THE BIG MOMENT:
About a month and half into the school year, I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I'd read about the symptoms, and they were spot on. After Nic went to work, I took the test and didn't really expect the outcome that it gave (despite the aforementioned symptoms). Instead of 1 line, there were TWO! So you guessed it, WE'RE PREGNANT! Nic and all of our families, of course, are elated. We knew some sources advised on waiting to tell family and co-workers, but, um... we didn't really do that. We told our families the same day we found out (because I'm really REALLY bad at keeping secrets), and I told my best work friends within that first week. My reasoning is that I WANT my support system there for us, should something go wrong. I don't really want to keep something like this (good or bad as it may go) to myself. So anyway, the day we found out was one of the most exciting days of our lives (I think it's safe to speak for him on this one), and even now- a few months later- it's all pretty surreal.
THE DISBELIEF:
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY. Isn't that something that other people do and I only dream about? It's a similar feeling to the one I had when I realized we were really getting married. Marriage... that's for other people. It seemed so unattainable for me, and then I met Nic and it happened and it was real and unbelievably amazing! And now, a baby! It's still hard to believe that WE will have OUR OWN BABY! Something that started from nothing, is going to grow into a huge baby, that will one day be on the inside of me- and the next day, will be on the outside of me. How strange.
THE BABY & THE JOB:
The due date is June 4. Yes, to those of you who are teachers (or think along the school timeline) that means I have the lovely pleasure of being pregnant almost the whole.entire.school.year. JOY! (Could you sense the sarcasm?) There aren't many things I can think of that are more miserable than having 28 8th graders, at their peak of adolescence (and corresponding attitudes), trying to TEACH them things they DON'T REALLY want to learn, while experiencing all of the pain that pregnancy brings. I've already gone through the first trimester (which meant I felt like puking on them at times) (too bad I couldn't, b/c I bet that would teach them to not mess with me), but I anticipate the 2nd being much better.
THE 1ST TRIMESTER:
I would be lying if I said my 1st trimester was completely miserable. I feel very fortunate in my pregnancy thus far. I haven't thrown up once (although the all-day nausea wasn't really that fun), and although I fall asleep MUCH earlier now, I don't feel like the baby has kept me from doing the things I most want or need to do. Score on that end! I look forward to my energy level picking up even more in the upcoming weeks. (And for those of you who may be wondering, yes I'm still doing CrossFit, but have begun doing CrossFit Mom workouts. Google it. :-) )
THE CONFUSING MATH:
Anyone who knows much about having a baby knows that the math is quite confusing. We've always been told it takes 9 months for a baby to come, right? Well, we found out we were pregnant at around 6 weeks, and now we're at week 17 (tomorrow). And we all know that 4 weeks x 9 months should equal 36 weeks (which would make the due date at the beginning of May) but they actually put the due date at 40 weeks (beginning of June). So, in my opinion, all of the talk about 9 months just makes things confusing to people. The kids ask me on nearly a daily basis how far along I am and when the baby's coming. It's confusing for them to hear that I'm starting on my 5th month this week, then they count on their fingers and and the end date comes out all wrong. Yea, I'm with you there, kids. Sometimes math is hard.
OK, enough baby talk. Let's talk about other things!
THANKSGIVING:
We had "Thanksmas" with my family in Missouri. It was SO great to see all of them! It was my parents year to host the BIG family, so that was just some icing on the cake. Our big Christmas gift this year was an AWESOME camera which we love. We spent quality family time dancing with the X-Box Kinect, putt-putt golfing, and of course- eating! :)
(Nic & my brother... I wish I had gotten their faces; this was BEYOND hilarious!)
POST-GRADUATION:
- Nic graduated and found a job at a hospital here in town. I knew he would-- he's too great to pass up!
- He got commissioned as an officer into the Air Force just this very weekend. My parents came into town and my dad (a retired Army Colonel) swore him in. It was quite a special time for him (and us).
- Of course, there's more to this Air Force story, but we'll have to wait until the time is right to tell you all about that. :)
Given the length of this post already, Christmas posts will have to wait until next time. (And I promise the next will be more recent than the last!)
I hope this finds you all happy and well. Feel free to comment so I know you're actually reading! :) Take care!
~*Stefanie*~
