Hello all - as you've probably already assumed from the above photo (or perhaps you already knew, I think most people do by now!), our exciting news is this: We are going to have a baby! To spare everyone a tedious account and hopefully eliminate the excessive use of exclamation points for this VERY exciting (we think, at least) news, I will now proceed to answer all of your questions below in Q&A format.
Q: When did you find out, and when are you due?
A: We found out late last year (beginning of December-ish). My suspicion was aroused with the onset of certain obvious physiological changes, some welcome and some not-so-welcome (don't expect me to elaborate; that's what WebMD is for). An at-home pregnancy test and subsequent 8-week ultrasound confirmed the fact, although sometimes I still wonder if I am, in fact on the receiving end of an incredibly elaborate practical joke that ends with Jimmy Kimmel popping out from behind the corner with a camera crew to reveal the stunt. But I'm pretty sure it's for real.
The baby is due August 7th, 2012. That could get moved up or pushed out in a few weeks after the docs take a look at the next ultrasound and gauge the baby's development. So, as of this posting we are about 18 weeks in.
Q: Wow! Are you excited?
A: Yep, we're pretty stoked! Although, I am a hormone casserole and alternate several times on any given day between the extremes of this-is-the-coolest-thing-ever and what-the-&$!#-is-going-on.
A: How are you feeling?
Q: Thanks for asking, that's very kind of you. LIKE CRAP. Haha, just kidding. No, what am I saying - not even kidding. I struggled most at the very beginning with nausea/vomiting, which had me googling every possible remedy and racing around picking them up after work (ginger candies, accupressure bands, you name it - I tried it!) but it was pretty much just miserable. Eventually my ob-gyn put me on Unisom and vitamin B-6; Unisom is a sleep aid, but supposedly the antihistamine in it interacts with the vitamin supplement to suppress nausea. Whatever! It has been working pretty well, as evidenced by how I feel if I forget to take it.
Over the past few weeks, I've really started to feel a lot better but don't tell Spenser because I'm using the discomfort as leverage for back rubs and household chores. :)
Q: Do you know the sex yet? Have you picked a name?
A: We do not yet know the sex, but we will found out in a few weeks at the ultrasound screen. Fingers crossed for a healthy, happy baby! I have a strong suspicion that it's a girl, but we will see...
Yes, we have picked two names (one boy name and one girl name), but we're keeping them under wraps until the little one arrives! Why? Well, partially because it will be a fun surprise for our families (we hope), and partially because when you tell someone a name you like, they tend to offer their opinion, be it critical or supportive. Why not just wait until the baby is here and the ink is dry on the birth certificate to announce it? Then, even the people who don't like it will probably just pretend that they do.
In the meantime, you may refer to the child as "The Fetus." That's what Spenser and I do. Seriously.
Q: Do you have a baby bump?
A: Well...I dunno, not really yet I guess? I definitely have a growing girth but it's a lot squishier than I always thought a baby bump would be. You know what? Let's just say I have a baby bump; I can't think of too many other times in my life I'll be allowed to consume an entire tray of sweet potato fries and blame the subsequent belly bloat on pregnancy, so I'd better take advantage of it now.
Q: Awesome!
A: We'll keep you all posted!
