He IS Risen!

"1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." - Matthew 28:1-9

When Jesus was on the cross, it was a choice. He was not forced to do it, but He chose to do it. He endured the pain and the beatings, because He looked down through history and saw your face. He stretched His arms out on that cross and was nailed to it, so He could wrap those same arms around you today in an embrace of love. This is so amazing to me, that Jesus chose to endure His crucifixion, because even though it was hard, He knew the Father's plan was best. And the coolest part is that He conquered death and the slavery of sin, so that we can be in relationship with God. He IS risen, He DOES reign at God's right hand, and He IS coming back!

May you and yours be blessed this Easter.

Week 14 Update

How far along? 14 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: +3 lbs
Maternity clothes: some - pants, bella bands, work dresses
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: still having wild dreams, but still sleeping
Best moment this week: popping a little bit more and hearing the heartbeat this morning on our doppler
Movement: can't feel it yet
Food cravings: Sonic cream slushes, red meat, coffee (decaf), Sunchips
Gender: Leaning towards a boy again. Some lady at the hair salon pulled down my lower eyelids, looked at the red line and saw it was squiggly, which she says makes it a boy. But I don't really buy into that stuff... Ryan still thinks it is a girl.
Labor signs: nope
Belly button in or out? Still in
What I miss: A nice glass of red wine with my steak
What I am looking forward to: finding out the gender and seeing the ultrasound
Weekly Wisdom: Hmmm...probably not to stress out that Ryan doesn't have a permanent job right now, because God knew this would happen and planned my prenancy. He knows it will all work out!
Milestones: popping a little bit more and people telling me I look "pregnant".

My violent dental hygienist

I had a cleaning today, and boy, what fun that was! Normally I am one of those odd people who actually like to go get my teeth cleaned, and I don’t really mind the dentist too much. In pregnancy, one’s hormones can cause the gums to become very sensitive. My dental hygienist even noticed and commented on how my gums were a little sensitive and bleeding, yet for some unknown reason, she decided to violently floss my teeth at the end of my cleaning. The dentist came in and used a little floss – gently – after that. I swear, I have never had anyone floss my teeth so rough in my life. I was a little cranky after that appointment, mostly because my mouth is still sore. Yeah, and another thing: what’s the deal with them trying to make small talk while that have their hands and instruments all up in your mouth? How about no. How about you do your job and quit the small talk, because I can’t answer your questions right now. OK I’m done now.

On a happier note, I feel that the morning sickness is really going away - yay! Sure, it's being replaced by heartburn, but at least I can eat and don't feel like vomiting up my dinner every night. :) I am constantly amazed, all jokes and complaints aside, at how amazing it is to be carrying one of God's children. All I can think is "Wow!" and "Thank you, Lord!" I am really looking forward to feeling the baby move in about a month. That's gotta' just be out of this world!

Today my sweet husband got his weekly e-mail update on the pregnancy and decided to watch some birthing videos. He's never seen one. Ever - not in health class not on Discovery channel; these videos were his first. He described seeing them as "traumatizing" and "surprising." He was describing to me (before he showed me the videos) how the head comes out, then the baby just kind of quickly "shoots" out. I asked him what he expected, and he didn't really know but said he is glad he watched the videos. He said he probably would've freaked out if he didn't and is still not sure he's ready for it. Sweet Ryan. I just kind of had to laugh. Now, some may be thinking, "Well, Amber, you're the one who has to push it out! And he thinks he'll be traumatized?" I have a feeling he will most definitely be empathetic, because he has passed some kidney stones, which those in the medical field say are pretty comparable to childbirth. I'm just glad he's a bit more prepared than he was this morning. :)

Funny Story (written 4/6 - forgot to post)

Couple new things going on regarding the pregnancy: 1) my brain feels mushy as if the baby is sucking any active brain cells out and severely decreasing my ability to remember and concentrate, 2) I’ve become even more hyper-emotional and 3) I’m hungry pretty much all the time. A bonus: the morning sickness is starting to go away – YAY!

As I’ve posted before, I am studying the Life of Moses at BSF this year. It is pretty obvious that near the end of our study, which is quickly approaching, Moses will die. I am sure that most people know that, including myself. Yesterday I was reading the Bible and doing my lesson when I came across this section of Scripture:

“ 12 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land I have given the Israelites. 13 After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14 for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes." (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)” – Numbers 27:12-14

As soon as I started reading “you too will be gathered to your people,” I started bawling. Not just a couple tears, no – I actually shook a little bit from the tears and had to blow my nose. Then, I read the question on my lesson, “If you only had a week to live, how would you spend your time?” Well, that just sent me into another tearfest, at which point, Ryan walks in. He kind of gives me this “look.” “Moses is going to die!” I say through tears, to which Ryan replies, “OK…” and laughs at me. Anyways, about an hour later I was giggling about my overemotional reaction to this fact of which I logically knew was bound to happen. I just thought I’d share about my hyper-emotional state, because really – what fun is life if you can’t laugh at yourself a little?

