Tuesday, August 19, 2014

The Gift

I don't typically share "the news" this early, but considering how many of you have been kindly praying for our family over the past few months, I think it's high time to let you know that we're expecting another baby in March! Actually, the current due date is March 15th, the infamous "Ides of March" (which apparently no one knows about, because most of the people I've mentioned this to have responded with blank stares). Considering that Little Man was due Christmas Eve and Rosa was due Reformation Day/Halloween, we seem to have a "holiday due date" theme. 

How I'd hoped and prayed that I would be pregnant before our sweet baby girl's due date! I reasoned that such joyful news would soften the heartache sure to accompany that day. As it turns out, I was pregnant, though I had no idea at the time. And really, I think it was better that way. Without that buffer, I was "forced" to close out a painful chapter in the grieving process. As the due date approached, all of the progress I'd felt I'd made over the past few months was swept away, leaving the wound very, very raw. Only a few days before I took that pregnancy test, I'd prayed to God that He might take away my desire for more children (at least for a time), because the constant see-saw of hope and disappointment each month made the grief that much harder to bear.




Clearly, He didn't grant that petition! I actually found out at 3 1/2 weeks, due to a number of factors (largely my impatience, and the realization that it would be better to test early than wait and wonder in agony for a few more days).

I can't begin to express my gratitude to God for this blessing. I never presumed that we would be able to have another child quickly -- or even at all -- because I know very well that not everyone gets a "rainbow baby" after a loss. Nor can I express my gratitude for the many prayers that you, my dear readers, have offered up on our behalf. I am treasuring this blessing and yet holding it loosely, knowing all too well how precious and transient it can be. It's hard not to give in to anxiety (and I'm not always successful), but as the days pass I become more hopeful. We recently had our first sonogram, and the relief of seeing our baby's heartbeat was great, indeed. Still, for some reason it's difficult to imagine why this pregnancy would go any better than the last. There are still many weeks to go (and several more before we're past the point at which we lost our last baby), so I crave your continued prayer for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Lamentations 3 was a source of comfort to me over those dark months following our loss, and its verses still bring me comfort:

But I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: 
the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 
His mercies never come to an end; 
they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "
therefore I will hope in Him." 


36 comments:

  1. Aww, what wonderful news, Shannon! I'm so thrilled for you, and will add you to my prayer list.

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  2. Oh, Shannon, I'm so happy for ya'll! I pray that God will protect you and your sweet baby throughout the following months.

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    1. Thank you, Laura Elizabeth! Your prayers are much appreciated!

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  3. Congratulations, Shannon--I am happy for you and your family. May the Lord watch over you and the new baby in a special way.

    We have 3 March birthdays in our home--two of them are the 9th and the 10th. We have our own version of "March Madness" around here.....:)

    Krista

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  4. Thank you, Krista -- this will be the first March birthday in our family or our immediate family, assuming that the baby doesn't follow Rosa's example and come so early that it's born in February. :-) Sounds like y'all have the best kind of March madness!

    Blessings,
    Shannon

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  5. Congratulations, I am soooo happy for you! My baby (who is now a 23 year old police officer!) was born on March 17. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Bless you!

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    1. Thank you, Diane! Wow, lots of March birthdays. :-) Rosa was due on our pastor's wife's birthday, and this baby is due on one of their daughter's birthday, which kind of boggles my mind!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  6. Shannon, I'm so happy to read your news. I'll be praying for your pregnancy & health! Many blessings to you.

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  7. Shannon,

    Congratulations! What joyful news. : ) I will keep you and your sweet baby in my prayers. May the LORD bless and keep you both!!

    -Sarah

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    1. Thank you, Sarah -- we are certainly excited!

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  8. How wonderful! I will pray for continued health and a safe delivery for Mama and babe. May God continue to bless you both!

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    1. Thank you, Keary! I never cease to be amazed by God's blessings!

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  9. Congratulations!!! This are such great news!!! Now all your baby sewing will come in handy :-) I will pray for your little one.

    It took my husband and I 17 months to conceive our first child (I´m due on january 29th), and during the first few weeks the doctor was sure we would loose him/her, as I kept bleeding and having abdominal pain. I don´t think I have ever prayed more fervently than during those aweful weeks, but God does hear. We still have our baby with us, and have started to relax a bit. Have faith! :-)

    Elena

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    1. Thank you, Elena! I can't deny that I've already made a few things for the new baby, though gender neutral can be a challenge. :-) I'm trying to pace myself until we find out the gender.

