Chick-fil-A (A.K.A “Pregnant Cow”) Part 2

Today is Cow Appreciation Day!

Last year, I wrote about our Chick-fil-A experience-- at 7 months pregnant I dressed like a cow and walked into the restaurant with Jason on Cow Appreciation day... (read the story for background).

I promised myself that next year (2013) I would dress me baby like a little cow calf this year...and here she is!



I was not really sure we'd make it out this year. I planned to assemble our costumes while she took her morning nap, but for some reason she screamed for about 20 minutes before she slept. She doesn't usually do this, so I wasn't sure what was wrong. I decided to let her cry it out  (and she did), but at 10:30 am or so I still hadn't showered and couldn't find some supplies I thought I had. *deep breathe*

But, I made do with what I found and I think we all came out looking nice...well, er, like cows.
 

The things we do for free food. *shakes head*

Aleigha ate chicken tenders from her first kids meal (this is the first time she has eaten chicken tenders...or a kid's meal). She enjoyed her food! (I did let her eat a few fries too...it's a special day).

She might be looking at the enormous cow...

Aleigha's birth story (Part 3 of 3)

Dear Readers,

Thank you for indulging me while I re-tell my Aleigha's birth story! Enjoy part three!

(If you haven't yet, read Part 1 and Part 2).

I'm sorry it took me a month to tell the story. I didn't meant to take this long....really.

The Decision
Saturday, 2 am
After 48 hours

My labor was stalled again and I was not progressing.

The midwife began talking to us about our "options" again. She explained the risks of extended labor and her concern for the meconium in my water. We could stay and hope that I would fully dilate in the next couple of hours, or, we could transfer to the hospital and try pitocin to stimulate labor. Since my labor was starting to lose intensity (yes, again!), we decided to go to the hospital. My contractions were not likely to cause rapid dilation in the next several hours.

Power of Prayer
After talking to my mom later (after the birth), I learned that she was praying that we would decide to go to the hospital. Not wanting to interfere too much, she kept her thoughts quiet and prayed instead. I can learn a lot from my mother's example. One of her greatest strengths is praying for others. Of course, she speaks up when she needs to, but ultimately, she relies on prayer.

To the hospital!
Although I hoped and worked for a natural, unmediated birth, I was confident that we did all we could. Medical intervention was necessary. Our midwife called the hospital while we packed our bags to leave. My dad's rental car had a spacious backseat, so Jason and I drove with him. I fluffed some pillows around me and gripped Jason's hand. I prayed and prayed that I wouldn't have a lot of contractions in the car.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, my dad was really worried. I think seeing his daughter in labor was hard for him. He drove about 90 miles an hour at 2:30 Saturday morning, cutting a 45 minute drive down to about 25 minutes. Along the way, a police officer pulled us over. When the policeman came to my dad's window, my dad frantically told him, "My daughter is in labor and we're going to the hospital!" The policeman nodded and said, "Alright, go ahead. Just don't speed anymore!" My dad said "ok" and raced on.

Checking in
When we arrived, a nurse took me into a little room where I was checked and monitored. She took my vitals, listened to baby's heart rate, and timed my contractions. While she was asking me personal history questions, my contractions started up again. She took the opportunity to hook me up to a monitor to get a feel for the frequency and strength of each contraction. While she asked us basic medical history questions, the obstetrician on duty walked in. He was planning a c-section for us before he had seen/checked baby or me.

We explained the we were hoping for a vaginal delivery and that we would like to try pitocin first. He was upset with our decision, but he finally agreed to let us try pitocin.

I opted for an epidural, since I didn't want to try to handle pitocin (which makes contractions unatually strong) after 50 hours of labor. The epidural made me feel tingly and heavy, like an overstuffed human bean bag. I couldn't lift my leg if I wanted to. I was concerned so I asked the nurse to give me the lowest dose possible. After a while I could feel pressure, but not pain. Such relief! No. More. Pain. I should've slept, but I felt too excited to sleep. Instead, Jason and I talked and talked-- for what I think was over an hour.

The nurse was sympathetic to our hopes for a vaginal delivery. She administered the lowest dose of pitocin possible, enough to help me dilate but not affect the baby's heartrate too much. Pitocin can cause fetal distress, so too much would create the need for an emergency c-section and too little would not be effective.

