We've Got to Go Shopping!

I usually follow some semblance of decorum.  I like to know how things are "supposed" to be done so that I can either a) do what I want with reckless abandon and giggle at all the right places or b) not make a stupid ass out of myself.  


But there's something about getting a positive pregnancy test that just makes your mouth run faster than....um, something fast.  So I didn't listen to all the advice that said that I should wait until after the first trimester.  I'm still not sure whether I'm giggling with reckless abandon or just making an ass out of myself.  At least people know why I'm dragging myself around like a chick with a hangover (and, yes, equally nauseous). 


Of course, the first person that I told was Stephanie, but my mom probably would have knocked me into next week if she didn't hear directly after Steph.  Their reaction?  "You're kidding, right?  You're joking." Truly, they didn't believe me at first! 


But once I sent them a picture of me with the test, they got it in a big way.  My mom cried and screamed and was more excited than on my wedding day (I think, it was hard to tell--she had drank a lot of wine that day).  My dad cracked a beer in celebration of his grandbaby to be.  After a lot of "I'm going to be a grandma!" and "Oh, my god, you're not messing with me, right?" my mom sealed the deal with:  "We've got to go shopping!"   
 

My brother and his wife were harder to track down.  See, they never answer their phone, and hardly ever answer their email (bad role models to be, you two)!  So, knowing that, and knowing that Meredith would explode with glee and estrogen, Mom and I invited them up to the family homestead to "hang out."  

But things don't always go as planned, especially when Andy and Meredith and other assorted Gordons are involved.  Andy first says that he's got plans, and then maybe he can fit us in in the morning.  I could tell that he didn't understand what the "BIG BIG NEWS" was.  So, finally, I just told him in an email.  "You're going to be an Uncle!  We're pregnant!  Will you come up to Mom and Dad's NOW?"  

I was right, by the way.  Meredith left us the funniest message on our answering machine, asking me if I was showing yet (ha!  no.  at that point, I was 5 weeks) and if Tom was excited, and squealing and laughing and in general just gushing with baby excitement.  I could understand perhaps every third word.  

Tom was able to tell his sister and his mother with one phone call.  He said, "okay, extend your arms out in front of you.  Now raise your thumbs.  Now point your thumbs at yourself.....Guess who's going to be a grandma/aunt?"  I could hear the squeal where "this guy!" should have been from across the room.  Aunt Morgan is, at last report, still getting used to her new title (not surprising, given that she's only 16)!  Tom's brother, Jackson, broke out into a huge smile when we told him (too big, given that he lives with us temporarily and will have to deal with how bitchy and hungry and bitchy and tired and bitchy I am and will be).   

And, yes, I told my boss, too.  I work in a wicked cool non-profit where waiting to tell good news is actively discouraged.  So, I told my boss....and he's been telling everyone else!  He was just as excited as anyone in my family.   

So, now that the secret's out, I am free to use the pregnancy to my advantage:  to totally ignore the housework and to laze about on the couch, going to bed early,  making obscene demands upon the other poor people in the household, eating wantonly and, yes, smiling a lot--because now that I'm pregnant, I've got 9 months' worth of reasons.  :)  I'm gonna be a mama--I couldn't be happier!!!  

Oh, baby, what a family you're being born into!  I hope you've got your daddy's thick skin and sense of humor....you're going to need it! 



Next up:  It's not easy being green.....hooray for morning sickness!

Giving The News!

So, we found out on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 and managed to only tell a very few people before we told our families.  I, of course, told Stacie who told Tom and Mike told one of his coworkers at the co-op.  So, we waited and waited and waited.  FINALLY, Sunday (the 17th) arrived.  Most every Sunday Mike and Tom have gaming (they role play a la Dungeons and Dragons, but with werewolves and pirates).  The game happens at our friend Ryan's house which is about an hour trip from our house, but puts us about 40 minutes from my parents house.  Stacie and I took the morning while the guys were busy and went to breakfast (at I.H.O.P.) and then went to do some shopping; I needed some new knee socks and Stacie had a few things to pick up as well.
At 11:30, we go back to Ryan's and get our respective spouses and Mike and I head north.

