Thursday, January 19, 2012

How we knew

Quite a bit later... but better late than never-- here's the story on how WE found out that a baby would be growing inside me!

I took a test on an August Friday morning to confirm that I was pregnant.  I had a small suspicion but tried not to dwell on it.  I told myself all week that Friday would be the day.  Ben didn't know that I was going to do this, so I knew he'd be a bit surprised if it was positive.

We tried (or Ben would try to remind me...) to not be consumed with conception and planning.  It is a very easy thing to get consumed with and assume that we have all the control and power over it.  Pregnancy is a huge miracle and we believe God is in complete control of miracles.  And so, that was our mindset.

After seeing the positive results, I didn't really know what to do.  Nothing instantly changed or outwardly happened-- so it was strange. I was happy, and then a little scared.

 To tell Ben, I decided to create a plan for our 3rd bedroom to turn it into a nursery.  I covered the desks, shelves, and chair in the room with sheets and labeled the placement of a crib, changing table, and rocking chair.  Then I put a card, the positive test, and a little onesie that said "baby makes three" on a stool so he'd see it. 

It wasn't that odd to tell him that I changed up the extra bedroom and I wanted to show him.  There was always something new to show him when we were getting settled in our house. He kept trying to guess and asked me questions. I just told him to go look!!










He saw the room and then maybe took a second to really "get it."  Instant tears and slight panicking.  On my part-- not his. Ha!  Ben has never given great reactions to surprises... and I was fully aware of that. He internalizes things first before outwardly reacting.  I figured this one out a few times when we were dating!

Then we just sat and talked for a long time. 
Oh yeah, and I wanted a future baby room decor from China so I picked out letters and a plaque at a store when we were there earlier this summer-- then tucked it away to bring out "some day." I'm pretty sure it was actually a European store in China-- but either way, this baby has a China souvenir.

The card was actually an anniversary card.  I choose it because it said "you + me" and then I added the " = baby"




Wednesday, January 4, 2012

NYC

We had an amazing opportunity to join Ben's family to go to the 2011 Pinstripe bowl to watch the Cyclones!!

AND

... it was in New York City :)

So that brings us to what I'm calling our "Babymoon" vacation.  You know, a babymoon is like a honeymoon before the baby. Though most Babymoons probably don't involve 40 hrs in a mini-van, 40 degree temperatures, and the family-in-law... ours did! :)

Things are finally setting in that everything we do is one of the last times where we'll be "just us."  I have LOVED having "just us" for 2 years, but I know a baby will only sweeten the deal! We'll have to change our routines and our current definitions of how things are- but I think we can adjust well.

Though NYC didn't work out so well for Cyclone football-- it worked out OK for the Jensens! Thanks again Jensens!! LOVED the trip!!!

Baby boy at Niagra Falls. 22 1/2 weeks!  I've been noticing the growth a lot lately!! 

There were a lot of Asians there so Ben decided to flash the peace sign. 
Cyclone invasion at Yankee Stadium
baseball stadium turned football stadium
Manhattan skyline on the Staten Island Ferry
a true NYC Christmas experience





on the eve of New Years Eve (Dec. 30th)  in Times Square 

eve of New Years Eve kiss!