Wednesday, May 19, 2010

God's Precious Gift - We're Pregnant

I have dreamt about this day for the past two years.


The day where Chris and I get to share the news that we are expecting, with our friends and family and all the amazing people that have been praying for us. I am 9 weeks and 1 day along and due on Christmas Eve!!!! What an amazing miracle and huge blessing to our family.


Please read our story below.

Chris and I decided we would start trying June of 2008. (For those of you who truly know us, I had been trying to convince Chris for over a year to start trying but he was just not ready yet.) I knew I was going to have trouble getting pregnant, because I am not regular and have had cysts on my ovaries for as long as I can remember.

We started seeing a specialist in Chattanooga and they diagnosed me with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). In short, it means I have cysts all over my ovaries (my ovaries look like swiss cheese) and I do not ovulate on a regular basis if at all. The doctor put me on Metformin and off we went. No luck with Metformin. I was still not ovulating. Chris and I decided we would go through the 2009 baseball season without doing anything more and just see if we got pregnant. It didn't happen.

August of 2009, Chris and I knew we would be spending the off season in CA, so I flew out to LA to see my doctor out there. He started me on Chlomid. I prayed this would work. And it didn't. After the first month, he suggested that Chris and I go see an Infertility Specialist because he knew we only had about 5 months of being in CA.

Off we went to the next doctor; Dr. Kumar. I will never forget our consultation with Dr. Kumar. Chris and I were sitting in his office and Dr. Kumar was explaining all of our options and what he suggested and the whole time he was talking I kept thinking....is he speaking english? There were all these terms being thrown around IUI, IVF, shots, ultrasounds, PCOS, it was too overwhelming. After he was done, I started to tear up in his office. Dr. Kumar sat back and started over again, slower this time and drawing my ovaries and uterus and what the procedures would do. I felt a little better. We left his office that first day and decided that we would do three rounds of IUI; one with chlomid, two with the shots of follistim.

Months of ultrasounds, counting the follicles, shots in the stomach, gaining 10 pounds and IUI's for negative results; we were not pregnant. The emotional roller coaster that you go through during this process is unbearable. Chris and I had to lean on God, pray that he would get us through this time.

Our last IUI was in January 2010. Chris and I went to Hawaii for vacation, while we were there we found out that it did not work. We were out of time. In two weeks, we were leaving for Spring Training. It was over.

February 2010 Dr. Kumar called and asked if we wanted to be part of an IVF Trial. We would only have to pay half the amount....We were in. However, it sounded to good to be true. The logistics were just not working...we were in AZ and the trial was in LA. I prayed about it and I just knew it was not what God wanted for me. So we withdrew.

The struggle of not getting pregnant brought Chris and I to our knees. We cried out to the Lord literally. We were vulnerable to God and to each other. We gave it to God and decided to stop trying until next off season.

Jump to four weeks ago. Chris is on a 10 day road trip. I become really sick over the weekend. Nothing is feeling right. Chris suggests I am pregnant...my response "We are not going through that again." So I did not take a test. A couple of nights later I go out to dinner with a friend and we go to Chili's. I order my staple...chips and salsa and queso. The salsa was so spicy I could not eat it and the queso made me sick to my stomach. At that moment I knew I was pregnant. That night I drove to Walgreens and bought a test. Waited for Chris to get out of his game, of course there was a rain delay and extra innings. Finally, Chris calls at 12:35 am and I told him about the events that night and suggested we take the test. He said "Ok lets do it".

I peed on the stick and two lines appeared. I started crying and screaming and poor Chris....he was on the team bus driving from Jacksonville to Mobile and just wanted to cry with me. It was the best night of our lives. A complete shock and God moment.


We called our parents and told close relatives. Made a doctors appointment for when Chris got home.

Today was the second doctors appointment. We were able to hear the heartbeat and see the little gummy bear for the second time.
We want to thank everyone for all your prayers and encouragement. We will appreciate them and treasure them forever!

Praise God! "I have prayed for this child and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him" 1 Samuel 1:27.

15 comments:

Abby said...

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! What a great story and testimony! So excited for you guys :)

Kelly said...

Congrats!!! Great story =)

Divo said...

Heather - we are so very happy for you and cannot express enough how wonderful we think you and Chris will be as parents to this precious little one. Enjoy every moment of this pregnancy (yes even the nausea, aches and pains, stretch marks, and weight gain)!

So happy to be an Auntie to this new little Denove.

Robin said...

Praise God indeed! HE IS SO GOOD! Sooooooo happy for you & Chris! I was hoping this would be the "exciting" news you were alluding to in your previous post.

While doing my Bible study the other week, I came upon these verses:

"As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given" - Daniel 9:23

"For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope & a future" - Jeremiah 29:11

While we may not always agree with God's timing, He is faithful & always answers our prayers. There is much delight & comfort knowing He had plans to prosper, and give you & Chris hope & a future.

Congratulations again, Heather! Exciting times ahead.

Meredith Ann said...

That's really great, Heather! I've been praying for you and Chris ever since I had that dream...I think over a year ago! Good luck during your pregnancy. I love that Chili's is part of the story. (obvi!!!)

Meant to be a mom said...

Congratulations, that is such an amazing story! I'm so happy for you all. My prayers are with you and your baby for a healthy pregnancy.

Iris said...

I have been waiting for this post!!!

YAYAYAYAYAAY!!!!!

So happy for you two. SO VERY HAPPY!! I am totally crying tears of joy.

Kalee said...

What a beautiful blessing, Heather! I am truly so happy for you and Chris, after all the trying (and I know how hard it can be after watching Daniele go through similar things), finally you'll have a perfect little babe :) Take care of yourself now, Mama - lots of fruits and greens!! =) Sending good energy your way.

Mama Fish said...

Oh my goodness Heather! What an awesome testimony!! I loved reading it. I just love hearing how God answers prayer and how faithful He is to his children who trust in Him. What an exciting time for you two!! Congratulations on your precious miracle!!

Laura said...

I came across your blog one night while surfing blogs. I love baseball so reading about your husbands career has been fun. I have sent prayers up to God for the both of you and even thou I don't know the two of you, I am so happy that you are expecting a miracle. I am the mother of a 10 year old son and 9 year old twin girls and I am here to tell you to enjoy every second of your pregnancy and birth! Children are truely God's gift to us!

Nicole said...

Congratulations! How exciting! I hope you're doing ok finding a doctor and everything in Raleigh. If you need help, I can offer some suggestions. :)

www.baseballwifeblog.com

Ashley Del Dosso said...

Congrats girl!! You guys deserve it. When it is time, it is just time. My mom had to go through similar procedures for about a year or two to have me, so I am always eternally greatful for the pain she went to to give me life!!! Your child will feel the same...trust me!!!

Christie said...

Congratulations! You totally made me cry. So happy for you two!

jess said...

What wonderful, amazing news! I'm so happy for you. Enjoy every moment.

Betsy Watkins said...

Absolutely beautifully written! I just cannot even tell you how thrilled I am for you and Chris! Our God is an awesome God! To Him be the glory!