Baby #3 - 16 Weeks & 2 Days

Tyler and I went to my second midwife appointment today and hearing the heartbeat was so amazing. Life is a miracle, and I am blessed the Lord is giving us another child to love and nuture. I tear up when I hear the heartbeat and get giddy inside. Just wonderful!

• I told Lacy that I was in the perfect stage of pregnancy: my tummy hasn't gotten big, my boobs are huge and I have energy. She said, "You feel like a porn star don't you!" I have cracked up over that so many times, and so have all my friends including my midwife. Lace, I love you so much!!!!
• Still love those hamburgers! And Mexican food is my absolute biggest craving, especially Chipotle!!! Nicole, want to go grab some?
• Found a Bella Band at Target and it has stretched the wear time of my normal pants. Love it!
• Started going to my friend's Bible club for Stone. He has learned so much! Marsha, you are a wonderful, godly woman and friend.
• Still working on getting taxes filed for 2008!

My thoughts of the baby:

• Should we find out if you are a boy or girl?
• Whose eyes are you going to have?
• What will your nose look like?
• Your brothers are going to love you so much.
• How will Grant pronounce your name?
• How will Stone kiss you?
• When will I feel your first movement?

Latest Midwife appt:

• Baby heart rate: 152
• Mommy blood pressure: 90/60
• Mommy has gained: 5 more lbs.
• Due date is still: 8/9/09

Baby #3 - 13 Weeks

It is now week 13 for precious Kruse Baby #3. I want to write some bullet points to keep track of this pregnancy.

• My energy has returned.
• I won't be able to wear my normal clothes much longer, if at all. My waist line is just bulging.
• Stone understands "watch out for the baby", but Grant just laughs and jumps up and down more on my tummy. Grant is going to love not being the baby any more.
• To explain some things to Stone like it is nap time or dinner time, I say, "The baby needs to sleep or the baby is hungry."
• Grant like to feed the baby by dropping food in Mommy's mouth.

My thoughts of the baby:

• I wonder if you are a girl or boy.
• I just feel you are growing, growing, growing
• I LOVE YOU!

Latest Midwife appt:

• Baby heart rate: 148
• Mommy Blood pressure: 100/74
• Mommy has gained 10 lbs.
• Estimated due date 8/9

Health is a blessing

So our house has been hit with some sicknesses. Tyler got sick last Thursday with a GI infection and was finally able to go back to work today. Feels as though he is on his way back to feeling good. Stone last night had a high fever and the night was so long. Starting out in his bed and then in our bed and then back in his bed. Mommy in tow to each new location. Mommy and baby didn't sleep so much. Around 12am Stone said he was hungry, so I brought him a slice of bread for he and me. It was hilarious listening to him smack his lips. We get done eating and Stone says, "Urs bed is dirty!" Thus us moving back to his bed. I cracked up when I went into my room this morning to see all the crumbs. My bed was dirty. Thank goodness for a washing machine and dryer!

Grant, my goodness, is changing so much. He is fighting a cold himself, so he likes to be right where I am and today was tough with both boys vying for my attention, yet Grant makes these little faces that just make me laugh. He crinkles his nose and then grits his teeth and then turns it into an adorable smile because he knows he is such a big boy sitting on the couch or whatever he just accomplished. God so blessed our home with this precious boy. Bed time is 7pm and our routine is to go into his room and I sing Jesus Loves Me. He immediately lays his head on my shoulder and just cuddles. I love it! He has a tender heart, and I pray I do my part to protect it.

Well, as the Mommy/Wife, I tell you I have been challenged this past week, yet God is really good and is always present. Ready to strengthen, listen, and encourage each time I call out to him. God, I am so grateful for you going through this valley with me and giving me strength to be the Mommy/Wife you have called me to be.

An Update is in order

Well, I cannot believe I am skipping my nap to write a blog, yet after reading some of my girlfriends' in Tennessee I thought I better fill everyone in on our happenings. January 2009 is almost a part of history. Before I know it February 1st will be here.

The news is out for public knowledge. We are expecting Baby #3 in August. I go to my first appt with the midwife on Jan 29th, so we will find out the exact due date (somewhere around Aug. 10th). I have had a totally different pregnancy than what I experienced with the boys. My evenings are the hardest part of the day, and I eat ALL the time. Anticipating the 2nd trimester. Last night Stone said he wanted a Sisser, so hopefully we will be announcing a baby girl.

