This is just the beginning

Written 12/29/08 @ 6 weeks.....

I found out that I was pregnant on December 15th. After discovering that it was past the time in which I could test, I walked briskly to the CVS that is not too far from where I work. I proceeded to take a test at work. I know, not the optimal place, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to know. It was POSITIVE! I was so excited. I am pretty sure I would have cried had I not been at work. I probably would’ve even jumped around and yelled, but, unfortunately, I could not have this kind of reaction without calling attention to myself.

I spoke to Chris during the day but decided not to tell him until we were face to face. I picked him up at school and we grabbed dinner at Spangler, HBS’ on-campus cafeteria, and headed out to the car. He begged me to drive because he had just taken a 5 hour final, but I was not going to have any of that. Little did he know that he had a surprise waiting for him in the driver’s seat. He finally agreed to drive. He opened the door to find a note and the 2nd positive pregnancy test, one that I had taken when I ran home briefly after work (you know, just to be sure), and two books about being a father. He was in complete and total shock. I have to admit that it wasn’t the reaction that I was hoping for. I was hoping that he was going to jump up and down with excitement, but he did not do this. He was just in shock and kept saying “really?”

Chris says that he hasn’t been able to sleep very well since I told him that I was pregnant. I guess he is just constantly running it through his mind. I have to say that our reactions to my pregnancy have somewhat flip-flopped. Chris is now extremely excited about the baby and mentions it all the time, while I am pretty scared and nervous about it all. It makes me nauseous just thinking about it. This does not mean that I am not overly ecstatic that Chris and I are going to have a baby; it just didn’t hit me what a big commitment it was until a few days after I found out. The bliss wore off and reality set in.

This baby is such a blessing to Chris and I and we can’t wait to meet her/him in late August of 2009. I know that this baby is going to make our lives that much better. I can’t wait….even though I may be a little apprehensive about it right now.

Telling the future grandparents/uncle:

We decided to wait and tell both sets of our parents about my pregnancy until we were at home for Christmas. We purchased grandma and grandpa mugs for my parents and I made a onesie with “I love my Uncle” on it for my brother. We opened gifts with my parents on Christmas Eve and just as everyone had opened all of their gifts we told them that we had one more. Chris handed out the gifts and instructed them to open them at the same time. They all pulled out their gifts and screamed with excitement. My mom even said “I knew it”. I guess Chris had been a little bit overprotective of me, which he never was before, while we were at home. He happened to say “don’t run up those stairs in your socked feet” and just a day later my mom suspected that I was pregnant. I don’t guess we did a very good job of hiding it, but I still think they were surprised. We told Chris’ parents on Christmas morning. They were both excited and his dad even let out an “oh, Lordy”.

As I write this, I am now 6 weeks pregnant. I am thankfully not having too many side effects from the pregnancy. Although, I have been somewhat nauseous the past few days. I just hope and pray that I don’t get full-blown morning sickness. At 6 weeks, the baby is now the size of a lentil bean, about a quarter of an inch long. The nose, mouth and ears are beginning to develop.