A new year... a new addition! :)

[WARNING: Long post to follow!]
While most of you who read this blog already know our exciting news, I figured it would be a good idea to chronicle the journey of our expanding family! We found out on October 8, 2009 that I was expecting our first child!! :) We were (and still are) ECSTATIC, to say the least. The morning of October 8 began as any other day - with work. As I left work for my regularly scheduled annual doctor appointment, I couldn't help but hope that my dream had become a reality. I kept telling myself, "Don't get your hopes up..." But let's be honest - they already were! Without getting into all the details, I'll just say that I had not yet taken a pregnancy test until the day of my doctor's appointment. After arriving at the office and taking care of my end of things for the test, I was waiting patiently in a chair as my blood pressure was taken. The nurse looked at me just seconds later and said very nonchalantly, "Well, you have a positive pregnancy test." I was dumbfounded! I immediately said, "Are you serious?" Not sure why... especially when we had been trying, and since this was what I was hoping for! But I think her tone and manner caused my initial reaction. It was as if she was reading aloud the things on her "to do" list. I suppose she has to be careful with how she delivers this statement, though, as not everyone would be excited for this news. Once it registered in my brain, I immediately began smiling from ear to ear and teared up a bit. At this point, she returned the smile and said, "Congratulations!" Let me share that Shane was attending class as I was being told this life-changing news. Had I thought I really WAS pregnant, I probably would've insisted that he come with me that morning. But I've dealt with disappointment before on this front and didn't want to create something out of what I thought was nothing.

After delivering this wonderful news, the nurse proceeds to ask me some other questions and determines that I am approximately 5 weeks and 2 days along - making my due date June 10, 2010. WHAT?! At this moment (while I am being escorted into an exam room), every possible thought is swirling around in my head. "I HAVE TO CALL SHANE!" "Oh my goodness... I can't believe this is happening!" "I don't feel any different. Is she sure the test was positive? What if she made a mistake?" The reality of this moment finally began to set in when I spoke with Shane just a few minutes later. I had left him a message for him to call me, and he did so as soon as his class was dismissed. I was with my doctor at this point and I told him that I might have to answer my phone should my husband call. Just seconds after uttering that statement, my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. I scrambled to grab it and heard Shane say, "So... what's up?" And I anxiously answered, "Umm... you're going to be a daddy!" His reaction was instant, saying, "Are you kidding??! Oh my goodness..." I could actually HEAR him smiling on the other end of the phone. He got in his car not long after our conversation and met me at work so we could enjoy lunch together as we shared in this awesome moment.

I'm happy to say that we are blessed to have been able tell both of our families in person. It all started off with our trip to Disney World with the DeHavens back at the end of October. Once we found out that I was pregnant, we began plotting how we would let the cat out of the bag. We knew that Shane's family would be the first we saw... and determined at that point that we would tell them as soon as everyone was together. Once we got home from that trip, we hopped on a plane to NY to tell my family. It was a whirlwind couple of weeks, but worth EVERY second. :) Both families were overjoyed at our news and we've been sharing it with friends and extended family ever since.

As of today I am just over 18 weeks along and feeling great! I had my moments of sickness during weeks 10-14, but besides that I really can't complain! I know now that I have to get at least 9 hours (if not 10) of sleep each night to feel fully rested. I'm drinking lots of water and eating well... making sure Baby D (as we fondly refer to him/her) gets all the necessary nutrients. We are looking forward to finding out the baby's gender in just a couple weeks! It is still quite a surreal experience, but I am so blessed and humbled to be carrying this new life inside of me. God is so amazing...

Here is our first ultrasound from week 8 along with a couple "baby bump" pictures (one from early December and one from just last week):