tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40831712006538152262024-03-14T06:32:10.578-07:00rediscovering jettaJetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-4646496021827451182012-07-17T06:36:00.000-07:002012-07-17T06:36:02.346-07:00It's a real Monster.When I said goodbye to Rediscovering Jetta - I meant it. At the time. My life is full and almost unrecognizable. In a mostly good way. But I have something to say - and it demands a voice bigger than my own.<br />
<br />
<br />
This post has been brewing in my heart and soul for almost 16 months. Since March 20, 2011. The day baby Gabe was born. That was the day pure, pint sized joy was born. That was the day we witnessed nothing short of a miracle. That was the day I realized the true success in healing my body.<br />
<br />
That was the day my battle with Postpartum Depression began.<br />
<br />
<br />
To be honest, I felt like a fool. It seemed impossible. After all, how could someone who TEACHES others about pregnancy and childbirth; someone who wakes up in the middle of the night and LOVES a woman through labor; someone who has fast labors herself and loves giving birth, EVER suffer from Postpartum Depression. What in the world is there to be depressed about when you are holding a perfect newborn??<br />
<br />
But Postpartum Depression is a bigger MONSTER than all that. Postpartum Depression is a THEIF that steals joy. Postpartum depression is scary and lonely and most importantly, Postpartum Depression is REAL.<br />
<br />
<br />
As I look back on the last 16 months, so much of it is dark. It felt like I was living in a hole. A big, black, lonely hole. Especially the first months after Gabe's birth. There were nights when I would go to bed crying and I would just pray that God would make me not wake up. My reality was a place where it seemed better to be dead than alive. The crux of Postpartum Depression is that people around you don't understand. How could I be depressed? I had a new baby, a great husband, two great big kids, an enviable job...I wasn't thankful enough. I needed some perspective. I needed to "get over myself." That's the advise people gave me. Let me assure you...it was not helpful.<br />
<br />
<br />
I can only write this because I feel like I have finally come out of my fog. Two weeks ago, Chad and I got into, what could easily be considered the biggest fight we have ever had. Chad EXPLODED. He was SCREAMING at me. Horrible, mean, completely TRUE things. It was awful, and raw, and just what I needed. You see, Postpartum Depression doesn't just hurt the new mama. It hurts everyone who loves her. It's easy to ignore because she will deny it. She will be offended that you would suggest it. It's easier for those close to her to continue to walk on eggshells than to be tough and try to help. From experience, I can say PLEASE HELP HER! DON'T IGNORE HER! This monster is REAL, but it can be defeated.<br />
<br />
<br />
I am thankful that I am here now, in this place where I can talk about this, where I NEED to talk about this. If you read this, and you are either a new mama struggling, or someone close to a new mama who is struggling, reach out. Find help. If you need to, email me and I will help you find someone to work with. This doesn't have to continue. You CAN have your joy back. It might be a long, hard road - but I promise, it's a road well worth traveling.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
PS. Please excuse any spelling errors or typos. It has been so long since I blogged -and alot has changed about blogspot. I felt that I need to get this post out, so I did the best I could and published without proofing...Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-544264205249622852011-12-17T13:29:00.000-08:002011-12-17T13:45:01.120-08:00That's a Wrap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2OoBdUPBL7JMiwFj2rBzvdBvHiJOUYAKXIpfXvff-tYyVELE3T1sJv8rpy92JTRrDj8mzHquDWaEF0a0QE2JeMfcYj7D_6avGdXjFqF0gSC6mSGsRumR8garHv__sApaych05chRpJk/s1600/christmas+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2OoBdUPBL7JMiwFj2rBzvdBvHiJOUYAKXIpfXvff-tYyVELE3T1sJv8rpy92JTRrDj8mzHquDWaEF0a0QE2JeMfcYj7D_6avGdXjFqF0gSC6mSGsRumR8garHv__sApaych05chRpJk/s320/christmas+hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Happy Holidays! <br />
<br />
We say it every year...but WOW! This year really did fly by! So much has happened. So much has changed. Life is crazy and fun and busy beyond what I ever imagined.<br />
<br />
The fact that my last post was October 16th has been weighing on my heart. After Gabe was born, I contemplated shutting my blog down - but for some reason I thought I would be able to continue to write posts. I worried that I wouldn't have the motivation or the inspiration. That I would have nothing of value to say. It never really dawned on me that I quite simply, wouldn't have the time.<br />
<br />
This blog has been incredibly therapeutic to me over the last two years. I still ocassionally find myself reading some of my earlier posts. It has been quite a journey. The reality is - the rediscovery of me is ongoing. Its supposed to be that way. When I originally started the blog - I used my fat as the "reason" I was writing. While I may have been overweight - the ultimate healing came, not in the weight loss, but in the discovery of what makes me happy. <br />
<br />
Yes - I lost a TON of weight. I am really proud of that. YES. I have baby weight to lose, and it will take a while. I get discouraged by that sometimes, but the good news is that I don't weigh 300 pounds this time, so starting over isn't really starting over. That makes me feel better. The weight loss healed my body in a way I never imagined it would - by allowing me to have a baby. Trust me, I never saw that coming. <br />
<br />
It's time to be done. My biggest victories can be summarized in a few pictures from blogs over the last 2 years. I hope you enjoy. I thank you for reading. Happy 2012 to you and your families...
Heal your heart and find your happy...
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2WUYQfw_vcW8vLS74vDe1y5oCpKcyM315SbxbLaXqM8y2lX0NOJbBdneN-7F2x9wKbKme3SKWORG5t3WOieSEgZpSwXcmtVlUIdW9sXpruELUp3sKfdjLXFYXdg6Xuih6GwUecltM4E/s1600/Fat+jetta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2WUYQfw_vcW8vLS74vDe1y5oCpKcyM315SbxbLaXqM8y2lX0NOJbBdneN-7F2x9wKbKme3SKWORG5t3WOieSEgZpSwXcmtVlUIdW9sXpruELUp3sKfdjLXFYXdg6Xuih6GwUecltM4E/s320/Fat+jetta.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGf8v1XZ_BaOQRAjrv6oW45yn8f0eBo6Qmt7a8f-B_oCome8SnRg-drxo3uyYzN9NDyFzd5ZNat-9Czxv1GuzTr3YA4M7TIas6jLrJ2ZjHXyN_FJ-86X6xG0Doq1VgY_sWpPvNVstLdk/s1600/Skinny+jetta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGf8v1XZ_BaOQRAjrv6oW45yn8f0eBo6Qmt7a8f-B_oCome8SnRg-drxo3uyYzN9NDyFzd5ZNat-9Czxv1GuzTr3YA4M7TIas6jLrJ2ZjHXyN_FJ-86X6xG0Doq1VgY_sWpPvNVstLdk/s320/Skinny+jetta.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y-jk6UwkZ3W6AuFMxu03YzWyLX4mDJlK1FfcBPaoFoVq6pAduq_LzU5yq8w9fidmjJyJCJuzdyWXuetCAeLoEgzZmwv3E-Zb_WWLPE-pAuy8ToRzayExXLJAXdcYRyb7MzrVCb3BggI/s1600/blog+pics.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y-jk6UwkZ3W6AuFMxu03YzWyLX4mDJlK1FfcBPaoFoVq6pAduq_LzU5yq8w9fidmjJyJCJuzdyWXuetCAeLoEgzZmwv3E-Zb_WWLPE-pAuy8ToRzayExXLJAXdcYRyb7MzrVCb3BggI/s320/blog+pics.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkPBAAJBdQ6uE2E6n-qVpxj6UYUF294sLI0mMFyaOJMIZvadpbhTsELcLU_yBXn026QaeETr5M3Lh0PVvM0r1b0z7b1ZvGs5dJuzPqI_FTj40SO89YooEWXuiYOav7B8yyP2I7HNb6EM/s1600/blocks4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkPBAAJBdQ6uE2E6n-qVpxj6UYUF294sLI0mMFyaOJMIZvadpbhTsELcLU_yBXn026QaeETr5M3Lh0PVvM0r1b0z7b1ZvGs5dJuzPqI_FTj40SO89YooEWXuiYOav7B8yyP2I7HNb6EM/s320/blocks4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-68555556619701345202011-10-16T20:04:00.000-07:002011-10-16T20:04:49.761-07:00switching gears<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
My heart for this blog was always for it to be a place to talk about my weight loss journey and the emotions, struggles and victories that came with it.<br />
<br />
The blog switched gears slightly when I found out I was pregnant with my surprise bundle o' love.<br />
<br />
I have used the blog recently to post in an effort to relieve my heart as I wade through the seemingly endless maze that is my postpartum depression.<br />
<br />
After Gabriel was born, I have struggled with my post-baby body, as I am sure most women do after having a baby. I tried to give myself grace while I was nursing, but going back to work required the ever popular pumping in order to continue "nursing" my baby. Giving Gabe breast milk was a priority for me because I wasn't able to do the same for Isaac (for various reasons) and Hope because she was adopted.<br />
