We're pregnant!

Joseph and I are pregnant and due December 27, 2008! We are so excited about our little one! I'll never forget the day I found out! It was the morning of April 16, 2008. After 4 days of an achy stomach, I decided I needed to take a test to rule out pregnancy. I didn't think in a million years I actually was. Since we had been trying for 5 months with no success, this was just supposed to be one more disappointing month. So disappointing.. that when I took the test, I took a shower before I even looked at it! I had left it on the window seal and looked at it when I finished my shower. I was so shocked to see two lines; I actually jumped away from it! I laughed at myself... then I started crying. I couldn't believe it. For the first time, blow-drying my hair was an emotional experience. One second I would gaze down at my tummy and smile... the next minute I was crying- what had we done? Were we really ready for this???

I had to tell Joe face to face... but he had already left for work. I had to go the whole day without telling him. I hoped he didn't call me... he did. I knew I wouldn't be able to hold it, so I kept the conversation short. I picked him up a gift on my lunch break... a card and a baby bib that read "I love Daddy". I spent the day planning what I would do. As 5:00 approached I emailed him and told him I had a gift for him. He was thrilled.

So the instance I got home, he was ready for the gift. I pretended to rummage through my purse as though I couldn't find it and asked him to read a card I "got" that day. It went like this:

A new baby... how wonderful! And you get to be the Daddy! I love you, Olivia

He was excited and grinned from ear to ear. He responded with, "really?", "really?", "when do we get to find out what it is?". I was so relieved that he was happy! It really was a special moment for both of us... although he made me take 2 more pregnancy tests before we called his mom! I took me about 2 hours to call all of our immediately family and everyone was thrilled for us. This will be his moms first grandchild; she cried.

At this point I'm 14 weeks pregnant. The first trimester really wasn't that bad. I was really tired, but still managed to go to the gym 3-4 times each week. The doctor told me I could continue my regular workout and even stated that it would help the labor go smoother in the end. And spending 30 minutes a day on the treadmill also keeps me informed, since our gym owner stocks Parenting, American Baby, and Fit Pregnancy magazines. "What to Expect When Expecting" has been informative as well. I got that book (recommended by Lisa who just became mommy to Baby Gracie June 10) as soon as I found out I was pregnant! I'm also taking prenatal vitamins and Expecta.

We've been to the doctor twice so far. We decided to have the baby in Greenville since he/she is due Christmas week. This way, we can be around family and no one will have to travel. I'm seeing the doctors at Greenville Ob/Gyn. Dr. Bane is my doctor, although there is no guarantee she will be the one delivering me... so each time I have to see someone new. Dr. Stephenson performed my first ultrasound. There was concern since they found protein and blood in my urine. He knew I was distressed and although the ultrasound wasn't necessary to assure a pregnant woman that some protein and spotting is normal, I think he just want to put my mind to rest. And it did. Seeing the baby on the monitor was amazing. You don't know whats going on with something you can't see; so you wonder if he/she is developing normally and if he/she is ok. Our baby was almost 3 cm long and was very active! And you should have seen Joe. He was like a kid in a candy store the way he jumped from his seat and demanded everyone to look! I can't decide what made me the most emotional, seeing my baby for the first time or watching Joes reaction to the baby. When we left, he told me he was "officially excited" about the baby. We've been talking about baby names and can't wait to find out if the baby is a boy or girl.

Our next appointment is scheduled for July 11, 2008.