A year ago...

[Deleted]

A year ago today we got our BFP. It was a squinter after two days of tiny tiny squinters. Throughout the day it got darker and darker.

A year ago today we had a tiny ball of cells that would eventually become the tiny human that lights up my life in such an incredible way.

A year ago today, our lives changed forever. 

We will all be hitting this mark soon, if we haven't already. 

I thought it'd be fun to reflect a bit. Let's go down memory lane over the past year. 

How did you find out you were pregnant?

How did you tell your SO?

How did you like pregnancy?

What were some highs and lows of the past year? 

What did you never expect?

What is your favorite part of being a parent?

What has been the hardest?

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.

[Deleted]

How did you find out you were pregnant? We had been trying for about six months (three or four cycles, I don't remember. But PCOS is a mindfuck). I sat straight up in bed at 6:30am and just KNEW. I went to the bathroom and POAS. Then held it in all the different lights before peeing on another one. Ha. Pee stick comparison photo behind the spoiler, if you're the type that likes to analyze. You can see my REALLY LIGHT squinter from 6/26, too:

SPOILER: Click to show

How did you tell your SO? I went into the bedroom and sat on the bed and DH peeked up at me with one eye and I said "I.... I'm pregnant"

He gave me a sleepy smile and then a high five. I laid down and put my head on his chest and his heart was beating so fast. I said "Your heart is pounding!" and he said "Of course it is baby." and kissed me on the forehead. Then we made love and fell back asleep.

How did you like pregnancy? I hated it. There were magical moments and definitely wonderful highs, but overall I hated the complete loss of my body, the unknown of it all, the anxiety, and the WAIT. However baby kicks and rolls in your belly are really really cool.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? Obviously his birth was a huge high. Our month long PKU scare was probably the biggest low. That and going a week overdue. 21 hours of labor ending in episiotomy and forceps also were not fun!

Seeing his little heart on the screen the first time... The 3d ultrasound... Those first kicks... Those are moments I will never forget.

What did you never expect? I never expected just how freaking cool it is to be a parent. I look forward to seeing him all day long. It's so neat to watch him develop as a human and discover HOW to human. I love everything about him and it's a different kind of love than I've ever felt before.

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Probably just watching him discover new things. Also his smile. That smile melts me.

What has been the hardest? Honestly, so far, it was the week leading to labor and then labor and delivery. I was so miserable and in a really dark place at the very end. Capping it with such a long, traumatic labor experience was just really really terrible.


Share some of your favorite photos over the past year. Gonna go dig some up, then will.

[peachesncream]

How did you find out you were pregnant? I just did some hardcore digging and realized my BFP was June 22 last year. How did I find out? I peed on a stick, lost my shit, freaked out for 24 hours, peed on another stick, told internet strangers, then threw a onesie on my 8 month old and told my husband.

How did you tell your SO? See above, got DD1 an "I love my sister" onesie

How did you like pregnancy? It was so fucking awful this time. I am not sure I ever want to be pregnant again.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? Highs: new house, new kid, watching my older daughter grow. Lows: relationship strain and pregnancy

What did you never expect? That delivery could be so easy.

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Seeing my girls interact and seeing how much DD1 loves DD2

What has been the hardest? Balancing it all. My relationship with my husband.

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.

[Deleted]

Photos....

Starting to "show" lol:


Decorating his nursery:


And I still had a month to go.... ha!


Selfie on the day he was born:


Coming home from the hospital:


8 weeks old:


And a million more.... lol. But I'll stop there.

[paloslee]

How did you find out you were pregnant?

I waited a while before I peed on a stick. My cycles were usually 30-32 days but in April and May I had 35-38 day cycles so I was just waiting for AF to arrive. DH brought home a test and said, "Here, just do it!" So I peed and it was positive.

How did you tell your SO?

He was downstairs and I was in the upstairs bathroom and I texted him a picture of the pee stick.

How did you like pregnancy?


I loved being pregnant. I worried a lot from time to time, but I loved every min.


What were some highs and lows of the past year?

Highs were telling my family I was having a 2nd child after 18yrs. and telling my son he was going to be a big brother at 18yrs old.

Lows were the scary moments of having spotting and not knowing what was wrong during the beginning. Also, the whole BFing experience

What did you never expect?

Never expected to have a fast and natural delivery. I so thought it was going to be a whole day of L&D and I swore I wanted all the drugs.

What is your favorite part of being a parent?

Love it all. His smiles. His laughter. His pouty faces.

What has been the hardest?

