Baby!

After what’s felt like ages, Ryan and I are very happy to announce we are expecting our first baby in June. Some of you might have guessed something was up when my posts dropped from twice a week, to once a week, to once a month! Although my mom had warned me, I naively thought I would handle morning sickness with ease. THIS was not the case. Instead, I found myself hardly able to leave the bed (and with six wedding cakes ahead of me!)

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ryan and I had been told by numerous doctors that the only way I could get pregnant was through fertility treatment. After a few years of family loss, this news felt heavy and overwhelming. “One more thing?” I found myself asking God. “Do we really need to go through this too?” After drownings, car accidents, and suicides…Ryan and I needed rest.

I saw one fertility specialist last spring–an old hairy man with a thick eastern European accent. After a few appointments, I began to believe we had a better understanding of female anatomy than he did, and so we went on the search for a new doctor and clinic.

Thanks to the recommendation of a dear friend, we started seeing Dr. Hansard. Her presence was a comfort after several months of discouragement. We sat in her office for an hour as she explained what she thought was wrong…and how we would go about fixing it. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy. Not only would this be a huge financial commitment, but it would require my body to go through invasive procedures, hormone therapy, and tests. Ryan and I weren’t ready for this, but we felt empowered in finally understanding the problem.

Dr. Hansard asked me if she could do an ultrasound before we left. She wanted to take measurements and make sure that there wasn’t anything structural that would prevent treatment. Ryan and I sat in a very cold room and we watched that grainy screen as Dr. Hansard oriented herself with the ultrasound wand. After a few seconds, she started to chuckle. The nurse assisting her laughed too. Ryan and I looked at each other and then again at the screen.

“It looks like you’re pregnant,” she said.

Ryan and I sat there for several minutes. In complete shock. With thankful thankful hearts.

We continued to work with Dr. Hansard during my first trimester and she provided me with the best care I could have asked for. Now that we’re in Colorado, I finally am feeling better and we were able to watch our baby dance across the screen at our ultrasound appointment yesterday. Ryan and I are so thankful that we were given the opportunity to have this baby, but we are also aware of the long road that so many parents travel down to make their families a reality. And IĀ  must say that family is a beautiful thing. Whether it happens through natural conception, through adoption, through fertility treatments, or through the development of friendships that are stronger than blood.

So I’ll be baking (still) and I’ll be nesting (soon) and I’ll be waking up thankful for how good can still come after so much bad.

53 thoughts on “Baby!”

  2. Mary

    I have been waiting for the announcement and I am grinning the BIGGEST grin right now! I am absolutely thrilled for you both. Having traveled the path of infertility, I am beside myself with joy that you did not have to go any further down that road. What a beautiful surprise! Your photos are the cutest I’ve seen. I love the joy that is so evident in them.

  6. lisa fine

    I knew it! Yay – congratulations to you and Ryan. Looking forward to updates and hearing about your move. Hope the morning sickness eases up soon.

  8. Kath

    Such happy news! Congratulations! And what great timing with your move back to Colorado. Your mom and dad must be ecstatic! šŸ™‚

  9. Kimberly (unrivaledkitch)

    I love this so much. The two of you are living examples of what goodness there is in the world even in the face of such tragedy. I pray for a very safe and easy pregnancy and even if it has some bumps in the road it will be all worth it for this little love to come spread their joy into the world.

    Congratulations Monet and Ryan and little baby on the way. Hugs and kisses to you all and happy holidays <3 -Kimberly

  12. amy @ fearless homemaker

    Congratulations! I had my suspicions, especially when you mentioned in a comment on my blog that you hadn’t been feeling well for the last bunch of weeks. I’m so happy to hear the reason for that – a little bundle of joy. HOORAY!

  15. thehealthyapron

    AHHH! So happy for you two! Just becoming a mom myself this past year, I cannot even begin to tell you how a baby can bring SO much joy after such sorrow (I lost my mom back in April to cancer). My little girl has been the biggest blessing and I hope and pray the same for you! What a fun story to tell too no!?

    Can’t wait to hear more about this journey!!

    Take care!!