<br />
I am done nursing now; and as my hormones attempt to level themselves out, I have trying to get going on getting my body back. I haven't been very successful yet. It's not for lack of exercise. I have figured out a way to fit in some pretty hardcore workouts. I have to say though, it is frustrating to work that hard, and hurt for days after, only to have my jeans feel tighter. Can I get an AMEN?<br />
<br />
Fortunately, on Friday, when I was crying in my closet over the lack of clothing options I could squeeze my awkward post-baby body into, I realized something. This isn't about whether or not I work out hard enough. It's all about what I eat.<br />
<br />
Ok. I know. DUH.<br />
<br />
I don't know why it takes me so long to catch on. But let me tell you - this is actually a little bigger than just what I eat. What I have learned over that last several years, is that even though I am not "officially" a diabetic, my body is healthiest when I live as though I am. I have always been on the verge. I have always been considered pre-diabetic, but with my diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes during my pregnancy, I have increased the chances that I will eventually and officially be a Diabetic.<br />
<br />
So, here's my plan. I am prepping, and researching and shopping and strategizing my new mission. My mission...(I have already chosen to accept it) is to live my life with the purpose of <em>preventing</em> diabetes. This will essentially require me to live life as if I have already been diagnosed. As an added bonus, I know that my body will respond by dropping this dang baby weight.<br />
<br />
I am still in the prepping and research stage. I am hoping to start the shopping phase later this week. I am planning to blog my findings, feeling, victories and struggles just like always. I am new to this, so if anyone has any helpful, verified information I can use - please feel free to pass it along.<br />
<br />
I am excited and kind of scared, but this is necessary and hopefully it will help others. So...<br />
<br />
Ready. Set. Here I Go!</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-14266309382997955802011-10-14T11:16:00.000-07:002011-10-14T11:59:42.938-07:00I get that alot...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI5CozV57gVabq14pjL_NuERvz1sfLvEID172B1r1by-XtfyvYoQKcd6PO2CFepsFNywbFheTvmz75E02Z8-UeAtT7asXpyD8LGl3JcLgQs6T3uCv9CBFpGqNbqT0H8e0JbKQu-h1qwA/s1600/wonder-woman-3.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663423571477909010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI5CozV57gVabq14pjL_NuERvz1sfLvEID172B1r1by-XtfyvYoQKcd6PO2CFepsFNywbFheTvmz75E02Z8-UeAtT7asXpyD8LGl3JcLgQs6T3uCv9CBFpGqNbqT0H8e0JbKQu-h1qwA/s400/wonder-woman-3.png" /></a><br />"I don't know how you do it..."<br /><br />I get that alot.<br /><br />I am not sure what peoples perception of me is. I used to care. I'm not sure I do anymore. That being said, I am fairly certain my world considers me Wonder Woman. I used be fine, running around doing everything, planning everything...I used to be able to do all of that. Plus find time for me, and my kids, my hubby and my friends.<br /><br />I don't know what changed. But I can't do it anymore.<br /><br />Don't be impressed by me because I am barely holding it together. Those close to me may even argue that I am not holding it together. I just appear to be. I think those "appearances" can be so damaging. Not just to the person putting on the one-man-show, but to those that are watching. The perception that any one person has IT all together is exactly what creates the endless cycle of attempting perfection.<br /><br />I guarantee you. Perfection is impossible.<br /><br />Here's my reality.<br /><br />I am a full time mom and wife who also happens to have a full time job outside of the home. I have 3 beautiful kids who I can't get enough of. For real. We don't get enough time together.<br />In order to maximize my time with family I:<br />1. Pay to have my house cleaned.<br />2. Pay to have my groceries delivered.<br />3. Pay to have someone watch my kids.<br />4. Pay to park. Pay to drive.<br /><br />My cost is great. I don't mean the money. Change is coming. It has to. So many things are suffering while I run around like a crazy person trying to keep it all together. I may very well collapse before any changes are made...Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-90427630848923223082011-09-21T14:04:00.000-07:002011-09-21T14:18:35.729-07:00Spinning out of control.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT87REkTgCin1yhBhyVP-D_ZUPsCcOnVcxKQsu-7AsTZ7NXxVvlZ83decbtOBVz4lqqzHqs_7DpItScVHsrhJep3rFdrkQcOF19Uq-HVcoa5ukwCTcjedvatqwf4aP01y_LCA62GBdRM/s1600/kids1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT87REkTgCin1yhBhyVP-D_ZUPsCcOnVcxKQsu-7AsTZ7NXxVvlZ83decbtOBVz4lqqzHqs_7DpItScVHsrhJep3rFdrkQcOF19Uq-HVcoa5ukwCTcjedvatqwf4aP01y_LCA62GBdRM/s400/kids1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654925134597214290" /></a><br />Have you ever felt like that? Like your life has a mind of it's own? Like you need hold on for dear life or it might just throw you off the ride?<br /><br />That's me right now. Actually, I think Chad would agree - that's US right now.<br /><br />I knew that having another child would make life complicated. I just truly had no idea how complicated the logistics of 3 kids and 2 working parents could be. Not to mention, how expensive. Why do I work? Oh right...medical insurance... the chance for a good life...paying for college, braces, sports, 401k blah blah blah. What about my sanity? Isn't that worth anything? Apparently not.<br /><br />I know I am not alone in this. Every working parent out there knows how I feel.<br /><br />Up at 4:30. Get myself ready. Get kids ready. Drive kids to school. Drive myself to work. Work my butt off. Drive home. Make dinner. Football. Swimming. Clean kitchen. Homework. Bedtimes. Crash. Repeat. OMG!!!!!<br /><br />Seriously?? I didn't even mention laundry, grocery shopping, snuggle time or anything else that really matters.<br /><br />All of that said - we find the strength to do it all again. Everyday.<br /><br />It's the little things.<br /><br />Like standing in the doorway watching your baby sleep.<br /><br />Or seeing your daughter climb into her daddy's lap to snuggle.<br /><br />Or your 9 year old hugging you and telling you "your the best mommy ever."<br /><br />Yeah. Totally worth it.Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-84471487179257189992011-07-27T12:53:00.000-07:002011-07-27T13:14:48.189-07:00so this is life??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs5m0bsDev-9H8MX5_09T9kVBX9Vt2M5kLQcqkMsAXiWlU3g0TmQKX2g-5RKT25JjuGvGetPd3D2ty41NJjumEC55joD4BCPH9Rhjpcbsid0eDKotLjF5mgPYIexrRpc7t7c81o_2IUU/s1600/July+4th+family.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634127416246927538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs5m0bsDev-9H8MX5_09T9kVBX9Vt2M5kLQcqkMsAXiWlU3g0TmQKX2g-5RKT25JjuGvGetPd3D2ty41NJjumEC55joD4BCPH9Rhjpcbsid0eDKotLjF5mgPYIexrRpc7t7c81o_2IUU/s400/July+4th+family.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLorQcJgw8ZnzBr51F3oqaQ8y3kj5oO6ZrGzF05uXvdPyYOiyK82JMRB17rBBUJPFAzrqPizw3z0vn6fJgMTiux4PzIziuutbLs1QTUaDhfoYwHkiHdMyV2zR1qvnlU3CwjU69nSHhxak/s1600/Happy+gabe+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634127411452257026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLorQcJgw8ZnzBr51F3oqaQ8y3kj5oO6ZrGzF05uXvdPyYOiyK82JMRB17rBBUJPFAzrqPizw3z0vn6fJgMTiux4PzIziuutbLs1QTUaDhfoYwHkiHdMyV2zR1qvnlU3CwjU69nSHhxak/s400/Happy+gabe+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>So here I am.</div><br /><br /><div>The baby is born (and 4 months old now!)</div><br /><br /><div>I have gone back to work - and survived it. Barely. It still breaks my heart daily and I spend every free second trying to come up with a way for me to stay home with him.</div><br /><br /><div>Life is settling in. For the most part. I haven't figured out where exercise fits in my day. I did great while I was still on maternity leave - but now that I work, the logistics of my day leave me exhausted.</div><br /><br /><div>Breastfeeding may burn hundreds of extra calories - which I am fairly certain I consume with all the sugary foods I crave (damn you Starbucks for introducing the Birthday Cake Pop!)</div><br /><br /><div>I worked hard during my pregnancy, and I am proud that my weight gain didn't get out of hand, but it's hard to look at what my body is now, and remember what it was before Gabe. Will it ever be that again? How will I find the time to get back to that? </div><br /><br />Every once in a while, I consider giving up nursing so that I can get back to my extreme dieting - but my heart isn't ready for that. I guess my option for now, is to be okay with my post-baby, pleasantly plump, body. Because after all...I just had a baby...