tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post5075644656611895706..comments2023-12-17T06:06:12.732-06:00Comments on Making Home: Practice Makes BetterJess Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-35627007132384882132012-10-25T21:28:05.073-05:002012-10-25T21:28:05.073-05:00Oh- Beth- by the way...
RE: exhaustion, keeping t...Oh- Beth- by the way...<br /><br />RE: exhaustion, keeping the house running smoothly while pregnant, etc... <br /><br />I definitely DO have thoughts on that, and have written myself a note to take my next "free" moments writing to opt to write about that topic. So be looking for it.<br />:)<br />JessJess Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-14433646746559655272012-10-25T21:25:15.997-05:002012-10-25T21:25:15.997-05:00Beth C:
I should've responded before now... RE...Beth C:<br />I should've responded before now... RE: pregnancy/nausea/vomiting. <br /><br />I've only vomited once (that I can recall) while pregnant, and that was on an airplane-- with air sickness/nausea. So I'm probably not the person to ask. I actually really enjoy being pregnant. Now, I *do* (at least with these last 4 pregnancies, I have) experience nausea... the feeling like I'm *going* to throw up, but I never do. Which, in some ways, people say can be worse, because you never quite get relief, even temporarily, from that sense of feeling like you're about to spew. But I'll take nausea over nausea & vomiting. <br /><br />I do wear sea bands... which helps. And when nauseous, I do try to eat small things continually through the day and not let my stomach stay empty.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I'm really not the person to ask. I enjoy pregnancy a great deal, and while I still have things like side-splitting ligament pain and occasional heartburn/acid reflux issues, I really (on the whole) feel great while pregnant. I've had a number of friends who have awful, miserable, no good, very bad pregnancies, and so I definitely understand that being a real and genuine challenge. <br /><br />Sorry I can't be of more help.<br />JessJess Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-3591135901564893812012-10-25T20:23:21.241-05:002012-10-25T20:23:21.241-05:00Beth, you made me smile - I'm in the same plac...Beth, you made me smile - I'm in the same place right now. My third is almost eight month old, and I'm just figuring out how to potty train the older two. It started working when my two years old decided he wanted to do it by himself and my oldest one didn't want to be outdone by his younger brother! So don't desperate... one day it will work!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-48325896751658927802012-10-22T18:38:15.998-05:002012-10-22T18:38:15.998-05:00As I move through my 3rd pregnancy in three years,...As I move through my 3rd pregnancy in three years, I'm learning the truth of some of what you are saying. I'm not learning from scratch each time which makes it so much easier to contemplate the arrival and new months of this latest little one. There will always be something new to deal with as the older ones grow but, as you said, the learning curve doesn't have to be as steep. On the other hand, I no longer have any hope that certain stages of pregnancy itself will be anything but dreadfully challenging for me. That in itself makes me hesitate even though I know that the birthing and parenting the third probably won't be the same strain that the first was. kharkingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-45125559520696140392012-10-21T19:09:04.586-05:002012-10-21T19:09:04.586-05:00Anna,
:) That is wholly and completely a decision...Anna,<br />:) That is wholly and completely a decision for you and your husband to make.... I feel inadequate to give advice in situations where (1) I am not there in person to "see" life on the ground, as it truly is for you, and thus give insightful and helpful advice in the ways that are needful... and (2) I will not be part of the in-person Body of Christ there able to care for you, support you, and love you as you may need depending on which decision you make.<br /><br />That said, my general approach in our own marriage has been to pour out my heart to my husband, trying to honestly assess my own emotional state of being, physical health, and the state of our children, learning to trust him more with each passing year as he cares so well for me, and together, learning to trust God completely as He never ever fails us. There have been times when I felt completely open 100% to children, and times when I felt completely spent and in need of R & R before we had another child. And there have been times of being all in between those two mindsets as well. And God has given us children (some living, some "miscarried" to Heaven) at different of those stages as well. <br /><br />All that to say, in our own marriage, I have come to a place of trusting the guiding of the Spirit and the leadership of my husband in this area... <br /><br />Children are a blessing, and there is also a cost. I've heard of lots (tons! skads!!) of women who wish they'd have had more... and in this current culture (I'm not even talking about the cultural attitude of disposability of children here-- I'm talking about the culture of families who are geographically and relationally disconnected from their own extended families & find themselves in unbiblically independent and disconnected "church bodies", who have no community to help support and uphold them through difficult times), there is also a "cost" to sort out. Only you and your husband can accurately, prayerfully do that, seeing all that you "see" there on the ground where you live and breathe. <br /><br />Trust God and cast yourself on Him... AND be a good steward of all that God has given you-- your current family, your body, your marriage, and so on. TRUST fully and steward well. <br /><br />Having a wildly bountiful and lush garden could be a huge blessing... but if I have a debilitating physical illness that makes it near on impossible for me to work in the yard, or if I'm tending multiple sick children right when the harvest comes, etc.... then, having a wildly bountiful and lush garden, and stewarding it well, could be much more difficult. I hope that analogy makes sense. Children are a blessing that requires ongoing work & effort & you are wise to "count the cost" and honestly ask what the Lord has for you... <br /><br />Children are a blessing, and only you and your husband can count the "cost" of each decision (to have more children could mean a temporal cost... to not have them could mean an temporal and/or eternal cost...). In my own heart, I have always tried to keep the attitude of openness, knowing that God truly COULD give us children at any time... and trying to keep my ultimate heart attitude as one of willingness to accept any children He gives... even if we have temporary times of prayerful pauses between children.