Rainbow Babies!

One of the things I value most about the journey we've been on since Ethan was born still is the people who have come into my life that I otherwise might not have met.  Tonya has been so kind to me since we lost Ethan, and it's so nice to be able to talk to someone who gets it, from grief to hope and everywhere in between. We were able to get together last week and meet our rainbow babies (rainbow baby explanation here)! Aren't these two cute together? 

They were patient with us as we snapped away, hanging onto their lovies!

"Thanks for sharing your toys Matthew!"

Sweeties. So much hope in such little bodies!

 

 

Thank you for hanging out Tonya and Matthew. We had so much fun!

I'm ready

Or at least I think I am :).

This is a big year for the Longs for a variety of reasons. Brian is working hard to keep up with Post doc work and get ready to apply for teaching positions. There are many late nights of proposal writing and searching for universities that are hiring. As ready as I am to know we will be living in a place for a longer period of time, it's also hard to believe we are finally at this point! The changes for us don't stop with jobs though.

Do you know what all these things have in common?

We had a pantry closet full of these things for several months. And I ate them exclusively :). Because our growing little one was making their mama sick. I have never been so thankful for morning/all day sickness in my life!

We found out at the end of April, right before we left to spend Ethan's birthday in Georgia. Knowing didn't diminish the sadness we felt missing Ethan but I do think it gave us hope. We debated over and over when we would tell others. We aren't naive to the things that can go wrong, but we also wanted to enjoy every moment we do have with this new little one. It has been an interesting juxtaposition of emotions and I don't always handle vulnerability and emotions together well. So, please forgive us for waiting until now to share in our news.

9 weeks

11 weeks

21 weeks

 

Our due date is January 4th, and we are currently 22 weeks. We have met with a MFM specialist, and have a plan for how things will be handled differently this time. Growth scans have started every 3-4 weeks and it has been nice to get the extra peeks. Our appointments will start to get closer together starting at 24 weeks and will continue until little one is born.

So now you know why things have been quiet around here lately. I've actually written a few posts and just kept them in draft since I don't want to forget this time in our lives. You may see them popping up periodically as I backtrack. We are happy for the gift of this little one, and ask you to join us in celebrating the gift of today.

Will you join us in praying that we get to bring this little one home?

Trust His Heart

I've had this song pop up in my mind several times lately, so I thought I would share. It's a older song by Babbie Mason called Trust His Heart. Does anyone else remember this song?

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don't see Him
Remember you're never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

He sees the master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don't live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry
He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart


When you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

We went to Cornell while my Mom was here to pick up Brian and see the waterfall on campus. I was excited when there was a rainbow too, if you look close you can see it.