Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Life-changing

Speaking of exciting and interesting...

I think I've covered most of my bases, but for those of you who may not have heard, after 6 1/2 years of marriage and 19 months of trying, I am PREGNANT!

eek.  
Photo: 17 1/2 weeks and this is what I have to "show" for it.   Feb 8, 2013!
 17 1/2 weeks.  Due: Feb 8, 2013

A funny thing happened at the fertility clinic on July 23, the doctor did an ultrasound and discovered an 11 week-old fetus.  Yes, that is how we discovered the news.  Hylan laughed and cried and shouted for joy...and I...well...I was completely stunned and very much--pardon the term--"freaked out."  In fact, I felt that way for several days after we left the clinic.  Utter disbelief and shock!

How could that possibly be?  I mean I had definitely been exhibiting all of the symptoms--every last one of them!  But I casually blamed them all on various things like: traveling and taking red-eye flights, the 100+ degree heat and humidity of the East coast, altitude adjustments in both PA and UT, lots of loud nieces and nephews running around wearing me out, drinking too much water before bed, and plain old "hormonal issues."  Yup, I was basically convinced I had some hormone disorder (after I found out my iron level was at a decent level so I couldn't blame that).

For some reason, pregnancy, although I had considered it, did not seem plausible because...well, frankly, I finally had resolved myself to the fact that we were experiencing infertility.  I only made the appointment to see the fertility doctor after much encouragement by Hylan and general feelings of I probably shouldn't put this off anymore and just deal with the issue, whatever the issue was.  

Well, I won't make any more excuses for myself but suffice it to say, there were many other times that I thought I was pregnant.  During the past two years alone, I probably took at least 5 pregnancy tests, all of which were obviously negative, even though I was "pretty sure."  Needless to say, though not completely discouraged, I wasn't exactly in an optimistic I must be pregnant frame of mind.  Plus, I was really trying hard not to be a whiner or complainer even if I didn't feel great, so whatever were the reasons for my fatigue, nausea, etc. I was just going to try to nap them away.  HA!

And nap I have.  You wouldn't believe how I've slept this summer away.  Or, how I completely vegged out during the entire 2+ weeks of the Olympics and watched (or fast-forwarded through events like rowing, biking, the super long foot races, or the events that weren't finals, or had no Americans competing) every last waking gleeful minute of the NBC coverage.  And then tried to motivate my tired self to walk/try-to-jog on the treadmill, or do either Yoga, Pilates, or a bit of strength training, as well keep up with the regular household chores--small victories each time I completed the simplest of tasks like laundry, unloading the dishwasher, ironing, cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming, or even taking clothes to the dry-cleaners! 

It was weird because I've never lacked the motivation to exercise (or clean for that matter), but some days the sheer thought of walking up the stairs was so overwhelming that I napped on the couch instead of the bed, which is much more comfortable.  We won't even talk about the appalling number of times we ate out because I was too tired to think about grocery shopping, cooking, or even eating.  Or, how I didn't get ready for the day until well after 2,3,4, or sometimes 5:00 pm many days.  Make-up was optional most days unless I planned to leave the house.
  
Anyway, here I am finally ready to tell everyone, instead of keeping it all to myself.  Hylan was anxious and excited to tell everyone right away, but I made him wait until I at least had a chance to tell my Mom.  I would have waited longer but I also had to tell my boss because with a Feb 8th due date, I will definitely not be teaching my beloved classes next semester.  And also, I had to turn down an opportunity to pick up another Pilates class this current semester at UVU because I'm just simply not made of high energy molecules! 

So, if I've been off the radar or exceptionally introverted these days, it's mostly because I'm totally consumed with myself and basically too tired to open up the computer and type.  And I've been busy keeping secrets.

Speaking of more life-changing news, well, there is more change coming for Hylan and Emily, but for now it's another secret I'm keeping for a few more days!


6 comments:

Katie said...

YAY!!!! I KNEW that was why you hadn't blogged for a while. EVERYONE stops blogging when they're pregnant! hahaha How exciting and congratulations!!! It took me 2 years of trying and doses of clomid to get pregnant and I know how you feel about the not wanting to hope ever... just to not let yourself down. How fun that it was a total shock and you were so far along when you found out! That is so awesome!!!! And I can't believe you're holding out on the sex of the baby. It's so rude! hahahah How fun for you to take your next journey... it's a fun one!!!

sarahflib said...

Congratulations, you guys! Wow, that's a shocking way to find out. I love that you experienced all those symptoms and were able to write them off as other things. Isn't that extreme tiredness just absolutely unbelievable? Hope you're feeling a lot better and that things go well!

Ginny said...

Congratulations - that is wonderful news. Enjoy your sleep now.

Marissa Marie said...

Congrats Emily! I guess the good thing about not knowing you're pregnant till you're almost done with the first trimester is the fact that it makes pregnancy seem shorter! You're going to love motherhood. :)

Bridget said...

This is pretty much the best news ever. So excited for you guys! And so funny/cute/emotional/amazing how you found out!!
Love you guys!
XOXO

BrodieLynn said...

Holy Crap!!! How did I miss this kind of announcement! I am so so happy for you Eminy! Keep us all posted on how things are going. I can't wait for pictures and stories and I am freaking out for you on this end! Love you much! CONGRATULATIONS!!!