Sharing The News

Since we were going up to Midland for Aunt Ashley's baby shower this weekend, there wasn't going to be any way that I could keep my exhaustion and vomiting a secret.  So...now was as good a time as any to tell them the news: you're on your way!

Grandpa's spending the weekend in Reading, PA helping Uncle Nathan fix up his house.  Since he wasn't going to be there for the "big reveal" we decided to call him first.  I'd rather him find out over the phone and be the first to know, than to find out in person but be the last one in on our little secret. He was over-the-moon excited when he heard about you.  He was so thrilled about the news that he wasn't sure he could keep it from Grandma; he managed though.  :)

The next day we drove up to Midland.  What a perfect day to share the news with Grandma: it was her birthday!  So, along with the beautiful sweater that your oldest sister picked out for Grandma, we stuck a little note inside, clipped with a clothes pin that said #7 (since you will be their 7th grandchild).

*Aunt Ashley had made Grandma a plaque that said "Grandkids" with a clothesline across the bottom and six clothes pins, one for each grandchild.

Grandma opened her gift and was so excited about her sweater picked especially for her by Ellie, that she didn't even notice your special note at first!  When I focused her attention on it, she stopped in her tracks and started crying.  Of course she's ecstatic that you're on your way too!  "Best birthday EVER!" she said.  :)

The next morning we headed over to Nonna and Ga's house.  This time, Ellie wanted to share the news.  We barely made it into the door when she shouted out, "Mama has a new baby in her tummy!"  Nonna and Ga weren't close enough to hear, though, so she had to repeat herself.  "Mama has a new baby in her tummy!"
"What?" As Ga emerged from the office, and Nonna from the family room.
"Mama has a new baby in her tummy!"
Finally they heard, and the laughing and screaming excitement commenced.  You're grandbaby number eight for them.  :)

All of your aunts and uncles were just as thrilled to hear about you.  You'll have lots of hugs and kisses (and maybe a few nibbles) coming your way when you get here!

A First Glimpse

Yesterday we had a wonderful visit at the doctor's office.  It doesn't matter how many times you go through pregnancy, seeing your baby (you) for the very first time on the ultrasound screen is still amazing.

You're only the size of a large blueberry, but we could still see and hear your little heart beating.  About 136 beats per minute.  :)  What a miracle life is!  Ellie and Charlotte couldn't take their eyes off the screen.  They're amazed by you too, little one!

The Inevitable Has Begun

I was sort of hoping to avoid the terrible morning sickness that I had with your two sisters, and had been doing pretty well up until now.  I've been pretty nauseous for the past week, but this morning it wouldn't stay down any longer.

Your daddy knows, though, that I'm secretly happy I'm throwing up.  He's been teasing me because I've been nervous that I haven't been sick yet.  Now that I'm sick, I know you're healthy in there.  :)  I'll gladly vomit all day long if it means that you're safe and sound, growing healthy and strong inside.

Premonitions

There were a few of people who seemed to know you were on your way before even I did!  Your Aunt Melinda somehow knew Mommy was pregnant this winter.  She had a strange feeling when she was putting away her own pregnancy clothes.  Aunt Melinda even brought a bag of them for Mommy to wear with her at Christmas time...that's how sure she was!

Your sister, Eleanore, somehow knew early too.  We were sitting at the table right around Christmas and she turned to me and said, "You're getting ready, Mama." 
"What am I getting ready for?" I asked.
"You're getting ready for the new baby in your tummy," she said matter-of-factly as she patted my belly. 

Even your Nonna knew you would be on your way soon.  I wasn't quite pregnant with you yet at Thanksgiving, but Nonna was asking me then and again at Christmas time if I was pregnant.  I guess she saw you coming from miles away too!

We are all excited that you are on your way into our lives, Baby Messmer.  We love you!

Three Bathrooms in Three States

I never thought that a bathroom would be a place of such happy memories.  As I sat there, looking at the plus sign on my pregnancy test, it dawned on me: this was the third bathroom in three states that I've started these beautiful journeys.  In a small townhouse bathroom in Grand Rapids, Michigan I learned that I was pregnant with Eleanore.  In our master bathroom in Topeka, Kansas I found out that I was pregnant with Charlotte.  And here on January 3rd, 2015, in our little bathroom off our master bath in Delaware, Ohio, I learned about you.

As I sit here eating leftover mashed potatoes at 12:50am, I am in awe of the miracle that I have been blessed to experience for a third time.  Boy or girl, you are already loved to pieces.  I promise to do my best to make you comfortable in there, including the occasional midnight snack.  :)