New Pics

He loves the bath but this last picture is not uncommon...it is getting better though. :)

Two Month Mark

I know, long time, no blog. Well, besides not having much time for it, just when I think I know what's going on it all changes again. So I don't really know what to say. We're at the 2 month mark now and I think I see my sanity standing a short distance away. God is so good though. This has definitely been a time of standing firm and learning to use the tools He has provided. Gavin is getting so big - 24 1/2" and 11 lbs. Thank you all for the prayers. I'll post pictures soon.

One month check point

So, we've spent the first month trying to figure out if there's something wrong, or if our baby is just fussy. I think he's just fussy. I wouldn't call it colicky, but he's definitely easily upset and not easy to soothe. Plus, he's a REALLY good eater - which means he's crying a lot to be fed. He's already grown 3 inches and gained 4 pounds! I was worried that he's just eating to soothe himself, but the doctor said that's fine as long as he's healthy. So, ok, I can accept that we just have a difficult baby. As long as I know he's healthy and his needs are being met, I can have tons of patience (with the Lord's help, of course) and I can sit for hours rocking him and relaxing. It's the unknown that's irritating - when you don't know if he's hungry, sick, tired, gassy, hot, cold, etc. etc. and you spend all day and night trying to guess which one it is and each time you get rejected with the same scream that says, "YOU'RE KILLING ME!" - that's what's difficult. Those are the days when Zach comes home only to find the two people he loves the most in tears. It is getting a little better as I get to know his cries and the things he likes and doesn't like and I know this whole "fussy stage" typically ends around 3 months, so, we'll be just fine. The only thing is that it's difficult to have anyone else watch him for any amount of time (so that I can take a shower or just get out a for a bit) because I'm the only one learning what he likes and doesn't like and how to soothe the crying. Well, my step mom Monica has been around a lot. She's been the biggest help and a HUGE blessing - spending a few nights with me here and there so I can get more than 4 hours of sleep, coming over so I can take a shower, taking me and Gavin to his doctor appointment when I didn't have a car, picking up groceries for us. For all that she and I have been through in the past and the way I treated before I knew Christ...man am I blessed that the Lord has put forgiveness in her heart for me. Now, I just have to keep praying that one day she will come to know Christ too. Anyway, gonna get going and prep for the next feeding before I go to bed. God bless.

Update

Well, once again, not much time to write - I've got to get some time in with Zach before he heads off to work and the baby should be getting up any minute for a feeding. I just wanted to let ya'll know that we're hangin' in there. Things are getting better, like everyone says. We're learning more and more about this little guy and about ourselves every day - although the days are all mushing together; I constantly have to be reminded of what day it is. We're learning that running errands takes days instead of hours, the real meaning of patience was way beyond our understanding before having Gavin, eating, taking a shower, and going to the bathroom are luxuries, and we all need help sometimes. Personally, I'm learning, as the Lord has tried to teach me many many times but my pride and fear has always gotten in the way, that you can never have too many friends and you need at least one - your husband doesn't count, that you can talk to about anything. I'm still having a hard time reaching out to people as I've been avoiding making friends for so long, that I don't have that one good friend - and this is a hard time to learn that you need one. I've got many wonderful people in my life, many of which I've started a friendship with, but none that I've known for very long or have spent enough time with - which is my fault. And there are many people that have been such a blessing to us - going grocery shopping for us, calling me (even when I don't call them) to check on me, coming over to spend time and to give me a chance to take a shower and do the laundry, praying for us - Thank you to all of you.

So far, so good

Well, it's been quite a rollercoaster! Emotions are everywhere. The first couple of days were not too bad. It seemed like this was do-able and Zach and I were adjusting wonderfully. After about day 3, Gavin began crying and screaming for hours on end and didn't stop until the next evening when we decided to change the way we were feeding him. We figured he might not be latching on properly so he might not be getting enough to eat. Things have mellowed out a bit since then and we're starting to get into a little groove. Starting is key word here. He's already gained a pound and grown an inch, so I guess he's getting enough now. He eats like most boys - he's a bottomless pit. Zach and I are still adjusting, especially since Zach is now working nights - 10 pm to 6 am - at a new job site. It works out pretty well, but right now it's hard for him to find time to sleep. The awesome thing is that he works right down the street now, so no more one hour plus commute. We prayed and prayed about that, so praise God. My family has been a HUGE help with picking up groceries and coming over just to chat. It gets pretty lonely over here in what I now call "The Cave". That's our house, it stays dark for most of the day to accommodate the baby's sleeping patterns. He is getting better about sleeping at night though. He wakes up for feedings, of course, but he doesn't sit up awake for hours after eating - he goes right back to sleep. If he doesn't, you can find me bent over him sleeping in the rocking chair.

