Ultrasound Update

Well...today I had my 3rd ultrasound for this pregnancy. It takes me an hour to make from our home up to the 10th floor of OHSU waterfront building. I hardly had to wait (which was nice)...

Everything looks great. The doctor was pleased and we were able to hear and see the heartbeat today. In fact...I am doing so well that I am now released from the specialist and into the care of my regular OB. I got some more pictures, but they are pretty fuzzy so I won't post them but the baby is there. It was a great appointment. This is the farthest I have ever seen any of my babies. This is a huge milestone. Even though there is still a long way to go I am excited for another good appointment.

7 weeks

Today is 7 weeks. I spent most of the week feeling very sick, tired and I have a wicked case of heartburn. All normal. I called the doctor hoping for some miracle drug that could help with the heartburn. The miracle was called Maalox.

It is crazy how you don't really feel like yourself. It is difficult on my kids because I don't act like myself. I have another ultrasound coming up on Monday. I always start to get nervous a few days before. I pray that everything is growing on target...Some days the walk of faith is difficult...today is one of those days.

Guess What?????

Surprise!!! We're pregnant. I am in my 6th week and it has already been a roller coaster. First off things are absolutely fine and normal (praise the Lord), but I am being monitored weekly by OHSU infertility consultants in Portland (one of the top rated practices in the United States). I have had my blood drawn more times than I can count and I have already had two ultrasounds. Yes, there is only "one" baby. The baby has a heartbeat (saw it on Thursday). This is truly a miracle of God, as months ago I did not respond to medication to help us get pregnant, and we were told we would need to pursue other options IUI and IVF (things neither Mark nor I felt called too). But God had other ideas and decided to prove those doctors wrong and say "hey, I am still God and in control". Even with my history, I am relaxed and confident that God is in complete control, and I am doing everything within my power and the rest is up to God.

I am on so much medication right now my day goes by what meds I need to take. Some of the meds are normal like prenatals and folic acid, some is not like prometrium, baby aspirin and metformin (all to help me keep the baby).

Yes, I am already having morning sickness (although I wish it was just morning sickness, I feel bad most of the day). I feel terrible, but I keep hearing how good it is to feel this way. It is a nice reminder.

We told our kids today, so it is no longer a secret. Luke had been very worried about me (to the point of tears), so we figured that we would tell them. They could of cared less. But at least he knows that I am OK. So that is the news. We would appreciate your prayers during this incredible walk of faith for us. Thank you.

Yearbook Yourself!!! Too Funny!!!!

Have some time? What to laugh hysterically? Then Yearbook Yourself. It will take you from 1950's to 2000. Here were some of my favorite highlights from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Go to www.yearbookyourself.com to try it out yourself.

1980's

1970's

1960's

What the World Needs...

is more dads swimming in kiddy pools, and less time spent discussing funding for CASH for Clunkers.

Swimming Lessons

The kids started swimming lessons two weeks ago. It is amazing how different your kids can be. Grace has no fear, whatsoever... Luke, poor guy, is so timid. But he has been trying new things and working on being brave when it comes to putting his face in the water. His therapist wants him to learn how to swim...we are working on it. Grace loves her class and her two "boy teachers" as she tells me. She is like a little fish.

Baseball Park

A few weeks ago we had an opportunity to visit Mimi during lunch time and we went to what Luke calls the "Baseball Park". We went last summer and discovered that they had a real baseball diamond. We didn't have a ball or bat so they "pretended" to play last year. This year in anticipation we brought our baseball bat and tennis balls. Luke was so excited he could hardly stand it. He would hit the ball and run around the bases "sliding" into home plate. Grace enjoyed participating; but she had no clue which way to run. It was too cute. Mimi was a trooper, and a stranger at the park commented on her great baseball skills :)

Swimming

Luke and Grace have been through 3 swimming pools this summer. Currently, they have managed to put a hole in the new green one. It has a slow leak that neither Mark nor I can find. We keep pumping it up with air and it slowly leaks. Oh well....as you can tell from the picture, it doesn't seem to bother them at all.

Struggling

Can I be honest??? Last week was a difficult week for me. It was the 4th anniversary of the loss of our third child. The pain is still there. I don't think ever goes away but becomes a part of who you are. It seems that everyone is pregnant around me...that is difficult because it magnifies my infertility. You would think that after seven years I would be able to come to terms with my barrenness, but I have not. I can look back and see God's hand and plan in bringing two of the most wonderful babies into my life. But now, in the thick of things, I cannot see anything. I have been to the specialist, and taken all the tests and have tried the medications, suggestions...I have exercised, ate different foods, given up pop, tried to relax and have even taken the fertility drugs...but nothing...I did not respond. The next step in the medical world would be higher more powerful fertility drugs, ultrasounds and things like IUI and IVF, injectables and a lot of money. Things I don't feel called to.

In the world of state adoption, where we adopted Luke and Grace, is different now. There have been many changes in procedures and goals for the children. There are less kids in care and no need for adoptive homes. We have been on the wait list nearly 10 months with no leads, no calls, no placements, nada, zip, nothing. We have also contemplated foster care, but the Lord has been specific in telling us that right now it is not the time. It is a dangerous world right now.

We are currently praying about other avenues of adoption. Private and international. Both are journeys that we have not taken, but are willing to follow God if he calls us. The main stumbling block for these types of adoptions is money. They are expensive. An international adoption is around 22,000 and a private domestic adoption going through an agency is 35,000 to 50,000 dollars. Crazy...I know. Please pray with us as we seek God's will and plan. We know that each decision has risks and complications. Both Mark and I believe that their is another baby for us. We are believing for a miracle.

What the World Needs...

less talk of economic stimulus plans...and more kiddos eating summer cherries.

Happy Father's Day

We had a wonderful Father's Day. The kids got all sorts of cards and stuff for daddy. We went to church.

Our pastor was preaching a father's day message and needed some things to represent differnt things dad's do. He asked Mark to bring in his motor bike. It was put up on stage along with some other things like golf clubs, fishing pole, etc.

When I went to pick the kids up from Sunday School, Luke bolted into the sanctuary and took one look at dad's motor bike and hopped on. Grace wasn't too far behind. I got Mark and he couldn't help but get their picture before telling them to get down.

The picture just is funny. I never pictured Mark's motor bike in church. It was a good day.