  16. Becky

    Monet,
    Congratulations to you and Ryan on your pregnancy. You will be wonderful parents. I’m just so happy for you and your families. Can’t wait to hear more about your forthcoming arrival.

    Hugs!

  18. Pam

    Woo hoo! Congratulations! This is very exciting for the both of you and I am looking forward to hearing all about it in the coming months. Here’s wishing you all the best…

  23. Cristina

    Congratulations! I have been following your blog for some time now (and made a few great recipes, too!) but have not commented until now. My husband and I had trouble for 4 years, with 5 losses, and just last June gave birth to our beautiful daughter. We were shocked, as well, when we found out we were pregnant, and even more shocked when it was progressing! We had planned an IVF for November of last year, and in October we got the good news. Cherish every moment of your pregnancy, it goes by so fast! Our sweet baby girl was born June 25th, 2012, and she is such a blessing. Wishing you and your family the best! Happy holidays! šŸ™‚

  24. Anita at Hungry Couple

    Yes, I guessed it, too. šŸ˜‰ What a terrific story of how you found out. Clearly it was a blessing meant to be and I have a big smile on my face as I write this. Congratulations! You’re going to be a wonderful mama.

  26. rita cooks italian

    Congratulation Monet! What a beautiful story with a great ending!! Enjoy your pregnancy…after the morning sicknesses are over is a quite great experience (well at least it was for me). Ciao Rita

  31. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family

    How exciting! I knew you would be making this announcement after a blog comment. I am so very happy for you and Ryan. This baby indeed will be coming into a loving home (and one filled with delicious treats…I am a bit jealous).

    I hope you will update us periodically on your progress so that we can enjoy the experience with you.

    I hope that the morning sickness has subsided. I know that can be a bear (I had it for about 18 weeks with my 3rd child, my daughter).

    The best to you and hope that everything is good now that you have settled in Colorado.

    Happy Monday Monet!

  32. Wendy Irene

    I am beyond thrilled for you!!! I was wondering a little bit with the move to Colorado. You’ll be surrounded by love and family and I am extremely happy for you šŸ˜€ Congratulations!!!

  33. Jessie

    How WONDERFUL for you and Ryan! I cheered when I saw your announcement on FB, and I just cheered again! What a lovely story full of hope and joy šŸ™‚ I’m so glad to hear you are felling better, and I wish you the best for you pregnancy and beyond! xx

  35. RavieNomNoms

    I had a feeling that this was what was going on with you!! AHHHHH I am so excited for you and I cannot wait to see your progress. I have a feeling you are going to be a FANTASTIC mother šŸ™‚

  36. Annie

    Congratulations! I am so excited for you two! I thought something was up. Such amazing, wonderful news and I can’t wait to hear about your journey!

  37. Jeannie

    Congratulations to you and Ryan…I can imagine how happy you both are upon hearing the news for the first time:D So glad for you…have a great day!

  40. epicureanvegan

    I am SO HAPPY for you both! Congratulations!! You look stunning in these pictures and I imagine you will continue to glow throughout your pregnancy. šŸ™‚
    Much love,
    April

  41. Julia {The Roasted Root}

    CONGRATULATIONS! I didn’t even realize you two were trying to get pregnant. What a wonderful surprise to learn you wouldn’t have to go through all the intense hormone therapy after all!! Very happy for you and hope that morning sickness goes away soon!

  42. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    Congratulations to you and Ryan! What a happy news! I went through terrible morning sickness for a very long time with both of my children (therefore no #3!), so I understand your difficulty. But I’m sure it’s getting easier for you now and I hope you regained more energy to do things (including making wedding cakes!). I love good news like this. Thank you for sharing your story, too!

  46. Mindy

    Monet this is wonderful news! Congratulations to both of you and I look forward to reading all the updates at this exciting new stage in your lives!

  47. Gina

    Congrats!!! So excited for you and Ryan, you two deserve all the happiness coming your way. Take it easy, nesting is a good thing. Can’t wait to hear more about it. Wishing you two Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
    -Gina-

  49. Lauren (PB&G)

    Monet, I haven’t checked your blog in a while.. CONGRATS!! I am SO happy for you two! You deserve all the happiness in the world and I can’t wait to read about your journey to parenthood and beyond! Hugs!

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