It is simply amazing how your life can take a drastic turn when you're least expecting it. You feel secure, safe, ready for anything and then POW! Things change.
I have been pregnant now for 6 months and enjoying every moment. I enjoy telling people that I never got morning sickness. (Sorry to all you moms who did!) I enjoy feeling my baby kick me in the ribs in the middle of the night because it lets me know that he/she is moving and playing. I enjoy telling my midwife that I have been exercising regularly and that I have been keeping a pretty good diet. I enjoyed telling everyone how amazing my pregnancy was going! Until last week.
I started having some mild cramping (a lot like period cramps) around midnight on a Friday. I got up, got a glass of water and a heating pad, and attempted to go back to sleep. An hour later I woke up with them again so I moved into the living room to attempt sleeping in the recliner. Another hour later I was again awakened by the cramps so I moved back into the bedroom....and so on and so forth until I had to get up for work. I was hoping that by moving around and perhaps getting something to eat that the pain would subside. But I couldn't take it anymore and at 7 a.m. I finally called my midwife. She sounded concerned and called me to her office right away.
After a few samples were taken I found out that I was severely dehydrated and that I had a very bad bladder/urinary tract infection. Now, this may not seem like life or death to most, but after some research (and a word with my sister who happens to be a nurse) I found out that infections like this are the primary cause of preterm labor.
I couldn't believe it! Here, I thought I was doing so well and that I was doing everything I could for the health and well-being of my baby. I thought I was sailing through this pregnancy and then this?! How could I let this happen?
Well, after many prayers and apologies to my husband and my baby, I was put on bed rest, antibiotics, and a strict fluid regimen. I was so upset and angry for a while. Having to miss work; not being able to help around the house; not being able to even go for a walk...it gets old after only a couple of days. But I have come to realize that it is the best possible thing I could be doing for our amazing child right now.
I am taking the time to pray and rest. Perhaps something that I have needed to do for 6 months but never realized it because things were going so swimmingly. And I am taking the time to appreciate all the amazing people whom God has placed in my life to help. My husband, my mom, my sisters and brothers, and my in-laws. They have all been so encouraging and caring. Offering to do laundry, make a meal, or even offering their advice has been such a blessing and I now know that it's just what I needed.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Things to do with your husband (that don't include watching T.V.)
I recently saw a blog post of "101 Things To Do With Your Husband" and thought it looked interesting. So I browsed through it and really liked what I saw. Of course, some of the activities listed were particular to couples with children or to couples who lived close to the beach.
In an effort to satisfy my own imagination, I tweaked the list I found online to pertain to myself and my husband (and perhaps younger couples in the Midwest without kids...yet)
And, here they are...
Ride bikes together around the block or around town
Cook together...as long as you can let the other do their part without being critical (I'm terrible at that)Go to the gym together – there is something comforting about looking across the gym and seeing him smile at mePlay backyard games together; ladder ball, corn hole toss, even croquet!Fold clothes together - yes it seems lame, but it makes it go by quicker with someone else and it's a good excuse to sit and chatGo see a play at a local theatreRearrange furniture - just to give your rooms a little something differentGo shopping and pick one thing out for each otherScrabbleGo to a winery and do a wine tasting
Long walk around the blockPicnic in the park or up in the hillsPlay Wii Sports or Mario Kart togetherPlay raquetballPut together a puzzleRead a book togetherSit outside and watch the sunsetTake a cooking class together
Head to a coffee shop and chill outDay trip to a special location nearby - for us it is in Spearfish CanyonFind a band you both like and see if they’re playing anytime soon or nearby. If not, head to a local bar that has live music.Take dance lessonsGo to a baseball game together (whether is is Major league or your local pee-wees)Check out a local breweryGo bowling
Go house huntingGo fishing togetherRent a canoe and go to the lakeRoller blade together - with protective gear if neither of you know what you're doingCreate a vegetable gardenBook a couples massageRun a 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, or marathon together - I'd personally prefer walking, but we could motivate each otherVolunteer together somewhere specialMini golfingHave him teach you how to play a sport that you don't play - for me it's golf. He loves it and I've never set foot on a golf course.Play basketball together - just for fun and perhaps not for points :)Go on a hike
Play MonopolyRecreate your very first dateTurn on some music and dance
Head to a flea marketSit by the fireGo campingLearn to play an instrument togetherPlay frisbeeRedo your bedroom together – new sheets, new arrangement of furniture, hang photos, etcWhen it’s raining, run outside and kiss in the rain!Free movies in the parkWalk around the mall hand in handHave a fondue nightKayakingMake chocolate chip cookies from scratch togetherHead to the batting cagesGo-cart racing!Head out on a boat ride (you may need to find a friend who owns a boat for this one as I don't recommend purchasing a boat for this activity)Head to a car dealer and test drive cars you have had your eye onStrawberry/Blueberry/Apple picking – depending on the seasonMovie night outside on an old school projectorSit and watch your wedding video togetherMake a family treeSpend the night at a local B&BHead to a local museumFitness class togetherMake your own sundaesGo ice skatingFind a place where you can do a dinner boat or a dinner train!Make your own sushiLay in your backyard and look up at the starsGo horseback ridingFind a local art exhibitIf you have a hot tub, jump in!Head to an amusement parkGo zip-lining!Make a fort out of furniture cushions and blankets...you know you still love doing that
Bake a cake...or cookies, or brownies...anything!Dress up all fancy and head out to dinner, it doesn’t matter if it’s just for the fun of itCreate a vision board of goals and dreams you both have for your lives aheadClean out and organize the garage, your basement or your atticListen to a podcast together and talk about it - we love Red Rocks Church sermons
Make breakfast and eat it in bedPlant a treeCreate a special space outdoors for the summerGo to a planetariumWatch a fireworks displayCreate a scavenger hunt for each other of clues that only the 2 of you would know and understandVisit a local animal shelter if you’re looking to adopt a new pet or just want to pet and playTake a karate classGo whitewater raftingHead to a water park
Hope that helps at least a little with those mundane moments. I know we have followed a few of these ideas but I hope to attempt all of them at least once in our lifetime!
