Happy News

Jesse and I found out on September 13, 2006 that we are pregnant with our first baby.

We had decided to get off birth control back in June, but were still using other methods of protection until all the hormones were out of my body. This was our very first month with nothing, and lo and behold, we are pregnant!

I had read all kinds of things saying how sometimes the mother can feel the implantation in the uterus, and that it might be accompained with some bleeding. Though I did not have any bleeding, I did feel some sharp pains in my abdomen one night, and casually dismissed it as PMS. However, for the next week or so, I feel a wierd, non-painful cramping in my abdomen quite frequently, which was strange considering I rarely cramp with my periods. I kept saying to Jesse, "Something is different..." and he would nod and smile, and go on with life. Finally, after over a week of me saying it, he said, "If you're so sure, take a test!" So I did...three times. All three were negative. Jesse calmly says, "Do you think maybe you want it so bad that you are imagining these 'feelings'?" Ummm...NO. I decided to wait and see if I started my period, and be done.

The day before I was expected to start, I was working from home, and I just kept having this nagging feeling that wouldnt go away. Jesse was at work, so I told myself if I took another test and it turned out negative, he would never have to know! So, I took one. I sat in amazement as it showed up positive! I still was not convinced, so I took another one, and it was positive again.

I had to take Jesse's grandmother to one of the local hospitals for some tests that day, and when she went back to get her test run, I walked over to the gift shop. They had the WillowTree collection, and right in front was a "New Dad" holding this little baby; I decided that was how I would tell Jesse. But first, we had to speak! See, I had been slightly emotional (again thinking, PMS) the past few days and had mouthed off to him the night before, pretty rudely. So, I sent him a text message, knowing if I called him, he would hear it in my voice, and just apologized and told him I loved him. He replied back, saying he loved me too.

I wrapped the "New Dad" in a gift bag and had it in my office with me when he got home. I walked into the living room to see him and he immediately came over and gave me a big hug. I apologized again, and then handed him the gift bag. He said, "Mel, what is this for?" I said, "It's my apology gift for being so emotional and rude lately." He hugs me again and says, "It's really not a big deal, babe..." I said, "Just open it."

He began to open the box, and didnt notice the name on the box or the little card that read "New Dad." When he saw the figurine inside, he just stopped and stared at me. "Seriously??" I smiled, and said "Seriously." He just started hugging and kissing me and even got a little emotional himself! (Shocking, I know!) I showed him the two tests, and told him I still wanted to go get the ClearBlue kind that say straight up "Pregnant" or "Not pregnant," so went right then and there. Sure enough, as you can see in the picture, "Pregnant" popped up right away.

The Friday before we left for Mexico, I went to the doctor and confirmed. She said everything looked normal, and gave Baby Shulse an approximate due date of May 25, 2007. We will go back on November 1 to meet the real doctor, have the first ultrasound, and listen to the heart beat. I'm sure it will all become a lot more real after all of that.

Please join us in praying that everything will be okay with the baby, and that it's development continues to thrive. Also, if you would not mind saying a quick prayer for my morning sickness, I would sure appreciate it! I will post updates as I know things, but I'm going to try to not become obsessive about this- so if I get annoying, just say so!! I'm just excited and want each of you to share in this rollercoaster with me; you are all so important to me, and I know you will be important to Baby Shulse as well. :)