fabric journal cover

I used some scrap fabric to make a composition book/ journal cover for a friend.  I followed this tutorial, but added a small pen pocket to the front.  next time I would also add some elastic stitched in the back flap to serve as a bookmark.  

15 weeks

Here is what is going on with our little one this week according to babycenter.com;

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

As for me, the minimal nausea that I've been having is subsiding even further and now when I wake up in the morning I feel good, and don't feel the need to immediately eat something so that I don't feel sick.

I've been getting up several times an evening to use the restroom, but I guess that's to be expected.

I still haven't gained weight, although the shape of my body is definitely changing.

A few times I've wondered if I felt the baby move, but I'm not fully sure yet.

First appointment with my new doctor next week, so I should have more of an update on our  progress then.

::this week::

This has been a rough week.  Noah has had diarrhea, and therefore a diaper rash.  He has been unruly, and been getting into everything.  Our car was totaled. Our computer is broken.  Our dryer is broken.  We've had to deal with car insurance companies and issues.  I've had to deal with health insurance companies and issues.  Basically, it has been a lot.  And all at once.

And I have not handled it gracefully.  I have let my circumstances cause stress, worry, and overwhelm me.  I have let them dictate my joy and peace.  I did not first turn to the Lord through these circumstances, using them to press into Him.  I tried to handle them on my own, in my own strength, and failed.  I let the enemy win.  I lost perspective.  Perspective that God is good.  sovereign.  present.  loving.  faithful.  graceful.  perfect.

I am so thankful for His grace, despite my lack of faith, despite my lack of trust.  I am so thankful that He is my rock.  I am so thankful that my husband has been patient with me, gently, and consistently pushing me towards the Lord in all of this.

praising:  that although our car was totaled last weekend, that everyone involved in the accident was unharmed.  for God's favor... one car accident and 2 tiny fires in our house in the last month but the Lord has completely protected us and no one and nothing (other than our car) have been damaged.

praying:  against some serious spiritual attack that's been coming our way... for protection, to be able to see the attacks for what they are, for my heart to be guarded in truth, rejoicing despite whatever our circumstances are.

reading:  Isaiah, 2 Samuel, 1000 Gifts

cooking:  split pea soup, BBQ chicken pizza, fish tacos, warm sesame slaw, black beans rice and corn casserole, chocolate molten lava cakes, roasted squash, banana bread, chicken salad

thankful for:  our health.  that the insurance company and person causing the accident have accepted liability.  a new opportunity for me to make some more money and watch the kiddo of another friend... in perfect timing, just before one of the kiddos I'm currently watching came to an end.  that the nausea is pretty much entirely gone and I'm feeling like myself again.

doing:  2 year doctor's appointment for Noah.  walk with a friend.  making dinner to celebrate my MIL's birthday.  hosting community group.  having dinner with two sweet friends.

creating:  more Christmas presents

Tuscan Vegetable Soup

Tuscan Vegetable Soup

This soup is inexpensive, simple, nutritious, and delicious.  Perfect on a winter evening with a good loaf of bread.  I initially hadn't intended adding the pasta, but ended up with way more broth in the soup than I tend to like (I like stew consistency better than a thin soup), so I threw the pasta in last minute the thought it was perfect with that addition.  If you don't wish to add the pasta (or you like your soups soupy, not stewy), either reduce the broth by 4 cups, add more beans, or add some diced potatoes in with the veggies when you saute them.

-2 Tbsp olive oil
-1 onion, diced
-3 carrots, diced
-3 stalks celery, diced
-1 large zucchini, diced
-4 cloves garlic, minced
-1 tsp thyme
-1 tsp rosemary
-1/2 tsp pepper
-1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
-1 tsp salt
-10 c chicken broth
-1 (29 oz) can diced tomatoes
-2 (15 oz) can cannelini beans, drained
-1 lb fresh spinach
-1 box (13.25 oz) desired whole wheat pasta shape (optional)

In large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion, carrots, and celery, saute until soft, about 10 minutes.  Add zucchini and garlic, saute until fragrant, an additional minute.  Add thyme, rosemary, pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and cannelini beans.  Bring to a simmer.  Stir in spinach.  Add pasta, simmer 5 minutes, remove from heat and allow the pasta to finish cooking and soak up some of the broth until it's your desired consistency (I let it sit about 5 more minutes).  Serve.

Roasted Squash

I followed the method (ingredients and cooking instructions) for this roasted acorn squash recipe.  I used 2 carnival squash that I had on hand, reduced the butter to 3 Tbsp, eliminated the olive oil, reduced the brown sugar to 1/4 c, and used 1 tsp dried rosemary instead of the fresh.  I thought they turned out really well... I don't tend to be much of a squash person, an aversion to cooked orange vegetables that has been plaguing me since childhood, but this had made me a believer that squash can be flavorful and delicious.

14 weeks

Here is going on with our little lemon this week according to babycenter.com;

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

As for me, doing well.  Still feel nauseous for a few hours here and there, but not bad at all.  My energy and endurance are returning and jogging is starting to be easier again, for the last few weeks I've had to take walk breaks along my normal route.  I'm still not eating much sugar or sweets because they still aren't sitting quite right, as well as foods with lots of oil or butter.

I still haven't gained any weight, but my tummy is definitely sticking out.  There's only one pair of jeans I can still comfortably wear buttoned, but they all fit as long as I unbutton them and tie the button hole with a hair band.  All of my maternity clothes are still too big, so I'm in this awkward phase where nothing seems to look good on me or fit quite right.

I go back to the doctor Dec. 4 and am looking forward to hearing the heart beat again to reassure me that our little one is doing fine.

::this week::

praying:  for the needs and struggles of others.  for our city.  nation.  the nations.

praising:  God's grace... His many blessings.  some additional provision for our ministry.

reading:  2 Samuel, Isaiah, 1000 Gifts

cooking:  chille relleno casserole, hummus, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, ramen noodle pad thai, mac and cheese, slow cooker African peanut stew, tuscan bean soup

thankful for:  a four day weekend for our family with no real plans and lots of time to relax and enjoy each other.  God's provision.  abundant food... that my fridge is full of yummy things while others in the world don't have enough to eat.  good friends.  the thoughtfulness of some sweet friends who have looked for ways to serve and bless us.  family.  amazing weather.  a healthy family.

doing:  having a low key Thanksgiving with just us and J's parents, hoping to relax, eat lots of yummy food, and stay in my jammies all day long.  date night with my love, via a recent gift certificate from a sweet friend.

creating:  more Christmas presents

May you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving, filled with laughter, love, food, and the presence of the Lord!