Our Baby's Heartbeat!

I woke up Tuesday morning (5am) thinking about my midwife appointment scheduled for 4pm. Would I hear baby's heartbeat? Would all be well? Have I gained any weight?

I wasn't sure what to think at that moment, nor was I sure what to think when I walked through the midwife's doors. Or when I took over an hour completing a new client health sheet. (It was my fault; I forgot to complete the electronic datasheet prior to my appointment.)

My weight came in at 140lbs. My pre-pregnancy weight was 128lbs in the mornings. My weight fluctuated throughout the day. I'm thinking that I've only gained 5-7lbs.

I hopped on the patient table, and the midwife measured my belly. "You're right at 16 weeks." Perfect.

Then....

Hmm... does that sound like a boy heartbeat or a girl heartbeat to you? In about a month, we'll have our first and only ultrasound. The gender will be written on a paper & placed in an envelope....

After hearing baby's heartbeat, a urine test determined that I had very healthy stats-- EXCEPT, I need to eat more. The midwife suggested I particularly eat more foods with electrolytes. I feel like I eat ALL day long.... I unashamedly wish my students bring their own breakfast or do not choose to eat the school breakfast, so I can eat it. [Shame, shame-- but I feel none.]

I am trying to be more relaxed throughout the week, not allowing myself to become stressed or overwhelmed. I am also working toward being two weeks ahead in my work. Being ahead will help me to plan lessons the students will find engaging and be more prepared/less stressed.

Please continue to pray for the health of me and our baby.

God bless you and keep you,

~Raquel

Where Have We Been?

We've disappeared off the blogging world... but this time, even I don't know where we've been.

Just kidding. Kind of.

Here's an update on our lives... without pictures.

Stressful, Hormonal Life of Mama Hiller

You laugh, but it's true. I have been working 12+ hours a day for almost two months. Even Saturdays haven't been kept as a day of rest, as I bring home work and focus on completing tasks. My precious, poor husband recently said, "I feel like I see you for 10 minutes, we eat, and then we go to bed." I cried at the truth of the statement. 

Overworking, lack of sleep, and having a more susceptible immune system have led me to take on two illnesses at the same time. With these illnesses, I was also trying to continue my 12+hours a day. The exhaustion led to more stress. The stress led to hormones and tears. The hormones and tears led to more stress, which yielded to exhausted, which led to continued sickness. The whole web of stress-exhaustion-sickness-and hormones has nearly driven me insane the past few weeks. Something has to give.

I am the one who has to give. I miss spending quality time with my husband. I miss feeling well. I miss being able to breathe and rest. I miss enjoying life. I have given place to a spirit of fear long enough, and now is the time for a spirit of peace and strength in God.

I told an unintentional falsehood at the beginning of this post. Here's a picture:

I had devotions with the Lord one morning, and this was revealed to me. Stress is founded on a spirit of fear. I do not have to fear not being the best teacher/wife/mother I can be because that care is cast, or thrown, upon the Lord. He takes interest in me; He is concerned for me. The stress that has been disrupting my peace of mind and my personality, literally causing me to say "I don't feel like myself." is not my care any longer.

Therefore, I have made a seven-strategy action plan to ensure that I am not allowing a place for stress, or a spirit of fear, in my life. Nothing profound, but just some things that I need to do.

Seven Strategy Action Plan

1. Work stays at work and ends at 5pm.
2. Get ahead little by little with planning & stay ahead.
3. Be thorough with my preparation/planning.
4. Home is sweet home: rest, Zac, peace, family, friends, homemaker
5. Sleep well; be in bed by 10:00.
6. Stay active; go outside, take walks with Zac, enjoy nature
7. Enjoy daily devotional and Bible study time

Baby Hiller News

Baby Hiller is still in my womb and has been for the past 15 weeks. Yesterday, we found a new midwife that I am SO excited to have along this journey. My new midwife is Ashley at Wellspring Midwifery Care. We interviewed her on Friday, and technically, she doesn't know that WE WANT HER!!! She will on Monday, though, when I call her with our decision.

Daddy Hiller News

My sweet husband has been working part time doing book keeping lately. Today, he is also with a man to learn about becoming an electrician part time. The Lord knows what occupation my handsome husband needs to provide for our family.

Knowing my husband, I know that he will never be satisfied with an occupation on this Earth. His heart is completely with ministering to others. He loves studying the Word of God and meeting with people to discuss the Word. At the same time, we both know that our family has to be supported with income-- UNLESS we buy some land, seeds, and animals, which I would very happily do. :-)

Please keep us in your prayers as we strive to live a simple, peaceful life in the Lord. He is such a merciful, faithful, lovingkind God. 

God bless you and keep you,

~Raquel