In August of 2008, I went to an Indian engagement party called a Sangeet. What a party! We danced, we ate delicious food, and boy did we drink. Odie and I, along with our good friends who carpooled with us to the Sangeet, got a hotel room nearby for the night. In the morning, it was unbelievably hot, typical for Santa Clarita in August, near 110 degrees. We all had hangover breakfasts at Denny’s. A great time was had by all. Even with the Denny’s thing.
The next morning was a typical summer Monday. I went to the gym. I went nearly every day for eight weeks in a row that summer, and I was thinking I had finally made this “working out” thing a way of life for myself. That Monday morning was the 12th day after I ovulated that month, and on a whim, never expecting a positive test, I stopped at Rite Aid on my way home and bought a test.
Guess what?
Baby V was born the following May.
So, this month, when I had a negative pregnancy test 12 days past my ovulation, I took it pretty seriously. A few blog entries back, I wrote, “I peed on a stick today and found out I’m not pregnant.” After that negative result, I joyfully opened a bottle of red wine and enjoyed a big glass before bed. You know, since I wasn’t pregnant.
The next night, Odie seduced me after Baby V went to bed. The man is truly a menace. Later, as I brushed my teeth before crashing, I noticed the other pregnancy test from the two-pack sitting on the back of the toilet. Should I? I wondered? Nah. Those suckers cost so much money. I’ll save it for next month when we actually start trying.
Can you see where this is going?
The next morning, I couldn’t resist. I still hadn’t started my period, nor did I have any symptoms of PMS. I peed on the stick, set it aside and picked up the book I’m reading to wait the three minutes. Usually, I watch the line of liquid move across the test screen and stare intently while the test line appears, but I didn’t do that this time. I was so sure it would be negative, I felt no suspense. When I picked up the stick and saw the faint line indicating a positive result, I was truly surprised. And not surprised at all. Somewhere in my subconscious mind, I knew. It was like this last time too. This knowing, but not knowing.
I’m pregnant.
Traditionally, a woman is supposed to keep this news a secret for the first twelve weeks. I cannot keep a secret for anything. Seriously, never tell me a secret. And you people who know me and are all, “That’s not true! I told you a huge secret that one time and you kept it.” I didn’t. I told EVERYBODY. They just didn’t tell you. It’s a family trait, actually. Our family motto should be, “Don’t tell anyone I told you, but…”
The logic behind this waiting period is that 20-30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first trimester (and 65% of statistics are made up on the spot). Other people keep the secret for longer because they don’t intend to go through with a pregnancy under certain conditions revealed in genetic testing. No judgment from me. However, I’m not superstitious. I don’t think that my telling people about the baby I’m carrying will cause something to happen to it. And Odie and I have agreed that we will not be terminating any pregnancies. We know the age-related risks, and find them scary, but we’re in it to win it. And that, as they say, is that.
I believe in the power of prayer, I really do, but not to the extent that I’m nervous Kelle Hampton’s minions will pray me up an SN child to teach me a lesson. Okay, maybe a little.
I’ll bet you’re wondering how Odie reacted, knowing as you do how ambivalent he’s been about a second child. It went down like this. I took the test around six a.m. Odie had finished showering and dressing, and was sitting on the bed beside Baby V, helping her wake up. I knelt down on the floor in front of him and said, “I know you are going to have mixed feelings about what I’m about to tell you.” He looked apprehensive and said, “Okayyyy…” and then I spilled the beans. He burst into a giant grin, said, “Really?!” in a very excited voice, then hugged me and told me he was happy. After that, he was more subdued, even moody for a few days. But he came around. We’ve known for a week and a half now and today we talked about names. And by “talked about,” I mean I suggested some and he hated all of them.
