Over the years, I’ve written blog posts about graduating from college, getting engaged + married, and everything in between, but sharing that we’re having a baby is my favorite life update yet!
I started writing this post before I ever knew I was pregnant, because I knew there were so many feelings I would want to share about this journey, what it taught me, and how I can truly say (now that I’m on the other side) that I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Rudd and I tried, prayed, and hoped for a little over a year before finding out the best news of our married lives! We’re expecting our baby in December of 2023, and to say we’re over the moon is a gigantic understatement. I know there are so many people who are on the TTC journey for longer than we were, and I thank the Lord that I now have such a heart for anyone struggling in that area. The feeling of seeing a negative test (even after just the first month!) is beyond heartbreaking. Each month when that happened, especially at the beginning when I was praying we wouldn’t have any trouble, it was so, so hard.
For anyone interested in the details, our year-long journey resulted in a few tests and one medicated cycle to have success. I wanted to share this at the beginning of my post for those who can relate, because while we are beyond thrilled to finally be at this point, it wasn’t easy along the way. We also feel blessed knowing that many other couples have a MUCH more difficult time than we did. If you’re in the same boat and ever want to chat further, just send me a message on IG, or you can always e-mail me here. I’m happy to share more!
Now that I’m on the other side of it, I wouldn’t change the growth in our marriage, or the growth in my walk with the Lord for anything! I never thought that Rudd and I could be any closer than we were before this season, but because we have had to lean on and rely on each other in new ways, it has deepened our relationship so beautifully. I know that the small valley that we just walked through has prepared us and strengthened us for parenthood, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. I feel so at peace going into this season of pregnancy and motherhood, knowing from experience that things are out of our control, and in God’s hands.
What a wonderful picture of God’s redemptive love for us! If you’re on that journey right now (whether it’s been a month, or years!), please know that I’m praying for you and cheering for you. There is peace, light, and hope on the way.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Now, for the fun part!
First Trimester Q&A:
How far along are you?
I am exactly 12 weeks! Our due date is mid-December and we are so excited to have our little Christmas angel with us just in time for the holiday. I know it’s going to be a very special season! Thinking about having an extra stocking to hang on the fireplace this year makes me cry every time 😭
How did you find out and tell Rudd?
I was taking tests as soon as I could every month, so that was the situation I found myself in on the morning of Easter Sunday! (I was even more hopeful that month since it was our first medicated cycle.) I told Rudd I wasn’t going to test for a few more days so that I could surprise him with it in his little Easter basket I had put together if it happened to be positive – and it was! Even though I was hopeful, the sight of a positive test didn’t feel real at all after seeing so many negatives! I still can’t believe that our dream of having a baby is coming true. I immediately scrambled to go put the test in his Easter basket and set up my phone to be able to record his reaction. Then I rushed him in the kitchen to “see what the Easter bunny brought him” 🤣 He was so surprised and I still can’t believe how perfectly the timing worked out!! It was so fun to get ready for church that morning to go celebrate life in so many ways! Best Easter ever!
How did you tell your family?
I could not have made it through the past year without the support of my mom and sister, so they knew we were trying! It made sense to us to tell our families as soon as we found out, because they had been praying for us for so long, and we knew we would want to immediately share it with them. I think I was around 5 weeks when we were able to see everyone in person to share with them? For my family, we were all together and I gave my sister a gift that I said was a belated Easter present for baby Lee. We have a “tradition” of sorts to get these fun (& sometimes funny) hand painted wine glasses for every season of life. (We had the bride, MOB, and MOH glasses throughout our weddings!) When I saw that they had “Best Aunt Ever” and “Promoted to Grandma” glasses, I knew I had to get them 🤣 so that’s what the real present was! I made little cards that said “We’re having a baby!!” and attached them to the top of each one for my mom and sister. They were so surprised and it was so much fun to tell them that we’re having a baby!! The only people we couldn’t be with in person were my brother & his now fiancé, so we facetimed them afterwards!
Will you find out baby’s gender? Will you do a reveal?
Yes! We have already done the blood test to find out the gender and are waiting on results! Eeep! Rudd and I are going to find out just the two of us, and then do a reveal with our families the first week of July. I can’t wait to be able to share with y’all, too!
Do you have names picked out?
We definitely know what name we will use for a boy, but I don’t have any girl names picked out. I feel like they’re so much harder!!
Where did you get the baby announcement sign?
My mom had it printed for us!! I believe she used Office Depot to have it printed, and then just cut out the pennant shape and added a wooden dowel and ribbon from Hobby Lobby! Super easy!
Have you started on the nursery?
I have definitely been thinking about it, but we haven’t started on anything yet! I feel like I won’t be able to do that until we know the gender! I have so many nurseries saved on Instagram – I plan to just pull together all of the elements that I love from inspiration I have bookmarked. The only thing I’m moderately sure of is that I think this is the crib I want, either way!
How are you feeling?
Y’all are so sweet to check on me! Weeks 9-11 were definitely the hardest so far, but I feel like I’m starting to turn a corner! I’ve had nausea, but thankfully have not actually been getting sick. I found that constantly keeping something in my stomach has really helped, since it’s really been an all-day feeling. Carbs are really the only thing that has sounded good to me the past few weeks 😬 but I’ve tried not to be too hard on myself about it! Eating small meals has been the only thing that I’ve found that has really helped – including eating as soon as I wake up and having a little bedtime snack. The tiredness did not set in for me until week 11ish, so I’m definitely still feeling slowed down quite a bit. Hoping that “second trimester energy” will kick in after the next couple of weeks! Overall, I definitely feel like I’ve had it easy compared to others, and for that, I am thankful!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all of your well wishes and support! It took me a few days to go through all the messages and comments after announcing that we’re having a baby, and we loved reading every single one. I absolutely cannot wait to share this next season with y’all!!
Thank you x a million!!
