I thought today, before I get to my bump report (tomorrow), that I’d take a step back up and share how we found out I was pregnant…and how we told our families that we were expecting.
As many of you might have guessed, this pregnancy was both planned and anticipated, so the months leading up to a positive test result were full of symptom analysis (and for those of you who’ve been there – you know how mentally draining this can be). However, the month I actually got pregnant, I experienced no noticeable symptoms. In fact, the week before Thanksgiving, I traveled cross country…packing plenty of feminine hygiene products just in case “aunt flo” came for a visit. Clearly she didn’t.
When my husband picked me up from the airport, we both had a feeling that this was our month, but the next day we were supposed to go to my parents’ for Thanksgiving. I couldn’t take a pregnancy test the night before and keep that kinda secret all day…so, we waited. Then, that Friday after Thanksgiving…as soon as we got home from my parents’ house, I peed on a stick (POAS). My husband told me not to hover, so I decided to unpack my bag while we waited for a result. A few minutes later, we walked over together to see those two little pink lines.
I know that a lot of people call their families immediately to spread the good news, but I’ve heard a lot of pregnancy horror stories of people telling too quickly only to be disappointed…so we decided that we would wait until my 8 week appointment and ultrasound before telling our families. I guess I just wanted to have evidence that an actual baby existed before telling the world.
As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t experience much in the way of morning sickness during my first trimester, so it was easy to hide my pregnancy from most people. However, my mom and I talk nearly every day (or at least every other day) so keeping my big news from her was painful. In fact, she’ll tell you that I was a bit distant and rude for those few weeks. Nonetheless, I wanted to tell her in person. Furthermore, I really wanted to wait until Christmas. It was completely worth the wait.
As many of you might have guessed, this pregnancy was both planned and anticipated, so the months leading up to a positive test result were full of symptom analysis (and for those of you who’ve been there – you know how mentally draining this can be). However, the month I actually got pregnant, I experienced no noticeable symptoms. In fact, the week before Thanksgiving, I traveled cross country…packing plenty of feminine hygiene products just in case “aunt flo” came for a visit. Clearly she didn’t.
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Is it just me, or does our baby look like ET? |
I know that a lot of people call their families immediately to spread the good news, but I’ve heard a lot of pregnancy horror stories of people telling too quickly only to be disappointed…so we decided that we would wait until my 8 week appointment and ultrasound before telling our families. I guess I just wanted to have evidence that an actual baby existed before telling the world.
As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t experience much in the way of morning sickness during my first trimester, so it was easy to hide my pregnancy from most people. However, my mom and I talk nearly every day (or at least every other day) so keeping my big news from her was painful. In fact, she’ll tell you that I was a bit distant and rude for those few weeks. Nonetheless, I wanted to tell her in person. Furthermore, I really wanted to wait until Christmas. It was completely worth the wait.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve. My husband and I decided that we would tell his family on Christmas Eve at the family cabin (since we would be with them on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). A few weeks prior, my sister-in-law was asking everyone to send in pictures of themselves past and present. She may have even told us that she was going to put together a video montage to share with everyone after opening presents. We thought it was the perfect time to share our news.
At the end of the video, my husband announced that there was one photo missing and held up our eight week ultrasound photo. I had my camera ready and aimed at his Nanny and brother (above). It’s a little overexposed, but you can see how surprised they were. Of course, our announcement was followed by lots of tears and hugs…and our niece asking if it was a boy or girl…too soon sweetheart (but we’ll know in just a couple of weeks).
We left my inlaws’ house on Christmas Day after lunch to drive across the state to tell my parents that night. When we arrived, it was just the four of us (my mom, dad, me and my husband) and our presents (since my brother and sister had already spent most of the day at home). We exchanged presents and as we were nearly done, I passed one final gift over to my mom. I think I gave her some speech about how I know I’m always made fun of for giving photo-related gifts, but I had to include just one. As she opened the box, her eyes filled with tears as she realized what it was – this part still makes me cry. My dad looked confused so I skipped any poetic creativity and announced that we were expecting….more hugs and tears.
It was the first of many good days and we’re all still beaming. Stay tuned as I share more bits and pieces of my pregnancy story over the next five and a half months. I’ll be back tomorrow with my 16 Week Bump Report.
PS: Don’t forget to send Kitty Paw a Love Letter. She’s waiting to hear from you. Click HERE for more details.
At the end of the video, my husband announced that there was one photo missing and held up our eight week ultrasound photo. I had my camera ready and aimed at his Nanny and brother (above). It’s a little overexposed, but you can see how surprised they were. Of course, our announcement was followed by lots of tears and hugs…and our niece asking if it was a boy or girl…too soon sweetheart (but we’ll know in just a couple of weeks).
We left my inlaws’ house on Christmas Day after lunch to drive across the state to tell my parents that night. When we arrived, it was just the four of us (my mom, dad, me and my husband) and our presents (since my brother and sister had already spent most of the day at home). We exchanged presents and as we were nearly done, I passed one final gift over to my mom. I think I gave her some speech about how I know I’m always made fun of for giving photo-related gifts, but I had to include just one. As she opened the box, her eyes filled with tears as she realized what it was – this part still makes me cry. My dad looked confused so I skipped any poetic creativity and announced that we were expecting….more hugs and tears.
It was the first of many good days and we’re all still beaming. Stay tuned as I share more bits and pieces of my pregnancy story over the next five and a half months. I’ll be back tomorrow with my 16 Week Bump Report.
PS: Don’t forget to send Kitty Paw a Love Letter. She’s waiting to hear from you. Click HERE for more details.
