More Changes Coming
I’ve been pondering how best to share this for weeks now so here I sit, late at night, sharing my heart with you yet again.
It’s hard to believe that almost three years ago, we were blessed with the answered prayer of a long-awaited pregnancy. For those of you new around here, my husband and I struggled with infertility for two years before God answered our prayers with a baby. You can read more about that emotional journey here. It was a joyful surprise and a pregnancy that I savored, until we at long last held our sweet Nathan Reagan in our arms.
It was with similar delight that we learned of God’s latest blessing to our family. I am delighted to share the wonderful news that we are expecting again! God has answered our prayers and given us another baby to love and raise – a sibling for Nathan. He’s pretty excited about the news, too!
Even as we rejoice, my heart still aches.
You see, I have several friends near and dear to me who are mourning recent miscarriages. They (and we) are heartbroken over this loss of life that was already loved. My heart aches with them.
I have several others close to me who continue to struggle in the lonely journey of infertility. They don’t know how or when or if God is going to answer their prayers for a baby. My heart aches with them.
My heart aches for the thousands of children who die each day throughout the modern day Holocaust of abortion. There is no reason for this tragedy. Oh, how my heart aches.
It is difficult to rejoice and mourn at the same time, but that is what I am doing. I know this isn’t your typical pregnancy announcement to turn so serious but I can’t ignore those who are hurting. Life is precious. Every life is precious.
So, I rejoice and I cry and I pray. I pray for comfort for those mourning the loss of life through miscarriage. I pray for peace for those experiencing the emotional roller coaster of infertility. I pray for an end to the evil of abortion. And I pray for all those mothers who are pregnant with a new life growing inside of them. May God protect both mother and child!
Will you join me in praying? Take this as an opportunity to look at the lives of women around you. It is easy to not see but it is equally as easy to assume. Take the time to ask and care and love the women God has placed in your life – whether they are mothers or not – because life is precious. Every life is precious.
Thank you for letting me share my joy and my heart. And because I know you want to hear more about this baby of ours, here’s a bit more!
I’m 14 weeks along, entering the second trimester now. I was able to see the baby already at an early ultrasound, kicking and wiggling away. My first trimester had me feeling tired and a bit nauseous but I have my energy and appetite back now. Our expected due date is March 17th which I know will be here before we know it. Oh, and yes. I am showing much more quickly this time around!
We are excited to welcome this new little one into our lives, hearts and home. I promise to keep you updated, of course!
Congratulations! That is such wonderful news!
Thanks, Kelly! We’re very excited!
Congrats! Wonderful news! Two is so much fun! All kinds of sharing and learning kindness with a sibling! Keep us up to date with your pregnancy!
Thanks, Cynthia! We are very excited that Nathan gets a sibling soon. We are already talking about the baby lots with him, and I will definitely keep you updated!
Congratulations!! I feel like with our second everything seemed a bit more relaxed for me. I wish the same for you!
Thanks, Vera! I hope the same will be true. I do feel more relaxed pregnancy wise this time around.
Congratulations! That is very exciting! Prayers for a happy and safe pregnancy and delivery.
Thank you, Sarah! I greatly appreciate the prayers!
Congratulations!!! You are so sweet and sensitive. I definitely struggled with guilt when we had Layla because getting pregnant was so simple for us. I was kind of emotionally ramped up for a longer, more difficult process (for no reason other than I am a pessimist) but I just felt so bad that there were so many other struggling. It’s a hard balance, but I’m sure those that love you have nothing but JOY for you!
Thanks, Kate! I’m thankful that you were able to get pregnant so quickly! I wouldn’t wish the waiting on anyway. Although, I completely understand, because I felt similarly this time around when we were able to get pregnant more quickly. Thanks for sharing in our joy! It means the world to me!
I’m so excited for you, Kristen! Congrats!! I think it is so mature, and sensitive, and gracious of you to announce it like you did. You should definitely celebrate this new life, but thinking of those who are struggling with sorrow during one of your times of joy is such a wonderful way to show humility. I will be praying for a healthy pregnancy!
Thank you so much, Kalyn, for sharing in our joy! Getting married later, longing for babies. and then dealing with infertility, which delayed that desire even longer, really opened my eyes to the emotional journey of having a baby. It has made me very tender-hearted to all the women longing for children. Thank you for your prayers, too!
I’m so happy for you! Nathan will definitely love having a sibling. I had to experience a miscarriage earlier this year, but I feel like God knew what he was doing. It was a difficult experience for sure, but I am so blessed with the two I have here on earth. 🙂
Oh, I’m so sorry, Charlee. I’m learning that miscarriages – and infertility – are much more common than I ever would have thought. In years past, it was a topic not discussed, but I am thankful that we can share our stories with others as a hope and encouragement. Thanks for sharing in our excitement!
Congratulations! How exciting. My daughter’s due date was also March 17th but she decided to come the beginning of the month instead. I’ll be praying for you.
I know quite a few couples we know struggled with infertility. Some were blessed with pregnancies and some of them became a blessing to children who didn’t have a mom or dad to love them.
Thanks, Shelly! I won’t mind if the baby comes early either (even though March 17th is my Mom’s birthday!). Infertility is much more common than we realize, but like you, I know many couples who did not have children of their own but were a blessing to countless others. I’m so thankful for them!
Congratulations !! Your beautiful words have given me a lot to think about.
Thanks, Roxanne. Babies stir a lot of emotions, and after dealing with infertility, this is a topic near and dear to my heart.
Congratulations!! Can’t wait to read about the other great things coming with this sibling for your son!! I hope you have a smooth pregnancy and everything goes well
Thanks, Rebecca! We’re thankful that God is giving us a sibling for Nathan, too!
Yay! That is so great to hear. I’m glad you are feeling better. The second trimester was my favorite. Thanks for sharing your exciting news!
Abortion makes me so sad too. It is just unfathomable what is being done to those precious babies! I will join you in prayer.
Thanks, Emily! After waiting so long for one baby, I’m still amazed that we’re pregnant again. It reminded me again that God’s plans are not our own. Thank you for sharing our excitement and praying with me.
So happy for your and your exciting news! We are awaiting the arrival of a new grandbaby in a couple of weeks and are very excited. We too, have felt the pain of miscarriage and have 2 grandbabies awaiting us in heaven that we never got to meet. If only those who are considering abortion would think about all those whose arms are longing for a little one!
Well said, Addy. There are so many arms that long for a baby! I read once the statistic that if all the babies who were aborted in a year’s time were allowed to live, there still would not be enough babies for those longing to adopt. So, we keep praying. Enjoy the excitement of a new grandchild. Always a wonderful time!
Such wonderful news!
Thanks, Lee Ann! We think it’s pretty wonderful too! 🙂
Congratulations! So many women suffer infertility in silence. And you’re right, abortion is a modern day holocaust. The issue grieves me so much that it is difficult to even contemplate what is happening in our world today. You keep on praying (I will too), and we’ll love our children so that the world may see, and believe God’s word that tells us they are a blessing. Take care of yourself, mama!
You worded it perfectly, Janeen. We keep praying and teach and love our children – so that the world may see Christ in them! Thanks for the excitement, and prayers!
Congrats Kristen! You said something in the last few months that made me think you were pregnant, but I figured you would share when you were ready. I’m so excited for your growing family!
I’ll join you in praying for every life that is so precious. Bless your sweet heart girl.
Thanks, Christina! We shared in person much sooner this time around (as I was showing quicker) but I guess we played it old-fashioned with the first trimester rule. Thank you for sharing in our excitement!