More Christmas

Granny Pam's dog, Rusty, finding solace in Elmo.

Granny Pam pulling Gwen along on a sled. She had a wonderful time and her cheeks were so rosy from the cold when she came in. She imitated me and rubbed her hands in front of the fireplace when she got in.

Last, but not least, is a video I took of Gwen on Christmas Day. She's trying out a new toy that her Aunt Stephanie and cousins Clay and Chloe gave to her. She enjoys the music as you can see.

Baby Bap Update

I went for a sonogram this morning and everything looks good with Baby Bap. It is measuring to be weighing around 7 lbs 6 oz right now. It's head is a little large, but nothing dramatic or to worry about. It's heart looked great and was pumping away in there. I have a lot of fluid in there, so that may be why I'm measuring big and why I'm feeling such heaviness. I guess now I just need to sit back and try to be patient for this little one arriving. I do feel my body getting ready for the inevitable, but you never know how long it will take to reach the day. Although I'm ready to have this baby, this news was comforting to me in that the baby is doing well and it's not 10 pounds at this point in time. I guess I'll just try to focus on loving on Gwen while it is just her and spending quality time with Ben and family. My mom will come sometime in the next week and a half, so that will be nice too. Maybe I should try taking down the Christmas tree before little one comes. It might be up until St. Patrick's Day otherwise.

Christmas 09

We have had such a wonderful Christmas. Christmas Eve a storm blew in and it was dicey getting home from church that night, but seeing all those candles lit at once made it worth it. I will share some movies later, but here are some photos of our time. Since Christmas Eve I have been at home and intend to stay here because the roads are so bad. I will however get to my ultrasound on Monday. :)

Here's Gwen with her tickle Elmo we got her off of Craigslist... $5. Can't beat it!

Daddy and Gwen opening presents on Christmas morning.

Here is our backyard. A white Christmas... and what a Christmas to remember.

Here's a gift I got from my mother. I think it's so cute.

Ben decided to go on a bike ride. Yeah... in 13 degrees... but he got all this new gear for cold weather and he could stand it no longer. Of course, he made it 30 seconds down the road before he realized that he couldn't get through the snow. He said he felt like a ninja.

We made Christmas dinner over here and pulled out my Great Aunt Jo's china for the occasion. Aunt Jo was such a sweet lady.

Gwen loved being in the snow. She screamed when she had to come inside. I of course, was not out there. I can barely move at this point. :)

This is Nuts

Meal Plan

This is a big one this week. I'm not sure if I'll make all of these things, but with family coming in I wanted to have extra things planned.

turkey stuffed spuds with gravy

creamy tuna noodle casserole, salad

Christmas Eve- pressure cooked pork chops, mashed potato, pretzel salad, green beans and bread, with bark stuff for dessert if there is a dire need (!)

Christmas Day- I'm bringing broccoli cheese casserole, pumpkin pie

Salad with chicken, egg salad sandwiches

Curry Chicken Pot Pie

Songs

Love this song!



This is a group I heard on the radio and had to look up.

Home Improvements Conquered

We just last night finished the room that will eventually be Gwen's room when the new baby takes over the nursery. At first the new baby will be beside our bed in a bassinet. Gwen went in there tonight and got on the bed and said "comfy." There is a trundle bed under this bed that she will actually sleep on. (we think anyway)

9 Month Glory

This is the day before my due date with Gwen. She wasn't born for another week after that though.


37 weeks today. So... any guesses as to the sex?

What's Going On

First, some nature shots of Canadian geese we saw going to church. I guess they were resting in this park.

There's nothing that will fire up your home improvements like knowing another little person will be entering your life and you will probably never get anything done again. Ben got the popcorn ceiling off in this room and we've been painting it. I should say, Ben has been doing almost everything. I have been taping windows during the day and assisting just tonight. This will be Gwen's room when the baby takes over the nursery. If you are wondering... the nursery will stay exactly the same for this new baby.

This is the promised picture of our Christmas tree. Nothing fancy, but Gwen loves it. She loves the lights and loves hanging the ornaments from our Advent calendar on there every day.

Finally, a children's book. This is a page in which the doctor tells Corduroy the bear that he's gotten too fat off of eating too many cookies. Boy, can I identify Corduroy. What makes me laugh is the look on the nurse and Corduroy's faces.

Baby Bap Update

Today I went and saw my doctor. I'm 36 weeks today, but she said I'm measuring 40! She said that she thinks it is because the baby is not engaged in my pelvis yet...but then again, it might not decide to do that until labor. She is concerned about the size of this one, so she has ordered another sonogram. Right now it is scheduled in another 2 weeks, but Ben thinks we need to try to get one sooner. She said the sonogram will help determine how far they will let me go without intervention. I asked her to do an internal exam and I am not dilated at all yet, which she thought would be the case. I don't really know how to feel about it. To say I'm uncomfortable would be an understatement, but I want to keep the baby's best interest at the forefront... not my own. I think we'll just pray that things either start on their own sometime in the next two weeks, or that I'll have the wisdom from God that I need to make the decision of what to do next.

