Answered Prayers...Maybe?

It's the post I have been promising you for some time now. Are you ready for this? Alright, let's get started.

First, I want to thank our friends Jake & Erica Jaggears for allowing me to share their lives on my blog. Thanks guys!!

Now, I want to give you a little background first. Our friends Jake and Erica, have tried for several years to have a baby of their own. After MANY trips to fertility doctors they were told that with the medical issues BOTH of them had regarding fertility the ONLY way for them to get pregnant was through IVF. Last summer (08), they began the process of IVF. If you have or know someone that has gone through this process you know that it entails A LOT. After all the injections, pills, ultrasounds, they waited for that day when the doctor tells them, Yes, you are pregnant or Sorry, not this time. They received the best answer ANY waiting parent wants to hear. You are PREGNANT!! You can imagine the happiness they felt at this time. Shock, excitement, joy, nervousness, fear, etc.

However, nothing could prepare them for what was to come. They went back a few weeks later (my time frames aren't perfectly correct but you get the point) to have a look at the baby when they hear THREE HEARTBEATS. Yes, TRIPLETS!! So they leave pondering the thought, still in shock, scared, and full of excitement at the thought of three. What joy to know that God has blessed them with THREE little babies. One singleton baby and a set of identical twins. They are excited, nervous, fearful but went about the pregnancy without complications until Erica's 16th week of pregnancy. She began having some difficulties and was admitted into the hospital on bed rest. It's at this point that they called on GOD more than ever. They knew at this point if the babies were to be born there was no way they would make it. Erica did EVERYTHING the doctors told her without hesitation with Jake right by her side. On October 15, their first son was born at only 18.5 weeks. Sadly, he went directly to live with our GRACIOUS FATHER in heaven. The other two, the twins, were still doing ok. Labor had stopped. Grieving the loss of the child she just loss Erica did everything she could to get the other two babies to a viable time. Again, she went into labor on November 7, and gave birth to 2 more sons at 21.5 weeks. All three angels are now in Heaven playing with each other.

Imagine going through the shock and excitement of having three babies at one time and then loosing all three in a matter of 2 weeks. However, Jake and Erica NEVER lost faith in our GOD. They praised him and lifted his name on high. They knew that God had a plan for all he does and they trusted him with whatever his will for their lives would be. What a testimony to all those around them. I can't say that I'd be the same way. I can pray that I would be but I can't imagine the pain, hurt, feeling of loss, grief, and anger. They had MANY prayers being sent up on their behalf and I know it's through those prayers that they made it through that trial in their lives.

After talking with her doctors they recommended that Erica take a break, give her body a rest, and try again in possibly 6 months. Jake and Erica NEVER gave up hope that they were meant to have a child. Erica did just as the doctor told her and met with him on June 4. Everything looked great. She was still a good candidate for IVF. They discussed what they'd like to see happen and that they were going to take it one day at a time. He was very positive that the IVF would work again. Erica began preparing herself again for the procedure (IVF). She began taking prenatal vitamins, she was to start on the Provera (progesterone) to help her have a cycle, after being on the Provera for 10 days she is to start her cycle no more than 5 days later. At this point she is to go in for an ultrasound while on her cycle to make sure everything is ready for implantation. She hadn't started and it was 9 days out. The doctor wanted her to come in to check for cysts that could be causing things not to happen.

On July 7, Erica went into her fertility doctor to have the ultrasound done to see what was going on when much to their (the doctor and herself) surprise....................SHE IS PREGNANT!!! She is pregnant on her own, no IVF. She didn't even think this was possible, the doctors didn't think it was possible but with OUR GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. God gives to those who remain faithful and trust in HIS PLAN. GOD IS GOOD AND HE DOES GOOD.

Erica is starting her 13th week and is having a great pregnancy (other than the typical morning sickness/tiredness). She had a cerclage (stitch in her cervix) on Tuesday just as a precaution. Since she went into early labor with the boys they want to be sure that this baby stays put for as long as possible. Please pray for Jake and Erica that this pregnancy continues healthy and easy for Erica. They appreciate and welcome ALL prayers.

If you are struggling with infertility know that God is in control. He never leaves you, he will never forsake you. He has a plan for your life and it's on HIS TIME not ours. Be patient and put ALL your faith and trust in him ALWAYS!! There are many out there that wait for YEARS to have a child and when it's time it will happen.

The happy couple.




You can read their blog and keep up with their pregnancy through Erica's blog HERE. They are also AMAZING photographers so if you live in the DFW area look them up, Erica Joyce Photography in Keller, Texas. You can see some of their work HERE.

Love you guys and can't wait to meet Baby Jaggears in March 2010.