Our Answered Prayer
Four and a half years. Three infertility specialists. Two rounds of IVF. Thirty-five doctor appointments. Seventeen ultrasounds. Twenty-one blood draws. One hundred and fourteen injections. One Sonohyst. Dozens of pills. Two egg retrieval surgeries. Two embryo transfers. Thousands of dollars. Depression, anxiety, isolation. Hope, support, faith.
Last I updated you guys on our infertility journey, we were in the middle of our second round of IVF and just finished up with our egg retrieval surgery. They collected fourteen eggs which was great, but as the process goes, we only ended up with two embryos we could use.
Well, at the beginning of November on a very snowy day, we transferred one baby embryo, and just like the last time, we prayed our little hearts out. However, something was different this time. Deep down I just had this gut feeling, whatever the outcome, we would be okay.
So unlike our first cycle, I decided early on during our “two week wait”, to take an at home pregnancy test. They advise you not to because the injection you take right before surgery is an HCG shot, and that is what is detected in the at home tests to decipher if you are pregnant. So you could get a false positive. I waited the amount of time they say that drug lingers in your system, then I took a test.
It was positive. I immediately started crying. I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. So I took another one. It was positive too. We were excited, but cautious. Nine positive tests later (yes, I took nine over the span of a week), I was still anxiously waiting for our doctor appointment for blood work to confirm.
Our first blood test confirmed it. Then our second blood test confirmed it. Then our first ultrasound came and we got to see that little flutter on the screen. And our second ultrasound came and still, the little flutter was there, growing so fast. Filling my heart with so much happiness, I cannot even tell you. I still couldn’t come to grips that this was real.
But it is real. WE ARE PREGNANT!!! I still can’t believe I get to type those words and share this news with you all. As of today I am 11 weeks and 4 days along, due July 22nd. There will be no gender reveal, because not many things during IVF are a surprise, we want to wait until we meet our little one to know the gender.
So if you noticed my little break on here, this is why! First trimester has been kicking my behind, and I have been so sick from this little baby growing. But I have to tell you, I have never been more happy to feel so crappy in all my life!
We are on cloud nine, and enjoying every single part of this long awaited journey. This baby is already loved so deeply, I don’t think he or she will ever fully understand just how much. I will officially be a momma, and that just makes my heart explode into a million pieces.
Thank you all so much for coming along this journey with us. For your prayers, your messages, your kind words. It means the world. And the journey continues!
GOD IS SO GOOD. AND HIS TIMING IS PERFECT.
I should be back to posting regularly next week! So stay tuned!
Just recently found your site and started reading old posts b/c I LOVE your style. But am so happy for the reason for your absence! What a miracle! We had to wait years for our babies too…and it is SO worth the wait 🙂 Congratulations!
Such a compliment! And thank you! I’m so glad you got your happy ending too!
Congratulations!
You already are a Momma! – that little bub is as real as it is ever going to be:)
Praying for God’s peace, grace and protection over you and the little one!
Congratulations!
Thanks Carol!
Isn’t it amazing how God is right on time. Been praying for you 3. We experienced it 35 years ago and God is still blessing us.
It is truly amazing! I am still pinching myself everyday! Thank you!
So very thankful! God is good all the time! He is “showing out” now with this pregnancy! Praying for the next 29 weeks to be uneventful as this baby grows and grows and grows!! God bless you and your little one!!!
Thank you so much Debbie!
Tears! So happy for you and your husband! My nieces both went through what you have gone through, and it is grueling to say the least. God is so good!
I could not be happier for you guys!! Such amazing timing! That little one is going to be so loved.
Awwww Ashley what precious news!!! I can’t even begin to know your journey but I do know God’s word says those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126:5-6. God be with you & his angels watch over you. God Bless & praying for this miracle of life
This touched my heart in so many ways, thank you for that Dina!
All good things come to those who wait patiently! I am so happy for you and your husband, Ashley! I told you I would pray for you, and have I ever! I look for posts from you every day and when I didn’t see any over Christmas, I just kept praying and praying. God bless you and your baby for a healthy future.
I appreciate you so so much Nancy! Thank you for all those prayers! THEY WORKED! XOXO!
Such wonderful news! Blessings on your little family!
Thank you kindly Sherry!!!
