Big News!

Nearly two years ago, I learned a new acronym. TTC. Ever heard of it? Well, it stands for ‘trying to conceive’. It stood for all things hopeful, good, and happy.

One year later, it stood for sadness, heartbreak, and tears. After many-a-tries and numerous medical attempts by my OB/GYN (subsequently trying Clomid 10 times…bad idea, I learned eventually that you only want to try Clomid a maximum of 3 times before it starts building a weaker environment for a baby, FYI), she then referred me to a fertility and reproductive endocrinologist.

For the longest time, we had no idea what was wrong. With no immediate family history of infertility, we were stumped. However, once meeting our reproductive endocrinologist, we were finally getting a glimmer of hope that we may someday be able to expand our family. My husband checked out a-okay. So, we knew it was something going on with me. She diagnosed me with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which is quite common, apparently.

We had decided that we would give gonadotropin therapy a try. I’m sure, like the majority of the population, you’ve never heard of gonadotropin therapy. Well, we were like you and had to educate ourselves.

It was a very meticulous process, full of shots (to whom my darling nurse of a husband did splendid!), blood drawings, and ultrasounds….and lots of $$$. Gotta love that. Not!

We were so sure that it would work, that we had put all of our emotional eggs in one basket. It was unsuccessful. It was a dark day that not even chocolate could pull me out of.

We took a break for a month. It was good. A very good decision. We got our heads on straight, re-evaluated our futures, and started being optimistic about both outcomes. Of course, if we conceived we would be overjoyed, but if we didn’t it wouldn’t be the end of the world. A life without children was starting to appeal to us. But, in the back of my mind, I knew I’d always have an empty spot in my motherly instinct of a heart.

So, we went into our final attempt at gonadotropin therapy with calmness and looking on the bright side of either outcome.

Since, we have such a supportive family, whom we couldn’t have done any of this without (emotionally and financially), they knew the schedule like we did. Everyone knew the day that we would get the results call.

I kept my mind busy that day, telling myself that it would be okay and I would NOT have another dark day. I’m a crier…and I hate crying. As the phone rang at 3pm that Monday afternoon, I repeated to myself before I picked it up that it was okay and it was going to be negative…and again, it was okay.

The nurse on the other end, speaking in her normal tone (And me, thinking to myself, ‘Uh oh, it’s a negative, I’m sure of it.‘), she said in a heavy Spanish accent, ‘Caroline, congratulations. You’re pregnant!’

Naahaa! No way! Not true. You’re kidding me, right? Haha…jokes on me! Notttttt!

I immediately rushed to the bathroom and had to test for myself. *Crier alert* Broke down, I couldn’t believe it. I never ever thought it would be true. I can’t tell you how many of those stupid sticks I’ve wasted and how many times I just knew when I came back after 3 minutes that there would be two lines. Never…until now!!!

I quickly took a photo of it and emailed it to my husband who was at work and entitled it: ‘We did it.’

Since he was at work and couldn’t spill the beans show any emotion, we quickly got on Google Chat to make a plan.

Our parents (whom all live 2 hours away in Charleston, SC) had been texting, emailing, and calling us all day to see if we had heard anything. We ignored everything…that and told them we hadn’t heard anything yet…lies, all lies. 😉


So, do we skype them? Isn’t that a little impersonal and kind of obvious! Or do we drive down to Charleston and surprise them?

As we’re Google Chatting things that were said were things like:

Me: Oh Emmmm GEEEEEE!!!!

Logan: eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Me: ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Logan: Isn’t a trip to chs for only a couple hours a bit much? Or am I totally undermining the greatness of this moment?

Me: You’re undermining the greatness of this moment!

So, he immediately leaves work and picks me up (Me having packed an overnight bag in under 20 minutes…impressive considering how long it takes me to pack. Don’t go there.). We were off to Charleston. On the way, I called Katie (my sister three years younger than me) and told her she was going to be an aunt. She was so excited!

Next, I called Logan’s little sister, Rachel while we were in the car to scheme: get the family together for dinner @ 7PM. We showed up at the house at 7 with Rachel and Rachel #2 (friend of Rachel’s) meeting us outside. We walked in the door and Logan’s mom turns around with a confused look on her face, then quickly realizing our secret (throwing her arms up) as soon as I said my first word. Logan’s dad (on a business trip on the day) was connected to a Skype call as soon as we walked in. I filled him in on the good news. All of us and Logan’s brother, Tyler, enjoyed London broil, baked potatoes, mushrooms & gravy and salad for dinner. Can you say Southern? Logan and I had stopped at Harris Teeter to buy some time before the surprise to pick me up a salad (my first, what should a pregnant woman eat??) for dinner. Both Rachels played the Star Wars theme on their violins for us. Very funny indeed. 🙂

After a quick dinner, we were off to my parent’s house. At around 8:30pm we walked in the door. I said “guess what?” and my parents knew (and my youngest sister, Eliza) and began applauding us! We hung out for a while and talked. We Skyped with Margaret, the second youngest sister. So that all of the family now knew.

