Ladomato Living

We are excited to share that God has blessed us with another pregnancy! Jackie is expecting our second child in January of 2012. Judah and the new baby will be 21 months apart. Although Judah doesn’t fully understand, he knows that there is a baby in mommy’s tummy, and he is already eager to kiss and hug it. He is going to make a wonderful big brother!

This pregnancy has gone much smoother than the last one, and we are thankful to be planning for a home-birth.

Today, Jackie gave birth to our first child, Judah Giampaolo Ladomato. Jackie had a long, hard labor but was able to deliver him without a c-section by the grace of God. We also thank our doula and the hospital staff for all they did to help us along the way.

What a blessing from God Judah is!

Birth facts:
Born 4/24 at 2:03pm
Weight: 8 pounds 15 ounces
Length: 21.5 inches

He is our miracle baby.

I am so thankful,
Giampaolo

“God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him.”–Psalm 67:7

Our family and friends blessed us with a very generous baby shower on March 13th, and the following week my younger sister helped me set up the nursery and baby changing area, as well as wash all the cloth diapers and baby clothes (which made for quite a mound of laundry!).

God has graciously brought us through to 37 weeks of pregnancy and I am feeling quite large now. The doctor estimates the baby to be somewhere around 6 1/2 lbs. It is such a joy to feel the baby move inside of me and excitement is mounting for everyone as we begin to anticipate the birth of the baby! Yet we desire to wait patienty on the Lord, trusting that He will bring the baby in His perfect time.

Resting in Him,
Jackie

We are closely approaching the delivery time of the new baby due April 16, 2010.

Jackie just recently went in for a prenatal and ultrasound. Due to the early complications, we have had several ultrasounds. Also, the doctor wanted to see the position of the baby and the 4 fibroids that initially had posed a serious hindrance to any hopes of a natural delivery.

First, we found out that the baby is positioned perfectly with head down “ready to go” for the big day. Second, we were elated to discover that only 1 of the 4 fibroids could be located. Yes, our God is awesome! He showed His power early on in the pregnancy by moving the fibroids out of the way, now He has either moved them “out of sight” or completely re-moved 3 out of the 4. We know that God does move mountains and wants us to pray and seek His face.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

God can and still does move mountains. There are many more mountains that He is willing and able to move! Will you surrender to His conditions, humble youself, turn from all sin and allow Him to work His mighty deeds in your life?

–Paolo

Jackie had another ultrasound today and we witnessed another miracle (in addition to the sustained life and the initial conception of this wonderful blessing from God): the two fibroids blocking the birth canal have moved up, and the doctor has cleared us for a natural delivery … and has taken us out of the “high-risk” category. This means we do not have to keep having so many ultrasounds and needles and tests. That makes my wife (and me) very happy! Praise the Lord! We know that we still need the Lord’s miraculous touch in the weeks ahead, but our hearts are rejoicing in the work of God on our behalves thus far.

–Paolo

I have been experiencing quite a bit of pain and discomfort from the growing fibroids, and I have had to slow down considerably from my normal routines. It’s amazing how hard it is to slow down sometimes! The days can be slow and painful, but I thank God for each day that He gives us with this little one growing inside of my womb. Unless two of the fibroids move, I have been told that a c-section will be required. Fibroids are very unpredictable, but we know that with God nothing is impossible. We are looking to and waiting upon Him for deliverance.

We are blessed that our younger sister Ruth has started coming once a week to help with cleaning and other responsibilities that I cannot physically do at this time.

–Jackie

An ultrasound has shown that we have just one baby … and that Jackie’s fibroids are, indeed, growing. Due to the size and location of the fibroids, and some of the complications that can accompany this, our midwife has screened us out for a homebirth. This was a great disappointment to Jackie especially, but we are seeking to be joyful in the Lord’s choosing. Exactly what path He is choosing for us is still quite uncertain. We have been told that it is a miracle that our little one has survived thus far, and that we are very possibly looking at preterm labor. I know that the Lord sets up impossible odds to reveal His glory to mankind. Father get glory for your name!

–Paolo

Today was the first appointment with the midwife. The baby has a strong heartbeat and is definitely growing. In fact, I am measuring much larger than anticipated for 16 weeks. The midwife is sending us in for an ultrasound to determine whether we have twins … or whether my uterine fibroids are growing.

–Jackie

Bleeding during pregnancy is not a good sign, so the couple of bleeding episodes which gave indication that the Lord might take this baby were trying days. We do not want to lose this baby prematurely, but we have sought to rest in the Lord and to trust Him for the outcome. I am on bed-rest for part of the day trying to not overwork myself or do any heavy lifting. Miraculously, it seems the Lord has chosen to sustain this little life. Our hearts are rejoicing!

–Jackie

We found out today, on the anniversary date of five years since we became engaged, that the Lord has at long last answered our prayers and opened Jackie’s womb. Jackie has an estimated due date of April 16th, which will also be one year to the day that Dad McMillan went to be with the Lord. It is a reminder to us that God takes life … and He gives new life; He makes everything beautiful in His perfect time.

–Paolo