New Record

I think I have a new personal record of having to pee five times last night. Maybe it's just practice for not sleeping through the night; which I haven't done for the last two weeks because of violent hiccups, back cramps and having to pee. That reminds me. Who decided that the cup you have to pee in at the doctor should be the size of a tic tac? That is super impractical and stressful.

Overall, I feel fabulous during the day and have even been hiking. Carlos has taken to calling me "hot mama". I just laugh. It's kind of cute. Yesterday was the first time I felt like I was literally going to starve. Sundays are long days for us and after being at church from 8:45-2:30-home for an hour and then back to church until 7:45, that hour we were home couldn't come soon enough. I've decided I now need to bring some snacks to church so I don't become a raging mad woman. I have also decided I need to sit closer to the door because I'm no longer able to sit though a whole service without having to pee.

I have become a little more sensitive to smells, but overall nothing makes me terribly sick unless it's a situation like that Bath and Body Works lotion that is slathered on like body wash. Who puts that much lotion on in public? I am loving anything that smells like coconut or vanilla, though...I find it soothing.

Tuesday I have my first appointment with my midwife at the birthing center. I am SO excited! I can't wait to pick her brain and learn as much as possible. It will be less than a month before we will be able to hear the heartbeat, and I can't wait! I am also eagerly anticipating knowing what the sex of the baby is. I think Nana Teresa and auntie Elise are just as anxious. For everyone asking what I would prefer...I am just thrilled with whatever God gives us and can't wait to give the baby a name! We have decided that regardless of the sex of the baby the nursery will be sage green and cream with brown accents. I love neutrals and natural looking things.

As always, please keep all three of us in your prayers! We appreciate them!

Love,

Lyd and baby P.

Now to leave you with an idea I had for nursery. I love the colors and textures of the fabric.

Positive

The word I've heard once before, but this time was different.

Last Thursday began just like any other. I got up and got ready to drop Carlos off at work on my way to Bible study. After dropping Carlos off I went to Bible study, and on the way I prayed. This is where I will back track for a minute-or more. For the last month I had had a feeling I was pregnant. This isn't the first time I've had that feeling. Last July I started to have that feeling, too. I went to my doctor and before they finished testing me they told me I was pregnant for SURE! What a thrill! After sitting alone in an examination room for an hour(waiting on some blood test results) trying to let the fact that I was fur SURE pregnant sink in, my excitement came crashing down. "We're very sorry...we've made a mistake...you are having a chemical pregnancy". "What?" I was devastated. How could they tell me and leave me to think for an hour that I was for SURE pregnant only to take back that statement. Little did I know that my body would send me on a roller coaster of emotions, sickness, dramatic weight gain and painful hormone injections that would trick my body back into thinking it wasn't pregnant anymore. Amidst all the chemical pregnancy issues I was working 70hrs a week, preparing to possible relocate and trying to tell myself God knew exactly where I was at and was still in control.

After an episode of ovarian cysts rupturing earlier that summer and being told I would "probably" still be able to conceive, I couldn't help but wonder. What did my future hold? Would I ever be a mother? Would I adopt? I am a planner...and I had to let God take control of my mind and emotions and trust that his plans were bigger and better than mine, and it would all work out.

So, over the next several months I felt like a sick whale. I gained almost 35lbs due to my body thinking it was 6 months pregnant and the hormones I had to take. I was huge, depressed and exhausted.

Come December, I was still huge, exhausted and sick, but in a new home in Arizona and the sunshine and wonderful people were a huge blessing. For the first time in months I was laughing and happy. I fully surrendered all my fears of not being able to conceive and being fat for the rest of my life(which is ridiculous-but I'm still working on it).

I was sick and really tired over Christmas, but the first few weeks of January I felt great! We went on our anniversary cruise and had a blast. Little did I know that over Christmas I had been given a precious little gift of my own : ) For the last several weeks my suspicions have grown and not wanting to be devastated again, I kept talking myself out of the possibility. Carlos and I had decided that we would try to start a family sometime this year, but I was not off of my non-hormonal birth control at this point. I kept telling myself to let it go, but deep down I couldn't. I just felt different...really different.

That brings us back to Thursday! I told you I was going to backtrack : ) On my way to Bible study I prayed and asked God to speak to me and either help me to let this go or to confirm that I needed to get tested. I walked into Bible study and BAM! A lady that started the group came up to me and said, "You're pregnant!" I laughed and said, "ok, God...I'll go get tested!" During second hour class a lady beside me opened a Bath and Body Works lotion and applied it LIBERALLY. I almost passed out. I've never felt that sick after smelling something. I chuckled to myself and tried to wait patiently for class to end so I could go get tested. As soon as it was over I was gone, and within 10 mins was at the Dr's office. This test felt different than the first. I knew before the nurse came in what she was going to say. "So, Mrs. Pinero. What are you hoping it says?" "I want it to be positive!" "Well, you are on your way to starting a beautiful family!" *SHOCK* *SILENT SCREAM* "That's wonderful!(said with teary eyes).

Now to tell Carlos! I drove to church, where he is working and told him to come outside. I think he thought I brought him lunch-haha. I handed him the above slip of paper and we rejoiced together and quickly told our family and friends. I was still in awe and even today I don't think it has really sunk in. Looking at pictures of our baby at this stage(see bottom of page) is surreal. It's so simple and complicated, beautiful and thrilling. We can't wait to meet this baby! It is a blessing that I will never stop thanking God for!

I hope you will join us in praying for our little one's healthy development and delivery. We appreciate all the prayers and support. Our friends are amazing and we love you all!