This past Thursday Trey and I trekked back to Dallas to meet with our doctor for this first time (our last appt was just a sonogram). It was so awesome getting to see the growth of our little baby in just one week. The littlest bif measured at 8wks 2days, putting him/her a little ahead of schedule. We didn't change the due date yet; we'll get a more accurate reading at later sonograms. The heart rate was 166 bpm, and it was again like music to my ears to hear. Dr. Haddock is such a blessing. She's very encouraging and patient with all our(my) questions. She told us I'm considered a low risk pregnancy and everything looks great so far. That was so great to hear! Of course I trust the Lord and the promises He's placed in my heart, but at the same time, hearing that reassurance from a doctor sure feels great. Probably my favorite part of the appointment was at the end, when Dr. Haddock was about to leave. Trey stopped her and asked if we could pray for her. She agreed and came over, and he reached out for both of our hands. There we sat, in the doctor's office, hands joined with our doctor praying over her. It was a special prayer I know the Lord placed on Trey's heart. I could tell it meant a lot to her as she left, too.
Our next appointment will be November 18, and we'll hear the heartbeat again (no sono this time, though). Be praying for us over the next few weeks as we wait patiently for that appointment. It will also mean huge celebration to me, as we will be officially out of the first trimester. Yay!
In other news, I have been blessed with many opportunities to keep my niece and nephew this week. On Wednesday I even got to go with Marilee on her class field trip to the Wit's End Ranch. It was a blast driving her and her little friend Isabelle there and watching them play and explore on that ranch. Probably the most rewarding part of the day was when I dropped her back off at school and she couldn't hug and kiss me enough when I was leaving. I love being a part of that little girl's life! Trey and I also got to keep both kids while Lee worked today. It was great practice for us, but unfortunately Trey didn't get the chance to change any dirty diapers, so there's definitely more practice to be had :).
More updates to come in the future. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support as we continue on this journey. The Lord has been so real and evident in our lives, and it's a special time I hope to always remember. Love you all!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Littlest Bif of All
For those of you who spend any amount of time around Trey and I, you know that we call each other "bif" or "bifkin." It's a nickname his dad used to call Trey and Lee, and it's one we all still use. You also may be called bif at one time or another, as it is a term of endearment applied to all those we love. Well, today I would like to introduce you to the littlest bif of all, Baby Holmes!!
That's right! Trey and I are PREGNANT! I have dreamt about this day for so long, it hardly seems real. But after hearing that little heartbeat yesterday, there is no doubt in my mind what miracle of God is happening in my womb right now. We will be 7 weeks along tomorrow, and I am loving every minute of it.
It's definitely been quite the journey already, and we haven't even reached 2 months yet. The excitement and craziness all started when I went home to Georgie for the weekend of Sept. 24-26. On that Monday morning (I was 5 days late, still in GA), I was having my quiet time and filled with so much anxiety over whether or not I was pregnant. I was fearful that if I was, it would surely mean another miscarriage. After praying (and feeling rather nauseated while I laid there), I decided to run to Kroger and get a test. I came home and took the test, and almost immediately it showed a positive result. I was shocked.
Before I took the test I told myself that if the test was positive, I would wait and tell Trey in person the next day...but riiiiiiight, that didn't happen. Immediately, I called Trey. It was just too unbelievable to keep to myself. After calling Trey, I also called Gretchen since she was already back at school and I wouldn't get to tell her in person. The fun came when I ate lunch with mom and Jason at school. I got to tell both of them in person. I showed mom a picture of the positive pregnancy test (the one to the right), and well, you can see the rest:
And if that wasn't awesome enough, I also got to tell my dad in person that night at dinner! After telling mom, we were so excited and just knew we had to tell dad in a fun and creative way. That afternoon we ran to Target and bought two sweet little onesies (one boy and one girl since we don't know which yet!). At dinner I gave dad the onesies wrapped in a gift bag. Unfortunately the video is rotated sideways and I can't figure out how to rotate it, but it's still pretty great, so enjoy anyway!! Also, I enjoy dad's annoyance at first because he wants to eat instead of open presents. Haha, don't get in the way of a Jones and his food!
