First of all, thank you all so so much for the congratulations and sweet words about our announcement. Every one of the comments on here and on social media just made my heart happy. Thank you for celebrating with us!
And because I didn’t want you to go thinking that our life is picture perfect…
Here’s what the other 1,673 photos I snapped looked like. Oh my goodness, it was a HOT (windy) mess!!!! Probably a bit what life with 3 kids is going to be like…right?!?
And then Nash walked off the set. Can’t say I blame him!
So now you know why I’ve been off my blogging game lately, right?! Between feeling like crud, starting some new part-time work, and wanting to sleep all. the. time…my poor little blog has been a bit neglected. However, I hit the 2nd trimester mark last Saturday and I’m already feeling significantly better (hallelujah!)…so I’m *hoping* to get my life back in order the next few weeks and maybe even make a blogging comeback. That includes READING blogs! I don’t know what’s going on in anyone else’s lives right now…and that’s just not okay with me!
Okay, now on to the real details 🙂 I mentioned this baby was a miracle…and I really mean that! So let me start from the very beginning. ***Dad, Mark, and any other guys that may be reading…this is probably where you’ll want to stop. Warning: girly stuff ahead***
Chris and I have always said that three was our number. But after my crazy delivery with Nash, and the doctors literally saving my uterus (um, yeah)…I knew there was a reason for it. I knew without a doubt that we were supposed to have another baby.
After I stopped breastfeeding Nash in December, I waited another month to see if anything would happen–if you know what I mean. My problem has always been that I couldn’t cycle naturally–and therefore, never ovulated. In January I started using some essential oils that I had heard were great for regaining a cycle and balancing hormones. I thought…what the heck…it can’t hurt, right? Then 5 weeks later–an old friend showed up that I literally had not seen (without birth control) since high school. I’m not sure there’s ever been someone SO happy to start their period! I knew it didn’t mean I was magically fixed–but we were excited that it was a step in the right direction.
Last summer we planned a trip to Mexico with my entire family for July 2016…so the plan was to go, come home and wait a few months (darn Zika!), then do IVF like we had with our other two in the fall. We had used all 6 of our embryos and would have to start over with a new doctor (our specialist was in Houston)…which was NOT something I was excited about…but I knew it was part of the process that would lead us to our baby.
A few weeks after starting my cycle, we met with a new fertility specialist here in KC to discuss starting IVF in the fall. We really liked the doctor and were feeling good about the plan in place, but before we left I asked if they would mind doing an ultrasound to make sure everything looked normal. After you almost lose an organ–you start to worry about those kinds of things!! Ha! They happily obliged…and as the doctor was scanning over my ovaries, he stopped and said, “Did you say you don’t ovulate? Because it looks like you did this month.”
Hold the phone. Seriously?!?! SERIOUSLY?!?
So we left that day excited…but a little confused about our “perfect plan”. Should we try on our own after the Mexico trip? Should we even go to Mexico with all of the unknowns about Zika? Should we just pretend I’m not ovulating and stick with the IVF plan? After all, my body had never done what it was supposed to before…so why would it start now?!?
Luckily, God made that decision for us. About 10 days after our appointment, I randomly decided to take a pregnancy test. Positive. HOLY MOLY. We were ecstatic!!!
Unfortunately, we lost that baby early at around 6 weeks. It was hard…we were totally bummed…but honestly, just the fact that we were able to get pregnant on our own once gave us SO much hope. So we kept on trucking…
By this time we had already rescheduled our Mexico trip for July 2017. Yes, my whole family changed their plans for us. And yes, there were some tears from the travelers ages 9 and under. It was sad! But the good news was, it gave us the opportunity to try again immediately.
And I got pregnant again the next month. The VERY next month. It seems like crazy luck…but I know it was really God. He was and is in control of this miracle. And I think he might’ve had some help too. I’ve had an overwhelming feeling since the very beginning that my brother had a hand in all of it. I miss him so much, but in a weird way, this baby has helped me to feel connected to him. That in itself is an enormous blessing.
