Doing What Comes Naturally

Well, here I am.. still at home at 39weeks and 6 days into my pregnancy journey with my precious, new daughter... (still growing and blooming in my womb!).  I am trying to naturally induce my labor, so that I will not have to be induced medically at the hospital Sunday evening, as my doctor would like me to if my daughter is not born before then.

So, it's been for me... the birthing ball, drinking red leaf raspberry tea, taking evening primrose oil vitamins, massaging clary sage on my ankles and wrists, drinking castor oil, eating pineapple and spicy foods.  I've also been trying to do a lot of walking and drinking lots and lots of water, which is said to be great for helping to bring on labor naturally and will be doing a lot more of that throughout the day today! I am also treating myself to a wonderful, full body, pre-natal massage, which is also said to really help to naturally induce labor and follow that by soaking in a warm bath with more clary sage.  So... God willing, all of these natural remedies should help bring on my labor quite a bit!

Of course, I've been praying to God as well, for His gracious intercession and intervention, to help speed this labor process along naturally, as well as continuing to talk to my sweet Baby Girl, letting her know that I am ready for her to be born.  It was so cute... as I mentioned, Audrey has been very involved in my pregnancy journey with my new daughter from the very beginning.

This morning, she lifted up my shirt on my belly and started rubbing it and said, "Keep going, Baby, keep going!"  :) I believe that, already, they have a very special bond and Audrey understands that her Baby Sister is also getting ready to be born, as Mommy has been preparing for her birth for all this time.  I was happy to feel my Baby Girl's movement last night and this morning, close to my cervix, (where her head is), since she has been head down, in birth position for quite a while now. I feel like it's a good indication that she is also getting ready for her birth and moving around and getting situated and most comfortable for her delivery.

I have been for a while now, but, now... I am truly in, "The Birthing Zone," as I like to call it... and am very focused on helping my body to prepare for a naturally induced birth, and am also helping my Baby to be prepared as well. I will not stop praying to God for His help as well... and I invite all of your continued prayers for us as well!

I continue to pray for all expectant mothers and their sweet, Little Ones for a happy, healthy and blessed pregnancy and birth and beautiful, blessed, Hope-filled lives together! :)

She Blesses My Life

When Audrey grows up, and if/when she decides to become a mommy herself, I believe she is going to be well prepared! She has truly journeyed with me throughout my pregnancy journey... attending all my doctor's appointments, seeing her Baby Sister on the ultra-sound screen, and hearing me talk about all my, "pregnancy stuff," her current vocabulary now includes... cramps, contwactions :), cerclauge, birthing ball, and induce to name a few! :)

She has watched Mommy's tummy grow, and grow and grow... and has prayed with me throughout this challenging journey, (having a high risk pregnancy), for a happy, healthy, and safe, full-term delivery. And she rejoiced and thanked God with me, for hearing and answering our prayers and bringing me and my Baby Girl, still growing in my womb, to full term... now at 39 weeks and 5 days!

Most of all what touches me the most about Audrey perhaps, as she's shared this most special pregnancy journey with me and her Baby Sister is how she continues to cheer me on and pray for me and her Baby Sister, as I continue to prepare for the birth of my daughter coming soon! She blesses my heart more than words can say! :)

I strongly recommend that other expectant mothers who also have children, (no matter what age they may be), try to find ways to include their children in their pregnancy journeys as much as possible! I believe that it truly helps prevent them feeling left out and fearful of the future, of having a new sibling and feeling like they might not get as much attention as they used to.  It really helps them to develop and prepare for their new role as, "Big Sister," or "Big Brother," and it really also helps form a very special bond between siblings that will continue to grow and blossom throughout their lifetime together! :)

Blessings and Love!

Children Are A Blessing, A Gift And Miracle From God Above

Today me and my sweet Baby Girl, (still growing in my womb), are now at 39 weeks and 3 days into our pregnancy journey!  I can't even begin to tell you how very thankful I am to God for hearing and answering my prayers and bringing us this far! What a blessed miracle God has given us, and I don't take it lightly.  I continue to praise Him with all that I am for His Love, His Goodness and Grace!

