it's a boy!

We had our anatomy scan - I am 21 weeks pregnant - today. We found out that we are having a baby boy, and even more importantly, everything looks normal and healthy. I think I was holding my breath through the entire scan, just waiting to make sure that everything was okay.

I was trying to "read" the ultrasound tech and all of the cues that I was getting from her body language indicated that she was comfortable and excited about what she was seeing. She kept calling our little guy a "peanut" and tried to coax him to roll over onto his back, because he wanted to lay on his side and cover his face during the scan.

My husband held my hand the whole time. His entire body was radiating with a smile. I think I might have been that way too, but my eyes were also fixed on the screen. Now I wish I could go back and relive the scan totally stress free and excited, but I guess there's no moving backwards here - only forward.

I can't wait to share this news with our donor family, I know they will be just a relieved as we are to hear that our baby is healthy and thriving. I just feel so blessed. I keep reminding myself how lucky we are. We are so so lucky.

I kept thinking how technology has grown in the past 10-20 years and how hard it would have been even 10 years ago to be an infertile couple waiting to adopt . . . there are so many more options today. I get to be pregnant. I get to carry our child. I am stunned with gratitude. I would have never gotten the chance to experience this.

I. am. so. damn. grateful.

Praying for all of you on this path. That you find joy and hope. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

xo Jill

20 weeks - nesting

Nesting has started to kick in. My husband has been away for some training so I've had the last ten days to myself. I've been knitting, cleaning and preserving veggies from our garden for this winter when the baby arrives.

The images above are items that I want to knit for the baby. I've already completed the sweater, but I have to find the right yarn to knit the lamb and the socks. 

Pregnancy symptoms:

• Baby is kicking and wriggling around. This feels awesome. I love the quiet times at night when baby starts moving and I can just lay there and feel him/her. 
• My belly is itchy - because it's expanding!
• heartBURN -- I had it all day today. Major yuck.
• Sleep disruption - I can't seem to sleep for more than two hours straight without waking up because I have to pee or waking up because I'm uncomfortable. 
• Happy GLOW - I'm just happy that we have our baby in our life! Every so often I come across the story of someone who couldn't have a child and I pause and let the miracle of what has happened to my husband and I wash over me. We have been so blessed. I am so thankful for our donors. 

Things I'm doing:

• Taking prenatal vitamins and fish oil supplements. 
• Eating tons of fresh veggies from the garden.
• Walking daily to work and with the dog when I get home. 
• Preparing for birth by researching natural birthing methods - also researching birth stories so that I'm prepared for what ever may come. 
• Yoga! (I'm also teaching yoga at my office)
• Praying daily and expressing my gratitude for all the gifts in my life. 
• Rubbing organic sweet almond oil on my growing belly
• Loving on my husband
• Knitting hats and sweaters for the baby. 

Our anatomy scan is next week. I'm trying not to think about that too much so that I don't stress. I'm praying that the scan is uneventful and joyful. That we learn the sex of our child and that I am carrying a child that is developing healthily. What a miracle it will be to get past that milestone.

Praying for all of you walking the path of infertility, may we be blessed with the joy that is waiting for us all.

xo
Jill