14 Weeks Pregnant

I am three and a half months pregnant today, and in my second trimester. My baby's eyebrows are growing in, he may be sprouting hair on his head, he's making facial expressions, and he might even be sucking his thumb! My belly has definitely popped, but since I have a fair amount of belly fat I only really look pregnant to people who know I am, otherwise I just look kinda fat. I can't wear my old pants anymore, but thankfully I found two pair of maternity pants at Goodwill, which I've been wearing since week eight. I've had to pack away all of my regular shirts, and switch to maternity ones with some long tunics and tank tops thrown in. Oh, and another significant change? Lets just say that I've moved way up the alphabet in the undergarments department. Yup, lots of fun.

Nick and I scheduled our 20 week ultrasound, and will be finding out if we'll be bringing home a son or a daughter, on December 6th!

13 Weeks Pregnant

Dear Baby,

Second trimester, here we come! Supposedly, I will soon begin to have more energy. That would be nice - after all, I plan to make your nursery bedding and decorations myself, and I can't do that if all I want to do is sleep! Your crib is almost paid off, and your Daddy and I plan to paint it a pretty shade of buttery-yellow. I think you're going to love it!

Love you always,

Mommy

Entitled To Nothing, Yet Grateful For Help

When I was able to work, I paid taxes. My husband pays taxes. We pay taxes, even though we don't make enough money to live on. And at the end of the fiscal year, we get at least part of those taxes back from the IRS in the form of a tax return.

There are some who would consider us mouchers or "entitled" because we use certain welfare programs, and we get some of our taxes back each year. I find this strange, considering that we do actually pay taxes - we take that hit every paycheck, just like everyone else. Just because we live in a country that recognizes that some of its citizens cannot afford to lose that money permenantly does not make us bad people. It doesn't make us any less hard working, nor does it make us any less patriotic. Frankly, I am offended by the very thought.

To anyone who thinks that all people who have to use "the system" are slackers, or that they are all living high on the hog on tax dollars - take a look around you. Yes, there are some who use the system as an excuse to not work, to live like slobs, to abuse their children, or any number of other horrible things. But for every one person like that, there are hundreds like us; people who want to work, who want to be independent, but because of the economy or other factors outside their control cannot make enough of an income to live without those welfare programs. I do not feel entitled to your hard earned tax money. But I do thank God every day that we live in a country that does its best to take care of those in its midst that are unable to take care of themselves sufficiently.

9 Weeks

Sweet little baby, deep inside

Mama's thinkin' about you tonight

Sweet little fingers toes and ears

Mama's cryin' happy tears

~ 9 weeks

Bouncing Baby Belleque | Sharing The Good News

Nick and I decided to wait until I got home to tell anyone else the good news. We wanted to be together for that, and I had only just hit five weeks, so we knew we had plenty of time. I was originally supposed to stay in Kansas for two weeks, but given the news, we decided to cut my visit short by a week, so I could get home and go to the doctor, and be with Nick.

It was hard, not spilling the beans, especially since I still got on Facebook every day, but Nick had it way worse - he had to pretend nothing had happened while seeing family every day for a week! His mom and dad both asked me if he was okay when I called for him, because the poor guy was wandering around the house in a daze! He finally confided in our pastor, which really seemed to help. I was lucky - Tina already knew (obviously), so I could talk to her about it all I wanted.

The day I got home, Nick and I had barely put my things down in the house when he told his parents. They were more than a little surprised! We went over to his sister's house and told them, and they prayed over us, which was really nice. Then we called my parents, who were stunned and thrilled as well. My sister Jessica found out from Mom and started jumping up and shrieking, telling everyone else in the family! I told my brother the next morning, and he claimed he knew what I was going to say, and was also very happy. This is the first baby on my side of the family - all of my siblings are going to be first time aunts and uncles, and my parents will be grandparents for the first time, too! It was very late by the time I told our immediate family, so we called everyone else the next morning, and announced it on Facebook the day after that.

Bouncing Baby Belleque | How We Found Out

Some of you know I went to Kansas to see my sister, Tina, and her family a couple of weeks ago. She is expecting her sixth child next month, and of course as soon as I walked in the door all we could talk about was babies and pregnancy! Well, one thing led to another, and I mentioned I was late (again - this is not unusual), and she surprised me by suggesting I test. Considering the more than thirty pregnancy tests I have taken in the last four plus years without a single positive result, I wasn't very excited about the prospect of yet another disappointment. But I was late, I was experiencing early pregnancy symptoms (even though every time in the past I had experienced the same symptoms, they turned out to be nothing but PMS), and darn it I just couldn't turn off that little spark of hope that always ignites whenever Aunt Flo fails to show up on time. So I took the test. And it was positive.