In an effort to satisfy my own imagination, I tweaked the list I found online to pertain to myself and my husband (and perhaps younger couples in the Midwest without kids...yet)
And, here they are...
Ride bikes together around the block or around town
Cook together...as long as you can let the other do their part without being critical (I'm terrible at that)Go to the gym together – there is something comforting about looking across the gym and seeing him smile at mePlay backyard games together; ladder ball, corn hole toss, even croquet!Fold clothes together - yes it seems lame, but it makes it go by quicker with someone else and it's a good excuse to sit and chatGo see a play at a local theatreRearrange furniture - just to give your rooms a little something differentGo shopping and pick one thing out for each otherScrabbleGo to a winery and do a wine tasting
Long walk around the blockPicnic in the park or up in the hillsPlay Wii Sports or Mario Kart togetherPlay raquetballPut together a puzzleRead a book togetherSit outside and watch the sunsetTake a cooking class together
Head to a coffee shop and chill outDay trip to a special location nearby - for us it is in Spearfish CanyonFind a band you both like and see if they’re playing anytime soon or nearby. If not, head to a local bar that has live music.Take dance lessonsGo to a baseball game together (whether is is Major league or your local pee-wees)Check out a local breweryGo bowling
Go house huntingGo fishing togetherRent a canoe and go to the lakeRoller blade together - with protective gear if neither of you know what you're doingCreate a vegetable gardenBook a couples massageRun a 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, or marathon together - I'd personally prefer walking, but we could motivate each otherVolunteer together somewhere specialMini golfingHave him teach you how to play a sport that you don't play - for me it's golf. He loves it and I've never set foot on a golf course.Play basketball together - just for fun and perhaps not for points :)Go on a hike
Play MonopolyRecreate your very first dateTurn on some music and dance
Head to a flea marketSit by the fireGo campingLearn to play an instrument togetherPlay frisbeeRedo your bedroom together – new sheets, new arrangement of furniture, hang photos, etcWhen it’s raining, run outside and kiss in the rain!Free movies in the parkWalk around the mall hand in handHave a fondue nightKayakingMake chocolate chip cookies from scratch togetherHead to the batting cagesGo-cart racing!Head out on a boat ride (you may need to find a friend who owns a boat for this one as I don't recommend purchasing a boat for this activity)Head to a car dealer and test drive cars you have had your eye onStrawberry/Blueberry/Apple picking – depending on the seasonMovie night outside on an old school projectorSit and watch your wedding video togetherMake a family treeSpend the night at a local B&BHead to a local museumFitness class togetherMake your own sundaesGo ice skatingFind a place where you can do a dinner boat or a dinner train!Make your own sushiLay in your backyard and look up at the starsGo horseback ridingFind a local art exhibitIf you have a hot tub, jump in!Head to an amusement parkGo zip-lining!Make a fort out of furniture cushions and blankets...you know you still love doing that
Bake a cake...or cookies, or brownies...anything!Dress up all fancy and head out to dinner, it doesn’t matter if it’s just for the fun of itCreate a vision board of goals and dreams you both have for your lives aheadClean out and organize the garage, your basement or your atticListen to a podcast together and talk about it - we love Red Rocks Church sermons
Make breakfast and eat it in bedPlant a treeCreate a special space outdoors for the summerGo to a planetariumWatch a fireworks displayCreate a scavenger hunt for each other of clues that only the 2 of you would know and understandVisit a local animal shelter if you’re looking to adopt a new pet or just want to pet and playTake a karate classGo whitewater raftingHead to a water park
Hope that helps at least a little with those mundane moments. I know we have followed a few of these ideas but I hope to attempt all of them at least once in our lifetime!
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