She told us that if I did not fully dilate at a certain time (I can't remember the exact time), I would need a c-section. I actually don't remember her saying anything about this time deadline. Jason told me later. I was relaxed in the bed and enjoying the pressure of pain-free contractions.

Our nurse came in to check on me and announced, "Alright, you can push."

What? I can push? Really? I had been on pitocin only a couple of hours.

I tried to think about how I felt. Did I feel the urge to push? Well, maybe a little....?

The nurse came to help me pull one of legs up to my chest, mimicking a squatting position. Jason grabbed my hand and my other leg.

"Ok, get ready." The nurse said. "I am going to help you by telling when to push." A few seconds after a contraction began she said, "Push!"

I pushed. Pushing while not feeling my lower body was hard. I had to think about the muscles I needed.

"Push."  Breathe. "Push."

Jason's face was beaming. The poor guy was exhausted. He hadn't slept much in two days, but his face didn't show any signs of fatigue.

He cheered me on as enthusiastically as any guy would watching a football game. "Push, Aubrey, harder. Dig down deep." 

I wasn't sure what "dig down deep" meant, but Jason and the nurse were convinced that I pushed harder when they said it.

I started feeling more of my lower body again. Soon I could tell when to push on my own.

"Can you see? Can you see the baby yet?"

Not yet-- keep pushing.

The nurse set a mirror up so I could see what was happening while I pushed. I think the mirror was supposed to help me, but I decided I was absolutely not watching myself push. Ever. I did take quick peeks after each push to see if her head was crowning.

Finally, Jason said, "I see her!"

What? I think I stopped pushing a bit early to check the mirror.

"Oh no, her head went back. Push again!"

With each push her head peeped out, and then back in again, and again, and again. 

Finally, the nurse called the obsterecticion (Mr. c-section) in. "We're ready to catch the baby!"

I looked up and saw the room had filled with people. I don't remember how many and I didn't know who they were. A doctor happened to wander aimlessly in as though he were looking for directions. The OB laughed at him and said, "Hey, you wanna watch a birth?"

Really? Aleigha's appearance into the world is not a sideshow! I decided I didn't care as long as Aleigha would come soon!

Push. Push. Push. 

And, at 7:21AM, she was finally born. She needed to be cleaned immediately because of the meconium, so I didn't see her. But I could hear her; she screamed and screamed, clearly upset that her first moment in the world was marred by nurses wrestling her down to aspirate her lungs.

 She was cleaned, measured, weighed, and wrapped in a hospital blanket.

Then, she was brought to me...looking like this....

Meeting mommy for the first time.

Aleigha doing a little victory kick. Thank you to Grandma Waters for taking these pictures!

Aleigha's birth story (Part 2 of 3)

And now, for part 2 of 3...

Trying to Sleep

Saturday, 5 am – 8:30 am

After 27- 30.5 hours in labor

Our room had a king size bed so Jason and I could sleep in the same room…in the same bed! Under other circumstances that would have been romantic, but I was too busy trying to trick my body into sleeping.

My contractions were about 10 minutes apart and losing a bit of their intensity, but resting was not easy. With each contraction I felt pressure on my bladder. Contraction. Pressure. Bathroom. After each bathroom trip, I hoisted my pregnant self back onto the bed, propped the pillows up behind me and tried to nod off to sleep. Sleep. Contraction. Pressure. Bathroom. I would think that after a couple hours my bladder would finally empty. Nope.

Around 8:30 am or so the contractions resumed their intensity and I got out of bed to pelvic rock on the floor.

Rockin' the Labor
Saturday, 8:30 am – 11 am

After 30.5 – 32 hours in labor

When the midwives entered the room, I was crawling on the floor trying to manage the pain without waking Jason up. The midwives checked me again...and I had not progressed since my last cervix check; I was still at 5 cm. Even though I didn't know my progress at the time, I knew my labor was stalling because the midwives' suggested I use natural remedies to intensify contractions. And...I think they worked! My labor became strong again, so strong that I cried and cried and told Jason I "couldn't do it." We sat on the floor and he prayed with me.

I realized that this moment was one of the first times I actually prayed during labor. I felt remorse  for thinking that I could bring a baby into the world without His help. I'm convinced that God was allowing me to be in prolonged labor until I learned to rely on His strength.

