I was one of the lucky ones who married her best friend. Without my husband, I'm not sure where I would be or who I would be.
He has been with me through all of the ups and downs, laughs and tears, smiles and frowns. He has lifted me up when my spirits were low. He has been the calming force in my driven lifestyle. He has been the supportive backbone in this life that we have created together.He knows exactly what I'm thinking and can predict my every move. He loves me for who I am. He is my companion, my confidant, my soulmate.
As we approach our five year wedding anniversary in just a few months, I can't help but think of all of the wonderful memories that we have made and shared together. I also look back on the years and realize just how much we've grown both individually and as a couple.
With a couple so full of love for each other, as one would guess, we were often asked, "So, when are you going to have a baby?"
Well, here's a clue.
After years of dating, years of marriage, and years of trying to get pregnant, we are beyond thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming a little bundle of joy into our home in December. Words simply cannot express just how overjoyed we are with the news.
From countless pregnancy tests, to a myriad of discussions with family and friends about fertility, to private conversations with my husband about the possibilities of infertility and how we would overcome the obstacle, a pregnancy test finally came back positive.
I will forever remember the moment when the test revealed a positive sign. My husband will forever remember the moment that I bounced onto the bed, woke him up, and told him that he was going to be a dad.
From a heartbeat to a hand movement, our "Nugget" has already filled our lives with an insurmountable amount of love and joy.
From fitting comfortably in my jeans to having my husband kiss my growing belly every day, I can't help but think of everything that this new chapter will bring into our lives.
The Big Reveal
This past week, we packed up our car, drove to Michigan, and were giddy with excitement at the thought of revealing the big news to our family and friends.
Our first stop was my parent's house. After arriving at their house, I was trying everything in my power to avoid having my mom notice the changes of my body. About an hour into the visit, my husband and I were finally able to get my parents to sit down long enough to be presented with a gift.
Before we began the night's festivities, I told my mom that I bought her a present that I hoped that she would like. I gave my mom a little box and inside was a claddagh locket. I asked her to open the locket and that's when she discovered a folded piece of paper. After asking her to read the note out loud, she paused halfway through the letter and her eyes filled with tears. Since my Dad was reading the note over her shoulder, he immediately yelled, "Yes!" and threw his arms up into the air.
On the piece of paper was a note written to my Mom that said, "You're going to be a Grammy ... again!" Tears, smiles, hugs, kisses, shock, thrill, and excitement quickly flooded the room as we celebrated the pregnancy.
The following day, we hopped in the car and headed to my husband's parent's house. A few weeks ago, when my father-in-law was visiting us, we revealed the big announcement to him. Knowing that my mother-in-law so badly wanted a grandchild, we had huge plans for her big reveal and he was in on the big secret.
Thinking that my husband and I were on our way to Mexico this past weekend, she was looking forward to a visit from my husband's brother. We made sure to be at the house before she arrived home from work. As her car pulled into the driveway, my husband and I hid upstairs. When she walked in the door, my father-in-law told her that he bought her a little gift. Once she opened the box, she saw locket with a dragonfly design on the front (she loves her dragonflies). She immediately said that she loved the locket and thanked him for the gift.
At that moment, my father-in-law told her to open the locket. She pulled out a piece of paper (thought to be the receipt) but then my father-in-law instructed her to open it to see what it said. She read the following, "You're going to be a ..." and couldn't read the word "Grandma" due to the shock, confusion, and excitement that overwhelmed her. When she looked up at my father-in-law in sheer confusion, that's when my husband and I walked down the stairs to give her the full surprise. Screams, tears, hugs, excitement, and shock were shared by all.
The next few days of our trip were filled with phone calls, texts, and messages announcing the pregnancy, as well as receiving loving, supportive, and kind words from all who shared in the journey with us.
To all of our family and friends who have been so supportive over the years, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We can't wait for you to meet our little "Nugget."
To celebrate such a joyous moment in our lives, I couldn't help but bake a cake. To get the recipe for this Chocolate Nutella Berry Cake, please be sure to visit The Pioneer Woman's layered cake recipe.
