Happy birthday!

Pregnant and 40...WHAT?

I turned 40 today. I am not at all embarrassed or ashamed to admit that. I have earned every wrinkle, gray hair, and freckle/sunspot on my face. I am blessed and very happy. With this momentous birthday, I thought back to my younger years (tweens/teens), when I would think, "What do I want to be doing when I am 40?" Happily married - check; children - check; great job - check; awesome friends (spread all over the country now) - check; but 27 weeks pregnant - NO WAY! To quote my motto, "People plan, God laughs!"

The funny thing about this pregnancy is all of the fun terms that go along with it. I feel like a Geritol commercial. How do you like "Geriatric Pregnancy" or "High Risk Pregnancy"? The former always gets me. I am not that old - am I? Geriatric - seriously?!? I understand the latter - there are some complications that come along with this baby, they could happen to any woman, of any age. I just won the lottery of a double label. Yay me!

Please keep in mind that being 40 and pregnant isn't really so bad. I can fight the urge to register for everything at Buy Buy Baby and Target; actually, I don't plan on registering at all. I know the dangers of eating "everything I want, I am going to enjoy this, blah blah blah." I am thrilled with my belly, but dress more conservatively than my younger counterparts (no skin tight shirts/pants/shorts). There are no "belly shots" of me floating around in cyber space. Our birth plan is simple - drugs please. Swollen ankles, they will go down. Weight gain, it will eventually come off, eventually. I also know that this baby girl is a huge blessing from God and I/we cannot wait to meet her!

Some of you know our history - we had Sloane, had two miscarriages, then decided to wait and see what would happen.  After two and a half years of waiting, our hearts were opened to the idea of local adoption. We spent the greater part of last summer taking classes to be certified/licensed parents (not an easy feat). We gave away the bulk of our baby stuff (clothes, toys, supplies, etc.) and prepared to welcome an older child or sibling group into our home.  The day after our practice home study visit (kind of like a practice interview before a big interview) I found out I was pregnant. I thought I was just stressed (you know, new job, new house, possible new kids). God was having a great big belly laugh.

Before we moved to DFW, I did some research on high risk OB/GYN offices and found one I really liked, they also take my insurance - woo hoo. I kept their number in my phone, just in case. I called, made an appointment (got in right away), and discovered that their office was just down the street from my new school (Thank You, Jesus!). My doc was well versed with my condition and made sure I had the meds I needed right away (Thank You, Jesus!). (After we lost our third baby, I was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome - APS. This causes tiny blood clots to form making it difficult for the placenta to attach and for blood to get to the baby. I take blood thinner shots daily, and am on aspirin and Vitamin E therapy as well). My teaching schedule is set up so I can leave at the end of the day and make my appointments without having to take time off work (Thank You,  Jesus!). Then four of my colleagues discovered they were pregnant too! Don't drink the water at my school ladies!!

So, how am I going to celebrate this milestone birthday? Well, I woke up at 1 am with leg cramps. Point-flex-point-flex, for 20 minutes. Then the other leg started...got my workout in early. This afternoon I was able to finally get my compression hose to help with my varicose veins (ick, I know). (Did you know that there were "in-network" and"out-of-network" medical supply stores? Let's just say I discovered that the hard way. Nothing says fun and excitement like turning your pregnant self into a contortionist while being measured for expensive leg wear!) Sloane stayed home from school, so we played, read, and ran errands while she questioned my about why I am not having a birthday cake (we are having a family celebration this weekend, but four year olds don't always get that).

Sure, I have seen the mugs and t-shirts that read, "I would rather be 40 than pregnant!" But I am honestly thrilled to be right where I am. Life is full of twists and turns. This may not have been on my master plan - but it was on God's. He knows what He is doing. This pregnancy has brought me so much closer to God and has enriched my relationship with Him in so many wonderful ways. I praise Him, cling to Him, and talk with Him all day long.

I wish you all a wonderful day! May you have sunny skies, no snow, and warm breezes! I am going to go put my feet up and have a big glass of water - while pretending it is a big glass of something else!