Well, it's finally time to reveal our secret! After much patience on the part of our friends and family, we are finally ready to share our secret.
So, as our Christmas gift to you, we are excited to share with you that we are having a . . .
GIRL!!!!!
We are very excited to have another little girl in our family and are excitedly discussing baby girl names.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! We hope the new year brings you health and happiness but most especially, the peace of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His plan of happiness.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
4 and 1/2
Today marks exactly 4 and a 1/2 years since we held our Baby G in our arms and said goodbye. I am thinking of him today, especially with the Christmas season upon us.
I can't help but wonder how our Christmas would have been different with a 4 year old little boy. I imagine this year he would have really caught on to the Christmas spirit. Maybe he would have written his own letter to Santa Clause and helped me make the sugar cookies on Christmas Eve. We would have had extra presents under the tree and would have had to have been extra careful in what we said and how we hid the Christmas gifts to help keep Santa's secret. I wonder if he would have really understood the true meaning of Christmas. He would have participated in our ward's nativity as a shepherd boy.
(Sigh) The most beautiful part though about all of this is that I know that even if I can't have all of those things right now, because of the Savior I will get to have my baby G back in my arms someday. I miss him to be sure, and sometimes it's harder than others. But someday when we are reunited it will be one of the sweetest moments of my life. I am thankful for the blessing of the knowledge of eternal families. If you would like to learn more about the faith that gives me so much hope, click HERE to check out an awesome website.
I can't help but wonder how our Christmas would have been different with a 4 year old little boy. I imagine this year he would have really caught on to the Christmas spirit. Maybe he would have written his own letter to Santa Clause and helped me make the sugar cookies on Christmas Eve. We would have had extra presents under the tree and would have had to have been extra careful in what we said and how we hid the Christmas gifts to help keep Santa's secret. I wonder if he would have really understood the true meaning of Christmas. He would have participated in our ward's nativity as a shepherd boy.
(Sigh) The most beautiful part though about all of this is that I know that even if I can't have all of those things right now, because of the Savior I will get to have my baby G back in my arms someday. I miss him to be sure, and sometimes it's harder than others. But someday when we are reunited it will be one of the sweetest moments of my life. I am thankful for the blessing of the knowledge of eternal families. If you would like to learn more about the faith that gives me so much hope, click HERE to check out an awesome website.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The big ultrasound!
Well, yesterday Malone and I went to our doctor's office for the "big ultrasound." In reality, I will continue to have ultrasounds every two weeks to keep a check on my cervix.
While I LOVE that I get to see my baby so often, I hate holding my breath every time we go in there. We know it's basically inevitable that my cervix will shorten to a dangerous length prematurely, it's just a matter of when that happens. With Baby G, I was 24 weeks along when we discovered the cervix had opened. With Baby K I was about 23 weeks along when my cervix opened down to the stitch. So hopefully we'll have at least one more good ultrasound before we have to face things like steroid shots and bed rest.
Anyhow, enough of the gloominess. We will deal with those things when they come, but I am refusing to allow myself to become overly anxious about something I have no control over.
So, on to the more exciting stuff! According to our ultrasound, the baby's brain is growing normally. The tech showed us both hemispheres of the brain as well as the baby's cerebellum. She also took a look at the baby's heart and we could see all four chambers looking just right. Then she showed us the baby's belly and we could see the baby's stomach which is all right on target. The placenta looks healthy as well and is in a normal location. Among other things she looked at were the length of the baby's femur, the size of the head and belly, and the length of the cervix. The ultrasound technician estimated the baby's current weight at 9 oz, which is exactly average. So, we had good news about everything! In fact, we received GREAT news about the cervix in that it developed a little extra length than normal this time, so hopefully it will last a bit longer. YAY! So, all in all, we are very thankful for such a good healthy report and for the technology that allows us to keep an eye on my body.
Of course, I know you're all wondering whether or not we were able to find out the baby's gender.
Welllllll......
YES! We were able to get a clear shot of our little baby's bum. This baby is not nearly as shy as Baby K was the first time we tried to take a peak. So yes, we know the gender.
