Hiccups!

I love them! Maluski has started hiccuping over the last couple days. Last night I was laughing as Paul was trying to sleep because my belly kept bouncing - bump, bump, bump! It is adorable and fun and ahhhh. Life!

AND, I just got a call from the Pope Paul VI Institute that my levels have jumped again (finally) and now - no more shots!! Wohooo! Hopefully my blood draw next week will confirm that my body has taken over and is sufficiently producing progesterone to support the baby on it's own.

Fathers Day

Some say I am a father and some say next year I'll be a father, I personally fall into the former crew. So today i got a few cards and an awesome meal - the perfect fathers day for me. I wonder what next year will be like when we actually have a babe in arms. Not every one get the privilege of having a fathers day but this was my first and i think i can get used to it.With only 3 months left to prepare it is the final scramble to make sure our loose ends are tied up and our home is ready for our child and there is still a lot to do.

Two Posts in One Day!!

I just wanted to share pictures from my Florida baby shower and say THANK YOU again to everyone who hosted, planned (Linda), prepared (JulieAnne), and attended, etc. I had so much fun!

Opening BumGenius cloth diapers from my mom....wohooo!

JulieAnne measuring my girth

Cutting the lovely Noah's Arc cake from Linda


Entertaining William while the ladies play a game (party host, Linda on top right)

William, Elizabeth, Christy & Matthew

Camping while Pregnant...

In 3 words: FUN but HOT!
We spent a lovely Memorial Day weekend with Steve and Becky at Caledonia State Park (near Gettysburg). For the first time I realized that pregnant women really do run hot. Luckily, the nights were plenty cool. Which would have been great for sleeping, if only our air mattress would have remained inflated. AND, oh the joys of waking up at 4am in the wilderness with a "full" bladder. :) We LOVE our Maluski. And Maluski loves 'smores! Aunt Becky kept us plenty stocked. Due to her generosity, the K's were able to feel a little kicking action around the campfire.

And, the good news is...Maluski has godparents! We are so excited they accepted the challenge ahead. Paul and I are so grateful for their faith and prayers in our life, we know they will be fantastic role models for the baby!

Here is the latest growth and development update:
Your baby weighs about 1.5 pounds and measures 8.8 inches from crown to rump (or about 13.5 inches from head to heel). He or she is becoming stronger as its stem cells continue to develop into bone tissue, and its bones become solid through a process called ossification.

Speaking of the baby....

My First Mother's Day!

Sunday was the first Mothers day that I did not approach with fear and trepidation. Mother's day homilies were inevitably a source of grief and tears in the past. This is the first year I survived. I not only survived the day, but was actually a little spoiled. It started out with breakfast in bed, I received a plant from our neighbor, a gift from a friend - a few cards and phone calls. Weird!! But again, amazing, miraculous, etc. Thanks for all who helped me celebrate the day with your kind words. Again, it is yet another day that reminds me to pray for my friends that are still suffering the cross of infertility.

This week is Week 23! I think we are just at the very early early stages of viability. From the updates I read - our baby is almost 1 pound and 8 inches crown to rump (11" head to toe). He or she blinks, hears, swallows. And (s)he definitely kicks! The kicks are stronger. Paul has felt maluski a few times. As I am growing and expanding, I feel the weight I carry. The wonderful weight. Eating is a little harder again because I always feel full. Rolling over in bed - amusing. Bending over, well - I squat. And I believe I am waddling a little more than before. :) It is a very joyous time!

Sorry for the long time no-updates. Our next midwife appointment is Wednesday. We will keep you posted! xoxoxox Elisabeth & Paul

Half Way There!!

This week marks 20 weeks. I am halfway there!! It is amazing. AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING! My old clothes don't fit, I have almost officially transfered to maternity garb, the ultrasounds and dopler radios show there is life within me. I feel this little life within me - just about every day now...and I still CAN NOT believe I am pregnant. Thank you God. "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."

