Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Week 15: Recovering from Honduras!

Sorry about the angry face... I didn't really intend to put this on the world wide web!  But I am NOT poking my tummy out!  That is a legitimate pooch!


How far along? 15 weeks, baby!
Baby’s size? Um, a naval orange? Is that like a big orange!?
Total weight gain/loss: I will find out for sure next Friday at my next doctor's appointment.  I think I've actually gained a few pounds.  Only because I've eaten more (and higher calorie) meals this past week than I have in 3 months!  That Honduran food is FIIIIILING!  And hopefully super fattening!
Maternity clothes? Since I've been back in the states, I've worn my maternity jeans and shorts because oh my stars they are the most comfortable things ever.  OH!  And my best friend is getting married on Saturday and my bridesmaids dress FITS!  And if I hold my tummy, you can see my bump!
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: The bed I slept on in Honduras wasn't too comfy, but I still slept well.  After 14 hours of traveling on Monday, my own bed and pillow was pure bliss.  I've had a stuffy nose since Sunday and that hasn't really affected my sleep either.  Thank goodness!  I have an early flight to Houston in the morning and I'm planning on going to sleep immediately after I finish this blog and I'm praying for good sleep tonight too (I have to wake up at 4:15am).
Best moment this week: Worshipping with the Honduras on Sunday morning!  I love to hear singing in another language- it reminds me how BIG our God is.  And that we are ALL made in His image. 
Miss Anything? My appetite.  It was great in Honduras, but it's starting to wane a bit again.
Movement: Honestly, I think I am feeling something.  I know I don't know what I'm trying to feel, but I think I feel flutters.  It might be gas, but I'm convinced I feel something.
Food cravings: Not a thing.  
Anything making you queasy or sick: Everything?  Honestly, my tummy hasn't felt great since getting back on Monday.  Blech.
Gender: Still set to find out at the end of July
Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Queasy, queasy, queasy! And absolutely knackerd!
Belly Button in or out? In!  And I have a feeling it's going to be in for a while.  I have a SUPER deep belly button.
Wedding rings on or off? On!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Honestly, I've been pretty moody.  *sigh* My sweet and patient husband has been very understanding.  I don't really have a desire to do much or even smile.  And I've got SO much to smile about.  I've felt completely overwhelmed by my summer schedule and I've been feeling super sick.  I think I caught a cold from some of the kiddos that I loved on last week, so on top of feeling queasy, I've been congested and had a sore throat.  I didn't even go into work today.  I'm ready to be back to my normal self!  
Looking forward to: DEANNA'S WEDDING THIS WEEKEND!  As overwhelmed as I am, I am SO excited that I'm going to get to watch my best friend get married!  And stand by her side as the maid (matron?) of honor!  This has been a day that has been LOOOONG coming and we've prayed about this since high school.  God is SO good!  I can't wait to share in Deanna and Kevin's BIG DAY!
Please pray for: The summer.  I know that's super vague, but I've been praying that God will transform lives this summer.  The lives of my teens, the lives of our congregation... We have so much good stuff offered this summer and I'm praying that I will move out of the way and let HIM move!

I hope everyone has had a good week.  I'm so blessed by so many things.  This past week in Honduras was just GOOD.  Thank you for all your prayers for this past week.  I can't wait to go back (though it will be a while before I do go back with Nugget on the way).  It will be a trip that I know I want Nugget to go on.  Please pray for the community of Campamento.  The people that we met there are so amazing!  The US folks that are there are working so hard and are making such a blessed impact on the Hondurans there.  Prayers all around!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Week 14: Honduras style!

