The Journey of a Lifetime [14 Weeks]
The Start of Our Journey
In November 2019, we found out the wonderful news that we were finally going to become parents!
When we were 11 weeks along, we were able to confirm the gender of our baby through a blood test. When we found out that we were having a baby girl, and we were absolutely thrilled! We already had her named picked out - one that we had been thinking about for years.
Isla Rose Henning
An homage to the most beautiful place that we have ever traveled to (the Scottish highlands and isles), and Elizabeth’s middle name.
We had already started collecting some basic necessities - diapers, bottles, bibs, and so forth. Once we found out her gender, we jumped at the chance to buy her a few outfits.
Making the Announcement
Since we had surpassed the 12-week mark in our pregnancy, we knew at this point that we were “safe” to start sharing our news. As far as we could tell, along with our doctors, our baby was perfectly healthy. She had a strong heartbeat. She could flutter around on the sonogram screen - a tiny figure, so full of life.
We looked forward to every opportunity that we had to see her on the sonogram - every movement, a confirmation of the pure joy that we were about to experience as parents..
Our Pregnancy Announcement Video
We started sharing the news with our closest relatives. Every little announcement was just a complete thrill to share. I remember literally shaking with excitement to tell our family. It was honestly the most joyous news we have ever shared with anybody.
We told our closest family first, then close friends and colleagues. After a couple of weeks, we decided that we wanted to make a short video to announce her to the world - something brief, but thoughtfully crafted.
The props were carefully selected by Elizabeth and I, and we came up with the idea during the setup. It was simple, but it was perfect for us.
What manifested was not complex, but it captured a feeling.
It said what we wanted to say, exactly how we wanted to say it.
It was created from the heart. It was the perfect representation of Elizabeth and I, and one of the best examples we have to show for our creative teamwork.
On January 17th, Elizabeth and I announced her to the world.
“We’re getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Isla Rose - Arriving July, 2020”
Nothing but Love and Support
We received so many wonderful remarks from family, friends and colleagues. All of the love and support just resonated throughout. I think Elizabeth and I watched our video 10 times every day. We just loved it so much - the thought that we put into it - a celebration of what is to come for us. We were just ecstatic that so many people were as thrilled as we were.
After all of this time - all of the hardships we’ve endured over the years together - we were finally going to be parents.
We were finally going to start a family of our own.
On Friday, February 7, Elizabeth and I received test results back from the doctor that indicated that our baby girl - Isla Rose - had high levels of a protein that coincides with a variety of developmental issues… We were left with devastating news.