Diary of a bed resting mom & a fun giveaway
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: The Journey of Motherhood
Life on bedrest is a little bit of a change for me. I wanted to share some recent highlights from my time on the couch:
Making funny faces with Ashlyn.
I know she is better than me but I am out of practice, give me time I will improve.
Watching Quinten unravel the toilet paper roll.
Having the time to do Ashlyn’s hair, again and again and again.
Attending a tea party complete with folded napkins.
Reading library books to Ashlyn.
Watching Ashlyn borrow my camera phone to capture all that is important and interesting to her which of course includes her finger, toe, doll and shoe.
Not noticing as she takes a very unflattering photo of me as I talk to my mom who is baking bread in the kitchen for our family.
Also not noticing this fun little situation that was apparently going on in the kitchen. I never did know about it until I viewed the images on my phone today!
And of course more funny faces, see I am getting better, right?
As I sit on the couch, I could easily dwell on all that is going on around me that I am “missing out on.” Yet instead, I am compelled to reflect on the lessons I have learned though the the loss of our son Sawyer three years ago. I have learned that life is fleeting, that today is precious and that I am not in control. As I choose to relinquish my control yet again, I find that I am better able to take in the preciousness of my surroundings and marvel at the life brewing within me. As Mother’s Day draws near, my hope for you is that you can find yourself in a place of appreciation and gratitude for whatever surroundings you are currently in.
As an early Mother’s day gift to you, lets do a giveaway. I have three copies of The Pregnancy Companion book to offer. This book’s subtitle “A faith filled guide for your journey to motherhood” is an accurate reflection of the unique content found in this encouraging and informative pregnancy guide. I have throughly enjoyed reading the factual yet faith filled chapters of this book as I have progressed though my pregnancy. If you are pregnant, know someone who is, or think you might know someone who is pregnant some day 
I would love for you to enter to win one of the three copies I have to give away.
To enter: simply share one snapshot moment of your week that caused you to pause and appreciate. The three winners will be randomly chosen on the evening of Mother’s day and announced right here–good luck!
The three randomly chosen winners: Carrie, Leni and Jenny! Congratulations ladies, I will be in touch with you to get your mailing addresses. I really enjoyed reading all of your comments and feedback on the snapshots from your week, thanks for sharing!
Heather Ledeboer
I am a Christian, wife, mom and the owner of Mom 4 Life. I have a passion for helping moms and encouraging them in their journey through motherhood. I invite you to journey along with me!
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Posted my picture of date night with my 4 year old last night on Facebook. Happy mother’s day to everyone!
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heather hi lovey! i have been wondering how your doing! its just as i thought, you make bedrest rock!!! i love your streanth and positivity even when it feels like maddness right? i just recently found out i am pregnant again. my 8th baby, and i am also finding out the giving up control like i really ever had it anyways,, is hard and almost insanity… i keep repeating the thoughts of, what if my levels are too high? what if the baby isnt growing? well, truthfully god forbid but then it is what it is… nothing i can do except my healthing eating and taking care of myself. emotionally thats a toughie… i have recently gave up make up cause all the stuff i found in it :0 my point is i was a having a what if morning when i wsant throwing up just a little queezy and than i htought pray so i did take a small walk clear my head did and think what would hearther think? i think i just read…. your blog inspires me thank you!
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mom4life Reply:
May 8th, 2011 at 10:04 am
@jenny, congratulations on your pregnancy! I pray that your baby and you progress though this pregnancy together complication free! As moms we are willing to sacrifice so much on behalf of our family and you are a good example of that. Blessings to you this Mother’s Day sweetie!
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I’m writing this in honor of my friend Jen who is pregnant with twins and having a bit of a tough time so far. She is about 14 weeks along and has had very strong morning (or night in her case) sickness and is starting to feel very worn down. She has had a couple of warning signs of possible complications. The doctor has kept her home the last couple of days and she may continue on this path after her doctors appointment on monday. She would like to stay on light duty activities, but is prepared to stay in bed if she needs to. She is a little scared, understandably so, but is staying positive and leaning on the truth that many are praying for her, and that we are all trusting that God’s will is being done. Thanks for this post Heather, i’m gonna pass it on to her and let her know that her ‘potential’ bedrest will not be all doom and gloom. Blessings to you all!!
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mom4life Reply:
May 8th, 2011 at 10:06 am
@Cassie, Your friend is blessed to have you to support her. You have such a giving heart!
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One year ago on Mother’s Day I started bleeding which threw me into a tailspin of another difficult pregnancy including 4 months of bleeding and bedrest and 2 months of NICU time. Today I cherish my 16 lb. chubby, healthy baby girl, Emily. God is good, and it’s amazing to look at all the ways He’s carried us and blessed us.
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mom4life Reply:
May 8th, 2011 at 10:07 am
@Kim, I think of you often and the long bedrest that you had with Emily. I am so thankful that she is doing well and that you have her in your family as a symbol of both joy and hope. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
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[...] right to receive posts via email. Thanks for visiting!Happy Mothers day! Don’t forget to enter to win one of three copies of The Pregnancy Companion book (the winner will be chosen at the end of today). And I hope you will enjoy this video about what [...]
Oh no! Where are all your entries! I will post a link on my facebook and see if I can help get you a few more!!
I already have the book (and love it) but I’d love to win one for one of my bazillion pregnant friends.
There are five of us within a one-block radius. Now THAT’S something in the neighborhood water!
