Friday, February 20, 2009
Baby Countdown
Just wanted to let y'all know I added a pregnancy ticker to the bottom of the blog so you can count down with us! :)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Ultrasound #2, 12 weeks 3 days
Ultrasound is such amazing technology. Yesterday Greg and I watched in amazement as our child kicked and stretched and flipped over inside my womb! He or she was very busy in there. Why don't they invent an affordable ultrasound for home use? I'd much rather watch my child all night than any television show!
Seeing the baby move really brings the pregnancy into focus. I'm beginning to realize that there really is a baby in there and that at some point it's going to come out! Wow. Maybe I shouldn't get that far ahead of myself. Or maybe I should actually begin to get serious. I have had almost no interest in looking at baby things yet, though I need practically everything. Without knowing the gender, it's hard to pick anything. Or maybe that's just my excuse. In fact, it's probably just an excuse. The reality is that I'm going through a gigantic ambivalence phase. I'm finding that for the first time in my life, I just don't really care about much. Well, that's not quite it. It's more like this: I care, but can't possibly be motivated to do anything about it. I'm chalking it up to pregnancy fatigue and crazy brain and hoping it goes away soon. If not, I'll have to hire someone to be me for a while because our bathroom REALLY needs to be cleaned!
And apparently I ramble.
Without further ado (or crazy pregnancy brain antics), I present the pictures from our ultrasound yesterday.
Our baby at 12 weeks 3 days. In the last two pictures the baby has their back to us. Notice the kick in photo number 2.
Seeing the baby move really brings the pregnancy into focus. I'm beginning to realize that there really is a baby in there and that at some point it's going to come out! Wow. Maybe I shouldn't get that far ahead of myself. Or maybe I should actually begin to get serious. I have had almost no interest in looking at baby things yet, though I need practically everything. Without knowing the gender, it's hard to pick anything. Or maybe that's just my excuse. In fact, it's probably just an excuse. The reality is that I'm going through a gigantic ambivalence phase. I'm finding that for the first time in my life, I just don't really care about much. Well, that's not quite it. It's more like this: I care, but can't possibly be motivated to do anything about it. I'm chalking it up to pregnancy fatigue and crazy brain and hoping it goes away soon. If not, I'll have to hire someone to be me for a while because our bathroom REALLY needs to be cleaned!
And apparently I ramble.
Without further ado (or crazy pregnancy brain antics), I present the pictures from our ultrasound yesterday.
Our baby at 12 weeks 3 days. In the last two pictures the baby has their back to us. Notice the kick in photo number 2.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A big girl!
Bella finally decided that she was ready to use the potty! She showed a little interest last year, but then quickly changed her mind. We waited (and waited and waited and waited) and then, out of the blue, last week she decided she was ready and started requesting to use the potty. I'm proud to say she is keeping her panties dry ALL DAY while she's awake, including trips to the store. Such a big girl!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Pregnant Thoughts
I'm pregnant! What a miracle after all these years of infertility! To say that I was shocked when the test turned positive is a gigantic understatement. Time stopped completely. I just stared at the test, unable to speak or move. It's been a roller-coaster ride emotionally ever since.
What does it feel like to finally have your prayers answered? What will this pregnancy mean for our family? What sacrifices will we need to make for the baby? How long is the list of things we need to buy in the next several months? Is the baby healthy? How will Bella handle the transition from youngest to big sister? Will the kids share rooms, even if it's a boy? How much weight will I gain? How can I avoid gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension with my increased risks for each of them? How and when will this baby come out??? My mind is filled with questions about everything, from the mundane to the hypothetical. I'm certain that some of it is just these wacky hormones tacked on to my natural inclination to worry.
I believe that God has a divine plan and that all life is created according to His will. Having said that, I want you to notice the mercy of our God. Throughout years of infertility, he never allowed hope to disappear from my heart. What a gift that is! He knew all along that my prayers would be answered in His time. He knows the child growing within me because it has been part of His plan all along.
When I first began the journey of pursuing pregnancy, I was twenty years old and married to my first husband. My doctor was surprised that I wasn't able to conceive after trying for a year. Further diagnostics revealed that I had a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome. At the time, not much was known about the condition and possible medical treatments were experimental. My husband and I decided to try a combination of medications designed to encourage ovulation. For over six months I struggled with the side effects of these meds, each month hoping that we would conceive. Eventually, I decided that my body had had enough. I never considered going further with fertility treatments. For me, the answer was adoption. Unfortunately, my husband didn't agree. We divorced after four years of marriage.
A couple years later, I met Greg. He was absolutely supportive of anything I wanted to try in order to expand our family. We decided to see our doctor about possible treatments for my PCOS and try for a year. I was put on Metformin for six months without any visible success. At that point, my doctor switched my medication to Actos, but we were already feeling the call to adopt. We began to pursue our adoption of Isabella. After just a few months of being on Actos, my cycles regulated for the first time in my life! I couldn't believe it! But still, we didn't conceive and, really at that point, we weren't concerned. We were very much anticipating our newest daughter.