The first thought through my mind when I saw that second pink line? "It's finally happened; I've snapped, and now I'm hallucinating!" I stumbled out of the bathroom and told Tina there was a second line, then stumbled out the back door and stood leaning against the swing set, hyperventilating. Could I really be pregnant, after all this time, and so much heartache? What if it was a bum test? After all, Tina is almost full term, so that test is at least eight months old, and it isn't even one of those sophisticated ones, just a dip stick! What if it's wrong? What if it's right??

I don't know how long I stood out there, but suddenly I needed to be sure - sure - that I had really seen a second line. I rushed back in the house and grabbed the test - the second line was real! I showed Tina (who reacted very gracefully to having a pee stick shoved in her face), and she agreed - there was a second line. It was then it really hit me; I am pregnant!! I sat down hard on the couch and burst into tears. I don't know why I cried; shock, maybe? Fear? Sheer joy and disbelief rolled into one? Tina's children gathered around me and patted my arms and shoulders, and gave me hugs. They were so excited to hear that Aunt Alena had a baby growing in her tummy!

Later that evening, Tina took me to the store and we picked up another box of tests, just to be sure. I took one when we got home, and it was also positive - a strong positive! I called Nick.

The poor guy threw up, I kid you not. Started crying (or at least got all choked up, it was hard to tell over the phone and he wasn't telling), and just kept saying "Really? Really? Oh wow...". It was beyond words to describe, making that call.

I tested again the next morning, and was met by yet another positive. I called my doctor's office and they told me that I didn't need to worry about going in until I got home because the home tests are just as sensitive as the medical versions nowadays. Three positives? Pregnant!

Nick & I Are Pleased To Announce...

Yes, really.

Skyrim & Why I Should Not Game

I am a big time fan of the Elder Scrolls video games. My obsession started back in high school (or was it my second year of college? I can't remember.) with Morrowind, and when Nick and I first got married I discovered Oblivion, which I have been gleefully happily playing ever since. Well, Skyrim is about to come out, and I am ridiculously beside myself with joy excited about it!

And here is a picture of why I am WAY to obsessive to play video games...

From this bizarre article on mixed race babies in Skyrim.

30 Day Challenge | Husband Encouragement Challenge For Wives | Day 3

30 Day Challenge

Husband Encouragement Challenge For Wives

Day 3

{ Devotional }

"...love suffers long, and is kind..." 1 Cor. 13:4  

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19   

Love indeed suffers long and is kind. As you consider your Encouragement Challenge, determine today that you will not say anything negative to or about your husband. Speak kindly to him with words of genuine encouragement.  

If your husband is considerate of your needs, let him know that you have noticed. Thank him for his kindness and consideration. Thank the Lord that your husband knows how to be both tough and tender.  

Sometimes it's difficult for a man to be gentle, kind or tender - especially if he hasn't had role models in these areas. If he's not a considerate person, appeal to him for help without complaining. Let him know that it's hard for you to handle some things alone. Then, when he moves in to help, don't insist that he do it your way. Be glad that he is responding, and express your gratitude.   

Ultimately, you can't expect your husband to make you feel more secure, loved, etc. Remember that only God can meet the deepest needs of your heart. 

Join me after the jump for my response to today's devotional...

Fairer Than Morning | Rosslyn Elliott | Author Interview & GiveAway

Rosslyn Elliott

author of Fairer Than Morning

The delightful Rosslyn Elliott, author of Fairer Than Morning, generously agreed to participate in an author interview here on Little Bit Of Wonderful, and is sponsoring a giveaway of her lovely book! I enjoyed getting to know her better imensely, and I know you will too. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a chance to win your own copy of Fairer Than Morning! If you missed yesterday's post, you can find my review of her book here, as well as information about the huge book release party going on all over the web, and the amazing giveaway she's sponsoring to celebrate the release of Fairer Than Morning.


Join me after the jump for my interview with Rosslyn Elliot, and a chance to win your own copy of her lovely book, Fairer Than Morning...