It has been way too long since I have posted...I feel like I am going to forget everything going on, but I have simply had no time to stop and blog! Even today, I have 5 minutes before I have to go teach our MDO 2 year olds, so this will be quick...
We are 17 weeks pregnant this Wednesday! I can't believe that we have know since week 3, and how fast the last 14 weeks have gone by. In those weeks I have had morning sickness, but no throwing up (thank you Jesus!), grown "up top" (which is still VERY strange to me), stopped running but started walking somewhat regularly, gained probably too much weight (trying to keep it down before the next appointment), gone on a wonderful cruise with my amazing husband, and I THINK I felt Ziggy moving this past weekend!!! Since this is my first, I really have no idea, but those that I have talked to said that yes, that is most likely what it was:) I cannot wait for this little one to kick me, for Ben to be able to feel it, and to just share in that joy together!
We will find out next Tuesday the gender of our little miracle! Once again, I CANNOT WAIT!!! But I guess I'll have to! We have it planned out how we will tell our families, since we can't be there in person:( I'll post more about that later.
Well, I'm off to spend the day with 9 2year olds!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Greatest Moment this week!
With all that I previously wrote about, God was so good to show Himself to me in such a sweet way today. I went to breakfast with a friend/co-worker, and Ben went to a high school assembly for some students. I texted when I got back, and he told me to join him in the youth building. I figured he was trying to get away so he could study his lesson for tonight. When I walked in, I couldn't help but cry. He had made a playlist and was by himself just simply worshiping God at the top of his lungs. The first thought I had was, WOW, our baby is going to grow up with a daddy who loves to be in the presence of the One who made him or her! I came in close to the end, but got to worship for a few songs.
We decided that we should do it again this afternoon, so we told the staff, and just simply had youtube worship videos blaring, and all came together to praise our Father! IT WAS AMAZING!!! When we were done, our worship leader started talking about the story in the Bible where David spoke of worshiping without stopping. They are going to make a playlist and have worship playing 24/7 around our church. I am so excited about what God is doing in our lives personally, and we are fervently praying for God to do something incredible in our church!
P.S. I am 12 weeks along today...I am not quite sure if this is the end of the first trimester and the start of the second, or if that comes at week 13...I don't really care about that...I am just thankful to still have a few symptoms (exhaustion, nausea), because I am trusting that means Ziggy is still growing!
We decided that we should do it again this afternoon, so we told the staff, and just simply had youtube worship videos blaring, and all came together to praise our Father! IT WAS AMAZING!!! When we were done, our worship leader started talking about the story in the Bible where David spoke of worshiping without stopping. They are going to make a playlist and have worship playing 24/7 around our church. I am so excited about what God is doing in our lives personally, and we are fervently praying for God to do something incredible in our church!
P.S. I am 12 weeks along today...I am not quite sure if this is the end of the first trimester and the start of the second, or if that comes at week 13...I don't really care about that...I am just thankful to still have a few symptoms (exhaustion, nausea), because I am trusting that means Ziggy is still growing!
Monday, April 11, 2011
thoughts
I have really been struggling lately with a lot of things. I have had such a hard time lately, being excited about our pregnancy, when so many people in my life are hurting so badly. I know that our "happy times" may be few and far between, and that we should take delight in them, but my heart hurts for so many right now. We have several families/friends at church who have either lost loved ones to cancer or are in the midst of seeing their loved ones struggle. No words can be enough to comfort. I know that true peace comes only from the Lord, but I just wish we as humans could do more to ease the pain. I won't let myself go to thoughts of "what if one of our parents", because just the thought is too painful.
Along with these needs, I have 2 sweet friends who are in the middle of their own infertility struggles. Once again, there are no words that I can say to make things better. I know how it feels when someone gives you their hope, and by that I mean, sharing their success story. I don't feel like that is my place. I feel like I am just supposed to cry with them, love them, and walk through this with them. I am blessed to have had a wonderful fertility doctor, whom I would recommend to anyone. One of my friends lives in the Houston area, and one close by. I just hope that if they have questions, they will ask me. I want to be that sounding board. I know God took us on our journey for a reason, and I would feel more than blessed if even part of our reason for it was to be a support to others.
