A little scare, A big blessing!

Valentine's Day turned out to be an eventful day in the life of our growing family. My day began with awful back pain, and then after lunch on that Thursday (at work) I began spotting. This happened about 1:00 p.m. (ish). Cody luckily was here all day on Thursday for classes, so I called my doctor immediately to make an appointment to come in that day and then called my mom. The appointment was at 4:15 p.m. but I went ahead with Cody to my parents house to lay down until the appointment. I can't tell you the nervousness and fear that Cody and I felt, but we prayed together and remained calm. I had decided I wasn't going to panic until there was need, also, I knew that if the baby was experiencing trauma I didn't need me to get upset either. So I remained calm!

My doctor had been out of town for his birthday, so the plan was to see another doctor in his practice. I told the nurse, "I don't care who, just let me see someone today." Luckily however, Dr. Kirkham, my doctor, ended up being able to see me that day. Dr. Kirkham, confirmed that there was blood in my urine, however the physical exam showed no signs of anything bad happening with the baby. Which was great to hear! Also, he ordered a sonogram in order to check the baby - which while we still weren't sure of the situation, it was very exciting that we would be seeing our baby for the first time. It turned out to be a huge blessing! It was insane to see our baby! Cody held my hand and stared at the screen with huge eyes! The nurse was showing us what everything was and pointed out the heart, which we could see beating! That was so reassuring that everything was okay! Cody asked the nurse "are we able to hear the heartbeat?", so she turned it up and we heard our baby's heart beat for the first time as well! Which was great! Cody squeezed my hand really tight and smiled really big. She didn't leave it on for long, and continued taking pictures of our baby... Cody asked her again, "Could we hear the heartbeat again!?" And she turned it on for a little while! It was so precious!

The doctor's report turned out that the baby was right on schedule, eight weeks and six days along and developing perfectly. He concluded that sometimes bleeding can happen and is quite normal in early stages of pregnancy, and that it didn't seem that we needed to worry about a miscarriage, most likely it was the beginnings of a bladder infection. So he put me on a mild antibiotic. I am still spotting very lightly but it has gotten better as I have taken my antibiotic which reassures me that it was my body and not the baby having difficulties. I am trying to take it as easy as possible, as much as my schedule allows. I am learning that I am having to "opt out" of a few things in order to keep me in good health, and from being completely exhausted. Cody has been sweet in taking care of me. The antibiotic seems to make me nauseaated which is normal for me, so I am fighting to get through this week... but our baby is healthy, so I can endure a little sickness. Luckily I haven't been down and out sick yet, and pray that it stays that way.

So, things seem to be going well. I am a little bit past nine weeks and my clothes and belly are definitely starting to reflect that. We appreciate your love and support and ask for your continued prayers!

(Below is a picture of Cody on the phone with his dad right after we got the sonogram! Look how excited he is!) Also, we will post our baby's first picture soon!