I've been living on other people's verbal throw up

Hey Everyone,

You're probably thinking, "verbal throw up?" I guess it's kind of literal. If you would like to know please continue to read.

My life after Renovare had it's ups and downs (mainly because of my hormones I think) but overall it's been good. I'm continuously learning.

There's a few great changes I noticed in my life.

The first is that I'm able to soak in God's words as the truth and not just merely information. I didn't know how to put that into words until we started going through a series called MetaX at our church. Before I would read the bible and most of the time it would soak in as good information. I didn't feel it penetrating into my heart. After renovare, I noticed that my heart was able to recieve God's word in a more deeper but simple way.

Another great awakening was that I realized that I've been living on other people's throw-up most of my life.

Let me elaborate on that.

I realized I got burnt out quickly because my strength came from books, sermons, and other sources other then my personal time with God. All the books and sermon's are great information but it's not good enough to give my body all the nourishment it needs in order to function properly everyday. Our pastor put it as Zero Calories. The great books, sermons, newspaper articles are zero calories unless we have God's word in us. All the books and sermon's were information they received from their personal time with God. In return they're sharing it with others and we're listening to their verbal throw up. It's not bad but it's not enough.

I've also realized how important comunity was tremdously through our NUMA family. I've been growing through the love people have been giving me and also through other peoples lives. I was able to see God through them.

What must I do now that I know this? I'm trying to create more margin for God each day. Creating margin for God means letting God be the center and pushing all the worldly things outwards so that God may go inward. Has it been easy? Not necessarily but God pursued after me before I ever pursued after Him.

Do you guys have a similar experience or understand where I'm coming from?

Love,
Sandy

Pregnancy Week 33: Baby Shower + Our first trip to Babies R' Us

Hey Guys,

Week 33, Day 2

Topher Update:

Topher is approximately 17 inches which is about the size of a pineapple and weighs about 4.25lbs. He's still moving around a lot. He also hiccups about 2-3 times a day. I have to say that it feels a little annoying but I'll endure it for our baby.

Weekend Recap:

I hope you guys all had a great weekend! Mine was definitely awesome!

My sisters threw me a Baby Shower this past weekend and I had a blast. I wouldn't have had so much fun if it wasn't for all my dear friends and family. Thank you guys again for coming out and making it so memorable. Also, thank you babe for capturing all the great moments. I love you guys!!

I think the best part was seeing everyone's facial expression when they were smelling the chocolates inside the diapers. It was one of the games we played. It was pretty hilarious. Anything brown inside a diaper doesn't look pretty or tasty even if it's chocolates.

Our trip to Babies R' Us:

Chris and I finally went to Babies R' Us this past Sunday to buy a few things for Topher. It felt surreal to be inside the store. Who knew this day would come so soon. We realized how clueless we were about what Topher really needed. Why do babies need so many things? Thank God we have people around us to give us some stuff because we would easily spend a fortune.
Chris was so excited to go through all the aisles. I was a bit tired but he was so excited that I couldn't resist not going.

The funiest moment was when Chris freaked when he saw how expensive the Baby Bjorn was. He said, "It cost $200 to carry my son", but of course it's all worth it. He was also super excited to build Topher's Pack and Play. He stayed up until 1 AM building all his stuff. He's such a great dad!

Tips for first time shoppers at Babies R' Us:
1) We asked for a registry list at the guest service and went down the list to see what we needed to buy. Cross out everything you have, don't need, and stick with the most important things.
2) Ask the workers at the store for help when in doubt then do your own research.
3) Not all babies like the same baby bottle so only buy a couple to test it out. See if your baby likes it first and then you can buy more after. We personally bought the Tommie Tippee because it's currenlty one of the best selling and it was recommended by our friend.
4) Use coupon's.
5) Baby Carrier: Our friend recommened to get the one with full back support. It's more expensive but well worth the investment. It puts a strain on our back especially for us women. We got the Baby Bjorn brand. We found it for about 30% less on Amazon.com and it was directly from the company.
6) Try not to resist hand me downs especially things for newborns. They grow out of it so fast and they would never know or even care that it's not brand new.


Mom's if I forgot anything please leave comments below.



Chris making Topher's Pack and Play

 I hope you guys have a great rest of the week!

Love,
Sandy

Pregnancy Week 32: Contractions? + Nutrition Update + My Birthday

Hey Guys,

Weekend Recap:

I hope you guys had a great weekend!! Mine was fabulous! I celebrated my 28th birthday which was by far one of the best. Chris threw me a surprise birthday party. My hubby is truly the best. I seriously had no idea. As soon as I walked in John's house everyone quitely screamed SURPRISE (b/c of Topher) then each person handed me a rose with warm hugs. I was so overwhelmed with love and joy. Then it kept getting better. I saw all the great food, decorations, and all the love that people poured out to make that day perfect for me and Chris. I was a reck that day because I cried my eyes out. Then on Monday (my actual b-day) I celebrated it my the NUMA ladies at the women Covenant Group. Jeni made delicious food and all the girls got me a gift card to a really fancy spa. I'm really going to make good use out of that after Topher get's here. I felt really loved this entire weekend. Thank you everyone for all your love, presents, and cakes. I won't forget it.



I prayed for a church and God provided a family!!

 Topher Update:


He's aprroximately 3.75lbs and 16.7 inches big. Topher's a lot more active so his movements are a lot bigger now. Sometimes I feel like I can see his body parts through my stomack when he kicks. It's really interesting.





Pregnancy Upate:

I'm currently on week 32, Day 3. I read on Babybump that Topher is gaining about 1/2 lb a week and i'm gaining approximately a one pound a week. I weighed myself 2 weeks ago and I weighed 110 lbs. I gained about 20 pounds so far. Based on the book Conception, Pregnancy & Birth I'm right on target with my weight gain. Also, I've been experiencing Braxton Hicks Contraction this week. They say you get them as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy but you won't really notice it unitl your mid-pregnancy if you feel it at all. You feel your stomach tensing up and then you feel like you have to pee. It's not painful so it's bareable. You can read more about it here.(What's Braxton Hicks contraction?)

Nutrition Update:



Week 31, Day 7



It's hard eating healthy during pregnancy because there's certain things you crave even when you know it's not good for you or your baby. My solution to that is just to have enough to satisfy your craving but don't finish the whole bag. Depriving yourself might lead to binging or stress which isn't any better so eat a little but remember that junk foods are empty calories. You may ask, so do I eat healthy all the time? Absoutely not but I do try. When you're hungry you tend to crave sweets or foods that'll satisfy you instantly so I keep healthy snacks at my desk, purse, car for those moments such as:

1) Almonds and nuts

2) Several Fruits ( I get them at a local farmers market because they only sell fruits that are in season)

3) Organic Meal Bars/ snack bars that's has vitamins and good nutrition. Make sure it's not just filled with sugar.

4) Mineral Water (It's extremely great for me and Topher)

I tend to eat not so healthy when I'm tired or really hungry. My weaknesses are pizza, french fries, and pastries. I crave those periodically. I do satisfy my hunger but I just don't eat it every day or every week.

Due to Dr. Miriam Stoppard more problems develop if you eat too little than if you eat too much. However, you do need to beware of truly excessive weight gain. Junk food, from chocolate bar to hamburger and fries, tends to be made up  mainly of fat and sugar, which are of little value to your growing baby, and your body converts it to maternal fat. Maternal fat is hard to lose after your baby. (source Book: Conception, Pregnancy & Birth).

Hope you guys all have a great week!!

Let me know if there's some other things you would like to know about pregnancy or myself.

I love hearing from you guys!!

Love,

Sandy