to my sweet hubby when he says "sit down".

Weston:

I've been asked several times if Weston is excited for Sydney to come. Truth is, we won't know until she is here. My doula gave me a few ideas for ways to include him or get him excited such as have him pick out a gift for her for him to give at her birth, buy a special box of toys that he can only play with while I nurse, etc. He refuses to buy her a gift! It's actually hilarious. Every time I ask him if he'd like to pick out a gift when we are at Target he says, "NO!" He has zero interest in doing that. The other day my belly was moving around and I had Weston feel it and watch and he kissed her (my belly)! That was priceless! My biggest goal at this point is that he understands she's living and breathing and living and will come out and be with us.

That's about it! Thanks for asking, if you've asked. I'll keep you posted as things progress!

I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness!

Weston's New Room!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:38:06 GMT

As you may know Weston and I took off a few weeks ago and stayed in Nashville so Thern could work on Weston's new room. He converted our office into his room. To do that he also needed (or wanted) to build a wall so Weston wouldn't have access to the front door straight from his room (and for protection reasons). The office had two doors? One right beside the front door and one that went into the hallway.

Thern worked hard and did drywall which he had never done before. Then it was time to sand, prime, paint, etc. He can be a bit of a "perfectionist" when it comes to projects like this so take the above and multiply it by at least two (sand, resand, prime, prime again, etc.). He has one more coat and then it's time to fill the room with Weston's new bed (THANK YOU MUM or MUM and DAD!) and other his toys and clothes.

Here is a look at the process. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of what it looked it before the wall went up.

Here is Thern by his wall!

We put a few colors on the wall and let Weston choose. Weston picked the darker one.

Here it is with one coat. One more coat to go!

Superman by his new wall!

Thern you are my hero! You did such a great job and I'm so proud of all your hardwork. Thanks for thinking to do this (it saved us at least $600!!)! I can't wait until it's all finished. Great job Babe. I love you so much! and you know this man....:)

A First: Weston Helping Himself to OJ Out of the Fridge= Not Pretty

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:44:27 GMT

I decided to take a shower this morning and thought if I put on one of his movies he would do fine to sit there and watch. WRONG! He has never done this before. He got the entire carton of orange juice out of the fridge and poured it into his cup, on the chair and on the floor. When I came in he was standing in a puddle of OJ and dipping his hands in his cup. I guess he was thirsty!

My Doula Sharon

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:00:44 GMT

I'm about to have my doula over for dinner and a refresher on giving birth. I can't wait for her to arrive. She hasn't seen Weston since he was maybe 6 weeks or more! Boy has he changed. This just brings back sweet memories of giving birth to Weston. It was so peaceful and smooth. The birth of Sydney could be so different, so no worries friends, my hope isn't in my past birth experience, but I am praying for a repeat!

Weston was so little! So very sweet!

My Doula Sharon!

A Prayer from a Dear Friend for Sydney and Me

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:06:23 GMT

When Weston was arriving I posted quite a bit about fun memories and once he was here I posted all his milestones. I'd like to do the same for Sydney. My dearest girlfriend Amy wrote out a prayer she prayed for me this evening when I asked her and her husband to pray for me because I am anxious. I was anxious today about being on bedrest with so much yet to do. God has blessed me with such a great friend, a faithful gal who I love so very much.

So, Sydney, if you ever get to read this please know that my friend, and yours, prayed this prayer when you were only 33 weeks. My friend Amy loves you and loves to care for your mommy!

"Psalm 20 says (I'm adding your name since i'm praying this verse for you as i type this) "May the Lord answer TRILLIA in the day of trouble! [since she is having contractions and S needs to stay in there longer and there are so many things to do yet] May the name of the God of Jacob protect SYDNEY! [since she needs the safety of her momma's womb for awhile longer] May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! [through the Bible & dear friends & Thern!] May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! [Jesus was your perfect sacrifice!] May he grant TRILLIA her heart's desire and fulfill all her plans! [Lord, she is asking for trust in you and for S to wait 3 wks!] AMEN!!!! btw, (i'm praying with faith for no bedrest, but if the Lord wills it....) bedrest really is a sweet memory for us---weird, huh! But God is so good and will definitely take care of his sweet daughter Trill."- Love Amy

I am filled with much peace and hope! Thank you A!

So here is a pic of Amy and I, so not the most flattering! This is my wedding shower. She threw me a shower where everyone invited was suppose to dress up as different "people of all nations" because she knows how much I love people of all nations and backgrounds and cultures!