Week #35 - the Home Stretch

I think I might've forgotten how much work carrying a babe in your utero is!

Or maybe it's just that much different this time around?? :)) Oh, and please be nice and don't tell me it's because of my age! ;) Thanx!!!

One thing's for sure - I'm starting to believe there really is a difference between carrying around one gender or the other. Can you say "back pain, low blood pressure and heartburn"?!?!?:))) Not to mention all the acrobatic flips and flops this little guy's been practicing lately - seems like he's still got waaay too much room in there! :D But then, why do I feel like an over-grown whale??? I honestly can't say I remember having any of this with Vivie - I would tell people that my pregnancy with her went really, REALLY well and that I wouldn't mind being pregnant a thousand times over again!! :))... But in spite of all the difficulties, I am soooo siked about meeting this little man o' mine!! How can you love someone sooo much without even knowing them yet? It's just GOTTA be something very special given by God Himself!! What GRACE! *sigh*

Okie doke, so here's a picture of the above-mentioned belly of a whale! :o)

p.s. I love how random people at stores stop to tell me I must be due any time now! :D 

The best part is when I tell them I still have about another month to go - the honest expression of concern on their face - PRICELESS!!! :D

Gingerbread Everywhere!!!!

I had an amazing little helper in the kitchen today AND our house ended up smelling amazing! :) SCORE!!!

Can you guess what we were up to??

That's right - we turned our house into a Gingerbread man Factory!! :) And I couldn't have done it without the help of my little Cookie Monster who kept asking for "only one more" once they were baked and decorated :)) Yes, it did end up being a little tricky to actually save some for later :) I mean honestly, how can one be so naive to even think that, right??? :) 

So here you have it - the little worker-bee at her BEST!!! :o)

 

She LOVED decorating! But I think she loved sneaking in a "lickey" off the icing even more!! :D 

We even named some of the gingerbread in honor of my family in the States and hung them on our 

Christmas tree! Yes, I realize that sounded a little morbid :))... 

But it kinda makes me feel as though they were here with us!!! Yea, yea - call me cheesy! :)))

Daddy did end up joining us as well - in helping Vivie eat up all the cookies that those two decorated!!! :o) 

Oh and LOOK!!! I actually caught the little munchkin sneaking in another lick of icing!! 

You can see they both got pretty creative towards the end - with the partially eaten-up stars being used as "fancy hats" for the Gingerbread men :) Ummm, hello Napoleon?? :o)
Gotta love those two!! ;)

Let it SNOW :o)

Imagine our surprise and excitement when we woke up to THIS this morning!!! :D

Eeeeeeek!!!!!

Of course, having a little girl that's never ever seen snow in her life, 

we were all accompanied by an enthusiastic: 

"LET'S GO TO DA PLAYGWOUND!!!!!!" :)

And here you have it... 

Didn't take too long before Daddy and Viv got all dressed and ready to go!

... It also didn't take too long before they came back again!!! :D Apparently it was a wee-bit windy and chilly! Oooh, them Slovakians!:))) They'll learn eventually, I'm sure! ;) 

Feelin' Smart&Crafty

So we had a fun morning today! :)

As I'm making toast for breakfast, Vivie shouts "Mommy!!! LOOK!!!!" 

The seriousness of her tone kinda startled me, and then she continued in her squeaky, excited little voice... "Letter "B"!"

Now I thought that was really neat!!! :) I don't know about you, but I've come to REALLY ENJOY the simple little things in life - that sure is something God has been teaching me a lot through this little girl lately! :)

... And to really top off her excitement that morning, we went on to make an Elmo face arts&crafts... 

Oh did she ever LOVE that!!! I think glue is her new best friend now... next to scissors.. and play-dough... and her crayolas.... and her soccer ball... :))) What does your toddler enjoy doing the most?

We're In The 30's Now!!!

NO, it's not my birthday - although that little number is slooooowly creepin' up on me!! I mean, I'm still 24, right?!?! :)) ANYWAYS....

So we've started week #30 of our prego-nenciness!! Aaaaa!!!!! We're in the 30's already - breathe in, breathe out... You know what this means, right? He's gonna be here before we know it!!!