An Afternoon Stroll with Jason
Saturday, 11 am- 12:30 pm

After 32-33.5 hours in labor

Since I was getting a little restless in the room, Jason and I (with the approval of the midwives) took a lovely walk around the Birthing Center. My labor began to intensify again as Jason and I walked around the building and down a little footpath. I don't remember what we talked about but I remember enjoying the walk. I needed to stop every few minutes to breath through a contraction, but the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze was a pleasant distraction.

When we returned from our walk I was checked again-- I was still at 5 cm maybe 6 cm. (Note to reader: if you lost track, this is the third check where I was at 5 cm. The first one was 8 hours prior to this one.) While I still didn't know my progress, I could guess from my midwives' reactions; they suggested more natural remedies.

Another Afternoon Stroll with Jason ...and Dad
Saturday, 12:30-2:45 pm
After 33.5-35.75 hours in labor

I am not sure when my dad arrived at the Birthing Center. In God's Providence he was in town on business around my due date. I was hoping that he could meet our baby girl, but instead he came to visit while I labored. Jason and I took another walk...this time with my dad. He and Jason conversed while I lunged through each contraction in an attempt to increase the productivity of each one. From that walk on, I squatted through almost every contraction and tried to "imagine myself opening like a flower." Yes, that sounds a bit nutty, but after 44 hours of labor, I was pretty much willing to try anything! 

Rebozo and other Techniques
Saturday, 2:45 pm - 7:30 pm
After 35.75-39.5 hours in labor

When we returned from our walk, one of the birth assistants came to me with a rebozo (long scarf) and told me that if she could turn the baby labor might progress faster. Aleigha's head was not quite centered over my cervix, which was probably why labor kept stalling.

I got on my hands and knees and she wrapped the scarf around my abdomen. Using the "sifting" technique, she gently but firmly pulled on each side of the scarf. The pressure felt wonderful and helped relive back labor.

During Saturday afternoon and evening, I think I used just about every laboring position available to women. I leaned over the birth ball, sat backwards over the toilet, leaned against the wall, sat on two different kinds of birth stools, pelvic rocked, laid on my side, walked around, squatted, sat upright and cross-legged, leaned against the bed, and crawled around. And, Jason did everything a wonderful birth coach could do. Her rubbed my lower back, warmed my hot pack, brought me water, and held my hands. To help relieve the back labor he use the pelvic squeeze method and applied strong counter pressure (both with his hands and with the rebozo).  He also made sure my rice heat pack was warmed and ready for my lower back.

 Finally at 7 cm!
Saturday, 7:30 pm- 8:30 pm
After about 40 hours in labor

 Our midwife wanted to check my cervix again to see if I was progressing. I don't remember the exact order of events, but I think she pulled Jason aside privately to speak with him about our "options." When she and Jason returned, they told me I was finally dilated to 7cm! But, our midwife told us that with the "prolonged" labor, we needed to make some informed decisions about whether or not we should continue to stay at the Birth Center or transfer to the hospital. We opted to stay-- I was excited to finally be at 7 cm and was confident that dilation would progress quickly!

After 40 hours, I finally resigned myself to each contraction. I labored confidently and didn't allow myself to think "I wish this would end soon" thoughts. I thought of Aleigha....of the meal I would eat when I felt like eating again...of napping with my baby...of having fun with my family after the birth.

Water finally breaks!
Saturday, 8:30-10:30 pm
After 44.5 hours in labor

My labor stalled again and I started talking to my mom about the stages of labor and asking her what she thought would happened next. Then I asked what having my water break was like. While I was talking with her I felt a contraction and, with Jason's help, squatted. As I squatted, I heard a "pop," like a water balloon tossed onto a cement driveway. Fluid gushed out of me...my water broke-- finally! If I wasn't 9 months pregnant I would have run circles like an excited puppy. The midwives checked my cervix again and this time I was close to 8 cm. Perhaps now our baby would be born soon!

Laboring and Time
10:30 pm - 2 am
After 44.5 - 48 hours in labor

Time in labor is unlike time during normal day-to-day activities. Sometimes each minute felt like the longest minute of my life. Sometimes hours would pass by before I even thought or cared about the time. But, the last 3.5 hours I labored at the birth center felt like 6 hours. Labor was intense and I was exhausted.