It is so crazy to think that in a few more months, our lives will never be the same! I am so incredibly thrilled for what is to come. Paul continues to talk to and sing to the baby, in addition to listening to his/her heartbeat every night before bed. Pretty soon he should be able to feel some kicks (they are getting stronger). We are so blessed.

Being not too far out from the sting and pain of infertility, I ask anyone checking in...please join me to pray for those that now carry this heavy cross. St. Gianna, St. Gerard, St. Ann, St. Rita, St. Collete - please intercede for these couples and plead for them before our Lord. Amen.

Meet Our Baby!!

Here is the picture from this morning's appointment.

Quick Update

Updated Belly Shot. 18 weeks.
Tonight we heard the baby's heartbeat. Mom and Paul were with me - it was thrilling. We recorded the heartbeat and have been playing it over and over again since the appointment. All is well, I am growing according to schedule. We got an update from the Institute that my hormone levels are recovering (thank you for your prayers). And, as of the last week or two, I am feeling the baby move - I love the little flutters and kicks. This is so miraculous. We should have updated baby pictures after tomorrow. Stay Tuned!

Is it the baby or just digestion?

(contributed by Paul)
We have now reached week 16 and everyone says this is when you may start feeling the baby. So night after night we are trying to feel if he or she is communicating with us by tapping. It is amazing what you notice when you are silent and just listen or feel. We haven't made first contact yet . Although Elisabeth thought she had felt the baby moving and then again and again and again and again and again and then she asked is there a pulse in your fingers ? Needless to say the baby is still masked to us except by Elisabeth's growing belly.

The Lord has brought much joy to us through this little one. We are greatful for that gift of being able to start a family. Only 5 months to go hard to believe we are almost half way to our first face to face meeting . Kinda makes you excited!

PS: (prayer request from Elisabeth)
Last week we got word from the Institute that my progesterone took a nose dive. From something like 44.8 to 23.6. They were not TOO terribly concerned, but my progesterone shots are increasing substantially. Prayers are greatly appreciated that God will protect our maluski (little one).

Second Trimester!!!!!

So I hit the 2nd trimester on Wed. My anytime sickness seems worse the last two weeks. I was disappointed at my first sickness of the 2nd trimester and thought..."liars." The infamous "they" said you feel better...but NOW i find out it it not necessarily on the same day you hit #2. Now "they" say it may be another week or two, or three. Oh well - being pregnant is just wonderful, so I don't mind. :)

BUT the awesome news - is that my progesterone levels are doing great!! If anyone knows anyone about hormone levels, or would like to compare to this chart from the PPVI...
Here is my synopsis:

1/10/2007				~ 20 DPO			39 Days Past LMP
				4w6d			HCG	10,414
				4w6d			Progesterone	26.3
1/22/2007				6w3d			Progesterone	26.3
2/5/2007				8w5d			Progesterone	27.4
2/21/2007				11 weeks			Progesterone	50?
3/6/2007				12w6d			Progesterone	44.8

We got a call from the institute that my levels were so great (high zone 3) that means my shots go from 200 ml twice a week to 100 ml once a week! Wohooo! Which is very nice since the shots have become more annoying as time goes on. They will let me know after two more levels (~1mo.) if I can discontinue.

As I have said before, I am amazed every step of the way that I get good news. I say in my head "are you sure?" "I am doing that good?" "There is REALLY a baby in there?" :)

The Heart is Beating Strong!

12 Week Update:
okay, well really 11 weeks and 5 days...but close enough!

Today I had an appointment at the Birth Center for my first official check up. The best part, I got to hear the baby's heart beat!!! After a long appoinntment of paperwork and reviewing history and turning down all the genetic screening options (anmio, etc)...I finally got to sit on the table. The midwive put some jelly on my belly and within 30 seconds "woah, woah, woah, woah." She commented that the baby was very active because we kept hearing scratching noises. She said he or she was moving around. :) This all still seems totally unreal.

