The New Kid On the Block

I don't think much explanation even needs to go into this post since there's a video, but I'll give you the shortened play by play.

The day we went in for our ultrasound, we knew we were going to turn away when she checked the gender. We wanted to find out together, but not in the doctor's office. We did a gender reveal party for Hallen, so we wanted something special for this little bundle of joy too. The ultrasound tech sweetly put the gender photos in a sealed envelope for us so we could still have them, but wait to look at them until after the reveal...you know...just to be 100% positive!

We ordered a gender reveal lovey from Hudson and Heart Co to open for our big surprise. I thought it'd be fun for Hallen to get involved with too since it was a stuffed animal. Hudson and Heart Co is such an amazing company. Their hearts are truly about giving back. For each gift purchased in their shop, they're able to give a meal to a child in need. I love supporting shops with such a heart felt mission, and I like knowing that my money isn't just going into some big corporation.

So, the lovey arrived two days after our ultrasound. Once that box was there, it was go time in my head. I called Kevin to see when he was coming home, and when we could make this happen! I wanted to rip into that box and see what cute animal was hiding in there! Once I told Kevin the package had arrived, he immediately left work so we could get this party started.

Once he got home, there was no putzing around. He hopped in the shower, we gathered everything up that we needed, and headed out. Our friends met us nearby to take photos and a video (super sweet of them...we were just going to put the camera on a tripod and hope for it not to come out blurry)! Once everyone was there and had eaten their Chick-Fil-A, it was go time. My gut feeling was a girl and Kevin's (along with everyone else) was a boy. It was so exciting to have the answer just moments away.

  A larger version can be found here.

We are so thrilled to announce we'll be having another little girl this February. It seems surreal still that we'll be raising sisters soon. I hope they become best friends. My heart could explode with joy right now. God is so good.

Cardigan: Mila Chic Boutique Leggings: Blanqi Tunic: Shop K La Hallen's Flares: Happy Shombey Shoes: Lili Collection Shoes Headband: Daddy Said Yes Boutique Lovie: Hudson and Heart Co.

Our November Rainbow

There's been a little nugget of hope hiding away these past few months. I began with very little optimism, trying not to get attached to any ideas or future plans. Most days, I tried to push the notion of being pregnant again so quickly out of my head. What if it happened again? I couldn't lose two babies in a row. The pain would be too difficult.

A week before Father's Day, I innocently started taking pregnancy tests. It had been 5 weeks since our miscarriage, and I just wanted to see. The first one was the faintest positive. I had left it on the counter and walked out for a while. I started holding it up to every different type of light I could find. Could it be? Most likely, it was just left over hormones. I couldn't be pregnant so quickly. I rushed out of the house with Hallen to go buy 10 more tests...yes 10...you ladies who have been in the limbo stage of not knowing if you are or if you aren't know why I'd buy 10!

I didn't take them all at once. Only like two a day. Just to make sure. The lines kept getting darker and  darker. I didn't dare tell Kevin. I scheduled an appointment with my OB first. Went in two different days that week for blood draws. Sure enough, on Friday morning, I received the most unexpected phone call. "You're pregnant. Your levels went up. It's definitely not left over hormones from the last baby." I tried to contain my tears, because I was meeting up with friends, but I bawled like a baby to her, and told her she was an angel sent by God!

I decided to wait until Father's Day to tell Kevin the good news. After Hallen went to sleep, I handed him one last present. I'm sure he thought it was going to be something sexy, but low and behold it was a big box of 10 pregnancy tests!

We laid low on telling anyone for a long time. I wanted to make sure the pregnancy was progressing well. Right on the mark at nine weeks, we walked into church, and I went to the bathroom because I wasn't feeling quite right. Blood started rushing. Not a tiny little spot. Bright red blood covering everything. I rushed to Kevin and Hallen. I told him we had to go to the ER again immediately. Tears pouring down my face, trying not to look at anyone directly on the way out. I felt numb all over again. How could this be happening? And why? We were at the ER for hours. They took me back to have an ultrasound after about an hour and a half. The technician looked worried, but was so kind and gentle. After five seconds, she said, " I just want you to know that your baby has a heartbeat. You still have a baby." Just like when the nurse told me I was pregnant, I told this lady she was an angel. It was so hard to believe. It was nothing short of a miracle. God was telling me that He's protecting me. He always has and he was will. And in this moment, He was there. He was holding my baby and pumping blood through it's veins.

I did have one more episode of a giant bleed. I have what's called a subchorionic hemorrhage. The doctor said that it happens in so many pregnancies, but usually nothing comes of it. I was one of the lucky ones that got to see what can happen when something comes of it. I haven't bled in almost 6 weeks now, though, so I'm just now starting to get attached to this baby of ours. It's strange pretending that nothing is going on inside of your body; trying to block out emotions; holding back fears and hopes. It's something I really shouldn't do. There's joy in just being able to get pregnant, because I know that's not the case for so many. 

I'll be 19 weeks on Monday, so almost halfway through, or maybe more than halfway through if this one comes a little early like Hallen did. We're so thrilled to be announcing that we're having baby number two this February. A little miracle. 

Kevin felt the baby kick earlier this week, so I think that brought it even more to life. We both wanted to thank our friends and family who have been in constant prayer for us through our miscarriage and the scary times during this pregnancy. We have so much to be thankful for right now, and have no one to credit but our amazing Creator.