Throughout this pregnancy with my second daughter and throughout my pregnancy with my first daughter, Audrey, I have continued to meditate upon the fact and sacred, God given Truth that, "children are a blessing and gift from God, the fruit of the womb a reward." (Psalm 127:3).  They really are... and today, especially I revel in this beautiful Truth and all the boundless Joy it brings me to realize that God truly has chosen me once again, to be the mother of another one of His precious children... a true blessing and miracle sent from Heaven above... and this too, I do not take lightly.

God's precious children He blesses us with are so beautiful, so precious, so innocent and pure that we, as parents can even feel unworthy at times of such a precious, priceless, beautiful, Heavenly gift from God... (at least I have at times).  Though, if and when we feel this way, we must especially remember during these times that it is God Who chose to bless us with these children in the first place, and certainly He must feel that we are worthy and capable and loving enough to care for them, Love them, cherish them and teach and raise to live lives that are pleasing to God and honor and glorify Him in all ways! :)

More than anything that is my Hope, wish and dream for my daughters... that they will continue to live holy, beautiful, Grace-filled, Love-filled, God-centered lives, with Christ as their Savior, Teacher, and Best Friend, and that their lives will always continue to be pleasing to God, bringing Him honor and glory in all ways!

I believe that a child cannot help but do these things from the very moment of its conception in its mother's womb, and I truly believe it's our great task and vocations as parents to not so much feel the need to teach and preach to our children how to accomplish this... but to simply look and listen and really see our precious children with the eyes, ears and senses of our hearts and souls and see how they are already doing that, naturally... and encourage and draw forth this God-given, blessed behavior and way of being. After all, it's children who have so much to teach us.... more than we might ever even begin to image, if we but only give them the patience, time and opportunity! :)

That's what is especially in my heart at this moment, as I truly continue to cherish these last few days, (or so), with my beautiful, new daughter continuing to grow and bloom and move about, so Gracefully in my womb... as I prepare for her birth!

I continue to pray for all pregnant mothers that their pregnancy journey with be the most special and blessed gift to them... and that their babies will be healthy, (and mothers too), and that they will have a beautiful, Grace-filled, Joyful, and blessed birth! :)

Don't Let Anyone Steal Or Dull Your Sparkle!

Something I've been telling my daughter, Audrey since she was growing in my womb, and also tell my second daughter, (still growing in my womb), and will always continue to forever more is that they are both beautiful, beloved daughters of God, princesses at that and they have been created in the very image and likeness of God... to sparkle and shine with His beautiful Light, Love, Joy, Peace, Hope for all the world to see.

This doesn't just apply to my daughters but to all of God's children. Yes, we as God's beloved children bear the very image and likeness of God within us... in every bit of us, we carry His divine essence and it should never be hidden, but, revealed for all to see!

Jesus tells us in Sacred Scripture this beautiful Truth... “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

 Isn't that amazing! So beautiful and so true! And it's really quite powerful if you think about it! Yet, at times, as much as we try to let God's Light shine within us we may find ourselves feeling discouraged when we sometimes encounter other people who have not yet become aware of what Jesus is teaching us about this, or perhaps, in their own lives have had people try to steal and dull, "God's Light shining within them," and may try to do the same to us... (and without even meaning to or realizing that that is what they are doing).

We can get discouraged at times, because just when we may feel we are truly walking in God's ways and letting His most beautiful and radiant Light to shine for all the world to see and bringing Him glory  because of it... we can encounter people who will immediately try to put us down in one way or another, say things that are mean to hurt our feelings, and even gossip and say things about us behind our backs to others that are not very nice and not even true.

When we encounter these kinds of people and situations in our lives, and are treated unkindly like this, it can cause us a great deal of pain.  Though, just remember that you are not alone, that Jesus suffered in the same way... so, "rejoice and be glad, for blessed are you, child of God!"

What we must remember to do in times like these, (as difficult as it might be at first), is to not take the unkind comments and attitudes of others personally.  Know in your heart that it is only because they have most likely been treated this way by others and are now treating you as they have been treated.  It doesn't make it right, but it brings a lot of understanding to the situation, and understanding people is exactly the kind of people that Jesus calls us to be!

Instead of allowing others to temporally steal God's Light within you, (by treating you in a way that makes you feel bad about yourself or guilty for letting it shine in the first place), pray to God and pray to Jesus who understands what you are going through. As for Their assistance, and pray for the person, and even bless them, (as Jesus tells us to), and God's Light within you will shine all the brighter... and in the process, you might even help bring back more of God's Light to that person... and this gives glory to God!

