Almost There...

I apologize for taking so long to write but we have been busy getting Graham's nursery together and flying back and forth for two more ultrasounds. Can you even believe we have a nursery to do? We finally live in a house that the intended empty room will no longer remain empty. I am so thankful that I can't even put my joy into words.

We had an ultrasound on March 13 (30 weeks) because Katie's doctor couldn't get a good facial picture the last time we were there. We got to see his face pretty well but he was breech. At 30 weeks he still had plenty of time to turn but she scheduled us again just to be sure.

So while we are praying for him to turn during the weeks in-between appointments to avoid scheduling a c-section, Katie failed the first glucose test. A lot of people do so we weren't super concerned yet. She purchased her own glucose meter and began testing at home. Everything seemed fine so we were all pretty confident going into the 3-hr repeat test. She took her monitor in with her and according to the readings, she was also failing the second test. We were all then just praying that it could be controlled with diet and no insulin. Not only do we not want that for either of them, she can't be a surrogate again if she requires insulin. So with tears in her eyes she waited for the call that was going to confirm gestational diabetes. The call came the following day but it wasn't the one we were all expecting. SHE PASSED! I don't know if her monitor was wrong or if God healed her but I like think it was the latter. He has been faithful and I knew He would turn this sweet boy head down  too. 

And so He did....

He's HEAD DOWN!!!!!

We went back on April 10 at 33 weeks and he was perfect. 4 pounds 11 ounces, measured right on track with plenty of fluid. So now we just have to grow for 5 more weeks right? Well he decided to throw some braxton hicks contractions last week  a few days after this appointment and scare me half to death that he was going to be born at 33 weeks. But yet again everything is totally fine. Cervix is still completely closed, he is head down but not engaged. Luckily we did get our PBO (pre-birth order) last week from our lawyer just in case he tries to come early. This is the document that states Brad and I are his parents and our names go on the birth certificate right at birth. Without it the surrogate's name can be put on the birth certificate so we were beyond excited to reach that milestone.  I've got his clothes and blankets washed and packed so although I don't want him to come just yet, we are ready to jump on a plane just in case. PBO is packed too!

So we are 5 weeks out and praying that he doesn't come until 39 weeks and we ask that you pray the same prayer. There have been a few bumps in the road but God has protected him the entire time. We are trusting He will continue. 

Showered with Blessings

I still can't believe it. February 17-18, 2018. My baby shower weekend. He's almost here. It's almost time for the dance to begin. We started a bit early...

My mom and I picked Katie up at the airport on Thursday. The next day our entire family went to see Graham in a 3D ultrasound. Brad and I have seen him a lot of course but this was different. You could see his cheeks that I can't wait to kiss all over. It was neat for our parents to be a part of this experience too because they have never been to an ultrasound before. It was a day I'll never forget.

Friday night Katie's mom arrived all the way from Texas. I was so honored that she would come all this way to support her daughter and celebrate our son. Saturday morning was baby shower #1 at First Baptist Church. This is the church I grew up in and my mom's friends were so kind to throw me a shower. I got to see a lot of faces that I haven't seen in some time. We ate, opened presents and DANCED! I said a little speech about how the Lord has brought us through so much the last 10 years and that I promised Him I would praise Him when the mourning was over. So as silly as we may have looked we danced before the Lord and I hope He was pleased with our offering.

My gracious hostesses

All  his loot! I felt so very blessed. 

Some of my babies I taught in the past. 

Kissing on my boy!

Remember that mutual friend Katie and I had on Facebook?
Well here they are! Sam and Kathi drove all the way from KY to celebrate
this child and see their old friends Betsy and Katie. 

My mourning is gone!

Sunday was shower #2 at Central Baptist Church. My friends threw this shower for me and it could not have been more perfect. They took some items from Graham's nursery to decorate. I really wanted to use elephants because I felt it would honor my other children lost through miscarriage. So one of my friends and her sister made a shadow box with the story. My girls also made sure that the video Katie made when she told us she was pregnant was playing. When I dreamed about having a baby shower, this was it! I did my same little speech and then we danced at this shower too! Thank You Lord for this incredible gift.

Cutest cookies ever

YUMMMMMM!

My sweet friends who showered me (minus two!)

The "I'm pregnant" video

Pictures from his nursery

My friend who took our adoption pictures that we ended up using to find
our surrogate came and took pictures at the shower today too! Will share those once she edits them. 

Notice the embryo picture on the screen. We've come a long way!

My sweet friend who I have been through this entire process with because she was
going through the same thing at the same time as me. She got to her baby girl last July!We both beat this thing!!!!!

I may kiss him a bit much

She made ALL these elephants for the tables!

So needless to say I was showered with love and Graham has a lot of what he needs now. I am so grateful to everyone who came and danced. I know that's not an easy thing to do and I saw it as a true sacrifice. I am almost to my promised land.