To that end, Malone and I are excited to announce that in May 2012, our family will be blessed with a little baby . . . .
TO BE CONTINUED CHRISTMAS EVE
(You have only 2 more days to make your guess as to whether we are having a boy or a girl! Check out our poll on the right hand side of the blog)
While I LOVE that I get to see my baby so often, I hate holding my breath every time we go in there. We know it's basically inevitable that my cervix will shorten to a dangerous length prematurely, it's just a matter of when that happens. With Baby G, I was 24 weeks along when we discovered the cervix had opened. With Baby K I was about 23 weeks along when my cervix opened down to the stitch. So hopefully we'll have at least one more good ultrasound before we have to face things like steroid shots and bed rest.
Anyhow, enough of the gloominess. We will deal with those things when they come, but I am refusing to allow myself to become overly anxious about something I have no control over.
So, on to the more exciting stuff! According to our ultrasound, the baby's brain is growing normally. The tech showed us both hemispheres of the brain as well as the baby's cerebellum. She also took a look at the baby's heart and we could see all four chambers looking just right. Then she showed us the baby's belly and we could see the baby's stomach which is all right on target. The placenta looks healthy as well and is in a normal location. Among other things she looked at were the length of the baby's femur, the size of the head and belly, and the length of the cervix. The ultrasound technician estimated the baby's current weight at 9 oz, which is exactly average. So, we had good news about everything! In fact, we received GREAT news about the cervix in that it developed a little extra length than normal this time, so hopefully it will last a bit longer. YAY! So, all in all, we are very thankful for such a good healthy report and for the technology that allows us to keep an eye on my body.
Of course, I know you're all wondering whether or not we were able to find out the baby's gender.
Welllllll......
YES! We were able to get a clear shot of our little baby's bum. This baby is not nearly as shy as Baby K was the first time we tried to take a peak. So yes, we know the gender.
To that end, Malone and I are excited to announce that in May 2012, our family will be blessed with a little baby . . . .
TO BE CONTINUED CHRISTMAS EVE
(You have only 2 more days to make your guess as to whether we are having a boy or a girl! Check out our poll on the right hand side of the blog)
Monday, December 19, 2011
Pink or Blue?
Well the time is quickly coming for us to (hopefully) find out whether or not our third baby is a boy or a girl. I am just over 18 weeks along and we are ecstatic to have our post-op appointment (to check the cervix and make sure it's not being rebellious yet) and to have our first 3D ultrasound with this pregnancy. I have had two ultrasounds so far since I became pregnant, but both of them were with the old machine and gave us only a fuzzy glimpse of our little one. It is such a blessing that we have the ability to check in on the baby and to keep a close check on the status of my cervix.
Anyhow, we are really hoping that the baby is not modest and will let us get a glimpse. Baby K made us wait an extra 2 weeks or so, so we're hoping that doesn't happen again. :)
A lot of people ask us whether or not we think we are having a boy or a girl. We all three seem to have varying opinions, so here is the current status of our little family's opinions.
Malone is absolutely convinced that we are having a boy. He is so certain that he has been reluctant to discuss girl names with me. He hasn't been wrong yet either, so he has something of a reputation to uphold.
I don't really have a gut feeling either way. It would be fun to have a boy and I know it would be very healing to hold a healthy son in my arms considering the trauma we experienced with the premature birth and subsequent loss of our baby G. However, I also love having a baby girl too. Either way I will be happy. Sometimes Malone manages to convince me we're having a boy but then the next second I will be swaying toward the idea of having another girl. So I guess I'm a fence sitter.
Our baby K, on the other hand has recently formed a definite opinion. This was a conversation I had with her recently:
Me: "Baby K do you want a baby brother or sister?" Baby K: "Sister" (She never answers the same on this question by the way. She doesn't quite understand yet) Me: "But what if you have a baby brother?" Baby K: "No way!!!"
Anyhow, we are really hoping that the baby is not modest and will let us get a glimpse. Baby K made us wait an extra 2 weeks or so, so we're hoping that doesn't happen again. :)
A lot of people ask us whether or not we think we are having a boy or a girl. We all three seem to have varying opinions, so here is the current status of our little family's opinions.