We also went to visit our midwife today for the very first time! I'm sooo excited about getting a midwife, by the way - I've always wanted one! :) Having Vivie in Slovakia didn't allow us to have this luxury, so this time around, we're gonna go for it! We love their more personal approach to this whole deal + the postpartum care that you get?!?!? They come to your HOUSE for the first few weeks to check up on you and your baby. That sounds VERY NICE, especially since it'll probably be -40 by the time we deliver this little guy and you just don't wanna be going anywhere in such conditions - especially not with a wittle bebe.
But prayers are still very much appreciated!!!! Unfortunately, it looks like our families won't be able to be around for this little man either :( That's how the Lord planned it before the foundations of this world, so we're receiving it as His will and look forward to how He'll be providing all that we need. He IS and always WILL BE more than enough for His children!!! :)

The check-up went really well! Baby Mikey is apparently head-down - getting ready for his exit! ;) Good boy!!! And apparently he's a very calm baby! YES!!!!!! :) That's VERY good news for me! :)

Da Bumpa!!! :)

Sporting a New Cut

Well, I did it!

I ACTUALLY did it!!!!!! I chopped my baby's hair! I'm still getting over it - aaaaaa!!!!!! I don't know what came over me... Maybe the fact I'd have to redo her hairstyle like 12 times a day?? She'd always pull out a strand of hair from her perfectly done updo, leaving a TON of little hair bumps here and there... and then she'd just twirl it... or WORSE!!!... PULL on it!!! Yes, and that was my concern - we started spotting tiny little bald spots here and there at the top of her head :) Ummmm, NOT GOOD!

And then DRYING it was a whole other story. This little girl decided to make my life miserable by going through the same routine every time we decided to give her a bath and wash her hair. Oh, the screams and cries - the injustice being done to this poor little lamb. You'd think she'd get used to it by now, right? Well, think again.... EVERY SINGLE TIME, we'd go through this horrifying drama where I would actually feel like I was torturing this child! You know, she ALMOST made me believe her, too!:) ... Not to mention our poor neighbours.. SO yes, it was a lot to handle. And honestly? Just reading over what I wrote, took most of the guilt away and made me feel a little better about our decision :o) Mission accomplished!

I gotta say though - she looks like a totally different little girl now! So grown up!!!! Don't you agree? :)

Week# 29

Hello week #29! :)

Although I have been feeling a little more tired lately, God is supplying me with enough energy to give my little Vivie "piggy-ride-backs" - that's what she calls 'em! :D

Finally got my rhogam shot, too! *(if you don't know what that is, please read my week#28 blog :)
Sooo glad that's over with!!

I also noticed a greater appetite for sweets - especially when I wake up from my nap:)
Yes, I try to nap - our girl still makes the nites a little difficult at times... :)

Ladies and gents, presenting THE BUMP!!

WE ARE BACK! :o)

Ok, so I think these last 2 months have officially been the busiest of my life because...

The Mindzak Family has relocated back to Canada!!!!! :) Wohoo, eh? :)

Now that being said  is no big deal in and of it self - though is has been a pretty emotional ride for me, leaving all of my family behind in the States :( But relocating with a pretty demanding  but oh-so-lovable toddler and being in my third trimester at the moment did make things a little more challenging at times! :) Not to mention the hunt for a new family doctor, health insurance, OB, dentist, orthodontist, a car, new rent, new everything for your new place, warmer clothes (cuz we just entered a Canadian Autumn from sunny Florida, right? :) ...
Well, I'm not going to go into all the details ~ to spare you some time and trauma :))) ~ but I do have to give one big... no, HUGE!!!... praise and thanks to our God for proving Himself so GOOD and FAITHFUL to us all over again during this rough time. I honestly can not comprehend how people are able to survive without Him in this day and age... How blessed is the one who hopes and waits and trusts in the LORD!

So allow me to reenter into my world of BLOG again! It feels nice to be back! :)
Looking forward to keeping you updated with all the exciting news going around here!

Week # 28

I just finished our 27th week, which officially throws me/us into the 3rd trimester!!! Eeeek!

