Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Announcement

Hey all,

Thomas and I are amazed and thankful to announce that I'm pregnant and we're expecting a little boy in early September!  It's a total miracle and we are infinitely glad that God has decided to give us another baby.  After my miscarriage in September, we were pretty low and wondering if and when to start fertility treatments again, but it seemed like a big burden and hassle.  We decided to put it off until after January, and just have fun and enjoy our trip to Paris for Christmas.  I took a pregnancy test on January 3rd and was flabbergasted when it was positive.  After a combined 12 months of fertility appointments and medication to get pregnant with Benjamin and the baby we lost, I was totally stunned that this could happen.  Praise God!

I've been hesitant to broadcast the news, and I still get nervous sometimes about stillbirth and other complications, but I'm trying to trust that God's will is perfect.  I had my 17 week appointment today and it was so reassuring to see the baby's heartbeat on the monitor.  In Jordan they do ultrasounds at every appointment, which is great.  I like my doctor, he studied in America and has privileges at the maternity hospital here, so I'll be well taken care of.  If it seems like things get iffy later on and I need to go home, I can do that as well, but we're planning to stay here for the birth if all goes well. 

I would still covet your prayers, for a healthy baby and uneventful pregnancy.  For a smooth delivery with no complications.  For grace and patience with Benjamin, as he enters into the terrible two's and gets a baby brother.  And for safety and peace in Jordan.

I also know many women who've lost children too soon, be it miscarriage or stillbirth or soon after birth, and I want to encourage you to pray for those women as well.  I don't want to be obnoxious and hurt the feelings of those who are reading this and hurting because of their own loss.  Not totally sure how to make that happen, but I'll try to keep the complaints about pregnancy to a minimum, since I know that is a coveted state for many women.

Thanks for bearing with me while I didn't post very often, I was feeling tired and gross most of the past two months and didn't want to make it obvious that we were expecting.  There's a gaggle of women at the embassy who are all pregnant and due within a couple months of each other, and I feel so blessed that I can join the fun.  I can imagine how hard it would be to be doing fertility and trying hard for a baby surrounded by happy pregnant people.  I've been there before.

We're really excited to travel to SC this summer, and I will seriously eat my way through the state.  It's going to be epic!  One fun "problem" is that all my maternity clothes are fall and winter, since Benjamin was born in February.  I've ordered a bunch of stuff online from Old Navy and Gap, but some of those necklines are just super low.  It's hard to find relatively modest warm-weather maternity stuff.  I've got a few things now and some more on the way, but it's also fun to shop for cute clothes.  And the stretchy pants are amazingly comfortable. 

Taken March 21st, 16 weeks-ish.

I think I'm over the rough part, but it lasted a lot longer this time around.  I guess already having a child makes pregnancy tougher.  Today we found out that it's a boy.  I'd sort-of suspected, but was really just hoping for a heartbeat and good measurements.  Now we know the sex I can start thinking of names, most of which Thomas will probably reject.  It's such a scary and important job to name a kid.  Off to the Internet to research!

I'll attempt to post more frequently now that the news is out, but please do pray for the baby to be healthy and for me as well, to be healthy and rest as much as possible.  Thanks for sharing in our joy!

-Rachel

6 comments:

  1. Awww Rachel, so exciting!!! Congrats!!!! :)

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  2. We're so excited to have a new baby nephew! We join with you in thanking the Lord for His gracious answer to prayer (and in such an unexpected way!). We love you so much and send you lots of love and hugs :).

    love,
    Priscilla and Trevor

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Priscilla and Trevor! Hopefully the four of us can visit you next Spring. We'll have to coordinate with Valerie! :-)

      Love,
      Rachel

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