The Celebration Dinner

John and I went out to dinner the Saturday after the big Positive. I called it a celebration dinner, but it was really because I didn't feel like cooking. Since it was sleeting out, we decided to live it up and celebrate our good news at.... Denny's.  :)

During dinner, John and I spoke about the good news and our doctor.  I asked him if he knew what the baby was.

He said, "It's a girl. Believe me, I know these things."


So, I guess, little baby, you are a girl:)

Always in my life

I often think about my grandma Baschnagel. Her charisma, her laugh, her beautiful singing voice.... she meant so much to me and I miss her every day. I know that she is in heaven looking down on me because she has sent me signs. She was there during my car accident and kept me safe as my guardian angel. I know this because the only part of my car that was untouched was where her prayer card laid. I also knew she was looking down on me when I discovered that Sammie was born on her birthday.


And now, according to all the pregnancy websites, my due date is November 2nd.  The day my father was born.  I find myself imagining what my grandma felt during her journey towards being a mother. Things happened for her around the same time and I'm so glad to be able to hold her close during this journey.

How did they know?

People have been making comments this week that makes me wonder how in the world they know our news!

*I went to a yoga/art class on Friday night with a friend from work. During the art portion, we painted silk scarves and I told another woman that hers was beautiful. She laughed and said, "Why, thank you! You'll make an excellent mother one day, unless you already are!"  Um, say WHAT?


*I called my mom on Saturday and while we got talking, she mentioned how she was telling her friend about the shower details she was planning. Her friend asked, "Joelle's pregnant?"  My mom laughed and told her, no, but when she is..."

Wow, mom.  It was hard enough to keep this a secret, but then you bring that into the conversation. I was smiling a mile wide when I hung up the phone.

* The day before the big Positive, John told me that he wasn't that sad the first time around when it wasn't a positive, but this month he really was.  aww. This meant so much to me. More than he knows. I think God had us wait a month so that I could know that John was truly ready for this next step in our lives.

The Big Reveal

Of course, medical life had its role in all of this and John was on call until 9pm.  When the time rolled around, I got a call from John saying that he would be another hour or so.  I had to wait to share the news until he arrived home at 11:45pm!!!  While I was waiting for him, I contemplated whether to tell him so soon. But he wasn't going to be home at all the following day because he was visiting a medical school friend at the casino. I knew I couldn't wait until Saturday, so I finalized the plan I had in my head for months.

When 10pm rolled around, I pampered myself and applied makeup, straightened my hair, put something else on besides my pjs.  I wanted to look nice for John when he heard the news. I charged our camcorder and placed it strategically on the counter, in view of the couch. And I waited.  

and waited.

John finally arrived home. His first comment was, "oo You look nice!" haha. That made me think that maybe I should dress up a bit more on days off :)  As I followed him around the house waiting for the moment, I had to restrain all my excitement. I couldn't help following him and pacing back and forth. He used the bathroom, took a call (5 minutes, ugh!) from the hospital, and checked the sports scores online. Finally, I got him settled on the couch with his dinner, but not before he said, "You know the camera's on, right? and...Why is Sammie in the bathoom with the door closed"  

Nervous, anxious, annoyed that he spotted the camera and Sammie, I stammered out whatever words I could muster:

"Yea, John, I have a surprise for you. Sammie got a new outfit at the store. He wants to show it to you."

(I'm sure John thought I was acting like a nutcase at this point)  I opened the bathroom door and Sammie strutted out and jumped into John's lap on the couch. 

"What's it say?  I'm... going... to ... be a big brother?  Really?  Is this for real?  I thought yesterday you said...."

Then we hugged and kissed and happiness was passed around the room.  It was all wonderful except for the fact that in my nervousness, I had pushed the wrong button on the camcorder and none of it got recorded. :(

The Beginning

Thursday, February 21 began just like any other day off. It was February break and Sammie and I hung out all day together. My half-marathon schedule called for an 8 mile run and boy was it a disaster. Cramps and tummy issues plagued the entire run. It really was one of the most miserable runs I had had in my whole running 'career.'

When I got back from that awful experience, I decided to take a pregnancy test. I had taken my first one of the month the night before and disappointed myself and John with a negative. I really wasn't even that hyped up on this day's results The month before I was SO consumed with pregnancy thoughts and SO convinced that I was, that every test I took left me feeling so upset. This time, I vowed not to over-think and over-analyze.

When I looked that that little stick a few minutes later, I couldn't believe that there was a another line, albeit it was very light pink.  I actually didn't get too excited by this, because I really didn't fully believe what it was saying. I hoped onto google and read that any double line means it's positive. I guzzled some more water and hopped in bed with Sammie for a nap to pass the time before I could take a second test.  Well, needless to say, I was too worked up to sleep. After a while, I decided to test again. I used a 'real' walmart test this time and once again there was a double line. 

I jumped for joy and hugged Sammie, telling him he was going to be a big brother. I was so happy, yet cautious and I wondered if I should tell John or wait for the test line to be darker the next day.

To be continued...