Since finding out the good news, we’ve had several ultrasounds and have been so thankful to see everything checking out normally. We “graduated” from the fertility specialists (which was kind of funny since we technically didn’t end up using them for anything!) and I’m now seeing my regular OB again. We met with a perinatologist who knew all about my delivery with Nash, and I feel totally comfortable with the plan she and my doctor have come up with for delivering this baby. Good news…the odds of losing your uterus twice are super low! But seriously…I know I will be in really good hands, and that they will keep me and the baby safe.
It’s now 11pm and I’m fighting to stay awake, so I’ll share more about the gender news in the next few days. Spoiler alert: Arden is OVER the moon! 😉
But before I go, I just want to say something to any of you that might be struggling with infertility right now. As excited as I’ve been to tell the world our news, I also couldn’t help but to think about how it might make you feel. I’ve been there. And it pains me to think that our joy might be something that actually hurts you because you’re wanting the same thing so desperately. I’m sorry. I don’t really know the right thing to say, but I pray that our story at least gives you hope. I never in a million years thought I would conceive a baby naturally…and yet, here we are. Just know that miracles DO happen.
XOXO,
Vanessa
Such a wonderful story of hope and faith. Thank you so much for sharing this, Vanessa. I am so excited for you guys!! Congratulations!!!
Love this story so much!!! And SO happy for you!!!!!
Aw Vanessa, I am so, so happy for you guys. This was beautifully written and trust me I totally understand your miracle feeling. I just know God has a plan and I believe your brother was involved in this one too. So heartwarming. Also, this is a big light at the end of the tunnel is possible for those of us trying. So well said. Hope you start to feel better and I’ll be sending prayers!
Amazing!!! Congratulations!!!
Oh Vanessa, I am just so happy for you! I totally agree that I think your brother had a hand in it. Glad you’re starting to feel better, and I am just over the moon for you and your little family! <3
I love hearing the story of how little baby 3 came to be…and I’m so very excited for you! We also had to do fertility treatments for Graham and Milly, and then were shocked to get pregnant on our own with #3! And we also had to skip a trip (to Costa Rica) because of Zika-boo! Though totally worth it! Congrats again!!!!
THE post I’ve been waiting for!!!!! Except now that I read it, I’m in tears….at school. Awkward! I am so, so, so happy for you and your sweet family– and I get goosebumps every time I think about how it all went down! It’s a true miracle and I, too, think your brother had a major part in this. So excited for Baby Calcara #3 and I can’t wait to raise our #3’s together!!!! Many congrats, friend!!!!!!!!
This is similar to what happened with me. My first was IVF. My 2nd – I had an appointment to get started on another round of IVF and instead I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t used to ovulate either, and then I started!
Oh my goodness, I’m in shock! SO happy for you and your miracle baby 🙂 Everything really is on his timing. Congratulations again! XO
Congrats Vanessa!! What a great story!
What a beautiful story my friend – and your faith through it all is astounding! You just know that Jesus is in control and knows exactly when and how things are supposed to happen.
What a miracle for your family x
(and yay for baby sisters!)
Praise God! What a miracle you have! Can’t wait to hear all about this.
Oh, Vanessa – I can’t tell you how happy I am for you! What a story of faith, hope and miracles – just what I needed to hear this week. I know you have your hands full but if you could (when you have time) share your essential oil routine for those of us that are in the same boat you were, I would really appreciate it!
I should have known not to read this at work! I’m in tears. I’m so happy for you. This is an amazing story and so true, God and your brother played a role in this one. What a MIRACLE! Vanessa, congratulations to all of you. Such a happy time. I missed your blogging!!!!!
I missed yesterday’s post, so…CONGRATULATIONS! I’m so happy for you and your family!
I have been following you for years – also a fellow k-stater 🙂 I am so excited for you. I have two kids and recently went through a struggle with a loss of a third pregnancy but love hearing your story. So inspiring and just overall happy! I have actually entertained essential oils. Would love to hear more – if you are open to this! Thanks for sharing and huge congrats!
What an absolute miracle! I’m so excited for you guys, and yes I’m in tears writing this! Congratulations again!!
What a blessing! This baby was meant to be! So excited and happy for you and your family!
Oh, tears! I’ll never get tired of hearing this story. Love you so much, girl, and I’m so excited for you guys! God is so, so good, and I think you’re right about his helper. Such an amazing blessing this little one is. Can’t wait to meet that sweet babe.
