Christmas Came Early in December!

IMG_2075 

Yup, that really truly is a picture of a positive home pregnancy test.  And not just any ole positive home pregnancy test…its MY POSITIVE home pregnancy test!!! 

Seems that the Monday after Mary’s Nutcracker performance (Dec. 7), I realized that a certain “visitor” was late…like really late.  Like 10-days late.  And so I thought to myself…hmmm, maybe all that exhaustion and weepiness that I’ve been experiencing since Thanksgiving isn’t PMS, but baby-itis!

The irony here…after a year of trying unsuccessfully, and turning 40 in August, I agreed to throw in the towel and make peace with my family of four and two adorable blessings.  Who needs a 3rd child anyway?

DSC00099 Mary Catherine at 1-day old.

Apparently God thinks I do because almost one year to the day, Chris and I found ourselves once again staring at an early ultrasound screen.  Only this time, instead of being told our baby had no heartbeat, we saw the most beautiful fetal pole and flickering heartbeat with little bean measuring 6w1d.  Three weeks later, a follow-up ultrasound showed beautiful growth (they even moved my due date up 3 days) and baby had a strong and steady heartbeat.

Oh joy of joys!!! 

Today, I officially begin my 2nd trimester.  Oh I know what you’re thinking…how in the world could she not share this news sooner?  Well it’s not for lack of excitement, but  I guess that we have had so many losses (5 in all) and so much drama with our in vitro baby (Mary Catherine) that I just sort of felt like I had used up all of my sympathy quota with folks.  (It’s just so darn depressing telling people we are and then we aren’t!)

Missing picture of baby Benjamin at 1-day old!

NOTE TO SELF…Must find external hard drive!!!

So that’s our big announcement!  Baby Kueter is due on or around big sister Mary Catherine’s birthday (08/04), but due to my history with gestational diabetes and AMA (that’s ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE for all you young’uns out there!) I will probably be scheduled to deliver (3rd c-section) the last week of July. 

And while I don’t know that I will ever quite feel “out of the woods”  with this pregnancy (I know I’m letting the devil work his power here!), I have decided to enjoy this last pregnancy for all it’s glory and for as long as God wants me to carry and mother this new life within me.


Comments

  1. That is so exciting!!! I wondered after reading the comment on your last post and was trying to figure out if I missed an announcement. I see now that you posted it right as I was looking again to see if I had missed one. ; )

    Amazing how things happen like that- all the trying before Mary, then the IVF, and now 2 babies without any trying?!?

    Congratulations Val!!!

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  2. I am so excited for you! I remember the feeling of relief when I got to the 2nd trimester with Jacob too. I had two miscarriages before him also. But he is a beautiful, healthy baby boy that the Lord blessed us with and we could not have imagined not having him in our lives. Congratulations Valerie! I can't wait to hear about your exciting journey with this baby coming into your family. :)

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  3. Praise God! I a so happy for you! What a story...what a WONDERFUL story!

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  4. Congratulations!!!
    Great news!
    Take care now!
    Christer.

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  5. Aw...congratulations...the best Christmas gift ever.

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  6. {{{{{{{{{{{{HOLYSMOKES}}}}}}}}}}}}}
    VAL!!!!!!! I am so excited for your family! That is AWESOME!!! If blogger would let me I'd be typing this in bold, font size 72!
    That is just wonderful to hear. I will be saying prayers for you each and every night! Everything is going to be just fine! You can include St. Joseph in your prayers, as you know he watches over the family!

    Hugs, Cartwheels, Jumping for Joy,
    Nancy

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  8. I skipped over from another blog to say hello.

    You have a beautiful family. Congrats on the big news.

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  9. Congratulations to yall! I'm so very happy and proud for yall! Prayers will continue! What a wonderful blessing for all of you!!

    Hugs and Love,

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  10. CONGRATULATIONS VAL!!!!!!!! That is wonderful news! Can't wait to read all about the great things to come! God Bless!!

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  11. Oh geez! I totally left that comment on your post and didn't realize you hadn't announced it! SO SORRY!! :(

    Regardless, I'm very happy to hear you're in the 2nd trimester with a healthy baby. I hope any 1st semester symptoms are beginning to subside!

