Category Archives: pregnancy

April 13, 2010 · 7:17 am

Grace For the Season.

What was I thinking?  I mean, starting all over again with the baby stuff?  The sleepless nights, the diapers that require hazmat suits and masks, the feedings….by hand? 

I was thinking that God wanted a Mr. Jett Takle to be born into His Kingdom.  And, I know that God already knew him long, long ago. 

I’ll admit I had moments throughout my pregnancy where the thought of enduring this season again seemed overwhelming.  Shoot, there are moments at 2:00AM that I feel those same overwhelming thoughts now.  Will I ever blog again?  Will I ever sleep again?  Will I ever eat slowly again, because I have all the time in the world?  But, I know it’s just a season.

My sweet friend, Cindy Beall, sent me this message when I was in the hospital with Jett:

“God has given you the grace you need for this season.  You are fully equipped as a child of the King to accomplish what He wants you to.”

My response to Mrs. Beall was simply, “I receive that.”

The truth is you can receive that, too.  No matter what season of life you are in.  No matter where God has you.  He will give you the grace you need for your season.  He will equip you to accomplish what He wants you to.  Do you get that?  Do you get that God wants to use you for His glory no matter what season you are in? 

So, even when I am patting the back of my amazing baby boy…..    

Even when I’m resting my cheek on his sweet smelling head….

Even when I’m wiping the sleep from my eyes at 2:00AM….

I will remember that God has given me the grace for this season.  And, I will soak up every minute of it.  Because, I will blink my eyes, and it will all be over.

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April 12, 2010 · 6:00 am

What’s Going On?

Thank you, Marvin Gaye.  I’m sure you’ve all been wondering the same, no?  Well, I’ve been a bit busy.  Well, not necessarily busy in the days leading up to childbirth.  However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to reach the keyboard due to the protrusion known as my then very pregnant belly.  Then, on March 22nd, this guy entered the world.

That’s Jett Kristian Takle, weighing in at 8lbs. 15oz and measuring 20 inches long.  Such a lightweight. 

John Henry and Anna were very excited to meet the little guy.  But, Kris and I quickly realized that we did not prepare them for things like, well, breastfeeding. 

John Henry:  “So, you just put food on there, and he licks it off?”

Anna:  “Can try some of your milk?”

Loverly. 

Now that we are past the 21 questions of “he came out HOW” and “what’s wrong with his belly button,” we are adjusting nicely.  Big sister, especially, loves to help with EVERYTHING.

And, both love to hold him.

We’re pretty sure Jett loves them, too.

We are blessed.  Sleep-deprived, but blessed.

It’s good to be writing again.  I’ve missed y’all.

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March 13, 2010 · 8:14 am

Sweetly Broken.

Pregnancy means waking up to pee every hour on the hour.  When I woke up at 4:00 am, I just couldn’t drift back off into sleepy town.  It happens often these days.  It’s usually because of my athlete in training or my mind running ramped of things I need to accomplish.  Then, there are times I just wake up and pray.  I pray for my children.  I pray for Kris.  I pray for people in need of healing.  I just pray.

It’s easy, especially in this stage of my journey carrying a child, to become self-focused.  I still read scriptures.  I’m still very aware of God’s presence in my life.  But, I can still focus much too much on wanting this baby-carrying journey to end.  So, when God centers me again, I want to fall down at the cross and thank Him for it.  He does it for me often.  He did it again at 4:00 am.

I made a little delivery room playlist on my iPod.  The first song on that playlist is Jeremy Riddle’s “Sweetly Broken.”  I haven’t been able to get these lyrics out of my head since my little wake-up call:

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

I’m so thankful for a Father who continues to beckon me, even when I become self-consumed.  I’m so thankful that He allows me to surrender my stuff to Him – sometimes the same stuff more than once or ten times.  I’m so thankful I’m in love with Him. 

And, that He first loved me.

Sweetly broken.  That’s me today.

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February 19, 2010 · 6:00 am

I Love His Blue Eyes, Too.

He gets into trouble just like any other seven year old boy.  He can be silly.  He loves to entertain us with his renditions of songs from Elvis to the Steve Miller Band to our hometown’s Death On Two Wheels.  Then, he’ll hear David Crowder’s “How He Loves Us” and sing it with such a worshipful heart that he melts mine every single time. 

He’s just a really cool kid.  Of course, I could be slightly biased.  

Throughout my pregnancy, he has been patient.  Understanding.  And, always concerned for me.  He asks me daily, “Mom, how are you feeling?  Are you feeling okay?”  He has brought me breakfast in bed more than once.  The toast is always a little heavy on the strawberry preserves, but it’s perfection in my eyes.  And, when he prays out loud, he always prays for me and his little brother. 

