October 6th, 2008
After three pregnancy tests, I realized that we were going to have a baby. There were a variety of emotions that spread over me. After just a miscarriage 6 weeks before and the loss and loneliness that comes with it, I was so scared. I wanted to be optimistic, but the thoughts came into my mind more than I ever wanted or needed. I remember praying for the strength and faith to help those thoughts fade away.

October 7th.....
I started spotting... scary and in a panic... I called the doctor. He said to come in for a blood check and hormone level check. I had been down this road before, and I was so afraid of the possible outcome. I went to my principal and asked if I could take an early lunch, and my dear friend, Leesa, would watch my kids. With tears in my eyes, I asked him to pray and told him not to ask why. (That is one great thing about having a Christian principal! ) I went to the doctor, and they told me that they would know by the end of the day. So, I waited, and I called. The levels were good for being 4 weeks and 3 days along, but they wanted to test again on Thursday.

October 8th.....
My principal called me into his office. (I was grateful later that it wasn't for a pink slip.) He said, Michelle, I remembered what you asked me for yesterday, and I did it. I opened my Bible last night, and this was what it opened to....
Luke 1:39 - 42

"And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou amoung women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."

He said, "I just wanted to share that with you. I know that you never told me what to pray for, but this is what I found when I prayed for you."

October 9th.....
The second round of tests came and turned out well. My hormone levels were rising and my progesterone was rising as well. I was so relieved, but yet, so fearful of what could happen.

Jamie and I talked about it, and we decided that we were going to stay quiet about this blessing until we thought we were "out of the woods". We continued our life as normal as we could. I was grateful to only feel sick at the sight of certain foods or smells..... I never actually got sick.

November 11th...
A month had passed... we were around 9 weeks. I started spotting again. I went in for blood and hormone checks, and everything was fine. The doctor said that we could do an early ultrasound if we wanted. At first, I said no. But to relieve my fears, I wanted to see the little one. We scheduled one for the next day.

November 12th...
I remember sitting with Jamie in the waiting room. I was nervous and anxious and everything you can imagine. What were we going to see on the screen? Would the technician answer our questions? They called our name, and the panic set into me. The lady put me on the bed, and then.....we heard it... the "swooshing" sound and the heartbeat (164 beats) and tears came to both of our eyes. We were amazed to see our little blessing on the screen. The baby was only an inch long, but it was the cutest inch we had ever seen! The technician told us that everything was right were it was suppose to be. Everything looked great!

November 23rd...
Our beautiful niece, Josey, shared the news in the most wonderful way. She made the family raise their hands to ask what announcement she had. She only excepted answers from those family members that raised their hands!

December 24th....
Jamie and I opened our gifts as normal. We realized that this was the last Christmas that it would just be us. We are so excited to see the sparkle in the eyes of the little one next year. My friend (Lynde) was over with her young daughter, Alexa, and seeing the sparkle in her eyes...makes me so excited for the holidays next year.

January 5th....
I returned to school (at 17 weeks). I was so excited to tell my students! I just knew they would be so excited. I was sitting at our morning meeting, and I said, "I have so news to share with you!" I proceeded to tell them..... after silence and a bit of awkwardness.... I said, "Ok. Let's go to the bathroom!" What else do you say when twenty-one 8 year olds look at you in silence!!!! ;)

January 7th....
My nightly routine consists of massaging my belly with cream to avoid getting the "stretch marks". I leaned over the bed, and I grabbed the lotion. I felt the strangest feeling in my stomach area. I thought for sure... I have done something! Oh my goodness! I have hurt the baby!

January 8th....
I explain to my friend, Lynde, what happened. I showed her where I hit, and it happens again. She said, Michelle, that is the baby moving! It was the best feeling ever! I try to explain it to my girlfriends, who are also pregnant, and I want to feel it all day long! I explain to Jamie that it is like a cell phone on vibrate.... very faint. That is the best that I can do! I cannot wait for him to feel it kick though!

January 14th... I read "The Kissing Hand" to the little one for the first time!

January 29th...
That leads us to today. We go for our 23 week ultrasound on February 16th to find out the sex and see it again. It feels like it has been forever! We will keep you posted!

Ok... I get an email from my dear sister-in-law Ashly. It shows an awesome "blog" page that she has created. I think to myself... what a great idea! This will allow everyone the opportunity to see what is actually going on inside this head of mine! I am new to all of this, but excited for the opportunity to share the "little blessing" that Jamie and I have received! I hope that you enjoy our journey, as much as we have!