Motherhood Tag

My friend at peterspeapod.blogspot.com started this different twist on tag, so here are 7 things about my journey to motherhood:

1. I had the displeasure of two histerosalpinograms (one before Emma and one before Genevieve)... second time around was much more uncomfortable than the first.

2. We conceived using Clomid... we were on our second to last month using it and if it had not worked, then we would've been done pursuing fertility treatments... God's timing is perfect!!

3. I had gestational diabetes in both pregnancies... the downside was lots of phone calls and visits to the specialist... the upside... monthly ultrasounds to see my little beauties growing and thriving inside.

4. We did not find out Emma's sex (Andy's choice), but we did find out with Genevieve (on the 3rd try) (my choice).

5. Infertility was the most difficult trial for me, but it was also a time of tremedous growth in my life personally and in our marriage... after that battle, we were rock-solid in our marriage and in our relationship w/ Christ... we had to lean on Him and one another SO much and it was SO hard.

6. I had two c-sections and compared to what I thought they would be like, I was pleasantly surprised at the low level of pain. Again, the second was tougher than the first all the way around. One thing that I wish is that I could have just felt one contraction to know what one feels like... all my vaginal birth friends are cringing and saying, "oh no you don't."

7. After infertility struggles before conceiving Emma and beginning the "process" again when we hoped to get pregnant again, we were surprised and delighted when we got pregnant with Genevieve w/o the help of anyone but the Lord... we were especially amazed b/c it was the summer that I spent weeks home and in physical therapy for a torn miniscus in my knee... needless to say that baby making was the last thing on the agenda, so becoming pregnant was even more of a miracle.

8. OK... I'm cheating and adding one more: I breast fed both girls Emma for 11 months and Genevieve for 15 months. They were so different... Emma would take a bottle or the breast easily. Genevieve (after the second week of her life when she was forced on a bottle b/c of an illness and medication I was taking) NEVER took a bottle... she was all breast all the time. That's one gift that I am glad to have given them both.

So that's a bit of our journey toward parenthood. Being a mom is the most amazing and challenging blessing that I have ever had in my life... I love it and my girls!!