The Story of How I Found Out I Was Expecting

Some people say that when they conceived they immediately knew. I was not one of those people. One day I started to have abdominal pains similar to what PMS feels like. So I figured it was just that - the period before my period. But then my period never came and I realized the abdominal pains were pretty consistant throughout the day. I also felt a little more tired than usual. This went on for a week.

Into the second week of the pain, my husband and I went out of town over Labor Day weekend. By then I was starting to think that work pressure was causing stress that was manifesting itself physically. At this point I hadn't begun to experience nausea, so I was eating fine over the weekend. My mother-in-law cooked up a storm, so there was plenty to eat. We also had the joy of meeting our newest nephew, Bryce. Bryce's mom and I talked about her experience of how she found out she was expecting. That's when I really started to wonder. Her symptoms sounded familiar.

Once we returned home, and the first nausea set in, I realized it was time to see the doctor (in case I had an ulcer on the way). I was still telling myself it was just stress ;) My doctor's appointment was set for Thursday. On Tuesday night, I bought a home pregnancy test. I didn't tell my husband. On Wednesday morning, my husband left very early for a one day business trip. I figured while I was up I might as well pee on a stick. I honestly didn't really think it would be positive.

So I pee on the stick and sit it down on the side of the tub. Our dog decided to be in there with me, he sensed my need for moral support I guess. I gave him a few pats on the head and casually glanced over at the stick. Check the label: One stripe = not pregnant. Two stripes = pregnant. Ok, count the stripes in the window...one...two. Ok, check the label: One stripe = not pregnant. Two stripes = pregnant. Ok, count the stripes in the window...one...two. Look at dog. Look back at stick. Look back at dog. Tell dog that you are pregnant.

Hearing myself say "pregnant" outloud and realizing that I'm talking about myself was a pretty strange moment. I looked at myself in the mirror and said it again. Then I smiled real big. Then I tried saying a few other things like, I'm going to have a baby. The smile stayed on. I found out I was expecting and it was a good feeling. The date I found out was Wednesday, September 6.