Henry's Birth Story

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It feels so crazy that I have now done this three times and each time has been so very different. I love remembering and recalling the births of my children they were all so special and beautiful. I don’t think I need to write down every detail because I think I will remember them all my life, but I probably will anyway J I remember hearing once that a woman’s birth experience is one of the most impressionable and memorable experiences of her life. I believe that to be true. Start talking about birth with any woman that has experienced it and I doubt she will not have anything to say on it.

            I woke up Wednesday morning around 3:15am to go to the bathroom… like normal… and I had a few contractions, but nothing to keep me up, so I went back to sleep. About 4:30am I woke up again with more contractions and felt like this could be it. So, I started the shower, but the contractions were growing, so I woke Don up to take a shower because he needed one more than me  He tends to be a little greasy and I wanted him to be fresh for the arrival of our baby. So random the things you think before you are about to have a baby. So yes the cleanliness of my husband was on my mind.

We quickly finished packing our hospital bag and headed to the hospital. We got checked in and I was 100% effaced and 4-5cm. I was feeling pretty good, but that quickly took a turn. I will avoid some rather un-lady like details right now and just say I spent a lot of time in the bathroom from this point on. I did find a good rhythm for my contractions. Whenever one would come about I would rub my fingers together or hold Don’s hand and rub little circles into his hand. At one point he started doing it to my hand and I had to give him the stare to never ever do that again. It messed with my rhythm. At one point I was starting to struggle with staying on top of my contractions and I talked to Don about getting an epidural. I thought, “I’ve done this whole natural thing twice now and I am tired and just want to lay down.” And like a good husband he talked me out of it although I know I wouldn’t have really done it. (not at all saying there is anything wrong with a woman choosing to get an epidural it’s just not for me).

After that moment I knew I had to stay with my contractions and just relax my body with every contraction and let my mind stay in the right place. I decided to lie on my side on the edge of the bed and just relax. I actually feel asleep in-between contractions. My doctor came in to check me and I was complete. I was beyond excited. Then came pushing time. My doctor let me wait on pushing because the baby needed to move down more. I was glad because pushing for me is the hardest part. It’s so tiring!! I pushed for an hour and half. So long! I just kept asking if he was getting close and my doctor and sweet husband kept me encouraged that every push he was getting closer. And the most amazing feeling at 10:27am Henry Haddon Gale arrived into the world. I cannot describe how wonderful the feeling is of your child leaving your body and entering the world. Amazing! Within 30 minutes I was up out of the bed and nursing my sweet little boy.  We are enjoying the newest edition to our family very much J

few thoughts on Jeremiah

I am currently reading Jeremiah and one of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 20:9, "If I say, 'I will not mention him or speak any more in his name there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.'" Jeremiah has been speaking to God's people day in and day out to repent and turn from their sins for God's wrath is true and burning against their nation. He has experienced so much persecution and been cut off from his people. He complains and laments to the Lord about his hurt and how the people will not listen and yet he still speaks those words. He cannot stop speaking of the Lord no matter what he is up against. I have read this before and have wrongly put Jeremiah on a pedestal thinking wow he must have it all together when the book clearly shows that he does not. It is the Lord that has placed that burning desire in him for His Word. I pray and long that the Lord will put a daily burning desire in my heart to speak His Word and to make it known. And I have the opportunity everyday with my children. Praying to be used up for the Lord's glory. 

Here's to 29 years, 10 inches gone and 24 weeks along

 Well, yesterday was my birthday and I turned 29! I cannot believe it's my last year in my twenties. I still feel like I am 21 sometimes. My amazing husband made a delicious meal. He blows me away with his cooking skills. He made salmon on a bed of creamed spinach with fried shallots on top. Salad with fried goat cheese, homemade dressing and then cheesecake with poached pears and this amazing caramel pear sauce. And the crazy thing is that for half the things he made he didn't need a recipe. I am a recipe girl, so for someone to make something up I am highly impressed. They even decorated, so sweet. I had a wonderful day. So blessed by my family. Don and I are heading to Nashville on Sunday to see the Shins. Super excited. Makes me feel even younger going to a concert and all.. haven't done that in a long time.

