It has been very long since I posted something new. Sorry, folks (if there are any folks out there who do indeed read this!). I'll start with the updates I've sent out regarding Baby Girl's progress...

From November 19th:

I had an ultrasound to check on Baby Girl's growth, this morning, and I thought it would be more efficient and concise to send out an email, updating all of you on the progress. Here's your warning: it's a little crazy. In case you didn't know, three weeks ago, I had an ultrasound, indicating that Baby was in the 20th percentile. Since this was a little low, they wanted to check her growth again in three weeks (today). She's in the 18th percentile now, roughly the same, and they're happy with that. It actually looks like it's just her abdomen that's a little smaller, and the doctor said she just might be long and lean. In short, they weren't concerned. I've also been going in weekly to get my amniotic fluid level checked. This has been on the low end of normal, so they just want to make sure that Baby has enough fluid to stay nourished and what-not. Last week, the level had jumped up a couple of points (yay!), but today, I was down to 7.8, and they really want you in the 8-28 range. So... What this means is that I have to go in for twice weekly non-stress tests. Plus, I have to keep getting my fluid level checked, every week. Lots of doctor appointments. Yikes. What it also means is that, in the words of the doctor, if the non-stress tests aren't perfect or if my fluid level goes down, it's time. He also said that we want to make it 7-10 more days (I'll be at 37 weeks on the day after Thanksgiving), or longer, if possible. So I'm now adjusting from being a month from a new baby to, possibly, ONE WEEK. Uh... whoa. Fortunately, they haven't made me feel like Baby Girl is in danger. The doc did say that we run a slight risk of premature issues, but that, at this point, she would be late-term premature, which isn't as bad. I feel pretty fine about the whole situation. Actually, I think I'm handling it quite well, if I do say so myself. :) I just have to wrap my mind around the new timetable. We do ask for your prayers-- that Baby would be safe and healthy, that we'll make it past next week, that logistical stuff (who's watching Riley, etc) would fall into place, that we'll stay sane around here! :)

From November 25:

Yesterday, I had two doctor's appointments-- a routine check-up in the morning and a fluid check and non-stress test in the afternoon. At the morning appointment, I was measuring slightly smaller than I had previously. My doc said that that could be completely normal, but that, nonetheless, he was glad that I had an ultrasound already scheduled because he would have ordered one anyway. He ended the appointment by reminding me to do kick counts and call in if ANYTHING seems abnormal. Then he said, "Well, I'm on-call today, so maybe we'll see you later!" Ha! At the afternoon appointment, everything-- praise the Lord!-- was about the same. My fluid level was at 8.03 (and remember, they're looking for 8 or higher), and the non-stress test was totally normal. However, the doctor there, once again, reminded me that if ANYTHING changed, I'd be induced. He also said that as I got further along, they'd be more and more willing to go that route. This Friday, I have my next appointment. I'll be 37 weeks on that day-- full-term-- so that's wonderful. I'm hoping we can make it till at least 38 weeks. Obviously, the longer, the better! Thank you all for your prayers! I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again soon! :)

So that's, really, the most current scoop. I have another ultrasound this Tuesday, so we'll see what happens then!

Meanwhile, Thanksgiving was really great. We headed over to the Greens' for a delicious meal and fun time with family. The only sad parts about the day were that every married cousin (minus our family) was off with the other side of the family; and, of course, it's always sad, celebrating a holiday without my family. But Moom, Dad and even B-man will be out here-- enduring the cold-- very shortly! I'm really looking forward to it!!

I figure I should also post some more recent Riley pics. That's always a highlight of the blog, I know. So here you go!

Riley found a fake flower which she wielded like a sword for a few days. Kona was a huge fan. :)

Riley and Daddy take a stroll through Brookfield Zoo.

Sooooo big!

Riley and Mommy take in the goats. :)

Carried Along

I've often thought about 1 Corinthians 10:13, in which we're reminded that God will not tempt us beyond what we can bear. It's pretty encouraging, although I often don't feel as though I have MAJOR temptations to overcome-- though the little things like impatience and frustration are just as bad. This morning, as I was doing Bible study, I started thinking of this verse in a different (but I still think theologically grounded?) way. Just as God gives us the strength to stand up under temptation, he also allows us to stand firm in trials, giving us strength so that-- no matter how bad things get-- we won't crumble.

I've been particularly troubled by Mike's job as of late. Sales is stressful; that's just a fact. But when it seems like he has to keep bringing home news of more work troubles and stressors that aren't necessarily inherent in that line of work, I just don't know what to do. ADT is a great company-- don't get me wrong-- but with some of the changes they're trying to implement and the unethical behavior of other sales reps, it doesn't do much for my man's confidence. Honestly, the worst part about the job is that I want Michael to do something that he just LOVES-- that he feels called to. I want him to feel the same way about his work that I did about teaching and now mothering-- that no matter how crappy and stressful it is, there is what God has created me for. I don't know if Mike has found that yet. In fact, it really seems like he hasn't. Not that God hasn't called him to this job for a time, but it seems to me that it's just for a time-- no more. It's a hard thing NOT to be able to provide joy for one you love. I want to know the exact job that Mike should be in-- the one that perfectly fits his gifts and that God has been creating for him. But I have to wait for that.

I guess the long and the short of it is this: there has been mucho frustration around the Green household.

But.

Yesterday I was reminded that God doesn't give us more than we can bear. Even as Mike was struggling with some of the difficulties of work, God brought an unexpected and wonderful encounter. Mike's boss, seemingly out of the blue, approached Mike and asked if he would ever be interested in management. Caught off-guard, Mike replied that, yeah, he thinks he could see himself in that kind of position. Apparently, his boss has a review with his boss today, and he said he would make sure to mention Mike. Now, what that means isn't entirely clear to us, but here's what it means to me: Michael, as I fully know, is an amazing bright, hard-working, trustworthy man. What I didn't know was if his coworkers and employers saw that. But even as Mike sometimes feels downtrodden by some of the happenings around him, things are being noticed.

God brings us the boosts we need, when we need them. Plus, he doesn't let it go unnoticed when we allow him to work through us. I am so grateful for the hope we are able to find in him, that he will never fail to carry us through.