In October 2014 when we returned to Iowa we found out some pretty exciting new for our family. That we were expecting our second child. We were so excited and couldn't wait to start telling family and friends. I figured out a cute way to tell family and told close friends in Iowa. About a week before my first appointment we told our family. They were so excited for us and we were all extremely happy. Well, the time for my first appointment came and I was excited to get the ultrasound and see the baby. Chad couldn't make it because his rotation schedule didn't allow it so I went alone. They started the ultrasound and immediately I knew something was wrong. I had seen ultrasounds at 10 weeks or earlier before and knew that I should have immediately seen the baby once she started. After searching around for a minute she broke the news to me. I had what is called a blighted ovum, where the pregnancy formed but the fetus didn't ever form. I tried really hard to be strong and for some odd reason I wasn't all that shocked. I had thought something was different this time around but was not expecting this news. I waited in the ultrasound room for the nurse to come and get me just trying to breath. As soon as I started talking to the doctor I couldn't hold in the hurt anymore. I had texted Chad to call me as soon as possible. I talked to the doctor about my options and during that Chad called me knowing something was up. I told him and he was devastated as well. I finished up at the doctors office and headed home to figure out the next step.
I was so grateful to have Lincoln! I don't know if I could have been strong enough without him. As I sat upset on the couch with Chad holding me Lincoln was looking at me concerned. Chad explained to him that mommy was upset and asked him to come give me a hug. He climbed up next to me, wiped my years away and hugged me and then snuggled up next to me. He has one of the sweetest spirits I know! We made the decision to get a D&C before we headed back to Utah for Christmas. I was glad to have it over and then also glad to be with family and have the support around me. Chad was a constant rock for me with this trial and I couldn't imagine going through anything like that without him by my side. At the end of February 2015 we headed back to Iowa after celebrating Lincoln's second birthday.
Lincoln by the way is one of the smartest juds I know. By the his second birthday he knew colors, a bunch of words, the alphabet by recognition and the sounds each letter makes and could count to 10. Wow! So smart! He would sit for hours reading books with whoever would read with him! He loves to learn and rough house. He is definitely a total boy!
In April we found out we were expecting again. This time around we waited until almost the end of first trimester to tell anyone but we did get a super early ultrasound (6.5 weeks) just to make sure everything was ok. We purchased a fetal doplar as well so we could listen to the heart beat whenever we wanted! In May we told family whennlincoln and I went back to Utah to see my baby brother graduate high school and get sworn into the military. So proud of him. I also got to go on a super fun girls trip with my awesome sister in laws and mother in law to Florida (grandma and wepop got to watch Lincoln for 5 whole days!)!! The next few months were full of fun activities with Lincoln and I and a lot of prep for baby! We made one last trip back to Utah while Chad was away for 2 months on rotations (Aug-Sept). We also got to see our best friends during this trip! Finally it was December 2015 and we were getting close to baby time! (Read all about fun Christmas festivities and baby's arrival on next post!)