On a personal note, my dad called and he lost his job this past week. He is a teacher and was working at a charter school. Apparently, they can hire and fire at leisure, without reason. My parents have had money worries in the past, but were finally getting on top of things. I definitely did not grow up rich. I know what it is like to scour the house for enough money to buy milk for the week. I hate that they are having to go through this. I wish we were rich and could give them whatever they need until something happens.
Through all of this, I know God is still in control! He still sits on his throne! We are so blessed to be 12 weeks pregnant this Wednesday and to have that sweet little one growing stronger every day. I will leave you with part of the chorus of one of my favorite Matt Redman songs, You Never Let Go...
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
Along with these needs, I have 2 sweet friends who are in the middle of their own infertility struggles. Once again, there are no words that I can say to make things better. I know how it feels when someone gives you their hope, and by that I mean, sharing their success story. I don't feel like that is my place. I feel like I am just supposed to cry with them, love them, and walk through this with them. I am blessed to have had a wonderful fertility doctor, whom I would recommend to anyone. One of my friends lives in the Houston area, and one close by. I just hope that if they have questions, they will ask me. I want to be that sounding board. I know God took us on our journey for a reason, and I would feel more than blessed if even part of our reason for it was to be a support to others.
On a personal note, my dad called and he lost his job this past week. He is a teacher and was working at a charter school. Apparently, they can hire and fire at leisure, without reason. My parents have had money worries in the past, but were finally getting on top of things. I definitely did not grow up rich. I know what it is like to scour the house for enough money to buy milk for the week. I hate that they are having to go through this. I wish we were rich and could give them whatever they need until something happens.
Through all of this, I know God is still in control! He still sits on his throne! We are so blessed to be 12 weeks pregnant this Wednesday and to have that sweet little one growing stronger every day. I will leave you with part of the chorus of one of my favorite Matt Redman songs, You Never Let Go...
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
Monday, April 4, 2011
staying busy
I had really hoped to keep up better with this blog now that our little miracle is on the way! I don't want to forget anything that is happening, but life just seems to get ahead of me and I can't catch up! We have had the privilege of seeing Ziggy 3 times now! Each time, we have heard that strong heartbeat! This last time, at 10 weeks, we saw legs and arms dancing all over the place! Ben says there is no way our child will be a baptist, although we are, because everyone knows baptists don't dance-haha!
I have not been too sick lately, and still have not thrown up once-Praise the Lord!!! I am exhausted and don't sleep much, but we have had so much going on at church, I feel like my brain is on overdrive! Ben booked our vacation though, so I do have that to look forward to! We found an awesome deal on another cruise-this time to the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos (we have seen this island on Wheel of Fortune, and it looks FABULOUS!!!) I am just so thankful that I will have an excuse to eat everything in sight...multiple times a day:)
Swimsuit shopping for my beached whale body proved successful, yet frightening and not so attractive. I got a super cute tankini, but the not yet pregnant look, just fat tummy, does not exactly appeal to the eyes. I had the thought at Khols that I am no longer a young wife, I am now a mommy. YAY!!!!
We go back in 3 weeks 2 days to have a check-up. I do miss my fertility doc and the bi-weekly glimpses at my sweet baby!
I am hoping there is nothing super eventful or earth shattering to write anytime soon. We leave for our cruise May 2nd, which does not seem far to most, but our next doc appt. is April 27th which right now, feels like an eternity away:)
I have not been too sick lately, and still have not thrown up once-Praise the Lord!!! I am exhausted and don't sleep much, but we have had so much going on at church, I feel like my brain is on overdrive! Ben booked our vacation though, so I do have that to look forward to! We found an awesome deal on another cruise-this time to the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos (we have seen this island on Wheel of Fortune, and it looks FABULOUS!!!) I am just so thankful that I will have an excuse to eat everything in sight...multiple times a day:)
Swimsuit shopping for my beached whale body proved successful, yet frightening and not so attractive. I got a super cute tankini, but the not yet pregnant look, just fat tummy, does not exactly appeal to the eyes. I had the thought at Khols that I am no longer a young wife, I am now a mommy. YAY!!!!
We go back in 3 weeks 2 days to have a check-up. I do miss my fertility doc and the bi-weekly glimpses at my sweet baby!
I am hoping there is nothing super eventful or earth shattering to write anytime soon. We leave for our cruise May 2nd, which does not seem far to most, but our next doc appt. is April 27th which right now, feels like an eternity away:)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
How we told
Wow! It's been way too long since I have updated...I'm afraid I have already forgotten things that I don't want to forget. Here is how we told our family and friends...
