We're having a BABY!!

The BIG news... 

Baby Rosman is due to make his or her debut March 4, 2012!!

We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to become parents, and we are so excited for the adventure! This pregnancy has been a rollercoaster of an experience for us, but we are hopeful and putting all our trust in God. Here is a quick rundown for those who have been asking:

I found out I was pregnant at about 4 1/2 weeks (yep... Mexico baby!!!), and Adam and I could not be more thrilled! I had a 7 week ultrasound to confirm dates, and the little guy/girl was just perfect! What an awesome experience seeing that little peanut for the first time!

My family found out while we were visiting relatives in Dubuque, IA. It was pretty obvious when I wasn't partaking in the wine and festivities on the 4th of July. I also started not feeling well around that time, and my pale/green color and poor appetite gave it away. We called Adam's parents and brother and shared our exciting news with them because we couldn't wait to tell them in person!

Here's where things gets a little rocky...

At 9 weeks 4 days, I started bleeding quite a bit. I was expecting the absolute worst. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced. I called Adam, and he came home from work immediately. We went to the hospital for an ultrasound to, in my mind, confirm my biggest fear. When the ultrasound tech said "There's the baby, and I see the heart beating!" I started crying and sent God a quick prayer of thanks. After hearing the baby's heart beating for the first time, Adam and I left feeling relieved and even more excited. My Doctor called later and told us she thought the bleeding was caused by a subchorionic hematoma, a type of blood clot found between the pregnancy membranes and the wall of the uterus. This occurs in just over 1% of pregnancies, and it appears that the bleeding occurs when small parts of the pregnancy membranes separate from the uterus, causing a subchorionic hemorrhage. Most resolve on there own and do not effect the baby at all, but the bleeding may continue well into pregnancy.

I spotted for the next week and a half. I didn't like it, but I was resting assured little baby Rosman was safe and sound. The following Sunday (11 weeks), I had a large bleed once again. I watched it closely through the night, but when it didn't slow, Adam and I went in to the office in the morning for an ultrasound. Once again, Adam and I sat nervously waiting to see and hear the baby's heart beating. What a relief when the ultrasound tech assured us everything looked good. We met with our Doctor after the ultrasound where we found out the area of the bleed (hematoma) was about 29x29mm. She told us it was quite large, but that it would hopefully get smaller and disappear over the next few weeks. Then she told us there is a chance it would continue to get bigger, possibly resulting in the end of pregnancy. I was a mess. I cried a lot that day. Adam was so amazing and supportive, I don't know what I would do without him! God sure knew what He was doing when when He put Adam in my life :) My doctor said there is no real cause for the bleed, and there really wasn't anything I could do at this point. As a nurse, that was hard to hear. There was nothing I could do to help my little baby.

Work was difficult for me the next few days. I spend my days helping other moms and babies, making sure they are safe and have the best birth experiences possible. I found myself wondering how I could help them and their babies when I couldn't even help my own? It didn't help that I was constantly nauseated and felt like running to the bathroom every 20 minutes. However, I was grateful for the pregnancy symptoms, after all, it meant I was still pregnant and I would put up with it forever if I knew my baby would be safe. Thankfully God was right there with me, and we got through that week together. Adam was also a huge help! We would stay up all night praying and talking about our excitement, worries and concerns, a future with little baby Rosman, and what our life will be like. Our excitement grew and grew. I continued to spot for the next week, but I became increasingly hopeful when the spotting completely stopped for a day and a half.

The following Sunday, exactly one week later (12 weeks gestation), I bled again. This time it was different. It was heavier and didn't slow. Adam was playing softball across town, and by the grace of God he was able to answer his phone when I called. I also called my L&D Coordinator at work. Worried I would pass out, she kept me on the phone until Adam got home. A quick side-note, did I ever mention I have the absolute best co-workers ever? Because I do! Adam rushed me to the ER where I underwent tests and such, got IV fluids, and finally an ultrasound. Once again, Adam and I were relieved to see and hear our baby's heart beating. We both breathed a giant sigh of relief. We were told the spot of bleeding had increased from 29mm to 38mm. Once again, the worry, the tears, the uncertainty returned. After the bleeding had slowed considerably, we were discharged home to rest and return to the clinic in two days. Adam and I kept reminding ourselves it's all in God's hands. It's all a part of His plan, and it will all go according to His will. We definitely find much comfort and peace in knowing He is in control.

Our ultrasound on Tuesday (12 weeks 2 days) showed the bleed had increased again. It grew from 38mm to 45mm. 45mm! What discouraging news. However, the baby looked perfect and was continuing to grow and develop normally according to gestational dates, and that's the most important thing! We met with the Doctor. Once again, we were told it's a waiting game. She said hopefully the bleed will start to decrease in size and eventually disappear, which she has seen happen with bleeds as big and even a little bigger than mine. We were also told the bleed could continue to grow, eventually disrupting the placental blood flow, ending in a loss of pregnancy. The good news, loss of pregnancy is not common with this type of bleed, however this is a significant bleed. The prayers continued, and we placed all our trust in God. At 12 1/2 weeks, I was put on bedrest until things looked a little better.

That was the longest week of my life. I watched movies, chatted with friends on the phone and on facebook, slept, tackled some scrapbook pages I had neglected, sorted truck slips for my dad, and prayed a lot. Sitting and waiting is not something I'm good at, but with the support of my amazing husband, family, friends, and co-workers, we got through it!

I had an ultrasound the following Monday at 13 weeks 1 day. Great news! The bleed had not grown, and it showed signs it was starting to resolve. The baby looked great, measuring right on for dates (about 3 inches)! They even told us what they thought the sex of the baby is! :) We'll wait until we know for sure to share, however! After meeting with our doctor, I was much more at ease. She explained to us that the chance for miscarriage had decreased significantly, and she is pleased with how things are going.

Wrapping up an exciting and eventful first trimester, Adam and I decided to share our big news with everyone- isn't Facebook so convenient? I know there is still a chance things could take a turn for the worse, just like with any pregnancy, but we have faith in God's plan and His will for our lives. We know that we will be provided for and taken care of, whatever the future holds for us.

Adam and I owe a HUGE thanks to all who have supported and continue to support us through this rollercoaster experience. I cannot thank my family, friends, teammates and co-workers enough for all the prayers, cards, food, visits, messages, and thoughts. Adam and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful group of people in our lives, what blessings! We have felt God working in us and through us, and we thank Him for all the peace, comfort, and healing He has provided us with. We know it is all in God's hands, and it will all work out according to His will.