Day 2

God has been so good to me during this time of rest, here are few praises I would love to share:
1. Jaci (my teaching partner) has found an incredible sub that can stay the duration of my bedrest (which will hopefully only be two weeks).
2. I have had the chance to talk on the phone to my kids both today and yesterday...and Jaci brought over all kinds of beautiful pictures they drew for me.
3. My mom and dad have been so helpful. They did laundry, cleaned my bathrooms, and brought me lunch...plus they are making my most favorite meal for me tonight. (roast, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions). They are going to come over here and cook so I have someone to talk to.
4. I am saving up all my energy for a quick hair cut at 2:00. I took a very quick shower and immediately put my feet back up. There is nothing like having your hair done.....or sometimes I like to say getting my weave did.

These are just a few praises. I know how fortunate we are, surrounded by so many family and friends. Plus Jaci sent out an APB to the faculty and staff at TLS and I can't begin to tell you how much their responses have meant. Lot's of prayers for this precious baby. I can't wait to take them around and tell them about all of the people who prayed and love them.

My mom just got here, so I am going to go and visit. I may post again today, I mean what else do I have to do? Love you guys.
Em

Day 1

Last night I thought I would stay up late...enjoy those great shows that come on at 10:00 (that I am usually fast asleep for), but was fighting to stay awake around 9:00. I guess I did put in a half day at work, and a pretty emotional afternoon at the Doctor. I was wide awake at 12:30 this morning and in disbelief that I was actually on such strict restrictions. My mind was busy thinking, and I just couldn't calm myself down enough to fall asleep. I guess I eventually did because my poor sweet husband woke me up getting out of be at 1:30 because he couldn't sleep. We believe that God is using this experience for His glory and that He is teaching us to totally and completely lean and trust on His plan and His timing. I was reading in my book this morning Prayers for Expectant Mothers by Angela Thomas Guffey, and loved what she said....

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and laen not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

With that thought, I knew immediately that whatever happens, whatever my child lookslike or becomes, I will love him/her with the might love of a mother. I do trust You Lord. I trust that whatever comes, nothing will escape your careful watch. That You will render courage to the cowardly and strength to the helpless. I know that you will amaze us with Your grace.

We are so lucky to have Christ during these times when you don't know what to think. He has gone before us.....If you think of it please pray for my husband. I know that Colin is worried, and I know he doesn't say too much to protect me, but he needs some time to process this whole situation too. We are confident in this decision for me to stay home, and know that it is what is best for our sweet baby.

My mom is coming over today to help me with laundry (well do it, Thursday is my laundry day), and bring me lunch. I am so thankful that my parents are so close by and willing to help us out. God is providing......Love you guys. I am going to try and figure out how to load songs on my blog now, you have got to hear At the Cross for yourself. Love ya'll.

Em

Speechless

I am happy to report that we got to see all of our dear friends at Dr. Butler's office today. I have missed all of them so much. Jennafer greeted us with a big bag of goodies for expecting parents, we shared pictures, and talked through medical history. Then things shifted a wee bit. Dr. Butler came in and asked a lot of questions about my bleeding, cramping, and ultrasounds that showed the blood clot. He then proceeded to say that he was going to rock our world with some suggestions to carry on this healthy baby. He said NO WORK for at least two weeks....no work? I looked at Colin, hoping that I heard Dr. Bulter correctly...did he just say no work, no precious little five year olds, no awesome Kindergarten team, no TLS? Then he said really, you should rest as much as possible. You can get up to make a sandwich, go to church, grocery, and dinner occasionally, but a majority of your time will be spent on your bucket. I looked again at Colin, is this really happening. Know that I am not having second thoughts, I totally trust Dr. Butler and his team and am going to rest because I want what is best for this precious child. I am just having to change my way of thinking. For so long is has been God, family, and work....now I have to move that sweet baby before work (not a problem, just different). I have so many wonderful friends who are already planning to visit, bring books, and rest with me. God is so good. He also got me in to see Dr. Butler today.....I was going to wait a few more weeks. Again I am reminded that His ways are not my ways...His plans are not my plans. I need to figure out what I am supposed to learn over the next few weeks, or months (I can't go back to work until I stop bleeding/cramping for two straight weeks). We may also miss out on our upcoming Florida trip...which is okay, just a bummer. Please don't think I am complaining, I am just really processing what just happened a few hours ago and I guess I am really not speechless, I just don't know how to say what I am thinking. God is good, He will be glorified. As I type I am listening to one of my new favorite worship songs At the Cross, by Hillsong. The words are so comforting and I know that no matter what He loves me, and this baby more then I can ever hope and imagine. Good news....blog will be updated daily. Love you guys...enjoy the lyrics to my new favorite song (I wish I knew how to put music on my blog) .

