OUR JOYFUL PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

February 6, 2020

To our great joy and surprise, we are thrilled to share I’m PREGNANT!

For 16 months, we’ve been praying and pursuing adoption wholeheartedly. We’ve filled out stacks and stacks of paperwork, gone through tests, and spent money listing with agencies, all the while begging God for a baby. He answered in the most surprising way! It is with extreme gratitude and awe we share our pregnancy announcement.

we're having a baby
pink lace dress, pregnancy announcement dress

Our Journey to Build a Family

If you’re new here, we started trying to have a baby in 2014. 

  • After finding out I have endometriosis, I had surgery in early 2015.
  • After 6 months of menopause inducing shots, Follistem shots, and more, we started IVF in early 2016. 
  • By the grace of God, we welcomed our precious daughter, Ivy Jean, at the end of 2016. 
  • In early 2018 we tried on our own to have a second baby before trying one failed IUI.
  • In mid-2018 after much prayer and thought, we laid down all fertility treatments, stopped trying, and JOYFULLY began pursuing adoption. My mom was adopted, and it is something we always thought might be part of our family.
  • At the end of 2019, we had heard NO from over 35 birth moms. Our hearts were heavy yet hopeful and open. Check my Instagram story highlight for more real time updates.
  • In the last days of 2019, to our great surprise and shock we found out I was pregnant.

Without trying, tracking, or treatment, God has given us the greatest blessing! We are THRILLED to welcome our baby in August of 2020.

second baby announcement, pregnancy announcement, baby balloon, pink balloon arch, second baby pregnancy announcement
baby balloon, confetti, balloons

Hope in Our Story

If I’m being honest, there have been times this past year that felt really dark. In the secret places of my mind, I wondered if we’d ever be a family of four. Sometimes people would say to me, “I bet one day you’re just going to get pregnant.” Truthfully, it made me mad. One because I knew how impossible it was after all we had been through and two because we genuinely wanted to adopt.

But God was teaching me all about His character. If we’d been matched through adoption now or waited another year, He was still good. Instead He did what I truly believed was impossible. He is teaching me that even when it looks hopeless and hard, I just never know his plan. I never thought I would share another pregnancy announcement. Birth, yes. Pregnancy, no.

mom and dad, pregnancy announcement, we're having a baby

Redemption

True to who He is, He has redeemed so much in this journey. My first pregnancy wasn’t easy from the start. So medical, filled with shots and calculated treatments. Once pregnant, I got gestational diabetes. As a new mom, I worried about my body changing. When the baby came, would I even have what it took? Then Ivy Jean was born 6 weeks early though an emergency c-section, and life with her as a preemie in flu season with some breathing issues made for a hard start.

After holding on to maternity clothes for years, I finally gave mine away and accepted that nothing would be as I had envisioned. He knew better and there was peace, even amongst tears, in the surrender.

This time, pregnancy wasn’t even a thought in my mind, and it happened. I had relinquished ever carrying a baby again, and now I am trying to relish it rather than worrying as my body changes. This time I know that motherhood is one of my greatest joys in life, an honor and privilege. The no sleep phase passes quickly. There is quiet rest in my heart. The bonus? I get to buy some new maternity clothes.

pink lace dress and valentine's day manicure
baby balloon, confetti, balloons, second baby pregnancy announcement, pink balloon arch

Love Makes a Family

Whether you’re building a family easily, through many treatments, or through adoption, LOVE is what makes a family. We are so grateful for this miracle baby! It is our greatest hope that no matter what stage you are in of this process, our story gives you faith. Our God is able, and you just never know what he’s up to. He is still working miracles, still capable of the impossible.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Turaloo, a balloon styling company, and Katie Stokes, an incredible photographer, for these images. I cannot imagine sharing our news in any other way, and I’m so grateful they made it possible.

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31 Comments

  • Reply Cathy February 7, 2020 at 7:15 pm

    I am completely OVER THE MOON HAPPY for all of you!! Sometimes God’s answer to our prayers is “wait – I am at work on your behalf, and My timing is perfect.” Isn’t is beautiful the way God reveals Himself to us!! You definitely will be in my prayers daily, and again – I just couldn’t be happier for you!!