I’m really not sure how I got so blessed, but I could not be more thankful that he is my son. 

John Henry, I love, love being your mom.

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February 15, 2010 · 6:00 am

Countdown to Jett Takle.

Thank heavens for mommas.  Mine was here for a few days to help me prepare for our baby boy’s arrival.  I’ve been motivated to get busy with his room.  However, my motivation had not exceeded calling a painter to paint his room. 

Here are a few pics of what we she accomplished:

I confiscated the biplane pic from our office.  Do you think Kris has noticed it missing yet?  I bet he does now.

As soon Jett arrives, we will fill this frame with a sweet little picture of him with his big bro and sis.  It’s low to the ground so he can see it….as are his hats.  Because, he is obviously going to be wondering where his hats are next month.

Of course, Anna Takle needed to make sure she was a part of the organizing process.  Or, at least, the photo ops.  What you don’t see in this picture is her third ponytail in the back.  And, don’t think I don’t have a picture of the back of her hair.  She insisted on it.

We are going to put a picture of Jett above his crib inscribed with a scripture.  I’ve been praying about that scripture, but I think I may have decided on one.  More to come later there.  And um, Jett will probably need to get here before I can complete that project. 

I’ll post more pics as soon as the room is completely finished.  Mom will probably be ready for a vacation when she gets back home today.  Between working hard on Jett’s room, doing my laundry, and entertaining John Henry and Anna, she insisted I rest.

I resisted every time for at least three seconds.  Then, she’d refill my water bottle, and I’d return to yelling loudly for Apolo Ohno. 

What would I ever do without her? 

I haven’t a clue. 

It’s been said that “a mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” 

That is my mother.  I am blessed.  Very, very blessed.

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February 10, 2010 · 6:00 am

The Eagles Said Take It Easy. So Did My Doc.

My lack of writing yesterday was due to a rough night and morning with a contraction or ten.  No.  I was not in labor.  Just a tad uncomfortable.  I decided to ease the pain by taking a relaxing, warm bath.  When Anna walked in and saw me, she giggled and said, “Mom, you’re too big for the bathtub.” 

Yes, she is still alive and well.

I called my doctor at the persistence of my husband.  The nurse requested I go to the hospital just as a precautionary measure.  Something, I clearly did not want to do.  But, I did.  Baby is fine.  I am fine.  To quote my nurse, “You are 35 years old and pregnant with your third.  Things just don’t hold together like they used to.”

Yes, she is still alive and well.

Actually, she was a very sweet nurse and took great care of me.  She asked if I had been over-doing it at all.  I told her I had somewhat of a, ahem, busy weekend. 

What did you think I was going to tell her?  “Um, well, I did go to Dallas and shop all day, then caught a flight the next day to Atlanta then back to Oklahoma two days after that.”

No. Dadgum. Way. 

But, Kris completely uncovered me and was like, “Yeah, I thought she was going to a conference….”

Yes, he is still alive and well.

I was sent me home with orders to drink plenty o’ water and take it easy.  I interpreted that as “Shopping is permitted, just take frequent latte water breaks.”

In better news, my mom is here.  And, that, my friends, makes my world a better place.  Well, that and a box of Junior Mints. 

So, there ya go.  And, no worries.  My self-esteem is still intact thanks to a husband who told me I am beautiful.  He listened well to my dad’s message on Sunday.  That being said, go compliment your spouse today.  It might be exactly what he or she needs to hear.

Okay.  I’m taking a water break now.

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January 27, 2010 · 6:00 am

Before You Were Born.

I really do need to be still.  And, apparently quiet.  I’m sure if you asked my husband and children, they’d bear witness.  Take last Thursday morning, for example.  I was certain my two children were hiding from me, and it was time to go to school.  I turned into Monster Mom and threw out a warning or three.  Kris immediately turned to me and pointed towards our family room. 

“They are sitting on the sofa,” he said softly. 

“Ohhhhh,” I replied lacking all ability to redeem to myself.

I then heard my husband tell the children, “Come on kids.  Let me take you to school where it’s safe.”

Hence, my theory that they would appreciate some stillness with a little quiet on top.  But, the unpredictable mood swings will all be a distant memory before we know it, yes?  We have finally begun to get ready for the arrival of Jett.  That’s his name, by the way.  We are in the process of turning our guest room into Jett’s nursery.  My other two little people refer to the guest room as “Nan’s room.”  Anna has thought it unfair that Jett gets Nan’s room.  Last night, she locked the guest bathroom door.  When, we questioned her about it, she said, “I don’t want Jett to come out and mess with Nan’s stuff.”

