That's right, I'm growing a baby. Little Plum is due in December. Can't believe it? Neither can we!
As most of you know, we had set up an appointment with an IVF specialist for the end of April. We had started to get really excited and we had all of our previous records from our regular doctor's office all ready to go.
Since I've gotten so many negative results from pregnancy tests in the past year and a half, I refused to take a test this month as early as I usually do. Well, first I was 1 day late. No biggie. Then 2, then 3, then 4. I was in complete denial and ensuring myself that my cycle was probably just off this time around. Finally on the 5th day I took a test. It was early morning (6am to be exact) on Wednesday, April 17th. Typically in the past, the tests have always taken the full 2 minutes to show the result. This one, however, took what I'm guessing to be less than a minute - and BAM - a big fat "pregnant" was staring me in the face. I had to look away then look back about 3 times for it to register that there wasn't a "not" before the "pregnant"! When we first started trying, I never would've guessed that it would take 17 months to finally got a positive. Better late than never!
Because it was so early, Brent of course was still sound asleep. I literally ran out of the bathroom and shook him awake. I said "Hey, it's positive!" to which his response was "WHAT?!" - with eyes as big as saucers. All I could do then was nod my head since I was already starting to cry. We hugged for a minute then sat in the bed, shook our heads and laughed just saying over and over that we couldn't believe it. After the initial wave of shock, Brent said he just HAD to call someone and surely someone was awake at that hour. And so began our day of breaking the news to our families & close friends! The reactions we got were priceless, and we're so glad we got to surprise everyone.
Now, I know you guys are smart, but I'll be sure to make it clear... we did NOT have to do in-vitro!! This happened naturally. I'll never forget cancelling that appointment (especially since I prayed specifically to be able to do that) and then calling to tell my nurse that we got pregnant on our own. I'm pretty sure we're still in shock simply because we were so sure that we'd have to take the most extreme of measures in order to conceive.
Let me preface these next two paragraphs with this: please don't take offense. It's not geared for anyone specifically, none of it is meant to be rude or disrespectful, and it's just me getting a few things off my chest before my hormones begin raging (yay, pregnancy excuse #1!!).
I've already had several people say things along the lines of "I bet it happened because you stopped stressing about it!" or "I knew it'd happen if you just relaxed!". Well, I'm here to tell you that stress and relaxation had nothing to do with it. I know people mean well by saying things like that, but it's just simply not the case. There is a legitimate medical issue that has been causing the infertility... an issue that as far as we're concerned is still occurring, and an issue that in the beginning gave us a 4% chance of natural conception from a medical viewpoint. I'm sure us not stressing so much this particular month helped mildly, but it couldn't change it completely. GOD changed it! He has blessed us with a miracle exactly when we needed it, and even the word miracle seems like an understatement.
As most of you know, I've always been a not-so touchy-feely kind of girl (except with my cute husband, obviously). I love a good hug, but other than that I enjoy my personal space. During this time I'm giving everyone this disclaimer that if they try to touch my belly, they may very well get a karate chop to the arm. On the other hand, if any of you ever hear me say "I'm eating for two", please karate chop me. See, it balances out! I'm technically only eating for 1 plus about 300 extra calories a day, and hopefully if I remind myself of that every day I won't get as big as a house ;) Maybe the more I grow, the more comfortable I'll be with people reaching out for the bump, but no promises.
I've already had several people say things along the lines of "I bet it happened because you stopped stressing about it!" or "I knew it'd happen if you just relaxed!". Well, I'm here to tell you that stress and relaxation had nothing to do with it. I know people mean well by saying things like that, but it's just simply not the case. There is a legitimate medical issue that has been causing the infertility... an issue that as far as we're concerned is still occurring, and an issue that in the beginning gave us a 4% chance of natural conception from a medical viewpoint. I'm sure us not stressing so much this particular month helped mildly, but it couldn't change it completely. GOD changed it! He has blessed us with a miracle exactly when we needed it, and even the word miracle seems like an understatement.