Remember... you are a beautiful and blessed child of God... and you've been created by Him to sparkle and shine with His radiant Light and glory for all to see!

So, let it shine... let it shine... let it shine... and while doing so, you just might inspire others to let God's beautiful Light shine in them as well! :)

Thank You, God, For Blessing Me!

Thank You, God, for bringing me and my sweet, precious daughter to 39 weeks in our pregnancy journey together! I consider this to be a true miracle, (having such a high risk pregnancy), and I just continue to thank and praise You, with the most humble heart for your sweet Love & Goodness! :) Only You know when she will be born, and I continue, Dear God, to place all my Faith and Trust in You to bring us to that most special day and time! Thank You, God, for blessing me. Amen.

Awaiting God's Precious Gift!

It's almost hard to believe, but in a very short time from now, my sweet, precious, little Baby Girl is going to be born! I am so very excited, and continue to pray to God to give me His Grace to have a really beautiful, Grace-filled, happy, safe delivery.

My Baby Girl and I have made it to 38 weeks and 3 days into our pregnancy journey together and I do consider this to be a true miracle and thank God for hearing and answering our prayers! :) It's been a challenging journey, though, I'm just so happy that my Baby Girl continues to be healthy and well! She will be born soon, and we will begin our new lives together... and what blessings God has in store for us!

Her nursery is all prepared, ready and waiting for her arrival and everyone is continuing to get really excited about finally meeting her face to face! Now that my cerlauge has been removed from my cervix, she really could be born at any time, and so, we are definitely on official Baby Watch... though, it's all going to happen in God's perfect timing... and so, I continue to place all my trust and Faith in Him... that He knows best when she should be born, and on the day and time... she will be born and it will be beautiful! :) In the mean time, I just continue to pray for her and for me too, and listen to my body as I await the signs and beginnings of labor.

Children are such a precious blessing and gift from God, and just like my sweet daughter, Audrey, has blessed my entire family in such an amazing way, I also know that my second, sweet, little daughter will do the same! :)

For me, a woman's pregnancy journey is the most amazing experience! And as you draw closer to your due date... you are filled with so much anticipation, so much Hope, so much Joy and excitement as you can only just begin to imagine all the Joy and blessings ahead that God has already prepared! And yet, as excited as I am, I just continue to truly cherish this last part of our pregnancy journey together, for it's such a sacred time, and it's just so beautiful, the very special bond a mother and her unborn child, growing in her womb share!

I continue to pray for all pregnant mothers and their little ones... that their pregnancy journeys will be blessed in every way, by our Heavenly Father's great Love, Care and Protection and that their hearts may continue to be filled with an endless amount of Faith, Hope and Love as they continue to prepare for the arrival of their sweet, little ones and their new lives together! :)

Thank you, so much, again, Everyone, who has continued to keep us in your prayers throughout this long journey! Your kindness and prayers are appreciated more than you may know! Please be assured of ours for you as well!

God is full of beautiful Goodness... and has an endless future full of Hope in store for us all! :)

Always Believe That Something Truly Wonderful Is About To Happen!

"Always believe that something truly wonderful is about to happen!" With God... this is always true! :)

I am continuing to thank and praise God for the blessing and I will even say, "miracle," of bringing me and my sweet Baby Girl this far in my pregnancy journey... I am now, 37 weeks and 6 days into the journey and am now considered full term! My cerclauge, (my stitch in my cervix), was removed last week and I am still feeling great, with no real signs of labor, as my precious daughter continues to grow in my womb! Having a high risk pregnancy, my doctors weren't sure if we'd make it this far, and so we are all so happy... though, I am especially happy, because I know that it is God Who has brought us this far... and has heard and answered my prayers and the prayers of others!

