1st Appointment Update

I intended to have this up earlier today - but things just didn't really go my way about that!  So, apologies for those of you anxious for an update.

As I mentioned, we spent yesterday driving to the St. Louis area to our first appointment with our fertility specialist.  Yes, I was very excited to meet with the doctor - but even more excited because it meant that Julie, Dan, Kevin & I would have a bit of time together - in person!  :)

The drive from home wasn't too bad actually - only about 4 1/2 hours and pretty easy!  My husband joked that even I could do it myself - which is saying a lot really because I am irrationally terrified slightly nervous about traveling long distances on the interstate by myself.

We got to St. Louis about an hour early, so we stopped at the Arch and looked around to pass the time because let's face it, who wants to sit in a doctor's office any longer than necessary?!

After passing the time by the river, we got in the car to head to the doctor's office.  I immediately began getting butterflies.  I hadn't been nervous all day, but all of a sudden I was terrified.  What if Julie didn't like us?  What if the doctor changed his mind?  What if it didn't feel right?  *looking back on it today, I have no idea what I was so scared about - but in that moment, the weight of this ONE appointment was not lost on me.  

When we pulled in the parking lot, I spotted Julie immediately.  We hugged and I had a small emotional breakdown on her.  It felt so amazing to finally have this angel in my arms - this woman whom I barely know yet feel like I've known my entire life.  Again, the weight of the moment was just more than I was prepared for I think. 

As we walked in, things got a little shaky - they didn't have our paperwork, the doctor was at the hospital and running late, the office was small, smelly and had zero air movement - it was just not a storybook few hours of our lives - but it was a necessary step to our desired outcome.  :)  The doctor finally arrived and saw Kevin & I first, and then Julie.  We went thru his requirements and our questions and everything is going to move forward at this point.  Julie has a few physical tests she will have to endure in the next few weeks and if she passes all of those, we will be moving forward with this clinic!  

I know it seems a bit anti-climactic...but that's really all I know at this point.  We are *hoping* to have a pregnancy or baby within the next year.  That's kind of where we're going to leave the specifics because that's really all we know.  {{One year.}}  It's just unbelievable to be honest.  

After the appointment came my most favorite part of the entire day.  Dinner with Julie, Dan and their beautiful children!  We were finally able to all be in the same room at the same time!  It felt like we had known each other for years, guys.  I'm not kidding.  Conversation flowed freely.  Laughs were abundant.  Tears flowed.  It was blissful.  

Two adorable things that happened during dinner {there were so many - I'm just picking these two for this post because you all have got to be just about bored reading by this point}: 

1. Shane (their oldest son who is going into 3rd Grade) says to us when asked how he feels about his mom carrying a baby for us in her tummy, "I would do anything to help you guys have a family." 

2. Gianna (one of their 17 month old twins) who is extremely shy and sensitive let me hold her after dinner.  Not just hold her - she played with me, she snuggled with me, she stole my heart.   

**heart melted**

She let Kevin hold her too.  But she told me she definitely liked me better.  Not even a competition.

Actually, I wasn't really interested in going home.  Ever.  And Gianna told me she didn't want me to go home either.  I informed Kevin that Gianna whispered to me that she wanted to have a sleep over - but he wasn't buying it.  At all.  

We didn't want to leave, but knowing they will be here next week made "good bye" a bit easier.  Their family has a piece of my heart, for sure.  Things were meant to be.  And again, confirmation that God's plan is far more perfect than anything I could've done myself.

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.” 
                                                                                                                           ― Howard W. Hunter

So, friends - that's that.  Our families work together.  Everything feels natural.  All is right in my world today.

Thanks for your continued prayers, emails, texts and calls.  We couldn't do this without you.