Friday, April 28

FINALLY - The Big, Fat Blog Post

So, here goes... I'm going to recap the events from the last month.

This was my post on March 6, where I've since left you hanging:
Last night I called my good friend Terrilee for advice. She told me that I could possibly have done the test too early - especially if my cycle is still somewhat obscure, or if my hormones are still out of whack. So, based on her (experienced) advice I will do the following: wait another week, and if I still have not had a period I'll do another test. If the test is positive - YAY! If it's still negative, then I will probably go see my doctor. So, the wait begins... but at least I'm feeling a little more upbeat.

Well, I waited another week (less a day), and did another test first thing in the morning. I was SO afraid, but I sat on the toilet lid and prayed and waited. I looked at the test, and... nothing. Dejected, I sat there for a few minutes crying, and just asked God what I was supposed to do next. I picked up the test to toss it, and then noticed...


... an incredibly faint, barely there pink line had developed on the test! WHAT?! My hands were shaking, I just could not believe my eyes - let alone the test. I tried to convince myself that such a faint line probably meant nothing. Maybe that was an "evaporation" line. But no, ANY line on a pregnancy test indicated a positive result. I was PUMPED!

Ryan was upstairs, and I went to the bottom of the stairs and yelled up at him, "Honey, I'm pregnant again!". Silence. "Honey, we're going to have a baby!". Silence. Finally, "Really? Are you sure?". "YES! I'm SURE!".

He took one look at that faint, faint line and decided he wouldn't believe it until the word came from the doctor's mouth that we were, in fact, carrying another new little life inside. I already had an appointment booked, because whether it was a yes or no, I was going to go see her anyway.

Sure enough, she confirmed that we were prego again, and we could finally rejoice together!

The first few weeks were relatively uneventful, but all of a sudden I started to feel gross. I felt pukey all day and all night, didn't want to eat, and was grumpy as ****. I was THRILLED! I never had any strong symptoms like that in my first pregnancy. Something was definately different, and something was definately working!

At week 7 I started to get some weird pains in my sides, and had some slight spotting. I freaked out, and went immediately to my doctor. She decided we should test for an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy - so I did some blood tests to measure my level of hormone production, and went in for an early ultrasound. We couldn't see much at the ultrasound, because the baby was so microscopic at that point. All the baby was was a blink on the screen! There was some bleeding of the yolk sack detected, but was told it was nothing to worry about - it would likely heal on it's own. They did ask me to come back in two weeks so they could see more.

So, I went back on week 9 and had another ultrasound. We saw baby - and baby had a beating heart and appeared to be fine. The bleeding had also looked to have stopped! Hallelujah! We were soooooooooo happy! The very next day I saw my regular doctor, and she said my blood tests showed a perfect doubling of my hormones, and so that was totally normal. Another hallelujah! We did discover, however, that because I am Rh Negative I would need a WinRho shot because of the yolk sack bleed. So, we did that. Now I have to get shots every 12 weeks, just in case the bleeding would continue.

Since then, things have been going well. I still feel exhausted, moody, and occasionally nauseous - but I've only puked once, and that was because I had a cold and it triggered something in my stomach. My tummy is bulging, I've gained 3 pounds, I have major cravings (Arby's, Arby's and more Arby's, and Cheerios), and at the moment I can't stand the thought of vegetables or fruits. My complexion is hideous, and my hair is dull - but I am just praising God!

The fears have not faded, however. I am very nervous, and anxious, and as week 14 (the week we found out we'd lost Baby Plett) approaches, I keep looking to God to strengthen me, and make be brave. So, we're 11 1/2 weeks prego - and due in November. God is awesome!

Thank you Lord, for answering our prayers. Thank you for your healing hand, and for blessing us once again. Protect our little angel, and protect all the little angels of all the other pregnant women who are reading this right now... and those that aren't. You are so good to us. Thank you. Amen.

Blog Scavenger Hunt

I've added something new to my blog! See if you can find it!

Thursday, April 27

A Reminder to Myself

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17

So true. Our lifetime to God is like a snapshot - just one microscopic moment. Our everyday afflictions will be but a grain of sand in comparison to the eternal life we have to look forward to. It may not make it easier to go through the tough times, but it sure puts it in perspective and gives us something to look forward to in the meantime!