</div><br /><br />Right?Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-53433304673939735302011-06-04T04:41:00.000-07:002011-06-04T05:04:16.264-07:00The Story of Gabriel (part 4 - the part I think you deserve to know)I have always tried to be authentic and transparent. So that even though most of you don't know me, you could feel like you knew me. Because of everything this blog has meant to me, this post has to be written. Make no mistake - this SUCKS for me.<br /><br />What I think you need to know is this:<br /><br />In the end, I was addicted to diet pills and laxatives.<br /><br />I was so close. No matter what I did, I just couldn't get those last few pounds to come off. I suppose you could say I was addicted to working out too because I worked out multiple times a day. The laxatives started as a necessity. The diet pills were desperation. I have since learned that the pills I was taking are no longer available because of their connection with multiple heart related deaths.<br /><br />Here is what I believe with everything in me: <em><strong>My baby saved my life.</strong></em><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I don't want your pity, or attention. I don't need sympathy or understanding. I have dealt with my mistake and will not return there. I am PROUD of the 100 plus pounds that I lost all by myself, and I am thankful I am around to have a do-over on the pounds I cheated on. I am telling you this to prevent you from making the same mistake I did. It's an easy mistake. The decision seemed innocent. Like I said, the laxatives were a necessity at first, the diet pills were just a kick start for the final stretch of my mission.<br /><br />Losing weight is a battle. It is a physical battle, which I believe is the easy part. More importantly, it is an emotional battle that can kick your a** even on the good days. Stay focused on your goal and keep your victory pure. I want that so bad for you.<br /><br />So there you go. I am sorry if I have disappointed anyone. I hope you can appreciate my motivation for telling you. I hope this doesn't discount anything I have said or will say, but most importantly, I hope you will stick around as I try to vindicate myself <em>for</em> myself. This pregnancy weight will come off, and it will come off the right way because just like you, I deserve a pure victory.<br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-75646303039578578482011-05-16T16:16:00.000-07:002011-05-16T16:31:49.956-07:00The Story of Gabriel (part 3 - the part that was fast and furious)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvycC96DRntIHVOTkV0s3o-2uIUJWmG0ulvkJ4hQSfEbKTMfp2occv2oFK6CNP7M9biJQPewSwq0VZU9iQmI2GqQ7lrtrzWLhJb5I5pVZqy7z3whU3Sm8i__YbOtxqlemd_2XNRLpSszU/s1600/IMG_4353.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607460048649509042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvycC96DRntIHVOTkV0s3o-2uIUJWmG0ulvkJ4hQSfEbKTMfp2occv2oFK6CNP7M9biJQPewSwq0VZU9iQmI2GqQ7lrtrzWLhJb5I5pVZqy7z3whU3Sm8i__YbOtxqlemd_2XNRLpSszU/s400/IMG_4353.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />It had been years since I had given birth. Isaac's birth was amazing to me. I was 37 weeks. He was born at Cascade Birth Center in Everett by an amazing midwife named Charlotte Geddis. I labored for 5 hours and 47 minutes (pushed for 17 minutes.) I had no drugs, and even though most will think I am strange, I loved every moment of it.
<br />
<br />The women in my family have a history of delivering early and delivering fast. That being said, 9 years later - we really didn't know what to expect.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>By popular demand (and I kind of love telling it...) here is the story of the day Gabriel was born. </div>
<br />
<br />At 35 weeks I went off the medication I was taking to prevent the contractions. Not much changed. Maybe a few more contractions, but nothing major. This was the week that I also had my first vaginal exam. I was hoping for some progress, but didn't want to be disappointed either. Boy was I surprised to find out I was 3 cm and 100% effaced! Holy Cow.
<br />Now any woman who has been pregnant knows - once you make information like that public, the onslaught of phone calls and ridiculous questions from anxious grandmas-to-be, begin. We all spent that entire week on edge. Poor Chad didn't sleep well, he checked on me every hour or so. "Are you in labor?" Seriously Chad? If I was in labor - don't you think I would mention it? Wow. As the week continued, I got increasingly frustrated with everyones anxiousness and finally had to point out that in reality - my due date was still a whole month away. Women can hang out at 3cm and 100% for WEEKS. We all just needed to calm down and wait. That seemed to help. A little.
<br />
<br />As the weekend approached, Chad and I were excited to have one final date night. My parents had the kids overnight and we went and hung out with my BFF and her new boyfriend. It was such a great night! We had finally kind of let go of the idea of me going into labor anytime soon, and we really just enjoyed ourselves. The guys had a cigar and a couple of drinks and my BFF and I got some much needed time together. Chad and I had a great chat on the drive home and we got home and crawled into bed around 12:30am.
<br />At 2:25am I woke up and needed to go potty. When I was going potty, I had this burning sensation across the bottom of my belly. My first thought was "oh great! I have food poisoning. Dang fajitas!" I crawled back in bed and tried to go back to sleep. 3 minutes later, more burning. Dang fajitas! Then 3 minutes later...wait a minute!!!! Food poisoning doesn't usually happen in 3 minute intervals...OMG!!! I tried to wake Chad. He was dead to the world. I finally just had to full on hit him. "We need to time these." You would think I was speaking German. Poor guy was so out of it. He couldn't figure out how to use his contraction app that he had been so excited to use. I got frustrated, and told him to just call my sister and my BFF. He couldn't figure out how to use his phone. Seriously?? I called Deana - but by then I was having another contraction and could barely speak. At some point, I told Chad we just needed to leave. These contractions were too close together. We had planned to head to the hospital when they were 4 minutes apart; these were closer than that. So, we got in the car and started the 40 minute drive to the hospital.
<br />
<br />I remember pretty random things about that morning - but the stuff I think you want to know is: we arrived in triage at 3:17am. Chad had finally been able to use the contraction app on his phone and was able to show the nurses that my contractions were about 1 minute apart. They got me to a room pretty quickly after that. Once in my room, I spent the majority of time standing, leaning on my bed. I had horrific back labor, which really surprised me, and made it so I was very limited in the positions I was willing to try. At some point, my team convinced me to get into the tub. That was short lived though because two contractions later, my water broke at 5:15 am. Deana,who had been at Isaac's birth had told the nurse that once my water broke she thought Gabriel would come pretty fast. Fortunately, the nurse believed her and they quickly got me out of the tub. As soon as I stood up, I had to push. As they were escorting me back to my bed, I pushed once as I was walking across the room. I got on the bed as fast I could. I remember Dr. Burdick saying "let me just make sure you are really ready to push..." it was obvious, so she turned to prep, and as she turned back, I pushed a second time and Gabriel was born at 5:17am!
<br />
<br />I was so startled at how quickly everything happened, and my first words were "what just happened?" Someone said "you had a baby" and they handed me my sweet baby boy. He was gorgeous and tiny (6lbs 12oz) and was covered in vernix. He nursed right away and I just stared at him in disbelief.
<br />
<br />Years of heartache (infertility) coupled with months of fear, had all been resolved in that moment. Any doubt I had about God, about Gabriel, about myself, dissolved when that little boy looked at me and stuck his lower lip out in a pout that would change my life. 2 hours and 52 minutes of incredibly hard work - to heal over a decade of devastation. Gabe's labor was a million times harder than Isaac's - but it was a victory in the most profound sense.
