Oh BABY...

Besides a small handful of people, I don't actually think anyone reads this. So I feel safe to use my blog as a platform to release some very exciting news...we are having a BABY!! I know I should wait to announce this very exciting news until after the first trimester...or at least until after my first doctor's appt...but I just can't wait! I'm not going to make the formal announcement for a little while longer, but this is a safe place and I am eager to use my blog to track my pregnancy and what I am experiencing. If you are reading this, then I am excited to share in my happiness with you, and I just ask that you help to keep this information private, i.e. off my Facebook page, at least for a little while longer. :-)

Back to pure happiness...the BABY!!

Ryan and I have been trying for a baby for nearly a year. The whole reason we moved to Augusta was to position ourselves to be able to start a family. We have been here for almost a year (in March), so the timing of this pregnancy could not be more perfect. I admit that I was getting to the point where I was starting to get nervous about whether I am able to conceive or not, since it was taking so long. Every single month I convinced myself that I was experiencing pregnancy symptoms, but month after month I was wrong. Then on Friday, January 28, 2010, I woke up with cramps and the typical pre-menstrual feeling. I was due to start my period on Saturday, and for the first time in a long time, I knew without a doubt that I wasn't pregnant. However, I decided to take a pregnancy test anyway, because I knew we were going to our favorite Mexican restaurant to have some drinks that night, and I wanted to be 100% sure that I was safe to drink. I had 1 First Response pregnancy test on hand, and within a few seconds, I could see 2 very visible lines appearing on the stick. SHOCK! While I was trying to process what I just saw, I somehow convinced myself that it was a fluke and too good to be true. So I went to Walmart and bought 2 EPT tests. After using both of them, sure enough, I saw 2 very faint crosses appear on the tests. This was a little more convincing, but I still had my doubts. When Ryan came home from work that afternoon, I ran into the kitchen as soon as he walked into the door, and told him my news. Finally, I had someone to share my news with! Ok ok, I did tell my long time best friend, Katie, about the news, but to be fair, she guessed it as soon as I called her, before I even said anything. :)

That night, Ryan and I went to Poblanos and sat at the bar, per our Friday night ritual to talk to our friend Monica, who is the bartender there. I could not wait to tell her, as she asks me every Friday night if I am able to drink that night, and FINALLY I was able to tell her no and had a sprite instead. Of course the margaritas were smelling really good and I reeeaaaally wanted one, but I didn't! I was still not 100% convinced that I was pregnant, so that night on the way home I made Ryan stop so I could get 2 Clearblue tests. I figured these were fool proof, since the results clearly state "Pregnant" or "Not Pregnant." There's no way to mess that one up! I took one that night and another the next morning, and sure enough...I'm pregnant!

From what I have calculated, I am 6 weeks along and due around October 5th. My first doctor's appt & sonogram is Thursday, February 17th at 4pm. That day cannot get here soon enough, so I can hear the doctor's confirmation that YES, there is a baby growing in me and I'm not crazy!

So far I do not have any symptoms, except for the occassional upset stomach after I eat. Considering that I have dealt with that my whole life due to my lovely stomach issues, I am totally used to it. I cannot wait to actually "feel" pregnant...unless that feeling is morning sickness. That, I can live without!

Lots more baby talk later! xoxo

Reflections of 2010

Looking back on 2010, it was undoubtedly an incredible rollercoaster ride, with extreme peaks and lows. While the last year was filled with never-ending obstacles and a whole lot of stress, I believe that as a result, I am now in a happier and more settled place in my life. It was a year of much needed emotional healing and self-evaluation. Our move to Augusta was scary, sad, and exciting all at the same time, but overwhelmingly it provided me with a platform to start fresh and regain myself. There is no need to go into why I needed to heal, as it is all in the past and I do not wish to re-visit that dark place; suffice it to say that I allowed negativity to consume me, which ultimately led me to self-destruct (not in the literal sense).

I feel very blessed to have a husband who loves me and works hard to provide for me. This last year has certainly been a testament to the strength of our marriage. We endured the stress of quiting our jobs, moving to a different state, starting new jobs and moving again, all in the span of six months! While of course there were rocky times during that period, just as there would be for any couple, we came out of that experience as a united front. I can only hope that as we continue to grow as individuals over the years, we also continue to grow as husband and wife.

We are so lucky to have family that supported our decision to move. While they were not happy at first (neither was I), both of our families helped us along the way and continue to offer emotional support and visit us whenever they can. I actually think that us moving 270 miles away has strengthened our relationships with our families. Now the time we spend together is more precious and we in turn appreciate each other more. If only I could get my sister to visit me! I don't care how many times I talk to her on the phone or drive to Jacksonville to see her, it is never enough. No matter how adjusted I get to living 4.5 hours from my family, I desperately miss being only a couple miles down the road from my little sister.

(My baby sister, and also my best friend)

We also expanded on our family in November, and adopted my new little love, Cooper. I frequently get called the crazy cat lady, but I can't help loving my little ones Lily and Cooper. It's kind of funny how the "cat lady" name followed me from Jacksonville to Augusta, so I guess it has to be true. Lily has been diagnosed as "strong personality" by the vet, as well as had her file red marked a couple times by 2 different vets for poor behavior; the poor thing as such a bad rep! I love her nonetheless, and thought she would enjoy a playmate...boy was I wrong! We feared that Lily would beat up Cooper, since she has earned the name Devil Cat on more than one occassion, so we were very careful with making their introductions. Instead, little (now 4 lbs) Cooper spends his days planning his attacks on big sis' Lily, frequently jumping on her back and hanging from her back haunches while she tries to get away from him. He is the sweetest, most adorable little guy, and I am fairly obsessed with him.

It is safe to say that Augusta is now home. I am officially a Georgia resident (it only took 9 months), and Ryan is close to becoming a resident as well. We have established our new "hangouts" and made new friends as well. Our favorite new tradition is Friday nights at Poblanos (yes, it's a Mexican restaurant...if you know me then you're not shocked by this). This is where I can find some of my favorite people in Augusta, and definitely the best food and margaritas as well. We were lucky to be able to bring in the New Year with great new friends and a fun night - at least what I can remember of it! ;-)

For 2011, I look forward to further establishing roots in Augusta, to building on relationships with new friends and old friends, and most of all, I pray everyday that Ryan and I are able to start a family of our own soon. Good things to come in 2011, I just know it!