Joe and I always knew that we wanted children one day. We knew, we’d get married, buy a house, adopt a dog, and then one day start a family. Although not in order, we got a condo, got two dogs and then we got married 5 years after we started dating. We still wanted to move into a house with a yard before starting a family. It turns out God had other plans.
After a late Tuesday evening spent in the tow truck with Joe, we stopped for dinner at Denny’s. I was feeling off for the last few weeks and couldn’t put my finger on why I didn’t feel normal. I didn’t feel ill, just not right. During our conversation while waiting for our food, we over heard a lady behind us announced to her friends that she was pregnant. When I heard that I did some calculating, then the realization hit me. At the same moment Joe saw the look in my eyes and asked me “You just realized that you may be pregnant huh?” Apparently he’s had the suspicion for the past week. I brushed it off saying “Naw, no way am I pregnant. “ Joe then pointed out a few things that I had done earlier in the week to prove myself otherwise. My appalled reaction when I got home one night and immediately smelled our garbage can. I apologized to our friends that had shown up and they just looked at me funny and said they couldn’t smell a thing; my constant tiredness. It added up.
So we decided to stop at a store and get a home pregnancy test. Once home I took the test, after 3 LONG minutes, I checked the result, Negative. I had a feeling deep in my gut that screamed, “THIS IS WRONG”. Joe felt the same way. So I decided to wait a few days and then test again in two mornings.
Thursday came around and I tested again first thing in the morning. I was so sure it was going to read positive. Again after three long minutes, Negative. Again I had the “This is wrong” feeling. I didn’t even bother telling Joe. I just let him sleep and I went off to work.
After talking to my co worker and close friend, she convinced me to call my primary care doctor and just run it by them. So I made the call on my lunch break. The on call nurse called me back and set me up with an appointment a few hours later with the walk in clinic.
So here Joe and I were to go to the Dr. Sure we’d get a positive result. Once we sat down with the Dr. She was sure I just had food poising. After all I was only a week late and had been on the pill for years. After telling us how accurate a Home Pregnancy test is now a days she didn’t feel the need to run any lab work. I insisted, telling her that it isn’t food poising, I don’t feel sick, just off. Please run a blood test. She agreed and wanted to run both urine and a blood and then she’d call us with the results. We asked how long the results would take. Less than 30 minutes was her response. We decided to wait, even though the Dr. was sure it would come up negative. So there we were, sitting and waiting. “If it is negative, maybe we should start trying?” I said to Joe. “In a few more years, once we’re in a house” he replied.
After 20 minutes of waiting, the nurse popped her head around the corner and said “Your results are back, and they are positive”
“Positive for what?” Joe asked as I sat staring at the paper in the nurse’s hand. “Congratulations, you’re pregnant! Do you want to speak with the Doctor?” I popped out of my daze and said “Yeah, I guess we better”.
As the nurse showed us to an exam room and was shutting the door she asked if I was OK, “Yeah” I replied and started bawling. Joe laughed and came up to me, rubbing my arms, kissing my forehead and saying, “Why are you crying, this is what you wanted”.
Reality had hit me along with a deep gutted fear. I was going to be a Mommy.
The doctor had come in and was honestly surprised with the results. She said that it was VERY early into the pregnancy. Only about 3 weeks and that I must have been very in tuned with my body. December 25, 2010 was our due date. She gave us a rundown of what to expect in the next few weeks and sent us on our way.
That whole week Joe and I never mentioned any of our suspicions to our family. We didn’t want to say anything unless there was something to say. We decided to head over to my mom’s first and make a call to my dad. He was over the moon, so excited and happy.
When I broke the news to my mom she was stunned. “How do you like the term Grandma?” I asked her. Stunned silence was my answer. After it sunk in, she was first worried for us. About the changes that we will endure and wondering if our marriage was ready for the roller coaster that was upon us.
As Joe and I drove home I received a text from my mom. “Wow, a baby. Oh WOW!” I called her wanting to know the reason for her text. She said it took a few minutes for it all to sink in. She realized that God planned this and he wouldn’t give us the challenge if we weren’t ready for it. She was so happy and knew that the next chapter in her life was about to begin being a Grandmother.
Seahawk Draft party, I told him he was going to be an Uncle for Christmas. I could hear him sniffling through the phone, “are you serious?” He asked. He too was so happy. I told him that mum’s the word until I give him the go ahead. Too excited about it all he posted on Facebook that he was going to be an uncle!
After seeing my brothers post an hour later, Joe and I hopped back into the car and headed up to Stanwood to tell his family the good news before they saw anything online.
Once all of our immediate family knew the good news I composed an email to let the rest of the family know. It was opening weekend and most of them were at Blue Lake. Thank goodness for Smart Phones. My Cousin received my email and read it to everyone at lunch, I got a very ecstatic email back saying that Nana was jumping up and down. So excited.
At 13 weeks we had an NT Test done. All came out great and it was our first time seeing the little one move. Yes I cried. Such a miracle.
At 20 weeks we had our ultrasound done. This baby was moving like crazy. The Technician was having a bit of a hard time getting the necessary pictures let alone the gender deciding ones. At the end the tech couldn't get a clear confirming shot nor was she able to get pictures of the baby's heart so we were told to come back in 2 weeks so that they can get the shots needed and also see the baby's growth progress.
Even though our pregnancy was unplanned, we were thrilled, and a little scared at the big change about to happen to our lives.
My pregnancy went as smooth as silk! Aside from my heightened sense of smell, I was doing great! Pregnancy really agreed with me. I never have felt better. Our one day became now.
Sorry for the this being SO long. I had so much that happened in the last year that I wanted to get written down! Next edition will be Katie's birth story and an update on her first 4 months. I promise it won't be nearly as long!
Thanks for reading!