<br />
<br />Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-7885136326642020752011-04-11T05:31:00.000-07:002011-04-30T06:34:47.595-07:00The Story of Gabriel (part 2 - the part where I was forced to face my fears.)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j4qanHj71yBXBDQeVYGGow60Uxen784LNW1KNPb7mlK_HR-hmQNKr_cZQIboX9qwOmzks147yISroHCD5iArrJZFYN-MGEJig3e5D4LZBgWN-xULLjSwEnUG1Rw5ViOQVyUY7604UoE/s1600/IMG_4356.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601368260665000594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j4qanHj71yBXBDQeVYGGow60Uxen784LNW1KNPb7mlK_HR-hmQNKr_cZQIboX9qwOmzks147yISroHCD5iArrJZFYN-MGEJig3e5D4LZBgWN-xULLjSwEnUG1Rw5ViOQVyUY7604UoE/s400/IMG_4356.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>There's nothing like 11 weeks of bedrest...</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I know there are women who have to be on bedrest for much longer - but holy cow this felt like FOREVER!<br /><br /><br /><div>So much happened in these 11 weeks, it would be impossible to tell you all of it. I do know, that sitting around your house alone for 11 weeks might not force you to go crazy, but it will force you to deal with some crap. At first I was pretty depressed and I slept almost all day long. It was so hard for me to be alone. I went from having a constant stream of visitors everyday at the hospital - to sometimes going days without seeing anyone except Chad. This is so hard for me. I am such a people person and I missed my people! As time went on, I stopped sleeping so much and started thinking more. I began having horrible nightmares. These nightmares kept me awake at night and haunted me all day long. In my nightmare, no matter what was happening, the outcome was always the same - I gave birth to a baby boy; a baby boy who was dead. It got so bad that I actually could never even picture Gabe without him being dead. It was awful. After weeks of this torture - I realized that if I wanted to give myself the best chance possible for the birth experience I wanted, I had to get rid of this ridiculous fear. As my due date grew closer, I knew I had to do something drastic and I sought the help of a phenomenal Hypno Therapist. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I am not dumb - I know this revelation will raise a lot of eyebrows and will most likely draw a great deal of criticism - and to that all I can say is, do your research and don't knock it until you try it.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>I am so thankful that my two best friends - who I consider phenomenal christian women, recommended Kira to me. My therapy session was powerful and so healing beyond words. I want so much to tell you about it here, but there is no way to describe it adequately this way. What I can tell you is that I know now, that my fear of Gabriel dying was a product of years and years of miscarriages. Of 10 babies who I had knowledge of and fell in love with only to have them leave me. As time went on, and my family in heaven continued to grow, I truly began to believe that I just simply didn't deserve to have those babies. It was amazing to me that Gabriel had stayed in my belly so much longer than all the others - so it only made sense to me that since I didn't deserve the joy of having another baby, he too would die and leave me alone.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>I can tell you now that a miscarriage breaks your heart. I can tell you also that it makes you feel physically broken. But I am happy to say, that the day I went to hypno therapy was the day I finally let all of my babies go to heaven. I felt and looked visibly relieved, and I was because you see I had been carrying those babies with me for all those years. That burden was big and it was heavy and letting it go was one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Once my fear was dealt with, I was able to sleep and dream of the day I would give birth to my beautiful, ALIVE baby boy. I sang to my belly for the first time that night. I sang praise songs because I felt JOYFUL and finally excited about having a baby. The fear was gone - and now I could count down the days with anticipation. What a remarkable feeling...</div></div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-46360664293453627022011-04-07T14:15:00.000-07:002011-04-09T08:30:11.633-07:00The Story of Gabriel (part 1 - the part that scared us)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37-Fjqesj-bZ5CjZ11G5mO0_IxxJtn8OsHHmq0NXtQPNetICiryqvBYrEyNHoe8Lg_AO9EsMSU-kedQsCZfBhhtfszJ1h821QjOaXIOsngvSJgGWz6due6xdPRUrtSdlysZFUmZulMnA/s1600/hospital.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593606050461290530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37-Fjqesj-bZ5CjZ11G5mO0_IxxJtn8OsHHmq0NXtQPNetICiryqvBYrEyNHoe8Lg_AO9EsMSU-kedQsCZfBhhtfszJ1h821QjOaXIOsngvSJgGWz6due6xdPRUrtSdlysZFUmZulMnA/s400/hospital.bmp" /></a> <br /><div>It has taken me a few weeks to process. We are definitely still adjusting. My family is adjusting to life with a sibling; a newborn. Meanwhile, I need to adjust to that and to the fact that my pregnancy has ended. I am chubbier than I would like to be; sleepier than I am used to and I have milk. Wow. The reality is, I have been absent from blogging from almost the entire 2nd and 3rd trimester of my pregnancy. What happened during those weeks - I still process daily. Little snipits are all I can handle. I am thankful though, that in a day that now is filled with nursing, and poopy diapers - I have moments when I can look back on a pregnancy that seriously changed EVERYTHING for us; a pregnancy that, for a while was the scariest time of my life; but a pregnancy that I believe, ultimately saved my life. Here's the story... I will pick up where the scary part started - December 30, 2010.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This was Christmas break for my kids and myself. We had a great first part of break. Lots of rest and lots of fun activities. It's what I really wanted since it was my last concentrated time alone with just the two of them. On this particular day - I felt really gross. I was totally lacking energy, had no appetite, and really just couldn't get out of bed. I had called my sister to come over so that I could sleep more. Later that afternoon, I pulled myself out of bed so that the four of us could head to Costco. We were getting ready to head out the door, and my spastic puppy Bailey kind of lunged at me. She hit me square in the belly. The impact of her made me feel gross - mostly just queasy, but nothing that caused me too much concern. We went to Costco. At Costco, I continued to feel gross. Nothing horrible, just really blah. After Costco we headed to our favorite Pho restaurant for dinner. As is standard, particularly in the last trimester - I had to pee. When I went to the restroom, I discovered that I was bleeding. Now, blood is never a reassuring sight at any point in pregnancy - so I made a call to my midwife. Long story short (too late, I know...) we ended up in the ER. They did an ultrasound and some blood work. My cervix was about 50% effaced and the monitors were picking up lots of contractions. I was admitted pending the results of the blood tests. The results came the next morning indicating that blood was swapped between me and the baby via a partial abruption of my placenta. The plan was for me to stay at the hospital until my bleeding and contractions stopped. Unfortunately, this didn't happen quickly. The reality was - I was 25 weeks pregnant and at risk of having a baby who really didn't have much of a chance at life. Chad and I were terrified beyond words. At that point, we made the decision to transfer my care from the hospital I was at - to an OB at a different hospital who is a dear friend of ours. I transferred hospitals on January 2nd. I remained in the hospital until January 12th. It was the longest, loneliest 15 days of my life. My heart hurt. My head was spinning. There was so much fear. It had taken me months to accept the pregnancy. I had just started to wrap my head around the whole thing. Did God really bring me all this way only to take this baby away from me? Was that a possibility?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My husband and my sister took turns sleeping at the hospital with me. There was one night when neither of them could stay. As I layed in my bed, waiting for my Ambien to kick in, I tried talking to God. It had been a long time since I had talked to God. I really didn't know what to say, so I ended up crying, those big silent tears you almost don't notice and just saying "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..." until I eventually fell asleep.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>On January 12th - I was discharged and came home to finish my pregnancy on bed rest. My mission - whether I accepted it or not - was to grow this person. Every day mattered. Every day that he stayed in gave him that much more of a chance. Let the bed resting commence...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>PS. The picture of Hope and I was taken on one of our "family movie nights" while I was in the hospital.</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-72173600214765647032011-03-27T15:41:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:13:06.208-07:00PRESENTING....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP8jV-Tqs82oEmpMk626Axv5pWuStAsROUGPmeE3mR4mVsYkNCRSUOFzJ7shmLmtIM6cQzBaJpKK970ffuhqHWuQ_yAIj3zD6HLvU43kza5xNV2vt4Q12qSaVIdSKzzyhp5uTJdvsSzc/s1600/IMG_4348.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592952647001696738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP8jV-Tqs82oEmpMk626Axv5pWuStAsROUGPmeE3mR4mVsYkNCRSUOFzJ7shmLmtIM6cQzBaJpKK970ffuhqHWuQ_yAIj3zD6HLvU43kza5xNV2vt4Q12qSaVIdSKzzyhp5uTJdvsSzc/s400/IMG_4348.