third time around

First time was new and exciting.
Second time was scary and enlightening.
The third time? Well, let me tell ya...


I actually couldn't believe it worked!  I got pregnant...at the first try.  The first try, people!  At my age, with my history, almost ten years after my last pregnancy.  I wanted this pregnancy for the last five years.  I kept asking when we would start trying or if we even should.  And then...it happened.  Just like that.

Just. Like. That.

We found out the day my period was supposed to start and laughed hysterically when we saw that second line.  I didn't feel pregnant.  Moody?  Well, yeah - but that's normal.  So that night - the night that we found out - I prayed.  I asked Him to make me feel this pregnancy.  I asked to give me faith that this baby, His gift to us, would stay strong and live comfortably inside of me for nine months.

And, boy, has He made me feel this pregnancy!  Every symptom - it was textbook that first three months.  Nausea? Check.  Frequent bathroom breaks? Check.  Crying one minute, laughing the next? Check.  Every week I'd check the BabyCenter page to see how this baby was growing.  It was (is!) just so miraculous - it's beautiful.  With the beauty I read, I also would see that everything that page said about me as the mama was happening, too.

Scared me a little, but blessed me all at the same time.  Our first prenatal appointment was interesting.  The doc couldn't see the baby, but we heard the strong fast heartbeat of 8 weeks.  Finally, we saw - our little baby - just a little speck, but right there!  Since I'd had a miscarriage and tough labor with Lucas nine years earlier, the doctor thought it would be best to just wait to announce.

We only told the kids and my brother + sis-in-law.  Other than those precious few, it was all very hush-hush.  Do you know how hard it is not to scream from the rooftops that you're preggers?!  How interesting it can be to hide a pregnancy? Yeah, fun.  Not.

I didn't write on here because all I could think of was this baby.  Was everything going to be alright?  Would all the blood test (so many) give us good news each time.  It was so hard to not just tell you all, my loveys.  Because here is where I let my heart pour out the words.

Oh! but when I finally was able to tell you all - you sent love like a real family.  Thank you so much for that.  I never received a message that said, "oopsie, huh?" You genuinely were (and still are) so supportive and happy for me and my growing family.

I can't wait to see how Baby Girl Soriano progresses.  I can't wait for everything God has promised me.  He is taking care of me and his precious little child inside of me.  Not just with my health, but with everything I need when she arrives.  It's just blessings at every turn.  I am so thankful.

How is is the third time around?  Just like the first two - but so different at the same time.  The third time around...knowing this will probably be your last time around.

How do I feel?  Just blessed.  Oh so blessed.