Fast forward a couple years to our return home from Guatemala. Greg and I began to have discussions on how we would bring our next child into our home, only this time around the conversations weren't as easy. Our adoption of Isabella was really tough on our family financially and emotionally. We eventually came to the decision to just give it up to God. We planned to try to conceive for two years, all the while beginning to save money for another adoption. If we hadn't conceived within two years, we would adopt. We made this agreement in October and were pregnant six weeks later. We never in a million years expected it to happen so quickly!
Many people have different stories than mine and have experienced infertility in a way I cannot relate to. I've heard many women say that they needed to grieve the loss of fertility completely before they could pursue adoption. I've never walked in their shoes. For me, they have always been separate issues. I longed for a child and received a beautiful daughter through adoption. I never ceased longing to be pregnant as well. I'm thrilled that the Lord has answered my prayers, knowing every single day what a blessing this child is!
I stated earlier that God has a divine plan and that each life is created according to His will. This is no less true for Bella. Although I can't know for sure, I suspect that the reason I didn't conceive sooner was because God had already chosen Bella for our family. The same is true for Irene. I needed to be her mom first and she needed some time to feel unique and special.
Today I have the amazing privilege of being a step-mother, adoptive mother, and birth mother. What an amazing blessing!
What does it feel like to finally have your prayers answered? What will this pregnancy mean for our family? What sacrifices will we need to make for the baby? How long is the list of things we need to buy in the next several months? Is the baby healthy? How will Bella handle the transition from youngest to big sister? Will the kids share rooms, even if it's a boy? How much weight will I gain? How can I avoid gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension with my increased risks for each of them? How and when will this baby come out??? My mind is filled with questions about everything, from the mundane to the hypothetical. I'm certain that some of it is just these wacky hormones tacked on to my natural inclination to worry.
I believe that God has a divine plan and that all life is created according to His will. Having said that, I want you to notice the mercy of our God. Throughout years of infertility, he never allowed hope to disappear from my heart. What a gift that is! He knew all along that my prayers would be answered in His time. He knows the child growing within me because it has been part of His plan all along.
When I first began the journey of pursuing pregnancy, I was twenty years old and married to my first husband. My doctor was surprised that I wasn't able to conceive after trying for a year. Further diagnostics revealed that I had a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome. At the time, not much was known about the condition and possible medical treatments were experimental. My husband and I decided to try a combination of medications designed to encourage ovulation. For over six months I struggled with the side effects of these meds, each month hoping that we would conceive. Eventually, I decided that my body had had enough. I never considered going further with fertility treatments. For me, the answer was adoption. Unfortunately, my husband didn't agree. We divorced after four years of marriage.
A couple years later, I met Greg. He was absolutely supportive of anything I wanted to try in order to expand our family. We decided to see our doctor about possible treatments for my PCOS and try for a year. I was put on Metformin for six months without any visible success. At that point, my doctor switched my medication to Actos, but we were already feeling the call to adopt. We began to pursue our adoption of Isabella. After just a few months of being on Actos, my cycles regulated for the first time in my life! I couldn't believe it! But still, we didn't conceive and, really at that point, we weren't concerned. We were very much anticipating our newest daughter.
Fast forward a couple years to our return home from Guatemala. Greg and I began to have discussions on how we would bring our next child into our home, only this time around the conversations weren't as easy. Our adoption of Isabella was really tough on our family financially and emotionally. We eventually came to the decision to just give it up to God. We planned to try to conceive for two years, all the while beginning to save money for another adoption. If we hadn't conceived within two years, we would adopt. We made this agreement in October and were pregnant six weeks later. We never in a million years expected it to happen so quickly!
Many people have different stories than mine and have experienced infertility in a way I cannot relate to. I've heard many women say that they needed to grieve the loss of fertility completely before they could pursue adoption. I've never walked in their shoes. For me, they have always been separate issues. I longed for a child and received a beautiful daughter through adoption. I never ceased longing to be pregnant as well. I'm thrilled that the Lord has answered my prayers, knowing every single day what a blessing this child is!
I stated earlier that God has a divine plan and that each life is created according to His will. This is no less true for Bella. Although I can't know for sure, I suspect that the reason I didn't conceive sooner was because God had already chosen Bella for our family. The same is true for Irene. I needed to be her mom first and she needed some time to feel unique and special.
Today I have the amazing privilege of being a step-mother, adoptive mother, and birth mother. What an amazing blessing!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The reason I've been missing for a while
Please praise God with us for this wonderful little miracle! I'm ten weeks now and still feeling the effects of morning sickness, hence the fact that I haven't posted in a while. Everyone says I'll feel better in a few weeks, so I'll see ya then! :)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wahooo!
