Thankful for Help!

 Today I am so thankful that my mom has been here the past week or so to help us get into a routine with two!  Mom has been taking Jeremiah to story time and giving me breaks and helping me with both kiddos and letting me get some rest!  And she has been reading LOTS of books to Jeremiah- I think she read all our library books multiple times!  Jeremiah has been treating his little sister pretty well- he lays beside her, runs to get diapers or her pacifier! 

 And what is little Lydia up to these days?  A little eating, a little wake time and a lot of sleeping!  :) 

Lydia's Birth Story!

On Monday, February 18th- we had a doctor appointment at 9am for a stress test for the baby and a check of amniotic fluid levels.  My due date was Friday, February 15th and this time I really felt like I was struggling with being overdue and waiting for the Lord's timing for this baby to come.  But again the Lord was kind in teaching me to wait and trust His timing for the coming of this little one!  We went for the appointment at Good Sam and they said my fluid levels were low.  The doctors then sent me to Triage where we again waited for about 2 hours while they assessed me and the doctors determined what course of action to take.  I did enjoy getting to know the nurse I was with a bit as every nurse we encountered that day was so sweet and just what we needed at the moment!  They then said they wanted to keep me and induce that day.  We then waited for a room and got admitted.  Now if you know me- you know I like to be prepared and organized, and yet I was not prepared for this change of plans for my day.  I had laundry everywhere as it was Monday- laundry day and Jeremiah was down with Ben & Laura.  I am so thankful for Ben & Laura who pitched in and helped take care of the boy.  Mom Lyons did my laundry and cleaned up and Laura brought all our stuff down with us as we did not have any of our "things" in the car.

I was so thankful for our first nurse- Megan- she was a believer and we talked a lot about Israel and Jerusalem as her husband's family had lived in Israel for a long time and they were going to visit at some point.  I was a little disappointed as the doctor had decided to give me a cervix softener before giving me the pitocin.  We have seen the Lord's hand all over the delivery process and answering so many of my prayers and concerns!  They gave me the softener around 12:30pm and would check me again around 4:30- 4 hours later.  It was nice to have Laura Lyons and her sister Sarah come visit me in the hospital and spend some time while we waited.  I began having some menstrual cramping and then started having contractions on my own about 3 minutes apart.  They checked me at 4:30pm and I was 2cm and decided since I was having contractions to let my body do its work.  They moved us to a Labor & Delivery Room around 6pm and I was beginning to have harder back labor and stronger contractions.  Around 7:15pm- I was begging Michael for the epidural.  I was waiting for the doctor to come check me and when they finally arrived I was 4cm and decided to get the epidural.  They came around 8pm and made Michael leave while they gave it to me.  I rested for about an hour and then around 9:30 was beginning to feel a lot of pressure in my bottom like I needed to push.  I told my nurse- Brittany- what I was feeling and she checked me (thankfully) and ran to get the doctor.  Apparently they were very busy on Monday night and they were delivering lots of babies.  She told me to hold my legs closed and not to push which easier said than done.  The doctors and nurses came in and she told me she would basically break my water and the baby should come out.  They broke my water and I think they had me to do two pushes and she seemed to come right out.  It might help that she had a small head too and was only 7 lb. 4 oz.  She had some meconium inside and so when she came out they whisked her away to make sure she did not breathe it in.  I don't even remember anyone telling me her gender right away- I had to ask someone if we knew for sure.  Thankfully I only had a one degree tear and I feel like this recovery has been so much better than with Jeremiah.  And so Lydia Eliah Lyons was born earlier than we expected, Monday, February 18th at 9:50pm weighing 7lb. 4 oz and 20 inches long.

There are so many things I praise God about this delivery.  One of my huge concerns was that I would know when to go to the hospital and the Lord really decided that for me by having us stay and be admitted to the hospital.  I was so thankful to not have to get the pitocin and that my body went into labor on my own!    I was so thankful for the quick labor the Lord gave me and helped me through the pain and gave me a great coach- Michael!  We were so thankful for the great nurses at Good Sam and the great docs that took care of us at Faculty Medical Center- we really had a great experience!  We were so thankful that the nurses at Good Sam let us rest for the most part and really were trying to help us and take care of us!  I was thankful for Megan and Brittany, the nurses that helped during the labor!  And most of all, we are helpful for a healthy baby girl who seems to be such a laid back baby.  She seems so much more relaxed than Jeremiah who was colicky and cried all the time.  She has her moments but for the most part so far is a pleasant little girl!  We praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!

Coming Home!

We got home last Wednesday around 1:30pm.  Here are some pics of our homecoming.  I haven't had too much time to post other pics yet- hopefully in this coming week!  My mom is with me until next Monday so she has been a HUGE help especially with the busy 2 year old boy!  Laura Lyons made us a wonderful dinner the Wed. night we came home of ham, sweet potato casserole and salad- it was sooo good! 

Meeting the New Sister

 A Happy Big-Brother!

Lydia Eliah Lyons

Lydia Eliah Lyons was born at 9:50am on Monday, February 18, 2013.  She weighed in at 7 lb. 4 oz. and was 20 inches long.  The Lord was so gracious to us during the whole process of labor and delivery and we are thankful for her safe arrival!  Erin had an appt. on Monday for a stress test and amniotic fluid check and they found her fluids were low so they wanted to admit her.  

