So, Things are About to Change...

I've known for 7 weeks that I'm pregnant and for 6 of those weeks that there are four babies making themselves at home in my guts, but I'm still overwhelmed when I look at that picture. After three years of trying to have a baby, a year of working with a fertility specialist, and all the tears (seriously. So many tears. My poor husband...), I just can't even believe there's life in there. Let alone lives.

I'm guessing you have a thousand questions, because Lord knows we did (and still do!), so I tried to answer as many of them as I could below. Feel free to pick the ones you like the best if you don't have six hours to read our story (sorry...this got really long!). Most of these are ones we've heard, so we're getting pretty good at answering them, but if I missed one, feel free to ask - there's pretty much nothing we won't share. This is God's miracle story and we are just humbled (and overwhelmed/terrified) that he is using us to share it.

Um, didn't you know this could happen?

No. Not even a little bit. We didn't do IVF (that's another common question - how many embryos did you implant?! And the answer to that is zero.), but a less invasive procedure called IUI. Basically the doctor gave me medicine to make me ovulate at an exact time and then put Nick's swimmers into my uterus, and then we prayed they found a friend and hung out for a while. The treatment we were on the month we got pregnant had a 25% chance of twins if it was successful. So, twins we were totally prepared for. That's 1 out of 4. Pretty good odds, so we were ready for that. Anything more? Not so much. The chance of triplets was 1% and anything more than that was less than 1%. So, no. We did not anticipate this. As our doctor says, he's not in the business of making litters, and had anything in my bloodwork indicated that this could happen, he wouldn't have done the procedure. Basically, we need to buy a lottery ticket, because we are beating odds left and right here, people.

What was your reaction?

Well, the doctor's first words were, "Oh, God. Oh, God, no." And then I cried and Nick went white. So, it wasn't as exciting as you might imagine. It's not really any fertility doctor's desire to give someone four babies at once and it's really not in the mommy's or the babies' best interest to give birth four at a time. It's actually terrifying and dangerous and the odds of all four of the babies getting here safely and healthily aren't the greatest.

How are you feeling?

To be honest, awful. These babies are kicking my butt. I've been super sick pretty much since week four and have had to have two IVs in the last week and a half to treat the dehydration and vomiting. I have hyperemesis (like the Princess...fancy, right? Probably she and I need to meet so we can be best friends and share stories of how amazing it is to vomit all day long for weeks straight.), and now I've got an infection, but drugs are the best and I am feeling so much better now...huzzah! But if I haven't returned a call, text you in a while, or should have told you this news before I put it on the internet, I am so sorry. I'm having an out of body experience right now and don't know what day it is most of the time.

What does Jeremiah think?

Oh, homeboy is ELATED. Like, beside himself. He's wanted a baby in our house forever and now that he's getting four of them he can barely contain himself. In fact, I've become his party joke - "Hey, do you know what my mommy has in her belly?" "Um, a baby?" " No! FOUR OF THEM!!!" He thinks he's a riot. Which, he totally is. And it's been so good for Nick and I in the moments we feel totally overwhelmed and wonder how we're going to do this. Jeremiah's joy is contagious and it reminds us that these babies are absolutely a gift and are to be celebrated.

Are you going to stay in Mid-Missouri?

For now, that's the plan. Even though we don't have any family here, we feel like staying put is the best choice for the time being. Moving right now seems completely overwhelming to both of us, especially with how lousy I'm feeling. And by the time I'm out of my first trimester and maybe feeling better, it could be a pretty short time before I end up on bedrest. In the meantime, our church family, our co-workers, and our parents have done an amazing job taking care of us and we feel like we can at least do this for a year or two. We hope.

Where will you deliver them?

We see an amazing multiples specialist in Columbia who we could not be more thankful for. Seriously, Dr. Grant is a gift from God. We are so, SO thankful for him. He doesn't deliver babies anymore but will see us through our pregnancy and then one of the doctors who works with him will bring these little guys into the world at either the University Hospital or Boone Hospital. Turns out it will depend on who has room for four babes in their NICU (weird, right?). Either way, we have an amazing team of doctors caring for us and two very well respected hospitals right in our backyard, so we feel good about our options.

Are you still working?

Yes, but I've been grounded to my desk by Dr. Grant. Which is a total bummer this time of year when all of my events are in full swing and about to take place (or just took place). Luckily, I have amazing communities full of lovely people who are so understanding as well as incredible co-workers who are covering for me when I can't physically be there. Truly, I would have had to quit by now if it wasn't for the incredible women I work for who are so gracious with me and allow me to do as much as I can without being angry about what I can't do.

When are you due?

Well, that's a tricky question. Technically, forty weeks would be November 25, but there's no way we'll get there. The goal is 30 weeks, which is September 16 (happy birthday, Aunt Jess!!), so that's what we're praying for.

Oh man. It's 11:00am on a Saturday, and I'm totally exhausted. I need a nap so that's all I've got for now.

Thank you for taking the time to read and for joining us on this incredible journey. We are so blessed to know that in the midst of our fear, we serve a sovereign God who is not surprised by these babies at all. He knit each one of them together, knows each of them by name, and holds their future in His hands. We are so grateful for a community of people who have already rallied around us and are continually reminding us of the Truth that God is in control and we are not alone on this wild ride. We are excited to see how the rest of this story unfolds and can't wait to meet these little ones sometime early this fall!