Leaving work for 11-12weeks. Being home alone most of the day.

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.

I'll have to post some.

[halfahippy]

How did you find out you were pregnant? I was waiting on my period to start so we could do an IUI cycle and when I was 2 days late I decided to test. The test came up positive before I was could even set it down.

How did you tell your SO? I left the test sitting on the bathroom counter, but he didn't realize what it was. He thought it was an OPK so I had to explain it to him.

How did you like pregnancy? I suck at pregnancy. My hips hurt so bad I could barely walk some days. I'm glad we got our 2 kids and I never have to do it again.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? Highs: finding out we were having a girl, watching DS interact with and love his little sister, c/s recovery not being as bad as I feared. Lows: finding out she was breech and I would have to have a c/s, the version to try to flip her was awful, having to go back to work at 11 days pp

What did you never expect? A c section

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Giving and receiving the best love ever.

What has been the hardest? Toddler behaviors make me feel like I'm missing out a bit on the baby stuff this time. Mommy-guilt that she's not getting as much attention as her brother got.

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.

[jewel441]

How did you find out you were pregnant? I kinda had a feeling and started testing at like 8 or 9 DPO and got some super squinters. I was like 95% sure before 4th of July and didn't drink that weekend then tested on Monday and it was a real line.

How did you tell your SO? I made a chalkboard sign for H. He said are you sure, I gave him the pee stick and he was like awesome, ew wait did you pee on this? Lol.

How did you like pregnancy? I really loved it until around 30 weeks, then it was ok until like 32 and then it was the worst thing ever.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? The pain from 32-36 weeks was horrible, being on bed rest sucked. Spending every waking minute thinking about trying to get her to flip and the uncertainty around it was a low. Seeing her for the first time, her first smile, just being with her are all highs.

What did you never expect? That I would have a c-section. Even the day before it happened when she had been breech forever and I had a failed ECV I didn't believe it. Even as I was signing the paperwork I wasn't sure it was real.

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Watching her interact with the world. I love BF and snuggling her, and her little voice

What has been the hardest? Lack of sleep.

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.

This is my last bump shot:


From our maternity photos:


Born!


Her photo shots


H's graduation


Yesterday


DNQ photos

[katespade]

How did you find out you were pregnant? I was vacuuming and felt really dizzy and short of breath. I usually could do my whole house in an hour or so and it took me almost double the time because I kept having to stop. I had the same trouble on a walk. I POAS that night and it was super faint so I thought I was probably imagining it. I told H that I thought I might be pregnant but that I was going to wait until the next morning to take a test. I woke up at 3am to pee and decided to take it and instantly got a positive. But I didn't want to wake H because he can be a grump if his sleep is disturbed.

How did you tell your SO? When he woke up be asked me if I took the test. I said yes. And he was like "....?" So I said well, there's a Tiny Last Name in there. He said "no way, get outta here." So I brought him the test to see.

How did you like pregnancy? Well. I was sick the first half. I didn't get very big so that was fine. I liked feeling all of her movements and knowing it was kind of our little special thing.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? The birth experience was a low. The high is her being here.

What did you never expect? I never expected to be so patient.

What is your favorite part of being a parent? I love her smiles. I love when she does something new. I love seeing my face in hers.

What has been the hardest? Probably work related stuff.

[megrae12]

How did you find out you were pregnant? My dog started sniffing my belly so I took a test, to my complete surprise it was positive.

How did you tell your SO? I made him come in (he was grilling) and said I was pregnant. He didn't really believe it. Because of my history, we were freaked. Altho, texting blackbird that I was was pretty exciting.

How did you like pregnancy? It was not to bad until 26 weeks when i was dxd with cholestasis and it all went to hell.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? High: actually having a baby make it to birth. Low: high risk pregnancy and a preemie

What did you never expect? Cholestasis and my life and W's to be at stake.

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Watching him figure his world out and seeing his face light up when He sees Me.

What has been the hardest? The early weeks. Triple feeding is hard and having a baby not gaining weight is scary.

[cinnamonsmiles]

How did you find out you were pregnant?
I was late so I POAS. Positive!

How did you tell your SO?
He was looking out our bathroom window and I handed him the stick. All he could say for the next few weeks was, "Wow, two kids. Man."

How did you like pregnancy?
It was harder dealing with a newly-turned 1yr old. I hate all-day m/s with a passion. And sciatic pain was the worst. I could barely walk, and just standing up hurt.

