I turned 29 on Septemeber 17. It was a wonderful day (despite my constant morning sickness)! I woke up to my gifts from Michael: a beautiful glass bead for my Pandora bracelet and the sweetest baby clothes I've ever seen! That sweet man went by himself to BabiesRUs to get "I love Mommy" outfits and our child's first Sox gear. Obviously, I cried. (Somehow the Pandora didn't get photographed.)
I spent the remainder of the day on the couch waiting for my family to come over. Courtney made the three-hour trek home from school for the occassion which was a gift in itself. Mom brought everything we needed for dinner and dessert. Becky and Randy brought Finn (these days, that's all I really want them to bring anyway!).
Birthday gifts from the family followed the baby theme as well. Courtney gave Michael and me individual gifts, but also a Notre Dame jersey onesie for our future Irish football fan and an AU shirt.
Mom and Dad got me the cutest maternity shirts, a BeBand, and my favorite organic oatmeal and cookies (things I can actually stomach these days).
Becky and Randy put together a Pregnancy Survival Kit that included: saltines, 7Up, toxic-free nailpolish, belly lotion, foot cream, chick flicks, the most recent issue of Fit Pregnancy, a scented candle, and adorable onesies for our little one!
This weekend we got to tell (almost all of) our family about this perfect baby who's on its way! I went back and forth about how we'd reveal our big news. Initially I was going to buy frames for everyone, but with a severe shortage of chic grandparent and cousin frames, I decided to go a different route. I picked up bright white newborn onesies and iron on ink jet paper. A half hour on PhotoShop and I had designs for all the immediate family in our little one's life!
We're PREGNANT!
We won't be announcing our exciting news to the world anytime soon, but I want to blog about this pregnancy from the beginning. I'll publish these posts after the announcement is official.
Finding Out
I have been fooled before by this body of mine. In fact, I thought I was pregnant for part of June and July. For that reason, I didn't want to be too hopeful when I felt a new kind of "twinge" or cramp in my lower abdomen on Sunday. And, when my usually early signs of my period were absent, I reminded myself that it could be psyhcosymatic. However, when my period was a no-show on it's scheduled day (August 30), I HAD to test this morning (at 4:40 a.m. because I was too excited to sleep)! (I'll be honest and say I'd already tested TWICE earlier in the week.)
That obnoxious control line practically appeared when I opened the test! I thought I'd be disappointed for yet another month, but this time the second pink line started to appear. Trying to be productive and let the test develop completely, I jumped in the shower. When I got out, there was no denying a second line. Pregnant!
I spent the next half hour or so getting ready for work and deciding how to tell Michael. When I had dreamed of telling him before there were elaborate schemes involved. When it came down to it, though, I woke him up to tell him before I left for work. His reaction was much like mine-elation mixed with disbelief. This is real. We're going to be parents. We'll be a family of three (five if you count our furry children) in May!
I feel so blessed and priveledged that I get to carry this child. I've been praying for him or her to come to us for so long, and now my prayers are that I do everything in my power to protect this little being inside me and that God protect us both.
Little baby of mine (we'll work on a nickname for you ;), know that you have always been wanted. Your father and I wanted you so badly and are so blessed to have you on your way. Of all the things I've wanted in my life, being a mother has outweighed all goals and dreams. You are loved even now that you are only the size of a poppyseed. Stay safe and warm in there and starting now and for the rest of your life, let me know if you need something. I love you.
(Ultrasound is from our first midwife appointment on 9.29.11!)
