The First Midwife Appointment

So, yesterday was the first appointment with the midwife.  It was pretty uneventful.  She went over her medical history, and we listened to the heartbeat.  Not much different than our appointments with Dr. Ridens in Childress.  Things are progressing fine.  Shiloh's heartbeat is around 145 bpm.  Just glad Carrie is happy.

     As you can tell from the countdown timer and belly, we are counting down the days until we meet our new little bundle of mischief!  This will be our page for updates, pictures, and everything else baby!  In case you couldn't tell from the title of this page, our baby's name is Shiloh.  Shiloh Aaron Strickland to be exact.  Yes, that's right folks, we are having a little boy!  We are excited at what God is doing for us and through us, and we wanted to share this journey with you, our friends and family.
     There are so many of you and only two (three) of us, and we seem to be scattered to the four winds.  This page will be our point of contact; the place we share our joys, concerns, prayer requests.   Here we will discuss doctor appointments, sonograms, and even baby showers.  This will be the place we post shower information.  Some of you have expressed concern that we are "in the middle of nowhere" and you just can't drive 3-6 hours for a shower.  Well, we're working on something.  Maybe we can have a virtual online baby shower for those who can't make it to a traditional shower.  (Troy and his ideas!)  There it is.  Or here it is.  The place to find everything Shiloh.  As for the title, we are perfectly content knowing where Shiloh is right now, but if that countdown clock hits zero I know that will quickly change to "WHERE'S SHILOH?!?"
     For now, we leave you with links to our registries.  We picked what we liked, but there is probably lots we left out.  This is our first time going through this!  If you have any suggestions as to things to add, please let us know....



Target: Our favorite overall registry!

Babies R Us - so many things only available online


This last one is not so much a registry as an idea/request.  We have decided that after the first month at home, we will be using cloth diapers.  The diapers we want and inserts can be found in the following two links:

The Diapers

The Inserts

More Inserts


Ok.  So follow us.  Keep an eye out.  If you watch, you will find out everything Shiloh!

The Car Situation

Well, for those who haven't heard yet, we have had a major answer to prayer.  Our need for the midwfie center has been completely covered.  God has blessed us in ways that are unimaginable.

Then we come to our next quandary/prayer request.  We haven't had a car payment in almost 2 years, and that is a very nice feeling.  We like being debt free except for the student loans.  We also live in what many people would call "the middle of nowhere."

The closest major city to us is Midland, and there is absolutely nothing between here and there except West Texas brushland.  Okay, there is a picnic area, but that isn't much help in an emergency.  Also, cell phone coverage between here and there is spotty.  To top it off, the oilfield traffic on that road is horrendous.  You do not pass except for in 2 places where you have 3 miles visibility.  I have been told there have been 8 deaths on that highway in the past year!

The problem with all of this is our vehicle situation.  The Nissan, which is the car Carrie drives when she drives, has 216,700 miles on it.  For me, it is just getting broken in.  For Carrie and Shiloh, I am not sure.  I do not like the idea of them being broke down in the middle of nowhere in 115 degree heat.  So, we have a decision to make in the next 6-7 months.

On the one hand, the Nissan is a very dependable car with great gas mileage.  It is paid off.  It needs just a few minor repairs and maintenance.  We would have no payment, lower insurance premiums, and a car we have loved the entire time we have had it.  My last altima had 395,000 miles on it when we traded it in.

On the other hand, a 217,000 miles car is a gamble each time you drive it.  Even meticulously maintained it could have major problems at any moment.  Each trip is a gamble you are taking on the integrity of the vehicle.  I can take that gamble with me, but not with them.  If the transmission goes, that is a $5000-6000 repair.....game over.  Plus, the Altima can get a little cramped.

So, we have basically 4 choices, and there are pros and cons to each.

1. Keep the Altima and try to make it a great, dependable car and drive it for 200,000 more miles.

      Pros:

1. No car payment so even if emergencies arise we aren't strapped each month
2. Driving a car we know backwards and forwards
3. Give us time to save up enough money to pay cash for another car
4. Repairs can be made preemptively so the cost isn't as big upfront

     Cons:

1. The expense could be as expensive as buying a new car
2. Even with constant repairs, a high mileage car is more likely to break down
3. After a certain mileage, gas economy begins to dwindle
4. Lack of room for future expansion of family ;)

2. Keep the Altima for a short while doing only what is needed to save a hefty down payment on a new vehicle

       Pros:

1. The amount financed will be less and the interest rate will be better
2. Get more use out of the car we have now
3. Less repairs means we sink less money in the car

       Cons:

1. Still have a payment once car is financed
2. Driving in the meantime will be a major gamble
3. The more miles we add to the Altima, the less the trade in value

3. Buy a new Minivan

       Pros:

1. Plenty of room for future growth
2. Easy to get in and out of with baby
3. Know the history of the vehicle from purchase
4. Warranty and peace of mind when traveling

       Cons:

1. Payment - tied down to an amount to pay every month which makes emergencies hard
2. Payment - yes, I know I said this, but seriously a stressful thought
3. Depreciation the minute we drive off the lot
4. What will people think? - are we paying the preacher too much?

4. Buy a newer(Used) minivan

       Pros:

1. Plenty of room for future growth
2. Easy to get in and out of with baby
3. Peace of mind when traveling
4. Less amount to finance

       Cons:

1. Payment - tied down to an amount to pay every month which makes emergencies hard
2. Payment - yep again
3. Could be hidden repairs from previous owner

5. Sell both current cars to buy one - yeah I know I said 4, but this is a major consideration

Many people around here have mules (atvs/golfcarts) they drive around town and a car to go longer distances.  Is that an option for us?  For almost 4 years Carrie has never gone long distances without me.  Could we be a one car family?  Will that be doable with a baby?  Just one more thing to consider.

So, there is the debacle.  What should we do?  We ask that you would pray with us that God would guide us into the decision we need to make.

P.S.  I am editing the post about registries to change the diaper inserts.  Look there if you were wanting to buy those!  We have been led to a different direction on inserts.

The OB/MIDWIFE money dilemna

Well, with all of the blessings and smooth sailing with this move, we have run into a big snag.  As we researched and searched for an OB/GYN this week, every one we contacted turned us down for one reason or another.  Either they are not taking new Medicaid patients or they will not accept new patients who are after 20 weeks of pregnancy.  Now, if you know Carrie you know making a choice is a huge deal for her.  This is especially true with this choice.  Every time she found a doctor she thought she would be comfortable with and could trust, these two reasons would pop up.  Literally, every doctor we have on our list of approved providers said no for one reason or another.  On one of our last calls, we did find one clinic who would see her for a nameless doctor.  This did not set well with Carrie, and she does not need to be uncomfortable with this decision.

I did a little more research and found a midwfie service and birthing center in Midland just under a mile from the hospital.  Carrie has always wanted to go this route, but we have never been able to because of where we lived and finances.  I called them on the off chance they may accept us, and they will.  When I talked with Carrie about it she lit up and was very excited and her fears seemed to melt away.  The only problem in the scenario is Medicaid is not accepted.  This entire cost will be out of pocket.  While the cost is not extravagant (actually it is really reasonable), when added to the costs of moving and setting up house here it is a little stressful.  Pray that God will open major doors to allow us to follow this path.  I have never seen Carrie so excited about this pregnancy and doctor choices.  One thing is for sure, the happier and more at ease Carrie is, the healthier and safer Shiloh.  So pray that doors will be opened.


UPDATE*** - God has provided all we need in this situation.  Hallelujah!