Babies

I just viewed this movie for the second time tonight and loved it more than the first time I saw it. I know I am probably a little extra emotional these days, but I cried throughout the entire movie. I can't wait to meet my baby this June.

Telling Family and Friends

I love being pregnant.

So far, it has been wonderful - not struggling with morning sickness, feeling like I can get away with sleeping a little longer each night, reading the pregnancy books, and best of all...sharing the news with our family and friends.

Hearing and seeing people's reactions is so joyful. My coworkers all screamed so loud at Teller's at the news, our server told us the chefs in the kitchen wondered what was going on. Scott's parents were thrilled - his mom, Bev, exclaimed "All right!" Our friends, Rhett and Jess, celebrated with us at their house with a festive Italian meal - a night we'll always remember. My friend, Claire, took one look at me not drinking wine at a party and gave me the shocked I-can't-believe-it look. Our neighbor, Kristyn, brought us a huge stack of pregnancy books.

We waited to tell my family until Thanksgiving because we were celebrating the day with them in Kansas City and I wanted to tell them in person. I got two photo albums with our baby's picture in each (my grandma took a picture of us with one). One was for my Mom & Bob and one was for my Grandma & Grandpa. I wrapped them up and casually told them we had brought them a little Thanksgiving present.

Watching them open those albums and register the meaning of the gift was a moment in time I will always cherish. My Grandma cried and told us "I just knew it. I dreamed about this last week!" My mom was so amazed and shocked she had to let it sink in for a minute. Then she gave me a great hug - the kind only a mom can give. It was priceless.

Everyone has been so supportive of us and thrilled to share our joy. We thank everyone who is a part of this journey with us. We truly couldn't do this without your love and friendship. We are grateful!

Seeing our Baby

Last week, Scott and I went to our first appointment with Dr. Morse. Although we were both extremely excited, nothing could prepare us for that moment when we first got to see our baby on the screen, and even more amazing, to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. How wonderful and awesome it is to hear and see the little life growing inside of me. I can't help but to think of Psalm 139:13, "For You created my inmost being, You knit me together in my mother's womb." God is at work right this minute creating a life. Our baby's life.

We are 10 weeks pregnant today and I just read in one of my pregnancy books that our baby has fingernails, is growing hair, and has tissues forming in the liver, kidneys, heart, and intestines. By the end of this week, the baby with be able to swallow and even kick. I can't help but to think about my little one - so unaware of life outside my belly, so unaware of the future, so small and helpless. Yet, God knows this baby. God is knitting my child together and giving my child a soul. My baby's days are ordained by God. Though Scott and I haven't even come close to figuring out a name or knowing if it is a boy or girl, God knows this child's name.

As wonderful as it was to see our baby for the first time, I can hardly get my mind around the fact God sees this baby intimately and in detail every moment of every day. God sees our baby more fully than Scott or I ever will. And that gives me incredible comfort and deep trust in our Father.

Joy in October

Since we've been married, Scott and I have talked on and off about having a baby. The thought of a baby joining our family thrilled us at times and completely overwhelmed us at other times. In the past year, we became more thoughtful about the idea of becoming parents. We considered the weight of bringing a child into the world, the joy a baby would bring into our lives, and what God would teach us in the process. So last summer, we stopped trying to prevent a pregnancy and instead invited God's perfect timing to show us when.

I was convinced it would take several months (or even years!) for birth control to get out of my system and to get pregnant. I was amazed when only four months later, a pregnancy test confirmed that indeed a baby was growing inside of me!

I took the test right after work on a Tuesday in late October. When the stick immediately read "pregnant,"  I got a huge smile on my face and danced around the bedroom. I think our cat, Zoe, knew something was up! I thanked God and fell on my knees glorifying Him for such a surprising joy.

Scott was going to be home soon, so I didn't have time to pull off a big celebratory dinner. Instead, I found my old baby blanket, a few of his old Sesame Street toys, and a card that read "Then there were three." I placed all of these items in a box with the pregnancy test to confirm the news. When he got home, I handed him a glass of whiskey and the box.

I have never seen Scott so at peace and yet so excited. His face got soft and he smiled a smile I'll never forgot. The joy in that moment was so palpable and real. We were (and are) completely filled with joy and thanksgiving for God's love poured out on our lives.

Now the journey continues. A new chapter begins...