The Princess Phase

I heard a topic on The Diane Rehm Show on NPR and it was discussing how girls from ages 2-6 are bombarded by "Princess" merchandise and the color pink.  It's very interesting! And I highly recommend parents with daughters to listen to the radio program.

Growing up, I recall going through a small Barbie phase.  And I did have some image issues in High School.  Whether or not the two are related I really don't know.  But I think there is something to say about not buying or allowing your girls to watch too much Disney Princess or shows that just focus on materialistic things.  It can be argued that the Disney Princesses have good qualities to them and go against the grain of their "world".  But I also think that anyone half-dressed with only seashells to cover their boobs is probably going to get anything they want in any world.  And is that the message we want to give our daughters and neices?

A group of girls going to a Cinderella movie.

I watched all the Disney movies growing up.  And I turned out good; this is true!  But I also went through different phases to get there.  I did a lot of things for attention when I was a young adult that I am definently not proud of.  But through all that, I learned in Christ what it really ment to be beautiful and also what it meant to be a Women.  I also believe that only though Christ's eyes can we truely see how amazing we are as women and just how precious we are in His sight.

In my bible study, the girls and I have decided to read a book called "Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free."  It discusses issues like this topic on things we expected as Truth and Good, but are really not good and just lies fed to us by the devil.  It will be a really interesting semester and I look forward to the growth we all will share.

My husband and I are expecting in May and we may have a daughter.  I will then have to decide how much is too much and do I really want my daughter to be a "Disney Princess"?  The answer is no!  She will always be a princess in her Daddy and God Daddy's eyes.  But I also want her to know that her power comes from God and integrity, not what boys think of her or the clothes she wears.  I want her to know that she has more options than pink.  Not that I will stop her from buying pink.  I just want her to make informed and wise decisions and not decisions based on what the media and lies tell her she should be.

Here is a link to the radio program I listened to on The Diane Rehm Show that sparked this blog post:  http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-01-27/peggy-orenstein-cinderella-ate-my-daughter

Popcorn

Yesterday, Noah and I were hanging out around the house, being sick.  (It has been like that all week.)  And I felt a pop in my belly.  I just thought my stomach was reacting to the juice I had just drank.  But then it happened again.  And I realized, that's the baby kicking!  I told Noah to run over here, so he could feel the belly.  But Zelda beat him to it and practically jumped on my belly.  (She always wants to know what's going on with the belly.  It has now become her "pillow".)  It was really cool and I am so glad that Noah was there to witness it with me for the first time.  I really hoped that I could share that with him.  Even now, as I am writing this, I can feel popcorn going off in my tummy.  It is a very strange, but comforting feeling!

Rescue

This is one of my favorite songs that I am listening to.  I thought I would share the lyrics, because they are just so powerful in God's Truth.

You are the source of life

I can't be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of You

I need You Jesus, I need You Jesus



My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You


I need You Jesus to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other Name by which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You

My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You

This world has nothing for me (I will follow You)

Audio of the song

16 Weeks

We are 16 weeks pregnant now.  So, I thought I would put up some fun facts about what the baby should be up to.  Oh, plus we got a heartbeat this past Tuesday, so that was really cool!  Janet, our midwife, said that everytime she tried to get a a heartbeat with the FetalScope that the baby moved, like the baby didn't want her to mess with it....so Janet, predicted it was going to be a girl, because this baby has attitude....anyway....

1.  baby should be 4.5 inches long (about the length of mascara)
2.  weight 3 ounces
3.  baby's heart is pumping about the 25 quarts of blood a day
4.  fine hair is starting to grow at the top of head
5.  baby has grown strong enough to hold it's head up a little straighter
6.  starting to have facial expressions like squinting, yawning, and grimacing

Stressed

I find myself constantly worrying if I am providing enough nutrition for the baby.  I feel like I'm never doing enough or I can't do enough. I feel like there is always one more vitamin I should be taking or "You haven't had any kelp today."  I don't know, guys.  Are there any mommies out there who did feel or are feeling this same thing?  I feel like this is my one job to do and I am failing miserably at it.  Who knows, I may be doing everything right.  I'm probably just letting myself get stressed out.....I need to just pray about it.

11 weeks

That is how far along I am. I find this hard to believe, because to me, my tummy isnt that big.  But I will have pics up soon so that we chronicle the procession of the bump. And then you will see what I mean.

We went to the midwife on Tueday and we didn't get a heartbeat.  But that is ok.  Usually with a fetal scope you won't get anything till 15 weeks.  We opted to not use a doppler, because it was a type of sonogram. So the next time we have a visit with the midwife we should get a heartbeat, so that will be fun!

Names

So, yes we have picked names.  If it is a girl it will be Selah Lynn Tillman-Young and if it is a boy Daniel Blue Tillman-Young.

Selah:  is in the bible.  It is a term used that means to "pause and reflect".  It is the part of the song where just music is playing and no lyrics.

Lynn:  is my maiden name.

Daniel:    a prophet from the bible and Noah's dad and grandfather's middle name.  All really cool guys!

Blue:  Noah's favorite color.  Actual "favorite" isn't an adequate enough word for his feelings toward this particular wavelength of light.