On Saturday, March 6th 2010, the ladies of Calvary Baptist Church of Connersville, IN threw me an amazing shower.  I was so blessed.  So many women attended and brought us some wonderful goodies for our future little one.  Michelle Reynolds, Heather Wright, Jane Mullins coordinated and took care of all the major logistics from food, to games, to helping me keep track of all the goodies.  I was so blessed not only by the generosity of so many people but by their presence.  Having just moved to Indiana in September 2009 and leaving all that was familiar, I was overcome with emotion that so many people would care for me and my family after only knowing us for about 6 months. Words cannot express my gratitude.

We were also blessed that some of our family could come to the shower as well.  I know it was quite a journey but we were so glad to see them.  Micah’s mom, Jeanne Larkins (Mimi) and sister Sarah Mathis (Aunt Sarah) came up on Friday the 5th and stayed with us thru Sunday AM Service before they traveled back to MO.  It was great to visit, eat lots of food, play board games and just enjoy their company. Also, Micah’s Dad, Keith Mathis (Gramps) and Step-Mom, Wanda Mathis (Grammy) came for the shower.  They had a quick trip of coming and leaving on the same day, but we were also really glad to see them and visit even if it was for a short time.

This day was a wonderful day!  It was a great reminder of the importance of family…both blood relatives and our family in Christ.  I am so grateful that thru the loving grace of our Lord we become family.  No matter where I am, if I am with God’s people, I am with my family.

Here are a few pics from the day to enjoy.  It was beautiful.  Thank you to everyone!

Well…Micah and I survived our Birthing Classes.  We were supposed to go on Saturdays, February 6th and 13th…but due to a snow and ice storm they were postponed until Saturdays, February 13th and 20th.  Class ran from 9am – 1pm at McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford, OH and it was facilitated by the BabyBound Nurse, Debbie Baker.  We got up early and headed out to Oxford on that first Saturday.  We arrived to the hospital and headed up to the 2nd floor for our birthing class.  There were about 8 couples in the class.  The first day was filled with introductions and lots of videos.   Ahh…yes…the dreaded videos!

We watched a total of 5 videos.  The first was an overview of the stages of labor…and of course it included a natural birth.  The second video was of a birth with an epidural.  This woman was much more relaxed than any of the others.  The third video was of a woman who took Stadol.  The 4th video was of a woman going all natural and the last video was of a C-Section. Most of the videos were okay, and not too bad.  But every once in awhile there would be some horrible image that would just cause you to cringe and grimace.  Micah sat through them but he didn’t actually watch them.  His face turned a little pale a couple times but for the most part he got out his trusty iPhone and text messaged, tweeted and checked email throughout the videos.  I tried to watch as much as possible but I have to admit…every once in a while I would have to turn my head away.

It was an interesting day.  I was very much aware of what is coming.  I know that God created my body to give  birth…but I also know that the fall of man has increased the pain.  It’s very strange to think that desiring to be a mother outweighs the pain that a woman knows she will have to experience.  Watching those women give birth definitely made the pain factor very real, which is very scary.  But, I am comforted to know that God is with me.

The other part of the first class was all about identifying your desires for the birthing room, but the end result is just to have a healthy baby.  I realize that sometimes the plans I make may not happen, so I must be flexible and understanding if plans have to change.  At this point….I am definitely open to an epidural.  I want to try to wait as long as I can, but if the pain becomes too much I will opt for an epidural.  I don’t really want to take any other drugs.  Some women love them, but meds tend to effect me very strongly.  I don’t want to be in a daze when my baby is born.  The first class helped me at least outline some of my wishes and desires and share them with Micah so that he can be my voice if I am unable to communicate due to concentrating on my labor.

The second class was fun.  This class was more about the different positions you can be in during labor and several relaxation techniques to help you during the labor process.  Micah practiced massage on me, helped me breathe and count, offer encouragement and also help me any way that I need him.  It was a really good experience.  We watched some more videos but they weren’t of the births more of the labor.   In this class we also got to practice dressing and swaddling the baby.  Then we talked about proper breastfeeding techniques.  This class was very hands on and very informative.

Both of the classes gave me an overview of what to expect and the procedures of what to do when you go into labor.  Overall, they helped me realize that I knew more than I thought.  I’m not saying that I am prepared, but at least I feel like I have a basic knowledge of what is to come.  I enjoyed these classes and think that every first time parents should definitely take some kind of class to help you prepare for this journey.

After we finished the classes we enjoyed a nice lunch in Oxford, OH.  The first week we went to Micah’s pick….Chipotle.  The second week we enjoyed pizza at LaRosa’s.  They were both really yummy!  (Can you tell I’m prego?  Everything revolves around food.)

I am officially in my third trimester.  Today I am 28 weeks 4 days.  There is a lot that happens in the last 3 months or so of pregnancy.  And this is definitely uncharted territory for the Mathis household. I did receive good news today at the doctor’s office.  I passed my glucose test and my Iron is back to normal.  So…no extra, icky iron supplements for me.  Yay! Also, I have gained a total of 13 pounds so far…even though my belly seems huge.  Heartburn is the worst of my symptoms and issues and Tums seems to help most of the time.  And…yes….I know that it is supposed to mean she will have lots of hair. 

She is a very active child.  I feel her move quite often and her little gentle pushes are starting to pack quite a punch.  If you see me whince everyonce in a while it is probably her reminding me that she exists.  I can’t complain…I feel blessed to be having a healthy pregnancy.

Now…if I can just figure out what things to buy for this little one.  There is so much stuff out there, and everyone has their preferences.  I have never been more intimidated in my entire life than I was, walking down the bottle ailse at the store. There are so many to choose from.  So many styles, shapes, colors, brands, sizes, etc. Micah keeps looking at me like I am supposed to know what to get.  I keep telling him…I’m new at this too.   We are learning together. By the way…(side note)…I am so grateful for a loving, supportive and actively involved husband.  He has stood by me every step of this pregnancy and even when he doesn’t understand he still does his part and whatever I ask him to do.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband.  I know that even though we have a lot to learn and figure out, we will be fine, because we will do it together.  I love you Micah!

We have lots of upcoming events so there will be a lot more to post in the upcoming days and weeks.  I’ll try to keep you posted on all that is new and interesting.

Third Trimester Begins

Well we told our church family today, and the congregation rejoiced. It was a fantastic outpouring of love and celebration. Our church family has been praying for and hinting at our pregnancy for several years, so today was a much awaited declaration. We used a picture similar to the one we used with our parents to announce the big news. Here it is:

Thank you to all of you who encouraged and congratulated  us. We are so excited to get to share this experience with so many close friends and loved ones. We look forward to the days and weeks ahead as we celebrate God’s blessing on our family.

–Micah

Well almost. As of last night we have told all our parents and immediate family. We will tell the rest of our church family tomorrow morning. Everyone was excited and/or surprised. We gave my mom a Precious Moments figurine and my Dad and Courtney’s parents each got a commemorative picture and frame to break the news. Here is what each looks like:

–Micah