We are so thrilled to announce: 

"you're gonna be a daddy!"

On Tuesday, at the very first prenatal appointment we decided to try and hear the heartbeat of the baby with the doppler. The midwife echoed all the research I had done leading up to the appointment, "don't be surprised if we don't hear the heartbeat. Sometimes we aren't able to pick it up until 12 weeks." 

After the miscarriage, it's been a daily fight for me not to fall into fear that the baby isn't okay or that I won't have him or her for much longer. The Lord's been constantly giving me opportunities to run to Him in prayer. Constantly reminding me that He has been and will be faithful through whatever happens. Whether or not I *get* the opportunity to carry this little one for one more day or walk through life with them, I will praise the Lord. I see His graciousness towards me and towards our little family and I'm drawn closer to Jesus. 

So when the midwife put the doppler on my stomach and started to move it around, I found myself holding my breath and just asking the Lord to allow us to hear a strong beat...to know that everything was going well and that baby was alive and growing. And sure enough, in those next few seconds...I heard the most beautiful sound. Hearing that strong heart beat brought tears to my eyes, but more than anything put a smile on my face that I couldn't contain. It was a beautiful answer of prayer and such a sweet reassurance. I will cherish that first sign of life for the rest of my life. 

 Then on Wednesday...Wednesday we got to see the baby. ♥

There he or she was...squirming around with a strong 169 heartbeat. We laid eyes on our 9.5 week blessing and it was love at first sight. 

It wasn't just a clump of cells to us. 

It was our baby. 

With toes up in the air. 

The arms moving. 

It was gorgeous...and I hope and pray I get to hold this one in my arms. 

We're so thankful to Jesus for blessing us again...so soon. We're grateful, so so grateful. 

And yet, my heart hurts for those mama's who are making the decision to terminate these little lives...I pray for you. I pray that the blessing of children would be revealed to you. I pray that whatever road it is that you're walking, that you would be able to see the sacrificial love Jesus has to offer. The forgiveness He is willing to grant  and the healing He has to offer to your soul and to your body. There are people out there who want and desire to help you. Who want to pray for you and be the hands and feet of Jesus to you. We don't know what life you have walked...or what your story might be...but we want to love you and offer you hope in Christ. 

Despite what culture might be throwing at you...Children truly are a blessing. And not just the children who get to see the light of day...but also the babies that are two, eight, twelve, twenty weeks in the womb. 

Psalm 127 verse 3 says, 

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, 

The fruit of the womb is a reward." 

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We thank you for the prayers and the love we have received over the last few months. Please keep praying for protection for baby chia (Peter's name for the baby). We hope to meet him or her sometime around March 13, 2016!