Stone is doing great. He just has a loving heart for his brother, an answer of prayer. On our way home from Grant's delivery, Tyler and I were in the car alone with Grant and prayed that God would knit their hearts together as brothers to love and protect one another. Now that Grant is walking they're just having a blast together, and I find great joy in going to the bathroom by myself. :)

Life is grand and Psalm 100:1 and 127:3-5 are scriptures that have blessed my heart in so many ways. That my voice will shout for joy and my heart will receive the blessing of children even if the days are long and presented with challenges. Tyler and I are united with God and one another and that is a huge blessing for our family. Without the Lord, I truly have no idea where I would be. This is all written with a heart full of gratitude. Be blessed and may your life be enriched by God's touch.

PRAISE GOD

I am going to copy Laura's emails to my blog so you can read the exact answer to prayer. Laura says it best. John has been diagnosed with Valley Fever, a lung infection. A fungus becomes airborne when dust around construction areas and agriculture spores are inhaled. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Hi Everyone!!!

My mom and I just had a glass of wine and cheered to VALLEY FEVER!!! Thank you so much for your prayers...right before I left the hospital tonight we received the news that John is clear of meningitis! We are so grateful and thankful for God's protection and faithfulness.

John will be coming home tomorrow night. He has to lay flat after his spinal tap procedure, therefore he has to wait until 5:00 pm. He is still very tired and staying on his pain medication to control it. He will be resting at home for the next week, but WE are so happy he'll be coming home. The kids can't wait for him to return to the family.

We can not express how grateful we are to each and everyone of you. John has a slow road ahead of him so please pray for him to be patient with his recovery and for him to obey his new nurse...Nurse Laura. ha ha ha He will visit Dr. Mosher on Wednesday and at that time we find out how he is progressing. He told us it is not a quick recovery.

We love you all,
Laura and John

Hi again...

As I read the email I sent you all this morning I was so quickly reminded of ANSWERED PRAY...because of all your faithfulness to join together in prayer our prayer requests were TOTALLY answered. The results came back in "GOD" speed and John did rest better today. God is so good and I give Him all the glory. I just wanted to share my excitement with you.

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

This situation has really made John and I reflect on what is important in our lives...First God; Others Second and ourselves Third. We love you!! All the other things are just "stuff."

Blessings,
Laura

Please Pray

A dear friend of ours in California, John Wilson, is in the hospital due to lung issues. Right now, they are waiting results from the tests taken yesterday. The doctors are not sure what the issue is that is causing John's sickness, originally treated for pneumonia and finding out that is not the cause. After xrays and cat scans, they have found nodules on his lungs, which is the major concern. John is very fit, which is good because he will be able to fight it, yet bad because his body has probably masked it for quite awhile.

Please pray for John to get rest and for God's speedy recovery. Also for the doctors to have godly wisdom in diagnosing and treatment. Laura, his wife, to be strengthened and for her to get rest as she manages the care of John and their 4 children, Keenan, Madi, Wyatt and Emmy. Some of you know my dear friend Brooke, this is her sister. (Lace and Darb, I know you would want to know this.)

Thank you, and I will update as I receive news.

Election Wednesday

So we have a new President... Yikes! I am so thankful that God is still a good God and in control of all things. I do anticipate what the coming years will bring to our country.

Well on to more delicious things. My 2 aunts, Nancy and Barb, love to cook. I think my mom does too, since she is always looking for a new recipe, yet she didn't portray it too much when I was at home. Her meals are always great, and I think my brother got that ability naturally from my mom. Well, for me my love for cooking has grown, especially with the encouragement of my neighbor Erin. Thanks, Erin. Anyway, last weekend I made this incredible fried egg with bacon and made a toast/cheese sandwich with all the fixings. Mmmm... delicious. Made me think of Aunt Barb, who can make a fried egg like you have never tasted. Cousin Mike eats his eggs by eating all the whites and tries to not crack the runny yoke to the very end. Some days he is successful and others he needs some toast to soak up the goodness.

Today Stone had his first serving of French Toast. I learned how to make French Toast by my Aunt Nancy. She always made the best, and it was a treat to help her make it when I was younger. Stone wanted to sit in Grant's high chair and eat his special toast. I love how simple things bring excitement! Well, the high chair was a hit for awhile and then off to playing.

Grant certainly enjoyed walking around while he ate his butter toast. Grant just loves to be playing. He loves the tent with the cube inside. He is the explorer and studier. So different than his brother. Stone was really into wrestling when he was 1, and Grant is just content to sit and study a new toy. This is what I imagined when I dreamed of being a Mommy. All the differences and how they would love to play with one another. That is exactly what the Lord has blessed our home with.

Today, Grandma Debby, Aunt Stacey, Gigi and Katie are going to come by for a visit, so we need to get dressed and things picked up (a little). Got to run!