Patience

In October of 2007, I traveled to Utah alone with the kids while Eric went on another field trip. My cousin was getting married during the time I would be in Utah, but the wedding was in Texas. My wonderful parents made sure I had the opportunity to go to the wedding: they got me a plane ticket with theirs, and my oldest sister watched Mierae for me while we were gone. It was an amazing weekend in San Antonio. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland performed the sealing (my uncle was a mission president at the time and Elder Holland was there for a mission presidents' seminar) and I got to see so many extended family members there.






Beginning with a conversation I had with my cousin at the airport on the way there, I somehow started thinking more and more about having another baby. Jolie was only six months old then. We knew we wanted to have more kids, but didn't know for sure when it would happen. The more I thought about it, the more strongly I felt that it was time: there was a spirit waiting to come to our family. I was sure a baby would be on the way soon.

When six months went by, I thought maybe it was just that I was still nursing Jolie, and it would happen soon after she was weaned. We really tried to just enjoy the stages our kids were at and focus on the children we already had.

When a year had gone by, Eric and I didn't know what to think. Every month was a roller coaster of emotions, and we were getting really sad and discouraged. We wondered what we were doing wrong: was there something Heavenly Father wanted us to learn or do before He entrusted us with another one of His spirits? We had been praying every day, fasting every month. We felt answers to our prayers in calm assurance and peace, but a feeling that it wasn't necessarily going to happen right away....just at the right time.

After 18 months we both had check-ups with our doctors to make sure things were okay. Everything was normal. We felt really blessed that our two daughters had come pretty close together, and we thought if we weren't able to have any more children, we were just so happy we had the two that we did.

By this time we didn't stop hoping, but we really tried to leave it all up to Heavenly Father. We wanted to be patient and let things happen in His time.

Two years went by, and I finally got rid of a lot of old baby clothes and focused on being a mom of a preschooler and toddler.

On Easter morning in April, after 2 1/2 years, we finally got the answer we'd been waiting and hoping for: my pregnancy test was positive! What a wonderful morning to receive such a longed-for blessing!

Thinking over the timing we hadn't planned on, this pregnancy has actually come at a wonderful time. Jolie started preschool right when I began to get sick. While the girls were at school, I could sleep, or just rest, or plain feel sick without having to take care of my kids during those hours! But I also volunteered for field trips, so I was still able to get out and try to forget about being sick some days. Both girls are old enough to understand what's going on, and they are both so excited! We told them pretty early, knowing others would find out before we were ready to tell, but they were a little easier on me and somewhat understanding when I wasn't up to doing some things with them. It is fun to see their enthusiasm. They love to pat my tummy, loved going to all my doctor's appointments so far, and they're even thinking about toys they can get for the new baby. I know they will be great helpers when this little one comes at the beginning of December.

I am now 20 weeks along, feeling much better, and assured when our little one kicks and nudges me.

We had our ultrasound last week. The girls have both been saying they want another sister, and my doctor thought this one must be another girl. I had pretty much decided and planned on it being a girl. When we had the ultrasound, my doctor surprised me by saying she was going to guess it was a boy. And, BOY, was I surprised to learn that she was right! Of course Eric told me after the appointment that he thought it was a boy! :) Mierae has consigned herself to the fact that she's getting a brother and not a sister, but Jolie will not be moved. She'll probably be calling him her sister well after he's born!

This lesson in patience was probably a lot easier than others' tests, but, as always, it's a lot harder when you're in the middle of it. We feel very, very blessed, and can't wait to meet the newest Taylor. Christmas this year will be extra special.

(Top picture is his head; bottom one is his feet.)




Now I just have one question: what do I do with a boy?!