My Parents:
So we drive another 40 minutes (total time in car now totals 140 minutes including driving to the mall and back).  We get to my parents house at about 12:30 and my dad (now known as Grampie) is napping and my mom (Nannie) is still in her pajamas and house coat!  This is out of the realm of normalcy for her.  We find out that she needs to be at my cousin's house at 1:30 with a birthday cake for her youngest kid's birthday party.  So we ended up being a little rushed, but it was okay.  I looked at my mom and said, "Well, since you need to get going, I guess I'll just tell you, we're pregnant!"  And mom says, "No'h!" and proceeds to squeal like a little girl.  Let me tell you, I don't think I've ever heard a noise like that come outta my mother.  My dad's hearing isn't quite what it used to be (don't tell him that, though) and when he finally figures out what's been said he gets a little teary, (he's an emotional kinda guy) gets up out of his recliner while mom's hugging me, and then gives me a hug and says, "I'm so happy.......for me."  He's a funny man.  I love my parents.  So we sit and talk about how I'm feeling (good), how far along I am (about 4-5 weeks) and that kind of stuff for a little bit.  Then mom has to head out to my cousin's and Mike and I head out as well.  I told them that they could call their parents and siblings and let them know the news.

My Sister (Natalie aka "Ant Nattie"):
Before we left my parents' house I call Natalie who lives in the next town over and get directions to her apartment (she moved recently and I hadn't yet been to the new place) and then we head over there under the pretense of "seeing the new apartment."  It takes about 15 minutes to get there (total time in car now 155 minutes).  We go inside her TINY apartment (it's got a kitchen, living room, and bathroom) and hang out for a little bit.  We start talking about our Cousin Dave's wedding which will be in August and I say to Natalie, "I'll tell you the same thing I said to Mom, I'm gonna have a BIG belly for that wedding." And waited for it to sink in.  She teared up (catching the theme for the day yet?) and said, "really?" and gave me a hug.  We talked for a bit and when I told her that we knew on Wednesday she was like, "You played us all week?"
:)
Yes, Yes, I did.


(Some of) His Family:
Once we left Natalie's we drove to Mike's mom's house (total time in car now 305 minutes) and visited with his mom (Sheri- aka "Yaya" perhaps) and grandmother (Nan).  We finally got the two of them in Nan's kitchen (they live in a duplex-type house) and Mike says, "So, Steph's gonna have a baby."  It takes a moment for it to sink in on Sheri and Nan didn't even hear him, we had to tell her again.  Sheri says (over and over while fanning her eyes), "I'm gonna be a gramma, I'm gonna be a gramma, I'm gonna be a gramma, I'm gonna be a gramma."  She got all teary, too.  Nan took it in stride.  She's got a few great-grandchildren already, so she's gotten the news before, but she was still very happy and excited.  She later said to us, "That's gonna be the luckiest kid, the two of you have so much love in you."  That was a really nice thing to hear.
So, Sheri finished making dinner (chicken, potatoes, veggies, and the ALL IMPORTANT GRAVY- more on that next time).  Eventually Marke (Sheri's husband/Mike's step-dad AKA- Pop) and Matt (Mike's 16 year old step-brother AKA- Uncle Matt) get back from snowmobiling all day and we spill the news to them.  Sheri didn't even want to let Marke get his coat off.  He said, "Can I take my sweater off at least?" and Mike responds, "Only if it doesn't take you 9 months."  Aaaaaannnnnnd...... nothing.  It goes COMPLETELY over his head.  MATT picks up on it, though.  Once it sinks in for Marke, though, he was pretty excited.  [an aside- he called earlier this week and wanted to know if there was any baby movement yet- yes, I'm only about 6 weeks along] He is pretty excited.

My Sister (Annette aka-Ant Nette?):
Annette lives in New Jersey with her husband Dave and their son Billy.  So, I had to give her the news over the phone when we got back from the in-laws (total time in car for Sunday- news giving day- 340 minutes, over 5 and a half hours!). 
I called Annette when I hoped she would be done putting Billy to bed, but failed.  She was in the middle of the ritual, so we didn't get to talk long.  She, too was very excited and at this point I was EXHAUSTED and I don't very well remember our conversation.  Maybe she'll fill out the story in the comments?....

In closing
I don't recommend traveling over 5 hours in one day to tell people you're having a baby.  It makes you a little cranky and a LOT tired.  Spread it out a bit.  :)


Next up- pregnancy symptoms....

These Girls Are Pretty Funny

Aren't they, though?

Anyhow, I just love Steph. And pregnant Steph is great, too.

I hope something blog-worthy happens to me, soon.

My Little Seahorse

A part of Tom, a part of me....a whole new life to be.