What were some highs and lows of the past year?
High was her birth and bonding with her.
Low has been dealing with DS since she's helpless and can't do anything for herself.

What did you never expect?
For her to be so easygoing. How strongly attached I feel toward her. And how I want to dress her in all the girly things

What is your favorite part of being a parent?
Being able to have fun with the kids, and seeing them figure out the world.

What has been the hardest?
Solo parenting when MH is OOT for work (frequently)

[sunshineshades]

How did you find out you were pregnant?
** losses mentioned**
We'd been trying for just over a year with 4 losses in that time. While I get pregnant very easily, keeping the pregnancy is much harder. Since it was a month we were trying instead of recovering from a loss, I automatically tested at 14 DPO.

How did you tell your SO?
I can't remember for sure. Likely just went into his office and said "5th times the charm?" or "Well, I'm pregnant again".

How did you like pregnancy?
I consider pregnancy a means to an end. I do not hate it, I do not love it. It's just what I need to do in order for the end result lol. 

What were some highs and lows of the past year?
Lows - the terror the first few weeks of pregnancy, the first few minutes of my dating ultrasound when they wouldn't let DH in with me, and I was terrified of what the ultrasound would show, having the flu at 29 weeks, and the first few days home with E when I felt like I had ruined our lives.
Highs - When they put E in my arms (I told my doula this is what I'll miss never having again, not actually not having another baby), when DD1 met her sister.

What did you never expect?
How much DD1 loves her little sister. I thought I would have a lot of jealousy issues, instead it is just pure, crazy love.

What is your favorite part of being a parent?
When E smiles at me and laughs. Sometimes that's all she wants, is me to come talk to her.
Watching DD1 grow into an amazing (though difficult) person. She does so much that amazes me.


What has been the hardest?
Juggling 2 kids when they both need me at the same time.

[readinglove]

How did you find out you were pregnant?
 
(losses mentioned)
We had been trying for over a year with 2 miscarriages, so I was pretty on top of my cycles. I had plans to drink a lot of sangria with a friend, and thought it might be smart to test before I went. I was only 10 DPO, so I wasn't expecting much. Lo and behold, I got a squinter! Plans for drinking sangria turned into plans to drink lemonade instead.


How did you tell your SO?

When he got home from work, I let him know that I took a test and was pretty sure it was positive, but I wanted to wait until the next morning to be sure. The next morning featured a much darker line, and I recall saying something like "3rd time's the charm?" to him.


How did you like pregnancy?

Once I got past the abject terror and fear of the first 13 weeks and let myself enjoy the pregnancy, it wasn't awful. I had to work at keeping PgAL brain in check, which can be really hard. Up until about 32/33 weeks, I was fine physically. From that point, I started having more back/hip issues from carrying a behemoth.


What were some highs and lows of the past year?

Highs: Hearing J cry for the first time, and having him in my arms; the kicks, flutters, and hiccups inside of me while I was pregnant; the outpouring of love and support throughout the pregnancy
Lows: Moments of anxiety or fear of losing the pregnancy; struggles with breastfeeding and not being able to BF like I had wanted.


What did you never expect?

The level and depth of love I have for J, as cheesy as that sounds. I knew I would be over the moon for him, obviously, but nothing could have prepared me for the way I feel about him. Oh, and pooping. That really sucked for the 2 1/2 months after he was born.


What is your favorite part of being a parent?

The smiles that only I get, the giggles, the way it feels to have him sleeping on my chest, the way he holds my hand while I feed him, seeing his discover himself and the world around him.


What has been the hardest?

Breastfeeding. Or rather, the lack thereof. The mommy guilt over it, and wish that I could have provided more for him in that regard.


Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.
I'll come back with some.

[rachelilly23]

How did you find out you were pregnant?

I was charting BBT, so I knew when I ovulated. Tested every day after 8 DPO. Got a faint positive on 11 DPO. They got darker every day after. Confirmed with a digital on 12 DPO.

How did you tell your SO?

I think I sent him a picture of the test. He was deployed. I got KU when I went to Crete to visit him.

How did you like pregnancy?

Enough to never want to do it again...

What were some highs and lows of the past year?

High was having this sweet babydoll. She is the perfect final piece of the puzzle. Our family is complete! Low was dealing with H's deployment through the end of September.

What did you never expect?

Never expected to have an easy labor and delivery for the most part. I had trouble with my boys, so K's birth was such a better experience.

What is your favorite part of being a parent?

Watching all 3 kids grow and learn. And love. My boys are such loving and happy kids, and I'm glad we have that for K to learn from.

