Time flies!

Wow...it has been almost a month since my last post! Sorry baby Watts...your mama has been running crazy!! Let's see what has been going on???

- We celebrated Christopher's 25th birthday!

- We celebrated Joey's 29th birthday

- We celebrated our 1 year anniversary of being the youth pastors at EPHC

- We took our youth to teen talent, where the racked up!

So yeah... here is what you have missed!

Baby's now the size of a raspberry!Baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs, and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

• This is a milestone. She's no longer an embryo -- now she's a fetus!
• She's developing more distinct facial features.
• And she might now have a strong enough heartbeat to be picked up by a fetal doppler.

Baby's now the size of a prune! With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will start working too.)

Baby's now the size of a lime!Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. But fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

WOW, so much can change in just a month. I can see the end of my first trimester drawing near...and I hope that it brings with it relief from the sickness. I hear daily...oh just wait, it will go away etc...but I don't believe you. Me and the bathroom, we have just become friends.

Our last doctors appointment was April 9th. It went really well until my nurse tried to tell me my BP was 89/54. She wigged out on me, and checked everything, thought I was dying....I wasn't. She just didn't know how to take BP correctly. It was actually 123/70 nice and normal. All my bloodwork came back great, I am healthy, and the baby is healthy. That was so nice to hear! I have actually lost almost 6 pounds, which is GREAT for me. I have just been trying to eat super healthy, and that is doing my body good. We will hope that this continues! The next appointment will be May 11th, right before Mother's Day. We will get to hear the heartbeat again! What a great present that will be!! Then 1 month later we find out of baby Watts is going to be a daddy's girl or mama's boy! That seems like no time at all!!!!

The reality of becoming a parent grows daily. Cleaning and baby proofing the house is a chore! Who new there were so many things a baby could get into? Not to mention baby proofing Samson and Lady! It is a fun process though. I get to thinking about Christmas, and how we will have our own little bundle of joy! It is such a miracle.

Seems like just yesterday I met a boy, who became the man I married.

Boy time does really fly....

The Proclein Throne...

  

Week 7: Cuff Link

Average size: 0.51 inchesWow! Baby is two times the size he was last week.

This is the baby size acording to dads! I think this is hilarious!!! Much more accurate I think.

The past week has been a rough one. The "morning" sickness everyone refers to is with me morning, noon, and night. In fact it NEVER goes away! The sight, smell, or taste of something will send me over the edge. Sometimes it is unbearable.

I laughed at myself yesterday as I was throwing my guts up (not normal I understand), but everytime I had a breath between gagging and throwing up I would pray! It was something like this.... bleh...precious Lord...bleh....thank you..bleh...for this...bleh...baby...bleh...please...bleh...help me...bleh...give me....bleh...strength....

I really am thankful for this pregnancy, and I believe that God believes I have the strenth to endure this. My mother would always tell my brother growing up "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it." I never quite understood that statement until now. I don't think people who haven't had children (and I don't mean just bearing them in your womb) can understand what it takes to be a parent. Lord, this child isn't even here yet and it is controlling my life. He/she tells me what it does and doesn't want to eat, when to sleep, when to be awake, etc...The things I will endure as a mother are sometimes overwhelming...

I also fully believe that you do not have a carry a child for 9 months to feel this. I have family, and friends whom God has chosen to care for those babies that others didn't want, or couldn't take care of. I think that being a "mother" means a lot more than enduring these 9 months.

I am thankful...I cannot stress that enough. God has been so good. I try to remember that when I don't feel good, when I'm tired or scared, that Jesus endures this with me. That not only do I have a husband who supports me and loves this baby, but I have a Heavenly Father who is always with me.

I have been staring at the porcelien throne for a few days now (you know...the toliet!)...and I will enjoy every minute of it. Because I know God has a special plan for this baby, big plans, that I am blessed to be only a small part of.

If I could talk to baby Watts today this is what I would say...

Good morning sweet baby! We finally agreed on mashed potatos and a little chicken last night. Wasn't it GREAT! Thank you for letting mommy eat that. I prayed about your future today, I want so many great things for you. God told me about you a long time ago...and though I don't know if your going to be a little me or a little daddy, I know you are going to be amazing. Daddy and I love you so much, and you aren't even here yet! I hope you will always know that. You are the light of our life, a constant reminder of the promises of God, a source of insparation, and a bond that is unexplainable. Baby Watts, grow big and strong. I will do everything in my power to give you all the nutrients you need so you can do that! I cannot wait to meet you! 

Love you always,

Mom

3/20/2012

Hopefully one day, our sweet baby will get to read this, and know how much we loved him/her even before they met this world!

Until then...the porclein throne is calling....

Waiting for November...

Yesterday, March 13, 2012 was quite possibly one of the greatest days of my life. I got to see my baby for the first time. That feeling has no words to describe it. Though it was only a tiny dot, the size of a blueberry maybe, it had a heart beat. A good one...strong. THAT means, that "thing" growing inside my belly is alive. It is part me, and part by husband.

