Happy New Year!!

Okay, I know you probalby think I've lost my mind...but I can't quit thinking about New Years Day today. The start of a new year means many different things to people--fresh starts, diets begin, new habits are formed, commitments are made--but for Joshua and I, New Years 2009 is going to be a day that changes our lives forever! We are SO EXCITED to FINALLY announce that on January 1 (at least somewhere around there), we are having a baby!!!! We are so thrilled & thankful to the Lord for giving us this sweet little blessing!

Here's how we got the news!! I went to the doctor towards the end of April for my yearly check-up and left with them telling me that I might be in the early stages of pregnancy--um...I didn't know whether to cry tears of happiness or laugh. :) They did a pregnancy test in the office and one of the lines was somewhat faint, so they decided to do some blood work as well and then told me that they would call me the next day to tell us the results. Talk about a LONG 24 hours!! Joshua and I were so excited, but at the same time, we didn't want to get too excited, just in case my blood work came back negative. So, being the patient people that we are, :) Joshua brought home a pregnancy test that night just for fun and this is what we saw. :)

Two red lines = POSITIVE!!!

My doctor called me the next day and told me that in fact, I was pregnant (yay!!!!), but he also mentioned that he wanted to keep an eye on me because some of my levels were a little low. Thankfully, they got me one some meds right away, and since then, my levels have been great.

On May 8th, the day our neice was born, Joshua & I had our 1st doctor's appt, and we were able to hear the sweetest sound I have ever heard....a little heart beat. It took everything in me not to sobb & Joshua could have shot through the roof with excitment. It's so funny how girls and guys react so differently...we were both so happy, but just showed it in completely different ways. :) I've always heard how special it is when you see YOUR baby for the first time and are able to hear the heart beat...but NOTHING could have prepared me or Joshua for what our hearts felt during that moment. It was so amazing!! After we left, we prayed & thanked the Lord for what we expereienced there in the doctor's office...something we will NEVER EVER forget.

So, its official...we're having a baby and we want the world to know how excited and grateful we are! Our prayer is that we will be the godly parents we need to be in order to raise this child in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. That is the most important thing to us!! Please keep us in your prayers that our pregnancy will be smooth and that our baby will be healthy! Here are some pictures from our 1o week check-up yesterday....enjoy! And thank you for celebrating with us!!

Baby Martin @ 10 weeks!

He was moving around like crazy in there.

You can really see it's arms & legs in this one!