MAN, ARE WE FERTILE!

About 3 months after going off the pill and nearly 2 months mulling over the possibilities, John and I finally decided that we would start trying for a baby! Following my cycle closely, I knew that the first full week of June would be the peak time for fertility. Although we would have been happy to get pregnant right away, John and I didn't expect to find out a few weeks later... that the first time had worked! Knowing that not all couples are as fortunate as we are, we feel beyond blessed! 

Just a week after ovulation, I began to have flu-like symptoms. I went home early from work Thursday afternoon, having sharp pains in my abdomen and back, and began vomiting. The following day I slept almost all day and then all night, waking up around 6 a.m. Saturday morning feeling a million times better. This was great because we had made plans weeks prior to spend the day and overnight boating with John's parents in Huron, Ohio. I began to feel a bit woozy that afternoon as we rocked back and forth in Lake Erie under the hot sun, but dismissed it as mild seasickness. We had a few cocktails that day, and as we wrapped up dinner at a little dockside restaurant, I began to really feel exhausted and nauseous again. I went directly to bed in the air conditioned boat, and took an afternoon-long nap as soon as we returned home. I refused to eat much at the Father's Day dinner that night, even though it was my favorite Mexican restaurant-- Cozumel! Over the course of these few days, I took several pregnancy tests-- and they all had the same result: NEGATIVE. I regained energy through Monday and Tuesday, and knew I had just overdone it by getting out over the weekend after having the flu. Boy, was I wrong!

Since I felt better that entire week, I expected my period on Thursday. When it didn't show up by Thursday afternoon when I'm normally sent out to get Rosati's ice cream for the team at work, I took a detour to Target to purchase a pregnancy test. I knew I'd start my period that night since I didn't start it that morning, I told myself. I took the test and the little positive line didn't show up again... OH WAIT! What the HELL is this?! A faint line? So faint I feel like I'm just psyching myself out because there's no way I'm pregnant. All those tests were negative. What is this? I took another one later. Faint line again. Man, I hated those faint lines. I held onto the tests and took them home. That day, my work meeting seemed to last 3 weeks as I waited to go home and tell John. On my way, I picked up a couple digital tests, took them straight to the bathroom without saying hello to John first, and peed on them both. Now, when most pregnancy tests say they take 3 minutes, they don't take 3 minutes to come up with a positive. (From my experience post-positive test)... but digital... 3 minutes really is 3 minutes. Those 3 minutes also lasted 3 weeks as John beat on the door, asking me what was wrong. Finally, the digital test was finished. And it said... PREGNANT. I struggled to find a "not" in front of it, and even waited a few seconds to see if "not" did show up before I opened the door and invited John in. Amongst the shock, I showed him the positive test and he just smiled. "Are you REALLY pregnant?!" He asked. Like me, he had thought I was starting my period that day and we both hugged, both in shock, both a little queasy, both still a little unsure that it was true. We both looked at the test again, and joked that we were waiting for a "not" to show up before the pregnant. As reality began to settle in for the new parents-to-be, we faced our first challenge: dinner and drinks with his family at Molly McGhee's, one of our favorite Thursday hangouts. How was I going to keep the secret? How was I going to drink water all night while everyone else guzzled down their beers and wine and get away with no questions? I escaped that night, but the next Thursday...

Family tragedies occurred and we decided this might be good news to share. At 5 weeks pregnant, we told our families and some of our close friends. Laughter, tears, hugs, and kisses... everyone is ecstatic for Baby K's arrival in February. My first doctor's appointment is tomorrow... I'll be 5.5 weeks and... it's our FIRST wedding anniversary! I can't wait to see what the future holds for our family to grow from 2 to 3. Over the next 34 weeks (give or take), I'll share my experiences, photos, likes and dislikes, and even some video blogs for Baby K to watch his/herself one day! 

I just want to tell you right now, Baby K, Mommy and Daddy love you very very much already and we can't wait to meet you! Never ever forget that you were made to serve a purpose and no matter what, wherever you are, God is right there with you. Your first piece of advice: God is Good all the time; All the time God is Good. xoxo

Mommy

                                      Four weeks! Wish I could stay this fit and thin!!