Emotionally, every day is different. I've been having a hard time, which was to be expected with all the crazy hormones and stuff. Poor Zach. I feel like I'm on auto-pilot and the full depth of this hasn't hit me because I'm too busy doing what needs to be done - what I was made to do. It's getting a little better though as I get more and more adjusted. Anyway, enough chit chat. Here are some more pictures.

Finally!

Well, as you can imagine, I don't have much time to write, but I thought I'd post some pictures of the newest edition to our family. Gavin James Podry was born on Saturday, May 5th at 11:04 a.m. He weighed 6lbs 11 ounces and was 20 1/2" long. He's beautiful, as you can see.

Well, I'm sure we'll have more pictures to share as soon as Zach and I get into a groove with this whole Mommy and Daddy thing. What a blessing.

Anything yet?

Nope. Still waiting. He's due today, so we'll see how it goes....

Waiting Patiently...Sort of

So, today is my first Monday home. I'm trying not to over do it on the first day (hence the reason I'm taking a break to blog). Last Saturday was the 3rd and final babyshower - it's such a blessing to have friends and family that care so much. Yesterday church was great; we met a couple that we've seen there for a while, but we've just never talked to. Johnny and Vanessa - they're cool people. They remind me a lot of Zach and I. Then, Monica (my stepmom) came over and checked our new place and we went to Babies R Us to get the last of the essentials cuz I really think this baby is going to be ready any day now - maybe that's just wishful thinking. I have a feeling that I'm going to do everything today - all the things that need to get done around the house - and by tomorrow I'm going to be bored out of my mind. :) That's something I would do. I'm going to have a hard time resisting going back to my office and seeing if they need help with anything. I'm sure I'll make do though.

Zach is doing pretty well. He applied at a restaraunt and went in for a second interview but we haven't heard back yet. We'll see where the Lord takes him. But, he is doing a little better at work because he started witnessing to a guy and a few days later his wife came to the Lord, so Zach's pretty stoked about that. He knows that his line of work is a prime place for sharing the Gospel, as so many of those men are in and out of prison or have just had it rough in life and you can see it in the way they talk and treat each other. I'm praying that a job will open up closer to home because it's really just the commute that's killing him. If that's the case we'll have to start figuring out child care. But, like I've been telling everyone else who asks, "We're playing it by ear." I'm not worried about how it's going to work out because that wouldn't be helping anybody. Faith is not the absence of doubt but the presence of belief - like Pastor Rick would say - and I believe.

Blessed

We went to see a perinatalogist today because my obgyn saw what he thought might've been a cystic area in the baby's brain at our last ultrasound. At first I was worried and scared but I prayed about it and the Lord gave me peace knowing that the baby was fine. A couple days ago when I set up the appointment, the receptionist made some comments that brought on a renewed sense of fear and doubt, but again, I prayed about it (after having a bit of a melt-down) and felt the same peace. So, the appointment confirmed that we have a healthy and super cute baby cooking and he's growing right on track! Praise GOD! Our apartment is coming together - we went to IKEA this weekend and bought an entertainment center and a dresser for the baby. We finished painting the baby's room and got the crib set up and some things put away. Slowly but surely we're getting ready for our little man - Gavin to arrive. Yes, we have finally decided on a name.

This is my last week of work, thankfully, because it's really getting tiring and there are still many things that need to be done. Other than that, not much new to report. Feeling blessed and looking forward to hearing from you all.