I could not take my eyes off the monitor. The technician couldn't find anything at first, and I panicked, but then there it was...

You know, I don't understand how people can consciously say there isn't a God. Being pregnant has really made me think about this...

2 things, from separate bodies, a sperm and an egg meet. And it starts this radically growing every changing organism that forms a brain, heart, liver, kidney, bones, legs, arms, etc... It has a heartbeat before anything...and that to me is miraculous!

This made it all seem so real...that there really is a little baby growing inside me. It will continue to grow, and one day be ready for the world, and it will depend on me and Chris to take care of it. Not just the normal stuff, but provide food, shelter, love, stability, guidance, advice, and opportunities. This child's life will soley depend on us...and that is a humbling thought.

I am so blessed that God trusts in my enough to carry this baby. For the moment it was conceived, it was not ours but Gods, and we will spend the rest of our lives trying to show him or her that. I am sure every parent says this, but there is no baby in the world that will be loved more than this one.

My due date is now November 5th. I suppose I'm partial to November, since that is my birthday month, and I most certainly wouldn't mind sharing it with my child. November 6th also happens to be my grandfathers birthday, and he said he would just be tickled if it waited for that day to enter the world.

Now the waiting begins...waiting for the next appointment, waiting for the next ultrasound, waiting to find out if it is a girl or boy, waiting for the day he/she will come into this world, waiting to be a parent...

Waiting for November...

The joys of life

So the news is finally settling into Christopher and I that we are going to be parents. It is really exciting, and slightly terrifing! It sounds weird to be called mom, but that's what I am going to be. This June, when Mothers day rolls around, I am going to be a "Mother to be". Madness!

It was really exciting telling all of our friends and family. We got some great reactions. Lots of grandpa's cried, lots of mom's started making baby plans, and me... I just keep thinking about how I want to decorate a nursery! Christopher says this is just an excuse to want to paint something agian, I laughed and agreed!

My favorite people to tell was our youth! I knew some of them were going to freak out! And they did! We have lots of babies due this year in our church. 5 to be exact, and (though I am biased) I think ours is special.

We had told lots of people, and then BAAM! It happend! A person reached out and RUBBED MY BELLY!! Seriously...SERIOUSLY!!! I pushed her hand away and was like "don't touch my belly please". Come on people! Why do the words "I am Pregnant" give people permission to touch you in places that they would not under normal circumstances touch you?? I mean, i'm a bigger girl as it is...so I know I may look VERY pregnant, but i'm not okay? You can't feel anything in there! I knew it would happen eventually but really, right then?!?!?!?!! So to all you people out there, when you find out someone is pregnant, that doens't give you permission to touch them, it really freaks them out okay??

I am told this feeling of invasion of space goes away, but I don't know... I told our youth if they wanted to touch my belly, they better ask first, or I may chop their hands off. : )

Anyhow...

Since we haven't been to the doctor yet, we are guessing that our due date is around October 25th. This is what The Bump has to say about baby W this week.

 

Your baby is the size of a sweet pea!

The average embryo at week 6 is about .25 inches and will double in size again next week. Wow

• Obviously, he/she's growing like crazy!
• He/She's also circulating blood with his/her increasingly more sophisticated circulatory sytem.
• He/She's about to get cuter too, since starting to sprout a nose, eyes, ears, chin and cheeks.
• And he/she might even be wiggling his/her (paddle-like) hands and feet.

Seems crazy that something that starts out so tiny, is going to grow so big!

Our prayer this week: for healthy development! (though that will be a prayer every week!)


Happy Leap Day everyone!!

I am not a tomato sauce!

Perhaps on of my BIGGEST pet peeves is someone refering to themselves as "preggers" or "prego".

NOW...i'm not hating on people who refer to themselves that way, but it really drives me crazy!

I AM PREGNANT! Not prego (which is a tomato sauce) or preggers (which I have decided is the noddles to the tomato sauce) PREGNANT!

I really never thought I would get to say those words...the past months have been a struggle for me. I have taken many tests, waited those 3 minutes many times, just to see one line... Oh but this time...

I have been sick for about two weeks. A cough that is breaking my ribs, and tearing my chest to pieces! I feel nauseated ALL the time. LITERALLY all the time. And of course I was late... I didn't want to get my hopes up, so I didn't even think about the possiblity of being pregnant.

Sunday, during our church service, our pastor was preaching on timing, and how God sends answers to prayers just at the right time. I went up to get prayed for with Chris, because I felt so bad you know? And when Jimmy (our pastor) walked by me he stopped and just said that he felt like God was sending answers to someone right now. It was then I knew it was time to take the test.

We went to lunch with one of Chris' professors and had a really great time. We came home and I went to go take the test. Christopher got on the phone with Jimmy again...and was talking and talking and talking...The moment of truth had come. I waited...and waited...and that stupid one line showed up, I bowed my head in prayer just telling God I was okay with this, and that he knew I could handle it. I looked up and had to do a double take! There is was coming in, that blessed second line. It took it a minute to get there...but it came! I FREAKED OUT!!! I cried, I laughed, and I prayed hard!