We found out on a Wednesday...it was hard because we had church that night and knew we would see many people that we were not ready to tell, but REALLY wanted to! After confirming with the doctor, we got to have lunch with Ben's mom. She was in town for a conference at another church, so the timing worked out perfectly! After our blood work, we made a quick trip to wal-mart, found a super cute frame that said "Grandkids are the sunshine of life", or something like that! Of course we didn't have a picture to put in it, but we decided to give it to her at lunch. When she opened it, she stared at it, then said, "Are you pregnant?" to which we quickly replied "YES!!!" We talked the rest of lunch about the news:)
That night at church, Ben just couldn't contain himself. He grabbed his best friend Jason, and told him he had something to show him in one of the Sunday School rooms...as soon as the door closed Ben almost yelled, "We're pregnant!" Jason could not have been happier. It was super fun to tell someone right away!
That Friday, we got to have lunch with Jason and his wife, Suzy, and tell her also.
Ben's mom took the frame we gave her home, along with two others...one for his grandma, Nano, and one for his brother Jonathan. They both said "to my" then Uncle or great-grandma!
For my family, my sister was coming to town to see us on Friday. We got a sweater of Barker's, our beloved 4 legged son, and put stickers on it that said "big brother". When she got to our house, he was wearing it. It took her a while, but when she finally saw it, she screamed and laughed and cried!
We sent a picture of Barker to my parents, brothers, and their wives with Barker in his sweater! They were of course super excited!
We told our students a few weeks later, after all was confirmed with the ultrasound. Since we are seeing a fertility doctor, we got a special ultrasound (twice now), and got to hear the heartbeat just before 7 weeks! We played a "guess that sound" game with our students that night. The last one was the heartbeat and Ben said "it's not just any ultrasound, that's Elizabeth's ultrasound, and that heartbeat is OUR BABY!!!" WE'RE PREGNANT!!!" The students screamed and a bunch ran back to hug me:) It was so great! We have been waiting so long to share our news, and I still have a hard time believing it's actually true!!!!!
We found out on a Wednesday...it was hard because we had church that night and knew we would see many people that we were not ready to tell, but REALLY wanted to! After confirming with the doctor, we got to have lunch with Ben's mom. She was in town for a conference at another church, so the timing worked out perfectly! After our blood work, we made a quick trip to wal-mart, found a super cute frame that said "Grandkids are the sunshine of life", or something like that! Of course we didn't have a picture to put in it, but we decided to give it to her at lunch. When she opened it, she stared at it, then said, "Are you pregnant?" to which we quickly replied "YES!!!" We talked the rest of lunch about the news:)
That night at church, Ben just couldn't contain himself. He grabbed his best friend Jason, and told him he had something to show him in one of the Sunday School rooms...as soon as the door closed Ben almost yelled, "We're pregnant!" Jason could not have been happier. It was super fun to tell someone right away!
That Friday, we got to have lunch with Jason and his wife, Suzy, and tell her also.
Ben's mom took the frame we gave her home, along with two others...one for his grandma, Nano, and one for his brother Jonathan. They both said "to my" then Uncle or great-grandma!
For my family, my sister was coming to town to see us on Friday. We got a sweater of Barker's, our beloved 4 legged son, and put stickers on it that said "big brother". When she got to our house, he was wearing it. It took her a while, but when she finally saw it, she screamed and laughed and cried!
We sent a picture of Barker to my parents, brothers, and their wives with Barker in his sweater! They were of course super excited!
We told our students a few weeks later, after all was confirmed with the ultrasound. Since we are seeing a fertility doctor, we got a special ultrasound (twice now), and got to hear the heartbeat just before 7 weeks! We played a "guess that sound" game with our students that night. The last one was the heartbeat and Ben said "it's not just any ultrasound, that's Elizabeth's ultrasound, and that heartbeat is OUR BABY!!!" WE'RE PREGNANT!!!" The students screamed and a bunch ran back to hug me:) It was so great! We have been waiting so long to share our news, and I still have a hard time believing it's actually true!!!!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
how we found out!
