My hope became reality

My baby boy is sleeping in his swing and I am relaxing on the chair. These past two weeks have been nothing like I have ever experienced. 

I literally feel like I could sleep for a month! 

Seth is growing great and the pediatrician said he is extremely healthy (he had gained a pound since leaving the hospital and is already past his birth weight). 

I believe he is in the middle of a growth spurt which meant that I got very little sleep last night and I am past due for nap. 

My beautiful mother-in-law and wonderful sister-in-law came for a visit over the weekend. It was so great to see them since we haven't since we moved here from California a yr and a half ago. 

Having help from my aunt and then from my Inlaws was so nice! 

I was dealing with a lot of emotions and I was able to work through them and even get more sleep! Hehe. 

Husby and I still have so much to learn and grow so we can raise this precious baby boy but I am just feeling so so blessed that he is here. 

This is a day that I had waited, hoped for, and prayed about for many many years and now it is here. I remember just wishing to one day be a wife and mom and now it is that time. I have to keep my joy - even with my sleepless nights. 

If you have a dream or you feel like God has promised you something and you haven't seen it come forth yet.... Do not give up. Don't lose Hope. The bible says hope deferred makes the heart sick {proverbs 13:12}. Keep your heart healthy and cling to that promise. Sometimes our timing isn't God's timing but know that He has you in mind and has your best interest! 

Praying for all of you! 

Thank you all so much for celebrating alongside me with the birth of BabyV too. I am excited to share this new journey with you. (: 

Happy Sunday! 

Hopes, swings, and love. - Monica 

Baby V is here!!!!

Well it has been a crazy few weeks for sure!!! 

My aunt came to town, I went into labor, and baby v was born! 

Yup, Seth Jason is here!!!!! My heart is exploding with love for this boy. 

I had been feeling increasingly uncomfortable - I felt stretched to the max. 

I started feeling some light contractions in the end of July but they were not that painful at all. We picked up my aunt on July 25th and I was more then ready for baby v to come! He had different plans though. The night of Wednesday, July 31 I started having stronger contractions that I could time and I was getting excited!!! I didn't sleep that night - part nerves and part breathing through the pain. Thursday (my due day) we went out of town to go to target and out to lunch. I thought the walking would help really kick start my labor. That night I felt like the contractions were very strong and close enough together to go to the hospital. I was wrong and was sent home since I hadn't progressed enough. Thursday night (when we got home) I felt the worse pain I had ever felt! My poor husband didn't know how to help me... But I am so blessed I have him. He tried to help me breathe through the pain and even drew me a bath (which was the only thing that helped with the pain). Friday at noon I decided to go back to the hospital and this time they kept me (yay!). We were there all day and by 2am Saturday we thought Seth was going to be born. Seth had other plans. 

Seth was posterior (facing the wrong way) and was stuck on my pelvic none. 

At 3:08am on August 3, 2013 Seth Jason was born via c section. He weighed 10 lbs 3 oz and was 22.5 inches long. 

It has been six days and I am falling even more in love every day! Martin has totally bonded with his son and is always in awe of him. 

I am recovering from the c section nicely and although I did lose some blood and needed a small transfusion, I am healing nicely. {praise God} 

Now we are adjusting to life with a newborn and loving every moment! 

Thank you Lord for entrusting Martin and I with the beautiful responsibility of parenting this little boy. I praise you that Seth is fearfully and wonderfully made and that he has hope and a future. You are such a good God and every time I look at this precious face I am once again reminded of your goodness. I pray that I never forget this and that each day I will see the opportunities to love extravagantly and represent You. I am humbled by you, Lord. Once again I thank you! I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen! 

Newborn snuggles, sweet husbands, and love. - Monica 

Quick little update

Well I am exactly two weeks from my due date. {yay!} 

This pregnancy has been so so blessed but these past few weeks I have been exhausted! 

And if I am totally honest today I have been lounging around watching Netflix all day (except I had to run after Sophia when she ran after a cat this morning -- not fun!)

I am so so ready to have this little baby boy and see his beautiful face. I can't wait to see my husband hold him. Oh, I am excited! 

