You have probably noticed I haven’t been around. There hasn’t been a new post on the blog in over 2 weeks and it was a guest post. I haven’t been updating pregnancy status – other than this Instagram post 2 weeks ago:
(Can’t see it? Click here!)
Even my Facebook page has been scarce and scattered. There are a couple of reasons for this…
- I cannot sit up for very long, so typing (and thinking, for that matter) require too much effort.
- I just don’t feel like opening up about much to anyone.
You see, I spend most of my days in bed and in quite a bit of pain. I used to think bed rest was kind of glamourous. I was wrong. I watch a lot of mind-numbing shows via the internet, and I sleep. There’s not much to write about there even if I could sit up long enough to churn out some great post.
Additionally, I just don’t feel like talking or explaining much of anything…even here. I am quite used to sharing about my life and getting lots of advice and suggestions, filtering them, responding to them, etc. But, feeling the way I do right now has left me rather drained. As an INFJ, that means I choose to withdraw and retreat.
Unless my c-section date gets moved up, I have 29 days left before we finally get to meet this little one – and I am beyond excited for that day! For months now, I’ve been ready to hold this baby in my arms and not be pregnant anymore. I love my children fiercely, but the getting them here is not really my cup of tea. Pregnancy is never an easy task for me, and this time has been especially difficult. I like to be upbeat and encouraging, so updating here on the blog hasn’t seemed like the thing to do. I can be raw and brutally honest, but I’m not sure how helpful that is to anyone. So, bear with me while I bide my time and wait (not so patiently) for the arrival of this precious baby.
I do have a few posts I plan on putting out in the next month, so I won’t be completely silent, but I will apologize in advance for not answering many questions or emails. And now it is time for me to lie back down and dream of the day when this blog will liven back up with a plethora of baby photos!
Jodie says
Hang in there Amy! With #9, I had polyhydramnios from 29 weeks and I blew up like a water-filled balloon! (although it felt like a lead balloon…). If I sat, my belly ached. If I stood, my legs and back ached. If I lay down, my hips ached. And all the while I tried not to become a growly bear -with mixed success I’m told 🙂
…and then one day, the clouds cleared and I had a wee dolly in my arms, plus the dubious record of having produced a tidal wave of “more amniotic fluid than we have ever seen!”
God, take some of my daily strength and give it to my fellow mummy Amy – she needs it more than I just now. Stay strong Amy – or as we say in New Zealand Kia Kaha. xx
tanya hyland says
You look beautiful:)
Suanna says
Amy, I was thinking about you yesterday and praying for you. I will keep praying for you and that you will have patience and have some good days. I’m sure it is hard to wait and I’m looking forward to the day when you share the pictures of your new little one.
Lea says
You are DOING beautiful! You are growing an amazing human and no matter the process to getting there, I can’t wait for you to hold the most dearest prize when you cross that finish line! I have 6 and can’t imagine the strength and grit it would take to be where you are with such grace. You are are encouraging me just by being excited for your baby!
God be with you, in you and all around you 😉
Sarah H says
I was so excited to see your post today. I was just thinking yesterday that we hadn’t heard from you in a while. I was worried that meant something bad, so I started praying for you and your little one. I’m sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble, but I am happy to hear that the baby is healthy and should be arriving within a month! I will continue to pray for you and your family. I am 22 weeks with my fourth pregnancy and it has been a rough one for me, I can’t imagine what it’s like for you.
I pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. Colossians 1:11
Love, hugs, and prayers!
Allison says
Amy, take care of yourself and your soon to arrive, that’s all that matters now. You are beautiful!
Jackie says
Praying for you. <3
I do not have an easy time either, the last 2-3 months I am unable to stand without being faint and dizzy. I can't go anywhere, walk very far, stand to shower, and I drag a stool around my kitchen to sit down to cook. Also a lot of sciatic pain and SPD pain. Pregnancy is hard on a lot of us…. children are a blessing though 🙂
I also understand the sharing part as a fellow INFJ <3
Angela says
You look beautiful. I HAVE seen pregnant women that big. In fact I WAS that big with number three bc my pregnancy edema was all in my belly.
Hang in there! God is walking with you in this time of waiting!
Melinda Johnson says
Oh, Amy, I’ll be praying for you! I have chronic pain and I know how it feels to just be left alone and not share my misery with others. It IS hard to want to share when you just don’t feel up to it. And I feel bad people keep making comments about your size. I never do, nor do I say, “congrats” to someone who might just have some extra weight. Sometimes words need to be not said. And I can only imagine it makes you want to hide more. I’ll be praying you through the next 6 weeks and look forward to seeing pictures of the new little one! God bless you!
Tracy says
Praying for you, Amy! I only had two and being pregnant didn’t agree with me either. I was so sick and then developed preeclampsia and had to have c-sections around my 34th week resulting in my preemie staying in the NICU for 3 wks each time. I can’t imagine having gone through it another eight or so times as you have – hang in there!
Jennie says
Love and prayers ?
Courtney says
I’ve been thinking about you this week too! Now I know to pray when you come to mind. My unusually large size during the last part of my last pregnancy (for reasons we didn’t know until her birth) caused , caused great discomfort, and all I could do was lay around or try a few things for temporary relief. This song became my cry to The Lord. http://youtu.be/yn1WqRJPf1o
Giovanna says
His grace is sufficient for you, my sister! I well know the concerns that we have in being “raw” as we don’t want to discourage anyone, but remember that in this world we will have trouble but Jesus had overcome them for us. Romans 15:13 comes to mind while praying for you ” May the Lord of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him and may you overflow in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. I pray that the Lord will bring people into life to speak encouraging words. I, too, am an INFJ and have tendency to isolate myself specially when very few can relate or understand the choices that I have made it. Praying for His glory to be manifested on the big Labor Day!