I sat there waiting for Christopher to get off the phone. It felt like an eternity. And when he did I walked out, looked at him and mumbled "I'm pregnant" His reaction... "No you're not!" I laughed, jumped into his arms and said "Yes I am!!!!"

We didn't tell anyone for a few days, but we broke the news to everyone yesterday! All sets of grandparents, aunts uncles, and all the "greats" are so excited!

Our first doctors appointment is March 13th. We think we are about 5 weeks along...We will get to see our baby for the first time! Well, the little peanut that is our baby anyhow! It has a heartbeat!

                                                

                                    Your baby's the size of an appleseed!

Your embryo is now measurable -- though at week five, it's a wee .13 inches -- and she's gearing up for much more growth. In fact, in the next week, she'll almost double in size. Grow baby grow!

So there you have it! Baby Watts will join the world sometime this fall

Let's talk about VOWS

For whatever reason I have been really thinking about vows this week. The true meaning of them. All people who are married have said some form of them at some point, but I am curious to what people think they really mean.

This is what webster says a VOW means:
A vow (Lat. votum, vow, promise; see vote) is a promise or oath.

Wow...a promise or an oath.

Here is what my husband and I shared at our wedding...

I, Christopher Shane Watts, take Sally Lorraine Leo, to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part,

I, Sally Lorraine Leo, take Christopher Shane Watts, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part

WHOA! "Did she really say OBEY?!?!"
Yup I sure did...

Here is what my vows meant to me:

I Sally Lorraine Leo, take Christopher Shane Watts, to be my sweet husband, to look after him and make sure he is taken care of, to be okay if his taste in food/music/style aren't always the same as mine, to pick up after him and make sure he has clean clothes, to love him even when I don't like him a whole lot, to take care of him when he is sick, though I may be much sicker, to be okay driving an old mini-van instead of a fancy sports car, to love our home whether it is big or small, to be okay if we have 100 children or none, to cherish the small things he does for me because those are what count, to honor his wishes about our future even when I may not understand or agree with them, to OBEY his vision for our family as my husband even when I may not want to, to follow him and be with him until death and only death parts us.

Interesting isn't it? When I said "I DO", I meant every word of it.

I'm sure most people start out that way. I don't think many people get married just so they can get divorced, but I wonder how many people ponder what they are saying when it is said.

So married couples, and couples thinking about getting married... I URGE you to consider what you are saying when you get married. Marriage isn't something to be taken lightly, it is a holy union, whether you intend for it to be or not!

God made many vows in the bible, as did Jesus. The bible is FULL of scriptures where vows were made for all sorts of things!

 

When we become christians we are in essesnce 'vowing' to devote ourselves to God, and living the life that Christ has called us to live. "I promise to give my life to you fully and to let you take control" Sounds like a vow to me...promise/vow go hand in hand.

What do/did your vows mean???

Thinking of Daniel

You know as the new year rings in, and we all get excited about things to come, I am looking back and pondering...

Our church is doing a "Daniel Fast" which in itself is difficult to explain, but as for now it is cutting out meats, sweets, and wheat's out of my diet for 21 days. I know your what you're thinking this is what the scriptures say,

 ⁸ But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. ⁹ Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, ¹⁰ but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your^[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
 ¹¹ Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.

I know this may seem strange, but it is what we have been called to do. I somehow don't want to get caught up in the "religiousness" of a fast. In case you aren't familiarr, or don't know a fast is where you "give up something" that is important to you, in this case (and biblical ones) food.

I LOVE food, I'm Italian so shoot me okay? I love pasta, and chocolate, and coke, and steak, and cheeseburgers! So, being called to fast such things is a big deal. But I am choosing to look at it this way. The Lord wants me to cleanse my body, so that I can be healthy in all aspects of my life! Mind, body and spirit! 

This was my revelation today...

It was about 1 p.m. I wasn't hungry. Normally about this time I would drive to McDonald's, grab a burger, fries and a coke (maybe a cookie) and chow down. I am almost NEVER hungry when I eat lunch, I just do it, well, because it's lunch time.  I eat until I feel so full that I'm sick, because it is habit. Really it's gross! So today, instead of eating, I prayed. I asked God to reveal to me why I didn't feel the need to eat, and seek some guidance on this aspect of my life.
This is what was revealed...
Eating when I am not hungry is like going to Church on Sunday, just because it's Sunday. It's a habit, a ritual that I perform at a certain time on a certain day. It has no meaning...no feeling...no reason, I do it because I am a creature of habit!

I was like WHOA! So I questioned my motives behind going to church. I go to church because I'm a pastors wife..yes...because I am a worship leader...yes...but I supposed my motives aren't always pure. I'll admit I go sometimes because I have too...and THAT my friends is not okay.

So my goal for this week is to seek out God and what his plans for me as a pastor's wife and worship leader are. So that when I walk into church it is because I have been dying to get there, and not because "it's time"

Ponder that dear readers...What is your motivation behind what you do? Is it routine? Or are you doing it because that is what you really need to do?

Love to all!