I am SO happy for you two!!! I’ll be praying for a happy, healthy Bsby and Mommy!
Thank you so much for the prayers! SO appreciated!
Yes!!!!! Congratulations!!!
YES is right! Thanks so much!!!
So happy for you Ashley! God is so good!!
Thanks Gabby! We are so excited!
That was one amazingly inspirational post! Thank you for sharing and CONGRATULATIONS!! We’ve been trying for almost 2 years- just started down the infertility path.
Blessings heaped up! SO Happy for you and your family. Will be praying for you
Congratulations to you and your hubby! I will be praying for you, as you await this precious little one’s arrival.
Congratulations! So exciting and can’t wait to hear about your pregnancy journey and beyond!
God is so good….congratulations
Congratulations to you both, so happy for you and God has answer your prayers.
Thank you Jonita! So much!
Dear Ashley,
I read your post and my tears just flowed. As a mother of two sons, and a grandmother now, I am so happy for you. I will be praying for you and am just overjoyed for you! This is such a blessing!
God Bless,
Carolyn
Awe Carolyn, this is so sweet! Thank you for sharing in our excitement!
You are soooo welcome! Have fun getting ready and nesting!
God Bless, Carolyn
Congratulations to you both! So so happy for you, GOD is GOOD!!
GOD IS SO GOOD! Thanks Mercedes!
God’s perfect timing!!! May not be ours, but he sees the big picture and patience is hard! Congratulations to you and keeping the faith!!! Truly blessed……all the best with the little one.
Definitley a lesson learned! Thank you so so much Sarah!
So, so thrilled for you! God is good, all the time… even when it may not LOOK like it to us! Congrats to you and your hubby!
I completely understand it all now, the timing, and waiting. Its crazy! Thanks so much!
Congratulations! God is good.
He is! Thank you!
Not enough words to tell you how happy I am for you both! You will be an awesome mama. My birthday is July 3rd-perfect day for a birthday. Around here It’s when mist if the fireworks are. I had my kids convinced for years that they were for me!
I’m so so happy to have a summer baby! I think it will be so much fun! And thank you for the kinds words, means a lot.
Bless Your Pea Pickin’ Heart!
CONGRATULATIONS MAMA & DADDY!
LOL! Thank you Aimee! We are thrilled!
So abundantly happy for you… when I saw the strip
of sonogram photos, I squealed!! God is good and His timing is always perfect!!
Perfect timing for sure. I get it now! So thankful, and thank you!
God Bless you and your husband, the perseverance has been rewarded. So special for you both! God is Good!
God is SO GOOD! Thank you so much!
I’m in tears reading this! I HAD noticed you being off and especially during Christmas. What an amazing thing to see today! I’m so so happy for you and pray for a healthy baby and momma.
Oh gosh, thank you! I figured some of my regular readers would notice 🙂 I’m so happy to share this will all of you guys!
Congratulations. So happy for you!
Thanks Claire!
Such wonderful news. I don’t blame you for taking so many tests. This little one will be so loved. I’m very excited for you and your heart is overflowing with joy, love and excitement. Congrats again and again.
Cindy
Cindy, thank you! Its been a long road but so so worth it. So overjoyed!
My heart is full of joy for you Ashley! You have worked HARD for this. Blessings to you and your husband and your precious, precious little growing human.
Oh my, thank you so so much!
Congratulations! You’re already a mama—the only one your baby has! ????
Awe, well thank you for that! Means the world!
Congratulations! So happy for you both!
Thanks Karen! Appreciate it!
I am so thrilled for you both!! What a journey. But you know what? Sometimes the best of what life gives makes us work the hardest! God bless you both and that little flutter in there!
Gosh, that is really the truth isn’t it? Thank you Karen!
Wonderful news! Congratulations to you and your husband.
Thank you Liz!
So very happy for you all. Yes, God is good! Nothing but best wishes on this journey.
Means so much to us, thanks Amy!
His timing is perfect indeed. Heartfelt congratulations!
It sure is! Thank you!
Wishing you total love on your journey. Congratulations!!!
Thank you Linda! I appreciate that so much!
Rejoicing with you. God bless you all.
So thankful for your good news. Praying all continues well.
Means a lot to us Tommie, thanks so much!
Thank you so so much Carol!