Dr appt...

This January will be my ten year "Colon anniversary." I can't believe that it's already been ten years...that is just nuts to me. Anyways, because I do not have a large intestine (at all), I have always known there is a risk of complications with pregnancy. Over the break, Zac and I made an appointment with my Colon Surgeon to have a serious talk about what this means for me, and what the risks and facts are.
This was Zac's first time to meet Dr. Cline and of course he loved him as much as we all do. Dr. Cline's face lit up when we told him we were ready to start a family (he has known me since I was 16, so he has watched me grow up). He also had some good news for us. He said the actual pregnancy itself should not be too risky. He did say that we could have a very hard time getting pregnant (abdominal surgeries lead to scar tissue, which can interfere with fertility) and it might take us a longer time than most couples, but that it should be possible. He also urged me to have a scheduled cesarean to deliver the baby. I already knew this, and I'm very comfortable with the idea of this, so that was not shocking or disappointing at all.
Anyways, he pretty much gave us the "green light" which is so exciting. Naturally I still have questions and concerns (will we be able to get pregnant at all? how long will it take? at what point do we quit 'trying' and move on to adoption...another great choice we're considering), but at least some research has been done, and we now know that "pregnancy after colectomy" is possible and realistic! Yay!!! :)
PS-All that being said, I should mention that we are planning a trip to Europe this June. I know that if we don't take this trip before we have kids, it will not happen for at least 15-20 years. It might sound selfish, but knowing that I can't leave the country if I am preggers, we are going to wait to start trying until after the trip. I even joked with Zac that maybe she could be conceived in Andalucia and we could name her Ana! haha! TMI? Okay, sorry!

Name Claim

People have all different philosophies when it comes to baby names. Some people like to:
-pick a name and not tell anyone until the child is born
-pick a name and tell people when they find out the sex of the baby
-steal a name, or use an obvious family name
-announce the name of their future unborn children, long before they are even expecting.

Guess which one I am? :) Yep, Zac and I talked about baby names very early in our relationship and have not wavered much since then. I share these names with you not to really "CLAIM" them, because we will use these names even if our family and friends use them too (remember, we have liked them a LONG time), but just so you know what Zac and I plan on naming our munchkins. :)

If it's a boy, we have always liked "William Andrew." But he'll be called Drew. I think it's cool when everyone calls a boy by his nickname, but only his mom and girlfriend/wife call him by his full name.
I also love the name Asher, but this is new, and I haven't discussed it with Zac much, so that's just a backup. ;)

Girl names we love are:
Allison (Ally)
Emily Jayne (Emma or Em-Jay)
and another new one I love is Ava. I think Ava Brooke is pretty.

Fun fact about me, while we are on the topic of baby names...when I was a girl (until the age of about 13) I wanted to have quintuplet girls, and name them Kacey, Lacey, Stacy, Tracy, Macy! Can you believe that? Haha, Zac is very glad that I outgrew that dream!

Thoughts on our names??

baby fever

ugh...i have had so much baby fever lately. i can't stand it. i feel incomplete. i want a baby, or at least to know that one is on the way. i am open to pregnancy or adoption or a delivery by a stork...i just want a child, and zac is the same way. we are always on the lookout when we are in public...we just can't get enough of babies, toddlers, and children. i can not wait to be a mom. until then, i will listen to music in my car entirely too loudly and tell myself it's okay that i don't have a baby in the backseat or i would not be able to do this. (I tell myself that, but i don't really believe it...HELLO, I would trade loud music for a baby ANY DAY!)

Sweet Songs

The Great Unknown

It is scary not knowing what the future holds. I know it holds me being a mom, and I can not wait for that. I just wonder about so many details of motherhood. Lately though, I mostly wonder in what means our child will come to us. Will I be able to get pregnant? Will it take a long time? If I do, will it be a safe pregnancy? Will it happen easily, or after many stressful and heartbreaking months? Will we adopt? Will it be international? Will we have the money to do so? I know when the time comes, God will lead us in the direction he has planned for us, but for now the waiting is just frustrating. I want to already be on the path towards motherhood, and I guess in a way I am...maybe I should say I want to already be near the "finish line" (which is really just the beginning) on the path to motherhood! Sheesh! So much to think about and worry about and dream about. :)