Dancing in the Morning

Don't you just love the way kids dance with complete abandon? She's so precious to me.

Meal Plan

Tuscan pasta, salad- Ben requested to have this again this week

Russian veg soup, garlic bread- didn't get around to it this week

turkey meatballs with lemon sauce, 4 bean salad

chili and cornbread

chicken tortilla casserole, salad

sesame noodles, grilled beef

Christmas Singing

This Christmas I'm singing quite a bit here and there and here are some pictures from a beautiful church in Kansas City. It's called St. Paul's Episcopal Church. I was hired to sing a Bach cantata and some other songs with a quartet.

Here is a statue of baby Jesus they had in the church. He was covered in burlap when I found him, but I let him have some air.

Here is a picture of the quartet. Becky, David, me, and then Josh. Can you see my (almost) 9 month belly?

A beautiful mosaic behind where we stand.

The main stained glass window in the church. This is what we face when we sing. It's very awe inspiring.

Another window in the church depicting the birth of Jesus.

One For The Record Books

Well... everyone knows when you are pregnant that your emotions go haywire. Last night was no exception in the Barreth household. It takes me a long time now to do most anything. After my face washing ritual I got into bed with huffing and puffing and groaning only to realize that I didn't brush my teeth. I started laughing hysterically because that meant that I'd have to get up which takes a lot and then get BACK into bed again which is a chore. Ben looked over at me and was pretty amazed at how hard I was laughing. Then, I hoisted myself up on the edge of the bed and I'm not exaggerating here... started crying. Not a single tear running down the cheek either. We're talking sobbing. I just felt out of control of my emotions! I said "I'm pathetic" to which Ben I think was at a complete loss to know what to say other than "no, you're not." Some things you just need to write down and remember. Shesh!

Thoughts

These are pictures from a few books that Gwen has that have amused me lately. This first one is a nice book of Bible songs and here it depicts Jesus and some kids. What cracks me up in this picture is the "girl" on his right. To me she looks like a really short 40 year old.

We got this book from the library this week. It's called "Family" and has many family members which is great...but look at Grandpa! Look at the second hand smoke. I mean, he could smoke later couldn't he?

Around the House

Ben got me these roses today. Aren't they a pretty color? I told Ben that I'd like to have an orange rose bush sometime. I am blessed with such a wonderful husband.

This is a video of Gwen showing and saying "belly button." She is really into body parts now and can tell you about anything you want to know. Her speech is exploding and she repeats almost everything I say to her. She is going to be so funny when she can talk... I just know it.

Meal Plan

It took me a long time to get through all of the plan I had before, so that's why I haven't posted a meal plan lately. Here's this week:

Russian vegetable soup

beef stuffed spuds

chicken and cornbread dressing

split pea and ham soup

pork chops, zatarain's rice mix, peas

Tuscan pasta, salad

Owl City

I'm liking this song lately. I have no idea what it means. See what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4JLa0hbUw

Changing of the Seasons

I've had these two pumpkins at my door since mid-October. I decided with the Christmas tree up now shining through our window it would probably be a good time to bring in the pumpkins. This year I didn't carve our pumpkins because it was just too much effort and I kind of liked the way the pumpkin looked a la naturel. I bought this pumpkin at Aldi's because I thought it had character. (use your imagination to think about what I thought it looked like) Now I'm deciding if it is too old to cook and save the pumpkin. Any thoughts?

This is a picture I took of Gwen last night. Her hair in the back is beginning to grow now. She felt so much better yesterday than she has in the past week. I was surprised to discover that she has multiple teeth growing in at once right now. One molar and several canines. Yikes... no wonder she wasn't sleeping well.

The Bend In The Road

This poem encouraged me this morning after a hard night with Gwen waking due to congestion and teething. At 5:30 I finally succumbed to tears and the thought of what I am going to do with two little ones was overwhelming at the time. This one inside me was kicking, the other having a fit in her crib. Maybe one day I will look back at moments like this and if not laugh, then at least smile a knowing smile. The Lord sees the whole picture when we don't. That gives me hope.

When together we stand at life's crossroads,

and view what we think is the end.

Know that God has a much wider vision,

and He knows that it's only a bend.

For the road will go on and is smoother

And the pause in the song is a rest.

The part that's unsung and unfinished,

is the sweetest and richest and best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger,

Let go and let God share your load.

And have faith in a brighter tomorrow,

You've just come to a bend in the road.

-Helen Steiner Rice