SOL Day 21: one minute

My very first blog ever was about what can happen in the span of one minute. That one minute changed my life in ways I could never even imagine at the time. I broke in that minute and remained broken for many minutes that followed.

One year ago today, a different minute changed my life. It it surprised and healed me. I wrote about it at the time although very few people knew what I was talking about. It was the minute we discovered that my pregnancy with George was viable.

I’ve gone back-and-forth about putting all this out there. It’s interesting how women internalize their struggles with fertility. There’s a shame to it that is ridiculous when you think about it. I kept it all to myself for a very long time. But looking down at the baby now in my arms, I want to shout from the rooftops that it can happen…for anyone.

Between McKenna and George, we desperately tried to get pregnant again. After our second loss, we started seeing a fertility specialist. After our third loss, he confirmed what my heart already knew: another baby would not be happening for us. Given all the test results he had in front of him, McKenna never should have been born. Between my poor egg quality and my age, a healthy pregnancy was the slimmest of possibilities. He encouraged us to dote on the child we had because she was probably our only miracle. I truly believe she was a gift from my Mom. He told us that we needed to be very prepared for the real possibility that another miracle may not be in the cards. The numbers he tossed out to us were heartbreaking.

Then a month later I found myself crying in a Mariano’s parking lot thinking about my grandma’s pancakes. I just knew I was pregnant but was certain it would end in tears as the last three had. It was the very first craving George threw my way.

We were scheduled for an early ultrasound a couple of weeks later. That one minute at 8:22am confirming a viable heartbeat changed our family forever. It was the first of many minutes of tears and smiles.

And tears and anger.

And tears and laughter.

And tears and more tears.

You get it. I was a hormonal 40 year old pregnant woman: tears were the norm.

The next 35 weeks were a whirlwind of emotions until George arrived. He was everything we hoped for and more. He is the happiest, most mellow, chatty baby in the world. We couldn’t love him more if we tried.

He’s our second miracle. Lightning can strike twice.

I am writing for the Two Writing Teachers March Writing Challenge

19 Comments

  3. Your children are gorgeous. Fertility can be such a struggle. My sister had the hardest time getting pregnant, needing to do IVF a couple of times. My nephew is an amazing, handsome 9 year old now, but only one baby was in the cards for her. I have a few friends who struggled for years but now have their own babies! I had fertility assistance to have my son and then out of nowhere, got pregnant the old fashioned way with my daughter. Every baby is a miracle. Thanks for sharing your story and hope with so many who need it.

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  6. Lovely story, wonderful photo. Thanks for your uplifting slice today. My son and his significant other are going through this ordeal…but in their case it would be their first child. My heart aches for them. They are going to begin this process in May. We, too, are hoping for a miracle…they would be such great parents!

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  8. I had no idea! Your lil miracles are so blessed that they have you as their Momma! I am so happy for you as I know many Momma’s who will only have their angel babies and it is heartbreaking! Live to your family!

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