So, yes, this is the latest.

Well, the real latest is that I'm almost positive I have strep throat. (At least, the white patches on the very back of my mouth along with aches, chills, and headache seem to indicate strep throat, though there is also the possibility that it is some strain of a viral infection that I also hear has been making the rounds.) It is the most awful sickness I have ever had. I can't really eat because of how swollen my throat is and I'm definitely having trouble sleeping because of the pain. The only reason I'm functioning enough to write is because I took some Tylenol a bit ago so I could take a nap and eat (both of which I managed after the pain was eased a bit).

But the latest good news is that we're expecting again!

I kind of found out by surprise. I had nothing to indicate that I might be pregnant (though nothing to indicate that I wasn't, either), except that I felt the Lord tell me to buy a home pregnancy test before working things out with my insurance to get the diflucan for the thrush Jackson and I have been battling. You may remember that I needed to have the prescription pre-authorized before I could get it. Well, that day when I came home from the pharmacy, I didn't bring back diflucan but 2 pregnancy tests. I felt a little sheepish when I told Daniel. The idea that it was God putting that thought in my heart was feeling less and less probable and that my hormones were just nuts was feeling more and more likely. So I tucked the tests in a cabinet.

A couple days later, I'd tried to deal with the thrush using Gentian Violet to absolutely no avail. I was in so much pain and wanted relief now. But I couldn't make the phone call to my doctor asking her to get the prescription pre-authorized without shaking that feeling of being disobedient to what God had said. So, in desperation to ease my conscience and convinced I was just going crazy anyway, I took a pregnancy test and walked away, picked up the phone and dialed the number, came back to the test as the doctor's office was ringing, and was amazed (shocked?) to see the telltale + sign I certainly hadn't expected.

What?!?!

Naturally, I didn't believe it. But, of course, I couldn't finish my phone call to the doctor, either. I waited a couple more days and took another test. I'm not sure why I was just as astounded the second time around to see it positive, but I was. I called my doctor, this time to ask for bloodwork because I just wasn't yet convinced. Some bloodwork and a couple more days later, the nurse told me over the phone that I definitely am pregnant. And that was when it really sunk in.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not upset or bothered by this. I was just really surprised.

My estimated due date is based on nothing but feelings and "mom intuition." I could be totally wrong. But, hey!-- so far this mom's intuition has carried me pretty far. I am sure I am at least this far along-- could be more. (While I'm not sure which medical practice I want to go with for this pregnancy, I am fairly certain that any practice will want me to get an early ultrasound to better determine an estimated due date. As long as we get it early enough, I am content going with such testing.)

Please pray for us if you think of us. I am very sick and struggling to get the nutrients I know I need to continue fighting thrush (I am winning the battle, but it's been slow-going and I don't really want to lose ground), battle strep throat (or whatever this is), sustain a pregnancy, and breastfeed Jackson. The demands are high and my health poor. It isn't fun. (But don't worry, I know my body can do it all. It just needs extra help right now.)

Daniel has been wonderful. He has canceled everything the rest of this week so he can be home with the kids and I. (Gabriel began complaining this afternoon of being cold and his head hurting, which is exactly how I started this whole thing...) He's trying to care for the children, care for me, manage the home, fit in work-related phone calls, do laundry (scary!), fix meals, etc., most of which doesn't come entirely naturally for him. He can clean pretty well compared to most guys-- and probably a lot of girls-- but he's at a loss when it comes to doing Bronwyn's hair or cooking meals or using our washing machine. I'm impressed with how much of a trooper he's being in it all, but I know he's already tired-- and we most likely have a bit of a haul ahead of us before I'm back to feeling good.

God has been good to us. I feel He is especially good to me, as He continually makes sure I don't fall prey to loving routine more than I love grace.


*Edit: Currently I am gargling 1/2tsp colloidal silver 5x/day, taking 1000mg vitamin C/day, 1tsp elderberry concentrate 3x/day, and 1/2tsp oregon grape 2x/day. I am eating at least 1c of yogurt/day, I have cut out white flours and sugars, and will hopefully get more keifer in the house soon. If there is something in addition to all of this that you suggest I do to get rid of the infections, I would love to hear. Due to the pregnancy, I absolutely am not comfortable taking antibiotics. We're going to have to kick these infections the old-fashioned way.*