Pregnancy Update - 10 Weeks

I am halfway through week 10 and all is going reasonably well! I had my second midwife appointment on Tuesday - she tried to find the heartbeat with the doppler, but this early along, its still difficult. So, she indulged me with a second ultrasound! My first was just a little after 6 weeks, so the baby was just a little blurb.. its amazing what 4 weeks will do! The baby is fully formed, albeit tiny... I saw it kicking its tiny legs, waving its tiny arms, its sweet round head and belly, with the tell-tale fluttering light of its heartbeat. What a miracle new life is! The awe is unspeakable, really.

As far as my own well-being... I am blessed with not much nausea, and no vomiting. But I am TIRED! Really, really tired. My midwife joked "of course you're tired, you've got 4 boys!"... but my iron levels are just fine, and otherwise I am perfectly healthy. So she said to just hang in for a few more weeks and my energy should return. I am really hoping so, because its been a little discouraging at times. But I read this post earlier today, from The Mouro Family, and it was really encouraging to me, especially this part:

When we complain, we often want someone to say "Yes, I know! I have had the same problem. You are right, that does stink!" Poor us. But, wouldn't it be more beneficial for us to say to one another, "Yes I know, I have had the same problem, but the truth is . . . God knows what He is doing! He is working in your life through this trial and He is sanctifying you through this. It might help if you thank Him for this trial or think of the things in your life that you are thankful for."

So I am trying to praise God in all things and remember my many, many blessings, including the sweet little one that could be said to be the cause of all my exhaustion! Another really encouraging post was from a friend who I've "known" online for several years, with two little ones of her own (so she is familiar with tiredness, lol!), from her blog, Lambs in His Arms:

I was thinking about you this morning, and I believe God gave me an answer about how you can use this time for His glory: You can pray. It sounds so simple, but prayer is an important ministry that we often overlook in our everyday busyness. You may not be able to get off the couch and use your body for His service, but you can use your mind and spirit. Pray for your health and your walk with God, for your unborn baby, and for your children to know and love the Lord. Pray for your marriage, your relationships with other family members, for fellow believers, and that your life would bear witness to all those with whom you come in contact. Pray for our country and the government that makes decisions for us, especially as we approach the November elections that will determine our leaders for the next four years. Pray for those who are persecuted, poverty-stricken, and suffering all over the world. As awful as you feel, you can have a powerful ministry of prayer right from your chair. And when others see how you are relying on Christ to strengthen you through your suffering, God will be glorified. That certainly is not a wasted life!

Try not to place too many expectations on yourself that God is not requiring of you right now. It would make me absolutely crazy not to be able to get up and clean my home and take care of my children, so I'm sure this is difficult. But do use whatever help is available to you, and don't be too hard on yourself. Can your husband pick up some movies or books on tape from the library to keep your children occupied? Or you could get out puzzles, flashcards, and other activities that they can do independently or with a little help from you while you relax on the couch. If it helps, serve meals on paper plates to make clean-up easier. Make sandwiches or something from the freezer section for dinner - or order pizza. And do not be afraid to ask others for help. It is difficult to admit a need, but that is what gives others an opportunity to serve!

Rather than feeling useless because your body is weak, rejoice in your sufferings. Commit to fervent prayer and know that you are doing an important work, even when you must put other important works aside for a time. I also want to really encourage you to fill your mind with Scripture so that there is no room for Satan's discouragement and depression to sink in. Find a verse or passage that speaks to you and meditate on it day and night. One of my favorites for these situations is, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." And be sure to focus on what is true (and right, pure, and so on). God has allowed this to happen; He will give you strength to endure.

Thank you to everyone who is such an encouragement! Even if I don't "know" you or if we've never met "IRL" ;-) God has used you to bless me, and for that I am so thankful.

I'm definitely looking forward to a time of renewed energy, but I am grateful nonetheless for the blessings that abound in my life today!