13 weeks

It's been fun to follow along with other gals as they keep track of their progress with this survey.  I thought I would join in on the fun.  I was 13 weeks last Wednesday.

How far along? 13wks
Total weight gain/loss: I've lost about 6 pounds. 
Maternity clothes? The ol' rubber band through the button hole trick for now.
Stretch marks? None...yet.
Sleep: I'm up many times a night. I think the Lord is just preparing me for what's to come.
Best moment this week:  An "extra" ultrasound.  It was the first time we had seen arms/legs/fingers/toes.  Also Baby Boyce had the hiccups. Taking after his/her Momma already.  I get them at least once a month.
Movement: none felt yet, only seen.
Cravings: Anything acidic!  I could eat 8 grapefruits with each meal.  Pickles, pickled okra, dill pickle flavored chips.  The list goes on.  Also any fresh/raw produce.
Gender:  Too early to tell.
Labor Signs:  None.
Belly Button in or out?  In.
What I miss: Sushi. Although Kyle ended up with food poisoning last week from some bad sushi.  I think I can wait another 27 weeks.
What I am looking forward to:  16 week appointment. Such a joy to hear the heartbeat!
Weekly Wisdom:  Love the Lord, your spouse, and your children.  In that order.  I'm already realizing how caught up I could become in all things baby. 
Milestones:  The first trimester has come to a close.  It flew by!

Fatigue and Flowers

Although every day is Valentine's Day in our marriage... :)...it was nice to spend Friday and Saturday together with the focus solely on us.  I walked in the door from work on Friday and Mr. Clean, AKA Kyle, had done the works!  Laundry, Windows, Bathroom, Dishes, Carpet, Dusting...every corner, spic 'n span.  And on the table - two dozen beautiful roses:

 All of this was unexpected, but so appreciated. The truth is, fatigue has gotten the best of me all of me. In the past month I have dropped the ball around the house. When I get home I take off my shoes, sit on the couch, close my eyes, and time disappears. Laundry piles up to the point that Kyle has to get a white t-shirt out of the dryer in the morning, everything I cook seems to show a lack of effort, and the fridge is empty, yet the grocery store (although literally across the street) feels miles and miles away. Bottom line - I need to get my act together. Yes I realize by God's amazing grace and through His mighty power I am creating another life within me. Yes, I understand this takes an exorbitant amount of energy. However my duties in the home can't just come to a halt. Proverbs 31 doesn’t have a footnote that says “disregard this passage when expecting.” The good thing is I am now entering the second trimester and I hear energy takes an upswing.

The rest of the weekend was wonderful! We stayed in Friday night to watch the Olympic ceremony. Saturday we relaxed, went out for dinner that evening, and came home to watch a movie.

It's hard to believe this was our last Valentine's day as a family of two.  Next year we will spend it with a 6 month old, Lord willing.  Wow!  Will I be his Valentine?  Or will Kyle be hers?  I guess we'll know in about seven weeks. 

Let it snow...

Never have we ever seen this much snow!  Saturday my boss called and said I didn't need to come in to work - the bank would only open for a couple of hours.  Kyle had the day off, so we enjoyed a weekend of being "snowed-in."  We decided to avoid cabin fever by venturing out for a few photo-ops.

A FEW SHOTS AROUND OUR COMPLEX

 

   

A SNOWMAN WE DIDN'T BUILD

A VIEW OF THE WVU FOOTBALL STADIUM

 

STUDENTS SLIDING DOWN THE LAW SCHOOL HILL

 CHILI AT THE END OF THE DAY WAS A MUST

HEADED OUT FOR CHURCH

So we ended up with a little over a foot
and it continues to come down! 
We're definitely not in the South anymore. 

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In other news, I had my 12-week appointment today.  No ultrasound pics, but we did hear the heartbeat!  Another indescribable moment!  I have been so blessed to feel absolutely wonderful since the very beginning.  This blessing has also caused me to fight for my ability to rest in the Lord and trust Him completely. 

THIS SHOULDN'T BE HARD SINCE I HAVE

THE "RESTING" PART DOWN PAT

~sneaky work, Kyle~

Aside from fatigue, I have no "symptoms" that would reassure me that everything is still OK.  So I just keep rehearsing what my sweet mother-in-love so often quotes:  "Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

A Divine Parallel

Why is it that you hurt those you love the most…

Every day I go to work from 6:30-3:00. I fight the fatigue and moodiness that so often accompany pregnancy and put my best foot forward for my coworkers and customers. I smile when “Mr. Impatient” is rude. I return kindness to those who are snippy and impolite. Yet, as soon as I walk through the door at home, I unleash every bit of exhaustion and agitation I have been holding in throughout the day. On whom is it unleashed? …on the person I love the most.

At first I didn’t buy into the thought that moodiness is a legitimate symptom. I thought it was nothing but an excuse to have a bad attitude due to the physical discomfort of pregnancy. Now I understand it is very much legit. I have no physical discomfort. I have no excuse. The Lord has blessed me with a super first trimester. I have not been sick once. Fatigue is my only physical battle – hardly justification for the way I’ve treated my husband for the past month or so. I have tried and tortured his spirit on a regular basis. As soon as I clip Kyle at the knees I regret it. I’m constantly asking for his forgiveness. It’s exhausting for me. How much more so it must be for him. He has had every reason to snap – to give up. He just never has. He smiles when “Ms. Impatient” is rude. He returns kindness to me when I am snippy and impolite. I am amazed by his steadfast love. What a husband he is! What a father he will be! I love Kyle David Boyce!

The parallel has become so clear to me in light of my sin. Kyle is to this marriage as Christ is to the Church. He is forgiving. He is a strong leader with a gentle spirit. His response to my ugly behavior is always unconditional love. I am humbled and grateful. 

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife,

As Christ also is the head of the church,

He Himself being the Savior of the body.

But as the church is subject to Christ,

So also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives,

Just as Christ also loved the church

And gave Himself up for her,

So that He might sanctify her,

Having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,

That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory,

Having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;

But that she would be holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:22-27