Malone is absolutely convinced that we are having a boy. He is so certain that he has been reluctant to discuss girl names with me. He hasn't been wrong yet either, so he has something of a reputation to uphold.
I don't really have a gut feeling either way. It would be fun to have a boy and I know it would be very healing to hold a healthy son in my arms considering the trauma we experienced with the premature birth and subsequent loss of our baby G. However, I also love having a baby girl too. Either way I will be happy. Sometimes Malone manages to convince me we're having a boy but then the next second I will be swaying toward the idea of having another girl. So I guess I'm a fence sitter.
Our baby K, on the other hand has recently formed a definite opinion. This was a conversation I had with her recently:
Me: "Baby K do you want a baby brother or sister?" Baby K: "Sister" (She never answers the same on this question by the way. She doesn't quite understand yet) Me: "But what if you have a baby brother?" Baby K: "No way!!!"
Monday, December 5, 2011
Surgery
Well, the surgery is done and over with. I had a great slot in the schedule this morning at 7:30 am. In fact I was very first in the operating room! This was a such a tender mercy from God. I was so nervous I couldn't sleep later than 4:20 this morning and was basically holding my breath until the moment they put me under. Needless to say, I was glad to be first to get it over with.
I do have to say however, that I was much more peaceful about this surgery than the last one. Malone and I were able to attend the temple on Saturday and through some very sacred personal experiences, I knew everything would be ok. I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for giving me the peace and comfort I so badly needed.
The surgery went very well. Both baby and I are doing fine. I was in the operating room at 7:30 am and sent home at about 11:00, so the doctors and nurses were all very efficient. I liked my anesthesiologist much better this time too. He had a great bedside manner and I felt much more informed about what was going to happen than the last time I had this surgery. My OB came back after the surgery and let Malone know that the stitch went in very well. Currently my cervix is still pretty thick, so the timing of the cerclage was perfect. In fact, Dr. B. said the cerclage went in so well it might be a little hard to get it back out again 21 weeks from now. :)
I am in quite a bit of pain now which stinks. BUT, I know it is so worth it to have another little miracle baby in our family. Thank heaven for modern medicine. And thank heaven for Malone. He is doing such a good job taking care of me.
Our baby K on the other hand is not handling this well. She's too young to understand why she has to be gentle with me. This morning when Malone carefully helped me in the front door she was so happy to see me. She ran to me with a huge smile on her face and her arms wide open for me, wanting me to pick her up. Since I can't lift anything I had to just try to give her a hug and then move away. She was heartbroken and crying big fat crocodile tears that I couldn't pick her up. Malone held her for a while to calm her down but now she is very upset with me. I know it's irrational but it all makes me feel like a terrible mother. I do not do well with these limitations.
But, like I said, I know it will all be worth it when I'm snuggling both my babies in my arms in just another 5 months or so. I can hardly wait. :)
So, here we are now. I am a little about 16 and a half weeks along today. We're getting closer to the halfway point which I am very very excited about.
Our next appointment to look forward to is a full-on ultrasound on December 20th. We can't wait to see our baby and "hopefully" (fingers crossed) this baby won't be shy like Baby K was and will let us know if he or she is a boy or a girl.
I do have to say however, that I was much more peaceful about this surgery than the last one. Malone and I were able to attend the temple on Saturday and through some very sacred personal experiences, I knew everything would be ok. I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for giving me the peace and comfort I so badly needed.
The surgery went very well. Both baby and I are doing fine. I was in the operating room at 7:30 am and sent home at about 11:00, so the doctors and nurses were all very efficient. I liked my anesthesiologist much better this time too. He had a great bedside manner and I felt much more informed about what was going to happen than the last time I had this surgery. My OB came back after the surgery and let Malone know that the stitch went in very well. Currently my cervix is still pretty thick, so the timing of the cerclage was perfect. In fact, Dr. B. said the cerclage went in so well it might be a little hard to get it back out again 21 weeks from now. :)
I am in quite a bit of pain now which stinks. BUT, I know it is so worth it to have another little miracle baby in our family. Thank heaven for modern medicine. And thank heaven for Malone. He is doing such a good job taking care of me.