<br /><br />May God give you wisdom and bless your family according to His will. He is so faithful.<br />~JessJess Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-79106868852229831832012-10-21T17:04:35.673-05:002012-10-21T17:04:35.673-05:00Amen! The oldest is 7 and the 4th is 5 months. A...Amen! The oldest is 7 and the 4th is 5 months. And yes, I am tired, and yes, there is a time EVERY day I want it to be completely quiet. But, by golly, we are blessed!!<br /><br />I am enjoying watching our family learn to work together and help one another, and understand why we can't have some things at the drop of a hat.<br /><br />I can get worried about some illness or tragedy that "might" come our way or I can remember that God will supply all our needs and he has never left us alone. He is our Source of Life! <br /><br />Thanks for your blog! I've been reading for over 5 years now! You are such an encouragement!<br /><br />Kari Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-54841292033278467492012-10-19T03:39:00.335-05:002012-10-19T03:39:00.335-05:00Thank you for these thoughts. I was most encourage...Thank you for these thoughts. I was most encouraged by your noting that stress often comes from continually moving from one new stage to the next. That's exactly where I am with my two little ones. Now that I have identified the source, perhaps I can step back, gain perspective, and enjoy the ride a bit more. I appreciate your blog and love of motherhood.Tiffany Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01066930526162520474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-4556687827707889582012-10-18T16:01:55.281-05:002012-10-18T16:01:55.281-05:00Love this post. Although I'm hesitant to get p...Love this post. Although I'm hesitant to get pregnant again because of my pregnancy history (nausea/vomiting, dehydration, hospitalizations), I feel like I'm just getting started as a Mom! I'm already praying that the Lord gives me the strength I need when He decides to bless us with another little one. My children have been one of the greatest tools that the Lord has used to mold me to look more like Him. I don't want to miss out on any of the growing He has for me! It's exciting!<br /><br />I hope your pregnancy is going well. Maybe you've written about this before, but I'd love to hear your thoughts/tips on things you do during pregnancy to ease nausea, to get the rest you need, to keep the household running smoothly, etc. <br /><br />Blessings!Beth Celestinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11981597324867423137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-75999531498030150272012-10-17T12:16:10.050-05:002012-10-17T12:16:10.050-05:00I am THAT woman. That woman that just has 1 child...I am THAT woman. That woman that just has 1 child (so far), but I am that hoping for more kids. Many more! <br /><br />I, too, have noticed that people gripe about mothering alot. My kiddo is only 6 months (tomorrow!), but I haven't found much to complain about. My pregnancy wasn't the most fun that I've ever had in my life, but it wasn't any big deal. <br /><br />Nursing was incredibly difficult and didn't go well at all, but I think it will be different next time - because I'll have more experience. I totally agree - when everything is new all the time, it's really overwhelming (or can be), so I'm looking forward to the next kid because it won't all be new!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-45876354238003148812012-10-17T08:11:33.556-05:002012-10-17T08:11:33.556-05:00Thanks for the encouragement. After trying for 2 1...Thanks for the encouragement. After trying for 2 1/2 years, we are due with our second in a few months. It is tempting to think about being done as I'm getting 'older' and couldn't imagine going through infertility again. But I can also see such a lack of faith in that thinking! Guess I have some praying to do.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16861048668100713813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-47758596792729337862012-10-16T23:07:08.378-05:002012-10-16T23:07:08.378-05:00Thank you for your blog, and congrats on #6! We h...Thank you for your blog, and congrats on #6! We have 4 boys (7,5,3 and 1), so we get lots of comments, welcome and unwelcome:) I agree that sometimes people limit their number of kids based on worldly ideas and assumptions. I never thought we'd go beyond 3 ( a number that had stuck in my head from childhood), but once we had the third, I knew that we'd have a fourth, and he'd be a boy! Now my hubby wants to possibly have a #5, but I'm more hesitant, since we're homeschooling and I feel totally swamped already, plus our oldest has emotional/sensory/psychological issues. What advice would you give?Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-77661755642400761992012-10-16T22:05:02.847-05:002012-10-16T22:05:02.847-05:00I agree! My third child is 8 months, and I feel l...I agree! My third child is 8 months, and I feel like I am just over the hill - parenting three little ones is HARD work, but some bits of it are starting to get easier. I definitely enjoyed the newborn stage a lot more this time around - breastfeeding was easier, I got a lot more sleep (in spite of no naps with two older ones to watch during the day), and it was all just a lot less stressful. Now if I can just master potty training the first two, I'll really feel like I have a handle on this whole parenting thing...Beth M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05892053673572485640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-45384196607729464472012-10-16T19:38:04.185-05:002012-10-16T19:38:04.185-05:00Interesting perspective. I hadn't thought of i...Interesting perspective. I hadn't thought of it like that, but you are so right. It does get easier and we are able to reap the benefits of what we've learned/experienced the more kids we have. If nothing else, we acquire the knowledge that all stages are temporary and they really are little for such a short time! :)Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12808674825863044909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-88444332000916339772012-10-16T16:40:01.103-05:002012-10-16T16:40:01.103-05:00I like your perspective, my husband doesn't wa...I like your perspective, my husband doesn't want any more kids so I think we're done, but we have considered adopting. I don't know if it will happen. Thanks for the encouragement.Sishttp://passionatechristianmarriage.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com