Trey told his sister that night we found out. We wanted to wait and tell his parents in person when we see them October 23, but after all the following happened, we decided to fill them in so they could be praying and know what was going on in our world. I guess we'll just have to tell them next time in a really creative way!
When I flew home Tuesday, Trey and I went straight to my OB in Dallas for my first round of blood work. I found out Wednesday that it looked good, but my progesterone was a little low, so the nurse started me on progesterone. We drew blood again Thursday to make sure it was doubling like it should, and I found out Friday that it looked good but my HCG didn't completely double like they would have liked to see. They ordered one more round of blood tests on Monday. Tuesday morning rolled around, and I was anxiously awaiting good news. I saw a few clients before I was able to talk to the nurse, and when we talked, she reported that my HCG levels had not doubled like they should. They were around 10,000, where she would have expected them to be at 18-19,000. She told me some women go on to have healthy babies in this situation, but "It could go either way at this point." She told me to rest and try not to worry. We would do an ultrasound next week. Well, I obviously couldn't counsel people after that news, seein' as I was crying all over myself. My secretary took care of the afternoon appts, and I drove home to Trey. Thus began my week of bed rest, essentially. I watched movies, read books, slept, and prayed, prayed, prayed. Constantly. I had moments of hope, but also I was overwhelmingly hit with fear and anxiety. I just knew I was going to miscarry again. But each day came and each day went, and I was still pregnant. It was only through the encouragement, faith, and prayers of my family and friends that I made it through that week a sane woman. But I made it. The Lord was my strength, and He helped me as I wrestled each fear in submission to Him.
We went Wednesday, October 13 (yesterday) for our first sonogram. I was so incredibly nervous. Would we see a little baby right away, or would the sonographer be unable to find a heartbeat? My prayer was that she would see it immediately and there would be no doubt, and God heard my prayer. Immediately she said "Oh, there's a baby!" to which I said, "Is the little heart beating?!?" I was just a tad nervous. But yes, it was beating strong and healthy. We not only got to see the heartbeat; we got to hear it, too! That little sound was like music to my ears. Trey was able to video it briefly. You can hear the heartbeat in the first video and see the heartbeat in the second video.
I am so thankful to the Lord. When we miscarried last year, I meditated constantly on Psalm 127, claiming the truth that GOD is the Giver of Life, and He is able to give life whenever He pleases. I've sought Him endlessly in prayer, asking for the blessing of children and recognizing that they are a heritage from the Lord and not to be taken lightly. I always said that when we got pregnant again, I wouldn't tell anyone until we were out of the first trimester. Obviously that didn't happen, for 3 reasons. 1) I didn't take into account that I married a man like my dad, who in his excitement can't help but ooze secrets from every fiber of his being. Trey has really done well at keeping it secret, but it's taken every bit of self-restraint he has, and he might run out any day now :). 2) I realize the power of prayer, and I'd rather have our little baby brought to the Father's throne constantly by myself and as many others as possible. It's worth it just to have the fellowship of believers interceding on behalf of our baby. 3) I will not let Satan rob me of the joy of this season. We are pregnant. This in and of itself is a gift of God that should be celebrated and shared. So thank you, friends and family, for celebrating with us during this season and sharing in our joy. Thank you also for remembering our little bif in your prayers. Pray for safety and healthy during development, especially during the rest of this first trimester. Pray also for me, to remain confident in the Lord and to keep my fears in submission to God's sovereignty and care. I leave you with this picture, our first family photo :)
It's definitely been quite the journey already, and we haven't even reached 2 months yet. The excitement and craziness all started when I went home to Georgie for the weekend of Sept. 24-26. On that Monday morning (I was 5 days late, still in GA), I was having my quiet time and filled with so much anxiety over whether or not I was pregnant. I was fearful that if I was, it would surely mean another miscarriage. After praying (and feeling rather nauseated while I laid there), I decided to run to Kroger and get a test. I came home and took the test, and almost immediately it showed a positive result. I was shocked.