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>Gabriel Martin Anderson!!! He has arrived! It's still hard to believe. He was born on Sunday March 20, 2011 at 5:17 am. He weighed in at 6 lbs 12 oz and was 18 inches long. Labor was fast and furious. Seriously - 2 hours and 52 minutes from start to finish. I have had several requests for my birth story - and I am excited to share it. I am currently piecing the events together with the people who were with me. Once that's done, I will share the story of Gabriel. For now, all I can say is... This boy rocks my world! </div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-46236307551805080582011-03-08T19:39:00.000-08:002011-03-08T20:14:52.192-08:00Looking back - Looking ahead<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzXsGpU4b1gCCoZ-9AUUEzBLpzEd_cYEKkkA79RfA_u-s7vSXrYxgwAbhYEm9IWCs2XNva6an41-Qfe0DHfEg_7sTWYTSKbDmjA90g5qvNLr6_qpsU18UT9FUQLXJZL8EELV8dM5eYiU/s1600/blog+pics.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581928780042414562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzXsGpU4b1gCCoZ-9AUUEzBLpzEd_cYEKkkA79RfA_u-s7vSXrYxgwAbhYEm9IWCs2XNva6an41-Qfe0DHfEg_7sTWYTSKbDmjA90g5qvNLr6_qpsU18UT9FUQLXJZL8EELV8dM5eYiU/s400/blog+pics.bmp" /></a><br /><div>Wow. It's been months, literally since my last post. I can't help but wonder if blogging would have been therapeutic these last few months of my pregnancy. SO much has happened. Too much for this post. It's been a scary start to 2011 - but the important thing remains, that Gabriel and I are still healthy and plugging along.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As I get closer to the end of my pregnancy - I can't help but start to think about the recovery time my body will need after this. I feel fortunate to have only gained a minimal amount of weight - although I am not yet ready to disclose that number...I do feel confident that what is left after delivery will be relatively easy to lose. I am however, also certain that the skin on my tummy will never be the same. This pregnancy was so different from Isaac's. This time I grew straight out - which had to have stretched my skin to the max. UGH!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As the "skinny" clothes on the other side of my closet taunt me - I can't help but be reminded of what it took to get to that place. Almost 2 years of extreme everything. Extreme exercise, extreme eating, extreme discipline... the reality is - with three kids and a full time job - there isn't going to be time for the extreme lifestyle I was living before. Let's face it, there isn't going to be time for much of anything. The part that surprises me the most, is that I am totally okay with that.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sure, I want to get back to having a body I am happy and comfortable with. I think that body was the nice size 10 I was a few months before getting pregnant. I feel like size 10 made me look healthy. I was able to dress according to the trends, and more importantly I was able to participate in my life, play with my kids, do races with friends etc. I might not have had abs of steal, but I was healthy and fit enough to essentially do anything I wanted to. THAT'S the body I would like to get back. I don't need to be the size 8 or 6 I was killing myself to get to. From where I am standing now - I see the sacrifice it took to get there, and I am no longer willing to pay that price.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I consider myself blessed. My cost could have been much greater. I am fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends that love me without limits. I am blessed to have a husband who never didn't think I was sexy; and kids who were young enough to consider this an adventure. This pregnancy was probably the best intervention that could have been waged in my situation. Not only did it require me to make the appropriate changes to find a healthy balance to grow my baby, but in the span of 9 months - it brought all of my priorities back into focus.</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-9469488778343073052010-12-13T06:02:00.000-08:002010-12-13T06:28:07.573-08:00A sweet note.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_UkJMPNLjlv-ZqQFn_r1BRqjim0OwC_HS-WqRpG1EBhESy7QsT5qUgOKh5IgO61z1bmY6yPODfnETqGsVAqMvFn9mbOaXv8yVpvZ6L3oIGfgsy8Qj50UJcJdnOq4qrBEuyV03FZuVcU/s1600/Lena"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 345px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550172499421011250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_UkJMPNLjlv-ZqQFn_r1BRqjim0OwC_HS-WqRpG1EBhESy7QsT5qUgOKh5IgO61z1bmY6yPODfnETqGsVAqMvFn9mbOaXv8yVpvZ6L3oIGfgsy8Qj50UJcJdnOq4qrBEuyV03FZuVcU/s400/Lena" /></a><br /><div>In Saturdays mail I received a package. I didn't open it at first because I was busy and preoccupied. On Sunday my husband found it and asked what it was. When he opened it, we were blessed to find some adorable baby boy clothes. The gift was thoughtful, especially considering the giver, and the fact that we only know each other from blogging, but it was the note that had an even greater impact. It read:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Dear Jetta,<br /><br />I don't know when I have been so excited about someone having a baby...especially someone I've never really met or officially "know." but I have watched you grow in so many ways over the past year as I have followed you on FB (what a crazy concept,huh?)I was out the other day and saw these and couldn't resist getting them for you.<br />You are an amazing woman and this little one will be truly blessed to have you as his mommy.<br />"...and the Lord remembered her, so in the course of time she conceived and gave birth to a son... 'because I asked the Lord for him' -1 Samuel 1:19b, 20b<br /><br />Love you, </span><a href="http://bestillandknow-lena.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Lena<br /></span></a><br />Now for so many reasons - even now as I type it, these words move me to tears. The bible verse sends goosebumps up and down my body. You see, this note, from a "stranger" whom I adore came at the exact right moment in time. Not only was I looking for a Bible verse to stamp onto canvas for Gabriel's bedroom, but this note opened my eyes.<br /><br />After 12 years of not being able to have kids (on our own)and finally letting go of that dream, this pregnancy was truly a shock. After so many losses, it was easier to assume this baby wouldn't stay - just like all the others. You see, this baby coming changes a lot of things. Some are tough, and in the midst of those scary changes, it was easier to "blame" someone, something, whatever, for this unexpected miracle. What 1 Samuel opened my heart to, is the fact that I have ALWAYS wanted a third baby. I was just too scared to own that desire because it felt selfish, because it was scary, because it was easier to have things stay just the way they were.<br /><br />While I can't deny, that if we had our choice, we would have timed this differently. I can never ignore that the woman I am today is the woman that was created to be Gabriel's mommy. Just as Isaac and Hope had their perfect place in history, so does Gabriel, and as with everything, Gods timing isn't ours, but it is perfect.<br /><br />Thank you <a href="http://bestillandknow-lena.blogspot.com/">Lena</a> for listening to your heart. Your gift was more than I think you ever imagined it would be. It changed my life. Truly.</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-594669490460075222010-12-01T14:13:00.001-08:002010-12-01T14:25:06.909-08:00It's a....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3WAnu7UyE9ztT3DDeOZn6eOTiAFJm1Mu4_RetEewHBYQOC_9YqSdkKqUf-2MxEmA6gsXh7jhh2JQ92F8pxvV91lsOlzbOt-nMU9pWrTPn4fm9zLFs6j1JBonN9mGcuUF6Cpc9uZqleM/s1600/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201111303931.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545842830525278498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3WAnu7UyE9ztT3DDeOZn6eOTiAFJm1Mu4_RetEewHBYQOC_9YqSdkKqUf-2MxEmA6gsXh7jhh2JQ92F8pxvV91lsOlzbOt-nMU9pWrTPn4fm9zLFs6j1JBonN9mGcuUF6Cpc9uZqleM/s400/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201111303931.jpg" /></a><br /><div>BOY!!!!</div><div></div><br /><div>Yay - he was so sweet! He had the hiccups almost the entire time. Chad and I had a hard time picking names - but before the ultrasound we decided on Gabriel Martin. Gabriel means "the Lord is my strength; and Martin is the name of Chad's uncle who passed away when Chad was 14.</div><br /><div></div><div>We are thrilled, as are the kids.</div><br /><div></div><div>Enjoy the pics!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oFuns-yPxiyWi_hDA_d5pBUphxEFaAanRwXwQ-QOrjk1pMiKePsEwxJJ-rrpe2FX8pCB2io6F36PNptZJrSeR4UphvjfCZbgwaxBpPxnLolV8CCD8ohqAfSJ1lb4lIrBe6ZagvUUQQo/s1600/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201110345659.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545842825231822034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oFuns-yPxiyWi_hDA_d5pBUphxEFaAanRwXwQ-QOrjk1pMiKePsEwxJJ-rrpe2FX8pCB2io6F36PNptZJrSeR4UphvjfCZbgwaxBpPxnLolV8CCD8ohqAfSJ1lb4lIrBe6ZagvUUQQo/s400/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201110345659.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOxColkp9-WfkZk51AX0Pql1f8Tuyo3wIjmQxlMbXhpMZklMXRtt8MUps9DfNN2QLbx-OydbRWk3iSOsZ4bfc71cPjTcXdQcZzVAy46qm6VjidcM5T79e1Ee4xVzlghiRfW6BUhb-UBY/s1600/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201110313443.