13 Weeks

Today, I am 13 weeks pregnant and had my second prenatal check-up. Everything went great! I have only gained one pound--although I am wondering how that's possible considering the size of my belly (and my appetite some days). The baby's heart beat was pounding away at a rapid 154 beats per minute. I can't even describe the anxiety I experience prior to these appointments and the tremendous amount of relief I feel when I am able to hear our baby's heart beat. Today it moved me to tears ... and they are even coming back now as I write this. It's ironic to me, given that this will be our third child, how emotional I am about this pregnancy. I think pregnancy loss has humbled me in a way like no other.

Getting pregnant and carrying a healthy baby to term seems like it should be so easy ... but for so many women it's not. The last 7 years have been quite the journey for Jadee and I. Who would have thought after our unexpected first pregnancy, that we would run into secondary infertility issues and multiple pregnancy losses. It's just not fair to me in so many ways, but through these experiences I have come to appreciate every single moment I share with our two children. I have also come to realize the miracle of a baby and just how fragile life truly is.

This will be an extra special Christmas for us for many reasons ... but mostly because we are back together as a family this holiday season and after two years this December, we are finally on our way with this pregnancy. We are blessed and hope you feel the same this holiday season.