I am now 32 weeks pregnant with our first son.  He is such a cutie too!!  I know this because I got an unexpected peek at his adorable face.  I was just going in to have a recording made of his heartbeat, but as an added bonus I was given an awesome 3d sonogram of his face.  Truly amazing!  My daughters, who were with me at the time, were as delighted as I was squealing, “He’s sooo CUTE!”

So, now it’s countdown time until we meet this little chub-a-lub of a miracle from God.  Eight more weeks of my stomach growing even bigger (which is hard to imagine at this point)!  Eight more weeks of using the excuse, “I’m pregnant and don’t feel like it.” 🙂  Eight more weeks of feeling those incredible flutters, kicks, wiggles, jabs, and hickups from a little person moving inside my body.  Eight more weeks of drinking coffee with a guilty conscience because I know my midwife doesn’t approve.  And, that’s not all she disapproves of!

I love my midwife…I really do.  Even though she makes me turn in a food log to her every visit and tells me all the things I shouldn’t be eating and drinking- I still love her unconditionally.  Boy, she sure knows how to lay on the guilt too!  Who knew that carrots and snow peas were not a good choice of veggies (too much sugar, she said).  Why is juice bad for me?  Again, too much sugar, she said.  Why can’t I have Special K cereal for breakfast?  It’s my favorite cereal.  Oh right… too many carbs, not enough protein.  What’s wrong with my ham and cheese sandwich for lunch?  Full of nitrates if you didn’t get the meat cut from the deli, she said!

I think my best approach to the mandatory food log I give her every month has been to have a sense of humor.  When she questioned why I was still drinking coffee every morning, my response to her was, “Have you tried my husband’s cinnamon latte???  Why would I give that up?”  I love to make her laugh when she reviews my log.  One particular food log was full of humor and she enjoyed reading it so much that she kept it in my file.  I had written entries like, “Breakfast:  homemade bread and homemade raspberry jam from the Mennonite bakery in Westcliffe, CO… now don’t tell me I can’t have that!”  And, from another day’s entry, “Went to Olive Garden for lunch: you don’t want to know what I had.”

In all fairness, her intentions are good for me.  I know this.  she just wants a healthy me, a healthy baby, and a healthy delivery.  So, thank you Lord that my midwife wants the best for me.  Thank you that she holds me accountable for what I eat and drink during my pregnancy, even though she drives me crazy with her do’s and don’ts.

Ultimately though, the health of this baby is in God’s hands.  I have been trusting Him throughout this pregnancy, from the moment of preconception when I heard Him speak to me, “NEW LIFE.” and “YOU’RE KEEPING HIM FROM COMING,”  as I made the choice to stop my birth control.  I believe this baby boy has a special purpose and will be a blessing to everyone he meets.  I am trusting God for health in my body, as well as this baby’s, and I believe He will orchestrate a healthy delivery for me.  There are of course battles I fight in my mind that are brought on by strong hormones.  Overwhelming feelings of doubt, worry, frustration, fatigue, guilt, confusion, to name a few!  That’s why it is of the upmost importance to combat those feelings with God’s Word.  There are so many powerful verses in the Bible that talk about trusting God and being strong and courageous.  Here are 5 verses I have chosen to fill my spirit with:

• Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• Isaiah 40:31 – but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
• Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
• Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

There are many voices we hear during pregnancy.  Advice coming from lots of well meaning people such as family, friends, midwives, doctors, and even strangers!  But the most important voice we need to listen to is from the Holy Spirit.  Keep your trust in Him.  He is faithful. His love never ends, and His mercies are new every morning!