Around midnight, I managed labor pains by slowly dancing through each contraction with Jason. I closed my eyes and tried to pretend were were at a dance, like so many dances we'd experienced together. If I could pretend I was having a lovely evening with my husband, I thought, perhaps labor would pass quickly. With each contraction he would gently help me squat, and then support me as I stood up. While I didn't enjoy the discomfort and fatigue of labor, I felt peaceful and content in Jason's arms.

We weren't dancing for very long, but time stood still in those moments and I felt like I danced with him for hours. When the back labor grew too intense, we used other laboring positions.
The next 2 hours of labor was difficult. Since my water had broken, everyone assumed that I was going through transition. I thought so too. I prepared myself to have the baby soon. When I wasn't feeling the urge to push, I felt like I was losing my resolve.

Labor began to slow down again, and I felt so tired I didn't even care that I was not pushing yet. I wanted to sleep. Since each contraction slowed to around 5-10 minutes between each contraction, I sat on the birthing stool and slept, leaning against Jason for support.  I stopped thinking clearly here; exhaustion took over.

My memory is cloudy, but I think I remember waking up to a contraction, breathing through it, and then trying to sleep. Contraction. Sleep. Contraction. When I woke-up, I saw everyone-- midwife, birthing assistants, and my mother-- staring at me. The room was quiet and everyone looked a little concerned.

Our midwife broke the silence-- "Can I check your cervix again"? I agreed. After poking around a bit, she drew back and softly said, "There is no change."

More to come...

Aleigha's birth story (Part 1 of 3)

I’ve wanted to write about Aleigha’s birth story for a few weeks; however, exhaustion, feeding issues, and my return to online teaching prevented me from posting. Now that I am on Christmas break, I wanted to share my birth story. Since I was in labor for over 50 hours, this is a long story and I am going to post it in three installments. 

To all who were praying for the safe delivery of our little daughter, thank you!

Aleigha Faith Heki was born at 7:21 AM on Sunday, September 16. She weighed 5 lbs 15.6 ounces and was 19.5" in length.

We planned to have our little girl at the  NOVA Natural Birth center in Chantilly. The midwives, midwives in training, and birth assistants are wonderful, and I am grateful for their care.

My contractions started at 2 am on Friday, September 14. I labored at home for the next twelve hours. Although I tried to sleep through the contractions, I was not able to. The timing of contractions was irregular, and most of them were less than 5 minutes apart. We called the midwife throughout the day to report the progress, and twelve hours after labor started we left for the Center.

 
Checking in!

Friday, 3:15 pm

After 12 hours

We checked into the Center and brought our things into the birthing room. I was excited to think that we would soon meet our little girl! When we settled in, the midwives did a cervical check to see how dilated I was—I was 100% effaced but only 2-3 centimeters dilated. After being in labor all day I was disappointed that I had not dilated more. But, I knew that previous labor is not an indication of future progress, so I continued to labor and prayed that our little girl would come soon.

My Last Meal

Friday, 5 pm

After 14 hours in labor

The midwife told me I could (and should) eat and drink. Even though I didn’t feel like eating, I ate a chicken sandwich that my mom brought. Forty minutes later, the contractions became more intense and I….lost every last morsel of chicken sandwich; I didn’t feel like eating much afterwards, but was encouraged—my body was expelling everything in to prepare for the baby!

Slowing down...and picking up

Friday, 8:45 pm

After 18.75 hours in labor

Then, labor began to slow down, and the midwives gave me a choice of using natural remedies to stimulate labor or sleep. Since I had not slept much since labor started, I opted to sleep. And then, my contractions started to become stronger again.

She might come...any minute!

Friday 10:45 pm – Saturday 3 am

After 20.75 – 25 hours in labor

So, I labored in the bathroom for about 4 hours, but the time actually passed quickly. My wonderful husband never left my side as I breathed (and groaned) through contractions. Yes, groaning really does help manage the pain.

In between contractions, I heard one of the midwives mention “transition.” I was encouraged since transition marks the final moments of dilation before the “urge to push.” I’ve heard and read that transition lasts only about 10 minutes to an hour, so I leaned on Jason and labored on.  

Our daughter would probably be born before the morning!  And this is the worst part of labor—it will soon be over! 

Oops...false alarm

Saturday, 3 am

After 25 hours in labor

I never felt the urge to push and my contractions slowed down again. The midwives asked me if I minded a cervix check. I agreed to be examined; I wanted to know how “close” I was to giving birth.