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  12. Yeah Valerie! This is such exciting news...congratulations!!

    Isn't it amazing to think we infertiles have come out on the other side finally? If you asked me 6 years ago if I'd ever get pregnant on my own without even trying, I'd have asked what you were smoking. I'm sure neither of us ever thought it was possible.

    I hope the remainder of your pregnancy is uneventful and smooth sailing!!

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  13. Oh Valerie!! Congratulations to you & Chris!! How exciting!

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  14. What JOYFUL news! I am so thrilled for you, I know you carried a sadness in your heart because you wanted another child. God heard you, he was just working on a different time table then you evidently! Congratulations Valerie, I can just hear the excitement in your post, I will pray you have a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery.

    Mary looked adorable in her Nutcracker costume! How fun it must be to be a ballerina as a little girl, that was my dream when I was her age!

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  15. Valerie!!! I am overjoyed for you!! This just the greatest of news. Sympathy?? WHY would anyone give you sympathy? NOT this bloggy friend. Nosireee!! Congratualtions!!! POST some pictures of your tum as you get along...how cute that would be.
    Sweetie...I am SO happy for the two of you!
    Smiles and love,
    Mona

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  16. Oh, happy day---I'm sooo excited for you and the family. I pray that your pregnancy goes well and can't wait to hear more!
    What do the kids think??
    Keep us posted on your progress!!

    Love, Melinda :)

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  17. I thought so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Yeah, I am so happy for you :)

    God is so amazing. In His time, it was in His time.

    Praying for your baby and for you.

    Congratulations!

    :)

    ~Julie

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  18. p.s. of course, I do understand your delay in sharing...

    but, just know we are in this with you through thick and think my friend!

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  19. Hope you are doing well....I am just a stones throw away..please call if you need ANYTHING. Love ya.

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  20. HUGE CONGRATS to you and your sweet family!!! What exciting news. What a lucky little one to get to join your family. :)

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  21. CONGRATS!!! I knew it! As soon as you said you had an announcement I thought "OMG she is pregnant!" I am so excited for you. I'll be praying you have wonderful, healthy, happy pregnancy and give birth to a very healthy, happy baby.

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  22. How exciting!!! I am so happy for you!! God is so good!! I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy, do you know what you are having? Are you going to find out? Can't wait to hear all of the exciting details. Congratulations!!!

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  23. OH MY GOSH, I KNEW IT~~~!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you guys. Number 3 what a beautiful number for your family. I bet the kids are ecstatic! I don't blame you at all for waiting until now to tell, Bless your heart, I know how painfull it is to have a miscarriage and how hard it is to have to tell people. You have no reason to explain why you waited.
    I'm just so happy for you, My prayers are with you and your sweet number 3.
    God bless this sweet baby :)

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  24. Yay! I'm so excited for you!!!!!!! I hope everything goes well for you all throughout your pregnancy! What a wonderful surprise!

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  25. Congratulations! That is so exciting, what a wonderful Christmas present. I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for your sweet comment on my blog when I was having a rough day. I have had one of those swimming pool experiences too. I'll tell ya, it's a miracle sometimes that we all live through these things to tell about it.

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  26. Thanks =), it is really nice to be at the same developmental stage as someone else. Everyone else I know that's pregnant is either behind or ahead of me. Isn't it absolutely amazing how fast our little babies are growing! It's such an amazing blessing! Hopefully my dh will be home by the time we find out for sure what we're having. I'll definitely be praying for you and your little one, but I'm sure everything is fine. I don't get my quad screen until February 16th. That's the military for you... "hurry up and wait".

    Jennifer

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  27. How wonderful!!!!!!!

    5 losses...what a large heavenly family you have! I lost my first...
    Thank you so much for your very kind words about our newest blessing.
    I hope you are feeling good - I am a wreck for a good 4-5 months si I am alays happy for those who fair better than I!
    Typing one handed with babe in arms...
    gotta go-

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  28. That is AWESOME!!! If blogger would let me I'd be typing this in bold, font size 72!

    Work from home India

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  29. I am so behind on my blog visits but this is wonderful news! Congratulations!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Your kind words are appreciated! As Mother Teresa said, "Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

Valerie

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