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545842805696114562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOxColkp9-WfkZk51AX0Pql1f8Tuyo3wIjmQxlMbXhpMZklMXRtt8MUps9DfNN2QLbx-OydbRWk3iSOsZ4bfc71cPjTcXdQcZzVAy46qm6VjidcM5T79e1Ee4xVzlghiRfW6BUhb-UBY/s400/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201110313443.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-E5khtHWCTfBhkVORFazTl6lQn0jKB7KzA83NblxP2asbohTe9VzZ1ZWssoEXD82xSns_KAezGFqfR9fThY2Ie11cbGC3NuHZFNuz6J_ZytYNPqf3Q7HyCeSoZFWYKkZ-3cuf8-3c8U/s1600/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201103719985.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545842803462118738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-E5khtHWCTfBhkVORFazTl6lQn0jKB7KzA83NblxP2asbohTe9VzZ1ZWssoEXD82xSns_KAezGFqfR9fThY2Ie11cbGC3NuHZFNuz6J_ZytYNPqf3Q7HyCeSoZFWYKkZ-3cuf8-3c8U/s400/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201103719985.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoL2AMTNEUXSTcSTIjOK3m0b9tdUlz2MODr1gr421C65z7PYwX4ZbBAL2xWnHnAbppbv1miDuKiKhxMC7w_hArqrM1TVqbmvDuWFOYNH90TJ6TAJE6YIq57IDCP970IkpR3KlsLBvLCU/s1600/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201103251675.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545842792360595602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoL2AMTNEUXSTcSTIjOK3m0b9tdUlz2MODr1gr421C65z7PYwX4ZbBAL2xWnHnAbppbv1miDuKiKhxMC7w_hArqrM1TVqbmvDuWFOYNH90TJ6TAJE6YIq57IDCP970IkpR3KlsLBvLCU/s400/ANDERSONJETTAA20101201103251675.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-71142567628752516292010-11-29T11:06:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:02:20.530-08:00Quiet moments - and an ultrasound update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefjwZOtjcsKPsYpsLB5RvR92kikq9u8kcNe8IuAYzMQmSt_el0BIss2BftfBNTwGrCoJpFQFU0R0u7BYCV-Ut3Ki7C0i3vbvSrbLrmGR-5SK_a87YYfXYwlt5eVmdKAARYfLrR_krp-o/s1600/seahawks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545064146879389570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefjwZOtjcsKPsYpsLB5RvR92kikq9u8kcNe8IuAYzMQmSt_el0BIss2BftfBNTwGrCoJpFQFU0R0u7BYCV-Ut3Ki7C0i3vbvSrbLrmGR-5SK_a87YYfXYwlt5eVmdKAARYfLrR_krp-o/s400/seahawks.jpg" /></a><br /><div>First of all...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>EPIC FAIL!!!</div><br /><div></div><div>I am incredibly sorry. I dangled the ultrasound date a long time ago and then failed miserably to give you the news! WOW. If I were you - I would be furious. And then, of course I would promptly forgive the oversight (hint, hint.)</div><br /><div></div><div>Since I have made you wait this long - what's a few more minutes??? Right? (Insert evil laugh...)</div><div></div><br /><div>Thanksgiving morning I woke up extremely sentimental. Okay, maybe it was the hormones. Call it what you will, I was a crying, sobbing mess! My sweet husband brought me my coffee in bed and I sat for a long, long, long time reflecting on my life, my new baby and everything in between. I have so much to be thankful for, and at the same time, there is a lot that scares me just a little.</div><br /><div>The thing that struck me the most was my kids. The coolest people I have ever had the privilege to know. I was thinking about each of them as individuals. I decided to call them up to chat with me. I am sure I probably scared them with all the crying I was doing, but I needed to make sure these things were said.</div><br /><div></div><div>Isaac was first. He was so sweet - especially when he realized I was crying. He is a very sensitive boy, and immediately asked me why I was crying. I told him not to worry - that these were "happy" tears. I won't recite the whole speech, but I will tell you (as I told him) that my favorite trait of Isaac's is his compassion. He is always the first to run to another person who has fallen down to check on them. He always checks on his sister at school when she seems sad. Isaac always seems so in tune to when other people are hurting. I told Isaac that I love that about him, and that I hope he never changes.</div><div></div><br /><div>Hope came up next. She is so different from Isaac. She didn't even notice I was crying. To be honest, at first I questioned whether she would understand or appreciate the words I had for her, but I couldn't let the moment pass, and I decided that even if she didn't totally "get it" - my heart needed to say these things....and so I did. My favorite trait of Hope's is her thoughtfulness. She is always thinking ahead and trying to anticipate what someone else might want or need. She always has the remote ready to hand to Isaac when he comes downstairs to watch TV in the mornings. She loves to color pictures for all of her friends at school. She is constantly trying to give her toys to other people. She ALWAYS wants to help. Her heart is so good. I told Hope that I love that about her, and that I hope she never changes.</div><br /><div></div><div>For both kids, we talked about how Jesus also has compassion and thoughtfulness for everyone he meets. It was so sweet! They seemed generally amazed that they might have anything in common with Jesus. </div><br /><div></div><div>These moments were precious to me. It may become a tradition for me. I truly find power in speaking words of affirmation to my kids even if they don't completely grasp all of the meaning. Their hearts know, and so does mine and that, is what being a mommy is all about.</div><br /><div></div><div>Now... for the small person in my belly...</div><br /><div></div><div>I am happy to say that I am currently growing a perfect, healthy, happy little baby - and that's about all I know. The ultrasound place messed up my appointment - so they had to "fit me in." Which means a typically hour long appointment lasted all of 23 minutes with a tech who wasn't interested in the fact that I really wanted to know the gender of my baby. We did however get a super cool profile picture which I successfully loaded onto Facebook, but can't seem to post on this blog.</div><br /><div>Fortunately for us, we have the coolest Midwife ever, and she has ordered a follow up ultrasound (at a different location) - and that ultrasound is scheduled for this Wednesday, December 1st.</div><br /><div></div><div>Happy holiday season to all of you - and here's to a baby who wants to show off it's private parts (just on Wednesday anyway...)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-17314843151691193852010-11-07T19:33:00.001-08:002010-11-07T19:51:31.371-08:00In case you were wondering...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg0qte766NjbL3v15KZI2F7mX8F9J0C-PHPA9XsHfdf4Zf49key7ICNkSFNpvc5_rR1puZOPJyIcFo3zl0AGn_Q01fmd0KO92rJeRt6z_tr4fNvH6-GJrV91XtexFEPSv4k0dk7IsnLA/s1600/Questionmark-in-food-bowl1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg0qte766NjbL3v15KZI2F7mX8F9J0C-PHPA9XsHfdf4Zf49key7ICNkSFNpvc5_rR1puZOPJyIcFo3zl0AGn_Q01fmd0KO92rJeRt6z_tr4fNvH6-GJrV91XtexFEPSv4k0dk7IsnLA/s400/Questionmark-in-food-bowl1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537021048456902818" /></a><br />I eat normal.<br /><br />I have written about diet, weight loss and exercise for so long now. I get a lot of people asking me how I am handling my food now that I am pregnant.<br /><br />I eat normal. I eat what everyone else is eating. Don't get me wrong, I have definitely had my cravings. The first trimester for sure was the worst. As gross as it sounds, all I wanted was McDonald's and chocolate ice cream. I had an pre-natal appointment at 10 weeks, and my midwife said the McDonald's had to stop. And so it did. Chocolate ice cream is a rarity anymore. In fact sweets in general just don't sound good. That is a blessing for sure. But, for now, I have let go of the chicken and heaps of veggies. I have stopped cooking entirely different meals for me from what my family eats. I don't pig out (although I am sure I have my moments...)<br /><br />I still workout. My workouts look a lot different than before. No more hard core training sessions and 3 hour cardio workouts. These days, I am more likely to do 45 minutes on the treadmill followed by some weights and light core / ab work 3 to 5 times a week. I feel okay about that because I am working out about 300% more than I ever did when I was pregnant with Isaac.<br /><br />The cool thing to me, is that I <span style="font-style:italic;">feel</span> normal. I have managed to come to grips with the fact that I am going to gain weight growing this person - but I know how to lose it. I did it once...I can most definitely do it again. I know how to eat, and exercise. I know what it takes.Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-65109247222331741722010-11-03T08:26:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:42:54.894-07:00Rock Star (a shout out to moms)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio212IXfN5j8WW_TUSAWWy9nr0We0Fx45ek2PKl10gEGqJKWhDmfF0MxHWt5vzraiueU4SKVPWvPKQMX_BeX1dJLzjxfV8fAPj0zntmwqa-R4I1dpyt6KSYdUmAp3nlFgrB2GxOC1yDt8/s1600/Rock-Star-still-490x274.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio212IXfN5j8WW_TUSAWWy9nr0We0Fx45ek2PKl10gEGqJKWhDmfF0MxHWt5vzraiueU4SKVPWvPKQMX_BeX1dJLzjxfV8fAPj0zntmwqa-R4I1dpyt6KSYdUmAp3nlFgrB2GxOC1yDt8/s400/Rock-Star-still-490x274.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535349156168245522" /></a><br />Several months ago, my friend Alyssa and my sister Kara had a surprise party in my honor, to celebrate the fact that I had lost 100 pounds. I was so blessed by that night. Some of my favorite people came - and there were a few people whose attendance surprised me. Almost everyone brought gifts - which was another surprise - but hey! I am not complaining!!!<br />My mom gave me me one of the sweetest gifts I have ever received. It's a silver bracelet with stars and rhinestones. It's really pretty. When I opened it, she said she picked it so that whenever I look at it, I can be reminded that I am a rock star.