sparkman-to-be: My Pregnancy Story

Posted Thursday, March 05, 2009 4:22 PM

"I am a self-proclaimed mama and daddy’s girl and hope that I can be half of what my parents are to me to my own child..."

Like clockwork

Brent and I started talking about babies at the beginning of 2008 and had decided to start trying towards the end of the year. Back before we even got engaged in 2004, he’d always say, “I want my first kid by the time I’m 30…remember that!” So I of course responded with, “Sure, why not?” -- Not thinking that the next five years would fly by in the blink of an eye. Before I knew it, one hot summer day at work, I got violently ill at work after lunch. Coworkers jokingly asked if I was pregnant to which I shot back immediately: “Are you crazy?!”

The next day I had to call-in from being so sick and decided it was time to take a test -- even though I just knew it would be negative. I remember taking the test and then walking off and getting preoccupied by something else, only to remember that the test was still sitting in the bathroom waiting for me to read the results. When I saw that second line -- faint but still there -- I was shocked. I paced the room for a good 15 to 20 minutes, saying, “Oh my gosh, I’m pregnant!” repeatedly. Once it sunk in, I immediately dressed and ran over to where Brent works to share the news. He wasn’t expecting it, since he didn’t know I had decided to test, and the look on his face was both precious and priceless. He was thrilled beyond words and you could just see it in his eyes.

Settling into pregnancy

After the shock wore off, the nausea set in. I experienced sickness mostly in the afternoons and early evenings for a few weeks before it eventually passed. But for the most part, pregnancy has been amazing to me. Discovering online each week the latest development going on with my baby and even just feeling the movement inside of me has been the most exciting and thrilling adventure I’ve ever experienced. And to share it with my best friend and husband makes it all the more precious.

Looking toward the future

I think the thing we look forward to the most at this point (at 34 weeks, 2 days pregnant) is finding out if we have a son or a daughter. Brent and I feel that there aren’t many more surprises in life, and this is one that we could share together that would be unforgettable. Beyond that, having a person that was created in love by the both of us is unimaginable. We talk often about what the baby will look like, who the baby will take after... the list goes on and on. Sharing our lives together, just the two of us, for almost three years now in marriage, is something that we will treasure for a lifetime. But this baby will truly complete us and make us whole. And we can’t wait to treasure all of the years to come with our little one.

The baby shower!

We recently traveled back home for a baby shower given to me by some of the best friends and family a girl could ask for. Sharing the experience and the excitement of going for the big surprise with everyone has been a blessing. We recently moved about 400 miles away from our closest family and friends and feel it’s been a great way to keep everyone involved in Baby Sparky’s little life.  The shower was beyond what I dreamed and so much fun. I typically don’t do well with having all eyes on me, opening gifts, and such, but I was just fine with it knowing that my little one was being showered with love before s/he has even made the big debut.

Thinking about parenthood

Becoming a parent is something that I’m incredibly anxious about. I am a self-proclaimed mama and daddy’s girl and hope that I can be half of what my parents are to me, to my own child. Some days I wake up and think, “What have I gotten myself into?!” While others I just can’t wait to be "Mama" to my own child. I have the closest relationships with my nieces and nephews and they have given me all of the practice in the world for this child. So I know I’m able to do it, I just sometimes wonder if I’m prepared. People often ask “Are you ready?” but I don’t ever know how to answer that question. I am so ready, but at the same time, I don’t know if I’ll ever really be ready. Confusing to say, but not to feel.

I get why I feel this way, because this is an event in life that everything else pales in comparison to. Thankfully I have the support system of a loving and understanding husband, and fabulous family and friends. Although we know there will be bumps along the way, I know we will grasp parenthood quickly and gracefully. Without God, my husband, my family and my friends, this experience wouldn’t be half of what it has been and have all of them to thank for it.

> Read more about sparkman-to-be!

> Want to share your pregnancy story? Email it to Bump Kaitlin at kstanford@theknot.com.