Friday, November 6, 2009

Normal

What does normal really mean, anyway? A few weekends ago I was with our church's youth group at our fall retreat and the theme was "Redefining Normal...." a theme that has certainly been ever-present in our lives over the last year and a half. Normally when you give birth you get to bring your baby home; we did not. Normally you're considered a mother by the fact you have children you are raising; I am not. Normally you get to rock your child to sleep, help them learn to walk, and clean up a skinned knee. I did not. "Normal" has taken on a whole new meaning for us, and I have come to the place where I am not too sure that there really even is such a thing as "normal." Still thinking through that, though.

But if there is such a thing as normal, then yesterday we got to experience it. A normal 20-week ultrasound where we were told that everything looks normal with our baby girl. And the funny thing is, it felt incredibly abnormal to be sitting in the exam room getting such good news. But, we are so incredibly thankful.

I didn't sleep to well the night before, but yesterday prior to the appointment I really did feel at peace. Driving there, though, I felt the nervousness creep in.

I have this weird habit of sort of seeing things in life in metaphors. So as I was driving to the perinatologist's office, I left work under a blue sky with puffy white clouds, and drove into a dark sky where the rain began to pour. Behind me, the sun was still shining. I started to wonder, "Is this indicative of how things are going today? Leaving the hopeful, sunny place only to drive into another storm?" And then, I found myself looking around for a rainbow... for some reminder of God's faithfulness. I would love to tell you I saw one, but I didn't. Nevertheless, even the thought to look for one reminded me that God is indeed faithful... that so far with our baby girl, things have looked great. And even though things didn't look so great with Isaac, God is still incredibly faithful. It is just so important, particularly when life feels so uncertain and it's like you're waiting for the other shoe to drop, to look back at God's past faithfulness and to know that He is indeed God... that nothing escapes His gaze, and the He truly will work all things for our good and His glory.

So yesterday, we had a normal, fun, regular 20 week ultrasound. We learned that baby girl is still a baby girl, and that she looks great. We are thankful for that, and for the many of you who are praying for her (and for us!).

And without further adieu, here are a few pictures of our little lady...


This next one cracked us all up!! "Ugh! No one knows how hard it is to be in here!"

And this last one was bittersweet for us, and truthfully I started crying on the exam table. Our baby girl showing us how she is like her sweet big brother...


Thumbs up!

42 comments:

Jen said...

Oh Stacy the pictures of your little girl are so sweet! Love the thumbs up! Praying for you in VA!

Jess said...

So wonderful! God is good! I pray you will find peace each day as you carry your baby girl while remembering sweet Isaac. Many congrats:)

Kelli said...

Rejoicing with you!! She is precious!

Julie said...

Your little girl is beautiful!!! Praying for you...

trennia said...

So very beautiful...How Great Is Our God..love that song!
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God

Jen said...

Oh the thumb!! There's your metaphor, Stace :)

We just found out our little one due o the 22nd of March is a little girl :)

Jen said...

How wonderful to hear that great "normal" report! Your post said so much to me...I remember after Logan went to Heaven, a good friend of mine (who had also lost her son) told me that my life would take on a "new normal" and that's what has happened. Things in our lives are based on "Before Logan was born..." and "After Logan was born..." Now, five years and two, healthy little sisters later, this Mama still misses her little guy more than ever! I know that as Isaac plays with our little ones in Heaven, he is watching over his precious little sister, as well! May God bless you always!

Amanda said...

How precious! The last picture made me cry! Keeping all of you in my prayers.

King J's Queen said...

The pics of baby girl are too sweet. That one photo looks like Rosie the Riveter. She's saying she can do this!

So thankful that things are going well for you.

Laura said...

she is a cutie...so happy for you...and she must have learned a little something from her big bro!

Cynthia said...

Congrats! I am so very happy to hear that baby sis is doing great. And happy to to hear that Carly and Finn are getting stronger. Praying for a continuing "normal" pregnancy.

Valerie said...

Such wonderful news! Continued prayers for you all!

Valerie

Emily said...

Rejoicing in your good news, but not forgetting her older brother that has inspired and touched so many.

Congratulations!

Kelli said...

She looks beautiful. Praise you and Praise God for the "normal" ultra sound. Continuing to pray for you.

Stephanie said...

She is just too sweet!!!
SO glad to hear that everything is "normal"
Embrace this new feeling!! It can be wonderful! :)

Erin said...

how cute, I am glad you where able to find out and know what you are having. Our little one is stubborn and won't show us anything!

Bluebird said...

I'm so thrilled to hear of your normalness :) Thinking of you all.

Carolyn82 said...

The last photo gave me chills!!

