The Great Placenta Scare of 2010

My pregnancy with Vala sucked.  There is no other way to put it.  I had SEVERE morning sickness, which I really think was Hyperemesis.  I lost 25 pounds, because I couldn't even keep water down. 

When we went in for the 20 week ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby we heard what no parents want to hear at any ultrasound.  "You need to have a level 2 ultrasound, because there is a heterogenous area on your placenta."  Um, what??  What does that even mean?  The midwife didn't even know, because it is a very uncommon thing.  So I googled.  I know that one should never do that for any medical abnormality, but I did it.  And I wished that I hadn't. 

Basically, a heterogenous area on a placenta is an area that is gel-like and thick.  It doesn't function like the rest of the placenta.  If the area gets bigger or spreads, it can keep a baby from getting the nutrients it needs via the placenta.  I didn't find much when I googled, but what I did find was scary and disheartening.  It many cases the baby didn't get enough nutrients because the placenta wasn't working and they died.  In other cases, they were born extremely early and died of complications from that.  In other cases, the baby and the mom died.  I was terrified.

I had to have an ultrasound every 4 weeks until she was born.  I prayed like I never have before.  Lots of other people prayed too.  Miraculously, the spot never spread or got any bigger.  I think that is a true testament to the power of prayer and the goodness of God!

Happy Birthday To Me...

So last Friday was my 29th birthday.  I was feeling pretty great about turning 29.  I was happy and thinking that if the next 29 years are as good as these have been, getting older isn't going to be so bad.

And then I found my 1st gray hair.  On my birthday.

And I cried.  And then I laughed at the irony of it all.

Happy Birthday to me.

Show Us Your Life: My Sister!

So I have a sister.  She's amazing!  She's awesome!  She's beautiful!  I'm linking up to Show Us Your Life Single Edition with Kelly, because I think it's worth a try! 

Here is a picture of us:  (She's the one in blue, with the killer eyes to match!)

I don't want this to sound like some kind of advertisement, but I'm not sure how else to do this! 

My younger sister's name is Amber.  She is 27.  She loves Jesus with all her heart, and it shows in the way she loves her friends and family.  Family is absolutely #1 in her book, and she wants to have one of her own some day.  She is so good with my kids and is the best Auntie ever!

(Here she is banging on pots to ring in the New Year.  She totally brings the fun!) 

Amber is also an AMAZING singer!  She will be debuting her vocal stylings in August by singing the National Anthem before a Cincinnati Reds game!!  She has also sang in front of church many times, and we joke that she is The Wedding Singer, because she has sang in so many weddings.

My sister is a fabulous sister.  We have never had a fight in her entire life!  I'm being serious!  She is my best friend in the whole world and always has been.  I know that little sisters usually look up to big sisters, but I look up to her.    

I am writing this post because I know how hard dating can be.  It's not easy to find someone when you don't want to go to a bar to look for them.  And the Singles Group at church can be so intimidating.  So if you know any guys who would like to meet a beautiful, talented girl in the Cincinnati area, let me know!!

I Know I'm A Little Late, But

Happy Father's Day to this guy

 and this guy.

 Thank you both for loving Abby and Vala the way you do.  They are so lucky to have you in their lives!

Five Minute Friday: Home

I love reading Gypsy Mama's posts, especially the Five Minute Friday ones.  Today I thought I'd give it a try!

Home

Home is where I want to be right now.  Just me and the girls.  Not at a job that isn't fulfilling.  I really want to be a stay-at-home-mom, but it is impossible.  We have bills to pay, and they won't get paid without my paycheck. 

My girls go to an amazing in-home daycare, which is run by a girl my age.  She has a son who is Abby's age and they love/hate each other.  I know she loves my kids like they are her own, and I am so thankful for that.  I just wish it was me home with them.

I want to be the one coming up with fun crafts and projects for Abby to do.  I want to be the one teaching her her letters and numbers.  I do these things, but it's hard on weeknights when I only get to see her for an hour and 1/2 before bedtime.  And weekends can be so hectic.  I need to start saying no more and staying home when I can.

STOP.

That was fun!  And I feel a little better now that I got that off my chest.

Oh Happy Day Goes to Paris

So, I've been reading the blog Oh Happy Day for a little while now. Jordan lives in Paris and is constantly telling us about her favorite places in Paris. It is my dream to go to Paris one day, so I've been storing up these ideas. Well, Jordan is giving away a trip to the City of Light!!! Go to this page for a chance to win! http://ohhappyday.com/2011/06/goes-to-paris