Well I guess I'll start with the reason I wanted to start this blog....
I'm Pregnant.
Whoa. That's even weird to see typed out. I wanted to document this experience for my own benefit, use this a bit of a release and eventually show it to this kid when it's old enough.
It's been kind of a surreal experience so far. I'm just over12 weeks in and only forever to go. I guess you can say that we've technically trying since last July. Well that's when we stopped using any kind of birth control or more eloquently put by my lovely co-worker Chelsea, that's when we "pulled the goalie". Wow, that still makes me laugh :)
Honestly, we did not think that we would be pregnant right now. Don't get me wrong, we are INCREDIBLY happy and can't wait until January! But it's been an eventful, mentally and physically exhausting year. Last year began with us in the end stages of planning our wedding, getting married and being happy newlyweds until the fall hit. In October, we received some bad news. My husband's father, Eli, was having seizures. His brain cancer was back. This is now his second battle with brain cancer, I was confident that he kicked it once so he was gonna do it again. Surgery in November to get out what they could and then Chemo and Radiology treatments right after. We happened to very lucky in the fact that I knew 2 of the radiologists that treated Eli. Ashley, an old co-worker from Reitmans and Colleen, the wife of one of Charlie's childhood friends and our florist for our wedding (she's a multi talented lady). We were fortunate enough to have Colleen do the family education session with us. She put my mind at ease and reassured me that everything will be okay. Now I have to admit, it was a very rough time. Eli was not his usual bubbly, exuberant self. Needless to say all my spare time was spent with him a nd helping out where ever we could. Whether it be cooking meals for Esther and Eli or just going with Charlie to take Eli to his treatments, that's what we were there for. We are family and that's what you do.There were days where I was the only one that seem to be able to get to Eli and it was exhausting. It's hard to see some you love go through something so horrible. He told he that he loved my "tough love" and that's why he could always rely on me. And now, I'm glad to report that he's doing well. Getting better by the day and even starting to think about new music projects and gigs. We couldn't be prouder of him. He's slowly getting his energy back and is getting back to the "old Eli". Happy to talk your ear off at anytime and tell me all the same stories again and again. But you know what? I wouldn't change it for the world.
That takes us into the new year...
January started with a flurry of events. Charlie's birthday was on the 3rd, pretty quiet. The 8th was my parent's 34th wedding anniversary (whoa. 34 years!). The 20th was my favorite 7 year old's birthday. Ruby is the daughter my good friend Meghan. We've been friends forever and Ruby is kind of my practice kid :) For the past few years, it's kind of been a tradition for me and Charlie to bring her birthday cake. This year was no different. We got her a crazy chocolate cake from baked expectations and Charlie Geri-rigged a disco ball stand to go with. (the theme was dance party and what's a dance party without a disco ball). Huge hit and along with the homemade pizzas and snacks, those kids were tired when we sent them home. You're welcome, to the parents...The 22nd was my beautiful mother's 61st birthday, then right after that we get a letter from HSC. Charlie had a scheduled leg surgery on February 6th. Crazy. So then surgery happens, an experimental surgery to help his droopfoot. So far, it seems to be successful but we wont know the full extent of it for about 2 years, thats how long full recovery should take. All in all, with all the stress and busy lifestyle we thought it would be impossible to get pregnant and we kinda put it on the back burner for now.
That now takes us to early May...
Our one year anniversary was coming up on the 15th and we felt like we needed and deserved to get away for the weekend. So we booked the knotty pine cottage in WestHawk for the weekend of our anniversary. Going into the weekend I already had a feeling that we were pregnant but didn't want to say a word. I didn't want to jinx it. The hubby, knowing me so well knew something was up. So he just kinda came out with it and asked
" hey, you didn't have your period yet did you?"
"nope"
"huh, so I guess we should test when we get home?"
"Yup"
"ok then"
We get home from our wonderful weekend and nothing more was said about it. I think he didn't want to rush me. I remember the last time we tested (over 6 months ago) it was negative and I was pretty upset. So he wanted me to do it when I was ready. We went to bed, not really saying anything about it still. I woke up the next morning and Charlie was already up and hanging out in the living room. I went straight to the bathroom and stared at the test strip for what seemed to be forever before I actually did it. Then I did it, I peed on the strip. (Sorry there's just no way of making that sound wondrous). Ten, long and agonizing minutes later, I called Charlie...
"hey babe, ya wanna come look at this?"
"yeah sure I'll be right there" (not knowing that I did any of this previously)"is that what I think that is?"
"Yup, you need to read this. I can't look"
[looking intently at the box] "well, I think you have a baby there"(points to my tummy)
"really?"
"yes, really"
"holy shit, we're pregnant!"
Later that day, I went to the women's clinic to get tested by them and still positive. We were pregnant. :) I guess that was our anniversary present to us.
By the end of the week, we told the brother, sister and both sets of parents. Funny story: When my dad found out his first questions were 1: how are you feeling and 2: Can I put in on facebook now? ( I said not yet)The next week, my co-workers knew. Thank god because it was damn hard trying to hide morning sickness from them. They're like my extended family and have been extremely good to me. I'm not allowed to lift a thing and they gladly take on all the grunt work for me. They have also turned my 3pm can of Coke ritual in to a 3pm apple juice ritual. Apparently Coke is bad for baby. (well I know Coke isn't the best thing anyways but, you know) On our yearly camping trip last weekend, Charlie got such a kick out of how much my work family babies me. I wasn't allowed to lift any of the camping chairs or even roll the coolers anywhere. He told them it's a good thing so now he doesn't worry while I'm at work. Aside from Charlie, they are the 10 people that I spend most of my time with and I'm thankful for them now more than ever.
Everyone is as happy for us as we are. It sure is making this a whole lot easier. I have a tonne of emotions going through my mind at all times. I'm terrified, happy, nervous, anxious and scared all at the same time. Everyone has tonnes of amazing and some terrifying birthing stories to offer up and I'm more than happy to take in all of it. We've already decided that Charlie has to stay north of the equator in the delivery room. I watched a childbirth video online and I could barley take it, so he might not bode well down there either. Ha ha ha
So we've told all the ones we love already and have decided to hold off on the ever-so-important facebook announcement until after the first baby appointment and when we know the for sure due date. We have the appointment next Tuesday. So this blog is on the sly until then. Maybe that's how I'll share the news, I'll provide the link here... hmmm. Maybe. We'll see.
We even have names picked out. I'll tell you all that later though.... maybe.