      Congratulations to you, too -- even though we only "tried" for a few months, it was quite challenging to me emotionally. I'm so glad that your baby is on the way, and that those early anxious weeks are behind you. Praise God!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  10. Congratulations! Speaking from experience, pregnancy after a loss is extremely difficult because of the loss of innocence. It's easy to think that bad things only happen to other people until suddenly it happens to you. And then you can no longer blindly believe that every pregnancy ends well, and it's tough to shake the feeling that this one will end up the same as the last. You may find yourself withdrawing from the pregnancy at times out of fear (I know that I did!), but you seem to have a solid faith which will carry you through the tough moments. I wish you God's blessings!

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    1. Teri,

      Thank you for your kind words -- you are certainly right about how miscarriage changes your perspective on pregnancy. Fear is constantly knocking at the door, and pregnancy hormones and exhaustion don't help! But I know that God is in control, and His plan is perfect. Even if it's not how I would have written the book.

      For now, I'm enjoying this blessing, and trying to push doubts and fears away. If we do face another loss, I know the Lord will be there every step of the way, just as He was the last time.

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  11. Rejoicing and praying!
    Hannah

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    1. Thank you, Hannah! :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  12. Such beautiful news!! I am praying for God to place His protection over this new life in your womb. And for you to have peace as you wait. God bless.

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    1. Thank you, Hannah! The waiting is certainly hard. :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  13. O, praise the Lord! The fruit of the womb is His reward! So glad He is bestowing this unto you and what a wonderful testimony of His grace and goodness. May His name be magnified!

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    1. Thank you, Beloved! This is one gift that, Lord willing, I will never take for granted.

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  14. I remember so clearly sending out the "pregnancy announcements to all or our praying friends~no email back then! It had taken 14 years of marriage before the Lord would bless us with YOU and now He is continuing to send blessings our way. So glad to be close and able to help when needed! We are ever so grateful to God~Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! Always praying for you!

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    1. Thank you, Mum! We're glad to have you close by, too! :-)

      Hugs,
      Shannon

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  15. Congratulations, Shannon! So thrilled for you!!

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  16. Hi Shannon! Since last year I have enjoyed reading about all your crafty adventures - yes, I am one of those lurkers. :) Prayed for you in your time of mourning, now happy to rejoice with you in this precious new life! Congratulations!
    And March is a great birthday month, in my slightly prejudiced opinion. :)

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    1. Hi Kirsten! I always love meeting lurkers! :-) Thank you so much for your prayers, and for your kind comment!

      Wow, little did I realize what a popular birthday month March is -- looks like this baby will be in good company! :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  17. I haven't been keeping up with my blog list lately and only just saw this! I am so happy for you! March seems to be a big baby month coming up. All pregnancy announcements I've been hearing lately have been for March. I will be praying that you will be at peace, and be able to enjoy this pregnancy to it's fullest.

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    1. Thank you, Natalie! I appreciate your prayers!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  18. Congratulations! So pleased for you. I have 3 brothers, all born in March, so obviously a great month to be born ;-) Clem was due on Halloween - I was always a bit embarrassed and just told people, "end of October"! I don't think anyone in the UK would know it was Reformation Day, but definitely a better date to emphasise I think.

    It must be so hard for you, with your prior experience, to enjoy the pregnancy in the early stages. I'll be praying you have the Lord's peace. I can definitely empathise with testing early and that horrible waiting period every month. I found out at 3 and a half weeks with Clem, I just couldn't wait any longer!

    I got the Ides of March reference, having done Ancient History at Uni. Tsshh...do people know nothing about history?!! ;-)

    Every blessing, Rachel xxx

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    1. Rachel,

      Thank you so much! Wow, so many March birthdays -- it will almost be a shame if this baby follows Rosa's example and arrives early enough to be born in February. :-) How funny that Clem and Rosa shared a due date, albeit a year apart!

      It's certainly been trying over these past weeks, especially since we lost our last baby at the end of the first trimester. Which is my least favorite stage of pregnancy, anyway! I'm so excited, but I think I will be able to enjoy the pregnancy more once we (Lord willing) get past that stage.

      And yes, while we thankfully only had a few months of trying, each "no" at the end of the month was so hard. Because at the time you have no idea if your "yes" will be next month, next year, or never.

      High five for someone else who knows the Ides of March! ;-) And thank you again for your sweet words!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  19. Shannon, I'm only just now getting caught up on blogs from the past few weeks, so I missed your oh-so-exciting news before! Congratulations on your sweet blessing!! I will continue to keep your family in my prayers in the coming months! :-)

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    1. Lily,

      Thank you for your kind congratulations! We certainly covet and appreciate your prayers!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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