As most of you know, I've always been a not-so touchy-feely kind of girl (except with my cute husband, obviously). I love a good hug, but other than that I enjoy my personal space. During this time I'm giving everyone this disclaimer that if they try to touch my belly, they may very well get a karate chop to the arm. On the other hand, if any of you ever hear me say "I'm eating for two", please karate chop me. See, it balances out! I'm technically only eating for 1 plus about 300 extra calories a day, and hopefully if I remind myself of that every day I won't get as big as a house ;) Maybe the more I grow, the more comfortable I'll be with people reaching out for the bump, but no promises.
Now that my gripe-out paragraphs have been written, I kindly ask for prayer. Prayer for a safe pregnancy through and through. For a smooth delivery. And most importantly, for a healthy baby. Pray for my energy levels to rise and morning sickness to dissipate. I haven't thrown up - it's just been nausea - so I'm considering myself very lucky! I've never eaten so much toast and dry cereal in my life, but I smile when I think of why bland food is the only kind that sounds appetizing. Oddly enough, I feel full almost constantly, even though I only eat small meals throughout the day. Eating has become a chore... never thought that was possible for this girl! It feels so weird to be typing all of this. I've been waiting a long time to do so.
For months I've been pinning maternity photos and creative ways to track pregnancy on Pinterest and I'm so thrilled to finally be able to put them to good use! It helps to have an extremely talented photographer who doubles as a mother-in-law ;) We've been taking a week-by-week picture to track the growth of the baby. I also have a neat app on my phone that tells me all of the details each week. At 6 weeks my little one's brain had developed and his/her beating heart was the size of a poppy seed. Blows me away!
Initially I told Brent I wanted to wait until I was 12 weeks along to make the announcement online, but we're just too excited to put it off any longer! It's been 3 weeks since we found out and it's been tearing Brent up not to post it. He's literally been counting down the days :) Today we saw Dr. Sterling for the first time since our last IUI. He came in hollering "Hercules! Hercules!". He gave Brent a high five and said "Good job! See, y'all didn't need doctors." :) It's awesome having one who's so excited for us! I am 7 weeks and two days along. We got to see the baby, and hear it's heartbeat for the very first time. I just laid there in total shock - it was so loud! Best. Sound. Ever. Due date is officially December 23rd. Can't wait to meet our little Christmas baby!
Thank you all for your love and prayers for the past months, we've appreciated it all more than you know! Now begins the millions of pictures on your Facebook newsfeed... I'll show you where the "hide" button is if you get sick of me :) Come on December!!
~ Kirsten
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
--Hebrews 11:1
For months I've been pinning maternity photos and creative ways to track pregnancy on Pinterest and I'm so thrilled to finally be able to put them to good use! It helps to have an extremely talented photographer who doubles as a mother-in-law ;) We've been taking a week-by-week picture to track the growth of the baby. I also have a neat app on my phone that tells me all of the details each week. At 6 weeks my little one's brain had developed and his/her beating heart was the size of a poppy seed. Blows me away!
Initially I told Brent I wanted to wait until I was 12 weeks along to make the announcement online, but we're just too excited to put it off any longer! It's been 3 weeks since we found out and it's been tearing Brent up not to post it. He's literally been counting down the days :) Today we saw Dr. Sterling for the first time since our last IUI. He came in hollering "Hercules! Hercules!". He gave Brent a high five and said "Good job! See, y'all didn't need doctors." :) It's awesome having one who's so excited for us! I am 7 weeks and two days along. We got to see the baby, and hear it's heartbeat for the very first time. I just laid there in total shock - it was so loud! Best. Sound. Ever. Due date is officially December 23rd. Can't wait to meet our little Christmas baby!
Thank you all for your love and prayers for the past months, we've appreciated it all more than you know! Now begins the millions of pictures on your Facebook newsfeed... I'll show you where the "hide" button is if you get sick of me :) Come on December!!
~ Kirsten
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
--Hebrews 11:1