We named her Lydia mainly after a great hero of the faith of ours- Michael's grandmother- Thelma Lydia Renner who we just love and cherish and displays to us a picture of a Godly woman at 95 years old!  

Eliah (Aye-lee-ah)- Hebrew name for My God is Yahweh

We praise the Lord for this sweet little girl and are thankful my mom could drive out yesterday to help with Jeremiah and Mom & Dad Lyons and Ben & Laura have been a wonderful help with the boy too!  We are hoping to see him sometime today but he had to go to the doc first for a bad rash on his body to make sure things were ok- never a dull moment!  

Due Date Update!

Today is my projected due date for Baby Lyons.  I am realizing how much these are "projected" due dates!  :)  And the Lord is teaching me much about trusting Him and His timing and waiting on the Lord for the birth of this little one.  Patience is definitely something I struggle with but it is a lesson to learn again and again. 

So no news yet.  I went to the doctor this morning and still about the same- 1cm dilated- the baby is in position and I look ready to go the doc thinks but no contractions yet.  I will go in for a fluid level check and stress test on Monday morning and again on Thursday.  If I am still around next week- they will check me in at 11am next Friday, February 22 to induce me- and so we wait and see and trust that the Lord is good and Sovereign, Wise & Loving and will give me grace for each moment of each day!  You can pray specifically for patience as I wait and that I will know when is the "right" time to go to the hospital when I go into labor.  And pray that I would not be anxious about anything but the know the Lord is near and entrust this child to Him!

Jeremiah's Bday- More pics...

 Jeremiah's birthday was such a nice day that we went for a little walk.  That evening we took him to LaRosas pizza- one of Jeremiah's & Daddy's favorite places!  Jeremiah loved the cinnamon dippers they brought out for his birthday! 

 Then we came home and Jonathan & Mom Lyons came up for Jeremiah to open a few presents.  We got him a few gifts- mainly some books for him to read. 

 Jeremiah is also LOVING his new book from Jack Samad- called Little Blue Truck- it is definitely a winner! 

On another note- I am still hanging around.  My due date is Friday so we will see what happens!  As I woke up last night at 4:30am just thinking- I was thinking how waiting for delivery is an interesting season.  It is a practice of contentment and patience and waiting on the Lord knowing He knows what is best and when labor will start and how much I can handle.  It is funny how each day we wake up wondering- will it be today? :)  There is a certain expectancy and waiting and really trusting the Lord's timing!  So we continue to wait.  :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Jeremiah Michael!

Today we are celebrating Jeremiah being 2 years old!  I can hardly believe the little guy is 2!  Jeremiah is a very energetic, bubbly, bouncy little guy!  He loves to play with his friends and especially cousin Jonathan (and often leads him into trouble!).  He loves to read books and could read for hours on end.  I think his favorite wheeled vehicle this year has been the school BUS- he absolutely LOVES the bus!  And he loves fire trucks, really any type of truck and really has enjoyed trash trucks lately!  Jeremiah loves to sleep with his blankie which he chews on and is kinda gross to all that see it but it brings him comfort.  Jeremiah loves to run and jump and wrestle with Dadda- I don't really do much of that nowadays.  His favorite meal is spaghetti and pizza and loves cheese and strawberries and lots of fruit.  Oh and he loves "cooks"- of course!  I guess he takes after his Mama who has a big sweet tooth!  Jeremiah is really beginning to talk and repeats a lot of the words we say!  Michael has been working with him on some questions when he goes to bed- Who made you?  God.  What else did God make?  Mama, Dada, the World.  Why did He make you?  For His glory.  So when I put him to bed now- he lays down and says Dada- World.  He knows his Dada is working with him on these things.  Jeremiah also has a big love for his Grandpa (Michael's dad) and my dad (Pop).  He asks to pray for Pop pretty regularly at night.  We praise the Lord for the privilege it is to be his Dada & Mama and pray that his little heart would grow to love and treasure Christ more than anything in this world and that in this year he would take joy in obeying his Heavenly Father- and his earthly parents too!  We love you Jeremiah & love your sweet smiles & hugs that you give to us often! 

This morning we had our Thursday Morning Moms time at church and we brought some brownies with Gummy Worms for J's friends.  We also brought some treats for the nursery workers.  Tonight we are going to celebrate by going to LaRosas pizza ( a family favorite ) and eating some yummy Gluten Free cake. :)  We are hoping to have a little party for him when my mom comes later in the month.  

Happy 95th Birthday Gigi!!

Grandma Renner (Michael's grandma) turns 95 today on February 5th!  She is a picture of a Godly older woman!  The Lord has taught us a lot through this lady!  I have been privileged to live near her for these 2 years and get to know her better!  She is a woman that loves her family and others!  She is very caring and giving and has been a model to me personally of rich generosity!  I think of Grandma (Gigi- as we just nicknamed her for the boys) as a woman that loves the Lord and has remained steadfast and faithful through many hard things!  She lost a son- Ricky and her husband left her and she worked and raised 3 kids on her own.  And now she blesses us with sweet cards she paints and kind notes.  She is a faithful servant at church giving of her time in the office and she is so generous with her money and giving us care packages! She truly lives as if this world were not her home and we are so grateful to have her as a model and example to us!  We love you Gigi!  Instead of a Super Bowl Party, I thought it would definitely be more fitting to host a Gigi birthday party!  So I hosted at 95th birthday party for her at our house!