It's been a whirlwind five years since we returned from our study abroad trip: we navigated the difficulties of long-distance dating, moved to DC/VA together for grad school, got real jobs, got engaged and then married... It's just like that nursery rhyme kids sing teasingly on the playground:
First comes Love:
So, let's bring you all up to date:
First comes Love:
Istanbul, 2008
...
Then comes Marriage:
Joseph Ambler Inn, 2011
Little McBaby at 8 weeks, 3 days!
Yep, I'm 10 weeks pregnant!
*insert enormous smile and spoonful of ice cream here*
As far as containing our excitement, we have been absolutely bursting to tell everyone, but I wanted to wait until we saw the little one's heartbeat before publicly sharing the news. We had a surprise early ultrasound at our first appointment on Friday, June 14 and got to see our little nugget for the first time! He/She had a wonderful little heartbeat and was only the size of a raspberry!
...
I started feeling "off" right before Mother's Day weekend, but the early pregnancy test was negative. We went along with our weekend plans, and even told Mike's aunt we weren't pregnant yet when she asked. I started getting nauseous the week after Mother's Day and when my "monthly friend" didn't show up on May 16th, I took another test. It turned positive within SECONDS and I could hardly believe my eyes.
May 16th was also the day after the one-year anniversary of my Poppie's passing. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that as our family began the healing process from the loss of one life, another very tiny life was just beginning. No lie, I sobbed for a good 20 minutes before Mike got home from work. I scrambled to find a sweet and creative way to tell him -- I didn't want to just run up to him screaming and crying like a lunatic (although I'm sure it would have been memorable).
*insert enormous smile and spoonful of ice cream here*
As far as containing our excitement, we have been absolutely bursting to tell everyone, but I wanted to wait until we saw the little one's heartbeat before publicly sharing the news. We had a surprise early ultrasound at our first appointment on Friday, June 14 and got to see our little nugget for the first time! He/She had a wonderful little heartbeat and was only the size of a raspberry!
...
I started feeling "off" right before Mother's Day weekend, but the early pregnancy test was negative. We went along with our weekend plans, and even told Mike's aunt we weren't pregnant yet when she asked. I started getting nauseous the week after Mother's Day and when my "monthly friend" didn't show up on May 16th, I took another test. It turned positive within SECONDS and I could hardly believe my eyes.
May 16th was also the day after the one-year anniversary of my Poppie's passing. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that as our family began the healing process from the loss of one life, another very tiny life was just beginning. No lie, I sobbed for a good 20 minutes before Mike got home from work. I scrambled to find a sweet and creative way to tell him -- I didn't want to just run up to him screaming and crying like a lunatic (although I'm sure it would have been memorable).
I grabbed a necklace case, popped the positive test in and tied it with a bow. I scrawled Mike's name on a scrap of paper and tucked it into the ribbon. He walked in the door with dinner and I handed it to him nonchalantly, mumbling that it was left on the doorstep and I didn't know what it was.
He was puzzled at first and made a joke that it was a pen or that it might contain anthrax, laughing about that week's developing drama at the City. I laughed and played it off really well. He had trouble opening it (ugh, men!) so I helped him with the ribbon and stepped back to see his face. At first he just kind of stared at it for a second, and then slowly turned to look at me and got a huge smile on his face. Of course, I started bawling again.
So, let's bring you all up to date:
My first several weeks have gone well-- I certainly haven't been lucky enough to escape all-day morning sickness, but I've been nauseous more than throwing up. I can feel myself bloating up (there goes that 10 pounds I lost!) but I feel pretty good considering some of the horror stories I've read about the first trimester. I get super tired around 3:00 everyday and nap when I can. I overexerted myself a few weeks ago on a cleaning rampage and then slept for 11 hours straight, haha.
We told both sets of parents over the phone at almost 6 weeks. It wasn't the way I wanted it to happen, but we just couldn't stop ourselves. Once it was out to one parent, we had to tell the rest! A few days later I told my sisters and a few days after that we called Mike's sister. We told his whole family on Father's Day weekend and let a few friends in on the secret.
I flew to PA to spend some time with my parents this weekend. We had dinner tonight with my grandparents (if you know me, you know that I have several!) to "celebrate Father's Day" and I broke the news to them too! Little McBaby is the first in both of our families -- the first grandchild, first great-grandchild, and on my side, the first great-great-grandchild!
Mike and I are so happy to be expanding our family (although I'm not as happy about my expanding waistline, but it's for a good cause!). We cannot wait to meet our little McClanahan and blog about the ups and downs of this new chapter in our lives.
We told both sets of parents over the phone at almost 6 weeks. It wasn't the way I wanted it to happen, but we just couldn't stop ourselves. Once it was out to one parent, we had to tell the rest! A few days later I told my sisters and a few days after that we called Mike's sister. We told his whole family on Father's Day weekend and let a few friends in on the secret.
I flew to PA to spend some time with my parents this weekend. We had dinner tonight with my grandparents (if you know me, you know that I have several!) to "celebrate Father's Day" and I broke the news to them too! Little McBaby is the first in both of our families -- the first grandchild, first great-grandchild, and on my side, the first great-great-grandchild!
Mike and I are so happy to be expanding our family (although I'm not as happy about my expanding waistline, but it's for a good cause!). We cannot wait to meet our little McClanahan and blog about the ups and downs of this new chapter in our lives.