Oh and I cut about 10 inches or so off my hair (obviously) had nothing to do with turning 29 or being pregnant. I just needed a change. I was tired of it. I love it and so glad it is short! And baby boy is about 24 weeks along now. At least I think so sometimes I forget what week I am on, but I think it's 24 :)

I am so thankful for the Lord's grace on my life this past year and the overwhelming amount of blessing He has given me. What a good and gracious God He is! I am excited about this upcoming year... lots of changes will be happening with our family that I am excited to see come into place :)

Loving books

Don and I love to read. I am glad that it is something that we enjoy doing together. We desire so much for our children to be excited and love books and the places their imaginations will go by reading them. We read a lot in our home, probably one of my favorite things to do with them. It's so calming and relaxing. Although right now, Owen can be the little chatter box when you are reading to him, asking over and over, "mommy what they doing?" and then "why". It can make for a very long book. I finally got a library card. We have been going to the library for story-time and just to look at books for years now, but finally got my act together and got a card. And Eden thinks it is the best thing ever. She has started "reading" to Owen and it makes me so happy. Don't get me wrong my kids do love books, but I am not sure if they compete yet with the Ipad. Oh technology :)

Fun with Flour, Water and Food coloring....

Like most kids my kids love making things and anything that is messy! Thankfully, this little project is a mess in a bag. So, it really isn't a mess at all :) All you need is a cup of flour, water, food coloring and a plastic bag. Pour the cup of flour in a mixing bowl. Or let the kids pour. Mix with water until the consistency is thin, but not too liquidy. Add food coloring, stir and then pour in the plastic bag. Eden and Owen played with that mixture for days! It can stay in the fridge up to 3 days. They loved how it felt and what it looked like when they rolled it around. The idea came from this great book. It has awesome activities from birth through 5 years of age. This activity was from the 2 year old section for Owen, but I kind of think Eden had more fun with it. They both were really creative with it! Try it :)

Eden decided it was pizza. She is adding her toppings :)

Gale baby #3!

Well, it has been a while. Only reason I can say is Gale baby #3. Not to complain (I do that enough to my sweet husband) but I have been pretty sick. And while I thought the sickness was over about a week ago, it has returned not as strong, but I have good days and bad days. And of course most days are very tired ones. I keep reminding myself that it won't last forever and hopefully end soon.

19 weeks! And yes #3 shows a lot sooner

We are excited to say that we are going to have another son!!! I am really excited to have two boys back to back in age. Surprisingly, Eden was very excited to be having another brother. She had made it very clear that she wanted a sister. She has already decided that Jackson is a good name for him. I hated to burst her little bubble, but Jackson is not in the running. We had a girl name, but cannot decide on a little boy name. We have time. Here is to hopefully, more blogging and less baby sickness!

Because of Motherhood...

One of the blogs I read recently asked the question what has changed in you because of motherhood. I thought that was a really great thing to think on and here is what I came up with some fun/ most serious.
Because of motherhood...
~ Sleeping in is past 7:30.
~ I have learned what it means to be selfless. Even though I have learned it kicking and screaming. I had no idea how selfish I was until little Eden came along and rocked my world. I was shocked when I could no longer do what I wanted when I wanted
~ I value a nap more than I ever thought possible
~ I have seen Christ pull out some really ugly sin in my life
~ Realize how much I need the Lord's grace...daily or more like hourly
~ I know a different kind of love than I've never felt before... can't fully explain it, but I feel it when my babies come and kiss me or Eden out of no where says, "Mommy I love you so much"
~ Realized how important this job is... the Lord has given Don and I precious little lives to mold and take care of.
~ That the house is not always going to be clean!! Messes are worth it
~ I know what it is to suffer to bring a life into the world. Not anything in comparison to what Christ did for me, but I know what pain is.
~ I love my husband more
~ I am thankful that I get to spend my days cleaning, playing, cooking, comforting, teaching, being creative, instructing and loving on my children all day. Didn't imagine that it would change my life the why it has
~ Unfortunately, I know the feeling of guilt that I have messed things up and had horrible mommy moments. Again, thankful for the Lord's grace to forgive and keep going.
~ I understand the mom in the store with a crying child. Been there and I know what she is thinking...
~ I have learned and still learning more what it means to trust the Lord.

I could probably have kept going, but those were the top ones that I wanted to share. It was a good reflection and I encourage you if you are a mom to do this sometime. Feel free to share any things that have changed in you because of motherhood. Have a wonderful rest of the day!!