I know that my life is about to change in every way, (for the best), and be blessed even more by God, for the birth of a new Baby brings to a family endless blessings and new beginnings. I am so looking forward to her birth and finally getting the chance to see her, face to face, (and not just on an ultra-sound screen), and to hold her in my arms, and introduce her to her family and the world! Her big sister, Audrey, is especially excited to meet her... and has been so incredibly wonderful, as we have talked about her throughout this long journey, and prepared for her. It's been quite a long time for a little one like her to wait, and yet, she's been so patient... always joyfully talking about, "Baby Sister," and even asking to give her a hug, (to hug my womb), before bed when she gives me a hug! I know that they are going to have a very special relationship and be very close. It is my heart's prayers that God will continue to keep them close throughout their lives... and that they will always be the best of sisters and friends! :)

I don't know what exactly God has planned for our lives... though, I continue to know and trust that whatever it is... it's going to be very good! God is forever Faithful to His Word and His promise! Long ago, He promised me a beautiful future full of Hope... and I continue to cling to that promise with all my heart... and it is the radiant Light and vision that leads me forward and guides all I do!

Don't Let Anyone Steal Your Sparkle... God Made You To Shine!

Something that I've been wanting to write about and say for quite a while now, to remind myself and teach my beautiful daughters and others is this... "Don't let anyone steal your sparkle!" In other words, you know that radiant, glorious Light of God that lives and shines within you and makes you special and unique and perfectly YOU... don't ever let anyone, no matter who they are, ever take that from you, rob you of that precious gift of Light that God has given you. God has given each of His children that Light... and we are meant to sparkle and shine for Him... and when we do... this brings Him even greater glory!

I believe this is a very important reminder for me to put down in writing for myself, and an especially important lesson for my precious daughters and others. And so, here's what else I have to say about it.

We are living in a world where not everyone believes in God, as our Heavenly Father and Creator of the Universe And even if they do believe in God, they don't believe that He is Loving, Good, and has a future full of Hope prepared for us. Unfortunately, there are many people like this in our world, who are living very sad, depressing lives and are even filled with anger, vengeance and rage that they not only take out on God, but others, especially those who Love Him and serve Him and shine and sparkle with His Love and Light!

They are able to recognize... miles and miles`away, a beautiful child of God... and God's Love and Light that they radiate... and they declare war in their mind with that person, before ever meeting them... and will go far out of their ay to do everything in their power to try to destroy all the Good, Beauty, Light and Love that that person posseses within them. They wi

So Many Blessings To Come!

I am so very excited that I have made it to 37 and a 1/2 weeks in my pregnancy journey! I'm continuing to praise God for His Love and Goodness, for continuing to hear my prayers to keep my Baby Girl growing in my womb, as long as possible, (considering that I have a high risk pregnancy and my cerclauge has been removed and so now, she really can be born at any time!). I am now considered full term in my pregnancy, and so I thank God, for this special miracle and blessing!

With the birth of a new Baby come endless blessings of Love, Hope, Joy, Peace and Goodness! I know that like with the birth of my beautiful daughter, Audrey, my life changed in every way, (for the best), so it will also continue to with my new, beautiful daughter! :)

With God's Love And Assistance... Preparing To Birth My Daughter Into This World

So, as I mentioned in my previous blog, I had a bit of a false alarm yesterday, (thinking that I was possibly leaking amniotic fluid), and was told by my doctor's office to go to the hospital to find out if in fact that was the case. After about four hours of monitoring my Baby's heartbeat and monitoring me for contractions, as well as checking to see if I was leaking amniotic fluid they discovered that I was not leaking fluid and my Baby Girl was doing really well, and I was having very minimal contractions that I could not even feel, they let me leave for a while, though, I still was scheduled to return in the evening to have my cerclauge removed from my cervix.

I have to say that being a person with performing arts background, who is quite used to having dress rehearsals before a big performance, and knows the benefit of having them, having to be at the same hospital yesterday, where I will soon be delivering my sweet Baby Girl soon, felt in a lot of ways like a dress rehearsal, for one of the most important, special, and Life-giving performances of my life. I know that giving birth is not really, "a performance," but is actually a very sacred life experience... and yet, just like in any performance I've ever given... it requires that you truly give it your "All!" and it requires that you utilize every once of passion, strength, inspiration, and Life-giving forces within you to bring it forth, (birth it forward), into this world in the most beautiful way!

Being a Christian who also happens to be a performing artist... I really don't even like to look at my, "performances," as such, but rather, as sacred experiences where I am blessed enough to be able to use and share the gifts that God has given me with others... to hopefully, make more apparent God's real Presence of Love that is in our midst! I feel that I do this especially when I am singing, and sharing with others the music God has inspired me to compose and share.

