It's a BOY!

We found out we are having a little boy!  Our ultrasound was at 18 weeks and 2 days which is the earliest we could have it.  He was 9 oz. in weight.  I can't believe it and it makes everything seem so real.  Everything looked great - which is such an answered prayer.  Of course, I had a boy feeling all along.  It was still a huge shock and so amazing.  We are working on a name and we started registering.  I can't believe we are doing all this stuff.  It is such a blessing!  Of course, the worry still comes but trusting in God through it all.  Our sweet little boy was turned facing my back so we didn't get a great look at his face.  This means we get another ultrasound at 24 weeks.  Praying everything continues to look great.

Up next:
22 Week Checkup - October 14th

24 Week Ultrasound - October 28th :)

*Thanks for your continued prayers for our sweet little baby.  Please pray for him to keep growing healthy, strong and to measure on track.*

21 Weeks Pregnant

NYC 10 years Ago

I can't believe it's been ten years since I moved to New York City.  Wow - I was so wide eyed and bushy tailed... it was September 1, 2001.  I moved with a friend from college and ended up living there for a couple of years, had 2 apartments, and basically grew up. One of those growing up moments was definitely September 11th, 2001.  I remember like it was yesterday.... It was a beautiful day...My roommate and I were in our little apartment sitting at the table eating breakfast.  Her mom called her cell phone and made sure we were alright.  She said there had been a bomb or something in NYC - downtown.  I didn't have a cell phone yet so I immediately called my mom.  While I was on the phone with my mom I remember her saying, "The pentagon was just hit."  She explained more what was going on.  Amanda and I didn't have cable yet so we had to walk to get rabbit ears for our TV.  I remember everything being so quiet outside except for the sirens.  It was one after the other - people would just stop in the street and stare.  I had friends in NYC that saw the towers fall and saw the people covered in ash walking from downtown - I'm thankful I didn't see it.  I kept telling family and friends from out of town that I was on the upper east side and that was way downtown.  My poor parents - I can't imagine how worried they were.  I can't describe how scary it was but also a defining moment for me.  I will NEVER forget that day and I will always have a special place in my heart for NYC.

Enjoy the Moment

I still can't believe we are 16 weeks.  Thanks so much for all the prayers and support we have received.  A friend told me the other day that she hopes that I will be able to enjoy my pregnancy.  It's true I have given everything to God and he is in control.  It's hard not to worry about things.  I know God wants me to enjoy every moment and worry doesn't help anything.  It does feel like we're always looking forward to this or that.  I really want to try and enjoy this moment that we are in right now. 

Please just continue to pray that the baby is healthy and strong.  Please pray that my body keeps supporting this pregnancy and doing everything it needs to do.  We have our BIG ultrasound on September 16th.  I can't believe it!  We just want the baby to be healhty and to be measuring on track.  Of course, it will be SO exciting to find out if the baby is a boy or girl.  I would love to hear your thoughts of what y'all think the baby will be...  :) 

*Recent picture of me at 16 weeks *

Power of Prayer and Updates

I have officially reached the 2nd trimester - 14 weeks.  I am so thankful for all the support and prayers from everyone.  They mean the world to us.  We had an appointment last week and everything looked good.  We got to have an ultrasound and it was amazing how much the baby had grown.  I am still struggling with anxiety - poor Jon.  He's having to hear about most of it.  However, just trying to give everything to God and know that he is in control.  I have to remember to put my faith in him.

This is my third week back at work and it has been STRESSFUL. I have tried so hard to be calm and not get upset - it has been hard. Long story short - I moved to a different grade and room in a matter of days. I have so much to be thankful for and I don't want to get upset.

Please just keep baby and me in your prayers. Please pray that baby continues to grow healthy and strong. Please pray baby keeps measuring on track with everything (heart rate, size). I can't tell you how much your prayers have meant to us.  I totally believe in the power of prayer!
Up next:  15 week appointment on August 26.

Thanks for the Love, Support, and Prayers

After almost 3 years and several miscarriages Jonathan and I are very excited to be expecting a baby in February.  Please, please, please keep our precious baby in your prayers.  Please pray for a healthy baby and pregnancy.  Thanks for all your love and support.

It's still very surreal for me.    I honestly wanted to wait a while longer before telling the world but Jonathan put his foot down.  I think if it was up to me I would wait till the baby was born to let people know.  However, God is continually teaching me through this process to trust in him and to have faith in him.  Plus, every time someone tells me they are praying for us I'm glad I shared with them.  I want to thank my friends, family, and my support girls.  You have no idea how much you have helped me through this process. 

Up next: Our 13 - week checkup on August 12th. Please continue to keep the baby in your prayers.  Please pray that baby continues to grow healthy and strong.  Please also pray that my body does what it is suppose to do through this pregnancy. I have stopped my HCG injections and will stop progesterone soon. Please pray that my body does great as I stop the extra HCG and progesterone and I don't have any bad side effects.   I have definitely struggled with anxiety through this process. Just pray for me to have a healthy pregnancy and to have complete faith in God. 
**My hope is that my story will have an effect on someone in a positive way. If you questions about my history please contact me. I would love to share. Also, if your someone who is struggling with infertility in any way just know there are MANY women out there. I am a part of an awesome group and would love to share that information with you too.**

Pregnancy so Far:
June 13 - HCG levels were 1003
June - 15 HCG levels were 2002
** They were very high and doubled.** 

June 29 - 6 week and 2 day ultrasound - We prayed for baby to have a heartbeat over 100bpm (which we've never had).  Baby soared and measured at 6 weeks and 6 days with a heartbeat of 134.  Since my blood work numbers were so high the tech looked to make sure we weren't having twins!  She saw one healthy baby. :)

July 6 - 2nd ultrasound.  Baby measured 8 weeks with a heartbeat of 170.  We passed a milestone - we had not made it this far in a pregnancy before.

July 13 - 3rd ultrasound.  Baby measured 9 weeks with a heart rate of 178.  We saw movement!  Dr. released me back to my regular doctor. 

July 18 - First OB appointment - we heard the heartbeat for the first time.  Amazing!  Almost 10 weeks.

July 25 - 4th ultrasound.  Baby was moving so much!  Heart rate of 165.  Anywhere between 110 - 180 is normal.  Baby measuring a few days ahead - 11 weeks 1 day.

July 29 - Mom went with me to hear the heart rate of the baby.  Sounded great!

August 5 - Heard healthy and strong heartbeat.  We passed the 12 weeks point!