What has been the hardest?

Parenting a child with special needs. Lugging 3 kids around alone. I'm still afraid to take all 3 out somewhere alone. I typically only go out with all 3 alone to drop 1 or 2 of them off.

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.

Early bump pic


Final bump pic


Just born


Easter


My beautiful family


Now- 3 months

[readinglove]

Pictures!
Last bump photo

Just born

Pensive baby

Mother's Day

Good morning!

3 months old

[daydreamsam]

How did you find out you were pregnant? I started testing the day after our FET and by the third day I was getting squinters. I turned a FRER five days after our transfer.

How did you tell your SO? Infertility and IVF kinda take the fun out of it, honestly. I just showed DH the tests every day as they got darker.

How did you like pregnancy? I LOVED being pregnant (until the last two weeks, those sucked) and can't wait to (hopefully) get pregnant again.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? The biggest high (besides C's birth) was our first ultrasound at my RE's office when we saw the heartbeat. The biggest low was the same day when we learned our other embryo didn't make it.

What did you never expect? I didn't expect that bleeding during pregnancy would happen and be so common. I also didn't expect to love being pregnant so much

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Watching C experience everything for the first time

What has been the hardest? Not getting a lot of sleep and being at C's beck and call

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.
I'll try to come back later on my phone b/c I don't have any on the computer I am currently on!

[SheilaTheTank]

How did you find out you were pregnant? I was temping and knew my LP had never been over 12 days. Sunday was day 12 but I was convinced I would get my period that day. Monday morning I got up to temp and it was still high. I waited until MH left for his first day of work at his new job and then POAS. I walked away and set the timer and forced myself not to look (I had a false positive two months before so I was cautious). I went back in after the timer went off and saw two lines! I freaked the fuck out and scared the beejesus out of my cats. lol.

How did you tell your SO? After the LONGEST FUCKING DAY at work I told MH. I had gotten onesies and number templates after my false positive so I had the stuff on hand. I made a onesie that said "daddie's pit crew" (NASCAR fans) on the front and MH's favorite number on the back. I put it in a gift bag and gave it to him as a "first day of work" gift saying that "you'll need this". He opened it, saw what it said and then freaked out yelling "NO WAY!" about a billion times. I showed him the pee stick and then we hugged and kissed and then he freaked out some more. It was too much for the poor guy after starting a new job.

How did you like pregnancy? I was very, very fortunate to have only 4 weeks of nausea and food aversions in 1st tri and a completely awesome 2nd tri. 3rd tri kicked my ass and I kind of expected it to because everything was so good before. I would do it again though in a heartbeat. I see it as a small, small portion of my life and the ends justify the means by like a lot.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? Highs: We made a people! I'd been wanting to have a baby with MH since we were 23. Although we didn't experience IF, we faced a lot of other challenges that prevented us from starting a family. It's been a long road and I'm so happy we are here. The first ultrasound. Telling our parents. Getting to be a SAHM for a bit. Having CD work well and proving my coworkers wrong. Smelling her hair as I rock her to sleep (ok this sounds a lot fn creepier then I wanted it to).

Lows: The 12 week bleeding scare. I have never been so scared and upset in my life. My annoying birth experience. All the medical problems at the end of pregnancy. My 11 week struggle with breastfeeding,

What did you never expect? That breastfeeding would be so hard. That we would end up with such an awesome kid. I also never expected to have so many problems late in my pregnancy. My biggest thing would be having a daughter. I always pictured myself with boys. I was terrified when they told me I was having a girl. I had no idea what I was going to do with her. I love her to pieces and am thrilled to be able to say I have a daughter. She's awesome. I can't wait to share things with her and have her teach me how to be girly. I now secretly wish my second will be a girl too so I continue playing dress up with her. lol.

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Being able to parent how we see fit. Seeing her grow and learn. Her smiles when I pick her up from DC. Dressing her in all the cute outfits. Teaching her how to person.

What has been the hardest? Struggling with breastfeeding. MH's long work hours. Going back to work even though I know it's the best thing for her.

[adorebel]

Jun 29, 2016 9:18:51 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

What did you never expect? My biggest thing would be having a daughter. I always pictured myself with boys. I was terrified when they told me I was having a girl. I had no idea what I was going to do with her. I love her to pieces and am thrilled to be able to say I have a daughter. She's awesome. I can't wait to share things with her and have her teach me how to be girly. I now secretly wish my second will be a girl too so I continue playing dress up with her. lol.

