As much as I would like to think otherwise, there are more important things in life than….food. There I said it. One of those things has happened to us: We Are Pregnant!
This is one of those times when I must open up and use my blog as a way to give you a peek into my life. I’d like to share with you a brief overview of our journey getting here. If you’d like to read it, keep reading. If not here are the details: we are due May 3, 2013 & you can view the 22 week ultrasound here. Now you can simply scroll to the bottom of this post and leave me a very positive, congratulatory and heart-felt comment before you leave!
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Mols {wifey} and I have been married for 5 1/2 years. All of these years (including the half year) has been full of laughter, tears, yelling, encouragement and so many unforgettable memories. Our path to this, our third pregnancy, has included lots of tears as we have lost two babies in as many years.
When we first decided to start trying in May of 2011, we got good news immediately. We were high on the thought that in eight short months we’d have a baby. We went in for our eight week appointment and found out that our baby stopped growing at about six weeks. We went from being so high and loving life to despair and utter sadness. At that time, we happened to be reading the book Heaven Is For Real. That book describes a young boy who experienced heaven only to come back to life and share it with his family. This book actually gave us comfort in this unprecedented time in our lives.
January of the next year (2012), Molly surprised me upon my return from Haiti with news of our second pregnancy. We were both cautious for the next few weeks leading into the first appointment. After seeing the heartbeat on the ultrasound, we allowed ourselves a little more hope, yet we limited our excitement for the 12 week appointment; which left us again in tears as no heartbeat could be found. This one hit us harder as found ourselves back at square one….again.
Hope seemed a long way off as we continued to struggle through this together. Even once we found out we were pregnant for the third time in August of 2012, we really didn’t have much excitement. We were happy, but immediately expected the worst. At eight weeks we saw the heartbeat and felt like we’d passed the first of many hurdles. At ten weeks we again got to see a little heart beating and even saw a few flinches as we watched on the monitor. Yet we still remembered our loss at eleven weeks earlier that year. When we again heard a strong heartbeat at twelve weeks, we began to allow ourselves to share our news with a few close friends and family. We began feeling hopeful and began talking about the next stage of life – becoming parents! For some reason though, we still felt reserved until we cleared one more appointment…which we did today.
And here we are, at 22 weeks today with a great outlook and hope for a successful pregnancy.
Although we sit here with great news to share, we have so many friends who are still in the stage of despair as they deal with miscarriages, fertility issues and more as they try to get pregnant. For those of you who are in that stage – our prayers are with you as we know so many of you have been praying for us. For that we thank you and have hope for you.
Thanks for reading and I’ll get back in the kitchen soon for more of the food you’re used to seeing here; although I’ll be trading in some of my cookbook reading for these page turners over the next few months:
OK, I’ve got to get a recipe in here! Here is a great and healthy pregnancy recipe packed with spinach, which is a pregnancy super-food:
- 1 pound multigrain spaghetti
- 2 cloves mined garlic
- ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
- 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound fresh spinach (thoroughly washed)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- Parmesan cheese to taste
- Cook pasta to package instructions.
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes.
- With 1 minute left, add spinach to pasta and water and allow to cook for 1 minute
- (no more). Drain pasta and spinach.
- Toss pasta/spinach in oil/garlic mixture until coated.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts.
- Plate and garnish with Parmesan cheese.
How do you feel about the NRA?
My most favorite post, by far!
I think it’s mine too!
Love this post!
Congratulations!!! Couldn’t be happier for you both
Love that you and Molly will be parents soon! You will be great. Prayers continue for the weeks ahead.
Thanks Janet!
Wonderful news, Patrick & Molly! We understand the pain of losing babies. We also lost our first (nearly 15 years ago) at almost 17 weeks of pregnancy. Still hurts today when we think about it and remember that sad, sad day. We lost a 2nd baby in between our two older daughters. We pray that you are able to continue enjoying this pregnancy and that in the end, you will hold a healthy, beautiful baby in your arms. : ) Blessings on both of you. – Jill & Bruce
Oh Pat and Molly, we are THRILLED for your news!! We will be on our knees for you and your little miracle. Rejoicing with you in spirit today
Oh my goodness! I’m so excited for you and your wife. I don’t have any answers as to why you have had to walk this road (trust me, I know a lot about these roads of faith, and I often stumble), but I do know that you have exciting times ahead of you. Raising Stephie has been THE most rewarding job I have ever, ever had. We scraped and scrimped (still do) so that I could be a full-time mom (although full-time dads are awesome, too). I’m so glad (and blessed) that we decided to do without some things, as the 18 years she lived under our roof were the best I have had. The moment that doctor hands you that precious gift from God, your heart will be fuller than you have ever known. I know that while I was pregnant with Stephie, my younger brother and sister-in-law were suffering a miscarriage. What I also know, is because of that miscarriage, she was then able to get pregnant with my beautiful, talented niece, and our lives would not be as full without her in our lives. So, God can make beautiful things out of tragedy.
Once again, congratulations to both of you. I can’t wait to see pictures of your little one (true story–I can’t see squat in the ultrasounds. It just looks like blobs to me. I’m sorry). Take care of your beautiful wife and enjoy the whole experience!!
Thanks Julie! We’ve had lots of support from others who’ve been through this and it meant/means a lot.
Molly and Pat, we are OVERLY thrilled and excited to journey through pregnancy along-side of you! Looking forward to our babies being best camping buds:). Continued prayers for two healthy pregnancies! Bring on the delicious AND healthy recipes! We love you guys! -Matt and Eve
For sure! Should be a good time this year with two infants.
P.S. Please have this baby on May 2nd, because that’s our anniversary and a great date. Thanks for your cooperation. lol
Wow. What a strong couple you two must be! Congrats on the great news! VERY EXCITING!! Love your blog posts! Hopefully this will be my husband and I in the next couple years!
We too experienced a miscarriage at 6 weeks before Cyrus. Such a tough thing. Rejoicing with you in your very happy news. Hope Molly is doing well!
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! We are sooooo excited for you guys. Congratulations and we are praying that the pregnancy is safe and healthy.
I agree with Erin- Best.Post.Ever! I am so excited for you guys. I know you have walked a long and hard road to get to this point. I am so glad God has blessed you with this most precious of blessings. We will be praying for you guys throughout the rest of the pregnancy, and as you start your adventures in parenthood!
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wahooooo!!! Congrats. Great stack of books. I know Sarah was particularly impacted by the one thousand gifts book. Love you guys!
Thanks all for your kind words and congratulations. Means a lot to me and Mols.
Vespemans! This makes me smile. I suggest either Jenny or Lindsay for a name, boy or girl. Or both.
Congrats!
As a foodie, be sure you add BABY LED WEANING (it’s about self-feeding after bottle/breast – no purees!) to your stack of books! Insightful to how we were made for food even as a baby and is a MUCH smoother and fun process of eating than doing baby purees!
Thanks for the tip Shannon! I’ll be sure to check it out.