This week has already been crazy awesome. As you know (or can tell by the title) I'm in Honduras for 8 days. This update might look a little different than any other. I love this place and love the work we have been a part of. Even if it is a little different for me since I'm pregnant. Thankfully God has given me great strength and sustenance. I've had to modify things a little, but have been able to do much.
A great little story: Sunday in class I was teaching my teens four different names of God. The final one we discussed was Jehovah Jirah which means "the God who provides." It was incredible how much that rang true to me just 24 hours away from traveling to a place where i was concerned I would struggle physically (I had trouble sleeping all last week because I was worrying about how I was going to make it on this trip). Jehovah Jirah has provided me exactly what I need- and continues to humble me in my unbelief!
How far along are you? 14 weeks!
Baby’s size? A large lemon or an apple depending on what website you visit.
Total weight gain/loss: I'm not totally sure but it's still probably close to 10 pounds lost. I'm praying for some weight gain at my next appointment in a few weeks though! Hopefully this Honduran food will help get me there!
Maternity clothes? This week I'm living in scrub pants! Thank goodness for comfy pants!
Stretch marks? None.
Sleep: It's been a little rocky this week. The stress of this trip to Honduras has woken and kept me up a few times this week. Plus waking up at 2:30am for a flight Monday didn't help. Thankfully, I have slept nicely since being in Honduras!
Best moment this week: Laying my head down Monday night. Y'all, it was the best thing ever to know that we all made it safely to Honduras and are ready to love on people. Absolute bliss.
Miss Anything? At this moment it's Mr. Most of the team is in Tegucigalpa at the Honduras/Jamaica soccer match. We decided it was probably for the best that I stay here with two other women on our team. Love that guy!
Movement: Nope. But I read that if you press down on your abdomen, your baby has reflexes and will react to your pressing. Is it bad that I do that and think "I'm annoying my baby!"
Food cravings: Ice! It's hard to come by here in Honduras. Bobby has been keeping me stocked though!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing specific. I'm working hard to not think too much about what I eat this week. Just shoving it down. We were at a dump in Tegucigalpa Monday afternoon and I was concerned the smell would really get to me. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad!
Gender: We will find out at the end of July (God willing!)
Labor Signs: Not a one (and I'm so grateful for that right now)
Symptoms: I've been tired and a little queasy so far this week. God has truly been providing since I've been on the trip because I definitely did not feel this way last week. Praise God for His victories!
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On.  But the Honduran air has certainly made my hands swell!
Happy or Moody most of the of the time? Pretty happy so far this week! I will say that I have been super weepy though since getting to Honduras. I held a 6 day old baby Tuesday and oh my word! Tear city! She was just the sweetest thing! Her name was Luly. And I'm teary just thinking about it!
Looking forward to? More of Gods awesome work here in Honduras!
Please be praying for: The rest of our trip in Honduras. We have already all had amazing experiences of God's compassion. I can't tell you how blessed I am to be a part of this trip. And our team is so great- praise Him!!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Thankful Thursday

I have been feeling terrible all week (last Friday seems so long ago...). But just because I'm feeling bad, doesn't mean that I'm not thankful for an awful lot!  Continue to keep me and our team that's going to Honduras next week!

In no particular order, things I'm thankful for this week:

-This baby growing inside me.  It's sucking the life out of me, but I can't believe that God is blessing me and Mr. with this child.  I'm in awe.  And I can't wait to be a mom.  Gosh, I get teary just thinking about it.

-Mr. Ya'll, he's been awesome and SO understanding.  He's taken super good care of me and makes sure that I eat, drink, take my medicine... even if I fight back tooth and nail, he makes sure that I'm taking care of my body and the baby.

-Sprite. And ice.  Otherwise, I'd be in the hospital dehydrated.

-Our blooming garden! It's growing like crazy!

-My team to Honduras. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to spending a week with these 13 folks. I'm so excited for the plans God has in store! Praise God for an awesome community of believers. I just love my church family and I'm ready to build and strengthen some relationships on this trip as well as work for a community of believers in Campamento.

Praise God for His many blessings!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

13 Weeks!

So, I'm 13 weeks (as of Monday) and depending on what you read, I'm either already in the 2nd trimester, or I'll be in the 2nd trimester next week.  In Lauren World, I'm in the 2nd trimester already.  Cause I HATE LOATHE AND DESPISE the 1st trimester.  I've got high hopes for the 2nd trimester and am fervently praying that it's better than the 1st.

I found a great template of questions to answer each week from My Food and Fitness Diaries.  I found Ashley's website through ANOTHER blog I've been reading (Clean Eating Chelsey).  Love these great bloggers and their journey of pregnancy!

