Well, my time on the couch is going nicely! I think I can get used to this. One thing that surprises me is how utterly exhausted I feel. I’m resting, shouldn’t I feel even slightly energetic yet? I actually feel MORE tired than ever. My nurse says, “No, do not expect energy–not until about 4 months after the baby is born….” I just had to laugh. But, really, the bed rest is going well and I’m enjoying it. I’ve held Seth three times so far and had him fall asleep snuggled up next to me. I love that. We’ve all been reading books together, playing little games, watching TV. That’s about it. My brain can’t handle much more than that.
These are the books I have right by the couch next to my favorite spot. The top one is my journal. I opened it up yesterday and wrote the date. That was it.
Grace took this picture earlier today. I don’t feel well but the pretty necklace helps! Isn’t Seth adorable?
Seth loves getting his picture taken and then looking at it on my camera.
Here are some older pictures from last week that I didn’t get a chance to post:
I put that chicken waterer from the antique store in my garden. It works just fine! I love the look of it out there.
This is a picture from the last walk I went on, with Rich and the children (last week).
I love Grace’s shirt, it’s bright and has cherries on it and it says, “Sunny Days are Here”.
Seth reading a book:
These were taken this morning. Davy took this one:
So guess what? Rich was able to take the day off today. He is going to take the children out soon, to the library.
He still has to go on his business trip next week but guess what? His mom is coming here to help me all week long. She was thrilled to be asked to help and is so excited. She was willing to do anything that we wanted. So, she’s arriving on Sunday night and will probably stay the whole week. I’m just so thankful for the way God has worked things out.
That’s my little update. I’m utterly exhausted so back to bed I go.
Thanks for the prayers and the helpful words on the last post!
~Shanda
Good to be Home 
I’m so glad you are getting some help and relief!!!
❤ It’s great to see you not stressing. I think i would be very tempted to stress out over the whole bedrest thing, but it’s so much better just to …not stress. lol =)
That’s wonderful that Rich’s mom will be there next week!
Glad to see that your mom in law is coming next week….I remember those days of exhaustion. Only God gave me the strength to get through them. I had no help when we brought the twinnies home.Overwhelming.
That’s great Shanda, I am so, so happy for you!
Oh wow that is such great news about your hubby’s mom coming to stay!Praise God!!Sweet sister, I know the exhausted…I mean utter exhaustion during pregnancy….your body has been through so much in a short time, it’s telling you enough!!! So lay low, wait, be still…..:)Praying for you!
The first picture made me laugh!That is great news about his Mom coming to help! It will be such a relief to have someone there who knows the kids, I remember you telling me what a hard worker she is, and how much the kids love her. Hopefully you will gets lots and lots of rest and before you know it she will be four months old and you will be doing cartwheels in the yard! :)Even with the tiredness you still look fantastic!
I had just read your post from yesterday and I hadn’t gotten a chance to pray yet before I read this update. That makes me have tears in my eyes that your MIL is coming to help next week! Isn’t God good! I know I’ve had my mom come help when I’ve had my 2 c-sections, when we lost baby Adam, and then just recently when I had my tonsils and adenoids out. I don’t know what I would do without her! Thank you, Lord for taking care of Shanda!Oh, and love the Piper and Lloyd-Jones. I don’t think I’ve read either of those.
So glad you have help next week!! I just sort of laughed when you said that all you wrote in your journal was the date. That sort of says it all :). What truth in the words from the nurse…you won’t feel rested until about 4 months after the baby…oh, so true. Hang in there, you will feel like yourself again….promise.
The main thing I am thinking is, even when you are not feeling well you are SO SO PRETTY!!!What you said about brain exhaustion, and all you could write in your journal was the date…that is exactly how I felt from Lee’s birth until about last November. I really felt like myself for about a month, then the pregnancy sickness started in December, we traveled, and then it was couch time for the next several months. I felt like I was crazy, not to be able to summon even enough brainpower for journaling, but you make me feel better! The next few weeks and months will pass before you know it, and all your energy and vitality will return. That is amazing that Rich’s mom can come next week! WOW! Praise God for answered prayer.
I am so glad you have help! I wondered how bedrest would go without help!On another note…your hair is growing back nicely!
Praise God for the incoming help!!You have reminded me how important it is to try and rest. I know I have only half as many kids as you do (3 with one on the way), but I know I push myself at times I shouldn’t.
