Laura Story - Blessings

<3<3 This song really speaks to me. I hope it will do the same for you <3<3

Lyrics -

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
As long as we have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Meet little Robbe!

Yesterday was one of the most magical days of our lives.  We had the privilege of seeing our little nugget for the first time.  When Matt stepped into the room, we began the mini-ultrasound.  The screen turned on and there was the baby!!!  It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen.  You could physically see the heart beating...wow!! 

Since twins run in both sides of our families, we were wondering how many nuggets were actually in there.  The doctor confirmed that there was only one baby...PHEW!  I would have been happy with twins but maybe a bit overwhelmed.  So it's official...there is only one wee wittle nugget in there. 

As the ultrasound continued, Dr. Baker said in a shocked voice, "Look guys!!!!!"  We looked closely at the monitor and nugget was flapping his/her arms up and down.  We continued to look and believe it or not, the baby was dancing inside me.  The baby was bending at the waste and moving up and down while flapping his/her wee little arms.  Apparently this does not happen too often as these ultrasounds usually just show a floating peanut.  Not us, you could see the arms, legs, head, heart and eyes....and well, our baby was waving and basically saying "Hi Mom and Dad...Wanna see what I can do??"  It was precious and of course, the flood gates opened for both of us. 

What a magical experience.  There are so many generations of people and pregnant women but goodness, it means so much more when it happens to you.  I cannot believe Matt and I created this beautiful baby and I cannot wait to meet him/her.  Here is a snapshot of the ultrasound.  You will meet mini-Robbe in another 10 weeks when the sex is officially disclosed.  Until then...it's growing time:

The story...and pregnancy symptoms

The Story:

I realized I was late but didn't think much of it.  Matthew and I had not been preventing pregnancy but rather had a, "Whatever God wants" attitude towards it.  I had told Matt, "If I have not started by Christmas, we should take a pregnancy test."  Well, before we headed home to see Mom and Dad in Cincinnati for Christmas, I decided (on a whim) to buy a pregnancy test...well, 4 of them.  Since I was convinced it wasn't positive, I took a test after work on Dec 19.  As the positive sign appeared, my jaw dropped!  WHAT!?!?!?  I immediately called Matt who was on his way home from work and said, "You need to hurry home NOW!!"  Matt rushed home and we immediately took another test, positive. For some reason...I was still not convinced so I took the other 2...positive and positive.  I had 4 positive pregnancy tests sitting in front of me. Well, I guess this is what God wanted, huh??  We immediately started screaming for joy and the tears came rushing in!!  We had a few days to figure out how we were going to disclose the news to Mom and Dad over Christmas.  I printed off a 5x7 pictures of the positive pregnancy tests and framed it.  I wrapped the picture frame and place it in a box.  I then wrapped the outside box to add an additional element of surprise.

On Christmas Eve, we started opening gifts and I was video tapping the entire event. This didn't strike anyone as unusual since I'm always snapping photos and videos.  All the gifts had been passed out and we asked Mom and Dad told open up their last gift together.  I told them to sit together because it was a funny gift and I wanted to capture everything on camera.  I had to be stealthy :)  As they opened the first package, Mom laughed because I had another one wrapped inside.  They began to rip it open when Dad goes, "Oh WOW!"  Mom did not have her glasses on and she said, "What?? What is it??"  Dad replied in shock, "I know exactly what that is."  Mom, who was still not able to see anything said, "WHAT?? What is it??"  Since her glasses were nowhere to be found, I announced, "We're pregnant!!"  Mom let out a huge scream and said "YAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!  MATTHEW YOU DID IT!!!!"  It was hysterical.  Everyone started going "What???  You are???"  Tears were shed and hugs were layered on. It was a day we will never forget.  Now my family understood why I wasn't drinking my usual Diet Coke with Limes at dinner.

Mom and Dad's reaction!!

Preggo!!

Pregnancy Symptoms:

So it has officially arrived, morning sickness.  I thought that I would be the (other) 50% of women who didn't have to experience this symptom of pregnancy.  Oh well, the more and more I read...the more I see that it is a sign of a healthy-growing baby!!  That's all I can hope for. If that's the case...bring on the morning sickness.

Tomorrow I will be 8 weeks along.  I know it is still the early phase...and the first trimester is the most crucial, but I can't help but smile when I think about a little baby growing inside me.  Sometimes as I go throughout my busy day, I forget that I have something MIRACULOUS growing within me.  A human, a little baby...a product of the great love between Matthew and I.  I feel ever-so-blessed to experience this GREAT joy.  Matthew and I thank the Lord daily for this gift.

Matthew has been SUCH a huge help already.  Sure, morning sickness is my worst symptom.  Outside of morning sickness, the only other symptoms that are noticeable is the fatigue.  After a long day at work, I come home, cook dinner and am pooped.  I can usually last about 30 minutes after dinner before passing out on the couch.  I wake up and Matt has cleaned up the kitchen, taken the dog out and covered me up.  When I wake up he says, "Is there anything I can get for you honey? Are you ok? Do you need anything at all?"  I feel absolutely BLESSED to be married to such a supportive man!

I have heard that "Preggo Pops" really help with morning sickness. I am going to check them out since I am desperate to trying anything.  We will see what that does for nugget and I :)
 
We will continue to keep you updated with pictures and stories as they come. This is quite the adventure! :)  Sure glad I started a blog when I did...Love you all <3<3<3