Something that made me stop and think and appreciate this week: I’ve been working on raising awareness about birth kits (and gathering donations) for developing nations to distribute with our YWAM Medical Ship and just this week have seen such an amazing response in such a short period of time. My husband is away on outreach right now and it’s been hard to not have him here to “spoil” me for Mothers Day (which was today in Australia), but working on raising birth kits for these women has helped me to shift the focus from myself and remember how blessed I really am. (Their maternal mortality rate is 1 in 7 – unbelievable.) I’m so grateful for the support and care and resources and services that I have when it comes to my pre-natal care, delivery, and post-natal care. Looking beyond myself is a great reminder that life is so much more than breakfast in bed, a clean house, and a foot massage.
Happy Mothers Day to you!
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mom4life Reply:
May 8th, 2011 at 10:09 am
@Adriel, I love what you are doing for moms with your birth kits. What a lovely way to give back and look beyond yourself. I pray that your husband’s work and ministry will also be blessed and that your time apart won’t seem quite so long with the two of you busy doing some wonderful things. Thank you for sharing and for passing on the word about our giveaway!
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My 4 year old has always been an active kid, even before she was born she was always kicking, squirming and tumbling. When I was pregnant with my second she never got to feel her kicking because she wouldn’t sit still long enough to wait. Now, pregnant with my third, I’ve been hoping to share that moment with her. Earlier this week the baby was being really wiggly so I asked my daughter to come feel and she got to feel the baby kick! The smile on her face was incredible and several times since she has come to sit next to me to feel the baby.
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Snapshot moment this last couple weeks was hearing about the death of a friends 4 day old baby and then looking over and seeing my 3 boys making a mess in the other room. It puts things into perspective. The messes can be cleaned up, the dirt wiped away but I can never give my friend her little daughter back. With another baby on the way and wondering how in the world God will give me the strength for 4 children under 4 yrs old I thank him for the children He has given us and the health that they have had. I mourn for my friend and her loss but give praise to God along-side her as well.
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Hello and Happy Mother’s Day,
I feel like my week is full of moments when I stop and appreciate things, because I am just so in love with my daughter, who is my first and is just over 1 year old. However, as requested, here is my snapshot moment.
A few months ago, my husband was laid of from his job and we decided this was an opportunity for him to look for something that he might enjoy doing more. He just started his new job this past week and consequently, was out of state the entire week. I wondered how this would effect our daughter, since we were going from having “daddy” around all the time to no daddy for an entire week.
Anyway, about mid week, my daughter and I were upstairs in our computer room and I was catching up on FB. She was getting sort of irritated about something and walked over to the door that leads into our attic. The attic is sort of my husband’s version of the “man cave.” Its where he works on his music and so on. My daughter was tring to open the door to get into the attic. Then all of a sudden she starts saying, “dadada.” It was obvious to me at that point that she recognized that she hadn’t seen daddy, so logically he should be up in the attic. This was precious to me, because I was already missing my husband, and was aware that so was my daughter. It was one of thos moments where I became so aware of how much I appreciate my family and how important it is to have the family together
THanks for this opportunity to win a great book and again, Happy Mother’s Day.
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My snapshot moment this past week would have to be the afternoon that I was resting in bed (on partial bedrest), & our unborn baby had hiccups (I love feeling those!). Then our 1yo came and lay across my 7 mo preggo belly & fell asleep, the 3yo came and snuggled beside me & fell asleep w a foot thrown across me, & finally our 6yo came in & fell asleep across my legs.
It was a bit uncomfortable, but oh so sweet to be surrounded by all those sleeping and snuggly bodies.
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My snapshot this past week would have to be when my three year old daughter was tickling her 18 month old sister and making her giggle more than she ever has before. It was just so sweet to see! They may drive me crazy when they are fighting over toys, but watching them have so much fun together makes it totally worth it. Now with a third on the way (due in November), I can hardly wait until my three year old will be able to feel the baby move inside me. I think she will be thrilled!
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The picture of your little one in the kitchen made me think “at least it wasn’t pet food”. =) Thank you for sharing the ups and downs of your life.
P.S. How is your book writing coming along?
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mom4life Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
@Trisha W., Good point, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for, “at least it wasn’t pet food”!
My manuscript has been submitted to a literary agent for consideration. I am waiting to hear back from them at this point. I am hopeful that I might here back by the end of this month. Once I know something I will post a blog update. Thanks for asking:)!
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Hi Heather!
I’m 8 weeks pregnant with my 4th. A little terrified because I miscarried my last pregnancy and this one is threatening. My snapshot this week is of my 4-year old daughter holding our new baby bunny with the biggest smile on her face! Just precious!!
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Wow – I wrote you a bit long lovely comment and it has deleted four times!! Hope your bed rest is full of lots of grace – you are a hero to me!!
My favourite snapshot this week was watching my little boy recognise his Papa and call him by name over Skype. We live far away and the two of them don’t see each other much, even on Skype, but to see my mom and dad’s faces light up as my little man laughed and said Papa excitedly over and over was such a blessing!
Happy mother’s day!!
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A snapshot moment for the week would have to be my three year old stopping in the middle of playing to give me a kiss and say, “I love you mommy.”
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I’m not enterting the drawing– but I just wanted to say that this post just cracked me up. Reminded me so much of my family– extended too– not just my immediate family.
lol
Thanks, Heather for sharing!
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I’m pregnant too. My snapshot of the week is my 18month old finally giving proper kisses and not those slobbery open mouthed ones. He does it spontaneously which is soooo sweet!
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