So, without further adeui:

We are the new proud parents of a blueberry-sized baby. 🙂

 

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50 comments

  1. Congrats!!! I am thrilled for you! We just had our first baby boy and our lives are already changed for the better. We can’t imagine life without him. Best wishes for your pregnancy!

    Reply

  4. Congratulations!! That is fantastic news, and I know it must mean even more to you–if that’s possible–because of the long road the two of you had to walk to come to this place. 🙂 Best wishes, and I hope we get some baby updates along the way!

    Reply

  8. I don’t even know you personally and I want to give you a BIG hug!!! Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of motherhood! Can’t wait to see this precious baby!! Hugs!!

    Reply

  9. Fantastic news, congratulations! I appreciate you being so open with your conception story…it gives me hope in my almost 3 year journey to conceive.

    Reply

  10. Congrats! That is such exciting news and reading your journey was such an emotional experience! As a young woman, who hasn’t had kids yet I think this is something we all worry about, and as someone with already diagnosed female issues it makes me so excited to read your great news!

    Reply

  14. Ahhhhmaaaaazing, so excited for you guys! Congratulations! What a journey too, I’m sorry you’ve had to endure that, that’s so rough. I think there are far too many people in your shoes, and you’re openness and honesty is truly appreciated!

    Reply

  16. Congrats!!! That’s fantastic news and boy what an adventure do you have ahead of you 🙂 Best wishes on your pregnancy. 🙂 BTW LOVE the pics! Super cute.

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  17. Congratulations! I’ve been going through the same things, I’ve had PCOS for the past 17 years and have been TTC for the past 14 months. Every cycle, I have to go have an ultrasound to determine ovulation, then follow-up post ovulation with a progesterone level. One day it will happen. I am so very happy for you Caroline!

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  21. So I’m a crier too and I hate it, but for this, I’m happy to be bawling my eyes out!! CONGRATS!!! What a journey you guys took and I’m so glad it resulted in that little blueberry sized baby 🙂

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  27. Just wait until that blueberry grows into a WATERMELON!! You’ll love like you’ve never loved before – get set for the best days of your life. Hugs and congratulations!

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  29. congrats! I have a little blueberry growing in me too… 8 weeks on Saturday! It’s amazing, I hope you update us on your journey 🙂

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  33. Caroline, I am so happy for you and Logan! What a journey it has been so far… Your story is very similar to that of our oldest son Andy and his wife Mindy. Seven years of trying and then Ian was born just under two years ago. And… they’re having our first granddaughter in January! I’m glad that you’ve been so faithful in your efforts, and you two will make wonderful parents. What a loving and supportive family you have, and your posts make them all seem real and like a part of our own extended family. The story and the photos made me cry. Anything you need, just ask! Jill and I congratulate you both and can hardly wait to hear more!

    Oh… and a PS… Leland is going to be a brother!!!!!!!! Ãœ

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  35. CONGRATULATIONS!! I know we don’t know each other, although I feel like I know you from following your blog….I am so very happy for you! My families thoughts and prayers will be with you for a safe and easy pregnancy! Can’t wait to see what a pregnant woman eats 🙂

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  37. Oh man, so this is why you’re not supposed to read blogs during work, it made me tear up! Congratulations to you both and thanks for letting us in on your journey!

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  38. Congratulations, Caroline and Logan! I know how excited you are-I cried tears of happiness through your whole story! (I’m the one that used to babysit your mother, and your grandmother,Sandra Reese, babysat me!) Keep me informed!!!

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  40. Hi Caroline! I’m new to your blog (and love it already) but I just had to comment (which I never do on strangers’ blogs): my husband and I were TTC for over a year and a half before we found out I had PCOS and reading your post I got all teary-eyed remembering exactly the same emotional roller coaster. But guess what? Our little pumpkin is due NEXT WEEK so I just had to say CONGRATS from one PCOSer to another, and love every second of it!!! (And feel free to discount at least half of the advice you’re going to get inundated with – it’ll help maintain some sanity, I promise.) I’m going to be adding a PCOS section to my blog soon (now that I’m on maternity leave, haha) with recipes and natural treatment options, so feel free to stop by and peruse. In the meantime, congrats on your new little family (and I LOVE the photos – perfect)!

    Reply

  45. I just came across your blog today as I was searching for a cookie recipe. I love your blog. May I ask what camera do you use?

    In regards to your “Big News”…. Congratulations!!! It’s a story that I am all to familiar with. I applaud you & your husband for not giving up. Children are a blessing. Enjoy your pregnancy and I wish you the best. Take care.

    Reply

  46. aaaaaahhh! I just came upon this posting after a search for EVOO pumpkin cake (found it on your site – thanks!!!) Congrats! I know congrats in the blogosphere world from a stranger prob don’t mean a whole lot, but Yay!! The pics are adorable!! We actually did our birth annoucements (my lil man was born March 2011) as signs hanging from our boston terriers necks, so I really love the pic of the little booties and the dog. Yay for babies!!!

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  48. Loved the pictures and can sympathize with your story! Went through all of the same treatments many years ago! Have a 19 and 18 year old. Yes, one to follow immediately without trying!Congratulations to you both! Found you on Stumble! Susan @fromagechick twitter/ 30A EATS

    Reply
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