Tammy On the Go said...

thanks for the sneak peak!

Jessica said...

how amazing that you got an ultrasound shot of her doing a thumbs up! i'm so glad things went well and will continue to pray for a safe, healthy pregnancy and delivery for you and baby girl.

Laura McCann said...

She appears to resemble Isaac! The thumbs up was great to see!

I have a definition for "normal"...it is a setting on your dryer! : )

Summerstarr said...

Your posts are always so inspirational! I am so full of joy and hope for you and your family Stacy! Congrats on such a wonderful appt! You really do deserve this!

Nellie said...

Ohh, such beautiful pictures! Sending you lots of love, prayers and positive thoughts to you, your husband and your precious little girl growing inside of you.

The Writer Chic said...

Oh Stacy.....I don't know what to say about the thumbs up. I guess I'll leave it at "God works in mysterous ways." hugs.

Jus and Kat said...

"it felt incredibly abnormal to be sitting in the exam room getting such good news" . . . I felt that exact same way with Faith! Sweet thoughts for you and your little girl!

Kat

Misty Rice said...

That thumbs up was God and Isaac's way of saying HI... its all going to be okay.

Not only will this picture make you smile and cry....

It may become one of her favorite picture as she gets older too, to understand the person she also never got to meet.

Im thrilled all is going okay.

God Bless girl.

Shannon said...

Congratulations Stacy! God is so great!! I'm rejoicing in your wonderful news all the way from Washington State. :) The picture of the thumbs up is absolutely precious... just like her big brother. Love it!

May God continue to bless you and your family. Take care...

Ashly said...

What a fun day. I'm so thankful you experienced a fun 20 week ultrasound! I love the pictures and am continuing to pray for you on a daily basis.

Lauren said...

That last ultrasound picture is a tear-jerker, Stacy! Oh my!

It is crazy because I was thinking before I read your post that it would be cool if one of these ultrasounds you could get a picture of that. HA HA!

But clearly... that has already happened. Like brother, like sister.

I LOVE IT!

Cheryl said...

She is such a sweetie. Love the thumbs up, and can completely understand why it brought you to tears.

Still praying,
Cheryl

Cecilia said...

She's beautiful!! I'm glad everything was normal, hopefully that gave you more peace!

Erin said...

The thumbs up, there was the sign of God's faithfulness! Soooooo happy that everything went well!!!!!!

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Oh sweet Stacy...what a beautiful gift she is! My eyes are filled with tears as well as I look at these pictures...especially the thumbs up!

Bless you, dear friend...

Sarah E @ theteacherswife.com said...

Praise the Lord for normal! Love the thumbs up picture! What a sweet reminder of your precious Isaac!

Jess said...

Praise the Lord for your healthy baby girl! I'm so glad you had a great appointment. Such cute pictures too. Your faith in God is so encouraging to me as I am in the very early stages of pregnancy after my loss this last May.

Jen said...

I am so happy that everything went well. I remember going through all of the 'firsts' with the second pregnancy after losing Emily and Erika. I remember all of the 'sighs of relief' and getting to feel like everything was 'normal' was fun! My prayers are with you all as you continue this wonderful journey!

Mary said...

I'm SO happy for you Stacey! I'm excited to travel through the next 20 weeks with you. I know the feeling of losing a baby and the anxiousness of going through a "normal" pregnancy. God Bless.

CrissyandJosh said...

Couldn't help but get teary eyed reading the latest blog. As a stranger that has followed your story, you should know how inspiring you are. The strength, courage and grace you display is something that should be admired by all. I'm so excited to hear your recent news of the happy, and "normal" ultrasound appointment! Baby girl and her big brother are incredibly lucky to have you for a Momma!

Sonya said...

Beautiful pictures Stacy! Praise God for a great ultrasound and a beautiful baby girl!!!

Liz and Will Timmerman said...

I think Isaac whispered to his baby sister to giver her mama and daddy a sign that all is well, and will continue to be. Thumbs up! That ultrasound picture gave me chills, brought tears to my eyes, and made me smile all at the same time. Isaac and Baby Sister are so blessed to have you as their parents! Wrapping you in love and prayers!

The Timmermans

Holly said...

So happy to hear the US went good and everything is going well with little baby girl.

The Sandefurs said...

How truly amazing and I think, a sign from God regarding the thumbs up. As a L&D nurse for over 7yrs, I have seen my share of ultrasound pictures and heard the stories. Most of the time, babies are sucking their thumb. Never have I heard of a thumbs up, let alone with two babies in the same family! Be encouraged! I think that little sign from your daughter is a sign of God's faithfulness. Be blessed!