Belly Pics

So, this is me right now. Like, literally, Zach just took this picture. In our new apartment. 35 weeks. I went through all of the baby clothes that we've recieved as hand-me-downs and got rid of all the things we're not going to use. Now, I just have to wash everything. So, I'm tired. I just wanted to put this up since I haven't seen you (Ron & Amie) in a very long time. So, good night from me and Zach (and Little Man).

P.S. What do you think about James Gavin/Gavin James? Zach wants to know. :)

Pictures!

Ok, so I don't have the belly shots to post yet, but here are some pictures from our trip to Montana last September -

More pics to come...

More changes...what's new?

So, I tried to post a new blog yesterday and I clicked "publish" after writing a big long page of stuff, and it didn't work. I lost everything I had written and I got frustrated. So, I'm going to try again today. :)

We got the keys to our new apartment yesterday - we're soooo excited! It's so big compared to the 100-year-old-shoebox-of-a-studio we were in before. Praise God! I think I'm going to enjoy our home much more after not having one for a while. I'm really excited that now we get to start decorating our son's room. We got some paint and some cute nautical decorations to go with the bedding set. We don't have a couch or a table or a dresser or a lot of other stuff right now, but we'll worry about that later. We can sit on the floor. Oh wait, I take that back - we have a giant bean bag chair. We can sit in that. :) We do have a friend with couches that we're going to take a look at this weekend. I can't believe the apartment comes with a fridge, a dishwasher and a garbage disposal! Anyway, I'm going to move on now.

Work is going well for me, but Zach is still forcing himself to go everyday. He's having a hard time determining what he really wants to do. I think he's putting limitations on himself because we don't have the money for something right now, or because it takes too long or would require him to go back to school and possibly not make enough to be the provider that he wants to be. I'm just praying that the Lord shows him that He can do all things, and therefore, Zach can do all things through Christ. I wish there was more I could do to help him and it's hard to sit back and not throw my opinion in there all the time. This is something that he has to do, but while he's waiting for something to become obvious, for God to create an opportunity, he's unhappy and frustrated. If you could, just keep him in your prayers ya'll.

So, on a lighter note, the doctor moved the due date up 3 days - so now the baby's due on May 3rd. Only 3 more weeks of work and 5 until he's due. It's crazy how time has flown by. We still have not decided on a name although there are just a few that are in the runnings at the moment. We'll keep ya'll posted.

Our First Family Page

Hey ya'll! I figured with the new baby on the way we need a "family page" so here you go. Now, I don't know how much Zach will be blogging - he's not too computer savvy at the moment - but I'll try to keep you up-to-date. My first task is to get some shots of my rapidly growing pregnant belly on here for those of you non-Californians. But, until then, I'll give you the scoop.

So, our son is obviously practicing some form of martial arts while in utero - he must be preparing for some serious butt kickin' - in the name of Jesus, of course. We still haven't decided on a name - we thought we had one but about 2 weeks ago started getting cold feet and considering other names. We've been living with Zach's aunt and uncle for the last 3 months and we have finally decided to get an apartment and confront the financial burden that is California. It's all good though - we found a place right across the street from my work, so even though I'll be going back to work after maternity leave, at least I won't be far from home. Zach's thinking about going back to school so he can get into a career that isn't so bad for your health. For those of you who don't know, he does drywall and construction in the union and not only is it dangerous, but there is so much fiber glass and dust and smoke in the air constantly that most men who retire from it, only live long enough to collect 18 pension checks - that's like 2 years after retirement. That is, if they make it to retirement. So, he's looking at getting into the medical field like nursing. We'll see how it goes. I'm trying to get him a job here too, because this is a great company to work for. We're praying about it. On top of all of that, we're keeping busy with birthing classes, doctor visits, visiting family, work...and that's about all we can fit in right now. We don't have a "home church" at the moment, we're kind of floating. We've been attending a house church that's been great but they only meet every other Saturday night, so on Sunday's we might go to a local church or head back to Port Hueneme to the church that we're members of and also where I found the Lord and where we got married. It's a great church, it's just a bit far for us to go on a regular basis. But, you know, I think this time of "floating" is also a time of strengthening and Him drawing us closer through new relationships. Anyway, I'm gonna cut myself off now and get back to work.