And if that wasn't awesome enough, I also got to tell my dad in person that night at dinner! After telling mom, we were so excited and just knew we had to tell dad in a fun and creative way. That afternoon we ran to Target and bought two sweet little onesies (one boy and one girl since we don't know which yet!). At dinner I gave dad the onesies wrapped in a gift bag. Unfortunately the video is rotated sideways and I can't figure out how to rotate it, but it's still pretty great, so enjoy anyway!! Also, I enjoy dad's annoyance at first because he wants to eat instead of open presents. Haha, don't get in the way of a Jones and his food!
Trey told his sister that night we found out. We wanted to wait and tell his parents in person when we see them October 23, but after all the following happened, we decided to fill them in so they could be praying and know what was going on in our world. I guess we'll just have to tell them next time in a really creative way!
When I flew home Tuesday, Trey and I went straight to my OB in Dallas for my first round of blood work. I found out Wednesday that it looked good, but my progesterone was a little low, so the nurse started me on progesterone. We drew blood again Thursday to make sure it was doubling like it should, and I found out Friday that it looked good but my HCG didn't completely double like they would have liked to see. They ordered one more round of blood tests on Monday. Tuesday morning rolled around, and I was anxiously awaiting good news. I saw a few clients before I was able to talk to the nurse, and when we talked, she reported that my HCG levels had not doubled like they should. They were around 10,000, where she would have expected them to be at 18-19,000. She told me some women go on to have healthy babies in this situation, but "It could go either way at this point." She told me to rest and try not to worry. We would do an ultrasound next week. Well, I obviously couldn't counsel people after that news, seein' as I was crying all over myself. My secretary took care of the afternoon appts, and I drove home to Trey. Thus began my week of bed rest, essentially. I watched movies, read books, slept, and prayed, prayed, prayed. Constantly. I had moments of hope, but also I was overwhelmingly hit with fear and anxiety. I just knew I was going to miscarry again. But each day came and each day went, and I was still pregnant. It was only through the encouragement, faith, and prayers of my family and friends that I made it through that week a sane woman. But I made it. The Lord was my strength, and He helped me as I wrestled each fear in submission to Him.
We went Wednesday, October 13 (yesterday) for our first sonogram. I was so incredibly nervous. Would we see a little baby right away, or would the sonographer be unable to find a heartbeat? My prayer was that she would see it immediately and there would be no doubt, and God heard my prayer. Immediately she said "Oh, there's a baby!" to which I said, "Is the little heart beating?!?" I was just a tad nervous. But yes, it was beating strong and healthy. We not only got to see the heartbeat; we got to hear it, too! That little sound was like music to my ears. Trey was able to video it briefly. You can hear the heartbeat in the first video and see the heartbeat in the second video.
I am so thankful to the Lord. When we miscarried last year, I meditated constantly on Psalm 127, claiming the truth that GOD is the Giver of Life, and He is able to give life whenever He pleases. I've sought Him endlessly in prayer, asking for the blessing of children and recognizing that they are a heritage from the Lord and not to be taken lightly. I always said that when we got pregnant again, I wouldn't tell anyone until we were out of the first trimester. Obviously that didn't happen, for 3 reasons. 1) I didn't take into account that I married a man like my dad, who in his excitement can't help but ooze secrets from every fiber of his being. Trey has really done well at keeping it secret, but it's taken every bit of self-restraint he has, and he might run out any day now :). 2) I realize the power of prayer, and I'd rather have our little baby brought to the Father's throne constantly by myself and as many others as possible. It's worth it just to have the fellowship of believers interceding on behalf of our baby. 3) I will not let Satan rob me of the joy of this season. We are pregnant. This in and of itself is a gift of God that should be celebrated and shared. So thank you, friends and family, for celebrating with us during this season and sharing in our joy. Thank you also for remembering our little bif in your prayers. Pray for safety and healthy during development, especially during the rest of this first trimester. Pray also for me, to remain confident in the Lord and to keep my fears in submission to God's sovereignty and care. I leave you with this picture, our first family photo :)
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