It’s a whirlwind here, folks.  But, it’s a good whirlwind.

Because, God is right in the middle of it. 

I’m growing this awesome baby boy. 

Who is going to bring so much joy to this family.

My prayer is that he knows how excited we are to meet him.  How much we love him.  And, more than anything else, how much his heavenly Father loves him…..Who already met him long ago.

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born, I set you apart…. Jeremiah 1:5

You see?  There are no accidents.  Because, God knew YOU before YOU were born, too.

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January 20, 2010 · 6:00 am

Kris Takle’s Fab Five.

As a follow up to yesterday’s post on a produce department breakdown, I asked Kris to give advice to any men out there living with a pregnant wife – or hormonal woman.  Pretty much any man living with a chica.  So, without further ado, I give you my favorite pilot.

1)  Always tell your wife she looks beautiful.

2)  If your wife asks you “Do I look big?” NEVER answer yes.  The answer is ALWAYS no.

3)  If you have other children, it is wise to create time away from them so she can maintain her sanity and they can maintain their lives.

4)  Don’t tell her what she can and cannot eat.  Ever.

5)  Her emotions are like waves.  Some are big.  Some are small.  But, you gotta ride ‘em all.

There ya go, men.  Number five was pretty clever, Mr. Takle.  I’d also like to add that the Little Debbie Valentine box tucked away in the refrigerator is solely for the wife. 

That is all.

What would you add?

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January 19, 2010 · 6:00 am

Those Pears Can Be A Doozy.

It was a busy, emotional weekend.  Well, not too busy.  But, apparently it was emotional considering I broke down in the produce section at Super Target.  I don’t think it really matters why. 

It was the produce section, after all.  Kris was with me.  His expression was a silent “wow.”  He didn’t mention the tears over the tomatoes the rest of the shopping adventure. 

Until the check-out line when he pretended to cry over the jar of jalepenos, the bag of carrots, and the honey crisp apples. 

I would say, “the nerve.”  But the truth is….

He made me laugh.

My friend, Marla, made me feel better when she uncovered her sister Melanie’s pregnancy breakdown.  Poor girl cried when her person didn’t win the Showcase Showdown on the Price Is Right.  And, rightly so.  The Showcase Showdown is kind of a big deal.

It’s hard growing a person, people. 

To top it all off, I can’t even look at the devastation of Haiti.  But, I do.  Because, I refuse to be unaffected by it.  Unmoved.  Unwilling to do something.

I have to.  We all do.  Our hearts have to break over what breaks God’s heart.  Isaiah 61 says God has anointed us to bring good news to the poor and to comfort the brokenhearted.  I think it’s awesome that most of us can give something financially.  And, we should.  But, when I heard my friend, Amy Newberry, say this, it made me want to invest more than just my money:

“I really wish I could go to Haiti today and hold some of those precious women while they cry over the loss of their children.”

That’s a deeper level, friends.  It’s actually being the hands and feet of Christ.

God, please.  Break my heart for what breaks yours. 

And, bring healing to Haiti’s people.

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November 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

Marriage And Growing A Person.

This weekend, I used Kris’ Marriott points that he accumulates when he flies to luxurious vacation spots by working so hard for the family.  After I arranged for the kids to spend the weekend with Falon and Janet (our friends and most awesome babysitters), I surprised him with a night downtown the big OKC.  We woke up to the glorious phenomenon known as room service, and then, I sent Kris to an already scheduled massage at the spa.

Sorry, men.  I’m taken. 

I need not gloat that much in my wifely awesomeness.  I realized it had been entirely too long since I did something special for Kris.  I recognized I was becoming disgruntled with me not being the center of his attention.  With me not being catered to or lavished with some fun surprise.  I was focusing on me.  After all, I AM growing a person, right? 

In my discontentedness, I began to evaluate myself as a spouse.  Have I thought beyond myself lately to do anything out of the ordinary for Kris? 

I knew the answer. 

So, I made a choice to step outside myself, my wants, my stuff and do something all about him.  Because, I love him.  I love being married to him.  HE matters.

In serving my husband this way, my discontentment seemed to fade.  Because, I served him.  This is true in most every area of our life.  When we step outside of our stuff and serve something or somebody else, we take our eyes off of that stuff. 

And, we become content – fulfilled – again.

It’s how Jesus Christ lived His life.  He so loved us that HE gave.

It was a great time together.  He makes me laugh.  Really laugh.  When I asked him Saturday night to carry me to bed, he responded this way, despite the look of fear in his eyes:

“Uh, okay.  Just let me stretch a little first.”

Oh, I love that man.

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