Christmas Morning

"This is the best Christmas present I've gotten in 29 years!"

~ Grandpa Mike

After a week of trying to hide the fact that I'm pregnant (and thinking up creative explanations as to why I'm not drinking!), we told my parents the big news. Dave and I waited until all of the presents had been opened on Christmas morning and pretended that we had forgotten to set out one of the gifts for my mom and dad.

We had a card for each of them -- one of those cards that allows you to record a personalized voice message -- in which we recorded ourselves saying, "Congratulations, Grandma!" and "Congratulations, Grandpa!" We also included a photo that we had taken of our positive pregnancy test. My mom realized what was happening almost immediately, but I think the news took a minute to sink in with my dad. After a moment or two, he finally asked, "Is this for real?" And, of course, it was. We all hugged and cried some very happy tears for a bit afterwards before heading up to the attic to start pulling down all of the baby gear my mom has been saving for this very day...

Excited doesn't even begin to describe my parents' reaction -- they seemed genuinely over-joyed and haven't stopped asking us when they can start spreading the news that they are going to be grandparents.

We're having a baby!

Dave and I are having a baby! Although I don't think the news has quite yet sunk in, we are beyond thrilled at the thought of starting a family. 

We had been "not not trying" for a couple of months and honestly didn't believe it would happen so quickly. (I sure am glad it did, though, because the anxiety of waiting to take that test each month was pure heck.) I was only a day or two late, but figured I ought to take a test before we hit the road to drive down to Florida for Christmas. So, first thing this morning, I took it -- half believing it would come back negative -- and, much to my pleasant surprise, it read PREGNANT in clear, bold letters! After taking a moment or two to let the news hit me, I went back into our bedroom where Dave was just beginning to wake up for the day ahead. I'm not sure what I said (something like, "There's something you should see...") before handing him the positive test, but afterwards we cuddled in bed for what seemed like forever, letting the mix of excitement, surprise, and shock sink in. 

I spent most of the rest of the day in a daydream, savoring our little secret and trying desperately to focus at work; there were just too many happy thoughts swirling around in my head to concentrate on any one thing for very long. I did manage to call my doctor to make an appointment for after the holidays and also took one more test this evening just to make sure I wasn't seeing things earlier. :) 

Even now, two tests later, I can hardly believe it's true. We are so hopeful and excited, though, and are already bursting to tell everyone our big news...