Unfortuantely, Paul was not able to attend. But I made sure to schedule the next appointment so he could. I need another person there to help remind me - this is real! Next appointment will be around 18 weeks, along with a level 2 ultrasound at that time. Every step is like a giant milestone. I am so blessed to not have ANY spotting or cramping. So far, all is good! Hopefully I can have Paul log an entry on our Birth Center tour soon. Thank you for all the prayers - they are clearly working and resulting in what I can say is a very easy pregnancy thus far! Again, MIRACLE!

And now, for those that wish to see my growth updates...here is the first Belly Shot:

Baby Update

Every Week I get an email update - which among other things, tells us about the baby. Thought I would share it with you. Check out the picture! It is really exciting.

Your Baby
Your baby weighs about 7 grams, is about 2 inches long, and in an ultrasound will look a bit out of proportion. He or she has toes, eyes, ears, fingernails and lips, but the head is still about one-half the total size of its body. Don't worry; this will change as your baby grows. Click here for an image of a baby at 11 weeks.

Everything looks good! I am starting to grow, just a little. My hormone levels have consistently been right around the "normal" line and as of today I am only one week from my SECOND trimester! :)

And - Paul and I toured the Birth Center yesterday. It is kind of crazy imagining giving birth outside of the hospital...but the idea is growing on us!!

adoption on hold

Paul and I told the agency. Their policy is that we go on hold until we have the baby. At that point we are no longer eligible for the infant adoption program. We would be eligible to continue towards a mixed race adoption, enter the foster program or pursue international adoption. We feel strongly that God has lead us to the adoption process. After the baby arrives we will pray about what direction God leads us.

Just a Quick Update

Things are still good! We praise every day we are one step closer to 2nd trimester (and a little more clear of risk of miscarriage). Every day is a blessing. The all-the-time sickness comes and goes, as does exhaustion - but what a gift. Today I hit 9 weeks and was amazed to see the little ticker (see two posts below). Our Maluski looks like a tiny person and no longer a tiny tadpole. We are so in love! Girl or Boy? You will have to wait till September to know that! ;-)

Our Miracle is doing good!

So Blessed

To All,
Thank you for the outpouring of love, support, encouragement, prayers and congratulations. We really are just marveling at this miracle...and still trying to believe it really is...we really are...pregnant! I received such a lovely note from a friend that helped me reflect, for the first time, on the fact that God has chosen to bless us. It is as if He has finally said "See, I have not forgotten you." After all the novenas we prayed, and our many, many attempts at surrendering the matter. And now, we are just in awe.

We LOVE reading the updates of our baby. It is amazing that it is growing so fast and developing so well. Occasionally, Paul or Uncle Keith will start talking in the room and I will realize they are talking to the baby. :) Keith made a special request that I start eating polish food. The baby might have to wait for that one, as I can only "stomach" so much now.

We decided to give the baby the nickname, "maluski." It is pronounced (ma-lu-shki) and means "little one." There is a Christmas carol, sung to the infant Jesus "O Maluski" which I have heard was one of John Paul II's favorites.

And, on another note...why this blog was started in the first place: We were recently notified by our adoption agency that there are two more potential "situations" on the horizon. We have much prayer to undergo to find God's will with regards to adoption. Certainly, we hoped we would have one or two kids by now. This would also us to grow our family pretty quickly...but it is such a different perspective from here. We will try to keep this in God's hands as much as possible. Right now, we are just trying to see what happens at the ultrasound (scheduled for Tuesday) before making any decisions. We will keep you posted on all fronts! ;-)

another update :)

It has been awhile, and I appologize for the delay in this update. We had several conversations before we decided to put this update online.

Paul and I recieved very good news. Before we say just what that is....here is the prelude. Our cousin's came over recently and delivered this very special toast. "And they went to visit their cousin, Elisabeth, who was found to be in her 6th week. She who was thought barren. For they know, all things are possible with God."

