In honor of Sweet Pea's second Birthday and the fact that I realized I never shared this on here (since I didn't start this blog until half way through my pregnancy), I have decided to share the story of how we found out we were pregnant.
I have wanted to be a mother for as long as I can remember. I remember being in Middle School in a class about careers (what exactly the class was about, I don't remember) and we had to write about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said I wanted to be a mommy first and then a teacher when the kids went off to school.
When I met my husband (I was only 18 mind you), I made sure that he knew I was only interested in a relationship that would lead to marriage and a family. I wasn't interested in wasting my time with someone who wasn't looking for a real relationship. I was just never that kind of person.
First, let's take a moment to see where we were at that time. Hubby and I had just celebrated our two-year wedding anniversary on July 15, 2009. Hubby was a co-manager at a grocery store chain (which he still is just at a different store). I was a Nanny for two children.
We went to the movies every week, ate out almost every night, and stayed out until dawn with friends every weekend. We did what we wanted, when we wanted.
We traveled to Las Vegas with friends, Partied at Dragon*Con, Vacationed in Washington, D.C. to visit a friend, and went to Florida to see the GA/FL game in 2009. Why am I telling you this? I am so glad we did all of this and enjoyed our married life before little ones. Because all though children are fun, they are a different kind of fun. I never believed this until I had a child of my own.
Okay, so is everyone caught up? :)
November 2009, I went to the doctor because I hadn't had my cycle in over two months. Knowing that we wanted to try to have children soon, I scheduled an appointment to see what the deal was. Although nothing specific was wrong, I was told (by the nurse practitioner) that I had irregular periods due to my weight and I needed to lose weight because I would probably have trouble getting pregnant. When I started to cry, she had the nerve to ask me why was I crying. And then said that I had no reason to cry because we weren't actively trying to conceive. I went to the doctor hoping, in the back of mind, that I was pregnant. So this news was devastating to me. But I had to try and remember that I had irregular cycles my entire life and this woman did not know my history.
In February 2010, my father was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. And I begged my husband to let us start trying because I was hoping my father would be able to meet his first grandchild before he passed on. But as some of you may know, my father passed away July 16th, the day after our third wedding anniversary, when I was almost 20 weeks along.
By that March, however, Hubby finally agreed. Trying to get pregnant was the only thing I was focused on. And it actually made my marriage a little rough. Looking back, I feel so guilty and will aim to do things differently next time around.
I started actively trying to lose weight and created a Tumblr to keep track of our baby making journey.
I continued hanging out with friends in the manner that I always had. And regret that everyday. Not the hanging out with friends but when you are trying to get pregnant, the first thing you are told to do is to start exercising and to stop drinking alcohol.
That month I also went to the dentist because that is another thing suggested in all the baby books I started reading and websites I joined (poor oral health can contribute to preterm birth, low birth weight, and possibly pre-eclampsia), plus I had to get a wisdom tooth pulled. I had surgery scheduled to get the rest removed at the end of April. That appointment was later canceled.
March 27, I turned 24 and hubby threw me an AWESOME surprise birthday party!
I started breaking out in these weird hives at the beginning of April. They weren't exactly hives. They were red and dry raised spots that weren't itchy. They were all over my skin but the worst ones were on my face. I was convinced I needed to go to a dermatologist. Looking back, these were actually one of the many signs of pregnancy I ignored because I was scared we weren't.
A few days later I got a terrible stomach 'bug'. I couldn't keep anything down. But then it turned into an every day occurrence.
Then I realized what day it was. And realized my period was late. But what you have to remember, I have had irregular periods my ENTIRE life. So I waited to test even though sites online said I could go ahead.
I bought a 3-pk digital test on my way home from work on Earth Day - April 22, 2010. Hubby had picked up dinner and we decided that I should take it before we ate. As we walked into the bathroom together, he said, "Try not to get your hopes up. It can take a long time for some people." Then I looked at the test and it said PREGNANT nice and clear for all to see. I turned to Hubby and said, "We're pregnant!" He turned white as a ghost. I thought he might throw up...or pass out. But if he threw up at least we were in the right room. So I held his face and softly said, "You're going to be a daddy." He then embraced me in the deepest hug I have ever felt. He almost immediately started begging me to take another just to make sure so we could drive over and tell his parents.
I was nauseous and couldn't eat dinner anyway.
So as soon as we saw that second PREGNANT(which showed up almost immediately) we rushed over to my in-laws. My father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law were sitting in the living when we drove over. We never would really just drop by but no one thought anything of it. Hubby had placed the tests (in a Ziplock Baggie) on to their coffee table but no one noticed. Then my MIL turned to me and asked me how I was doing (she later said it was because I looked pale). I said I was fine but then Hubby jumped in and said, "Did you ask her if she was fine? Well she's nauseous because she's going to have a baby." He said it really calm. So they all turned to me and said, "WHAT?!" Almost in unison. So I said, "Yes, we're pregnant."
Everyone hugged us and then we called my other sister-in-law.
At the time, I really didn't want to tell anyone until we found out for sure. So that's why I didn't call my parents or best friend yet.
***I had a secret but couldn't share it. ♥***
My appointment had been set for the next Monday.
At the appointment, Hubby and I were nervous wrecks. We went through all the normal stuff and then they took us back to a room. The doctor came in and started telling me not to clean out cat littler boxes and asked if I worked with children so I could be aware of slap-cheek. Then all of a sudden Hubby asked, "Does this mean she's pregnant?" And the doctor said, "Oh yes, she is very pregnant."
We did an ultrasound to see how far along I was and we got to see her little heartbeat.
When we went back into the room to talk to the doctor, the doctor said she put my Estimated Due Date at December 11, 2010. And that made me 7 weeks and 2 days along. I read online later that she was about the size of a sweet pea.
First thing I did was call my mom, dad, and best friend. And Hubby called some of his family and friends. Then this is how we announced it to everyone else:
He announced it on his wall as well. Sweet and unique, right? ;)
From then on life was different. We were parents. My pregnancy was chaotic and stressful. And you can read about all that HERE.
Now she is this beautiful, smart human being that turned our life up-side down for the better and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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