Stealing my thunder

I believe that a pregnancy is one of those amazing, beautiful secrets that you keep quiet until the right time...and then, it becomes a wonderful surprise for the people close to you. Brandon and I decided to tell only the family and a couple people at work (since I needed them to check in on me from time to time) and wait until the end of our first trimester to tell the world.

Well, someone at school began the rumor that there were five pregnant teachers. Obviously I am the5th, but no one knew when this rumor began. To my chagrin, some of the teachers on the other hall have made it their life's mission to find out who the mysterious pregnant teacher is.

I didn't think too much of it. Women will gossip, and who doesn't like to have a juicy bit of news here and there? But what I didn't expect was for a couple of teachers to go on a headhunt. I have been asked by three different teachers whether I was pregnant. I lied through my teeth. Not only is the news no one's business until we decide it is, but what kind of person asks a woman if she's pregnant? Holy cow, where are your manners? I have also heard of the headhunters coming to women on my grade level as well as on my hall and asking questions. They had narrowed down the possibilities to three of us, and they just had to keep being nosy until they got the scoop. I actually had a sweet TA yesterday come to me, quite upset, that one teacher had been to this TA's cooperating teacher and asked questions. The TA told me she wanted me to have a "heads up" that the other hall had determined I was the pregnant one. I thanked her and looked at her sadly, then said, "I don't understand why people are so nosy. Can't they just let the person with the news be the one to share it?"

I'm saddened. I feel like I have tried so hard to keep the pregnancy a secret. Not only did we want to be a little further along, but we also wanted to hit that point in time where it is "safer" to tell people because your chances of miscarriage drop. How would all those gossip queens feel if, God forbid, something happened? I haven't told them because I didn't want them to know. I would die if I had to go back and tell a hundred people that something terrible had happened. Why can't people just be respectful of privacy?

I never thought that such a joyous occasion for me and Brandon could have such a cloud over it. I shouldn't harp on it, but I am. I'm heartbroken. I just want to yell at those ladies! I want to tell them that they should have minded their own business! That they had absolutely no right to ask questions and come to their own conclusions. How dare they make it their mission to come up with information about my personal life. I would never do that to them. They have managed to steal my thunder. Will I still be overjoyed to share the good news? Absolutely! But have you ever told someone wonderful news and get the reaction, "yeah, we figured." What a let down. One teacher almost slipped up in the office today and caught herself before she finished the sentence, "Just you wait..." in reference to another conversation I was having. She completely caught herself. Yes, I realize that everyone has figured this out, but it is my damn news! It is MY life! It is MY pregnancy! I have lost sleep for days because I am so heartbroken over all of this. =(

I never thought I would deal with this kind of ridiculousness after I graduated high school. I thought adult women knew better. What happened to the golden rule?

At least my friends will be surprised. =)

Going Haywire

So I knew that pregnancy would, in and of itself, be a life-changing experience. But I'm not quite sure I was prepared for the fact that my body would be going haywire. =)

Things that normally work have, well, stopped. I have aches and pains in places I never have before. My clothes are already getting tighter, although I've lost about six pounds since I found out I was expecting. It's like my weight is shifting. I need to go shopping or soon I will be wearing PJ pants to school. I wake up a little queasy and dine on a delicious jailbird breakfast of Saltines and water. By the time I get home from school, all I want to do is curl up in a ball with my doggie and snooze. By supper time, I don't want to smell food, see food, touch food, eat food, or even know there is food in my house. Poor Brandon has been living on bacon sandwiches for the last six weeks!

Altogether, I am trying to enjoy the experience. Okay, I'm over the the pukey feeling, but the other things are noted in my journal each night. What an amazing miracle! I'm astonished at the changes I am seeing and feeling. My pregnancy journal documents the cell by cell growth everyday, and I cannot believe how much changes in the Jellybean each and every single day! I may not feel great, but I want to relish in the opportunity of becoming a mother. I don't want to miss a thing.

And, while sharing my ailments, I should offer a HUGE "thank you" to Brandon, who has waited on me hand and foot. He never complains when I'm asleep as he arrives home, he doesn't argue when I tell him I can't make him dinner again. He checks in on me when I go to bed early, he makes sure I am comfortable, and if he hears so much as a cough he literally comes running down the hall to check on me. I'm sure he's tired (especially since I am up every 60 minutes at night for a bathroom break!) but he's so loving and caring and understanding. I'm so lucky and blessed to be sharing this whole thing with him! I couldn't ask for more from him.

I am, however, looking forward to "looking" pregnant instead of just feeling gross and looking fat. =)

Telling Brandon's Family

So we decided we needed to tell B's family this week, and the scheduling began.

On Wednesday, B helped his sister move some more furniture to Gramma's house. He told her the news when Gramma was inside. He said she beamed and squealed and jumped up and down. She was very excited! She texted me that she is already ready to go baby clothes shopping!