Reflecting on the scriptural meaning of my name, Elisabeth. Reflecting on the meditations of barren women in the bible - we were so blessed to recieve this toast. And we truly TRULY are blessed.

(please scroll down)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

So, certainly, this is the biggest surprsie of our married life. We are THRILLED. We don't know yet what it means for the adoption - and will continue to keep you posted via this blog. For now, I am under the care of Dr. Hilgers through the PPVI Institute for hormonal support. Thank you for all of you that have prayed us to this point!!! Please continue to pray for the Blessed Mother and St. Gerard's intercession for this new life inside of me! With all our love!

an update

At the adoptive parent panel, we were told by the couples to listen for our social worker to say she had a "situation." That was how she tended to introduce a possibility. A few weeks ago we got a call from our social worker. She had a "situation." So, the situation was that there was a 21 year old girl considering adoption. She was half hispanic and the race of the father was unknown. She also used crack in the first few months of pregnancy - but had stopped and was in rehab. I talked to Paul, we called a friend that is a pediatrician, and decided that we wanted our profile to be shown. We decided not to tell anyone, so as to avoid the infamous "have you heard anything yet?" question at each instance of communication.

It was a little bit of a rush, at first. But as we didn't hear anything for several weeks, we assumed we were not chosen. We just heard from the social worker today that the girl changed her mind. Please pray for this girl. We never got the overwhelming sense of "this is it." I guess the expectation is that we might get a few such phone calls before "the one." We are so glad we have this board to keep everyone updated. Thank you for your prayers for us as well. xoxoxo

Welcome 2007

What changes will this year bring? We are optimistic about 2007.
With regards to fertility - it is has been a long journey; here is the rundown:
10/2002 - married
10/2003 - began infertility testing
3/2004 - first surgery
6/2005 - second surgery
9/2005 - third & major surgery
12/2005 - began adoption research
3/2006 - choose an agency; started our wait
10/2006 - officially approved

As 2006 has been mostly "adoption focused" for us - we have been able to toss out the charts (temporarily) and forget about "trying to conceive." This has been a blessing. But, moving on from the dream of conceiving to the dream of adopting was interesting, to say the least. There are so many different emotions wrapped up with the adoption process. Having our parenting ability questioned, going through interviews, doctor's visits, background checks - all this to welcome a child into our house. One of the great lessons we have learned from others is that when we receive this great gift (and finalize the adoption), unquestionably, that will be our child. A child we have long awaited.

We are optimistic about 2007. That is not to say we will be blessed with a child by the close of the year, though hopefully that is the case. We are optimistic because, for the first time, we have no additional testing/poking/prodding/interrogating/interviewing to endure. We are as far as we can come on our journey to parenthood. The rest is completely out of our hands. Although I long to look into the future and see our family with a bustling house full of children, again, out of our hands. For the first time we look forward to our future, the one God has planned for us. We look forward not in expectation of the house full - but we look forward, one child at a time. Thank you all for your continued prayers and love. Happy New Year!

Chrismas Wishes

First, please let me extend our wishes to you for a very Merry Christmas. We hope the birthday of our savior brings renewed joy into your homes. This year, Paul and I wanted to wait to celebrate the liturgical Christmas season. We waited to purchase a tree, set up decorations, do baking, etc. And now, today is the first day of Christmas! This was, of course, preluded by wonderful family gatherings and meals. But we look forward to the days ahead to celebrate and reflect on our blessings.

What a year. And hopefully one year closer to the blessing of a child. We recieved several wonderful baby-wishes this year. Especially in the breaking of Oplatek. Every year we follow the polish custom of breaking bread (chrismas wafers pronounced oh-pwah-tek). This is a custom where those gathered have a chance to express well wishes to one another. The theme for us this year was "may all your baby dreams come true." In addition to oplatek, this was expressed in gifts received. Thank you for all that have us in their thoughts and prayers. It means so much!

I am very tempted to do a "year in review" type blog...but we will wait until next week for that!! Love you all!