First of all, I know that many people will not read my blog anymore, and I completely understand. My heart hurts so deeply for all of my sweet bloggie friends who have not yet seen those 2 beautiful lines. I can fully comprehend the pain when you find out that someone else has been able to get pregnant, and you are still waiting. I do not want to cause anyone pain, so for that, it will not hurt my feelings at all if you stop reading until your miracle comes!
I currently find it hard to think of anything else, besides that sweet life growing inside of me. This is due to the long wait finally being over and a new one beginning, but also the exhaustion and nausea that has taken over my life (but it is the best "sickness" EVER!)
Just over 6 weeks ago, we had our 5th IUI. I was sure it didn't work...Ben swimmers were a little less than what we had hoped and my stress level was through the roof. Ben has, ever since we started trying, told me not to test without him. There has only been 1 time that I tested with him (which does not make him happy)! It is hard to test with him, knowing it will be negative. In those first few moments, I just need time to process what is not meant to be. Well, valentine's day was no different. The day started rocky with no water at home, having to shower at church, rushing home to meet the plumber, getting pulled over (praise the Lord all I got was a warning), and then the pregnancy test. I took it that Monday sure it would say "STILL NO BABY!!!", and I was right. I was surprisingly ok, knowing that we had contacted adoption agencies, made our appointment for the IVF class, and still had 1 more IUI to hope for!
On Wednesday, I took my temp as usual. I had had some cramping Monday and Tuesday night, but just thought I was about to start. On Wednesday, my temp was still up and I had not started. This was not super unusual, so I thought why not test again so I'm not wondering "what if" all day. I was SURE it would still be negative. After I took the test, I didn't really think much more about it. I brought it to the living room, sat on the couch in the dark with the dog, and proceeded to watch TV. After a few minutes I checked it and there it was...a very faint SECOND line! I didn't believe it, so I grabbed my phone to shine on the test...it was still there! I turned the light on, almost passed out, then woke Ben up. He thought it was not accurate. He said since it was so faint not to get our hopes up. He was remembering our OPK's where a faint line means nothing-lol...we drove to Wal-Mart at 7:30 to get a digital test. Ben describes it like a jack-in-the-box...you watch a little timer for what seems like forever, then POP...PREGNANT!!!
I'll share more later about telling people...more for my ability to remember as I'm sure it will bore you to tears!
I currently find it hard to think of anything else, besides that sweet life growing inside of me. This is due to the long wait finally being over and a new one beginning, but also the exhaustion and nausea that has taken over my life (but it is the best "sickness" EVER!)
Just over 6 weeks ago, we had our 5th IUI. I was sure it didn't work...Ben swimmers were a little less than what we had hoped and my stress level was through the roof. Ben has, ever since we started trying, told me not to test without him. There has only been 1 time that I tested with him (which does not make him happy)! It is hard to test with him, knowing it will be negative. In those first few moments, I just need time to process what is not meant to be. Well, valentine's day was no different. The day started rocky with no water at home, having to shower at church, rushing home to meet the plumber, getting pulled over (praise the Lord all I got was a warning), and then the pregnancy test. I took it that Monday sure it would say "STILL NO BABY!!!", and I was right. I was surprisingly ok, knowing that we had contacted adoption agencies, made our appointment for the IVF class, and still had 1 more IUI to hope for!
On Wednesday, I took my temp as usual. I had had some cramping Monday and Tuesday night, but just thought I was about to start. On Wednesday, my temp was still up and I had not started. This was not super unusual, so I thought why not test again so I'm not wondering "what if" all day. I was SURE it would still be negative. After I took the test, I didn't really think much more about it. I brought it to the living room, sat on the couch in the dark with the dog, and proceeded to watch TV. After a few minutes I checked it and there it was...a very faint SECOND line! I didn't believe it, so I grabbed my phone to shine on the test...it was still there! I turned the light on, almost passed out, then woke Ben up. He thought it was not accurate. He said since it was so faint not to get our hopes up. He was remembering our OPK's where a faint line means nothing-lol...we drove to Wal-Mart at 7:30 to get a digital test. Ben describes it like a jack-in-the-box...you watch a little timer for what seems like forever, then POP...PREGNANT!!!
I'll share more later about telling people...more for my ability to remember as I'm sure it will bore you to tears!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
my absence
Sorry I have been gone so very long....I don't have long today, but just wanted to share with you how completely and totally faithful God is...we are PREGNANT!!! More details to come later, but for now I will say again, GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!
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