First Dr's Visit and Ultrasound

Waiting two weeks to see the OB/GYN after finding out I was pregnant was torture.  I was anxious because I wanted to see what the fetus looked like and really wanted to make sure there was something still inside me.  I was also super excited to find out my exact due date.

On May 15th, Brett and I met with the Nurse Practitioner at St. Jude's Women's Health Center and  at first were told I was 8 weeks and due on Christmas Day!  Brett almost had a heart attack because Christmas is his favorite holiday and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want me to go in labor as he is opening his presents (he's a 12 year old at heart)! ;)  When we went to the ultrasound appointment, the date obviously changed.  They measured me at 6 weeks instead of 8 with a new date of January 8th, 2014. But, you never know when a baby will come...

The first ultrasound was such a neat experience for Brett and I.  It was hard to see what was what because the fetus was so tiny, but you could definitely tell there was a little baby forming.  My favorite part was seeing the heartbeat.  I honestly did not expect to see a heartbeat at 6 weeks, but there it was at 128 beats per minute and very healthy.  I could have stared at the screen forever, but after a good five minutes, they have to move on.  At least they let me keep have some pictures!

That afternoon and evening, Brett and I let our immediate family members know and every one of them was thrilled for us.  Of course I had to swear them to secrecy since I didn't want to be saying much in case something happened.  Now, that I am 12 weeks along, I feel I am more safe and am very happy to share the news with all!

The Day We Found Out!

I'll be honest, it's not easy getting pregnant.  Obviously, it varies from couple to couple, but it is not easy, my friends!  Back in April of 2012, Brett and I made the decision on our trip in  London that it may be time to expand our family.  Well, we didn't know it would take almost 12 months to reach our goal.  I won't tell you how many times I cried with pure frustration when my period would start or the pregnancy test would be negative.  I'll be honest, it was frustrating!

Well, on May 1st, two days before my birthday, I was sitting on the couch working from home when I decided to look up pregnancy, infertility, and everything else, when I stumbled across the pregnancy symptoms.  I knew my period was late, but with how my period was always all over the place pre and post birth control (due to dance), I wasn't the least surprised.  Then I came across the symptom of sore breasts (sorry for the TMI), which I had never realized could be a symptom.  I actually had been sore for 10 days which I thought was really weird.  So the thought of taking a pregnancy test entered my mind.  I did not want to take the test because I did not want to be disappointed yet again.  But, I told myself, "What do you have to lose, Ashleigh?! Just take the test!"

So I went and took the pregnancy test and was completely nervous about it this time.  Then, I saw the double pink line.  I can't describe to you how I felt at the moment with every emotion that went through me.  I was hoping for the best and it was finally coming true.  I began to cry with joy and I immediately thanked my Heavenly Father, because it finally had happened.  I was finally going to have a baby!

I text Brett this picture and wrote, "If this is true, then this is the best birthday present ever!"

Brett immediately called me and he was super excited!  I think at that moment, both of us were like "what have we done?"  Haha!  There was a lot of excitement, but it was also very scary at the same time.  Both Brett and I had so much gratitude in our hearts that day because we were seriously tested on our patience for a whole year on this.  It may not have been the right time when we wanted it, but it's here now and we are happy.  To me, finding this out became even more special to the both of us.