But, my husband did not want me to know how much I dilated so I would not be discouraged with my lack of “progress.” In retrospect, this was a wise decision since I was only at 5 cm.

Floatin' in the Birthing Tub

Saturday, 3:30 am – 5:00 am

After 25-27 hour in labor

Shortly after the cervix check, the midwives finished filling the large birthing pool so I could labor in water. In the last few months of pregnancy, when I thought about laboring in water, I imagined that it would be a pleasant, relaxing experience. And, the tub did look peaceful. The midwives dimmed the overheard lights even more, turning on the tub light and tinting the pool a peaceful hue of blue.

When I climbed into the bath, I discovered that laboring in water was not as pleasant as I imagined. I tried to relax anyway through contractions and rest. Jason climbed into the tub with me, and I leaned against him. With each contraction, I remembered what I read in Ina May’s book and imagined the “rushes” bringing me closer and closer to meeting my baby. But I was becoming discouraged. Clinging to Jason, I cried and cried, desperately wanting labor to end. I was exhausted, simply from being awake for so long. And, the ache in my abdomen was extraordinary.

I don’t know how, but I guessed that I was at 5 cm. Turning to Jason I moaned, “how can I be in labor for so long? I am probably only at 5 cm!?” He didn’t deny or affirm my guess, but I could tell I was right.

This is pretty much what labor felt like. ;-)

Jason continued to comfort me and encourage me to take each contraction “one at a time.” What does labor feel like? Well, several women have told me that a contraction is like a menstrual cramp—not true! I've had cramps, painful ones, that felt nothing like a contraction. A contraction feels like a powerful hand that slowly squeezes the inside of of the stomach. Or, each contraction feels like severe constipation, nausea, and the stomach flu—all condensed into about a minute.



When Jason needed a restroom break, my mom came and sat on the edge of the tub. She told me that if Jason needed a nap, she could stay with me. I knew Jason needed sleep, but I couldn’t bear the thought of his leaving my side. The thought of him leaving left me fearful. I couldn’t labor without him. Yes, I felt a little childish and selfish, but in that moment, I needed him. When he returned from the restroom, I begged him not to leave, and he assured me that he would not leave my side.

During my time in the tub, I felt an incredible sense of fear and despair. Despair that I would never come to the point of delivering our baby. Fear that the pain would grow too intense.  I think that was the only time I felt like I was losing my resolve to give birth naturally. Without my husband's encouragement, I might have wanted to given up. 

Soon, the midwives came in and announced that everyone needed to go to sleep and rest.

Merry Christmas Eve! More to come...

True Love Makes Deviled Eggs

I’ve just eaten a deviled egg, an egg my husband made for me.

We learned in our BradleyBirth Class about the importance of consuming lots of protein during pregnancy.  Yet, when I tracked my normal eating habits, I discovered that I generally eat about 25-50 grams per day, which is what a normal woman needs. A pregnant women needs about 70-100 grams per day. Since I am in the last trimester of pregnancy, when baby’s protein needs are the highest, I realized that I needed to increase my protein intake. (A high intake of protein might also decrease the risk of complications like preeclampsia.)

Eggs have lots protein and they are inexpensive, but I dislike eating them. Jason, hoping to encourage me eat the right foods, made hardboiled eggs anyway. Yucky.

Ever since I was a little girl, I've disliked the texture, taste, sight, and smell of hardboiled egg yolks. Usually, I pull out the yolk, add salt and pepper to the white part of the egg, and quickly eat it before I change my mind. I actually used to wash the yolk residue out of egg white part because I couldn’t stand to eat or look at even a tiny bit of yolk. I don’t do that anymore, so I consider that enough progress for the next decade or so.

Apparently, that’s not enough progress for Jason. “Eat the yolk—it’s good for you.” Eat the y.o.l.k? Gross! There’s no way I can choke that down. Never.

“I can’t!” I whined. “Please don’t make me. There’s enough protein in the white part.”

Jason said, “You have to.”  

Noooo! I can’t! Uh, I can only eat them when they are deviled.

Deviled eggs? I actually don't prefer to eat deviled eggs either. But, truly, that is the only way to make the egg yolk palatable enough for me to eat. I discovered this years ago at my aunt’s house one holiday. (Easter?) I bravely gave the deviled eggs a try and realized they weren’t so terrible.

