The Baby in My Womb Leaped for Joy

I receive emails from John Piper's website and really enjoyed reading the latest sermon titled, "The Baby in My Womb Leaped for Joy".

This sermon gives a biblical perspective on abortion and the privilege humans have to be made in the image of God. ("God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27) Piper gives a little advice to our president and shares how God values and has purpose for life from the day of conception.

Here is the link for you to check it out:
"The Baby in My Womb Leaped for Joy"

I am now in my 25th week of pregnancy. I can't believe how the time has flown by and it's crazy to think I am more than halfway there! She is kicking and moving all the time. I recently read a book called "Becoming Baby Wise" by Ezzo . This book was full of useful information regarding sleeping patterns, routines, feeding, and other information regarding what the first few weeks might look like.

I also receive weekly emails giving me an update on how the baby is developing and I thought it would be fun to share this week's update with all of you.

Pregnancy Week 25


How your baby's growing
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

How your life's changing
Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.

You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

It's crazy to think that there is actually a baby in my womb... a life created in God's image with feelings, emotions, and personality. As my due date gets closer, I can't help but stand in awe of the creativity and wonder of our great God!

2008 Disney World Christmas

Tim and I had the privilege to go to Disney World for Christmas 2008. (thanks Mom and Dad!!) I went when I was way younger, but Tim had never been. We had an experience of a lifetime and we will always remember this trip. Disney does a fabulous job of making everything feel "magical" because it's so perfect and big. Nothing is done halfway, they go the extra 5 miles to accomodate everything for you and make everything extravagant.
We talked about starting now to save money to take our child to Disney World, but then thought we should start with college first. :)

Here are a few pictures and memories we made and will remember.

Of course, you can't go to Disney World and not take a picture of the breath-taking castle you grew up getting excited about. This is where all the magic happens. :)



Here is the entire family together. We were in line for the ride "It's a small world." It was so cute! We were together everyday and did most rides together. (some I had to sit out for being prego)


Here is Tim and me with our goofy 3D glasses for A Bug's Life show. This show had cool effects!


We had dinner reservations at Cinderella's castle which is the big Disney castle. It was so fun to be able to be inside the famous castle. We even were able to get a picture with the princess.


Tim and Goofy became buddies. They even dance the same!


Tim's parents were so sweet to buy our baby gifts from Disney World. We know this baby will not be deprived of love.


Tim and I shared our last snack/dessert before we left our resort, a marshmellowy rice krispy treat! Our baby girl loved it inside my tummy. :)


The trip would not have been complete without a picture with our old buddy Mickey. What a guy!

We are going to have a GIRL!!

Our last Dr. appt on 12/29/08 has been the most exciting appt yet! We had our 2nd sonogram and it was truly breathtaking! The lady pointed out every body part including the gall bladder, stomach, fingers, toes, spine, face, and heart. As she showed all the body parts and measured the baby's weight and height she repeatedly said everything is "perfect", "beautiful", and "great". As a first time mother, this was music to my hears. My biggest prayer has been for the baby to be healthy and she is! Praise God! We heard the heart beat again and it is stronger than the time before.

The next bit of news is what we have been announcing to every person we come in contact with, IT'S A GIRL!! When these words were said by the ultra sound lady, Tim said our daughter's life flash before his eyes. He saw dresses, make-up, training bras, dating, prom, and even jumped to givng her away at her wedding. Crazy I know because she has not even been born yet, but I'm sure most father's can relate to this experience.

When our doctor came in he congratulated both of us and said, "Start saving now because girls are expensive! Accessories, getting their hair done for prom, prom dresses, paying for a wedding, and the list goes on..." It was really funny. :)

All this to say, we are really nervous and excited about our sweet baby girl to arrive!

Happy New Year!!

It's crazy to think today is the first day of 2009. Man did 2008 go by quick! Just thinking back over this last year makes me so thankful for all that I have learned and experienced over this past year.
Looking back reminds me of God's faithfulness and how He is enough for all my needs. He is my Creator and Savior for all eternity and I have the joy of being a part of what He is doing in the lives of people around me. I am so undeserving, yet He loves me anyway. Yay!

