It is going to be a long, hot, (and sober) summer…and we could not be more thrilled to announce this pregnancy! I have shared a little in the past about our struggle with infertility and loss. Our rainbow baby, Pax, was such a gift from God when we least expected it, and now this baby on the way is also such a surprise!! We found out about the bump coming back during the week of my husband’s birthday in March, and on the same day, our offer was accepted on our new home. Patrick said, “This is the best week of my life!” Haha! As excited as we are, I have to be honest and say this has been my hardest pregnancy yet. I have been extremely hormonal (Patrick thinks I hate him), I am exhausted, unmotivated, acne ridden, and sick with vomiting on the regular. The misery has lessened some now that I’m in the second trimester. This is not the best timing with moving into a new home, as there are still tons of boxes needing to be unpacked, and rooms to be decorated. It will just have to wait. It’s a day by day, surviving not thriving status.
Everyone is convinced it is a girl, since the pregnancy is so different than with Pax. I can’t really compare it to my pregnancy with Sayla because I was 10 years younger, and had a lot more going for me in regards to growing a fetus. I am literally considered “advanced maternal age,” starting this month on my 35th birthday. One perk with this new label is that insurance will cover early fetal genetic testing with blood work, and you can find out the gender. BUT, in the spirit of surprises, we are going to leave the gender unknown until the day of birth. I did not know the gender in my first pregnancy when Sayla was born. Even during millions of ultrasounds with her brain tumor findings, we kept it a surprise. It was the most wonderful experience to have that exciting news during her birth. I want to experience that same joy and surprise with Patrick, when this little one is born. Also, there is no reason to decorate a nursery at this point considering how long the baby will stay in our room…Pax still has yet to sleep in his own room all night. Lord, hear our prayers. Let the chaos begin!
Our little “Pepper Parker” as we have nicknamed this baby, is due November 13, 2018. I have been craving all the sour candy to the point of minor citric acid burns in my mouth. There is nothing “extreme” sour enough for me. I need lemonade on the daily. Is your mouth watering yet?? I was afraid I was losing weight with all the sickness and vomiting, but at my last appointment, I have gained the MAX amount my midwife wants me to gain for half the pregnancy…and I wasn’t even a third of the way through at the time of that visit. I guess all the candy is being digested.
My babies will be approximately 22 months apart if all goes as planned. We are so grateful for this surprise blessing, and plan to enjoy every moment of this new level of chaos in our home. I have longed for Sayla to have siblings for a long time…to care for her and look after her when we cannot do so. For her to teach them what compassion and kindness look like, and what really matters in this world.
I am so excited to share our amazing adventure with you, but I will end with this. I have friends who still struggle with infertility and long for the day to become a mother. I see you. I pray for you. I understand you. I’m not going to say “It happens when you stop trying,” or “It will happen when it is time.” I don’t know God’s plan for your life, but I know He has a GOOD plan. He said so. Jeremiah 29:11.
