It's March (finally) and today we are 31 weeks along in the pregnancy!  This is exciting for us--just another week closer to the end!  However, I feel like we're wishing our lives away, constantly longing for a specified date in the future.  This is magnified since I am on bedrest and feel like I can't really accomplish much just laying in bed all day.  I spend a lot of time in prayer each day; the Lord has really strengthened my prayer life.  That is a growth I am thankful to make during this time.  The Lord has also taught me a lot about cultivating relationships.  I am not able to see people regularly during this time, so He is teaching me to be more comfortable communicating in other ways.  Hopefully through this I have learned to be a better friend to those I care for and love.  The Lord is also helping me to be comfortable in asking people for the help that I need.  Andy is here most of the time for me, but sometimes he needs to be gone.  It is difficult to be dependent on others, but I am learning to let people help me.

We had another long day of doctor appointments on Monday.  I spent a total of 6 hours being active--and to me that means lots of sitting up and walking around.  By the end of the day I was so sore, I could barely turn over in bed!  I'm just not used to having all the baby's weight on those muscles.  This made me realize that I am going to have A LOT of recuperating to do once I can get up and return to life as normal.  I have a feeling it's going to be slow-going for awhile!

I was able to see the diabetic educator on Monday to discuss my gestational diabetes.  She was impressed with my blood sugar levels and said I am doing a good job of keeping my daily sugar levels low.  I am thankful that it has been easy for me to adapt to this new diet.  I know it is important for me to do a good job since I cannot exercise like I should with this condition.  Thank you for your prayers over this matter.

I would request your prayers for something else on my heart.  Right now the baby is still breach.  The doctor talked with me about what this means for me.  Since I am on bedrest, she would think it more unlikely for the baby to move into the head-down position since I am not being active each day.  I guess how often the baby moves is due somewhat to the mother's activity level.  If the baby does not turn over on his own, then I will have to have a C-Section delivery when I do go into labor--whenever that may be.  I am praying that our baby turns on his own.  I would strongly prefer to not have a C-Section delivery!  I know that recovery is harder after a C-Section, and I already have a difficult recovery ahead of me, I believe, just in trying to get my strength back from being on bedrest for 3 months.  When it's all said and done, it will be wonderful to just have a healthy baby at the end of all this, but I know the Lord is concerned about my comfort too, so I pray that if it is His will, that our baby boy will turn over soon!  Thank you for praying with me about this!  God knows what is best.

Andy is still traveling for meetings with churches each weekend, however, he has this weekend off.  This is the only weekend he has off until April.  So, this weekend he is going baby shopping with my mom and sister!  Lucky him!!  Like I said in my last post, he is planning on getting just some essential items like diapers, wipes, bed items, clothes, etc.  When I do get up again in April, I'm not supposed to do any big shopping trips or anything else very ambitious, so I am thankful that he is willing to do this shopping now, and that my mom and sister are willing to go with him to help. 

Many of you tell us you are praying for us.  Thank you for your prayers and concern.  We are all holding steady, and praising the Lord for bringing us to this point!  Glory to God, our Sustainer!