A Letter of Thanks

Dear Family and Friends,

Throughout our 5 years of marriage, Will and I have been so eternally grateful for the support and love of our family and friends. During the 4 1/2 years we've been trying to get pregnant, we know the only way we've made it through is because of the thoughts and prayers of you who mean so much to us. Especially through our miscarriage, your help and love is what helped us get through every difficult day.

I've been thinking throughout the last 2 1/2 months the best way to put this on my blog, and Will helped me to realize the best way is with gratitude. So with much thanks for all each of you have done, we are pleased to announce that we are pregnant, due March 31st.

I went to the doctor today for my 12 week appointment (even though I'm 13 1/2 weeks along), and since they couldn't find the heartbeat on the doppler (I have a little extra padding that makes it hard to use the doppler), we got to have our 4th ultrasound of this pregnancy. The first 3 at 6, 7, and 8 weeks seemed unreal because the baby looked like a bean until 8 weeks when it looked like a gummy bear. However, today for the first time, I cried when I saw our baby. I cried as I watched it's little arms and legs flex and move, and especially as I watched it's heart beat so quickly. These pictures are in order of what we saw.

First we saw our baby's heartbeat... Good and strong at about 160 beats per minute.

Then the doctor showed us the fingers (looks like the baby was telling us everything is ok).
He measured the length. From head to bottom is about 6 1/2 cm.
Then he gave us this great profile. I think its turned up nose looks kinda like mine! :)
Then its hand and leg.
And finally a view from below... Can you tell if it's a boy or girl? The baby's head is down in this picture, and we're looking at it from behind, legs are up.

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I know I've been relatively absent from my blog during the last few months... mostly because all I want to do is throw up (no Ellie, I didn't get any zofran, but feeling sick helped me to remember everything was going alright). Thankfully I've been able to avoid actually throwing up (although sometimes I thought it would be relieving) and on the 2 days I forgot to take my vitamins everything was pretty good. My doctor actually told me to try Flinstone's vitamins now that I'm through the first trimester. He said the difference may make my morning sickness quit.

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I cannot be more grateful for this amazing blessing in my life. Infertility is the hardest thing I've ever faced, and I know it has made me a better person. I've had to draw on all the help and strength people offer, and still things were not easy. I've had to dig deep in my depression to find something I didn't know I had in me. I've struggled with my spirituality and my divine worth, and have come out swinging, fighting everyday to remind myself I have worth in my Heavenly Father's eyes. I've learned that my Heavenly Father really DOES know what is best for me, and that although it is hard, I can do hard things. I know there are so many women out there in the blogoverse who have had to face the same thing, and I'm grateful for the words of support you've had for me.

I know the next 6 months will not be easy, but I also know I can do this. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

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Sincerely,

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Nancy, William and our little one

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P.S. Am I forgiven for my long absence? :)