Inspiration

Today I'm laying on the couch in our new house, in the sun room, thinking that I need to feel a little inspiration.  It's been 2 weeks since we lost our baby, and I was feeling a little down.  So, I logged on to Facebook (not looking for inspiration, but just because it's something to fill time) and the first post that came up on my home page (Thank you Heidi Johnson) is a link to a YouTube video of these 2 guys singing the song Hallelujah (see link below).  It seriously gave me chills and made me cry (in a good way for once).  And the BEST part of today was feeling the baby kick while listening to that song!!!!! Then I started thinking about other things that inspire me, and I just started writing a list.  So, I thought I would share my list with you, encouraging you to share things that inspire you, I'd love to see/hear them :) 

Things that inspire me:

1. My nephews Dylan and Ian bringing over their play n learn "laptop" so I can play ABC games while I'm laying down. 
2. Our friends and family coming together to help us move, and then staying to help put away our stuff. 
3. My cousin Kari making me a "Dory" cake (the one who sang "just keep swimming") on Finding Nemo. 
4. My mom coming over to take care of me every single day of her spring break (& pretty much every other day, too). 
5. My parents-in-laws and Uncle Ken and Bren painting our ENTIRE house! 
6. The thoughts, love, and prayers via email, text, phone call, letters, cards, flowers, drop-ins, food, sent from all around the world. 
7. My wonderful, amazing husband inspires me every day.  
8. Listening to this version of Hallelujah
9. Feeling baby boy Sonnek kick to the above song :) 

I'm sure I'm missing a lot of things, but I think it's a pretty good list for now! 
Love,
Amy

Ufda

Stemming from Scandanavian-American roots, Ufda frequently translates into: I am overwhelmed.   I just got back from my latest check-up and considering all my body has been through in the last 2 weeks, everything is looking pretty good and our little baby boy Sonnek was waving away at me and doing little flips on the ultra-sound monitor, which was the best thing I could've seen, it completely lifted my spirits.  There is nothing better than that, period.  I wish Aaron could've been there to see it with me, but there will be MANY MANY more ultrasounds coming up (every 2 weeks), so plenty of chances to see our little guy :)  So, the doctor said I still need to take it easy, which means more laying around for me in the days ahead, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe and sound and happy.  I'm a little bummed because we had a family weekend planned at a cabin up on the north shore on Lake Superior next weekend, but I won't be able to go as the closest medical facility is over 2 hours away.  I'm pretty sure Grand Marais and Lutsen don't have a neonatal care unit.  There will be other chances though, so no big deal.  My doctor also said I haven't been gaining enough weight, so I've been given the challenge to gain 3 lbs in the next 2 weeks...think I can do it?  I've been trying to come up with a list of recipes/foods that would help me in my challenge...any ideas would be more than welcome!  (Besides the obvious triple mac whoppers, etc). 

My girlfriends Holly, Heather and Nissa are bringing dinner over tonight, they're bringing appetizers: baked spinach and artichoke dip, cream cheese pickle-roll-ups, and Steph's famous bagel dip, along with Heather's giant stash of chick-flick movies, so I'm really looking forward to that.  I'm finally feeling up to visitors, which helps break up the day.  My brother Aaron brought my nephews Dylan and Ian over yesterday, which always brings a smile to my face.  I love them so much! Thanks everyone for your continued love & support!

 

Here is a picture of our little guy at 18 weeks 3 days...if you look close you can see his little arm waving...enjoy!

Whirlwind

Man, what a whirlwind it's been in the last week or two.  Time has flown by, but at the same time crept ever so slowly as I lay here thinking about what's happened.  I definitely have my good days and bad days.  After we lost our precious little baby last week, I was put on strict bed rest at first (only getting up to go the bathroom) and now I've graduated to modified bed rest (I can take a shower, go to the bathroom, get myself something to eat/drink, etc), but have to stay in bed as much as possible.  My family has been SO amazing, I can't even begin to thank them enough.  And my wonderful husband Aaron; he has been such a strong rock for me,  through all our shared tears and frustration, he has been so supportive and loving, grieving our lost baby while being strong at the same time and always looking forward.  I am so thankful for family and friends, there are just no words to express the love we've been given, and I want everyone out there to know that we FEEL YOUR PRAYERS, so thank you thank you so very much, it means the world to us, and keep them coming!  What's ahead - I have a dr appointment this Thursday to check on things - they'll do an ultrasound to make sure our little one is still doing good.  Our doctor gave us a milestone/benchmark of making it to 24 weeks (I'm 18 weeks today so that's 6 weeks), but of course we want to make it longer than that!   Because of what's happened, the chances of losing the other baby are slightly increased, but at 24 weeks babies can survive on their own, outside the womb, which is why I'm taking it easy and doing everything possible to keep baby safe and happy inside my tummy.   Okay, off to take a nap.