Oh Lord You've searched me You know my way Even when I fail You I know You love me Your holy presence Surrounding me In every season I know You love me I know You love me At the cross I bow my knee Where Your blood was shed for me There's no greater love than this You have overcome the grave Your glory fills the highest place What can separate me now You go before me You shield my way Your hand upholds me I know You love me You tore the veil You made a way When You said that it is done And when the earth fades Falls from my eyes And You stand before me I know You love me I know You love me

Em

Sweet baby Stout...9 weeks 4 days

(a shot as if you were looking down on his/her head)

(a profile shot)

Last day with Dr. Akin...

It's official....we have been released back to Dr. Butler. We are thrilled that we get to go back to our beloved OB/GYN, but sad to leave and office that has done so much for us. We took everyone cookies this afternoon as a small token of our appreciation, I mean how do you thank someone for helping you conceive a child. We are forever grateful that God placed Dr. Akin and his team in our lives (IV issues and all). We have two more pictures of the baby that I will have to post later. That little one looks just like a baby....it has flipped from the last ultrasound picture. The baby is about one inch in length and absolutely perfect in our eyes.

One prayer request. The phantom twin seems to be disappearing, but the blod clot is still there. I asked Dr. Akin what I should feel about this addition to my womb and he said concerned, not worried....what does that mean? Concerned to me seems a step up from worry, or am I just worrying too much? God only knows and the prayer is for him to remove it from my body. I just don't want to be concerned and or worried. I will post some pix of our little one tomorrow. Love ya'll.
Em

9 weeks...

(9 weeks, size of a quarter)

Thank you so much for all your comments and suggestions on finding out the sex. I have also been asking around and I believe my personality combined with my sweet hubs will force us to find out what this sweet baby's sex is. I am a HUGE planner, and although I think it would be really cool to wait and be surprised....when the time comes at 20 weeks I will be itching to find out and call him/her by their own name. We love reading our pregnancy journal every night, we have a book of prayers for expectant mothers that we also enjoy.

We go back to Dr. Akin for our final appointment tomorrow. I absolutely adore his office staff and him. They have done so much for us and been nurturing, loving, empathetic and supportive along the way. We baked them cookies and have a little card as a small token of our appreciation. We can NEVER repay them for the help they have given us.

Good news is that we have been released back to Dr. Butler, Jennifer, and Joan....our favorites! I was supposed to see them next week but Dr. Butler was going to be on vacation and I knew that for my first appointment back to their office I had to see them!! I can't wait to introduce them to Sweet Baby Stout.

Also, I attended the women's ministry event this past weekend and it was powerful. I felt so appreciated and pampered throughout the whole experience. The worship was incredible, and the stories changed my perspective. I really need to find joy in all that I do. I was especially touched on Friday night when a young women shared her journey with her sweet daughter Audrey Caroline. You must check it out yourself. I will worn you....be prepared to sit for a while, cry, and be touched! I love you peeps.

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Em

Pink or Blue?

(this pink pacifier is for my dad, who thinks it is most definately a girl)
Friends,

I am asking for your opinion. I honestly think I know which way I will go, but I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Should we find out what we are having or be surprised? I know that it would be much more convenient for showers, nursery, etc to know....but there is a part of me that thinks it would be really cool not to know until we see our babies sweet face (well not face, but you get the idea). Thoughts? What would you do, or what have you done?

Em