God has really been working on my heart and in my marriage. It has been truly great. Expecting this precious gift has opened my eyes even more to the beauty, grace, and love from The Lord. Baby V makes me want to be the best mother, wife, and woman of God I can be. It makes me want to live a certain way that will encourage him to live the same someday. (: 

14 more days and love, Monica 

Bumpdate {35 weeks}

Happy Tuesday lovelies! 

Did you know that grapes are poisonous to dogs? 

Ya... Neither did I! Sophia ate two and although the vet said she would have to eat a pound of grapes for it to be toxic I gave her some tums just in case. Goodness! Oh! And I cried {just staying honest}.

This week my Mr. has been working like CRAZY! He worked straight through the weekend and working all this week too. He is tired but I am so proud of him for all he does! I am planning a super yummy breakfast for him for Saturday. (: 

We are getting closer and closer to meeting baby v and I am just so so excited! 

Baby bumpdate 

How Far along: 35 weeks (and four days) 

Size Of Baby: baby v is about the size of a large cantaloupe (19-22 inches, 5.5 lbs) 

Maternity Clothes:  dresses! And I got a flowy skirt. 

Stretch Marks: yup! 

Weight Gain: I think I am still at about 35 pounds.

Sleep:  the other night baby Seth discovered my ribs and I was up every two hours to him kicking those haha. 

Best Moment of the Week:   My baby shower (pics below)! My husband's boss' wife threw me an amazing shower with all the significant others of the guys at work. It was so gorgeous and so fun!

Movement:  lots and lots! 

Cravings: cookies and cream ice cream!!! And I really want a burger! 

Gender: boy oh boy!

Belly Button In or Out: totally out! Haha

Wedding Ring on or Off: on... But at night I take it off. The other night my hand went like tingly ... Idk if it was from my ring but I took it off anyways 

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick:  absolutely nothing.

What I Miss: putting socks on without running out of breath! Haha 

What I am Looking Forward to:  weekly doctors appointments! And I am looking forward to a weekend with my husby! 

Nursery: everything to the nursery is in a box! Haha. I really need to get that all set up. 

Emotions:  happy. Excited. Blessed. I can't wait to see the beautiful baby boy that The Lord is forming in my womb. I am feeling confident in labor as well. 

Have a happy happy Tuesday and a super fun 4th of July! I am gonna go make some yummy 4th of July inspired chocolate covered strawberries! 

Bumpdates and love, Monica 

Bumpdate {34 weeks}

Happy Monday! Today starts a new work week for my husband and he would appreciate any prayers. 

I know I am a little behind but let's do a bumpdate! (: 

How Far along: 34 weeks {in the picture.. But today I am actually 34 weeks 4 days}

Size Of Baby: baby v is about the size of a small cantaloupe {5.5 lbs. 19-22 inches}

Maternity Clothes:  summer dresses, and yoga pants at the house. 

Stretch Marks: oh ya! Got some beautiful proof of growing this baby boy.

Weight Gain: I have gained a whopping 35 lbs already! I am totally in shock!!!

Sleep:  it's okay. The hardest part is turning from side to side. I bet it looks hilarious! 

Best Moment of the Week:  today I received a package from my sister filled with adorable things for Seth! Blankets, towels, tons of clothes, and the cutest mustache pacifier! Looking at all those tiny clothes is making me even more excited! 

Movement:  tons and tons! My whole belly moves and you can see little lumps poke out. Hehe. I never knew what it would feel like but it is so incredible. 

Cravings: Frosty's from Wendy's. I could probably eat one every day. Oh! And frosted mini wheats with bananas. Mmm! 

Gender: all boy

Belly Button In or Out: out. Haha it looks funny in my shirt. 

Wedding Ring on or Off: my band is off -- but my new wedding ring is comfortably on. 

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick:  no

What I Miss: wearing shoes lol. My feet have started to puff up so all my shoes feel tight. I wear sandals when Martin and I go out and usually take them off haha

What I am Looking Forward to:  holding him! Hehe. But also my shower is Saturday! I am so so so excited for that! 

Nursery: it's sporty animals but we haven't really decorated. Lol I also got wood letters that spell out his name that I plan on painting. 

