Lyddie's Secret

Well, in my last post, I lied, life has NOT been going on as usual, since we received exciting news in the middle of August! For the past 3 or 4 weeks I have been feeling sick, fatigued, and oh yeah, tired. I forgot just how tiring this first trimester business is again!

Baby #2 is due May 3, 2011, which makes me 9 weeks along right now. Lyddie and Baby will be 18 months apart (I know that's the first calculation everyone is trying to do in their heads when they find out I'm pregnant - discreetly so they don't guess what they're thinking - HOW close will they be?!). Which hopefully means only 7 weeks or less of sickness. With Lyddie it lasted until week 16 and then got better quickly. While I know every pregnancy is different, thus far, this pregnancy has been much the same. My usual joy in keeping our house, cooking, planning meals and kitchen treats, have all been replaced by a desire to nap, sleep, rest, avoid all food and the kitchen, and nap some more. It's different to be at home this time around, nicer in some respects because I can nap during the day. However, this time around I have a 10 month old to care for, which is a different kind of work. Fortunately for me, Lyddie is a really easy baby, willing to play on her own, goes down to nap and bed without too much trouble, still takes morning and afternoon naps (knock on wood), and sleeps through the night. So I really can't complain.

We're very excited about this development, since we have always wanted our children spaced pretty close together, especially to be playmates and friends for each other when we're missionaries on the Rez, where life can be a little lonely sometimes. So, praise the Lord, He has blessed us with another growing baby!

It is hard to believe sometimes that we're doing it again, that our family is growing, that Lyddie will be a big sister. I feel like I'm holding my breath sometimes until I can hear the heartbeat, which makes it so much more real. I am so thankful to our God for the blessings He has poured out on us. I know that life with more than one small child is hard, difficult, trying, and will test me to the limits, but I also know that having Lyddie, watching her grow, play, smile, talk, and learn is one of my very greatest joys in all of life, and it will be the same with this new baby.

I ran across this prayer from the Lutheran prayer book this morning online, and was thankful, since it captures the prayer of my heart these last few weeks, and upcoming months.

"O great God and Father of all who call upon You,

magnificent are Your works, I glorify your holy name.

You are my helper. Complete what you have begun in me,

and keep this child safe from all harm, and daily bestow on us

health and strength. Guide me through Your Spirit, and let me be

constantly mindful of my privilege and my responsibility as mother.

At all times let me place my trust in You and Your fatherly care,

knowing that from generation to generation Your
mercy is upon those who lean upon You.
I commit both my child and myself to Your mercy and goodness.
Relying on Jesus, my Redeemer, I pray, give me calmness,
patience, and quiet happiness, and make me, in good time,
a joyous mother of a happy child.
In Jesus' name, Amen."