Two years ago, in the spring of 2010, Mike and I decided we would start trying to have another baby. On April 15, 2010, I had a hormonal intra-uterine device (IUD) removed, setting us up for what I assumed would be a quick path to getting pregnant.
If you’ve followed my blog during recent months, you know that is not what happened. My body’s adjustment to life without the IUD’s hormones was difficult to say the least. But, on Nov. 30, 2010, I got a positive pregnancy test. We were ecstatic but cautious.
A few days before my first pre-natal visit to my provider’s office, on Dec. 17, 2010, I started having spotting. At the appointment on Dec. 22, the nurse told me my due date was Aug. 9, 2011, but deep down, I knew things were not OK. I returned a week later to have another ultrasound, which confirmed that the tiny life that had started to grow inside me was gone.
I was devastated but hopeful we would get pregnant again.
It took many more months than I expected. In fact, on Aug. 8, 2011, the day before what would’ve been my due date with the miscarried baby, I took a pregnancy test and got a positive result. I knew Aug. 9 was going to be a tough day, so I was trying to temper my emotions with the hope that I was, in fact, pregnant.
My due date was April 13, only two days short of two years since I had the IUD removed.
Cecilia Renee Henry entered the world at 9:48 p.m. Thursday, April 19, weighing seven pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.
Interestingly (well, interesting to me anyway), she was born during the “Grey’s Anatomy” time slot while a new episode was airing.
While I know having a newborn is overwhelming to all mothers, having Cecilia is particularly overwhelming to me. Waiting for something, or someone, for so long and then finally receiving it brings on a flood of indescribable emotions. There is nothing like a newborn baby to remind me that God’s plans are sovereign and perfect. As my friend Natalie put it, all babies are blessings, but this is a special blessing baby.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~Psalm 37:4