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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

A Happy Story

This past Wednesday we found ourselves in the same uncomfortable chair we sat in some nine months ago.  At the radiology center, awaiting an ultrasound we were quite sure brought us bad news.  We had stayed so laid back and relaxed through the whole pregnancy, not even bothering to take a pregnancy test for weeks because, I mean, we knew what was happening.  Those of you who know us well know we remain quite eternally optimistic.  The pregnancy was received with utmost joy, and even the heavy morning sickness that plagued me for weeks (whew, ladies who have dealt with this!  This was my first seriously sick pregnancy, and it was not fun!) was always placed in the context of the incredible miracle occurring within my body.  There are studies that show that morning sickness actually protects the baby, so bring it on!

And then at our first midwife appointment, after rattling through that long list of early pregnancy questions, I lay down on the exam table and we couldn't find a heartbeat.  No mater how laid back and optimistic we were, we couldn't help but feel transported back to that same office this fall.  When our midwife suggested maybe we could get an ultrasound that afternoon, we both agreed.  On the car ride over, Ben started praying.  "God, I pray that one day you will bless us with another child," he began.  The prayer of a man who knows the worst is going to happen.  It really isn't my style to interrupt, but I had to, because in truth, I just didn't like that prayer.  In my heart, I was not praying for some baby, someday.  "God, we pray for this baby.  We pray that you would protect this baby and make this baby strong and healthy because we love this baby you have already given us."

A few hours later we were in the exam room.  Hopefulness aside, we were pretty much expecting the worst.  No matter what, I knew that I wanted to actually see the baby on the screen.  I politely asked the ultrasound technician if she could please turn the screen towards me.  We made small talk about our children, how many girls and how many boys.  When she got an image, I was scanning the screen desperately looking for a heartbeat.  When she didn't say anything right off the bat, my heart sunk.

A moment of silence.

"Two?"  she asked hesitantly.

I had no idea what she was talking about: how many girls we had, maybe?  How many boys?  "Do you see the heartbeat?" I asked.

Another moment, a glance at the screen.  She smiled.  "Two?" she asked again.

I looked at Ben, confused, and he smiled back at me.  "I think she's telling you, Adele.  There are two."

Suddenly I understood.  My eyes filled with tears, and I just stated laughing.  Never in my life have I felt such surprise, such relief, such utter joy in a single moment.  There we were, sitting in an office and awaiting to hear that we had lost a beloved child, only to find out that we were in fact pregnant with twins!

"And they're both okay?"  I asked.  Totally fine.  Large for their gestational age, actually.

I laughed for the whole rest of the appointment, which was something like 20 minutes.  I have no idea how the technician even managed to get any ultrasound images, because I just couldn't stop laughing, and I really am not the giggly type.  I walked around the house laughing for the rest of the week, and whenever Ben caught me, he would just smile and say, "High five!" and give me a big hug.  We're both so happy.

So here we are joyfully awaiting the arrival of two babies sometime in December.  Natural twins in a family where there are no twins anywhere to be found.  We are excited and relaxed and really just feeling incredibly blessed by this miracle.  And in my spare time I am trying to figure out a few things about this whole twin thing, because I have no idea what this entails.    None, my friends, but I am ready to learn.

11 weeks
12 weeks
13 weeks

15 comments:

eidolons said...

Wooohoooo! I'm so very happy for you! I'll be sending all of my healthy baby(ies!) thoughts your way. (:

Rosie said...

Oh my goodness!!! Not what I expected when I started reading this post!

What an absolutely wonderful blessing! I remember thinking many times during my twin pregnancy (and during the first couple of months), "You know who would be REALLY good at having twins? Adele." So apparently God agrees :)

Let me know if there's anything you need! I have an excellent twin pregnancy book on my Kindle that I can lend to you, and if you have girls, we have a LOT of newborn-sized clothes that I'm sure you'll be needing :)

Praying and praying and praying! I'm sure the kids are absolutely over the moon with the news!!!

Adele said...

Thank you guys! Rosie, it has been a very full week, but on the top of my to-do list is "email Rosie." I have so many questions and am very thankful to have a friend that has been through this so recently. :-)

One and Doll said...

Oh my God. Oh my. We have several friends here who have twins---what crazy crazy joy awaits!!!!!!!

Now I KNOW we have to try to see you when we are on the East Coast in November- because it coudl be awhile before you get 5 children on an airplane!!!!

Blessed abudance my friend!!!!!!
Love love love to you.

And I can hear Ben- in his frankness saying to you, "Adele...I think she is telling you..." I can hear it so clearly!

Adele said...

I know! I can't even believe it/imagine it, but we both have total peace in our hearts and just know this was meant for us. Yes, November is not optional! I am going to be abundantly pregnant!

Colleen said...

Wow, congratulations! You look so cute!

Melissa H-K said...

Adele, this is just wonderful! Congratulations to you and Ben and your beautiful children! Meg called me this afternoon and told me about it, so I wasn't surprised when I read this blog post, to which Rosie linked. But I loved reading about how excited you and Ben are! God bless all of you!

Beth said...

The more I see families with twins, the more I realizes that God gives them to those parents He trusts most. It's really amazing, and quite a compliment from the Almighty Father. :)

Oregon-Mama said...

As a mama of triplets, I am so excited for you, Adele!!! I have goosebumps! And you looks so incredibly lovely, my dear! xoxoxo

Adele said...

Thank you guys! I feel like I am a character in some wonderful story and have no idea what surprise is waiting around the corner. Life is such an incredible adventure. We feel incredibly blessed.

Meg Hunter-Kilmer said...

Hallelujah!! Can't wait!!!

What's Cookin? said...

WOW! This post brought tears to my eyes- you write so beautifully. Congratulations and prayers sent your way!!

Melody said...

Congratulations to you and your family! What exciting, wonderful news!

P.S. Have you ever heard of/ or read a blog http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/

Her name is Abbie and she just had twin daughters a few months ago and she is also natural/home birth as well...You would probably enjoy reading her blog! And congrats again!

Kerry said...

Congratulations! Wonderful news! I am so very happy for you all!

Anonymous said...

Blessings!! Praise to God! May he dwell in your heart and bring joy to the little ones inside!