Tom and I were married in September of 2008, and while we knew that a family would be in our future, we also knew that it was important to have some time just as a couple.  So we acquired some cats, and a couple dogs, and moved to a big house.  By Thanksgiving of this year, we were ready to start trying.  And, by January, we found out we had been successful!

Now, let me back up.  I am not an insensitive person, and I knew that my best friend was having trouble conceiving.  My heart was breaking for her.  We are very open and share just about everything, and yet I had no idea how I would tell her when the time came.... 

I took my first pregnancy test (Equate) on January 10th, the day that I expected my period.  The "positive" line was so faint that I thought it was an evaporation line or my hopeful mind working overtime.  I told Tom that I didn't think I was pregnant, and I threw the test away.  I was relieved and dissapointed at the same time. Relieved because I could hold off on breaking Stephanie's heart (or, hopefully, until she had conceived) and dissapointed because I so badly wanted to be carrying Tom's child.     

I did some research on faint positive pregnancy test results, and all the information that I got was the same:  it could be a mistake, it could be an evaporation line, but I was probably pregnant.  I confirmed that information in What to Expect When You're Expecting....I still couldn't believe it, though.  I showed the information to Tom, who just smiled and smiled and hugged me.  We both cautioned ourselves not to get overly excited, though. 'Cause, you know, dissapointment sucks.   

A few days later (Tuesday, the 12th) I took a ClearBlue test (first thing in the morning, of course).  I closed my eyes and thought happy thoughts until I opened my eyes.....and saw "PREGNANT".  I smiled and cried and hugged my belly and told the little cluster of cells how much I loved it.  And then I climbed into bed with Tom, and told him that he was going to be a dad.  He held me and told me how happy he was and how much he loved me.  Oh, little Seahorse, you've made us so happy.  We already love you, and can't wait to meet you!

I did tell Stephanie that day (before I told my parents, even).  I knew that she was heartbroken, and so I tried to quell my excitement (but to give her credit, she said all the right things and was a wonderful best friend).  The next day, however, she told me that she was pregnant, too!  That moment was one of my life's happiest (right up there with my wedding day, and of course, finding out that I was pregnant).  I'm so blessed and happy to be sharing this with my wonderful husband and my wonderful best friend.   

 

Next post:  telling the parents and friends while battling nausea....Stay tuned to Pregnancy Central!   

 

One Week Ago Today....

I found out that my life was going to change forever.

I guess, technically, we can back this story up about 18 months to July of 2009.  That's when The Husband and I decided that we would officially begin trying for a little one.  I had quit smoking (mostly) a month before and it seemed like a good time to try.  My cycles have never been what you'd call regular (or even close to it!) so I knew that we would have some difficulty, I just didn't think it would take a year and a half to conceive.  We went to the doctor, I was put on Metformin (which is a medication for diabetes- which I don't have) and waited.  Our PA told us she had given it to other women in my situation with good results.  Well, it didn't work for me.  Also, it made me nauseous every day and that was no fun.  So our next step was to go to another doctor.  Our PA sent us to the OB/GYN office at the local hospital, more specifically to Dr. V.  She is AWESOME.  I really like her.  Of course this didn't make magic happen in and of itself.  We had to do some tests- sperm analysis for him, insulin tests and uterine biopsy for me (I think he got off easy!). All of our tests came back normal, which was a huge relief and at the same time an irritation.  If there's nothing wrong, why aren't we pregnant yet?  Easy Answer- I wasn't ovulating.  Next step?  More medication.  Dr. V put me on a regimen of Provera and Clomid. We started this in November.  Cycle one didn't take, so on cycle two she upped the dosage.  Cycle two took.

So here we are, in January of 2010.  18 months from when we started.  On Tuesday the 12th my bestie best friend told me she and her husband were pregnant.  I was very happy for them, but very sad for me.  I'll let her tell you their story....  Tuesday was a rough day for me.  It was disheartening for me to know that I still was not pregnant.  It seemed like every time I turned around the fates or gods or whatever were there not giving me what I needed and wanted most.  The Husband was very supportive through all this though; I love him.   :)

On Wednesday morning I took another pregnancy test, knowing it would be negative again.  I resigned myself to that fact even before I peed on the stick.  Imagine my utter shock when the "not" wasn't there taunting me before the "pregnant."  I walked from the bathroom into the bedroom where The Husband was still in bed and said, "Mike...." and showed him the test.  He had no idea what was going on.  He thought I was trying to hand him a Sharpie!  He said, "seriously?!?" and then we just held each other for a while.

It was a nice morning.....

Stay tuned for our families' reactions.