Happy for you, Shanda! Glad to hear that you are getting rest, that Rich is home, and that you will have help when he leaves. Love the pictures!
I know how wonderful it is as a grandma to be asked to help your daughter-in-law out and spend special time with your grandchildren. You are allowing her to be a blessing to you and to be blessed. Your children will really enjoy this time of bonding and grandma. I just got back from a 17 hour trip on the road to help care for my grandchildren and I enjoyed every minute of it!!! It was hard work but I would not trade those moments for anything! Praise God for His care of you and your family. I just loved the photo of Seth looking at the book. You have given your children the love of reading by example… Good for you! Hugs~ Lynn
I Love the picture of Seth climbing on your older sons lap. Children are such a fun time! Never a dull moment. The chicken feeder is wonderful–At one point in my life– was on bed rest for 10weeks. My children did amazing things:)—They were a really a terrific help. Will keep you all in prayer.Thank you for the lovely post and helping us to remember to take one day at a time.
What great news that Rich’s mother is coming to help out! Seth looks so much like your husband!Rest up and stay well!
I think you look great! i mean how many weeks left? not many…you can do it! Seth is so cute and he’s definitly getting the little boy toddler look now,he’s going to be a BIG brother! I still can’t believe how fast time goes!(May 3rd we get the peek we have been waiting for!)
so glad to hear you’ve got some help coming! God answers Prayer!
hi shanda…….how wonderful rich’s mom will be there to help. it’s always a comforting feeling when a prayer has been answered! and lucky you, that means you can stay on that big, comfy couch and get the rest you need. i wish you all a peaceful and memory-making week ahead!
God certainly answers prayers! What a blessing you will have you mil with you next week. I find it so difficult to ask for help but my mom and inlaws are always willing to help out too. Love the pictures, of course. Have a wonderful, restful weekend~
Glad all is working out for you hun!{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
yipeeee for Mothers-in-Love!! I’m a MIL so I know how hard I try to be a blessing to my son and his lovely wife….did I tell you they are expecting twins in the fall?? One for me and one for everyone else. 🙂 So glad you will have help and support next week. It will make a world of difference and trust me, your MIL will have a ball! (Lynn is right on – we do love to help our kids!)
Glad to hear the news…both that the couch time is good and that Riches Mom is coming to help. How wonderful!! The pictures are great. I love seeing you and the kids on the couch. Lots of smiles!! You look so pretty. Sethy looks like he is stretching out…another growing boy! Mr pretzel, I mean Caleb, is pretty funny.
Hi Shanda :-}Yet again our Lord is granting our requests for you, which were offered up to Him in our prayers. THANK YOU LORD!!!!!!!!That first picture of the pretzel encircled nose, was a great humerous way to open a posting! ;-p!!And the picture of Rich holding Seth, sonny boy definetly resembles father!May the Lord continue to encourage your spirit my friend!Cheryl B.http://thebzhousethatlovebuilt.blogspot.com
Oh, Shanda! I’ve been praying, these past few days, that someone would show up at your door to help you!!!Would you like me to mail you some books to read, while you wait for the baby?
I will be praying for you. I’m sorry to hear you are on bedrest and happy you will have Rich’s Mom to help you next week.
Glad to hear I am normal. I am 31 weeks pregnant and was crying to my husband that I just did not know what is wrong with me. I am SOOOO tired. You would think that with this being my 5th pregnancy, I would remember, but I don’t remember being so tired. I feel overwhelmed at having things to do and not having the energy to do them. Thankfully my 18 year old is a big help with my 20 month old. I feel like an overstuffed teddy bear. I’ll be praying for you.
I saw that one of your books on your reading pile was “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount.” I read that book for my devotionals a few years ago. It had quite an impact on me. Lots to think about, for sure!! Also, so glad for you that your MIL is able to come for the week that Rich is gone. Isn’t it great how God worked that out for you? Hope you feel better soon!
I haven’t been on xanga in a few days, and it seems I missed a lot. I am so sorry you are on bedrest! Glad your mother-in-law is able to come help. Please, know you and your familiy are in my prayers. Praying for strength for you and that precious baby you are carrying. Praying the Lord be with you all, and that all go well!!!!!!!! ~ Deborah
I sure do miss your updates and praying all is going well with grandma and the kids and of course with you and little Sarah.