On Thursday, we had B's mom and stepdad over to show them the sewing machine we refinished. After showing them the final product, we had them in the den and made a little small talk. We gave them the anniversary gift we'd had since July, then I told them we had something to show them, though it wasn't really a gift for them. It was a little Harley Davidson doll baby; it was a soft little boy doll with blonde hair and blue eyes wearing overalls. They thought it was cute, then B said, "What do you think that little doll might mean?" His mom's chin hit the ground and she started squealing and hitting herself in the lap with the doll. She then jumped up and ran over to hug him, then did the same to me, then kept saying she had known something was up. I think Dwayne was a little more reserved (our family craziness is still kind of new to him!) but he was very excited for us. We celebrated with dinner at Chili's, and by the time we woke up Gail had already sent a lovely congratulatory email to Brandon. She's claimed the names Memaw and Pawpaw. =)

On Saturday afternoon, we had B's dad and stepmom over to show them the sewing machine. B had written a four-line poem that we rolled and tied up like a scroll. When they came into the den, we gave them that. Doris knew immediately what it was (in fact, she'd had a feeling we were telling them we were pregnant, and she'd actually bought a little Alvin from Alvin and the Chipmunks and brought it with her to give us!). Doris has 9 grandkids, so the last line of the poem said "What was once 9 will be an even 10." It took a minute (literally!) for Harlan to figure out what it meant, but when it finally dawned on him, he was ecstatic. We celebrated at Chesapeake Pizza, and we spent most of the meal talking about pregnancy stories. The longer we talked, the bigger their grins got. They are very excited.

We came home, grabbed Maggie Mae, and headed to Gramma's next. We surprised her with a visit and finished watching the race before we talked. She asked what we'd done all day, so I told her we'd gotten up early and went shopping for her great-grandchild. She caught it immediately and just grinned the sweetest smile. =) She was very excited and asked us all sorts of questions--when was I due, were we going to find out whether it's a girl or a boy--she looked very happy!

While we were there, Uncle Wayne called, so we told him over the phone. He said at first, he didn't know if we meant Maggie (the granddog!) or a baby, lol, but he was very happy for us too.

So there! Whew! In four days, we fit in all of B's family and managed to tell everyone. We got home from Gramma's and I was completely exhausted. I just can't take all of this excitement these days!

Next up...make it through our doctor's appointment, then we feel like we can tell our friends. This secret is killing us!

Baby shopping

I found out from a friend at school that twice a year, the Tidewater Moms of Multiples hosts a huge consignment sale. So I dragged B out of bed at 5am, we headed to the Church of the Ascension, and I found two teachers already there and camped out. So I joined them, and while B went to get breakfast for our little pregnant group, I picked their brains about what I needed to get for our little one. Three hours later, after watching the expectant moms of multiples (who go in before the public) come out with all sorts of wonderful buys, I was drooling at the goodies waiting inside.

When we went in, it was instantly overwhelming! They had thousands (literally!) of clothing items for girls on the right, boys on the left, all from newborn to 6t. There were tables and tables of toys, divided up by age appropriateness. There were stacks of baby gates and piles of potty chairs and accessories. The center of the room was filled with high chairs, car seats, strollers, cribs, bounce seats, and play arches. There were also rows of tables covered in feeding items, boppy pillows, bibs, blankets, travel items, etc. There were racks of Halloween costumes and Christmas outfits. There were shelves of bedding, decorations, and nursery accessories. If you can think of it, it was there and probably in pairs or trios.

It was unbelievable how much baby stuff there was! I'm so glad I had a little advice, I would never have known where to begin!

We bought an Eddie Bauer high chair (online value $200) for $40, a Pack and Play (online value $119) for $30, and a floppy seat, carrier, blankie, and bottle racks...all for a grand total of $96.00! I can find some deals! B, who was less than enthusiastic to be up at 5am and heading to a baby sale, was actually very excited about the deals we got!

Now, all we need is a healthy baby to use all this stuff!

Telling Mom and Dad...

So Bran and I discussed telling my parents before anyone else. He said he wanted me to be able to discuss everything with my mom, and I told him I wanted to know more about my mom and Gramma's history so I could stay a jump ahead of any problems. We invited them over for a cookout at our house on Sunday, September 12th. I think mom suspected something right away; she kept asking if there was a special reason for this cookout. Of course, I lied through my teeth. =)

I had bought Mom a cute little grandparent photo brag book with turtles on it (of course) and pop-up animals inside. I'd bought Dad a Grampa picture frame. I wrapped both and had them ready to give.