Can you say "butterflies in my stomach"?!?!!? There's just something funny about the 3rd trimester - I picture myself going into labour soon, wondering how it'll all be this time around. I really don't know what's worse? Knowing what's ahead of you, or NOT knowing???? :) Oh yes, and then there's that rhogam shot that Mommies with an rh negative blood need in order not to form antibodies in their bodies. I don't know about you, but I strongly despise shots! Getting blood work done - not too bad, I can handle that...
But getting something injected into your buttox!!!! NO, THANK YOU!... *sigh*...
I always knew being "negative" ~ whether in your attitude or your blood type ~ can never be a good thing!

So here's a shot with da bump!!! :o)

And it's a ...

Hear ye, hear ye, the inhabitants of this world!

The family of Mindzaks have officially found out what they're expecting!! They're going BLUE!!!!!! Eeeek!

Ok, I am officially freaking out here a little because I know NOTHING about little boys! :) I still find myself checking out the baby girl clothes in the baby section, and then I'm like "waaait... wrong aisle, Mom!!" :)) 

But at the same time I am sooo SUPER-DOOPER-EXCITED about having a little cuddler! At least that's what I keep hearing little boys are! Seeing my sister's lil man, and all my other girlfriends' little boys... *sigh*... I am thrilled and siked about starting this new adventure!!! I mean, can you perceive the excitement that's jumping out at ya by reading this post???? :-)

Praise and thanks be unto God for His goodness and mercy towards us!

P.S. I still hope we can squeeze another little girl in there somewhere, 

but *pssssst*, that's our little secret! ;D

A Healthy Chocolate Treat ;)

So what have I been up to today? I'm glad you asked! :)

Today I got to go to Costco with my two wonderful sisters (Eunice and Micole). And what started out as a day full of sampling all the Costco goodies, ended up in getting a great bargain for something that is very hard to get here in Naples! 

THIS!!!!

                                                                                                                                               

Ok, and now you may wonder - why on earth would she need that many hazelnuts, right? 

Well, I thought you'd never ask! :D I need these babies in order to make....

THIS!!! :o)

Homemade NUTELLA!!! And it's HEALTHY, too!

This picture is not my own, it belongs to a genius named Chocolate-Covered KATIE and you can find this amazing recipe right here! 

So go check out her site and have fun! 

She has all kinds of delicious healthy chocolate recipes, you won't know where to start!

I mean, is that every woman's dream-come-true, or what??? :D

ENJOY!! :o)

11 weeks, starting week #12 today

We got to see our little peanut on ultrasound today again! 

The OB couldn't hear the heartbeat through the doppler, so we had an ultrasound done. 

The reason why we couldn't hear this little one the first time was because he/she was doing all sorts of flips and flops and wouldn't hold still! :o) Looks like we got another lively one!! :)

Heartbeat: 162 

I don't know why, but this ultrasound was a very emotional experience for me. I just couldn't hold back the tears of joy, and have I had a little more privacy, I would've bawled my eyes out! Seeing that little human being dance around and wave its little arms up in the air, as thought to say "Hi Mommy and Daddy! Don't worry, I'm doing great and I can't wait to meet you one day!" Ok, just writing down this comment made my eyes water up again. I mean, WHAT A MIRACLE!!!  

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:13-14

So what is Arminianism and Calvinism?

There is something that has been on my heart a lot lately, and I would love to share with you!

For the looongest time I had absolutely NO IDEA that Christians can be grouped into two main categories - Arminians (salvation is our choice) and Calvinists (salvation is of the Lord). Well, actually I'm sure there's other categories as well :), but these are the ones I'd like to focus on today.

I'm not going to go into details on what the differences are, I'll leave that up to Pastor John Piper to explain. So far I haven't heard a better teaching on it! I will however say, that it is VITAL for a follower of Christ to know there are these two views of salvation... and not only of salvation :) But like I said, enough of me taking up your time, just listen to the teacher! I promise you, it will be a HUGE eye-opener to you, and will make you embrace God's grace in a whole new different way! That's my prayer for you!

Click bellow to listen to the TULIP series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyGf4rLc_r4&list=PL93F178954D043A5E

p.s. I know it'll take some time to listen to, but please don't let that scare you - it's so worth it!
Maybe take it one day at a time? :o)

Birthday Fun After 8 Years

Yes, it's my birthday today! :) And I mean, who cares, right???? :o) BUT... though I wouldn't really write about it under normal circumstances, this really was a special occasion! "Why?" I'm glad you asked! :) Can you believe it's been 8 YEARS!!!!! since I got to celebrate with my whole family?!?!?! And not have to make my own cake???? :o) Oh my goodness, I just HAD to share my joy with you all!

