Sweet words

Selah's latest painting experience.
One of her favorite activities!

When I ask her to smile this is what she does. Just hilarious!

Highlight of the day...Selah hugged me and said, "I love you mommy!" *sigh* Somehow those sweet words coming from my daughter just melted away all of the stress I've been feeling lately. Thank you God for blessing my life with my precious Selah, and reminding me of what really matters with her joyful presence.

pushing forward

Selah's favorite phrase lately, "It's crazy!" Never mind that she says it when she is running around in her diaper or any article of clothing comes off. Goofy girl! But that is exactly how I feel lately. Life is just so hectic. In the next five months I will welcome my second child into this world and graduate from college. I am attempting to finish two college courses in 6 weeks while in my third trimester of pregnancy. Am I insane for taking on this monstrous task? Yes, I am starting to feel that way. All I want to do is relax and enjoy the end of my pregnancy. Enjoying the life that has so delicately been growing and developing these past 8 months. Instead every free moment is spent reading and writing. I feel drained, but I press forward. This has been a long time goal of mine, to be educated, learn, better myself, and graduate with a college degree. So, as my doubting moments have increased as of late my prayers have also increased. I know that God brought me back to Multnomah for a reason, and He will help me succeed in finishing the task at hand. I will finish and graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Leadership and Ministry, but not on my own by any means. Rather, it will be by God's real presence in my life. Everytime I sit down at my desk with a bad attitude and unmotivated attempt at studying He lifts me up and will carry me to the finish line.
I am also so thankful for a patient husband. I know that my non-stop studying has an impact on him, because our one on one time spent together is limited. However, he is often the one who reassures me that the race is almost done. God sure blessed me with one of the good guys!
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In kiddo news, Selah had her 2 year old check-up today. Let me just say she was a different child at her 18 month check-up. She did not enjoy the cold stethiscope or bright light that wanted to look in her ear, nor did she care to stand on the big girl scale. Consequently Dr. Basco and I worked up a sweat! She has a great doctor, though. I am so thankful the Doc. is patient and really takes her time with us. I also appreciate that she encourages us as parents and points out the things we are doing well.
Selah now weighs 26 1/2 pounds (50%) and 36 1/2 inches long (95%). She got a cookie in the end, which instantly shut off the tears.

We go in next week for my 34 week check-up with the baby doctor. That means only 5 weeks left! I am so ready to meet our little guy. And it's not because he has been quite frequently kicking my bladder...okay that probably has a little to do with it. He seems to have nestled himself really low, which puts more pressure down in my pelvic region. It's not a pleasant feeling!
As you can see there are many big changes happening in the Newcomer house. Things you can pray for specifically are:

Becoming a family of four
Graduating from college
Finding a new home by March

Summer time wrap up

We have enjoyed going on many wonderful trips this summer. Camping down in central Oregon, going out to the farm several times to pick fresh fruit and veggies, celebrating Selah's 2nd birthday, family camp with our church family, and a weekend at grandpa's in Florence.
We ended the summer with one final vacation down to my grandpa's. Saturday was spent walking through the shops in old town with family and then lounging by the lake back at the house. The sun shined for a little bit. We had delicious food and played games that evening. The next day we played down by the lake, and Selah got to see a salamander. A rare sight anymore. It was a lovely trip, and I was sad to come home. Dan also informed me today that he wore the same pair of underwear the whole weekend, so we better do some laundry. He actually thought I was serious when I told him on the way down I forgot his underwear. Apparently me laughing didn't clue him in that I was only kidding. Now I am laughing even more and slightly grossed out at the same time!

As summer ends we move into fall and the birth of our son quickly approaching. We are so excited to meet him! Will he look like his big sister? Will he have a calm demeanor? We do have a name picked out, but are keeping it a secret. Everyone knows it's a boy, so we have to have some element of surprise! Amongst all of this excitement I do have a difficult decision I have to make. I have to decide how he will be delivered. Selah was born by Cesarean because she was breech. Because of this previous surgery it would be risky for me to deliver naturally, although, it is possible. I would like to try for natural delivery, but is it the safest? My doctor has advised me to do a repeat cesarean. Not only because of the risk of a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean), but also the way I am shaped internally may not allow for a successful delivery. There are so many factors involved in choosing either delivery. We will find out at the 36 week check-up to see if baby boy is even head down. If he is breech as well I don't even have a choice. I hope that appt. comes soon.
I also have been quite upset by the comments I have gotten in regards to a Cesarean. Apparently women (those who have never had a c-section) find that it is taking the easy way out. Just because I have never experienced natural labor pains I am some how less of a woman. These comments are completely ignorant and hurtful to any woman who has had a c-section. No woman purposely chooses a c-section to escape the pains of labor. It is a decision that is made for the safety of the baby and mother, and is quite risky. No matter how a child comes into this world their health and that of the mother's should take priority. Recovering from the surgery is no walk in the park, and the emotional impact of this delivery takes a toll on the mother. No matter how a woman delivers her child please support her. Motherhood is a big enough marathon, let's start off on the right foot by offering encouraging words.