12 weeks and counting...

 I must first begin by saying Thank You Lord for allowing this pregnancy to continue and for our lil Peanut to be thriving, squirming, and moving all around.  


I included this wonderful picture of my two favorite guys cuddling and napping.  They are so precious to me and I am thankful for the joy they bring into my life.  I could not ask for a more wonderful husband and dog.  They are ever so sweet and supportive of me.  I can't wait to see how they will both step up when baby arrives in February.  


We had our first ultra sound last week and were given four beautiful pictures. I am truly amazed that babies form so quickly and everything that they need is there within the first trimester.  It is beyond my understanding but that is why we have such a wonderful and intelligent creator.  Perfectly designing every aspect of the way humans grow but also every other creature throughout this entire world.  WOW!

 This lil one kept squirming and moving all over so we really didn't get any great pictures but I wanted to share them with you as they are really cool.  


This first one Peanut decided to do a head stand.

 This one shows the heartbeat at the bottom.  The heart rate was 175 beats.  Brock and I were shocked to hear that but the tech informed us that is was completely normal and healthy.  So much faster than a fully grown adult.  

 This one shows the head on the right, the body on the left and a hand up above.  Precious.  

And last but not least is my favorite.  The tiny little hand and five little fingers.  I cannot wait until I get to feel those fingers wrapped tightly around my own.  I'm ready and completely not ready all at the same time.  I am very thankful that the Lord allows this to be a 9 month process as I don't think I could adjust if it were any shorter.  


In some good news, I am feeling a bit better stomach wise and my appetite is coming back slightly, however, there is a trade off as my joints begin to relax to carry the extra weight, I am completely sore and feel as though I have lost the ability to lift anything.  It feels as if I have carpel tunnel in my joints, mainly my shoulders, wrists, neck, and fingers.  I really was not expecting this phase of pregnancy.  On a funny note....


My husband has nicknamed me Optimus (Mom) Prime as my body transforms.  I love that he has a sense of humor as it keeps me on my toes. ;-D

Literally the Emotional Roller Coaster...

Today marks week 11.  

I'm still feeling nausea, exhaustion and the newly added roller coaster of emotions.  I haven't been sleeping well either which only makes the emotions a bit more chaotic.  (sigh)  I am normally a fairly level headed person and I've learned over the years to control my emotions for the most part.  Oh but this week has thrown me for a huge loop.... 

One moment I am happy and excitedly looking forward to little babe joining us and the next I'm sunk and crying over the littlest thing.  Pregnancy is not a easy endeavor and I have had a rather relaxed one thus far; fortunately no throwing up or scary things happening.  I guess this week has just thrown me for a loop.  

I'm positive that Thursday's ultrasound and doc appointment will help me to level back out; to get out of this storm of emotions but then we will just have to wait and see.

In the mean time my amazing husband is helping me out in every way possible.  After Brock got off work he picked up a card, flowers, and M&M's to lift my spirits.  He said, "I figured that if you are going to be emotional it might as well be because of something good."  

:-)  He also finished the laundry that I had started earlier and as I type he is multitasking - doing the dishes and cooking dinner.  I could not ask for a better husband.  And I know he prays for me when I don't have the will power to do so myself.  He is a FIGHTER.  I am ever blessed by the Lord through this man I get to call my husband.  

So to you Brock and Jesus I saw THANK YOU, for when I am weak you are both strong supporting me.  

Sharing the news...

So I wanted to write some things down that most people have asked me about our pregnancy and I also wanted to share the way that Brock and I chose to share the news with our church as I thought it might be an encouragement to others.

Yesterday was our 10 week mark which means I am 1/4 of the way done.  I have to have little milestones like this because it keeps me positive and thankful through all of the exhaustion and nausea. We discovered that we were Parents on June 16th just a day before Father's day.  I must say that the Lord has ever so sweet timing.  Our little baby was a complete surprise and with some hide-site, I think having a baby should be a surprise as it was much less stressful all around than our first pregnancy when we were actually attempting to get pregnant (not that either way is the right way, just what I prefer).  For the most part the pregnancy has been fairly uneventful with a few concerning moments but nothing terribly huge.  I have lots of support from both biological families and all those people whom we consider family.  I am thankful for everyone in this time of change.  

Sometimes though all the information can be overwhelming.  While this is our 2nd pregnancy, we didn't get too far with the first one and so we were not able to discover all the nuances that go with the territory.  I think I like the idea of learning along the way instead of being given all the info at one time like a fire hose.  Oh well, just something that We will have to manage along the way.  

And now for the poem which I wrote to share our news with the church....

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Lord, let my words and my life be a testament unto your Glory.

Almost 8 years ago at 19, I left my Mother and Father and the Lord brought me to good old Cincinnati. Naive and Free or so it seemed...

Wounded, Stubborn, independent, alone.

Little did I know I would meet the Man I was to marry that first week.

And the courtship began.

Turtle became my nickname as I drew into myself in those moments of sharpening, shaping, shedding the layers of scars that had been built around my heart.

But the Lord had plans for me ever unseen.

I was determined to break the chains of the generations before me.  I would not bear the burden my mother holds.  I wouldn't allow the thought of being weighed down by the needs of helpless babes no matter what Man made me a bride.  "Don't you dare get Pregnant before you are married!" had been drilled into me.  And it became I won't be a mother.

Oh but the Lord had plans for me.

5 years ago I, Corie Anne Grafton, do take Brock Nathaniel Lusch to be my husband.  And HIS clock began to tick tock tick tock.  

My heart softened sweetly blooming to the nephews that became ours.  I still couldn't allow it for I had things to do and no time to spare.  