  • Reply Elise February 7, 2020 at 1:14 pm

    I am so happy for you!! I know this journey has been emotional and discouraging at times, but you have kept the faith. Such wonderful news! I also am in love with your pink dress, it looks so beautiful on you!

    xx, Elise
    www. sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com

  • Reply Anke Gabriel February 7, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Just read this and have to add my Congratulations! Funny – during the past week on and off I thought of you and what happened regarding adoption. Then today I opened the blog and there is this wonderful news. I’m sending lots of good thoughts your way!
    I’m very happy for you and your family.

  • Reply The Fashion Folks February 7, 2020 at 9:32 am

    These news are incredible!!! The biggest congratulations to you and your family <3 Life sometimes has the most peculiar way of surprising us. So so happy for you! /Mia, Xx

    http://www.thefashionfolks.com

  • Reply Amy Johnson February 7, 2020 at 9:09 am

    Oh my gosh! What a MIRACLE! God is so good! I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!

  • Reply Makeup Muddle February 7, 2020 at 9:05 am

    Oh my gosh I am so happy for you! I don’t even know you, and I got tears in my eyes just reading your story. I too have endo, and it’s such a horrible condition. I am so happy that you were blessed with a baby, and I’m wishing you the happiest and healthiest pregnancy xo

    Makeup Muddle

  • Reply Jill February 7, 2020 at 8:35 am

    I am so happy to see this announcement! What an amazing unexpected blessing! I’m so excited for you and I know Ivy Jean is going to be the best big sister! Congratulations to you and your family!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

  • Reply Meagan Brandon February 7, 2020 at 8:07 am

    Tears of happiness in my eyes reading this, Amy. I’m sincerely overjoyed for you and your sweet family. What a way to start 2020—congratulations!! I can’t wait to see if baby is a boy or girl <3 <3

    Meagan
    http://www.meagansmoda.com

  • Reply Rachelle February 7, 2020 at 7:54 am

    So happy for you, this is such great news.

  • Reply Gina February 7, 2020 at 7:38 am

    Oh my goodness friend!! I couldn’t be more thrilled for you! SO happy to see this announcement today! Congratulations to you and your family on this EXCITING news!! Cannot wait for you all to meet the 4th member of your family!

  • Reply Rach February 7, 2020 at 6:40 am

    So so so so happy for you and your family Amy Ann! Sending you guys many blessings!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

  • Reply Susan Jeffries February 7, 2020 at 6:19 am

    Congrats!!!!

  • Reply Andrea Nine February 7, 2020 at 6:13 am

    Hallelujah!!! Singing his praises of redemption for this joy and miracle!! I am just love the moon for you all. Ivy Jean is going to be the BEST big sissy too!! xoxo

  • Reply Emma Peach February 7, 2020 at 5:25 am

    Congratulations, that’s wonderful news!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  • Reply Jo-Lynne Shane February 7, 2020 at 4:59 am

    Amy!!!!!! I am so excited for you!!! What a beautiful story of God’s goodness and unexpected blessings. Congratulations!!!!

  • Reply Gentry Adams February 7, 2020 at 4:55 am

    Still just over the moon for y’all! Our God is so good and I couldn’t be happier for your growing family!

  • Reply Jackie February 7, 2020 at 12:09 am

    I am so over the moon excited for you guys! I literally screamed ‘omg, yes!’ to myself when I read it on Instagram! What beautiful way to start the new year and decade. Congrats again Amy Ann ❤️❤️

    xo, jackie
    stylemydreams.com

  • Reply Cheryl Shops February 6, 2020 at 11:57 pm

    Aww, I am so happy for you! Sending you and your family love and light!
    Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net

  • Reply Kristie Wilson February 6, 2020 at 10:19 pm

    Congratulations!! What a wonderful blessing!

  • Reply Laura Bambrick February 6, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    I’m so happy for you and your family! What a blessing! Sometimes God takes a little extra time to pick just the perfect baby for a family. That is what we told our daughter when we were trying to get pregnant. It’s kind of fun that your children will have such different pregnancy and birth stories, too!

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