New Kids On The Block just announced new spring tour dates and I need to start being really nice to Greg!!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Bella's first answered prayer
This morning as we were walking out to the car to take Bella to school, she noticed that it had begun to snow. Now, a little background information is helpful here so I'll let y'all know that we've been praying for snow off and on for a good two months now (mostly so Bella can wear her snowpants!). Anyway, as she was looking at the snow falling, I could literally see her wheels turning. Realization dawned on her and she said "Mommy, God made it snow."
"Yes He did! Isn't that great?"
And then my little girl looked up at the sky and shouted at the top of her lungs "THANK YOU GOD!"
*These are the treasures that I store up in my heart.
"Yes He did! Isn't that great?"
And then my little girl looked up at the sky and shouted at the top of her lungs "THANK YOU GOD!"
*These are the treasures that I store up in my heart.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Christmas Review :)
Playing Mary with her baby Jesus
This is LONG overdue, I know! We had a wonderful Christmas! We enjoyed having Greg's parents and sister with her family stay with us for several days over the holiday. I don't have anywhere near enough pictures and am relying on copies of Granny's pictures to fill in the blanks. Both Bella and Irene were spoiled this year! Bella got the baby doll she had asked Santa for and also a new kitchen. She loves both and they are giving her lots of experience with pretend play. She also received a dress up trunk full of princess clothes which she adores! So much fun! Irene's favorite gift was her dolphin! That's right... she got her very own dolphin this year! My parents adpoted one for her while they were in Hawaii. She was so touched and excited she teared up! Anyway, here are some miscellaneous pics for you to enjoy!
Cute matching jammies!
Greg's sister Amy with her husband and two boys. They are expecting a little girl in March!
'Working' on her new computer, sitting just like Daddy does with his laptop.
This is one happy girl!
My nephew got a chocolate fountain for Christmas (by request!)
Bella LOVED it
Maybe a little too much
Monday, December 22, 2008
Three Days 'Till Christmas
...and all through the house, every creature was stirring, even the mouse (in the garage!). We are crazy busy here getting ready for family coming in today and tomorrow. We are going to have a houseful of guests all week, but I promise to come right back with stories and pictures galore! In the meantime, Merry Christmas! May God bless you this season and in the coming new year!
P.S. Fun Christmas tidbits:
1. Bella has asked Santa Clause for a baby doll this year.
2. Bella has been singing "Yes, Key Kaws (Santa Clause) bring me baby doll" to the tune of Jesus loves me
3. My favorite was when she sang the above song at the top of her lungs in Walmart!
4. Bella loves to dress up like Mary and carry her own Baby Jesus- wait till you see the pictures!
5. Gingerbread men are the "cookie with face"
I love the season from the bottom of my heart. Seeing it through the eyes of a toddler brings me such joy! I love it!
P.S. Fun Christmas tidbits:
1. Bella has asked Santa Clause for a baby doll this year.
2. Bella has been singing "Yes, Key Kaws (Santa Clause) bring me baby doll" to the tune of Jesus loves me
3. My favorite was when she sang the above song at the top of her lungs in Walmart!
4. Bella loves to dress up like Mary and carry her own Baby Jesus- wait till you see the pictures!
5. Gingerbread men are the "cookie with face"
I love the season from the bottom of my heart. Seeing it through the eyes of a toddler brings me such joy! I love it!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Cookies, cookies, and more cookies
'Tis the season to be baking, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Just as the season began, catastrophe struck and our hand mixer died. I began to have heart palpitations imagining all the cookies and tamales and potatoes that could never be without a mixer. Fortunately, I have a very sensible husband who calmly suggested I go buy a new mixer, and one that will last for a while. I headed to Bed Bath & Beyond armed with a 20% off coupon and got myself a new best friend. Here she is. Isn't she lovely? Her name is Vanessa.
Vanessa and I have been busy ever since. Sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, gingerbread cookies, and icing galore!
Bella and Irene making snickerdoodles
Cheese!
Irene hard at work with the gingerbread men
Our army of oddly clad cookie men
Just as the season began, catastrophe struck and our hand mixer died. I began to have heart palpitations imagining all the cookies and tamales and potatoes that could never be without a mixer. Fortunately, I have a very sensible husband who calmly suggested I go buy a new mixer, and one that will last for a while. I headed to Bed Bath & Beyond armed with a 20% off coupon and got myself a new best friend. Here she is. Isn't she lovely? Her name is Vanessa.
Vanessa and I have been busy ever since. Sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, gingerbread cookies, and icing galore!
Bella and Irene making snickerdoodles
Cheese!
Irene hard at work with the gingerbread men
Our army of oddly clad cookie men
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