The Big One

Over the past few months I think I've committed to updating the blog several hundred times but...it just hasn't quite happened that way. Now that I'm home from work for the day sick with a nasty cold/flu bug, I suppose I finally have the time to accomplish this gigantic feat. So...sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

First of all, way back in December, Scott and I got the shock of our lives. Yeah, 'THE BIG ONE' as I like to call it. It was December 11th to be precise, at about 5:45 a.m. and I hadn't slept for several hours. The time had come for me to take 'the test' and while Scott lay groggily in bed in the next room, I was anything but sleepy. During the 3 minute wait I slipped back under the covers with hubby and snuggled him up close. Suddenly he too was very awake and after a minute had passed he asked, "So, has it been 3 minutes yet?" The question was repeated no less than 60 seconds later and by the time he asked the third time we were standing next to the bathroom door. Shaking and anxious, Scott gave me a hug and a kiss and we decided to 'look together' since both of us were too chicken to have to break any news to the other. Hand in hand we walked in, looked at the test on the counter and voila...our lives were instantly turned upside down. Scott said simply, "We're pregnant" while I stared in shock and amazement for about 3 seconds before looking up at Scott and realizing I had tears streaming down my face. Scott looked at me and the look of shock turned into a smile from ear to ear. He held me close while my silent tears turned into soft sobs.


The next couple of hours were spent laying in bed talking. We talked about what to do next, how and when to tell our family, and how we were going to adjust to a new member in our family. That day I called to schedule our 1st doctor appointment and instantly, we were off and running. We bought prenatal vitamins, I started carefully examining my waistline, and Scott began worrying about every possible worst case scenario.

{I am certain that skinny jeans result in pregnancy. Exhibit A...I bought these jeans about 3 weeks before learning I was prego. Just when you think you might possibly be able pull off the skinny look, you find out you are going to be gaining 50 pounds. Folks, I don't look like this anymore...Now I just dream about seeing my ab muscles again.}

About a week after the big news had 'settled in' I began to realize what all those women complain about in regards to 'morning sickness'. Suddenly I found myself nauseated 24 hours a day with little relief from crackers, ginger, and all the other 'home remedies' I Google searched. One day, the nausea escalated and I threw up. And continued to throw up. Every day. It was exhausting. It was frustrating. It was hard to hide. And, I was completely discouraged. After about a month and a half of trying myself to keep food down, I finally was able to get a prescription from my Dr. to help. And, while I continue to feel nauseated, I am at least able to keep my food down for the most part.

So, needless to say the months of December and January were mostly spent hanging over the toilet bowl, laying in bed, sleeping on Scott's shoulder as we watched TV on the couch and crying--lots.

The end of January provided some relief and excitement as we were able to go to our first Dr. appointment. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat and I was poked, prodded, and examined. Because our appointment had been postponed, we were late getting home to the birthday celebration we were having for Mom that night where we had planned to share our big news. They were nice enough to patiently wait for us to 'get home from work' while we scrambled frantically to get everything put together. I think everyone was shocked when Mom opened her present from us to find a lime and a poem announcing the upcoming arrival of her first grandbaby. :) Dad, however, was probably the most shocked. He informed me the next day that he had considered calling in sick for work because he wasn't feeling very well....haha.

The next night was when we were able to tell Scott's parents (who are currently serving a mission in Paris). We recruited a little help from their mission president (a family friend) and sent them a power point presentation sharing the good news. They then called us on Skype to celebrate with us. It was fun to talk to them and be able to share with them our thoughts and feelings.

The rest of Scott's siblings found out at different times. Tyler & Chelsea were the 1st ones to know, as we generally spend a lot of time with them and it was beginning to be very difficult to find excuses for not wanting to do things together-especially around the holidays. We ended up using Henry to spill the beans to them on New Years Eve. The rest of our nieces and nephews received Valentine's Day packages the first and second week of February from our family which included valentine's from their new cousin.

All other family and friends have gradually received word of the news...perhaps some through this post. ;) For all of those who don't know, my due date is scheduled for August 18th.

In other news from the past couple of months, I started my new job working as a Personal Banker for Zions Bank at the beginning of the year. It has been nice to go back to a job where I am familiar with most of the systems. The new position brings with it a healthy amount of challenges and stresses but I guess that is what can be expected from any job. Working has definitely made the time pass more quickly for me which has been a huge blessing.

Scott's work has been going pretty well. His superiors regularly comment on how successful he is and how much he contributes. I am so grateful that he is willing to work so hard for our family and for all that he has done to make our home functional over the past few months. He certainly is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Aspen continues to be her pouty self and has been working especially hard on training lately. She 'wowed' a group of other dogs and trainers a couple of weeks ago when she perfectly retrieved a pigeon at a dog training seminar Scott attended. Scott has worked really hard on training her and she definitely adds flare to our family dynamic. What can I say, we love our pooch.

So, I suppose that is all I have for now. I'm thinking that an hour of blogging for today is quite enough and I'm going to go back to sipping my orange juice and attempting sleep. Maybe later I'll get our Valentine's day post on here as well.