I share that, because, when I think of giving birth to my second daughter, I realize that just like when I'm singing my songs about God and His Love, I invoke His Loving Presence and Spirit to be with me, to sing through me and be with us all, in very much the same way, that I did with my first daughter, Audrey's birth, and I intend to do the same with my second daughter's birth as well!

For although, God has chosen to graciously bless me with another child, another beautiful daughter.... still, I could never be more aware that I didn't make this happen all on my own, but it was through God's Loving and divine intervention and providence that my precious daughter and God's beloved daughter was conceived in my womb and came into being! It has been ultimately God's Love, Care, and Grace that have kept her cradled safely in my womb for the past, (almost 37 weeks), and it will most certainly be God's Loving Presence within me and her, in the delivery room on the day of her birth that will truly help birth her into this world! It's such an amazing miracle to even contemplate! And it is my main focus to help me to, with God's Gracious assistance, to prayerfully birth her into this world! :)

Thank you, very much, again, for all your prayers for me, my Baby Girl and family! Please be assured of mine for you and yours... especially during these holy days as we prepare to celebrate Easter in a couple of days! :)

Getting Closer... But Still Not Close Enough!

Today is Holy Thursday. Our Lenten journeys have come to a close and the 3 days of the Holy Tridium are now here. So far it's been a pretty blessed and eventful day for me and my sweet Baby Girl, still growing and blooming in my womb! :)

This morning, it appeared to me that I was possibly leaking amniotic fluid, and I called my doctor's office and they told go to go straight to labor and delivery at the hospital to have it checked out. I am already scheduled to go back there this evening to have my cerlauge, (the stitch which my doctor had to put in my cervix to prevent it from continuing to open more prematurely than it already was), taken out. I was not sure what was going to happen.... if I really was leaking fluid, and if I might even go into labor, so just in case we brought all my bags and labor-gear with us!

Fortunately, (and thanks be to God), I am not leaking any amniotic fluid and after they monitored my Baby's heartbeat, (which continues to sound great), and monitored me for contractions, they called my doctor and she said that I could leave for a while and then come back later this evening! So, needless to say, it was a bit of a false alarm... but a good dress rehearsal for when I do go into labor! :) I hope and pray that it will be that easy and go that smoothly, getting out the door and to the hospital as Gracefully as I was able to this morning! It did for Audrey's birth... and so I pray that it will be the same with my second daughter's birth as well! May God continue to be with me throughout it all! :)

One of the extra-special blessings in all of today's events, so far, was that just as I was getting ready to be released from the hospital, I happened to hear an announcement over the intercom about Mass being offered in their chapel, so my mom and I were able to make it to that and also receive a very special blessing from the priest for my Baby Girl, me, my mom and our whole family! What a lovely gift from God to receive on Holy Thursday... and to be able to receive Holy Communion and attend Mass, (which I wouldn't of been able to do this evening!). God is so Good... and I'm so grateful for His endless Love! :)

Today, I am at 36 weeks and 4 days into my pregnancy journey.... it's such a blessing from God and a gift to have made it this far, (especially with my pregnancy being as high risk as it has been). 37-42 weeks is considered full term, and I will be 37 weeks on this Sunday... Easter Sunday! I am praying to God for a special miracle that He will help us hold out and keep my daughter growing safely inside my womb at least until at least 38 weeks, (if not even closer to my due date), though... I have to continue to TRUST in God's unfailing and Loving will and perfect sense of timing and providence! Only God knows when my daughter is supposed to be born, and I trust that He will bring her into our world exactly when she is meant to be born! God's timing is always perfect and His Way is always the best and so I will just continue to TRUST in Him! :)

Thank you, again, for all your prayers for me, my Baby Girl and my family! Please be assured of ours for you and yours as well! God's Blessings are abundant! I continue to keep vigil with all the other pregnant mothers and their precious Babies out there! May God's everlasting and constant blessings of Love and Grace be upon them... and may He bring them and their Babies to a happy, safe and blessed birth! May these next few days leading up to Easter be truly blessed for you and your family and may your Easter be Happy, beautiful and blessed in every way! :)

Children Are A Gift From God!

"Children are a gift from God!" (Psalm 127:3)