I remember you being freaked out about this 6 months ago! It makes me so incredibly happy to read this and to know what an amazing mom K has in you.

[SheilaTheTank]

Jun 29, 2016 10:09:35 GMT -5 adorebel said:

Jun 29, 2016 9:18:51 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

What did you never expect? My biggest thing would be having a daughter. I always pictured myself with boys. I was terrified when they told me I was having a girl. I had no idea what I was going to do with her. I love her to pieces and am thrilled to be able to say I have a daughter. She's awesome. I can't wait to share things with her and have her teach me how to be girly. I now secretly wish my second will be a girl too so I continue playing dress up with her. lol.

I remember you being freaked out about this 6 months ago! It makes me so incredibly happy to read this and to know what an amazing mom K has in you.

I know! I really can't wait to bring her to get her hair cut, and her first pedicure, and her ears pierced. I can't wait for all the mother daughter stuff that I do with my mom.

[adorebel]

@pugsandwine , I forgot we got our BFPs the EXACT SAME DAY last year! Weirdly enough, LO was born Feb 28, EXACTLY 9 months to the day from when we had our BFP. Amazing.

How did you find out you were pregnant?
We went tubing on the river the day before. I had a beer and a little whiskey-lemonade, partly because I was so skeptical after TTCAL. I started to feel like vomiting on the drive home. I had a suspicion! I took the pregnancy test at about 5:30 in the morning the next day and got a strong BFP.

How did you tell your SO?
I ran to bed to tell MH, which was such a happy and also scary moment. We had just marked the EDD of our loss baby two weeks before, so it was an emotional time. We told my parents at brunch that day, and they were elated.

How did you like pregnancy?
I had awful MS through week 12, which not only felt gross, but put me back in the place in my head of the previous pregnancy and all the negative emotions surrounding that loss. I was basically a wreck until 10 weeks when we found out she was genetically healthy, which helped a lot, but I didn't really calm down and fully enjoy pregnancy until the AS around 20 weeks. Seeing that she was okay AFTER the time I had lost my previous pregnancy (16w) was such a comfort. Weeks 20-36 were probably my favorite. I was happy, she was healthy... The last 3 weeks were hell on earth with swelling, sleep problems, etc!

What were some highs and lows of the past year?
As I said above, we marked the EDD of our loss baby just 2 weeks before I got my BFP. That was a low, but looking back, I must have gotten pregnant within days of his EDD. It was almost like letting go of him and finding some closure there made space for her to arrive. The high was definitely the birth, which was a long and difficult 20 hours, but ultimately such an empowering experience, and the first few days after that - seeing her beautiful face, cuddling in the hospital, welcoming parents and friends as they came to meet her, becoming a little family together...

What did you never expect?
I knew I would love her, but I didn't understand how - how much, how deeply, how variously, how it would feel to become someone's mother. And I never expected that this would be the easier half of my life! While my career seems unrelenting and unforgiving and often not worth the incredible amount of work, parenting always feels like a totally worthwhile investment of time and energy, no matter how tired or frustrated I am.

What is your favorite part of being a parent?
Caring for a joyful, changing little person who is at once yours completely and also totally independent of you.

What has been the hardest?
Being a working mom.

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year.
pdq!

Day of birth:


1 month old:


2 months old:


3 months old:


Now 4 months old!

[cinnamonsmiles]

SheilaTheTank Every night I wait until V is down for the count and I kiss her little head so I can smell her hair before going to sleep. I love it.

[SheilaTheTank]

Jun 29, 2016 10:26:42 GMT -5 cinnamonsmiles said:

SheilaTheTank Every night I wait until V is down for the count and I kiss her little head so I can smell her hair before going to sleep. I love it.

There is something about her smell that is addicting and calming. I can't stop smelling the top of her head and feeling her soft hair against my cheek.

[readinglove]

Jun 29, 2016 11:41:45 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Jun 29, 2016 10:26:42 GMT -5 cinnamonsmiles said:

SheilaTheTank Every night I wait until V is down for the count and I kiss her little head so I can smell her hair before going to sleep. I love it.

There is something about her smell that is addicting and calming. I can't stop smelling the top of her head and feeling her soft hair against my cheek.

I do the same. I love his smell, and the softness of his hair. #creepymom

[SheilaTheTank]

Jun 29, 2016 13:11:12 GMT -5 readinglove said:

Jun 29, 2016 11:41:45 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

There is something about her smell that is addicting and calming. I can't stop smelling the top of her head and feeling her soft hair against my cheek.