So here's a quick peek at all the wonderful people that had blessed my day! Hope you enjoy!! :o)

I kept stealing all these kisses from my favourite nephew!!
It was my birthday after all, so I was allowed! ;-)
And besides, how can you NOT kiss this little guy!
He's soooo YUMMY!

All my ladies (and my Man... and a 'lil man :) together!

And here comes the Master-Chef with the cake! She did such a wonderful job! And you probably want to know what kind it was, right? :) White cake with vanilla pudding on top, finished off with canned peaches in jello! Topped with whipped-cream! Oooooh, la, laaaaa - pure deliciousness!!

Oooooooooh, and the age is REVEALED!!!!! Yikes! :D

La, la, laaaa - lots of singing and counting! 

Yes, we actually do the: 

"Are you 1?"

"No!"

"Are you 2?"

"No!" 

And count all the way up to one's age!:) Lots of fun! Especially when it's my parents' turn!! Haha!

So much cuteness going on here! :)

                                                                 

            Had a little cutie help me uwrap all the goodies! :)

                 

I must say though that I'm missing one more beauty in these pictures - our precious, talented Abbie! As you probably figured, she's the one behind the lense, taking all these beautiful pictures, making it possible for me to post on here. THANK YOU, Abbie!!! Love you and appreciate you so much, gurlie!!

Well, that pretty much wraps it all up! 

I'm so thankful to God for allowing me spend this special time with all my loved ones - we take such things for granted, until they're taken away from us... 

Make sure you let your beloved know they're special to you! :o)

"Give Them (your KIDZ) Grace"

As Vivie and I were driving around in my car today, I got to listen to Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
She had a guest speaker on there - actually a Mother/Daughter Team of speakers (Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson) - talking about how you may raise obedient and good kids that don't truly understand the Gospel.

Naturally, this sort of thing caught my total attention, and I was hungry to hear more!!! I have a 26-month-old at home right now, and I'm not gonna pretend everything is perfectly fabulous at the moment :-) Can you say "terrible two's"? Although I hate that "name tag" with a passion, I must admit I have caught myself saying "yep, this has got to be it"! 
The ladies don't necessarily address what to do with a 2-year-old, they do however help you get the bigger picture of who you have at home - a sinner that is in desperate need of a Saviour no matter what age! And that pretty much teaching and training them to obey is to only show them how they're not able to obey in and of themselves. . . 
I tell ya, I was SO ENCOURAGED by this short message, and my prayer is that your heart will be uplifted as well!

Take heart Mommah, you are not alone, and your job as a Mother does not define who you are! :-) 
Doesn't that take A LOT of pressure off your shoulders? Listen, cry, enjoy and thank our God for His love and mercy towards us!



CLICK HERE: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/play/give-them-grace/

Hanging out with the Cuz

Today we had two precious visitor come over to our house - my sister Eunice and her little man, Andrew!

Did we ever have a blast! :) We're so blessed to live real close to each other, but because of my morning sickness, and then my hubby's and Vivie's sickness we actually weren't able to see them for a whole MONTH!!!! Crazy, I know!! I almost didn't recognize this lil' handsome guy!!! He's all smiles and giggles and has a way of melting an aunt's heart - not to mention Viv's passionate love for him! :D 

So here's a few of our captions from our play-date today! :) Just LOOK at those smiles!!!

He's actually trying to be all serious on me here, explaining how he's gonna be chasing bunnies across the field one day :) . . . 

A cuddle-cuddle moment on our favourite blankie . . .

"Counting the toes, checkin' them twice..." Yep he's got all 10 of 'em! ;)

Aaaand we're holding hands - that's right! Best Cousins forever!!! I could just eat those two - 

aren't they so yummy?!?!?

Love is definitely in the air - or better said, in their hearts! :o) 

A heart-melter! 

Father God, please equip us with wisdom and love to guide these precious two gifts before Your throne, so they may live for Your glory alone and be Yours forever. Give them to your precious Son, 

our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.