Where to begin...on January 22, we officially sent off our adoption agency applications! And...on January 23, we got the big fat positive pregnancy test! Geez! We were reminded once again, that we are not really in control! We have taken a deep breath and redirected our focus once again!
We were in shock...it was just a couple of months ago that we were told by multiple doctors that without significant intervention, we would not be able to have any more children by birth. We were fine with that because we have always known adoption is something we want to do. We want to do it, not because we thought it was our only option, but because we feel lead in that direction. We thought with the doctor's diagnosis, now was the time...we didn't have it right yet again. I honestly have to say that we were so excited about adopting that I think Matt and I both had a moment of conflict in our heads about what was going on. Not that we weren't excited, but I think instead we were just trying to wrap our heads back around the unlikely.
So now if you want the full update, keep reading, if not, feel free to move on...I will have an LJ update next week after his 18 month appointment, but he is doing prefect!
We immediately went to the doctor, who assumed we had fertility treatments and when we told her we hadn't gone that route, she was just as shocked as we were! It was comforting that we had a pregnancy plan put in place that day...I am automatically high risk with my miscarriage and premature delivery, and it felt good that my doctors were not going to take a wait and see approach. I went in initially for beta testing to make sure my hormones were progressing like they should, which fortunately they were, so intervention at that point was not needed. I will start progesterone shots at week 16 and continue those until week 36. There is about a 33% chance that these shots will prevent another early delivery...we hope this works! I have had 5 ultrasounds already and baby is already measuring a little big, just like LJ did, so that is a plus! I will continue to have monthly ultrasounds until 24 weeks at least.
When I started having complications with LJ, we bought a dopplar to have at home to ease my mind. We didn't buy it until 19 weeks, but we loved being able to hear his heartbeat whenever we wanted to. Of course, I was anxious to pull it out again but was weary of trying it to early for fear of not finding anything and panicking...fortunately, I found baby's heartbeat at about 8 weeks and have heard it every day sense...nothing beats that sound!
Unfortunately, we haven't had totally smooth sailing up to this point but things are fine...I have been told to be as lazy as possible from this point forward. I had been working out until last week, and I thought that may help, but obviously my body has told me otherwise. I just find myself a ball of nerves in the beginning, which I'm sure is normal. When I get excited about being in the clear of my first trimester, I start to think about the third trimester I never had with LJ, and I panic all over again. My hope is that since I can be home this time, things may turn out differently...I can be off my feet more, I can rest if I need to, etc.
My first symptom of pregnancy was at the YMCA...I finished a spin class I do all the time, and I just felt horrible. We went home, I made one of my favorite meals, and I couldn't stand the smell, much less the taste. That was the beginning of some good old fashioned morning sickness! Thankfully, I have been feeling better this past week or so...still have food issues, but I had those throughout last time!
So, at this point, the due date is September 26th...4 days after LJ's 2nd birthday! We are hoping to simply get to September. That would be a prayer answered! We are also praying that the next 6 months is boring an uneventful...I keep thinking about going through what we went through with LJ with another child at home, and I think that is what panics me! I don't know how we would do it. For now, please keep us in your prayers, and we will surely keep you updated. My next appointment is 3 weeks from now, and I hope I don't have to show my face there sooner! The doctors and nurses see me way too much :)
God's got this one in his hands as always, and we are so thankful and feel so blessed to be along for the ride!
