I'm Not Sure What I Signed Up For

The word has been out for a bit now, but Joseph and I are thrilled about our newest addition! When I say thrilled, the phrase "scared beyond reason" also comes to mind. :) I found out in March with my positive pregnancy test. We had just come home from Idaho and ironically Joseph had joked around with friends that I must be barren (I think it made them feel a little uncomfortable). We got home really late and I just had to take the test. The test wasn't clear but made me suspicious that it could be positive (since previous months were a blatant negative). The next morning I tried it again and there was the clear double line. I wasn't sure at that point if I was happy or shocked. . . maybe both. Every part of me wanted to wake Joseph up with a pee stick in his face. . .but I refrained. I had bought the book "What To Expect When Your Wife Is Expecting" a while a go. (Sadly enough, the previous month I really thought I was pregnant and bought the book to surprise Joseph. Two errors occurred. 1. He saw that the book had been shipped from Amazon-he had some questions for me. 2. I wasn't actually pregnant-it's amazing what your mind tells your body because I swore I was having morning sickness. Maybe just not-wanting-to-go-to-work-sickness). Before I left for work that morning I placed the book outside the bedroom. I patiently waited at work for a text. His response was "is this for real?" He was so excited as well as me!

Pregnancy world has treated me surprisingly well. I can't complain with the symptoms that I have had. I definitely didn't feel good first trimester but wasn't living beside my toilet either. There were only a few weeks where I frequented the work bathroom. A few people at work suspected but no one really commented on the matter the first trimester.

Joseph and I were the typical couple that didn't want to tell people until the first trimester had past. For some reason I thought it would be fun to wait until we knew the gender to announce to everyone. . .everyone including family, friends, and co-workers. It was a hard secret to keep, especially around week 16-17 when I was really starting to show and people at work were punning jokes my way that I was pregnant. (There are two other expectant mothers who announced before me but are due after).

We were so excited for the ultrasound. I originally thought that we were having a girl. Around 13-14 weeks my thoughts changed and I was convinced that it was a boy. (I think because we both wanted a girl so badly that I expected that it would be the opposite). The ultrasound was such a sweet experience. She was so beautiful!!!! She was so mellow and the tech had a hard time getting her to wake up and move around. . .(is it bad if I hope she stays like that)? When the tech informed us that our baby was a girl tears came to my eyes and I knew Joseph was equally excited.

We were leaving for a cruise just a few days later (post to come shortly) so we had a bunch of work to do still. Joseph sent a few of the pictures to our parents in Florida and Idaho to a local Walgreens. We informed our moms that we had sent pictures from our recent trip to Galveston and that they needed to be picked up. My mom picked them up almost immediately and her text read "you snot!" (That is a term of endearment I promise). Joseph's mother took much longer to pick up the pictures. He was convinced that she wasn't going to make it that day. She called late that night to give us congratulations! Two new grand babies on both sides of the family in one year. . .that's a huge success for both sides.

Besides a few other friends/family/co-workers we didn't tell anyone else until we left on our cruise. I don't know if it was the best way to announce. . .or if waiting that long was a good decision, but either way, it was a fun surprise for everyone.

I'm currently 23 weeks and feeling it.

Always looking my best in 100 degree Texas weather

Energy: Still completely tired all the time. I know it's better than it was, but I can't ever seem to sleep enough
Weight Gain: 15 lbs (I know it's normal but yikes)!
Back pain: I didn't realize that the pain would come so early. I'm trying to stay active and do lots of stretching but I wake up with my back hurting and it progressively gets worse throughout the day. I decided to reorganize a storage closet on Saturday. . .maybe not the best idea to be toting boxes around for the afternoon. I'm still paying for that decision.
Pregnancy Love: I love that I can finally feel her consistently. I have even been able to see her move the past couple of days.
Pregnancy Hate: Okay, the whole waking up at 3am thing to pee is a little annoying but somehow I think it will get worse so I might as well not complain.
Movements: It's only been the past couple of weeks, and really the past week that I have felt her. I love sitting down and just waiting for her.
Belly Button: It's definitely popped out more the past few weeks. Definitely not an outie yet but it's on it's way. (And no one ever told me that it would feel like someone was pulling it out). Is this happening to anyone else?
Cravings: My cravings have changed constantly. I originally only wanted salty foods (I think it helped with the nausea). I have craved red meat a lot! (The cruise was really good to me). I have noticed that I am craving really sweet things right now; I usually choose tart/sour foods but they haven't tasted as good as the really sweet ones.
Stretch Marks: I haven't noticed any yet-quick what cream do y'all recommend?
Emotions: It still hasn't quite set in that I'm going to have a baby. I'm definitely more emotional and cry much easier. I started crying the other night and Joseph asked me what was wrong. I couldn't give him an answer except that it was the "Sunday night blues." Poor husband.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers. Joseph and I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father trusts us with one his precious children. We don't feel qualified for the job but are excited for the challenges that lie ahead!