The Combs Krewe

My entire fourth pregnancy had been different than any other. I didn't have one bit of morning sickness and my baby bump didn't "pop" for months and months. At each of my first and second trimester doctor appointments my blood pressure was absolutely perfect. While I knew that whatever would happen would happen, I held out hope that the uniqueness of this pregnancy would extend into the third trimester and birth--that I would not have pre-eclampsia for the first time and that I would have the experience of going into labor on my own. At my doctor's appointment, one day before the 37 week mark, the nurse frowned as she took my pressure. It was 140/100. She took it again and the doctor took it and then they sent me to the hospital for an evaluation which included serial blood pressure readings and various tests. All the tests came back "stone-cold normal" as my doctor put it. I did not have pre-eclampsia. But the doctor did suggest I take it easy and try

As of Friday I was *supposed* to be on bed rest. I haven't exactly chained myself to the bed but I have been taking it easy and spending a lot of time of the hobby that I love--knitting. I don't knit with needles, however. A few years ago I discovered loom knitting and bought a set of Knifty Knitter looms . Like all crafts it takes practice and I'm pleased with the progress that I've made since my first few little hats. Lately I've been making some things for our baby and other babies soon to be born. The first project I completed was a little orange knit hat and diaper cover to match the owl shirt I appliquéd. I also make this little set for a friend who will soon be blessed with a baby boy. And this Sweet Pea set is going to yet another expectant friend! I've been lusting over everyone's super cute knit owl hats forever and finally decided to try to come up with something of my own. Here's what I made: I also saw these cute little simple swaddled babi

Jathan was born at 33 weeks. Ryland was born at 35 weeks. And Keeleigh was born at 37 weeks (and one day). Soooooo....this is officially the longest I've been pregnant! I'm 37 weeks and 2 days today. Up until my appointment this past Wednesday things have been absolutely perfect. Bizarrely perfect. Then Wednesday the nurse got a high blood pressure reading which the doctor confirmed: 140/100. Ugh. So they sent me to the hospital to be evaluated. They did serial blood pressure readings, blood work, and began a 24-hour urine test all of which would tell us if I had developed pre-eclampsia. Well, the blood pressures they got fell into the normal range (one was even 119/78), the blood work was spot-on normal, and at that point there was no protein showing up in my urine. (Pre-eclampsia is defined as high blood pressure + protein in urine.) The doctor sent me home telling me to take it easy and see her next week but to call if I got consecutive high pressure readings at home. Thursd

References have been made to new believers as spiritual babes who are dependent on easily-digested milk and that over time we should mature and be ready for meatier matters. The thought occurred to me, however, that we might also go through a spiritual teenage-hood during which we fill ourselves up on junk and think we know it all. I’ve been there and hope to goodness that I’m finally emerging from that phase! During that time in my life when I was certain I had all the answers figured out, however, I did what teenagers—physical and spiritual—do: I ran my mouth. A lot. I wasn’t afraid to help everyone out by pointing out where they were obviously wrong and God and I were right. Ah, growing pains stink. Now I’m not saying I have arrived or anything but I am getting better at being slow to speak and quick to hear. I’m playing the Holy Spirit less and opening myself up to God’s guidance instead of filling in the answer to “What would Jesus do?” with my own logic. Recently, however, a fr

I was lamenting over my elevated stress level yesterday on Facebook and someone suggested I journal these experiences with my kids that are driving me insane so I thought I'd record yesterday's events here for your entertainment. I woke up to Jathan at my bedside speaking quiet loudly (volume control is not his strong suit) about how he lost his penny and how I needed to go find it. I tried to get him to quiet down because Ryland was obviously still sleeping and Mommy likes that to last as long as possible. I also tried to explain to Jathan that he had been in charge of his money--a fact that he'd been THRILLED about 24 hours earlier--and that he would have to find it himself. Teaching stewardship to a three-year old? Not easy. So it ended up that Ryland woke up. When I went to get Ryland from his bed, I noticed he had what looked like a smooshed Reese's cup in his hand. "Did you give Ryland candy?" I asked Jathan. It was not candy. It was the result of his pu

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant. I have been taking pictures every 5 weeks during this pregnancy so I'm due to snap one today. The day that I snapped this one I was wondering if I would have a 35 week one. I've suffered from pre-eclampsia in each of my previous pregnancies. It came on suddenly (due to, I believe, tremendous emotional stress) when I was 37 weeks pregnant with Keeleigh and the doctor induced me immediately. Looking back I can't say that enjoyed one minute of her birth. I had a headache due to my high blood pressure, felt like I was on fire due to the magnesium sulfate that was supposed to lower my blood pressure, and hated the way the epidural made my legs feel. Eventually all of these feelings gave way to nausea and the next thing I remember is looking at my screaming, bloody baby trying not to cry. When I became pregnant with Jathan I believed what everyone including the doctor said, that I wasn't likely to experience pre-eclampsia again. So at around 30 w