tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31229378.post116285868360377909..comments2023-07-07T03:27:00.832-05:00Comments on Ever Joyful: When it rains...Arlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02616597859669901083noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31229378.post-1163013831742681532006-11-08T13:23:00.000-06:002006-11-08T13:23:00.000-06:00Okay, this is the comment I wanted to post the oth...Okay, this is the comment I wanted to post the other day! Warning: Long!<BR/><BR/>About the book - If she is a casual friend that might be hurt by it (especially if a new Christian who is still learning/growing), I would err on the side of caution. Definitely give it back and somehow communicate graciously that you don't need the next one. If it is a good friend, you could bring up your concerns. I don't know if I would do it as I'm handing her the book, but maybe you could have her over for lunch or tea and could bring up how to find good books, Biblical standards, etc. Another suggestion would be to have some good book ideas to share or to lend her one. Sometimes one book is bad, but another book is fine. I once read a Christian fiction that I really enjoyed. I got another one by the same woman and was sorely disappointed. So it is hard to even recommend an author across the board. <BR/><BR/>About giving birth/breastfeeding -<BR/>Above all, do what is best for you and your baby. Having said that, I would emphasize the baby part. It is easy to do what is best for us, but that might not always be best for the baby. Marriage can bring out selfishness in us, but children expose this vice even more - at least they have for me. I have realized how self-centered I can be.<BR/><BR/>With Gavin I was induced and I had an epidural. I'm glad I had one, but I wish I had been less fearful about the pain. As a result, I asked for more medicine and they gave me an extra shot directly into the I.V. line. I couldn't feel to push and that caused a longer labor and he had to be vacuumed out. I felt great through it all, but was pretty sore afterwards. With Peyton I had asked for the epidural and the guy was on his way, but when I got to the L&D room my water broke and two contractions later I was ready to push. I went from 5 to 10 faster than a car goes from 0 to 60! So I went natural but not necessarily by choice. I was scared of the pain (again), but I told myself if is was going to hurt, I needed to do my best to get it over with quickly. And that's exactly what happened. When my fear changed to determination, I didn't feel all the pain I had before. I focused on the task. Once it was over, I felt good. I didn't have all the soreness from pushing so long and I didn't have to dread the pain reliever wearing off! <BR/>Now having said all that, I don't know exactly what I will do next time (if there is one). I would like to go natural, but if I don't think I can make it (though half the battle is the mind, I believe), I'll get the epidural. Have a goal, an ideal, in mind. If it's to go natural, then do your best to go that way. If it's to hold out as long as possible, then get medicine, then get it and don't feel guilty. There is no right or wrong way. If a woman is absolutely miserable during birth just to say she went natural, I say, "Why?". Does someone go to the dentist to get a tooth pulled and say, "Hold the pain medication, I want to tell all my friends I went without."? On the other hand, I respect women who choose to go natural for good reasons. There aren't any side effects with going natural! My SIL has had three boys w/o medication. She doesn't do it to get a trophy and that's why I respect her for it. So no matter which way you go, be confident in it and make that decision for the right reasons. In 50 yrs. we won't be telling our birth stories, we'll be discussing our achy bones and foggy minds! <BR/><BR/>Why are you breastfeeding? Because you have to, want to, feel pressured to, think Christians just do that? Make sure you know why you feel it is best for your family. I know Christians who think it's disgusting (that's a little difficult for me), I have Christian friends who don't do it and I have friends who do. Reading/preparing beforehand is helpful, but even better is having a lactation consultant on hand IN THE HOSPITAL who can help you. If you can't find this, then snag a friend who has done it successfully for help. Even if you think it's going great, get help and suggestions. Even though I bf'ed Gavin for 13 mos., I still had a lactation consultant come in two times when I had Peyton (who I bf'ed for 14 mos.). I wanted to quit a lot, especially with Gavin, but I stuck it out, out of sheer determination and financial reasons (Jason was in seminary and we couldn't afford formula!). After we both got the hang of it, I was thankful I didn't quit. With Peyton I felt this way again, though not as severely. Again, I'm thankful I didn't quit. It's not always fun, convenient, easy, accepted, or comfortable. But, there are many positives too.<BR/><BR/>The best thing you can do is talk to friends, real friends who will be honest. I don't know Laura, but I have a sneaking suspicion you could talk to her! :) Ask Rebecca questions and feel free to ask me questions. Being a new mother is NOT always easy. Children are wonderful - I wouldn't trade them for anything, but the first month or two can be rough. Have a support system in place and call on them when needed. Everyone who's had a child has been there (if they are honest with themselves) and they will understand where you are coming from. <BR/><BR/>I hope this was helpful and didn't come across as a sermon! I probably took up all the comment room you can have! :)Adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908880706561446128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31229378.post-1162957652216853212006-11-07T21:47:00.000-06:002006-11-07T21:47:00.000-06:00The rains do come, don't they? We've been through...The rains do come, don't they? We've been through a few rain storms ourselves here recently. <BR/>I was thinking the other day about how Satan brings things into our lives and it dawned on me, even though I had heard this all my life, that Satan can only do what God allows. And if God allows it, then He'll take care of it, right? So let the rains come. God will bring Sonshine in His time.<BR/><BR/>:)<BR/><BR/>~KristiKristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408986161900668410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31229378.post-1162916192986062342006-11-07T10:16:00.000-06:002006-11-07T10:16:00.000-06:00Blogger is certainly behaving badly. I have had so...Blogger is certainly behaving badly. I have had some of my blogs eaten too, but I did discover if I hit the back arrow and get the compose screen again, sometimes there is a clickable "retrieve blog" and it usually gives me some of it back. But how in the world did it eat a post you already had on your page? That is weird. I kept trying to post to it, but it wouldn't work.<BR/><BR/>I'll try to post on here what I was going to post on there, but we're leaving for library class in about ten minutes and we have to do the winter bundle thing! You'll love that! :)Adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908880706561446128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31229378.post-1162909556470060362006-11-07T08:25:00.000-06:002006-11-07T08:25:00.000-06:00Sorry you were having one of those days! :)Hopeful...Sorry you were having one of those days! :)<BR/><BR/>Hopefully today will run a little smoother. I just noticed on your ticker that it says 99 days until Baby is here! How exciting! :o)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31229378.post-1162858793819533192006-11-06T18:19:00.000-06:002006-11-06T18:19:00.000-06:00Grrrr! And I just noticed that blogger must have ...Grrrr! And I just noticed that blogger must have eaten my last post... ay yai yai, what a day.. and it's not even 9:30 yet!!!Arlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02616597859669901083noreply@blogger.com