I just finished reading John and was convicted and reminded of how Jesus loved people just as they were and he was always intentional about sharing the truth with boldness. Jesus always relied on the Father to guide Him and desired to do the Father's will.

This is my heart's desire for this coming year.
I am praying for:
-God's guidance and wisdom in parenting and caring for our little girl that is arriving in May.
-God to prepare our hearts for when we move to Austin to help start a church with Hill Country Bible Church.
-God to soften hearts and moving in the hearts of people in Austin. Preparing now and when we get there opportunities to be a part of what God is doing in Austin.
-God will provide finances for Tim to be able to work full-time at the church.
-Home groups at The Village (specifically the ones from our split) to be transformed by the gospel.

I know this is going to be a big year for our family and I want to trust the Lord to guide my every step.

Everyone, Happy New Year!!

Adolphus Christmas parade 2008

Last weekend we went to the Dallas Adolphus Neiman Marcus Christmas parade in downtown Dallas. We had a blast. It was a great start to the Christmas festivities in Dallas. We woke up early and walked downtown, found a great spot, and settled in. Living in downtown Dallas is great because we did not have to deal with parking. Yay!! The weather was cool, but not unbearable. It was a fabulous morning!

Below are some pictures from this fun morning!





A Christmas parade is not complete without Santa!




"Ice Age" is one of my all time favorite movies. I laugh like a crazy lady during the movie. I'm so glad they were in the parade.



Care Bears!! This brings back memories!




We had a blast in downtown Dallas!!

Kicking

It's so weird to feel the baby kicking. For about a week or two I have been feeling flutters in my stomach and I have not been sure if it was a kick from the baby or just indigestion, but today I knew for sure! I was in the middle of our math lesson, teaching about cents and coins, and all of a sudden, BAM!! I felt a really strong kick. I literally smiled in front of the whole class. One of my students asked me what I was smiling at and I just said "You". I can't explain the feeling I have knowing there is a life inside of me. I know other women experience this all the time, but it's such a beautiful thing when I step back and see the big picture of what is going on. A BABY is growing inside of me.

There is so much that goes into preparing for a baby. What type of bottles, diapers, how long to breastfeed, cribs, strollers, carriers, parenting styles, and Dallas Cowboys gear. It sounds so petty, but it can drive a lady crazy.

I asked a lady who discipled me in college and who is an amazing mother what books she recommended I read and her advice was,
"Love Jesus and HE will make you a great mom. Enjoy that little baby, Jaya. Everyone always says it, but it really does go by so fast. That tiny little bundle will bring out the best - and the worst - in you! :) It's just another amazing way God gives blessing and causes growth all in one cuddly little package. :)"
What great advice. I think I will stick with that. :)

Dallas Mavericks Date Night!!

We love living in Dallas and being able to go to Maverick games. We have been so blessed to receive free tickets to Maverick games this season and we enjoy every minute of the games. This week we went to the Mavericks vs. the Clippers at the American Airlines Center.

First of all, we got there and parked for FREE! A meter not very far did not require money. We thought this was too good to be true to happen in Dallas and so close to the American Airlines Center. We easily walked inside, found our seats, and enjoyed all the preseason extravaganza Mark Cuban is so good at having for fans.



Being pregnant, I am hungry ALL THE TIME, so we were off to get some grub. We decided to splurge and each get our own item. I crave heavy food so I went for the heaviest thing possible, a foot long chili dog piled with jalepenos. Yeah, so it's not the healthiest thing, but it was amazing. :)



Tim, who can live off mexican food for the rest of his life, bought supreme nachos. We really enjoyed our dinner that night. :)

The game started off rough. We were behind within the first 10 seconds until the end of the game. But in the last minute of the game We came back and won 100 to 98. Jason Terry had an awesome game and started us on ranking up the points the last minute and then Jose Barea brought it home with his scoring.

Great game, silly and fun conversation, and a restful night. This was a fun date!!