Ironically, to make a deviled egg, one mixes the yolk with mayonnaise (and a few other ingredients). Now, I really dislike mayonnaise, probably even more than I dislike egg yolks. Yet, when mixed together, the hardboiled egg yolk and mayonnaise cancel each other out and create something that I can eat. (Kind of like how sodium and chlorine, two poisons, combine to make table salt.)

So, upon hearing that I won’t eat egg yolks unless they are in a deviled egg, my sweet man hardboiled a dozen eggs and found a yummy deviled egg recipe. See?

Love comes in many forms.

Chick-fil-A (A.K.A “Pregnant Cow”)

Tomorrow, August 1, is “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” day.

In honor of the day, I’d like to share some of my favorite Chick-fil-A experiences.

My first time eating at Chick-fil-A was a few years ago. I attended a homeschool conference in North Carolina to help Vicki Bentley with her booth, Everyday Homemaking. On our way home, we stopped to have a bite to eat….at Chick-fil-A.

We pulled into the parking lot and walked inside. Nearly every customer was dressed like a cow. Vicki, however, did not appear surprised. “Oh, I forgot! Dress-like-a-cow day!”  

What?! She knew that nutty people eat here?

Ignorant of the restaurant’s annual “Cow Appreciation Day,” I assumed that Chick-fil-A had a cult following of bizarre customers. Then, I noticed the fliers, banners, and balloons indicating that this particular Friday occurred only once a year and customers who dress like a cow receive a free sandwich. Ah! We bought our sandwiches, sat down to eat, and admired (or perhaps secretly mocked?) people’s cow costumes.

I didn’t have the opportunity to eat at Chick-fil-A again until one was built closer to home. Then, I mysteriously developed a pregnancy craving for Chick-fil-A chicken strips. Jason, my wonderful husband, lovingly surprised me with chicken strips a few times.

Last month, July 13 was “Cow Appreciation Day” and I felt the urge to participate. I am still pregnant and couldn’t resist a free sandwich made with yummy baby-approved chicken. I mentioned the day to Jason and we made a mental note to participate.

The night before, we realized that we did not plan ahead and prepare cow costumes. But, it was late and we needed to attend our Bradley Birth Class the next morning. We made plans to think of a costume the morning of “Cow Appreciation Day.” That morning, Jason followed an online tutorial to make a cow mask, and I wore a black (maternity) shirt with the intent to tape white hand-cut “cow spots” all over my back and middle.

That morning, I made blackbean brownies for our class, so I ran out of time to cut spots. Instead, I grabbed some white paper, scissors, and tape to bring with me into the car. After birth class ended, we sat in our car and cut out some white “spots.” Jason carefully taped them to my back and I artistically arranged them on my front. We drove to Chick-fil-A, eager for a free sandwich.

When we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed that no one else was dressed like a cow. Hmmm. Maybe we missed the peak hour. Nevertheless, eager for a free meal, we marched on dressed like…cows. Well, I was dressed like a cow. Jason was holding his mask since he didn’t cut eyeholes!

As we walked towards the restaurant, we took a closer look at the flier on the door and realized that we had actually missed “Cow Appreciation Day.”

Instead of turning back to discreetly remove all cow markings from our appearance, Jason decided that we should go through with our plan anyway!

“What?! You mean walk into Chick-fil-A dressed like a cow even though today is NOT the day for free sandwiches?”

Jason shrugs, “Sure! Maybe they’ll take pity on us and still give us free food anyway.”

I was not particularly comfortable with this idea but I figured I didn’t have much to lose.

We walk inside, dressed like…cows. Jason was still holding his mask and I was covered in white paper spots. I could see the amused smiles forming on the employees’ faces. I imagined that they were thinking….

Oh, poor customers. How do we tell them that they totally missed Cow Appreciation Day? Bummer for them.

I instantly regretted our decision, but determined to save what little dignity I had left, I figured the best option was to pretend I was having fun and “play it cool.” I elbowed Jason, “Put on your mask! I am not going to be the only one dressed like a cow. This was your idea!”

When we walked up to the counter he quickly put it on…and then took it off because he couldn’t see. While ordering, he laughed and blurted a quick explanation. “Uh, well, we missed the dress-like-a-cow day, but we thought we’d come in here anyway since we already had our costumes and everything.”

