Tomorrow marks 3 weeks since Mr. Charles Hatch has blessed us with his presence!
Happy early birthday!
We can't stop talking about what an incredible blessing he is and how great and loving our God is who has truly, truly walked beside us on the path to become parents. As some of you know, almost exactly a year ago Blake and I started infertility treatment due to something I have called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)I was diagnosed with this in college and knew that getting pregnant could be difficult but per my longtime OB/GYN she didn't think it would be an issue as I wasn't the "typical" patient who has this syndrome. Well, apparently God had other plans and I did have trouble getting pregnant, so we were sent to an infertility specialist last December and started our first treatment in January. The doctor that we saw here in Dallas, his nurse, and sonographer all told us that medications alone would likely not work for me as I had "the most polycstic ovaries" they had seen. They said from the begining that IVF would be our answer but that we needed to go "through the process" for insurance and saftey purposes. So we started with the most basic treatment options. Blake and I processed all of this with our closest friends and community group and prayed for wisdom and guidance on where/what treatments we should participate in. I got involved in Shiloh, a ministry our church created for women struggling with infertility,which was the most incredible resource and source of strength, wisdom, and hope for me during that time. I also have the most incredible husband and helpmate who encouraged, loved, and supported me every step of the way. The Lord gave us clarity on what treatments we were willing to try, which ones we were not, and provided peace and patience during that time. Although we wanted to start a family, he allowed us to feel/know that HE was in control and this was not our timing and/or decision, this was His. Well, after 3 rounds of treatment in which my body did not respond at all to, we decided to take a month off as we needed a break, plus we would be out of town for the "critical" times when I would need to be monitored. So off we went to Florida to take a breather and then to Haiti for a mission trip.
In God's mysterious ways, this is the exact month when we became pregnant! Funny, how yet again, the Lord showed us that even when we think we have control of a situation (aka going to one of the top infertility docs in Dallas, doing treatment, etc) he does not NEED us to do ANYTHING to accomplish what His will for us is.
I had a completely healthy pregnancy and so preterm labor wasn't even a word that had crossed mine or my dr's mind. In fact, I went in for my 34 week appt the morning I went into preterm labor and everything checked out perfect.
We yet again were blessed to have a child born at 34 weeks, especially a boy (they don't develop as quickly as girls) without any severe medical issue. The fact that he did not need help breathing, oxygen, or any other support besides for feeding and temperature control is a miracle. Then our little warrior surpassed every doctors prediction for him and was not only able to latch for breastfeeding, but actually did better breastfeeding than bottle feeding. He had absolutely no confusion between the breast, bottle, or passifier-which so many infants do. Praise the Lord. While I also felt INCREDIBLE. No pain issues, soreness, exhaustion, etc. Blake and I know that God was freeing me from these symptoms and taking care of our precious angel so that we could focus on other things.
Blake and I share this now so that everyone can really understand how INCREDIBLY grateful and blessed we have been on this journey...and to share it with you so that if you or anyone you know has been or is going down this path we know this isn't something we should be ashamed/embarrassed of, but to use it to help others. We also can't stop praising our God for how he has provided for us EVERY STEP of the way that it's hard to keep our mouth shut about His goodness.
And now...we are home and this kiddo is still fighting. He is an EXCELLENT feeder and we think in the middle of a growth spurt right now. We know he is getting stronger everyday!
As promised, here is a picture of our little guy with his ear well on. He will wear it for 4-6 week, it isn't painful and does not bother him at all, just looks funny.(we are 1 week in already and hopefully will get it off for Christmas) We will go in to have it re-adjusted in another week and have a better idea then of when he'll get it off.
Here he is smiling to the sound of his Great-Papa's voice. I was talking to my Papa on speaker phone and this little guy didn't stop smiling the whole time Papa talked! It was the most precious thing ever
Our first family trip to the new Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas. LOVE this park, can't wait to go back!
Just chilling. I'm a pro at this nap time thing...
Our little boy is SO tongue tied. Bless his heart, he is getting that "clipped" this Wednesday by an excellent physician we know, Dr. McClay. We've been praying on whether or not to get it down now or when he is older and really feel for feeding purposes we'd rather get it done sooner than later in hopes that is won't be as hard of a transition back to the breast/bottle for him once it is clipped.
Drum roll puh-leeaaaassssseeeee!!!!
For our grand finale pic....the ONE and ONLY, Aunt Taylor is BACK IN TOWN!!!! She surprised us yesterday by just walking in our front door. Blake got it ALL on tape and says I cried like a baby when I saw her. I don't deny it, this lady left to live in New Zealand before I was pregnant and sadly missed my entire pregnancy. When Hatch, she claims that will be his name, came early she couldn't stand it (I'm sure coming back for Christmas, her mom, and brother also played a part too) so she came back a couple weeks early.
Great family, beautiful baby, amazing testimony! Glad to hear things are going so well :)
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