Time for an update!

I have decided to TRY blogging again. Since it's summer, and I seem to have a little bit more time on my hands, I think it might work. We will see. I also would really like to share our story for those of you who may not know it yet, because I believe that God is at work doing some amazing things! So let's get started...hang in there - this is a long one!

Currently, I am 26 weeks (about 6 months) pregnant with a little boy.
So lets sum up this pregnancy up to this point in as few words as possible. Or at least try. :)
In January, we decided to take a test because I "just had that wierd feeling." We had been talking about having children, and had decided to stop preventative measures, but I honestly thought getting pregnant would be the hardest part of it all for us.

12 weeks - our announcement. Pinterest inspired.

Well...it wasn't. Took us one time. And boom, we were pregnant. Just like that. I was in disbelief...shock, a little bit scared too. "Wait...a baby is gonna come out of me? Oh goodness." My husband was the calm, collected one. Excited. He couldn't stop smiling.
My first trimester was pretty easy. I dealt with a little bit of nausea, didn't have much of an appetite and was extremely tired. But I lived, and it was a walk in the park compared to what some have experienced.

18 weeks

Second trimester I discovered the "wonder woman" within. Go, go, go, do, do, do. I feel alive again! It has been amazing!

20 weeks

So here's the long part of the journey, hang in there because I promise I won't be so wordy next time...

All appointments went well in the beginning, heartbeat was strong, which was all we prayed for. Then, at 22 weeks we had our first sonogram. Seeing his little body was incredible! I loved every second. However, I had come to the appointment with some apprehension and anxiety about his arms and hands. My family has a strong history of skeletal deformation of the arms and hands, and it was something my husband and I knew we might have to deal with when having children. Although, I think he was more prepared for the possibility then myself. You see, I was born with a crooked thumb, and my brother wasn't born with any deformities...so I guess I convinced myself that it was "going away" over time/generations. Anyway - back to the sono. everything looked good but she hesitated to say anything when it came to his feet. When we met with our doctor she said that the sonographer wanted us to get a 2d sonogram to get a better look at his feet because they looked as if they might be club feet. As you can probably imagine, I was devastated at the thought that my little boy would be anything but perfect. And I had never even heard of club feet, so the picture that came to my mind immediately was horrific. Luckily, my husband was there to keep me calm (as best he could) and we went home to research. Check out this website to get informed. Knowledge is power, people.

So fast forward a month to our 2d sonogram, the doctor confirmed that our precious, perfect little boy did in fact have bilateral (two) club feet. He was able to look at everything else also, and everything else seemed to be developing typically. Praise the Lord! They decide to send us to an orthopedic doctor to go ahead and discuss the process of correcting the club feet (yes, they can be corrected!). Fast forward another few weeks, and we met with the orthopedic doctor recommended by the 2d specialist. I was a nervous wreck. At this point I had really done my best to hand this situation and all my worries to the Lord, but my stomach was in knots. After filing out the necessary paperwork and waiting, we were called in. The physicians assistant took us to a room and proceeded to discuss with us this condition, and the process in which they would take to correct it. They would use the Ponseti Method. I had already researched much of the treatments, etc. So I was familiar with the method. I was really feeling good about everything at this point, I was glad they had taken the time to talk with us, etc. Just when I thought we were about done, and she was going to send us on our way the orthopedic doctor came in. He was very friendly, and reassuring that they would do their best to take care of our little boy's feet. I will never forget the words he said to me, "please do not worry about your little boy's feet, we will take care of them, you just worry about the rest." I began to cry. Not because I was afraid, but because I felt like the Lord was speaking to me through this doctor. Telling me not to worry, that He was in control. It was incredible.

Matthew 6:25-27
"I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than eating? Aren't there more important things for the body than clothes?
 "Look at the birds of the air. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are?
  "Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying?

22 weeks

We had originally intended on meeting with a few orthopedic doctors but after our meeting with Dr. Ferrell, my husband and I both felt like it was a really good fit. Not to mention, he actually studied with Dr. Ponseti.

A few nights ago we met with a group of sponsors who we volunteer with in Children's Church at our church. Our pastor was closing the meeting and asked if anyone would like to share prayer requests. He informed us about a couple from our church who had just given birth to twin girls at 24 weeks. The girls were both in the NICU and in poor condition. I hadn't planned on sharing, and felt as if our story was infinite compared to this couples struggle. But I felt like I needed to. Because these people are our church family. And I wanted them to know, so we could be supported. I started to share but couldn't because I choked up. So my husband shared. And after he did, they gathered around us, layed their hands on OUR feet, and prayed for our perfect little man. He IS perfect. And God is not done molding him yet. The Lord has a magnificent plan for his life and I cannot wait to see it unfold before my eyes.

 24 weeks - Please excuse my tired look in this picture. The baby daddy made me take a picture at 11 at night!

Our sweet, sweet miracle