I do the same. I love his smell, and the softness of his hair. #creepymom

We can be creepy moms together. 

[Deleted]

Jun 29, 2016 13:15:48 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Jun 29, 2016 13:11:12 GMT -5 readinglove said:

I do the same. I love his smell, and the softness of his hair. #creepymom

We can be creepy moms together. 

Add me to the creepy moms group.

[minae01]

How did you find out you were pregnant? Took a test at 10dpo and got a squinter. Don't know why I tested so early.

How did you tell your SO? I dressed our older Boys in Big Brother t-shirts and woke him from a nap. It took him a minute...

How did you like pregnancy? I love being pregnant, but it's really hard for me. I had spotting throughout the 1st tri and couldn't see anything at an early u/s. I'm high risk because of my two prior preemies so I had extra monitoring which included p17 shots weekly and frequent cervical length checks. I started dilating at week 32 and had to get steroid shots. I had pretty bad all day nausea from week 6 to 17, so that was no fun. Despite it all, I'm sad that I'll never be pregnant again.

What were some highs and lows of the past year? High: seeing the heartbeat for the first time after a scary few days , finding out our baby was healthy at the anatomy scan, me finding out I was having a girl but not telling anyone - H didn't want to know! Lows were anxiety about having 3u4, which is just as hard as I thought it would be, and the toll this pregnancy took on my body - extra weight, varicose veins returning after treatment, losing my wedding ring in Dec, and the mother of ask lows: sucking at breastfeeding get again.

What did you never expect? To have a 37 weeker that weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces! I was so proud! My 32 weeker was 4#6oz and my 36 weeker was 5#6oz. I also didn't expect that delivery and recovery would be relatively easy.

What is your favorite part of being a parent? Watching my kids grow up and learn about the world knowing that I created, grew, and birthed them!

What has been the hardest? Having 3 kids in 3.5 years. It is rough.

Share some of your favorite photos over the past year:

Last bump pic


Just born


Baptism

[adorebel]

Jun 29, 2016 15:10:01 GMT -5 @pugsandwine said:

Jun 29, 2016 13:15:48 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

We can be creepy moms together. 

Add me to the creepy moms group.

Yes, yes, and yes, but my baby has no hair.

[songbirdsinging55]

How did you find out you were pregnant? I had been very sick for weeks and one morning the second I smelled cooked eggs, I vomitted in my kitchen sink. I called my sister because I was supposed to spend the day with her. When I got to her place, my niece had a little toy stethoscope and came up to my belly. I said you hear anything in there. She says "yea a babby!". So I ran out to the store and grabbed 2 boxes of tests. Instant lines and a digital. I was in complete shock! My son ( ou rainbow) was only 7 or 8 mos at the time. I also was breastfeeding and had not had a PP AF yet!

How did you tell your SO? He called me on his lunch break like any other day and I was still in shock. I was very quiet. He knew instantly that something was up. So I said "well I found out why I have been so sick". He was worried and I told him that Isaac was going to be a big brother. He shouted with disbelief and happiness.


How did you like your pregnancy? It was tough this time around because of winter and my asthma issues. Other wise I love being pregnant. I loved preparing and shopping. Planning and picking names. I loved waiting for something wonderful.

What were some highs and lows of the past year?
Lows - When I had a head cold with asthma attacks and then came down with a horrible stomach bug. TMI it was not good. I coughed so hard I would vomit and other things... very unpleasant

Highs - First ultrasound when I saw our little jelly bean dancing away and heard a strong heartbeat. I am no stranger to ultrasounds with bad news. Before Isaac, we never had a heartbeat. So I was not expecting a healthy bean.
- when they told me she was a girl. I was expecting she would be a boy. Which I was perfectly happy about but it was a happy surprise.
- When they put her on me after she came out and she looked at me. She was so small and beautiful.
- when Isaac met her for the first time. He instantly loved her.

What did you never expect? That I would have problems with anxiety this time.


What is your favorite part of being a parent? Snuggles, teaching them new things, watching them grow, seeing them interact with eachother. Listening to them giggle. Watching DH play with them.


What has been the hardest? Having 2 children under 2 has been a challenge but a fun one. I think the PPA is the hardest because my confidence has taken a big hit. I second guess all of my decisions. Constantly. I am starting to feel a little more in control but I worry alot. It's not fun.

[songbirdsinging55]

Favorite photos


Bump pic



Newborn photo



First meeting



First dress



Sleeping sweetie





My most favorite!