aloha friday!

Good morning! And happy aloha Friday!

(Lack of) Nap time! There's got to be an easier way, especially since it's a bed.

Whew. Well I can say it has been QUITE the week for the entire family. I think it's safe to say that we'll all be happy when this week is officially over. There have been a lot of answered prayers this week. I haven't had my procedure yet, but I have faith in God and my doctors, and that by this afternoon I'll be resting comfortably at home with a short recovery time. Thankfully Rob picked up some Ben & Jerry's and I rented Happy Christmas from Redox to "help" with my recovery. I know I'm being overly dramatic about this.

Like I said, I'll go to the hospital this morning for my cerclage. It's a small, not uncommon procedure that I'll have to venture downstairs (operating rooms) to have done. I don't like the feelings that going down there brings, and I'm sure you all know why. However, this time it's different, and I'm relieved that there's something that can be done to help my baby, and give her the best possible chance of a full-term ride in my belly. They'll give me a spinal, and sedative to put me in a "twilight." I don't think the procedure takes more than 15 minutes. I pray for the hands of the doctors, and that there won't be any complications.

Can I just say that I love my doctor. LOVE. And how I even got to be her patient is a total "God thing." I mean, truly. Not only do I love my doctor, I love that my friend is my ultrasound technician. I met her at Kaia, and I just love her and the fact she's doing all my ultrasounds. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even be part of this wonderful practice. Christian got to see Baby Sister (our "official" name for her) for the first time on Wednesday, and his exact words were, "it was REALLY SUPER COOL." Rob couldn't be there, but he told him all about how Baby Sister was kicking her legs.

Other really super cool things?

Parachute time.

And finding multiple uses for floor samples. 

Right now I am supposed to be in Seattle for Stroller Strides Instructor training. However, for the 3rd time it seems, it just wasn't meant to be. I had that feeling. When I originally signed up to be an instructor, I was PUMPED. I love Stroller Strides and all that it has provided me - mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically. It has been a huge part of my life since Christian was little. But then the hurricanes came the first weekend I was supposed to go, so it didn't happen. I rescheduled to go to Phoenix in October. I got the dates wrong, which is so unlike me and my Type-A personality. (I blame pregnancy brain and the raging sinus infection I was battling.) I rescheduled again, for this weekend in Seattle. But with so many other things on my plate, my heart just wasn't in it anymore, and the whole idea of going just felt like "too much."

I didn't exercise much during the first trimester because first trimester. I've lost a lot of endurance. There's been a lot of doctor's appointments I've been juggling, all the buying a house stuff, and just plain and simple, I did not feel like getting on an airplane to fly to Seattle because I am tired and overwhelmed. Since we're buying a house on the other side of the island, I wouldn't be teaching for Honolulu. I just felt like what's the point? But on Wednesday, my doctor said, "no, cancel the trip." I am so grateful to my husband who said (despite the fact that we could lose all the money we paid to register for training), to do what I felt was best for me. He supported my decision to go or not to go, no matter what. I love that man. He really gets me. We still may lose the money I paid to register. Originally, the best they could do is put the funds on hold for another time, which I can't imagine would happen within the next year-and-a-half, but I guess we'll see. I will say that our franchise owner has been wonderful in trying to make this work for me.

All THAT being said, I would rather NOT have to have a cerclage, and still be able to go. With the cerclage in, I am limited to normal daily stuff, that does not include exercise. My doctor said I could do upper body work, and floor Pilates, just no lifting (including Christian) or running, or walking more than "general walking." Thankfully Christian doesn't want to be carried much these days anyway, and it'll all be worth it when we're holding our baby in our arms.

Ok whew. Long winded much?

Yesterday we took a small break from racing cars to paint a few pictures. It was short lived because nothing trumps racing cars. Thanks Nannie for the new "off road" Cars! They're obviously a huge hit! He sleeps with them. 

T minus 1 hour and we're off to the hospital. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

please stay

My love, 

Please stay. 

Stay where it's safe, where you can grow, become a fat baby, and then come meet your family that has been praying endlessly for you, including an excited big brother, and a less excited big cat. You see, you are our unexpected miracle, the baby we didn't ever think we would have, but you surprised us in the best way possible. And for now, you are right where you belong, protected and safe.

Today we found out that I will need a cerclage; and coupled with my weekly progesterone shots, we're hoping these things will give you the best possible chance of being able to stay right where you need to be. We are desperate to meet you my love, to hold you, to kiss you, to look longingly in your eyes, but not until we're supposed to. God gave us you, and we are so grateful to be able to love another life, another baby. 

Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." God, thank you for this miracle. I am asking, pleading, please let her stay. Amen.