The sweet Hispanic lady behind the counter smiled and replied sadly, “I’m sorry but I can’t give you a free sandwich.”

“Uh, that’s ok.” Jason said. “We understand.” And he placed our order. The lady entered our order into the computer and disappeared to the back, returning with a voucher for a free sandwich. She waved it around and said excitedly, “I can give you one!”

Really?! It worked?

We actually received a pity-inspired free chicken sandwich the day after Cow Appreciation Day!

When our food was ready, we took our bag, and scurried out of the store.

But, I realized something. Jason wore his mask less than 30 seconds and I was the one who was dressed like a cow the entire time.

I thought I earned a Starbucks for my performance. Jason prefers not to spend money on expensive coffee, so I reasoned with him. “You can take the money you saved getting a free sandwich and buy your wife a frappuccino (your wife who was pregnant and dressed like a cow when it was not “Cow Appreciation Day”)!

Jason laughed and kidded that he wouldn’t be “ahead” if he spent money he just saved. But, being the wonderful husband he is, he agreed and bought me one.

How can I end without a picture?

Next year, I plan to dress baby like a cow calf.

Mother's Sacrifice

Sacrifice. 

I’ve thought a lot about sacrifice over the past 8 months—ever since we found out on January 8 that we were expecting our first child.

To bear a child requires a measure of sacrifice. As Christ sacrificed himself to give us life, so a mother gives of her body to bring a new life into the world. I am not trying to equate death on a cross with pregnancy, however pregnancy is a way that a woman gives up that which she values (comfort, mobility, figure, and such) to make life possible for another. (In some circumstances mothers have literally given their lives to bear a child.)

Christ sacrificed himself, his comfort, his body to give us life. Mothers have a unique opportunity to follow in Christ's footsteps through the bearing of children.

After we conceived, I didn’t fully realize how much my body would have to change to accommodate and grow a little person. (And, she didn’t feel like a baby until much later in the pregnancy.)

First Trimester (Weeks 5-13)

Initially, I felt carsick all of the time. I didn’t realize I was feeling morning sickness until my mom told me I was feeling morning sickness. Since I was busy with a new semester teaching and started part-time work at a non-profit, I was terribly busy and felt like I was just trying to survive each week.

At the start of every week, I’d rejoice that I was (hopefully?) closer to not feeling so “blah” all of the time. Through the physical changes, my dear husband was loving and supportive—he would even toss a few ingredients together and make his own dinner when I felt too sick to look at food.  (The most offensive smell was….my own pantry! I couldn’t handle opening it!)

Second Trimester (Weeks 14-27)

Towards the beginning I still felt pretty icky, but around week 17 or so I started to feel slightly “normal.” But, I still didn’t feel her kick until about week 18 or 19. (I might have felt movement sooner, but I can’t be sure).

Around week 20, I felt pretty great—and actually pregnant. Not just chunkier than usual. Not just more tired that usual. But pregnant. I still didn’t have much of a belly until week 27 or so.  

Third Trimester (Weeks 28-due date)

We are at week 33 and I suppose I still don’t have much of a belly. But, I so appreciate that perfect strangers know I am pregnant.   

“Oh, when are you due?!” “Are you having a boy or a girl?” “You're due when?! You’re so tiny!” (<--love that one!)

My favorite moment: I am in the checkout line at Coscto and an elderly Hispanic man in a wheel chair points at my belly and says, “BOY!?!?” 

I replied, “Uh no, girl. You were so close!” 

Close? Really? How was that even close? Ah well, he did give his best try. 

I love feeling her kick and squirm (she’s always moving!). I like feeling her hiccup. I enjoy watching her push my belly button up and down. (Always when I try to read my bible—I think God understands though).  

The verse I’ve clung to often is Is. 40:11 

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
     he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.”

With God’s help, I can carry and deliver this lil’ girl.

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Welcome and Introduction

I've wanted to start blogging for a long time-- I'd like to share our daily life with family and friends, especially those who live far way. 

Since we are expecting our first baby in September (or *cough* late August?) I also plan to use this blog to post updates on our baby girl's growth (yes, there will be pictures!) Creating this blog is one of the last items on my "to do" list before baby girl Heki arrives.

Here is a picture of baby girl (Nickname = "Mona") at about 20 weeks (we are currently at 33 weeks!)

Come back tomorrow for an explanation of the blog's title and verse....