<br />I haven't been wearing the bracelet much lately. To be honest, I haven't felt like much of a rock star. I found the bracelet this morning in my jewelry box, and this has been on my heart all morning. I wish I could give all of you a "rock star" bracelet. Especially you moms out there. Why? Simply put you ARE rock stars.<br /><br />You sacrifice<br />You lose sleep<br />You run the house<br />You run the calendar<br />You run around<br /><br />You love your kids<br />You love your honey<br />You love your friends<br />You love your God<br /><br />You remember the parties<br />You remember the presents<br />You remember the date and time<br /><br />You give your all<br />and then you give some more<br /><br />Most of the time, you don't have time to remember that you are a rock star. Wouldn't it be nice to have something to remind you? The reality is, as much as we want them to, others won't always remember to notice how awesome we are; how much we do; how big we love. I think we all deserve to remember, that in Gods eyes especially, we do totally rock.Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-18266183583472184012010-10-31T18:54:00.000-07:002010-10-31T19:03:30.815-07:00Just another belly picture.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJVjEtCGC-LlxDR4k7XyteI_UWh7pzEsWdkuKOpsP87Vi4pDAxD19hlCPFxbn9Zt6buR0Y_4LjVwM0LojNpjTo4reFoL7S2b6V3T1hp9xszPhfpH7h_EixGFrp9jrxnjHkcHch8N2vVw/s1600/Halloween+022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJVjEtCGC-LlxDR4k7XyteI_UWh7pzEsWdkuKOpsP87Vi4pDAxD19hlCPFxbn9Zt6buR0Y_4LjVwM0LojNpjTo4reFoL7S2b6V3T1hp9xszPhfpH7h_EixGFrp9jrxnjHkcHch8N2vVw/s400/Halloween+022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534395172068022146" /></a><br />HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!<div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of me at week 17. Everything seems to be going along just fine - which is of course still pretty astounding to me. Our ultrasound has been moved to the 19th of November, so the countdown has begun! I can't wait to find out who is in there!!!</div><div>I have been struggling with some hypoglycemia, mostly due to my struggle with not gaining too much weight - but my midwife and my counselor, and my friends and family (of course) are helping me through it.</div><div>I keep looking at all the blogs that have amazing decorating pictures like my cousin <a href="http://adashofhumblepie.blogspot.com/">Lissa's</a>, and wishing I was good at decorating. Our work on the nursery begins next weekend - and I am struggling with unique ideas. Thank goodness my husband has a better eye for stuff like that than I do!</div><div>It's so hard to believe that tomorrow is November 1st. If you ask me - the year is basically over. These last few weeks will be so busy and will go by so fast! Before we know it we will be struggling to write 2011 on our checks!</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-43545444521926072342010-10-26T04:27:00.000-07:002010-10-27T10:48:07.522-07:00A maze, a game and then I crashed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMv6xRpeoEJZwOliETVhSsbl3Qu7HqWdDX8XIVAUp7DPMVD3W2vwH21l3S0BZlLqO2g-MSuoskAhrM423qiYwk4ga6DKPMWx1ylmXNuEOR1ARRqJe_6Pnusv0hcxplgIPZeLQ26p8Si8/s1600/temp+folder+992.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532318713691976658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMv6xRpeoEJZwOliETVhSsbl3Qu7HqWdDX8XIVAUp7DPMVD3W2vwH21l3S0BZlLqO2g-MSuoskAhrM423qiYwk4ga6DKPMWx1ylmXNuEOR1ARRqJe_6Pnusv0hcxplgIPZeLQ26p8Si8/s400/temp+folder+992.jpg" /></a><br />I have always been a woman on the go. Who isn't these days?? But ever since I got pregnant, I have HAD to slow down. I just can't cram quite as many things into a day as I used to. I NEED SLEEP. I love being home. I have never considered myself a homebody - but I sure am now. <div>As this last weekend approached, I found myself kind of dreading it. Literally, every single hour had something scheduled. I am not sure how this happened, but it did, and there was nothing I could do about it. Everything planned was fun - but there was just too much planned.</div><div><br /></div><div>It started Friday with the annual banquet for my kids school. I had to leave early because I was falling asleep at my table.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday, I was up at 6:00 and at the grocery store by 6:30. My son had football and then we headed north to Craven Farms for some pumpkin picking and a corn maze with our dearest friends The Jensen's. After getting soaked in the corn maze, we headed even farther north to The Jensen's house for dinner and a little Pinochle before making the 2 hour drive back home. WOW!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKbxQs0S-BkMiZlikeZ12j2WeMC850Xho4fo_SAGLjx8E70eA1DmKSi8xuPuGJO4uE6uXZ4fs7SGUlLvJwD1xOEpv7LtLtBjNcYI51PYFNq5I40V4QOynDasmHthgCmLwKJz2e27cftI/s1600/temp+folder+986.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532319228897235026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKbxQs0S-BkMiZlikeZ12j2WeMC850Xho4fo_SAGLjx8E70eA1DmKSi8xuPuGJO4uE6uXZ4fs7SGUlLvJwD1xOEpv7LtLtBjNcYI51PYFNq5I40V4QOynDasmHthgCmLwKJz2e27cftI/s400/temp+folder+986.jpg" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEDf-SKqI_A2FZ8ltP_-IDFKhIPzvgcREKCKQDvbPGdXiXKcQwsXFEVhZwj2-6RPRc-R8iTD2D-o_c5TDthAs3Ma8YWgdkqUsihCTdjW-Qd08cR7UTDU88KKZkxxlOS_RorAlGtjnkYo/s1600/temp+folder+987.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532319224065772770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEDf-SKqI_A2FZ8ltP_-IDFKhIPzvgcREKCKQDvbPGdXiXKcQwsXFEVhZwj2-6RPRc-R8iTD2D-o_c5TDthAs3Ma8YWgdkqUsihCTdjW-Qd08cR7UTDU88KKZkxxlOS_RorAlGtjnkYo/s400/temp+folder+987.jpg" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9T7COvRkTRNg0QEOAazhn6Ua6ANzbRCL89TGPt5qruwom16Bi_IhCwo-7-z1BRAHCg8EYQ21z7uHf3auXU0Kxeq9NkcUPC0utEb9FDDX0MgwuqF4WNuRcFag_AuyvGTqRHuSC1yGt7o/s1600/temp+folder+997.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532320214030855506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9T7COvRkTRNg0QEOAazhn6Ua6ANzbRCL89TGPt5qruwom16Bi_IhCwo-7-z1BRAHCg8EYQ21z7uHf3auXU0Kxeq9NkcUPC0utEb9FDDX0MgwuqF4WNuRcFag_AuyvGTqRHuSC1yGt7o/s400/temp+folder+997.jpg" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY-SIzOIdtARNKjVuQkTWDuRedaoWx4u8B6Ush0O5dY9gbCKiHKR2DU2Bx2NzaKA6G1wH-ZQ8WkgDGo_JfL26O203PqkXR7lKzD26Q_uum4vO0W1Krt-T-xdiIBsOCYcPh9xo8iMfRYo/s1600/temp+folder+1003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532320209616927890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY-SIzOIdtARNKjVuQkTWDuRedaoWx4u8B6Ush0O5dY9gbCKiHKR2DU2Bx2NzaKA6G1wH-ZQ8WkgDGo_JfL26O203PqkXR7lKzD26Q_uum4vO0W1Krt-T-xdiIBsOCYcPh9xo8iMfRYo/s400/temp+folder+1003.jpg" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR36LgJHbKIb8-_pZnZola2dWP7YkpmlI5z2q3B8nr3ATPN_Tt51UYnn7O26g-3ZfCxdRoD0270-j6A6Voh6B3A3WwaTBzgLghUVVzzplON3cI6mvzkKfKCytm5RQQxuY1dzWBsJMdzpQ/s1600/temp+folder+991.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532320196257712066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR36LgJHbKIb8-_pZnZola2dWP7YkpmlI5z2q3B8nr3ATPN_Tt51UYnn7O26g-3ZfCxdRoD0270-j6A6Voh6B3A3WwaTBzgLghUVVzzplON3cI6mvzkKfKCytm5RQQxuY1dzWBsJMdzpQ/s400/temp+folder+991.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>Sunday was similar, although it did start out with a transformer blowing and knocking out our power. That was fun! Then is was a 9:30am departure to get the kids to Auntie Shannon's so that Chad and I could enjoy a date. We watched our Seattle Seahawks kick the patootie out of the Arizona Cardinals. It was a great game (I have told you how I feel about football...) but it was cold and I was exhausted. After the game, we had dinner with Chad's parents one last time before they head to Arizona for the winter. We got home around 11. Ugh!</div><div>Needless to say - we were all exhausted. Chad forgot to set his alarm, I must have turned mine off. The only reason we woke up at all was because poor little Hope had a nightmare at 6:00am (I usually get up at 4:30). I promptly sent her back to bed; said a kind of bad word and then proceeded to run around like a chicken with my head cut off.</div><div><br /></div><div>My saving grace?? A call from the kids school saying the power was out and school was delayed until 11:00.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went back to bed.</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-70859088559361419062010-10-21T11:00:00.000-07:002010-10-21T12:51:16.868-07:00Today is one of those days...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxjXl-4E0h6Tms8wxwE2mr_mnIu7PfctwftZr2V3lyWE0sz3dy9E_fpPNt788-tAJaQKaUKCvMgeac1pEpZyFs3Umc-BCdxTx5359oj5EoncyhyNGmHYuSMcBjAczBnolDDdMLKSjeNI/s1600/dark.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 367px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530566918438445682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxjXl-4E0h6Tms8wxwE2mr_mnIu7PfctwftZr2V3lyWE0sz3dy9E_fpPNt788-tAJaQKaUKCvMgeac1pEpZyFs3Umc-BCdxTx5359oj5EoncyhyNGmHYuSMcBjAczBnolDDdMLKSjeNI/s400/dark.jpg" /></a><br />Today is hard for me. I am just being honest.<br /><br />You see, I have never done "normal" when it comes to pregnancy, so "normal" is hard for me. Isaac, who was conceived via fertility treatment is as "normal" as it gets for me. Even that felt surrounded with interventions. I had multiple ultrasounds - usually because the doctor couldn't find Isaac's heartbeat. If I ever wondered if things were okay with him, I just said something - and the doctor would order an ultrasound. I had a total of 7.