We are approaching the finals days of the first trimester. So I thought I would do a little reflecting today. Only three months in, this has been an amazing journey. Other than how unbelievably sick I have been, this hasn't really seemed real yet. But as my normal clothes become too tight to wear, I realize...it's really happening. I have a miniature Mims/Swatloski growing inside of me. What a precious gift that is! Thinking about the tiny hands and feet of our little one makes the 5 solid weeks of puking my brains out worth it. Forgive me for being graphic.The next trimester is supposed to be the most enjoyable. There's no more sickness and you aren't so big that you are uncomfortable all the time. I can't wait!! I can't wait to leave the house without thinking about how many times will we have to pull over on the side of the road because I am sick. I can't wait to feel the "butterfly" flitting around inside me. I can't wait to see my husband's face when he puts his hand on my stomach and can feel our child kicking back at him. I can't wait to be a mom!
Eleven Weeks
Well, per several requests, I have decided that this is probably the easiest way to keep our family and friends involved with our lives. Especially since there have been some exciting developments over the past few months.
So, here we are!! We are in the 11th week of our latest adventure...pregnancy and impending parenthood. What a ride it has been thus far. Ok, so, let me catch you up since we are already in week 11...here's how it all went down...
Wednesday, March 12th, I was feeling a touch unusual. I had a few weird feelings going on. So, I decided that maybe a pregnancy test would be a good idea. After all, I was over a week past due...if you catch my subtlety. So, I said to the hubs, "I think I want to pick up a pregnancy test on the way home from church. Just so I will stop obsessing over it." So, we did just that. Thursday morning I woke up ready to take the plus or minus, decide your whole future, test. At first glance the test looked negative. Slightly bummed I prepared myself to tell Rick the news. But then, I noticed an ever so slight tinge of color where the plus sign should be. So, I carry the test into Rick and say, "Does that look like a plus sign to you?!?!?" Such a romantic way to tell your husband you might be pregnant, I know. Ever the scientist, Rick's response to me was, "It looks inconclusive to me. Just wait until tomorrow and take another one." YEAH RIGHT!! I was already obsessing....I sure wasn't going to wait AN ENTIRE DAY for the possibility of being disappointed. So I called my doctor, told them what was up and then whisked myself right over to their office for a "real" test. And poof....one pink line....and one blue line...A POSITIVE!! WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so not good at keeping my own secrets. I had a Winter Guard competition in Atlanta that weekend so I thought "what an excellent chance to tell my parents in person!!" That of course meant, I couldn't tell my mom right away...which translates into "I HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD!!" That's a pretty big compliment there, Mom!! So, I told my sister, and some close friends and then...everybody I work with. :) My poor sister had to hold it in for TWO WHOLE DAYS!! Fantastic work Ashley!! You make me very proud!! So not good at this secret thing. But there was no way I was holding it in for three whole months!! Friday comes along, we take off early from work and head to Atlanta to tell the 'rents. We decided to pick up a onesie on the way that says, "Grandma's Angel." They don't make onesies that say "Grandpa's Angel." No love for the Grandpa's. So we got him a handkerchief that says, "Daddy, I'm gonna be a Mommy." In so many words...
Here's how Grammy and Grampy Mims took the news...
Unfortunately, because Rick's parents live on the other side of the country in Arizona, we had to tell them over the phone. But, I think they were still excited! Rick's mom is a FABULOUS artist so we are going to have her come out in June to paint some stuff on the nursery walls! Rick and my mom painted the nursery-to-be the color we wanted over our Spring Break and then Rick's mom will paint some clouds or airplanes (we're going with an Everything That Flies theme) on top of that. So, little Baby Swatloski will have had both his/her Grandma's working hard on his/her nursery! What a gift!
Ever since we let the cat out of the bag, we have been on a roller coaster. In the sixth week, I started to experience the joys of morning sickness. Which is a misnomer. At least for me. It really should be called "All Day Sickness" or " Morning, Noon and Night Sickness." It's not pleasant. Also starting that week was the uncontrollable need for more sleep. However, I was waking up every hour in the evening and I work full time during the day. So, no sleeping for me! We jokingly say that God is just preparing me (well, us since my being awake and tossing and turning keeps Rick awake) for not sleeping after the baby is born. Joyful.
So, here we are...again. The 11th week. The sickness is slightly reduced. Instead of up to 8 trips to the little girls room a day, I am only heading there 3 or 4 times. That's nice. And I can get through Monday and Tuesday at work feeling energized and awake....then comes Wednesday...and Thursday and you might as well forget about Friday. Friday is my new Saturday. But we will survive this. Rick is a very supportive Daddy-to-be, my boss is supportive and "Beebop" (our pet name) is worth it. On to month 4!!
Six weeks and nine weeks respectively.
Beebop's First Photo!!