Then, cue the UTI. I was literally doubled over all weekend. That was not a fun experience. That morning, I'd had to sing in the praise team at church; after I sang, I literally snuck out the back, went home, and curled up on the couch until supper time. My mom knew I was sick, but I insisted they come anyway; I think this only furthered their suspicions.

They came over and B was manning the grill. We made small talk for a bit, then I signaled B to come inside. I gave them the gifts; I sat with Dad, B sat with mom. Dad opened his frame first. He grinned, looked my way and cut his eyes, then laughed and shook his head. Mom opened her book and laughed, then said she figured something was up. Neither of them cried! I expected waterworks, and was pleasantly surprised when we got laughs and smiles instead.

Over supper, at which I only ate rolls haha, my parents shared stories from when Mom was pregnant with me. She would feel queasy, Dad would call from work to check in on her, and as soon as she said she was queasy he would lean over and hit the trash can at his desk...and the funny part is (at least for mom) she would feel better! Dad had her morning sickness the whole nine months. He even passed out at work on a ship one day, and after the nurse couldn't find anything wrong with him, the "old man doctor" asked if his wife was pregnant; when Dad said yes, the doc sent him back to the office and said he'd be fine. I thought this was hilarious, Brandon...not so much. =) Dad also gave B his first bit of advice. "Brandon, find out what she wants and craves. Then buy ten bags of it, hide it, and when she wants it late at night pull it out all ready for her. It'll save you late night trips to the store." My mom had craved M&Ms, and the nearest store was a 7-11 that was eleven miles away...so Dad had wisened up quickly.

Overall, it was a wonderful afternoon. I feel like the biggest weight of my secret is gone. My parents know, which has allowed me to talk more about how I am feeling the last week. My mom checks in on me and even gave us the stethoscope she and Dad used to hear me when she was pregnant! It's been wonderful talking with my mom...and now, they have the burden of keeping this secret, too!

And on their trip to Myrtle Beach for the Shriners' Convention just a few days later...they hit up their first baby outlet store. =) I think the fun part for them begins now.

Field trip day

Field trips are always exhausting...especially this close to the start of school. For the second year in a row, we've been selected to attend this awesome Farm Days trip at the city park, and the kids spend all day outside going to different exhibits dealing with farm animals, recycling, pollution, watersheds, insects, honeybees, and ending with a hayride and pumpkin picking. It's a fun trip that covers nearly every science SOL, but by the end of the day we are always pooped.

I think I underestimated the Pregnant Teacher Field Trip phenomenon. Ooooooooooh my gosh. By the time we finished at the park, I was soaking with sweat, flushed in the face, and had been through my huge bottle of water. I couldn't get back to school fast enough! That air conditioning felt so good! Even the kids were pooped.

I left school as soon as the buses left...came home...took a shower, sat down for a quick second...and woke up two and a half hours later. Holy smokes, I was beyond tired. Between the heat, literally being on my feet all day, not eating much lunch, and becoming dehydrated, I felt horrible. I was sick to my stomach all night. All I did after waking up was curl up in a pitiful little ball and snuggle with Sammie dog until I finally went to bed and crashed.

Ten hours of sleep later, I am still feeling kind of punk. I gnoshed on Saltines all morning like they were the anecdote!

First week of school

Well, I survived the first week of school. I must say, my kiddos are soooooo much calmer than last year's group! Knowing how stressful the first few days of school can be, I expected to be tired...but I didn't expect to be so exhausted! My doc said to expect to feel like I had been "run over by a Mack truck," and boy was she right on! I have napped every single day since school started. God bless Brandon for being so understanding when he comes home to find me curled up in a ball on the couch.

And, I'm finding that morning sickness is a misnomer. I seem to be getting queasy at night, right around supper time. I don't want to eat, see food, smell food, even know it is in the house. I've not gotten sick, but I sure feel like it. B has been living on bacon sandwiches and frozen pizza. =)

The weekend will be even busier. Maybe I can rest a bit more and catch up next week!

It's officiallly official now!

Today was my first official OB visit. =) I was their first of the morning (which meant I got to miss part of my teacher workday!), which was good because I was so jumpy. I'm officially 6 weeks and 3 days pregnant. My due date is April 26th, 2011. WOW! I have a due date!!!

After the vampire stuck me, my doc examined me. She was so sweet and reassuring. I told her I supposed I need to get over the modesty, to which she laughed and pretty much said there was no modesty when you're pregnant. She is such a great doctor, I feel like I can ask her anything. She gave me a packet of info and chatted with me for a while in her office.She reassured me that all of my weird symptoms--lack of appetite, cravings, things working overtime and not working at all, aches and pains and swelling and fatigue--were all normal and healthy. I'm still nervous, we are going to wait to tell everyone, but I feel very good after talking over everything I'm experiencing with her.

So, the great adventure begins. Doctors visits, tests, checks, questions...I've got a lot coming at me in the next few months!