<br /><br />Every other pregnancy after Isaac has ended with no baby. My pregnancy history is not great. Most days, I do okay. But days like today - when it seems that Satan has a grip on my heart - I really struggle. Every twinge scares me. Every ache makes me question. This isn't a fun place to be. I am grateful that I know it will be short lived.<br /><br />This time, as bizarre as the whole thing seems, it appears that everything is going perfect. My midwife found the heartbeat at 10 weeks - which is relatively early. I have had typical symptoms; an 8 week ultrasound to confirm dates - but other than that, there have been no sneak peaks. It's so opposite of Isaac's pregnancy. I keep thinking, "if I could just take a look..."<br /><br />I am kind of at that strange point in pregnancy where I feel great (no more morning sickness), my belly is getting bigger - but I don't feel baby move yet except those fun little flutters that happen here and there. I am ready for some bigger movements to help remind me "hey mom. I am in here..."<br /><br />I say that now - but I also know there will be nights, when I am exhausted and the very thing I am asking for will keep me awake for hours.<br /><br />So today, I am just trying to make it to tomorrow when I can wake up and start over again. Yay for do-overs! I guess we all have days like this....Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-31683479981756319632010-10-19T13:28:00.000-07:002010-10-19T13:37:35.709-07:00October 19, 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon3H5OGbn0MpBmTHjZEAIKiAQaGgTfIa65Ypy8L9LFp38QJLX6Zhd9jEuJK_Pe5UlGzqiAj90a1XkzVmwW0eJTtxPM6Kg5OPdagN5ma8gtKEXFaaNNPcbxJMpPgMW0POcc19WyoU1gZo/s1600/pumpkins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529858771969934978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon3H5OGbn0MpBmTHjZEAIKiAQaGgTfIa65Ypy8L9LFp38QJLX6Zhd9jEuJK_Pe5UlGzqiAj90a1XkzVmwW0eJTtxPM6Kg5OPdagN5ma8gtKEXFaaNNPcbxJMpPgMW0POcc19WyoU1gZo/s400/pumpkins.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It is hard to believe it is already the 19th of October! Where has the year gone?</div><br /><div></div><div>My kids Halloween costumes came yesterday. They were so excited and had to put them on right away. Isaac woke up this morning - 45 minutes early just so he could spend sometime hanging out in his costume. Wasn't it just summer??? How can we be at Halloween already??? It feels like this year is just flying by...</div><br /><div></div><div>and then not so much.</div><br /><div></div><div>Is it possible for time to fly by AND go at snails pace at the same time? This pregnancy seems to be going so slow. I say that now - but I guarantee you - when I am holding my newborn in my arms, I am sure I will be amazed at how fast the months went by!</div><br /><div></div><div>Time is probably going slow because I am way too excited about my November 22nd ultrasound to find out exactly who I am growing. I can't wait! I can't wait! I should start thinking of a fabulously creative blog post to tell you all the news... I better get on that!</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-43520783135081210422010-10-10T19:31:00.000-07:002010-10-10T20:14:59.437-07:00Week 14<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jhCdi4Hg9DOHmy4S1KcNkFnj7jS2WpkTYzQZ72ypmqx7RaLxgf-xVmANJqOvzGAttFsxRxWTCNcGlwaPi-JqF5dxJCvrcyTdNZSbK_gcA__PrMbSCfAsA4lBYNH9Nc5tprhOPV-Golo/s1600/temp+folder+978.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jhCdi4Hg9DOHmy4S1KcNkFnj7jS2WpkTYzQZ72ypmqx7RaLxgf-xVmANJqOvzGAttFsxRxWTCNcGlwaPi-JqF5dxJCvrcyTdNZSbK_gcA__PrMbSCfAsA4lBYNH9Nc5tprhOPV-Golo/s320/temp+folder+978.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526621357351264514" /></a><br />When I got pregnant and decided to stop blogging, I told myself that it was because I never wanted to be another pregnancy blog. My mission was to share my weight loss story and hopefully help and inspire others who were struggling with the same challenge. It's truly amazing how we can convince ourselves of just about anything.<div><br /></div><div>What I have realized now that my first trimester is over, is that getting pregnant, being pregnant and recovering from pregnancy <i>is</i> part of my weight loss journey. If I learned anything from the last two years, it's that I will finish, I am not a quitter and victory will be mine. I might be nursing a baby when I finish - but I will finish.</div><div><br /></div><div>That folks is where I hope the inspiration comes. I hope that is where my story becomes real and motivating.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is no shame in how my body is changing. There is only glory in what is happening. It has taken me a while to acknowledge and accept that. The cool part of having lost 115 pounds before getting pregnant this time, is that I actually get to look pregnant. When I was pregnant with Isaac, I was overweight and no one could tell I was pregnant until I was in my 7th month. This time is so different.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here we go folks. Its not the way I though my weight loss story would go, but it's definitely a story with twists and turns. I hope you'll stick with me until the end...</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-63840655123860159232010-10-09T11:14:00.000-07:002010-10-09T11:44:12.906-07:00Living in what's true.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PeOAWHi6py_gZK5ylHq5XmlA5KphGqURt8Wu7QDPgBWYVPJQ_o36XEs5HYEaUW81c9e3HCNaad6gvy4YaxpU4W05Y8MNh7R-6BvGOiWv04Aub0gF1riYVEyZiGKuCQRy9UuTFvibV_8/s1600/ocean+park.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526118149736984514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PeOAWHi6py_gZK5ylHq5XmlA5KphGqURt8Wu7QDPgBWYVPJQ_o36XEs5HYEaUW81c9e3HCNaad6gvy4YaxpU4W05Y8MNh7R-6BvGOiWv04Aub0gF1riYVEyZiGKuCQRy9UuTFvibV_8/s320/ocean+park.jpg" /></a><br /><div>"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praise worthy - think about such things."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Philippians 4:6-8. NIV</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I know it's been a while. I know it may not make sense. But this has been hard for me. Being pregnant is hard for me. It is shocking and scary. There is a lot of baggage here to unpack. I have lost so much. I spent the first 12 weeks assuming that my baby would die. I thought for sure that once I saw the heartbeat, heard the heartbeat, I would be fine. I would believe that this baby would be fine. I was prepared for it all to not be fine. It's so sad. The sadder part is this...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I honestly feel like I <em>deserve</em> for it to go wrong. I don't deserve a healthy pregnancy, or a great delivery, or a healthy baby. Why??? I have no idea. The truth is that none of us deserve the great things we have. None of us deserved a Heavenly Father who is crazy about us. And yet...He is. Absolutely, 100 percent nuts about us.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This weekend, I am away for a girls weekend. I am at the ocean with my best friend. I am relaxed and I am broken. I slept beautifully. Fell asleep to the sound of the wind and the rain and the ocean. I finished a book. I confided to Deana and I cried. I cried into the pillow. I sobbed. I am broken. Deana shared Philippians 4:6-8 with me and I cried more. It is time.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It is time for me to live in what it true. Today's truth is, whether or not I think I deserve it, I am pregnant, with a healthy baby. I have an amazing husband who works hard and adores his family. I have two gorgeous, well behaved children. I have an amazing job. This is my truth. This is where I must live. In my daily truth.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Wherever you are. However you are hurting. Find what's true in your world. Rest in that. Find comfort in that. Your joy is there, and your Heavenly Father who adores you - will meet you there.</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-47529846240421366522010-09-30T11:31:00.001-07:002010-09-30T11:54:30.622-07:00I am in love....My friend Katie has me hooked on this blog. The words this man writes are literally LIFE CHANGING!<br /><br />Please read, re-read, live and share this blog...<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.danoah.com/">http://www.danoah.com/</a></p><p>You won't regret it.<br /></p>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083171200653815226.post-12181189394960986792010-09-21T09:50:00.000-07:002010-09-21T09:57:42.436-07:00Longing...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjWG4WC9aaUm5uKS2rrDsqbb0AgYTCOEID8VXixQEs1H6LpnTlXo4EiPNz1SvkuhyYx9SHHR61o9G3zbQPPUqLnhFTFxnDmPDANp9HmbznDodqZDG56ND-_av-GlPQoRIT34_ngE_E0Q/s1600/new+life.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519411949337648098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjWG4WC9aaUm5uKS2rrDsqbb0AgYTCOEID8VXixQEs1H6LpnTlXo4EiPNz1SvkuhyYx9SHHR61o9G3zbQPPUqLnhFTFxnDmPDANp9HmbznDodqZDG56ND-_av-GlPQoRIT34_ngE_E0Q/s320/new+life.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am overwhelmed today by inconsequential things that I make too big.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am craving time, on my knees with Jesus.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I want Him to show me how to be a righteous woman who raises babies, keeps the house clean and serves my husband.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I want to be frugal and creative and content.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I want a different life, a new spirit.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I want to be grateful, humble and resourceful.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Where do I start?</div>Jetta...http://www.blogger.com/profile/02377762361144007150noreply@blogger.com4