{WHW}: Looking Back

Happy Wednesday, and the first day of November!
What's hap-"pinning" around here is a lot of reminiscing...
Thanks to Facebook timehop, I've been thinking about how different things were a year ago, and especially 2 years ago.

Last year right around this time (give or take about a week), we had officially announced that we had a baby brewing:
I remember coming home from our 12 week doctor's appointment and MG teasing me that he knew I couldn't wait a minute longer to share the news. We'd waited SO long for our little miracle baby and the fact that we were pregnant and past the first trimester scares was such an amazing feeling.
Rewind a year prior to that and we had just gone in for our first consultation with our fertility doctors, with plans to start our first round of IUI in November. Obviously those didn't work, and I believe it's because our little Ellabear was just waiting for the right combo of "us" to grace us with her presence.

And now, two years after that we have our little girl--the one I dreamed about and prayed for for months and years. And she's even better than I ever could have imagined. I catch myself just starring at her sometimes, in disbelief that she's real and she's ours. I have moments where I look in my rearview mirror while driving, and see this gorgeous girl looking back at me and remember the days where I longed for that seat to be full. 
I can remember what life was like without Ella, but it feels so foreign to me and I can't imagine it being any other way now.
Struggling with infertility has truly made me love and appreciate our Ella-bear so much more. The last 6 months have been hard, figuring out this parenting/mom thing (I'm not sure I'll ever have it figured out), and doing it with less sleep than I'm used to, and taking things day-by-day (not my strength), but it has seriously been filled with some of my happiest moments. Seeing MG as a dad, and watching him with Ella makes me love him even more than I thought I could have before. Our family was always supposed to be like this, it's just finally the right time.

Honestly, I don't know where this post is going other than I'm thankful. I'm thankful for the prayers you all and our friends/family prayed for us along our journey. I'm thankful for all of the support from friends and family from infertility to parenthood. I'm thankful for my Dad who I know is watching over our baby girl each and every day (and I'm sure had a hand in bringing us our Ella). I'm thankful for my husband who held my hand through this journey, and continues to walk beside me being the best daddy, husband and best friend I could have ever imagined or hoped for. And I'm thankful for this little face, those tiny hands, kicky legs, the smiles and giggles...our perfect package:
Ok, now I've got to go and wipe down my keyboard from the tears. In the meantime, YOU share what's hap-"pinning" with you by linking up with Jessi and I below:


21 comments:

  1. It's truly amazing how time goes and changes everything in the best possible way! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. I agree with Biana! Probably 2 years ago you didn't picture your life looking like this right now, but how perfect is it 2 years later!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  3. So wonderful!
    & thank you for your openness about infertility. Our first IUI attempt will be next month. The past 16ish months of trying, then lots of testing & appointments, to end up here have been tough, but your blog & a community of ladies I've found online have been a huge help.

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  4. I just love this post. I like how you said you can remember life before Ella, but that it feels so foreign. I feel the same way about my marriage and kids. I was single for a long time before I met my husband at age 31. I can remember life then, but it seems like a lifetime ago. I'm so thankful for my little family! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  5. Aw I love the part about looking at her in the back seat of the car! It's amazing what can change in 2 years :-)

    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

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  6. Everything in His perfect timing!! The struggles were absolutely worth it! I'd go through it 100 more times for my precious babe!

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  7. Some many things can change in two years. You are truly blessed. I think having a grateful heart is one of the most important things. Not everyone has their hopes and dreams come true. What doesn't break you only makes you stronger.

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  8. ALL THE FEELS. Taking time to look back and be thankful is so, so good.

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  9. It's crazy to think about a year ago... it feels like so long ago! We definitely have TONS to be thankful for!! XO, R

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  10. Ahhhh I remember those skeleton tees from last year, they were too cute! It's amazing how different life looks each year, God was just waiting to bless you guys with your Ella <3
    Green Fashionista

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  11. You have every right to be thankful for her. She is a total blessing and miracle. I love looking back on the photos. Especially the announcement ones.

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  12. She is so cute and this is such a sweet post. One of my best friends is gearing up for her second IUI right now and I have all my extremities crossed for her that she ends up like you.

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  13. i saw those skeleton ts before; they're so cute. it's crazy how fast time flies!

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  14. awww i can't believe it's been a year since you shared the news. i am so happy for you guys. looking back and seeing how far we've come is one of my favourite things to do. sure, it's not so fun living through the hard times, but the good times make it worth it and it's fun to look back.

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  15. This post made me tear up. Goodness gracious, you guys had a tough journey, but it was all worth it!! I prayed so long for you and your sweet little miracle, and it just tickles me every time I see her pop up in my feed. Now if only all of the other sweet ladies I'm praying for could end up as fortunate as you. <3

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  16. All the feels from this post! It made me cry because you expressed exactly what I was talking to my husband about a couple nights ago. 2 years ago we had our first miscarriage followed by another one and now we have our 2 month old daughter and it's crazy to look back over these past 2 years. I find myself staring at her and still can't believe she's ours.

    Your Ella is beautiful and absolutely perfect.

    -Samantha

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  17. It's amazing how things change for the better! :) It is fun looking back on things. :)

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  18. Loved reading this, very happy for you my friend!

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  19. Precious! Turned out just as it as meant to be!

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  20. Those facebook timehops are so fun sometimes; it's great to look back and see where you were then and compare it to now. And your daughter is so cute!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  21. I am so happy for you. I love that you feel complete. It just doesn't seem that long ago that you started with the infertility treatments, but I am so glad you stuck with it and have sweet Ella. Motherhood fits you friend. I truly believe there is nothing sweeter than watching one of your friends become a mom and have that shared experience, for better and worse. Love you to the moon and miss you!

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