Our baby K on the other hand is not handling this well. She's too young to understand why she has to be gentle with me. This morning when Malone carefully helped me in the front door she was so happy to see me. She ran to me with a huge smile on her face and her arms wide open for me, wanting me to pick her up. Since I can't lift anything I had to just try to give her a hug and then move away. She was heartbroken and crying big fat crocodile tears that I couldn't pick her up. Malone held her for a while to calm her down but now she is very upset with me. I know it's irrational but it all makes me feel like a terrible mother. I do not do well with these limitations.
But, like I said, I know it will all be worth it when I'm snuggling both my babies in my arms in just another 5 months or so. I can hardly wait. :)
So, here we are now. I am a little about 16 and a half weeks along today. We're getting closer to the halfway point which I am very very excited about.
Our next appointment to look forward to is a full-on ultrasound on December 20th. We can't wait to see our baby and "hopefully" (fingers crossed) this baby won't be shy like Baby K was and will let us know if he or she is a boy or a girl.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Our little comedian
I am so thankful for my daughter. She makes me giggle every day. I can't help it, she does such funny things! For example:
Malone got up early-ish this morning to make breakfast. He made one of my favorites: Belgian Waffles. He even made a little homemade whipped cream to go with it! Isn't he the sweetest husband? :)
Anyway, after Baby K made an astronomical mess of herself with the whipped cream and syrup, a bath was mandatory. So I freed her from her high chair and away to the bathtub she ran.
After a quick shampoo and body wash, I start to drain the bath water. A minute after the water starts draining Baby K stands up and gets a very serious look on her face. So I say to her, "Did you just pee pee in the bathtub?" Immediately after I say this, Baby K looks down at herself, starts peeing, looks back up at me and says "Ew. Gross."
Malone got up early-ish this morning to make breakfast. He made one of my favorites: Belgian Waffles. He even made a little homemade whipped cream to go with it! Isn't he the sweetest husband? :)
Anyway, after Baby K made an astronomical mess of herself with the whipped cream and syrup, a bath was mandatory. So I freed her from her high chair and away to the bathtub she ran.
After a quick shampoo and body wash, I start to drain the bath water. A minute after the water starts draining Baby K stands up and gets a very serious look on her face. So I say to her, "Did you just pee pee in the bathtub?" Immediately after I say this, Baby K looks down at herself, starts peeing, looks back up at me and says "Ew. Gross."
Surgery is officially scheduled
Well... The surgery is officially scheduled. I am supposed to be at the hospital checked into my room at 6:30 am Monday morning. The surgery is happening at 7:30.
I am so nervous, I'm really having a hard time keeping myself collected. I go along thinking I'm ok and then break into tears at the slightest mention of the surgery. I know it's not an extremely complicated surgery, but the idea of being put completely under and being intubated really freaks me out. Not to mention the intense bundle of nerves I feel about the risk associated with surgery so close to the baby's amniotic sack. There is only 3 cm space for the doctor to work within.
I have complete confidence in the doctors though. But more importantly, I have faith that God will take care of me and my baby. He knows what is best for my family and will act accordingly. So... I guess I will just have to hold my breath until Monday after the surgery. See ya on the flip side!
I am so nervous, I'm really having a hard time keeping myself collected. I go along thinking I'm ok and then break into tears at the slightest mention of the surgery. I know it's not an extremely complicated surgery, but the idea of being put completely under and being intubated really freaks me out. Not to mention the intense bundle of nerves I feel about the risk associated with surgery so close to the baby's amniotic sack. There is only 3 cm space for the doctor to work within.
I have complete confidence in the doctors though. But more importantly, I have faith that God will take care of me and my baby. He knows what is best for my family and will act accordingly. So... I guess I will just have to hold my breath until Monday after the surgery. See ya on the flip side!
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About Me
- Malone and Brittany
- About us? Where can I begin? Our little family has been through more ups and downs than can be described here. It has been a roller coaster since day one. Join us as we continue on our crazy ride.
