Weekend in Galveston

i am getting back into the swing of things after a weekend away serving in Galveston. it was really nice to get away and do some hard work for someone in need. we (Emanda, Dinah, Tammica, Frank and I and some Houston church members) served by gutting the home of a man and wife who have not only lost most of their earthly possessions, but were also dealing with the husband's lung cancer. it was so amazing how impacted and encouraged the family was by our service...i was just thinking that even once we leave they still have such a long way to go! i can't imagine being in that position. i am praying that things really go smoothly from here for them. they have a long road ahead of them.
some of our groups cleaned out garages, tore up floors and even folded laundry! it was so refreshing to be serving with disciples. we were able to stay together and have meals and evenings playing cards and singing and talking. it was incredible! i made some new friends (which was my goal) and left really feeling refreshed and ready to do all that God has for me to do.
matt did well with eli. he had support available, but made it ok with him and one of the single brothers, Ben. it was so good for him to be mommy for a minute! especially since i will be leaving on a cruise at the beginning of december and he will be here alone with him for a few days. SCARY!

Little Monster

halloween was great. we ended up having a going away event for a friend, nikki. we enjoyed pumpkin pie, candied apples and witches brew! it was wonderful. eli dressed up as karate kid (bc that was his first movie). he was adorable.
our life is changing. in the blink of an eye, eli is almost 5 months. between teething and growing he is almost always needing something. i am more than busy to say the least.
we are just now returning from a quick trip to florida to visit and say goodbye to some friends/family (graham and christine parker) as they are being relocated (again). it was a bitter, sweet affair...saying goodbye is never fun, but they are really moving to a better place and we are so excited to see what God has in store for them! eli so enjoyed spending time with their son and daughter. he got gagged by a halloween toy and enjoyed some cracker while we weren't looking. it was a very eventful time for him! :o)
matt and i are pushing through our own life challenges. satan is always on the prowl...looking to devour us all (I Pe 5:8). but we are fighting and "running the race" with all our might.

Life at Home

Eli is becoming his own little person. We are trying to enjoy every moment! We went to the ped on Saturday and he is weighing 15 lb. 1 oz. He has been sick for almost a week with a cold. I am sick too...which really complicates things. I am really learning self sacrafice. Especially in the middle of the night when Eli needs love and I need sleep!

The house is coming together finally. I am trying to focus on finishing the painting and trim by the end of the month. I really don't have too much left. I just need to trim out the front room and paint the hall and kitchen.

Contentment has been an issue. It is funny that this comes after this long awaited time in life. My hormones have been a bit wacky and I'm having to get some help with that. Being a mommy is a lot of work!! On top of it all I'm having this hormone issue (which I'm sure most moms have after such a hormonal time). But I'm making it with prayer and lots of friend talk time!

Phil 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Our Life

It has been forever since I had time to get on to blog. Here's the scoop. Eli came home after 16 days in NICU. He has been thriving ever since. In fact, we went to his pediatrician a couple of weeks ago and he was 12 lbs 12 oz. The dr. said it would be ok with him if we backed off on the food...No force feeding! He is smiling and cooing. He even laughed at me today! He loves looking at his toys! and it is so precious because he knows Matt and my voices and faces and when we come in the room he looks for us! He loves his daddy! They have a special sitting position that makes him happy and with mommy it's a hold that Barb taught me!
Being a mom is a whole new life! it makes everything so different and wonderful! I want to be the best! so send your advice.
We have been using the "Baby Wise System". Eli thrives on his schedule. Last night was his first night to sleep 7 hours! I was WONDERFUL!!
Well, I better get busy being a mom and wife again! Too much to do...Too little time!

Eli's Birthday

"For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him." I Samuel 1:27

The long awaited day has arrived. Our baby, Charles Elisha Atkins (Eli) was born today at 6:11 a.m. He weighs 4 lb. 4.5 oz. and is 17.5 in. long. What an amazing day!!

I met with my doctors yesterday and everyone predicted I would go to term (37 weeks), but Eli wasn't waiting any longer!! Here's what happened...

We went to bed early because Matt had to be up at 4 am for a trip for work the next morning. At around 1:30 am. The contractions started, but I didn't believe it because I had just seen the dr. that day! I went back to bed thinking it was nothing and I didn't want to bother Matt with the whole thing unless it was the real thing because he had to be up so early for work. Finally, after waiting through 1 hour and 3 2 minute contractions I decided I was really having a baby! so, we were off to the hospital.
We arrived and walked to labor and delivery (which must be half a mile from the parking structure, no kidding!!). They did the normal check you out and make sure you are actually having a baby. After some time, they decided I was in labor and they would need to cut the stitch. They called Dr. Morris. While the resident was on the phone with him the baby's hear rate dropped to 80 (it should stay around 140-150). So she got of the phone REALLY quick and started flipping me from side to side until his heart was back up. After the big scare, they cut the stitch and we were on our way...my cervix was at 10 around 6 am and they set me up in the o.r. because Eli was coming early and they wanted to take every precaution. At this point Miss Tracy, Matt and I had about 1 minute to pray. My only request was that Eli would come into this world screaming...and that he did..After 3 pushes and 10 minutes he was here and Miss Tracy could hear him screaming across the hall. :o) God is so Good!!!!
The nurses quickly wisked him away to NICU and we were not able to see him for a few hours. When we went to meet our son, we found out that he was 4 lbs and 4.5 oz and 17.5 in long.
He was so sweet with tube coming out of what seemed like EVERYWHERE!! He had a nasal canula (with forced room air no oxygen), an iv for vitamins and a feeding tube in his throat because he could not yet suck. I was able to hold him when they found him to be stable that afternoon! It was so incredible!

My Last Specialist Appointment

It was my last meeting with the Specialist (Dr. Longo) today because we have made it to almost 34 weeks and statistics show that a 34 week baby fares the same as a 40 week baby in every area of development. Everything seems to be going as planned. In fact, she is hopeful that I will make it to term. My cervix is still just under a cm and holding and it doesn't appear to be changing under pressure (simulating contractions). I saw Dr. Morris today as well and he said basically the same thing..no sign of labor and minimal dialation, which is to be expected at this juncture. Baby is growing and looking good and I am feeling great! Not a lot to report! Thank God for good news!!

Week 33

From my weekly Email...

Wow! Look where we are!! Words cannot express my joy and gratefulness!! I am finally beginning to enjoy my pregnancy and be excited about the days to come. Matt and I have started getting Eli's room ready (with the help of our dear friends Frank and Tammica, without whom we would still be in the same place we were last week!!). and Mom, who gifted us with his amazing bedding...It is so beautiful with such bright and brilliant colors!! We are having trouble picking one to paint the room...Matt has decided we will paint the room 3 of the colors. I'm not so sure about that. We'll see!
We took a baby care class this week. We learned so much about how the hospital cares for the baby at birth and so on...and how we will care for him later! It was a really great class and I think we both learned some great stuff! I guess we will start looking for a pediatrician...We have not quite gotten that far, but we know the clinic we will use...It's just finding a dr. from there.
My belly is steadily getting bigger!! and Eli is getting stronger! Today is my last day at work and then it's homebound...trying to rest and prepare (not sure that I can do both at the same time, but we'll see). Mom should be in town 6/5 for my shower on 6/8. I am sure her visit will get us ahead of the game. We are planning on getting everything together for the baby's room and all while she is here! and shopping!! Double YEAY!
I guess that about sums it up this week. I will be seeing both doctors on the 4th...So, next week, we should be getting more info on the condition of my cervix!
I'll keep you posted!

How your baby's growing:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.