We've been holding our secret since February 1. After returning to New Orleans from the birth of my beautiful niece, Braylin, I decided, with a little hope in my heart, to take a pregnancy test. As Ray sat in the next room watching the super bowl, I secretly sat in shock (and total excitement) in the next room. 3 positives!! After only a few months of believing that there was little or no chance I would conceive, I was preggers!! So, I ran to the store and bought a pack of Pampers Swaddlers. I cleared out Ray's t-shirt drawers, filled it with diapers, the positive tests, and a little sign reading 'move over Daddy, in 9 months I'm moving in.' Needless to say, Ray was a pretty surprised when he went to put the laundry away. The following week, Ray went to my first appointment with my OB. She confirmed the pregnancy (yay!!), ran tons of labwork (A+ blood type), and performed an ultrasound (to try and give us a due date). Unfortunately, it was too early and nothing was visible except a perfectly round yolk sac.
So, this past Thursday, Ray and I went back to the doctor. She performed another ultrasound. This one was far more eventful. How can anyone look at an ultrasound and not believe in God. What a little miracle. 8 weeks pregnant, a fetal age of roughly 6 weeks, and already a heartbeat. Nobody could have prepared me for the feelings I would get at that moment. Seeing baby's little fluttering heart, beating at a strong 177, sent chills up my spine and butterflies in my belly. How amazing. I'm carrying a baby. Ray and I are having a baby!!! Our little 'planned surprise.'
Jay and I are so excited for you! And Braylin is thrilled about having a cousin so close in age!
ReplyDeleteRay & Jennifer: you both will be an amazing mommy and daddy! I am SO thrilled for you. We definately have to have a reunion now! Congrats!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda Barker McCoy
What great news!!!!WOOOOOHOOOO!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sooo happy for you both!!
I know how much this meant to you and Ray....
Felicidadez!!!!
Gus
David & I are SO excited for yall!! Congrats!! Our fingers are crossed for a redhead!!! (something tells me, there's a good chance!!)
ReplyDeleteNatalie Stewart
Yay!! I'm so excited for you two! I can't wait to see your little family!
ReplyDeleteLindsay
Congrats!!! You guys are going to be GREAT parents!
ReplyDeletePARENT - Job Description
>
> POSITION :
> Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
> Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
>
> JOB DESCRIPTION :
>
> Long term, team players needed, for challenging,
> permanent work in an
> often chaotic environment.
> Candidates must possess excellent communication
> and organizational skills and be willing to work
> variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends
> and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
> Some overnight travel required, including trips to
> primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless
> sports tournaments
> in far away cities!
> Travel expenses not reimbursed.
> Extensive courier duties also required.
>
> RESPONSIBILITIES :
>
> The rest of your life.
> Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,
> until someone needs $5.
> Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
> Also, must possess the physical stamina of a
> pack mule
> and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat
>
> in case, this time, the screams from
> the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
> Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
> such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets
> and stuck zippers.
> Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and
> coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
> Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
> for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
> Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute,
> an embarrassment the next.
> Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a
> half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated
> devices.
> Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the
> worst.
> Must assume final, complete accountability for
> the quality of the end product.
> Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and
> janitorial work throughout the facility.
>
> POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
>
> None.
> Your job is to remain in the same position for years,
> without
> complaining, constantly retraining and updating your
> skills,
> so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you
>
> PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
>
> None required unfortunately.
> On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting
> basis.
>
> WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
>
> Get this! You pay them!
> Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
> A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because
> of the assumption that college will help them
> become financially independent.
> When you die, you give them whatever is left.
> The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
> you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
>
> BENEFITS :
>
> While no health or dental insurance, no pension,
> no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and
> no stock options are offered;
> this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal
> growth,
> unconditional love,
> and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards
> right.
There is no retirement...EVER!!
>
>
Congratulations Ray and Jen!!! We are so happy for you both!! Love, Carolyn
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jen & Ray!!!
ReplyDeleteChris and I could not be more excited for you!!! All the ID girls have to put together a celebration dinner!!
Love You Guys,
Nicole Thompson Hill
Jen and Ray, What great news! We am thrilled for you both! Please keep us posted! Can't wait til October! Love ya, Laura and Fred
ReplyDeleteYay Jen and Ray! Alex, baby Jonathan and I are so excited for you guys. We look forward to sharing in the excitement over the next few months and meeting baby Jarvis in October.
ReplyDeleteDaphne Mijalis
Don't know why you didn't tell me that precious story when we talked!!! So excited for yall :)
ReplyDeleteLove you, Maria
Jack still can't decide if he wants a boy or girl! I'm sure he'll be happy with which ever God blesses you two with. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are completely elated! Oh, the fun you will have!
We LOVE y'all!
Jeff, Emily & Jack
I can't WAIT to see that beautiful baby! We are so excited for you and know you are going to be the greatest Mom and Daddy! This baby is truly blessed.
ReplyDeleteTracy
Congrats Jen and Ray! I'm so excited for you both! Seems like just yesterday we were spending Spring Breaks in Breckenridge, and now everyone is having babies!! Well, except for me, but I'll get there one day :) I couldn't be happier for you guys!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Laura Lewis
Jen and Ray, Im so excited for yall!! congradulation!!!
ReplyDeleteYeh!!!!! Congratulations to you both! I am sooooo excited!! The blog is precious. I love the way you told Ray. You both are going to be such wonderful parents. Baby Shower time!! Jen, I hope you are feeling better. Ben said you had some morning sickness. Take care and know we love you both and are so proud for you.
ReplyDeleteYay! I am so excited! So cute how you told Ray! You are going to be FANTASTIC parents! We will be keeping up so keep the updates coming! Love you!
ReplyDeleteTasha And Uncle Dan
ReplyDeleteHow exciting and such a blessing!!! I am happy for y'all.Babies are such a joy. Congratulations!!!!
Love ya
CONGRATS!!!
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE the story about how Ray was totally surprised when he openned his t-shirt drawer!!! Priceless!
Jennifer, God has blessed you and Ray and I know that you two will make wonderful parents to your little bundle of joy!!!
May God continue to bless you and Ray's pregnancy and keep you both energized and healthy for little baby Taylor or Anderson!! :)
I wish you both joy & happiness!
Tiffany F.
We are vey happy for you all. Of course we are happy to become great grandparents again. You all will make great parents. We hope the coming months will go fast and will have an easy summer. God is really good to us. We love you very much.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Obviously God agrees that you will be great parents! Thanks for sharing with us all.
ReplyDeleteHeather, James, Christian and River Maddry
Jen and Ray,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I'm so excited for you! Thank you so much for sharing the news with me! Y'all are so blessed and I know that you will make great parents!
~Ashley W.