Through the first trimester!

I look at my ticker at the top, which says I am 13 weeks, 5 days preganant. It gives the dates for T1, T2 and T3. I guess sometimes my pregnancy still feels surreal to me, because to me those "T's" stand for "transition" in triathlon lingo. I got kind of a cute idea from one of the blogs I follow, and I thought it might be fun to start kind of a basic list of things that are happening regarding the pregnancy. I have to say, I am very relieved to be past my first trimester! For anyone who has gone through it, it's especially nerve-wracking. Last week I was especially paranoid when I got so ill, because I was so worried I was going to get dehydrated. On Thursday, I realized I had to go to the doctor for more personal "fun" reason, so I began to pray that if I asked, she would let me hear the baby's heartbeat again - especially since I had been unsuccessful at my attempts with our home doppler. I almost started crying at how much God cares about the intimate details of our lives, because as soon as I was done telling her what was going on, she pulled out the doppler - without me asking - and had me lay back, so we could hear the heartbeat. God is just so cool to do little things like that for us! Our other milestone this week was announcing to the people in our lives who didn't know that we were expecting. That's been exciting. I gotta' say that it's also been a little "freeing" not having to try to suck in my belly at work anymore to prevent the stares I've been getting the last few weeks. :) Most of my belly at this point is still probably bloat, but because I'm small, I can tell where the top of my uterus is. Some of this bump is me starting to show. Here is my 13 week "belly" picture:

How far along: 13 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: +1 lb. (the only good thing about losing 10 lbs. when I was sick is that now I'm where I should be gain wise)

Maternity clothes?: some pants & bella band

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: still doing well

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat on the doppler at the doctor's office on Monday.

Movement: Can't feel it yet, but heard some kicks on the doppler :)

Food Cravings: Cheerios, cherry Twizzlers, fresh fruit

Gender: really thought it was a boy up to this point, currently no leanings...

Labor signs: none.

Belly button in or out: In. And if it pops out, I will be disgusted.

What I miss: Running hard in this beautiful weather.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling the baby move, and in 2 appointments the ultrasound and finding out the sex!

Weekly wisdom: From my friend Jennifer, not to stress about weight gain but to be as healthy as I can and know my body will gain what it needs to gain to keep the baby healthy.

Milestones: Telling our little world.

I just want to make it stop!

I have been puking since yesterday at 3pm. :( It's a nasty stomach virus, and it's got me all worried about the baby - worried about dehydration, worried about nutrients. I called my doctor back this morning per her instructions (it's been going on longer than 12 hours). All I can (hopefully) get & keep down right now is water, although I'm feeling nauseous again, so we'll see... Anyone who knows me knows this is like the worse for me and that I absolutely HATE throwing up. :( I'm just praying the little baby will be just fine. I couldn't get the heartbeat on my at home doppler last week, because it may've been too early. I think I'm going to go give it another shot.

...And MY Heart Beats In Love

We heard the baby's heartbeat at the doctor on Wednesday. That little galloping noise was one of the best things I have ever heard in my life! Ryan & I were grinning from ear to ear. It was funny: she found the heartbeat almost immediately, then we heard him/her kick (it sounded like these little "bloops") then s/he hid, so the doctor had to find it again. It was a strong heart beat of 160bpm, which she said is perfect. It made the pregnancy seem more "real" to me, and I am amazed at how intricately God works. To carry one of His children is truly a blessing. I am 11 weeks 3 days preganant today. Depending on what site or reference you use, I either enter my second trimester on April 1st or April 4th. I am going with April 4th. I am very excited to tell the BSF ladies at our next fellowship on that day. And the following week, I'm going to tell people at work. I am continuing to pray for perfect growth and development and protection from miscarriage. I have said it a hundred times: this baby is God's baby, and his/her life is in God's hands. Even though I am still anxious, I trust Him fully. Ryan is out of town right now, so I admit that I am a little more on edge than usual.

I can now feel my uterus above my pelvic bone. I thought my morning sickness was gone, but it came back pretty strong today to the point I thought I was going to throw up in the car driving home. Wouldn't that have been pretty? :) I have also noticed the last few days that heartburn is starting. I keep praying and hoping that my pregnancy is unlike my mom's in the fact that she threw up every day for six months, and her morning sickness didn't start until the end of the firs tri! Yikes!

Well...it's 10:33, and it's an hour past my bedtime. Off to sleep I go.