Sharpening, shaping, shedding scars!  TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK louder it got.

And oh the plans he had for me.

2 years ago Jesus took my heart and made it mush teaching me what love meant.  

Scared and Given Courage, Afraid and Give Blind Faith; Trust me as I lead! he urged.

So I was courageous in faith and followed where led.  Tick tock, tick, tock stopped. 

And oh what a wonderful Joy he blessed us with a beautiful tiny Babe.  He took this unwilling heart made it new and fulfilled Brock and I's desire.  

And just as suddenly as she appeared Rose's tiny flickering light went out.  And our little baby got to meet Jesus.  Oh the days were so hard and a whole loomed where this great desire had developed.

"I have not forgotten you, I remember, I'm the great redeemer, I love You."  were the Lord's words to me.

And its true for he blessed us in his unexpected timing.  Our ABBA has given Brock and I our second little babe.  Growing within and not yet evident, due to join us in February.  And with this I sind songs of Praise to the King of Kings, mighty redeemer. 

And to you who feel forgotten the Lord remembers; when you least expect it He does wondrous things.  Just keep following him and you'll see.  Even through trials and tribulations, He is our King and when we see his face it's going to be worth it all.

Oh the Plans he has for you and me. 

-----

A bit of an explanation... 

I wanted to be able to convey the journey my heart has taken over the years as well as giving honor to our first child and the King of Kings for I would not have gotten through all of this without him.  There are also so many new people within our church that not everyone knew our story so it only made sense to me to be open and share all that occurred.   And last I wanted it to be an encouragement to those who have had similar emotions of feeling like they were not going to be able to have what their heart desires, I wanted my story to give some hope.  And maybe it did... I won't know until others let me into their hearts and I'm ok with not knowing.  I am not the one who can fulfill those desires.

Well, I think this has become long enough.  I will probably post again after our 2nd appointment on July 19th when we get our first ultrasound.... can't wait.

Blessings

Corie 

Baby Time!! We're Prego!

Starting the Blog back up!!

Hi there friends. Corie and I are going to start the blog back up again. I know it has been a long time but we thought it would be fun to keep everyone up to date on what is going on in our lives this way. Plus if Facebook gets to crazy this is a safer way to keep in touch. So check back and have a look at what is going on in the Lusch household. If you have any fun questions or topics you want to talk about with us feel free to drop us a line. Love ya bunches.

Time Flies...

Typically that is followed by when you are having fun. Well, that is partially true anyway. Closer to reality though is that Brock and I have just been so busy that we have practically forgotten our blog. My apologies to those who do keep up with us.

And now the update...

In February Brock started a new job working as an assistant manager at Scarlet and Gray Cleaning, a janitorial company which cleans schools all over Cincinnati. He is working in the Mariemont School district.

Corie is getting ready to start up another year of her Masters of Art and Counseling. She has an internship in Middletown, OH. She is also working as a grad assistant for Rick Bullard the Geology professor at CCU and is working on saturdays at Findlay Market at Colonel D's a Gourmet Herb's and Spices.

Now for some crazy news: Corie and I have been living at a house since February with 5 single guys. We had our own bedroom and bathroom we shared the living room and kitchen area. It was a 6 month agreement that would end at the end of July. As it is now August decisions have to be made. After a time of prayer and fasting we felt the Lord leading Corie and I to a season of wilderness and unity. I know to most this sounds odd but I can explain.

For anyone that is learned in the bible the wilderness is a place where the Lord moves people to teach his people and refine them to grow closer to Him. So we are going into a season of this by moving out of the Cornerstone house where we have been this past 6 months. The Unity comes into play in that we are going to be moving into an apartment with a good friend. It will be a challenge with space but we all feel this is where we are to be for this time. Now for some sad news.

Dexter can not come live with us. The apartment complex is a dog free zone. They allow cats but not dogs. So for the time Dexter is going to stay with someone else. We have not decided on who yet but I am sure it will be known soon. This is sad but sometime sacrifices have to be made and this is a small one to move closer to saving money to be able to have our own house.

This is all taking place really quick but that is exactly how the Lord has dealt with all our moving situations in the past so this should be no different. We will be moving into the apartment on Sunday Aug. 14th.

Please pray that this is a smooth transition, that we would have a calming spirit about Dexter and that we would feel confident with who he stays with. Also that we would not be anxious and would stay at peace with this decision. We want to honor the Lord in this season.

This means that the title of the blog will change again and stay tuned for more updates. Hopefully more regularly.

Christmas Traditions

This year Corie and I decided to stay in Cincinnati for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. For Thanksgiving we went to Howard and Jennifer Bullard's home in Rushville, IN. We have become good friends and feel they are very much apart of our spiritual family. Jordan and Lindsay the children of these fine people have become like adopted siblings of ours. For Christmas this year I had to work Christmas morning but Corie and I opened gifts in the afternoon when I got back home.

But the week before that we were blessed with a visit from Corie's mom and dad and my mom and dad. We got to spend 3 days with Corie's parents and about a day with my parents but it was such a sweet blessed time. With everything medical that happened this year it was good for the mom's to get together and be with Corie. Me and the dad's had fun talking about cars and tractors. For New Year's we are going to hang out with our friends the Hatfield's. The last time we celebrated New Year's together we all almost got arrested for having more than two people in a room with our shoes off. One of those crazy Ohio laws still on the books. Should be a good time of friends and games. Corie and I both have to work New Year's day but I have to be into work at 6am. Yeah for me :( but happy for a job.

Even Dexter got into the Christmas Spirit.

For New Years Eve Corie and I went to Niki and Caleb Hatfield's and had a great time hanging out with old and new friends.