Isn't She Lovely

That's our girl! Wow...girl...it's still sinking in. What an exciting and emotional day it has been! The best news is that she is growing right on schedule and things appear to be going well. Everything is definitely becoming more real...especially for Kit. It's so cute to see him finally start to get excited and motivated to get things ready. I think it's hard for men to really comprehend all that is happening and start to form a bond until things become a little more concrete. I can't wait to watch him fall in love with this girl. I'll write more about our day later...I just wanted to get the picture up and share the news!

*Second Trimester*

Woo hoo!!  I am officially in the second trimester!  Hallelujah!  And I have to say (knock on wood) I am actually feeling a little better today.  Not 100%, but I did have enough energy this morning to take a 40 minute walk.  It does help that I didn't have to be up early for work today...so, we'll see how tomorrow is.

Here are a couple of pictures from our 12 week ultrasound taken two weeks ago.  I know it sounds cheesy, but it truly was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced.  I had tears streaming down my face pretty much the whole time.  I was so glad Kit got to be there too.  I really think it helped connect him to the pregnancy and baby.  It was so cool seeing the little one move and wave it's arms.  Our u/s tech would jiggle my belly to get it to move positions so she could get different views.  But, the little one was quite content taking a little nap!  It would stretch it's legs out, shake it's arms and go right back to the original spot.  I have no idea where those traits come from! ;)

The second picture is a 4-D shot.  I don't think these are typically done at this time.  We just got lucky with a really sweet tech.  This was also our last appointment with the specialist.  I am grateful we were able to see a specialist during these first critical weeks.  Not that they really did anything different.  It just felt comforting knowing we were doing everything we could and that we were being followed more carefully.  It was also nice having the extra ultrasounds.

Now that I am released to my regular Ob/Gyn office I will be on a normal 4 week schedule for the next few months.  I had my 14 week appointment on Monday which was short and sweet.  We listened to the heartbeat which was thumping right along at 140 bpm.  I also got to schedule my 20 week ultrasound.  And yes, we will be finding out the sex if baby cooperates.  Now that things are becoming more "real" I am so excited to find out the sex!

When I look back over the past year, I can so vividly recall the feelings of hopelessness and fear that followed me so closely.  There were days when I honestly never thought we would be here.  I am so aware of the fact that everything I have can be taken away in a moment.  And I know that every mommy who makes it to the second trimester doesn't bring home a baby.  But, for now, for this moment I will relish in the miracle my body is participating in.  I will praise God for giving me this life...even though I had so little faith that it would happen.  And I will continue to hope and believe that come November I will be holding this little one in my arms.  

Believing in Miracles

Please join us in praising God for another chance at starting our family!  You can see our beautiful angel here in this ultrasound photo.  The Dr. tells us everything is going perfect so far and the baby is measuring right on target.  This is such sweet news for us as we never had a good ultrasound in the past.  Another good sign is how sick I've been!  Believe me this is no fun...but, after seeing the little one squirming on Wednesday it's totally worth it.

Today I am 9 weeks along, so I am not out of the "scary" first trimester yet.  We decided to go ahead and share our news anyways.  If there is one thing we have learned with all of our losses last year (the greatest of course being our dear Lisa) it's that there are no guarantees in this life.  No matter who or what we attach ourselves to there are no promises that we can hold on to it for the rest of our days. 

So Kit and I have decided to celebrate this life growing in me for as long as it chooses to stay with us.  This is something that doesn't necessarily come naturally for me.  I think I tend to lean towards worry in most situations.  But, I am taking this chance to learn from Lisa and bring her legacy to life.  During the year and a half she battled with leukemia she endured several different treatments.  And after every treatment she began living and planning and believing that the treatment was going to work.  Never once did she say, "Oh well, this probably won't work anyways, what's the point of making plans."  No, she always chose to believe and she always chose to live.

So this is me...attempting to bring this practice into my own life.  I hope this finds you all well...and believing in miracles for your own life.