2012 Reflection

It's it hard to believe that in two days it will be 2013. Looking back over the past year is emotional for so many reasons. My dad has recovered from his battle with cancer, and we got the best news that we would in fact get the chance to be parents. After months and months of heartache, bad news, negative pregnancy tests, procedures, and shots, we are 4 months away from meeting our baby face to face. 

We are so blessed to have had the support and prayers of so many family members and friends over the past couple years. Now as I sit and feel my little Jeremiah bouncing around inside my belly it is hard to remember all of the physical and emotional pain we endured on this incredible journey to parenthood. 

I would not take back one single difficult conversation, one procedure, one shot, or one blood test. This was the journey God had planned for us all along and it has been nothing short of miraculous. 

I can remember all of the conversations I had with God about my desire to be a mom. I can remember crying myself to sleep and wondering why He had chosen this for my life. I can also remember leaning on Him and trusting in Him more than I ever knew possible. I can remember Him picking me up out of times of sorrow and bringing me joy through the sweet babies and children of others and through my job as a teacher. 

He allowed me the ability to laugh with my husband in the most difficult of times and I got to know Him as a true Father for the first time in my life. Most of all I can remember the day and the conversation I had with Him in which I was finally able to find peace in the fact that I may never carry a biological child. I can remember the brief feeling of grief but the overwhelming feeling of peace. I knew I would be a mom one way or the other but I was finally able to accept the reality that it might not be the way I had planned my whole life. 

As I sit here 5 months into this pregnancy I am overwhelmed with gratitude for being able to try the In-Vitro process and for its success against all odds, joy for the opportunity to feel this little boy growing strong and experience pregnancy, and a sense of my Father's love for us that He has chosen us to be Jeremiah's parents, the best gift of all. 

Christmas Eve 2012

22 weeks exactly on Christmas Eve!

Baby boy is one whole pound and 11 inches long! He is kicking and moving constantly and I love every minute of it. Each and every movement is still so special to me and so amazing and makes me smile every time. Tutu (my mom's hawaiian version of grandma) has gotten to feel him several times this week and grandpa felt him tonight for the first time. I have dreamt of sharing these special memories with my family for so long and it is such a blessing to watch this baby bring joy already.  

Baby Jeremiah you are more loved than you even know and you aren't even here yet!

Merry Christmas! God is good! 

21 Weeks and a Surprise for Dad

Shaun has been able to feel lots of movements this week. He is so cute and excited each time little man kicks around. Although I feel him ALL the time it is hard to catch him with big enough movements for dad. 

Keep growing strong little Jeremiah, we love you!

Half Way!

20 weeks and feeling amazing! 

Christmas Card Pics

We had a friend take some pictures for our Christmas cards this year. These are just a few of my favorites! 

Peek a Boo...I SEE you!

Ah-Mazing!

Tomorrow I will be 20 weeks pregnant. I can hardly believe that I am half way through my pregnancy. I get to feel this little guy move so much throughout each day and especially in the evenings when I finally sit down and relax. It is still so surreal! 

Tonight as I was sitting on the couch playing on the computer I was feeling him move over and over in the same spot so I pulled up my shirt and stared at that spot....sure enough, I SAW my stomach move for the first time! WHAT?!? I wasn't sure if he was big enough to see from the outside but he is! Of course I immediately yelled for Shaun to come and see but...nothing. Poor daddy has yet to feel or see anything. He is starting to take it personal! Haha he says the baby is stubborn like his mommy....

Thank you Lord for a strong healthy baby boy and for giving me the opportunity to give him a safe place to grow and develop inside of me. Keep on kicking baby boy! 

Sweet Potato!

18 Weeks...

-Bought a belly band

-Shaun put crown molding in the nursery (It is beautiful!)

-We had an ultrasound and found out this baby is BIG. He is measuring a full week ahead at 19.5 weeks and his belly is measuring even bigger than that, nearly 20 weeks. I do have to admit I was worried when we left the appointment and made the mistake of googling the reasons why a baby's belly might be so much larger...I came up with some not so encouraging things so I am glad to say that after much prayer I now have peace and am trusting the Lord. He gave us this baby and he is perfect, big belly and all!

-We chose a name! Jeremiah David Naffziger. We both love the name Jeremiah and love that it means appointed by God/God will uplift and set free. What a great reminder of everything we went through to get this little guy. 

Almost half way there!