Finding Out About Baby

It's funny how we picture life's big moments to go.  I'm not naturally a dreamer, but when it comes to things like this, I tend to dream big.  I picture every "big" moment in life to play out perfectly and beautifully, to be photographed and documented and to be the best story to tell.  Sometimes this causes for disappointment, but sometimes, it plays out better than I could have dreamed.  Either way, life is imperfect and I believe, life is way more fun because things don't always go perfectly - although, sometimes it helps to remind myself that.

I pictured husband and I first finding out we were pregnant in a really special way.  I pictured us at either a beautiful location and happy tears flowing and the most beautiful non-surprise ever (because we would be planning for it, of course).  After three awesome years to ourselves (with the addition of our pup, obviously), we decided that we officially had baby fever.  I didn't always have baby fever, though.  I truly enjoyed being married without kids and simply spending time with my nieces and nephews regularly, as well as being able to go and do whatever we wanted when we wanted.  We had and still have a ton of fun with just us two.  But alas, husband and I officially caught the baby fever and decided it was time to to grow our family.

This story is really for me.  I hesitated writing about this on here so many times because it seems so silly to me now, but I want to remember it.  I know that for so many people, getting pregnant is truly a lengthy and heartbreaking experience.  I know that this can be a really hard time for women (and men) and my heart goes out for those women.  I can't even imagine.  But this is my story.  And I know how blessed I am.  I am aware at how fortunate we are and I am deeply grateful for our story.  So for now, I'm just going to write down my story so that I can look back on it.

...

I had it all planned out.  Christmas morning we were going to wake up, spend the morning together, take a pregnancy test (this was going to be plenty of time for the test to be able to read positive according to my super scientific calculations), cheer for joy, celebrate together, take my first bump photo (despite any lack of a bump), and then vow to keep it our little secret for a few weeks.  It was going to be the best Christmas ever.

Christmas day came.  I woke up, got all ready (so that I'd look great in the photos), got all ready to go, and then it was time.

Negative.

What?!  But how?!

Oh yeah, life isn't always perfect like that.  I was thoroughly disappointed and I won't say it ruined Christmas, but I definitely had to remind myself that this wasn't everything and that it would all be ok.  It's crazy how much that little stick can totally make or break your life.  But, I also held on to the hope that I was still late...really late.

After a few more negative tests planned out for "perfect" moments for a 'positive' celebration, I decided not to romanticize the event and just take tests when I felt like it and to not stress about it.

Low and behold, one Monday in January before work, when husband was not home to witness, I saw that second pink line.

WHOA.

I couldn't believe it.  I wanted to call husband right away, but after containing myself, I decided, that since he wasn't there, I could have him come home to a fun surprise.  So with a sharpie and some paper...I whipped up this congrats banner for the door...

...pulled out some sparkling cider...

...and made him a card to share the news.

I did text him to let me know when he was almost home (something we usually do), but he decided to forget to text me until he was 2 minutes away.  Unfortunately, I had run out to meet someone and realized that he was going to beat me home.  

Again...things never go as planned!  He got home, saw it all, realized what was happening and decided to sit on the front porch and wait for me to open anything (what a smart man).  

Cue the celebrations!  This was the day we found out we were going to be parents and what a surreal day that was.

It wasn't on Christmas morning or any other special day I had planned, but that day is such a sweet memory to me now and I will never forget it!

And seriously...I had NO reason to freak out.  Ever.

God is good.