Unexpected Blessings

In just a couple months, we will be welcoming two precious baby girls into our world. Two identical baby girls, to be specific. Finding out I was pregnant with twins was certainly one of the last things I was expecting. I originally found out I was pregnant when I was about 6 weeks along. After spending a lovely day hanging out with my friend and her kiddos, Baylen and I came home and I was feeling nauseated. I happened to have a pregnancy test in the bathroom, and decided to take it to give me peace of mind. Although we hadn’t officially been trying to get pregnant, we hadn’t been doing anything to prevent it either. We’ve always wanted our kids to be close in age, so we were open to it happening whenever. Sure enough, the test came back positive! Since I never got my period after I was done breastfeeding Baylen, I had no idea how far along I was so I set up an appointment with my doctor. According to my HcG levels, he confirmed I was about 6 weeks along and wanted me to go back for an ultrasound in a couple weeks. We went back at 8 weeks, had an ultrasound, and saw the precious heartbeat! Notice heartbeat was not plural in that last sentence. We walked away from that appointment assuming we were pregnant with one.

Soon after that we moved out of Chicagoland. Jake started working and living in Minneapolis, and I started living with my parents in Iowa for the next couple months while we waited for our house to sell and close. I continued to go to my monthly doctor appointments, and was measuring normal for being pregnant with one baby, and when the doctor found one heartbeat each time, we assumed everything was progressing as normal. A day before Thanksgiving Jake and I went in for our 20 week ultrasound. We were so excited to find out if we were having a boy or a girl! We were greeted by the sweetest ultrasound technician. I laid down on the bed, and she looked around for a bit. Then she looked at me gently and said, “Did you know that you’re having twins?” My immediate response was, “Are you joking?” I totally thought she was. She assured me she wasn’t, and proceeded to show me two heads. TOTAL SHOCK SET IN. AND PANIC. AND WORRY. AND QUESTIONS. Were they okay? Were they healthy? Were they identical? Fraternal? Would I have to be put on bedrest? Am I now considered to have a high risk pregnancy?

Thankfully Danielle, the technician, did a great job of keeping a calm atmosphere in the room. I don’t think Jake and I said more than five words to each other the whole time. Shock will do that to you. She took a look at both babies, used affirming words as she measured and located each body part, and by the end we found out we were having two girls and that they were measuring perfectly for how far along I was. After a short visit with the doctor afterward, we were on our way, still in shock, but incredibly grateful that the Lord was entrusting us with another sweet babe. We were now a family of five!

As exciting as it is, it has honestly taken me a while to get fully adjusted to the fact that we’re having two more babies. Since we found out two months ago, it has been a process of daily surrendering the whole situation to the Lord. The girls are sharing a placenta, which makes it a higher risk pregnancy, and means I have to go to the doctor a lot. Being pregnant with Baylen was a total breeze, and pridefully before I knew I was having twins I sort of was expecting the same thing this time around. I had this allusion of being in control and handling it on my own. God has stripped me of that pride and has humbled me many times. He has taught me to surrender each worry, fear, doctor appointment, ect. to the Him. It hasn’t been easy, and there are times when my flesh has been weak. During those harder times, I’m thankful for the friends and family I have praying on my behalf, and I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit is alive within me, guiding me toward truth.

Although I’m considered high risk, the Lord has blessed me with a healthy pregnancy so far. The girlies are doing great, and growing at the same rate. I get to see them via ultrasound every two weeks, which is so much fun for me. I haven’t had to be on bedrest at all, which is a huge blessing considering I have a 15 month old to chase around all day. When I’m able to keep my perspective clear and eyes on the Lord, I’m discovering each day that the blessings surrounding this surprise are abundant. I’m trading feelings of overwhelming uncertainty for confidence as I remember that He, who started a good work within me, will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).

Questions to think about this week:

As you think about your own life and circumstances, what has God surprised you with lately? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, are you willing to surrender the situation to HIM? What unexpected blessings have come from your surprise? What does it look like to praise God through the surprises of life?

If you’re willing, I’d love to hear testimonies about how God has been moving in your heart.

May your week be abundant as you recognize the blessings God wants you to notice!

Amber

P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!