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Friday, April 28, 2006

Our Family!

Our little man is doing great! Here is a picture of our family on his Birthday!






Thursday, April 27, 2006

Jake is Home!

We left the hospital today at 1:30 and are now home. The little man is good, but mom is tired. After all the work we put into the nursery, I thought he would be more excited than he was. More pictures to come later tonight...

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Jake is here!

Jacob Haws O'Quinn was born at 2:28pm on April 25, 2006. He weighed 6'14 and was 19 3/4 inches long. He and mom are great! More pictures and plenty of stories to follow...

Monday, April 24, 2006

NOT YET

Dear Family and Friends,
I just wanted you all to know that I went to the doctor today. I have not progressed since last weeks appointment, meaning I'm still 2cm dilated and 75% effaced. We got the last opening this week for an induction which is tomorrow April 25 at 7:30 AM. If we did not take this opening we would have to wait another week past my due date which at this point may not be safe considering the size of Jake etc.

While it's a hard decision to make, Jason and I feel it's the best one for us. God's timing is still evident to Jason and me in this situation. I know that there were divine happenings in my life and Jason's life this last week that had to take place before Jake could come into this world. Now we are just giving him a little nudge to come on out. God is faithful, and I can hardly wait to see His creation tomorrow when we finally get to meet Jacob face to face. We petition your prayers for a safe and healthy delivery. We can hardly wait for you all to meet him. Thanks to many of you who have lifted up prayers and encouragement for us. We are so blessed and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Blessings,
Jason, Holly, and Jacob
The Lord God is mighty and powerful!


Job 26:7-14
He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
he suspends the earth over nothing.
He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it.
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness.
The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke.
By his power he churned up the sea;by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"

Thursday, April 20, 2006

God's Timing...

Jacob is still waiting to come out. I figure that when God creates something so special He must have a really hard time parting with it. At least that's how I like to reassure myself these days.

I'm officially one day past my due date. Talk about an emotional bummer! I woke up yesterday knowing that it was my due date, and that Jacob would not be coming. How do I know? Do you ever spend time in prayer and hear the Lord telling you no? Well, that's what happened during my prayer time yesterday, and it was at that point when my melt down began. It started as a slight whimper and progressed into a full blown wale. Tears and snot were everywhere! Yuck! Sweet Jason, he just laid down next to me and held me as I cried. All I could say was "he's not coming today, it's not fair". I say all of this not so you will feel sorry for me, but really to give you an account of what's going on. Honestly, there is not much news to give.

Today I've continued to have more small contractions, but nothing huge. I've been walking about 35 minutes every day, and that seems to be the best thing to bring on more contractions. We've tried all of the many different techniques, but for me walking works the best. All in all, it still proves how much of this is ultimately out of my hands. I have no control and only God does. He continues to show me that, so I can throw up my hands and give Him the reigns. It's a lot easier that way, but I simply must be prayerful that I can continue to give this to Him each day.

I am scheduled to go back to the doctor on Monday. Hopefully we won't have to do that, but I have no clue. My doctor has told me he does not want me to go past 41 weeks, so we will induce if that's the case. Please be praying for this. I really do not want to induce. I don't think anyone makes a bad decision if they want to do this, but for me it's not what I want. That's all.

Well, hopefully we will have some more exciting news in the next few days. Until then, we wait.

Life Is Bliss even in times like this.

Blessings.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Another Update on Jacob

Most of you received an e-mail on how I was doing, but if I don't have your e-mail address then you haven't heard the latest.

Yesterday we went to the doctor, and things are continuing to progress. I'm still dilated 2cm, and am now "close" to being 75% effaced. My belly actually grew two more 2cm in a week! I went from measuring at 34 cm's to 36, and I lost a whole pound. Isn't that crazy? All of this pressure on my pelvis is really not bringing on any cravings. Food has become fuel and that's about it.

Jacob's position is at 0 which means he is extremely low. The doctor said that is really good for a fast delivery. Hallelujah!

I feel really great at this point, I'm just anxious about Jacob getting here. We really want to meet him and tell him how much we love him. These last 40 weeks have been so wonderful, and are a testimony to God's faithfulness, love, and provision. I can't understand how people can experience 40 weeks of physical and emotional growth, give birth to a child, and dare to say there is no God. Can you?

We are still waiting, but are praying for patience as we wait on the Lord and trust His timing. Have a blessed day.


Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:28-31

Saturday, April 15, 2006

No Baby...

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...the John Denver song keeps playing in my head like a broken record! This is certainly the very hardest part of being pregnant, I just want this to come soon. Jason and I went to church tonight, and I heard that two girls that were due around the same time as me both had their babies yesterday. I can't begin to tell you how hard that is to hear at this point. Everyone seems to think that I'm going to have the baby tomorrow, but I just don't know. I can't figure out what my body or my heart are telling me.