So thrilled for you!! Many many many congratulations!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to you and your precious family!
Such a little miracle, SUCH a blessing. Congratulations again!!
Glad to hear you are feeling well. As always, excited to follow along!! 🙂
Beyond thrilled for you! Such an amazing testimony of God’s faithfulness!
What an incredible story and such a special miracle for your family. I’m so excited to follow along with you on your journey!
Oh Vanessa I am so incredibly happy for you and your family. What an amazing blessing!! So thankful everything is going well and you are starting to feel good again. 🙂
Congrats Kid! I am so happy for you and Chris. Three is a good number. That is my favorite number and Miles always picks a “3” number for his jerseys as homage to Mom! I LOVE the many pics you took to get the one good one. If anyone can handle three munchkins, it is you! Can’t wait to meet another Calcara girl!! (Papa Fred will have to get a pony now)
I love your story Vanessa! I didn’t know all of this. I too had fertility trouble and they told us after we had Luke no more babies. I only had half of one ovary and it was blocked and half of my uterus, but God had different plans! So exciting to see how He blesses us. Will keep checking in on you?
Tears of joy for you!
God is so good.
I love reading the whole story! And I’m so excited for you and your family! What a blessing!
What essential oils did you use? Congrats!!
Congratulations! So, so happy for your sweet family. God is so good!
Oh I’m all sniffly over here! I’m so happy for such a great turn of events. And I avoid going outside because of the damn mosquitoes.
Tears of joy for you, sweet friend. Congratulations! What an incredible miracle!!
XO
this is just the most amazing news ever!!!! so so thrilled for your beautiful, and miraculous family mama 😉 GOD IS GOOD
After following your blog since Arden was a baby and reading about your journey to get pregnant, this was a great surprise to see! You have a kind heart to share your news in such a sensitive way. Congratulations!
We used MRC for our newest nugget too! (Expected to arrive in early Dec) motherhood is such a crazy/incredible journey from start to finish! I’m so happy for you and your family!
Vanessa, I could not be happier for you! I too don’t ovulate on my own (or at least not all the time). And I’m currently wishing for my cycle to return. Please share the essential oils you used and the when and the how and the everything! Congrats friend!
I am over the moon ecstatic for you!!! God is AMAZING! I’ve always been told when he takes one away, he’ll give you another. Boston was born the day after my aunt died and I believe that saying more now than ever.
Prayers for a wonderful pregnancy.
So happy for you! You are just so sweet!
This is so exciting!!! Miracle baby indeed! And the mention of your brother having a hand in it brought tears to my eyes.
Such wonderful news and a great post! I got all teary eyed over here while reading it! I’ve read your blog since you pregnant with Nash and I immediately loved it since I was pregnant with my son at the time (my Asher was born 2/23/15, and is 27 months younger than his big sister, Brynn).
It probably sounds silly but I really connected with a lot of things you wrote (and still do!) switching from girl-mom-mode to having a boy, too! Reading blogs like yours even inspired me to start my own recently, actually!
Sorry, like I said…I probably sound ridiculous!
Just wonderful news for you and your family! Congratulations! Looking forward to reading more about baby #3! 🙂
So, so, SO excited for you and your family!!!! SUCH a blessing! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story. Truly such a miracle! xo
Congratulations!! Such exciting news for your family. I enjoy your blog and the real life stories you share!!
Congratulations on your growing family!!!! Will you please share the essential oils you used? I think I could benefit from those as well as I have really irregular ovulation!
SO thrilled for your family, so amazing that this baby was such a miracle! Can’t wait to follow your journey again!
Oh my world…. I love this so much!! Congrats again! I’m so so happy for you all. Amazing story!!
Oh my goodness this is the best news! I am so happy for you all! I don’t know personally your past struggle but my SIL is in your exact position! 2 IVF’s for my nieces and now pregnant on her own! It’s so amazing! Congratulations! 3 kids is the BEST!!
Such a happy story! Congratulations to your family :). Would love to know more about what essential oils you used, as I am going through something similar.
What an incredible story! A little miracle!