Baby #3 FAQs

For those who didn't see on facebook, we are expecting Baby #3! As of right now my EDD is
12-13-14 and I'm about 8.5 weeks along.

Because we've been so public and open with our ttc journey, we've gotten quite a variety of responses; the most common reaction being laughter :) I thought it might be beneficial to make a post of FAQs about this pregnancy since we are getting a lot of questions and know people are curious.


FAQs

Q: Are you serious?

A: Yes, absolutely.


Q: How? Did you do IVF? Or was this by accident?

A: When a man and a woman love each other.... jk. We did NOT do an IVF. We were told we wouldn't be able to conceive on our own and were actually planning for our first FET (frozen embryo transfer) in September/October. This was a complete shock. While I don't particularly like referring to it as an "accident," I know what you mean and don't know what else to call it, but it was not planned nor was it using any type of fertility treatment.


Q: Are you happy about it?

A: Yes! Of course we're happy! We're extremely shocked and still feeling very overwhelmed by it all, but we are very happy.

Q: Well, I know someone that went through IVF and then got pregnant on their own.... didn't you know that could happen?

A: I understand this question, but it's one of those questions I wish people wouldn't ask... it makes me feel like you think I'm stupid... but like I said I understand why people are curious.

Yes, I've met several people like that too. However, when you're told you can't get pregnant on your own and you go through fertility treatments, part of the process is grieving the idea of having a child on your own... at least it was for us. In order to move forward with the IVF, Bob and I talked extensively about what that meant for us. We didn't want to do it because we were desperate... we didn't want to do it if we believed we could get pregnant on our own but just weren't willing to wait.

We mourned the idea of conceiving without help. We accepted our reality that we would need medical intervention to conceive, which isn't wrong, but we gave up on the idea of ever having an "accidental" or "natural" pregnancy (for lack of better terms).

We also talked about future children. Did we want to ttc on our own before moving forward with more invasive methods? We decided while I was still pregnant with Abby and Josie that we would not ttc on our own once we were ready to try for more. We felt like God had already entrusted us with 8 more babies that are currently frozen in time and that we have both the privilege and responsibility to care for those children

We all know people who've gone through IVF and then get pregnant on their own. But as one of those people, I can tell you, we never dared to hope that we'd be that lucky couple.

Q: What about the other "ones?" Does this mean you're done?

A: By other "ones" I'm assuming you mean the remaining embryos. This doesn't change anything for us except the timing. We still believe God has entrusted those 8 babies into our care and it's up to Him how many, or how few, of them we'll hold in our hands and how many we'll only get to hold in our hearts. Bob and I have always said, we'll graciously take as many or as few children as God sees fit. While it was never our intention to have 11 children (2 born, 1 pregnant, and 8 frozen) if that's what He has planned for us, that's how many we'll have and His grace is sufficient.

However, there is still no guarantee that any of the other frozen embies will be take home babies. There's no guarantees period. God is still ultimately in control of it, and while there's times I wish He'd take my opinion into account, I know that His will and plans are far better than mine.

So, to sum up my answer. We're only done having kids if He says we're done. But we are not done ttc. As of right now, we will eventually try for all our remaining embryos. We have not decided about potential contraception after this baby is born... but we have a while before we need to worry about that.

Q: Is it just one this time?

A: We're assuming so :) I haven't had my first OB apt yet and I'll probably have an ultrasound when I do to confirm that its only one, but we have no reason to think its more than one.

I think that covers the most commonly asked questions we've gotten so far :) We know people are curious, and we are more than willing to answer other questions.

We'd appreciate your prayers as we embark on this next step in parenthood!

B&B

9 Month Update

My beautiful daughters are 9 months old! What is happening!? Where has the time gone!?

Life has been very busy lately. Not only do we have our normal busy of raising twins, but we also have to be out of our house in 2 weeks so we're in the process of both packing up our current house and searching for a new one!

Here's a very quick update :)

ABIGAIL HOPE - 9 MONTHS

   My precious, beautiful Abigator (nicknamed by her "cousin") Abby is such a joy! She is such a happy baby and so full of life! She's quick to offer a smile and is very laid back. I love how she wrinkles her nose when she smiles big and she has this look like she's always up to something. She never stops moving! Her legs and arms are always going (takes after her daddy!) While she likes people, she is also very content to play by herself.

Weight: 18lbs 6oz
Height: 27in
 

 
 
 

Milestones: She just started crawling 2 days ago!! She is SO proud of herself! Sitting :) 2 teeth (bottom front) sleeping through the night!! yay!!

    Likes: Jumping, Jumping, Jumping, and more Jumping! This girl never stops moving and loves her jumper-oo Bath time - Abby is a fish out of water! She splashes and splashes! I love listening to her laugh in the tub.  Loves self-feeding! She gets so excited when she gets to eat finger foods. She also now has a "blankie" that she has to have to sleep.

   Dislikes: Napping. Bananas.


JOSEPHINE GRACE - 9 MONTHS

  Oh my sweet Josie Grace. Josie is a true "mama's girl!" She has to know where I am at all times (takes after her daddy!) She's cautious around new people, but once she decides she likes you, she's your friend for life.  I love her dimples and bright blue eyes. Josie is very content to just sit on the floor and play with toys (as long as there's an adult in the room). She isn't especially busy or active but she is very talkative and social.

 Weight: 21 lbs 4oz
 Height: 28in

Milestones: Sitting. 3 teeth ( 2 bottom front and top front left). Josie has mastered the art of self-feeding! She has yet to show signs of wanting to crawl, but that's kind of Josie's way. She takes her time doing things, but gets them right on the first try.

Likes: People! Like I said, she's cautious at first, but is extremely social and chatty once she warms up to you. Josie loves playing with her stuffed puppy that lights up and plays music (mom isn't so much a fan, but it keeps her happy) She's also a paci girl! It's so cute when she puts it in herself it's almost always upside down :) Self-feeding!!

Dislikes: Being alone (even for 10 sec) Bedtime.

 More pictures for your viewing pleasure :)

    (We had to get a picture of them in their "cabbage patch doll" hats from grandma) :)