I can tell that things have progressed since my doctors appointment on Tuesday, and I think quite possibly that my plug has broke. I've been trying to do everything I can to try and speed this up, but honestly, it's out of my hands. I know that God's time is perfect and is always better than my own. He sustains me.

Please pray that I will continue to trust God and His timing, and that my heart will be open to continue trusting Him. Please pray against anxiety and pray for restful sleep for Jason and me. I know that the enemy can certainly use these things against us, and discourage us in something that is natural and designed to be this way. I also petition your prayers for post pardom tendencies, that I will not have strong symptoms and will be most attentive to Jacob and his needs.

Thanks to all of you for your care and concern. Jason and I will keep you posted via blog or e-mail on how things are going in the next few days.

Blessings.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

WAITING

Okay, so it’s got to the point where waiting is extremely hard! I’m really anxious and ready for the ball to get rolling. Good news, I am 2 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. I’ll take that any day. I was so nervous that the doctor was going to tell me there were no changes and I was exactly where I was the last time he checked me. This is one of those times where it’s really nice to be wrong! A lot of people have commented that I don’t look like I’ve dropped, but I think that’s because they forget I’m only 5 feet tall and I really don’t have much of a torso. The doctor was actually touching the Jacob’s head today. He’s is definitely dropped and in position.

I’ve had a monster list of things I’ve wanted to get done before Jacob came, and though it all was not accomplished I must pride myself on those that were. I know that it doesn’t really matter what the house is like, or how well Jacob’s room is organized, but I need a sound mind! I took an entire inventory of everything Jacob has. That way I was able to see what things he still needed. I have everything washed, folded, and hung up, according to size. That was a big job, but very fulfilling for me. I found myself praying for Jacob’s health and growth as I folded his little 0-3 onesies. It’s unreal how small some of his things are, and how a tiny body will actually fit into the clothes that are neatly folded and waiting to be worn. The last thing I hope to get done is steam clean the carpets. I borrowed my mother’s steam cleaner and plan to get this done sometime tomorrow. It’s a lot easier than it sounds. So, did any of you mom’s out there go through some of this? There’s no way I can be the only one.
I thought I would include some pictures of Jacob’s nursery, as well as me before my doctor’s appointment today. I’m 39 weeks on Wednesday.





















No swollen feet! This must be the joy of having a baby in April!




















Mom O'Quinn

That is quite the bump!

Jacob's Room!

Cute bumper pads with his initial.

I plan to spend hours in that chair! Notice the nursing stool. This also comes in handy for women who are 5 feet tall and have issues sitting in any chair that never allow your feet to touch the floor!

My mother helped me makes these cornices. I absolutely love them! Thanks for the help mom and dad!















Another view of the crib.









Wednesday, April 05, 2006

A LULLABY FOR JACOB

My heart and my spirit are at rest tonight. This day marks my 38th week of pregnancy, and I can hardly believe it is getting so close. It seems like just the other day I read the positive result of my pregnancy test, and the tidal wave of emotions began. I was crying and laughing at the same time. There were a slew of reasons, but the first reason is because I was astounded by God’s timing, and second I knew Jason was not going to believe me. My heart was beating so quickly as I fumbled to dial the phone number to Jason at work, but I could never reach him! I ran into our home office where I love to pray and fell to my knees, still crying, laughing, and praying to God thanking Him for this blessing. Like I’ve mentioned before, the 9 month season for a mother’s heart is so humbling. Just as I have watched the physical effects of my body changing, my heart and my spirit are so different 9 months later. What was once a prayer for peanut, evolved into a prayer for a young son, and I’m now urged to think of what to say to him when we finally meet.


What will I say to this tiny being the first time I hold his little cheek to my mouth and whisper to him softly? Will he know my voice? Will he respond to me? Can I soothe him from his unfamiliar surroundings?


It’s very emotional to think of what I want him to hear from me first, but a friend of mine helped confirm this the other day. We were visiting after church a few weeks ago and she said that I should sing the name Jesus. Tears began filling the eyes of my friend, a mother of three sons, as she remembered the first times she held and spoke to her own for the very first time. By now I was crying and envisioning that moment for Jacob and me.


So, in the midst of all of this preparation and nesting I’ve been trying to think of the best way to sing to our little Jacob. His mind is so precious and vulnerable and I long for him to be instilled with the truth and love of Jesus Christ. A melody can be very sweet, but the words behind it can mean so much more. I’m not much of a song writer, but I think Twila Paris knew how this song should speak right to the heart of a child. It’s simple, sweet, and communicates what I long to hear Jacob utter some wonderful day. It’s going to be his lullaby.


My Best Friend: Words and Music by Twila Paris

Jesus is my best friend
I can always go to Him
Tell Him everything I’m dreaming of
My friend Jesus whom I love
Jesus is my best friend
He’ll go with me ‘til the end
Watching over me from up above
My friend Jesus whom I love
My friend Jesus whom I love