Baby Simonds Deux

If you haven't been on fb recently, surprise!
We are expecting an addition to our family due July 13th!
We are very, very happy!

We've been struggling to bring a new little life into our family for what would have been 2 years at this point and had lots of ups and downs over that time including a very emotionally difficult miscarriage in March.

In September we decided we would no longer worry about 'trying' to have a baby but continue to be open to any possibilities that would present themselves as we moved forward. We really started to adjust to the idea of having a little 3 person family and the possibilities that would open up for us and Henry as he got older.

October I decided to start acting on our new outlook and went on my first big solo drive with Henry to visit friends in Arizona. We figured if we just had one kid we could be the travelers to see friends and not have to worry as much with a car full of kids, babies etc.

While I felt good about our new approach to life, I have to admit I was still sad and a little disappointed. But it was while standing in my friends kitchen and talking to her about our fertility issues and new outlook that I basically realized and bore my testimony that we would have more children whether it was in this life or the next, it didn't matter, all that mattered was to be worthy of that blessing and then God's promises would be sure. And I felt it solidly and deeply sink into my heart and take away any residual bitterness that was left.

November rolled around and I woke up to change our calendar. One of the paintings that was on display in the MOA during the Carl Bloch exhibit has come to mean a great deal to me. We have a calendar the bishop of our old ward gave to the ward members and when I opened to November the picture for the month was the very picture-

To me, it's been a comfort and testimony: Christ is not late and He does not forget; not only that but the most important thing we can do while waiting on Him is to let our faith reach full bloom like the rose beside the daughter of Jairus, because it is then that we will see the miracle occur and that is what must always be alive in us.

As I looked at the painting I had that a catch my breath kind of moment and felt, "maybe now it is your turn."

Four days later I took a pregnancy test that came out negative. I have to admit I was a little confused but decided I would stick to what we had decided and simply move on and not dwell on it.

Two days after Henry woke up and ran into our room, right to my bedside and said to me, "We forgot my baby, we forgot my baby sister!" (he has now gone back and forth between it being a boy or girl)
I am still not sure why, I think I thought, well, can't hurt to check so I got out of bed and took the last test from the box we had bought a few months before. And sure enough:


A positive on November 7th.

There have been other and subsequent feelings and promptings that have been tender mercies surrounding this pregnancy. I hope it doesn't seem like I think this baby or I am somehow "more special" because of it. What it comes to for me is being able to see a miracle happen in the life of our little family and understand that while not in a rush or bound to my timetable, God is mindful, loving and kind. I still know there is a possibility of complications or problems, but I think I am starting to understand that whatever happens, being faithful will bring promised blessings here or in the hereafter and that is a good enough reason to continue to trust in the Lord despite disappointment or sadness.
I am so very grateful for this blessing in our family, humbled by the love, prayers and thoughts that have been sent by our family and friends and happy to embark on a new phase of family life-having kidS!

Our first ultrasound at week 8-

Second ultrasound at 12 weeks and 6 days (yesterday)-I almost feel like it's easier to tell it's a baby on the 8 weeks one because the baby was much more still. Yesterday the little lady or fella did not stop wiggling for more than 2 seconds so he/she looks more like a blob to me. Another Henry on our hands, methinks =)