Tuesday, April 18

God Can Use A Blog

I was reflecting this morning on why I had originally started this blog. It was started just prior to me finding out I was pregnant, and it was supposed to be this lovely journey through my perfect pregnancy, and the birth of our first beautiful baby. How interesting as I look back now and see what it has become. I could never have known that it would become this forum of hope and miracles. Only God could have known that, and made this blog into what it has become to me. When I write here, I am opening up a part of me that I haven't shared in a long time - my faith - and how it empowers me, and gives me peace and hope even when I don't think I have any strength left to find it.

I never knew things would happen this way, but because of it I have made new friends, found depth in my beliefs and my faith in my loving God and Saviour. I have grown more in love with my husband, and learned to cherish people more than anything else on the earth. I believe I am stronger, and I believe I can get through anything with Christ. I don't fear the future as much as I used to. In fact, I'm really looking forward to it!

I know that this blog is going to have a happy ending, and one day I will be able to record all about the beautiful babies that my husband and I will have. However, right now I am thankful that it started out this way. Yes, truly thankful. I am so glad all of you have been following along with me on this difficult journey, and I hope you've been learning things with me. It's amazing, but God can use a blog.

Monday, April 17

Don't Hate Me!

I'm sorry I'm going to do this to you, but I'm going to hold off on that "big, fat blog post" for just a bit - upon request. It will all make sense once I explain everything, but for now you will just have to be patient with me! I have other people's feelings to consider in this matter, and I have to respect that, so I'll just have to wait.

I guess I'm just a really open person, and I don't mind sharing deep feelings and some personal information openly in a public forum such as this. However, I have family members that do not share this same openness, and they are uncomfortable with it. I see their point, and I will take their advice about not just "putting everything out there" for the world to see. I suppose there is something to be said for privacy.

However, please keep praying for us - your prayers are working miracles! Love you all!

Thursday, April 13

Good News

Yesterday's appointment went really, really well! Yay! We got some good news, and that is a huge sigh of relief for us. Today I see my regular doctor, and then I will have everything I need in order to write a big, fat blog post on Monday.

Until then, have a blessed Easter. May God richly bless you this Easter season, as you celebrate His amazing sacrifice for us. Praise God!

Tuesday, April 11

More Appointments

Well, tomorrow is my next appointment - and it will be a fairly important one. If you were lacking things to pray about, throw this one onto your list. I'm crossing my fingers that after tomorrow I will have a clear understanding of everything, and I will be able to share here what's been going on. Then, the following day, I have an appointment with my regular doctor, so hopefully she will have some results for me from some tests, etc. It's going to be a busy week...

Tuesday, April 4

Fragility of Life

It's not a new concept. We've all been told a thousand times before, "life is fragile", "live every day like it's your last", "no one lives forever". However, it has really only become real to me this past year with the death of our precious baby. Our days here on earth are numbered. All of us have the same fate - no one will be here forever.

Now, more than ever before, I want to be surrounded by family and friends at all times. My heart aches to have my brother and sister-in-law, niece and nephew living far away. These years go by so quickly, and it's so easy to take them for granted. Occasionally this has overwhelmed me lately, as I want to make sure that my every last breath is used so that others will say when I'm gone "she made a difference in my life". Those are some tough shoes to fill.

These days, the little bit of dust on the windowsill doesn't bother me so much. The laughter of children playing in the spring run-off is refreshing. My husband walking through the door after work is heaven. Everything is more precious, everything is more beautiful.

To think that God blessed me, a wretched sinner, with all of these earthly blessings. Why me? I definately don't deserve it. I also realize, more than ever, the importance of having my family and friends following Christ. I want them to share my eternal home with me. How can I tell them how important this is without turning them away forever? Or will my tear-stained cheeks, and pleading eyes impart to them the value of my words, and the truth of my actions? Or maybe a simple hug will plant a seed deep in their hearts that Christ Himself will water, and I will see all of those wonderful faces when we walk hand-in-hand through that glorious Gate someday.

These are probably fairly deep and scary thoughts for a Tuesday morning, but it was on my heart. I pray for each of you daily, that my words posted here will bless you, encourage you, and give you peace. May God richly bless you today. May everything good in your life seem extra sweet!