April 8, 2010

I will remember that day for the rest of my life. It changed me...in a way that I could never imagine it would. I prayed for this day for a very long time...to see a heartbeat on an ultrasound. I had no idea how my life would change...and still don't. But, I do know that everything happens for a reason and I was meant to be the mother of five children.

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I was heading out of town for a week for work and begged my doctor to see me before I arrived at 10 weeks gestation. Since I had had a recent miscarriage, they agreed and on April 8 I showed up at my routine ultrasound all by myself. Kevin was working out of town and I told him that it was fine if he didn't go...it seemed like I was a seasoned veteran at getting ultrasounds. But, deep down inside, I was still nervous. Mostly, because I was scared that I would walk out of the doctor's office being let down yet again. Or maybe they would find an empty sac. To be honest, my heart hurt as I sat there and waited to be called. I had no idea how my heart would change in the next few minutes...

Dr. Gunter was very cognizant of my feelings and knowing my history asked if I would like to take a look at the ultrasound screen first. Of course, I did...but I didn't exactly know what I was looking for! However, I saw three black circles, one that looked empty...my voice started to quiver when I looked at him and said, "Is that a heartbeat?"...I will never ever forget the feeling I got when he said, "Yes, Miss Susan, I believe that's twins." Oh. my. gosh. As he began zooming in on each sac (and I stopped hyperventilating!) he noticed that the "empty sac" was not exactly empty. It was just around the corner. And the heartbeat of that baby was just as strong as the other two. Was this really happening to me? I felt like I needed to pinch myself (three times!)...it was an unbelievable feeling. One that I could never explain to anyone. The sheer joy (and fear, of course!) that I felt that day was just indescribable.

I was actually dreading the call to Kevin. I just knew he'd pass out or be on the next plane to Mexico. He wasn't, of course, but he was shocked to say the least. He couldn't really hear me because the phone was breaking up. After he answered, I asked if he was sitting down and he said, "Are we having twins?"...I agreed and said "Yes, plus 1!"...All I remember saying after that point is "Plus 1! We are having triplets!" The phone started breaking up and he couldn't hear me. I had just hoped he had heard the word "three" by that point. He heard me, loud and clear. :)

I walked out of the doctor's office with the strangest feeling in my heart and stomach. I was scared, excited, beyond thrilled, nervous...I had pretty much felt every emotion possible. But, at the end of that day, I counted my blessings (all five of them!) and thanked God for trusting me with three more children. How amazing is that?