On with week 13:


How far along? 13 weeks- and just in case you missed the memo above, I'm considering myself in the 2nd trimester!
Baby’s size? About the size of a peach.
Total weight gain/loss: I've lost a total of 10 pounds.  *sigh*  Hopefully I'll get a normal appetite back soon.  The 1st trimester has been really hard.  I've been super nauseous (though I've only thrown up 3 times) and so it's been hard to eat anything.  I told Mr. the other day that I'm probably getting all my calories through Gatorade and Sprite.  Water gives me heartburn.
Maternity clothes? I bought a pair of maternity jeans and a maternity skirt from Old Navy and OH. MY. STARS.  I've been getting a little thicker around the waist and I think I'll wear elastic waist forever.  If I wear my regular jeans, I won't keep them buttoned the entire day.  TMI?
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: I've slept like a rock this past week.  Typically I'll fall asleep around 11pm and while watching reruns of the Office or the Mr. watching McGyver (yay Netflix).
Best moment this week: Last Friday I felt absolutely AMAZING.  Like I had a desire to go shopping (which hasn't happened in 2 and a half months).  I ran errands, met Mr. for lunch, shopped for fun at Ulta (and found an awesome mascara for $3), and went and saw a movie with my sweet friend Meredith.
Miss Anything? Drinking water.  I can't tell you how much I dread drinking water.  I've started to get big cups of ice and eating that.  I make sure to drink 8 oz. a day, but that's usually all I can handle.  And it has to be absolutely ice cold.  Lukewarm anything aint going to cut it. 
Movement: Sometimes if I'm really really still I'll think I MIGHT feel something.  But then I realize I'm just making it up in my head.
Food cravings: Popsicles.  Anything icy and really cold.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Lukewarm water.  The dogs' food (I hold my breath when I feed them). Most sweets sound terrible.  Blech.
Gender: We will find out at the end of July (God willing!)
Labor Signs: Not a one (and I'm so grateful for that right now)
Symptoms: Extreme exhaustion and nausea.  A friend of mine and I were talking the other day about how NO ONE prepared us for the exhaustion of pregnancy.  There have been days when I literally can't get out of bed and have had to call in to work (and I can't tell you how thankful I am for the amazing and understanding co-workers I have).  There was a point at about 8 and 9 weeks that I was taking 2 one hour long naps a day.  And then going to bed at like 9pm.  
Nausea has been ridiculous.  Like I said above, I've only thrown up a few times, but I've been completely unable to eat.  To the point where Mr. and I have had arguments about me eating.  My doctor put me on Zofran to try and help the nausea so I wouldn't continue to lose weight.  
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On.  Though Mr. has had swollen hands the past few days... curious.
Happy or Moody most of the time: It depends on the day and how nauseous I feel.  If I am nauseous, I'm VERY mopey.  To the point where Mr. has made it his personal mission to make me smile and I still won't.  I have noticed that I cry a lot more and at the DROP OF A HAT.  We're talking, I cried during BATTLESHIP.  Yeah.  Judge away.
Looking forward to: Feeling better! Especially since I'm leading a team on a mission trip to Honduras next week!
And I'm adding this question:
Please be praying for: Our trip to Honduras!  There are 14 of us traveling next Monday (the 10th) and we'll be getting back the following Monday (the 17th).  Thankfully there are plenty of medical type people going (including the Mr.) so I know that Nugget (a nickname my sister gave the baby) will be well taken care of.  I just hope that I'm feeling well enough to fully contribute.  And even if I don't, my prayer is that God will use me exactly how I need to be used- whether I feel good or not.  Please pray for safe travels and God's will be done in the town of Campamento.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

And I might be back...

Well, I'm going to try again.  I've come to grips with the fact that I'm a bad blogger.  Maybe I'll get better...

Honestly I love the idea of blogging and journaling, but I've just never been good at it.  I've got at least 10 journals that I've started and then abandoned since I was in high school (and going back to the ones in high school are embarrassingly hilarious).  And I've been better at blogging in the past (laurengrags.blogspot.com and laurengrags.livejournal.com for some interesting reads... don't make fun!)

So I'm back for another try at it.

I would really REALLY love to document how all the pregnancy nuances with Baby Carnathan for my family and friends who don't live close.  Hopefully I'll keep that up if nothing else.  I've found several templates to do weekly updates that should help me be a little more organized.

So here I go again!