Hope does not disappoint

A pregnant belly is a magnet for comments and questions, invited or not. Most are harmless--"you only look about 5 months pregnant" (for the record, I'm 7.5); "when are you due?" (May 18); "boy or girl?" (girl)--but then comes the "how does this compare with your first pregnancy?" (Photos: left-28 wks pregnant with Gracelyn; right-28 wks pregnant with BabyJ2)

I know that question seems simple enough, and probably the people asking only want to know about pregnancy symptoms, but for Brad and me, that question goes much deeper.

During our 18-week sonogram with Gracelyn, the technicians discovered Choroid Plexus Cysts on her developing brain. Brad and I were stunned and pretty terrified. We were informed that in some cases, CPC can indicate a severe birth defect called Trisomy 18. Babies born with Trisomy 18 have a slim to none survival rate. Scary stuff.

We were told "not to worry" and we would revisit the issue in 12 weeks when the brain was developed. Not worry--yeah right! I remember spending the afternoon and evening sobbing uncontrollably. But, as I'm learning more each day, God is faithful to his promises. During the weeks of waiting, Brad and I became alive with a peace that passes all understanding.

And then Gracelyn was born, healthy and strong. Her name is meant to be a testament to the grace and peace God showed us during an emotional pregnancy.

But my current pregnancy has been a night and day difference as we walk through calmer waters. Thanks be to a Hope that does not disappoint!

To read more about our CPC journey, please read my Lipstick & Pearls column at: http://hillsborofreepress.com/index.php?view=article&id=18088454%3Abe-thankful-even-on-terrible-days&option=com_content&Itemid=178