Gwen says
Praying for you Amy 🙂
Tiffany says
Praying for you, Amy!
Diana says
Thank you for posting! I’ve been worrying about you! I’ll be praying for you and baby, and that this last month passes quickly.
Michele pleasanTs says
Praying for you Amy! That the Lord will provide you rest and encouragement as well as patience as your wait for that precious baby. You can do this!!
Joanne says
Take care of yourself and that precious bump Amy. <3
Sarah says
You look beautiful!! I also get those pregnancy comments- You must be due soon (when I’m about 20 weeks) Hang in there mama.
Jill says
I just want to let you know that you inspire me. I only have four children as of yet but my pregnancies are horrible and I’m on bed rest for many months during my pregnancies. I love my children and wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world and if God blesses use with more that would be great. Having children is grate but pregnancy is not. I just want to let you know I can emphasize with you.
Terri says
Praying for you as you attempt to wait patiently! I’m pregnant with baby #8, and have spent the last month down from one illness behind another- not the way I planned to spend my first trimester. I so badly wanted to make sure I got exercise 6 days a week, but my body said rest.
Some pregnancies are tougher than others! Dealing with people’s comments through those hard to bear pregnancies make you just want to hide at home, don’t they? I’m sorry people are so uncaring and rude!
Lisa mauritz says
Dear Amy, you are beautiful! God’s richest blessings and strength for the coming days. From a INFJ mother of 4 in Holland.
Karyn says
Prayers for you. May God give you comfort and strength. May He bless you for helping Him bring this little one into our world 🙂
Leslie says
Oh, Amy! Thank you for letting us know that you & baby are ok, although I can’t imagine how awful you are feeling. Praying the Lord draws you close into His comfort & that these last weeks fly by.
Korie says
What’s great about having a blog is that you have LOTS of people rooting for you and praying for you! Learning to “rejoice in the sufferings of Christ” may be very real and present for you. Look up 1 Peter 5:10. You are loved sister in Christ! Trust in the Lord!
R says
I had 10 weeks of hospital bed rest with baby #6. (I was there so long the housekeeping ladies bought me a baby gift!) No pain, but the boredom and isolation can become trying. Prayer, art and reading helped me pass the time patiently.
My next 2 pregnancies did not require any bed rest. Hang in there. Not all successive pregnancies get worse. Praying for a speedy recovery.
Anna Rugg says
Hugs and prayers!
Laura says
HANG IN THERE, AMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peta says
sorry you are struggling so much Amy. I admire you so much for bringing another baby into the world even though it’s so hard. God bless you, rest up. Peta from Australia
Samantha says
You just take care of yourself. Pregnancy is hard. We Mamas understand.
Danielle says
Hang in there mama! You’re in my prayers!
Josi says
It’s so cool that prayers are being prayed in New Zealand and Holland and all over for you! How awesome is the Body of Christ! We really do carry one another’s burdens. I’m very sorry you are struggling and in pain. You’re in the last stretch of the marathon, heading straight up a hill but when you get over it the finish line is there and your prize (baby) is waiting. I am so excited for the surprise! You’re doing good Amy, keep your eyes on the prize, you’re almost there 🙂
Purplecandy says
Praying for you from France ! 😉
Jen Holm says
I have only had 3 full term pregnancies thus far, but each one, at the latter half of my third trimester I get more reserved in my “sharing life”. I actually really do enjoy my pregnancies (with a few UNenjoyable things like the task of turning over in bed and mega heartburn), but the end of pregnancy is a special, kind of sacred time to enjoy the final days of my bundle being bundled up inside me, feeling her/him move around and I just want to slow my pace and have some peace here and there. And really what wlse is there to share? I’m huge, I move like a penguine, if I get down on the floor with my kids it takes forever to get back up….and repeat….that’s it. Not eventful. Anyway, can’t wait to see a picture of that new babe!
Jodie says
I have never commented but read your blog often. I was worried about you and am happy you updated!! Hugs to you while you wait for your new blessing. I’ll keep you in my prayers that you will feel strength and peace as you wait for your sweet baby.
Audrey says
Persevere Amy. You are doing such a worthwhile work. Your sacrifice is an inspiration. Here I sit in the small hours of the morning, 3 weeks from my due date, in pain and unable to lie down. My diastasis causes me very severe round ligament pain that keeps me up hours every night. Reading about you persevering through the challenges of bringing new life, God’s image into the world, is the encouragement I crave. Thank you for your honesty. I’m praying for you. This is all so worth it!
Nola says
All the best to you as you await your baby!!! I’m currently 6 1/2 weeks with #4. I don’t really like pregnancy either but I am thankful to be having another baby. I just wish I could skip the sickness and uncomfortableness parts. I look forward to hearing about your baby!
Megan Besong says
Hi Amy, I’m so sorry it’s been so difficult and that people have said such hurtful things. I admire you so greatly. You are beautiful, and you care so much about the things God cares about. That’s what’s important. Not what the world says. You are an encouragement to me, and I’m praying for you.
Indasa Butler says
Sending prayers to you from Costa Rica, Amy. Stay encouraged, lovely Mama.
Jessica Cote says
I had been thinking of you and realized you were pretty silent, so I hopped on here to see if I had missed anything. So sorry that this pregnancy has been hard, I will be praying for you!
Kim says
Hang in There, Amy. Your family is so precious. Don’t even think about responding to this comment. Just know I am finding your site (especially the grieving mother section) very encouraging. You have inspired me to start writing. It sure helps to get it on paper.
Sheila Bontrager says
Aw, Amy. Blessings as you wait.
Isaiah 40:11 (KJV)
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
I never noticed this verse until my last pregnancy (I have 6 children), and it really spoke to my heart that the Lord is gentle with us when we are expecting a baby . .