Emotions:  happy, excited, overjoyed, little nervous, and loving! I just love this little boy so much! I am excited to be a mother and to see him grow. 

What baby is up to: Seth is probably as long as he will be at birth but will grow in pounds. Possibly a pound a week! He can open and close his eyes and his toenails and fingernails are all grown! He is loved by his family and adored by The Lord. Seth is fearfully and wonderfully made! 

Baby bumps and love. - Monica 

Thoughts on forgiveness

It's been way to long lovelies!!! 

The past few weeks have been filled with daily cleaning, snuggles with my pup, loving time with my Husby, and even more revelation from The Lord. 

Recently a good friend of mine forgave someone in their life for years and years of past hurt {like 20 or more years}. 

My friend's complete selflessness and understanding made me take a long look at my own unforgiveness in my life. 

I realized.....

.... I don't forgive well.

I hold on to the hurt as some strange way to protect myself. I distance myself so far from the person that I need to forgive -- even with people I shouldn't distance myself from. I justify my behavior because so-and-so did such-and-such so I don't have to forgive them. But the Bible says to forgive so that we can be forgiven {Luke 6:37} and that we need to forgive 70x7 times {Matthew 18:22}.... Although I know sometimes it feels like for some people we have almost forgiven that many times (kidding).  The Bible even says that we should PRAY and LOVE our enemies {Matthew 5:44-45}. That's a little hard to do when we have unforgiveness in our hearts. 

I was dealing with some unforgiveness recently that was just eating away at my heart. It was hard to focus. My heart felt broken. And.... I was angry. But after weeks of feeling this way I realized that this was just hurting me. So I started to ask The Lord to help me forgive and to see this person through God's eyes. 

Forgiving this person does not say that what they did was ok. Forgiveness says  that they hurt me deeply but I am CHOOSING to release that hurt. This person and I are restoring our relationship and working on trust -- and it's a great thing. 

We are all human. We make mistakes. People let us down. Forgiveness is something that is needed in all relationships and I pray that I can continue to grow in this area. 

I think that there is no magical number in how long it should take to forgive someone. Forgiveness is so personal. Also in some cases we need to move that person further away from our hearts... And I believe that is ok. Forgiveness is not is not for the person who hurt us - its for us. 

So those are some thoughts I have been having for the past few weeks. 

Praying for every single one of you and that a fresh encounter with The Lord will be experienced this next week! And if any of you need to forgive someone {even if its yourself} I pray that you can take that step and just release that person. 

Forgiveness and love. - Monica 

Fridays Letters

Lets write some letters today with Ashley! 

Dear Husby, 

I love you and I am so proud of you! I am so glad that I have you to work through things! I know marriage isn't perfect but I am beyond blessed to be figuring this out alongside of you! Thank you for pointing me to Christ and reminding me what grace looks like. 

Dear Southern Summer, 

I am sorry -- but I kinda hate you! Hot and muggy is not what I call happiness. I never want to leave my house. So lets work on this humidity. I am sure my husband would appreciate it too. Thanks! 

Dear Sophia Belle, 

You are so incredibly sweet when you snuggle up to me on the couch. Remember you have a brother coming soon and you will need to make room for him. Also thank you for staying out of the rain today! Kisses! 

Dear Baby V, 

Well I am sure you know your daddy's voice! At our ultrasound you didn't move until daddy started talking and then you waved. You are the most beautiful and precious boy I have ever laid my eyes on. We cannot wait to meet you, my love bug! Feeling you kick and hearing your heart beat are my two favorite things! 

 We pray for you every single day! I love you! 

Dear PUPPS, 

Thank you for picking me out of 200 pregnant women to attack! These itchy red bumps all over are so not fun! So if you don't mind - you have over stayed your welcome. 

Dear lovely readers/followers/friends, 

You are all beautiful and inspiring! Thank you for walking along this journey with me! I am praying for you all to have a fresh encounter with The Lord! Every single one of you have such an amazing story and gifts! Getting comments and emails from you warm my heart! 

And I leave you with a reminder for the single ladies (all the single ladies) and the married ones as well! (;