Through the Course Of a Year
In September 2010, Nick and I were a part of a “Family Teams Training” small group. Basically, we met with three other families and discussed what it meant and looked like to have a truly biblical family. What did it look like in biblical times, and how do we implement that same idea of family now? The family facilitating it had been married for several years longer than the other three couples (including us), and had two children already. During the weeks we met, one of the couples gave birth to their first child. And also during those weeks, Nick and I seriously visited the idea of children of our own.
It didn’t take long in this community for me to fall in love with the idea of having our own children; raising them to be a blessing and contribution to the family. It is unfortunate that so many “Christian” American families function nothing like what they looked like in the Bible. I realize that culture adapts, and time-periods also change family dynamics. BUT…it is my opinion that the basic set-up of family should still at least resemble the style of the Bible–family members looking out for one another, all working to contribute to the common homestead; fathers raising a generation that loves the Lord; sons growing up and taking over the family business; mothers resembling the Proverbs 31 woman; daughters adoring their fathers and respecting their own bodies. I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea.
At any rate, it was through this whole process that Nick and I did decide that we were ready to start growing our family. Now, when we made that decision, we also knew that the average first-time conception takes a year, so we figured we had a couple months. NOPE!
Two weeks later…
Sukkot was taking place (more on that in another blog). On Monday, Oct 4th I felt off. It’s hard to describe, but I just felt out of it–like in a daze, yet I wasn’t actually tired. I knew it was possible that we could be pregnant, but so soon? So after work I grabbed a pack of tests, and unbeknownst to Nick, I took a test that afternoon. Nothing. I told him later that night, that I had felt strange, taken a test, but that it was negative. However, over the next days I still didn’t feel right, so I figured I’d take a test again that next Monday.
By Friday, Oct 8th, we knew something was up, though, so I took another test. POSITIVE! I walked back to our room with the stick in my hand, looking very much like a deer in the headlights. Nick and I didn’t say anything for at least five minutes. We just laid there silently in our bed until smiles crept across both our faces. Then the giddy reactions. “We’re going to have a baby!!!”
We wanted to wait to tell people, but we lost that battle the very next day, and told our families and close friends. The following 9 months were hard to express in words. My hormones and emotions were all over the board, along with my weight gain :0) So, I will allow you to follow along via photo.
6 1/2 weeks along, and trying my hardest to stick my “belly” out.
On my birthday (Nov 17th) at 9 weeks 3 days, we got our first glimpse of who we would call Peanut all through the pregnancy. He was looking very teddy-graham-esque at that point.
11 weeks along, and I was still pushing my stomach out with all my might.
At 13 weeks we were able to see Peanut again. This time you could actually tell he was human–so amazing.
And we posed for the classic Christmas photo.
By 15 weeks I felt like it was already clear to the world that I was pregnant, but looking now, that seems ridiculous.
And by 18 weeks, it wasn’t much different.
At 20 weeks, we got our final ultrasound, and found out we were having a BOY! It is so amazing how quickly they develop in utero.
By 23 weeks, my belly was finally in full bloom.
At 28 weeks we hit the third trimester and started the home-stretch.
By 32 weeks, I was pretty sure I was going to burst at any point…but we kept growing.
At 37 weeks, we took painted belly photos, thinking that I could pop at any point.
But a week later, I was still heavily pregnant.
Finally…at 40 weeks and 4 days, Peanut arrived!!! Welcome Elam Atticus Derington. Born June 23rd, 2011 at 2:39pm, weighing 8 lbs 13 oz and measuring 21″ long.
Praise the Lord for a healthy pregnancy and birth. We are so grateful for our little boy.
What an amazing year it has been. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us next.
~Traci
traci, nick… and big man Elam… what a beautiful adventure, thank you for sharing via blog… especially being so far away its great to be a part in some way. i love you all, your in my thoughts and prayers!!!! cant wait to see you, hopefully in the late full early winter – XOX