Answers

Due August 15.

About 8 weeks along.

We've known for about 3 weeks. My doctor's norm is to do a 6 week ultrasound to determine the due date. On December 23, I went alone while Drew was with the boys. She didn't see what she wanted to see (a baby), but she did see a yolk sac (the beginnings of a pregnancy). She took my blood to check my hormone levels (which were in the normal range) and set up an appointment for 2 weeks later to do another ultra sound. After telling me that if I had cramping or bleeding, it would be an emergency and to definitely call her. I didn't know what questions to ask. So, I went home and then realized what she hadn't said. "You're pregnant!"

We had planned to send out the announcement that you saw on the blog as a post card but after the initial appointment, decided to wait to announce anything until we knew what was happening.

And then, on Thursday, after seeing the baby and seeing the heartbeat and hearing it, we were so excited, so relieved that we didn't want to waste time ordering the postcard and then mailing it out. So, we announced it on the blog!

Only my brother didn't understand it! His wife had to explain it to him. And to clarify it was my oldest brother.

It was kind of a long two weeks. I had moments of complete peace. Peace that God would carry us through wherever he would take us. Peace that if this baby wasn't going to grow, God would get me through. And even moments of peace that this baby was going to grow and we looked too early. And moments where I was anxiously waiting for cramping, bleeding, something to signal the beginning of the end.

And after seeing that sweet little heartbeat and hearing it. I feel so blessed. In awe and wonderment. I know plenty of women who want to be pregnant, who have experienced loss. And this time, I get to dance around it. Avoid it. And I wonder, why me?

I don't take being pregnant, getting pregnant, lightly. I am so blessed. I want you to know that. I want you to know that I take every single one of your congratulations with a huge smile on my face. And I pray for so many of you, I can't wait to return the congratulations. And I will be thrilled for you.

We are ecstatic. The boys are excited. And I will not complain about the morning sickness. I will endure it because it too is a gift. And I know that God gives and he takes away. And I plan on blessing His name regardless of the season in which I am walking.