Another reason I’m coming out with the news that I’m pregnant immediately is because I want to write about it. I had completely forgotten about what this early part of a pregnancy is like, for example. The brief span before sick and fat. The quiet time when the little being growing inside my body isn’t communicating with me yet. It’s easy to forget it’s there, which was impossible last time because it was the first time. Now that I have a child, I spend most of my non-work time thinking about her and caring for her. Sometimes I get through my whole day, collapse in bed and realize I haven’t thought about my little apple seed at all. No offense, little apple seed. Mommy’s just busy. Fitting a second child into my life is going to take some time. Happily, I have that.
I do have one pregnancy symptom already. Fatigue. Goodnight.
The Friendly Pedant by Mrs. Odie 
Oh my gosh! I was right – and I really was kidding – well 1/2 kidding, maybe!
Congratulations to you and Odie! Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy – with a painless delivery that brings you the loveliest baby ever born – (along with Baby V., of course!)
Rosemary
Congratulations! Having a second is so different from having your first, in good and bad ways. The absolute best though is watching your children with eachother. It’s an indescribable ‘have to see it to understand it’ thing and you will love it. They will hit eachother and possibly step on the babies head too (like my 2nd did to my 3rd) but overall- wonderful. And wouldn’t change it for all the sleep in the world.
Very happy for you! Enjoy every moment, puke and all. Already praying that you can get the extended maternity leave again…
That ship sailed for me long ago (hello menopause…) but I look forward to hearing about your pregnancy. Hopefully you have solved the twiddling issue with Baby V before your next twiddler comes along!! 🙂
Congratulations!!
Raising my mouse to give you a high-five….yeah!! Your baby will be perfect. Here’s my theory…….I think the advanced age stuff for women in late 30’s is poppycock. I had baby #3 at age 38 — I don’t think all bodies physically age the same. Your inner parts are most likely years younger than some other women’s.
So excited for you two on your perfect timing.
The desert dwellers are delighted! D is jazzed, hoping that we can make our children intermarry . . . which might be slightly awkward since thus far we have three girls between us. They shall just have to make do! Here’s hoping for no barfiness on this one. It was better for me this time, or at least shorter. We are finally pregnant together :^)
So far, I’ve had very little barfiness. By this time last pregnancy, I was already pretty barfy. Sometimes if I get too hungry I feel vague nausea, but that happens when I’m not pregnant. We shall see! Yes, I’m very excited we are pregnant together, even though we’re at extreme ends.
congratulations!
I recently had to pee in a stick and got the result i wanted too!
yay!
Congratulations, Goodwife!
So very happy for you!!!!
So happy for you! Really! Another beautiful baby………
Shall I make customized favors for the birth? Monogram the champagne glasses?
(Had to throw in a little snark, BTW!)
Congrats to you & Odie & Baby V and the two cats.
Rosie
Congratulations! Maybe it’s a boy. I wasn’t very pukey with my boys. Every chick I know that had girls would barf if a strong breeze came by. Odd. Anyway, CONGRATS!! 😀
Pretty barfy today. Nibbling Saltines in between explanations of the difference between the perfect and perfect progressive tenses.
Ginger capsules are your friend.
I have a 1 year old and 3 year old. Watching them form their relationship? Amazing. Beautiful. Enough to get you through the tiredest of times. Most of the time. 😉 Congratulations!
I’m so happy to be going on this journey with you! 😀
I also get to the end of the day and realize another day has passed without thinking of my bean. Kinda makes me sad but I also love soaking up all the love and one on one time I can with M while she’s still an only child. Watching her blossom into a toddler has been such a beautiful experience. I worry about taking some of that away from her. I don’t want her to feel any less loved or special in our family.
The one good thing is before I know it another week has gone by and that just means the first trimester is going to be over before I know it.
I remember last time counting down the days until I could read the next section in my “Week by Week” book. Now I’m a couple weeks behind and skim half the stuff anyway. Oh well! I guess every pregnancy truly IS different!
Congratulations and I’m SO happy for you!!!
Congratulations Mrs. O
Lovelovelove, Mrs. S
Congratulations! Hoping the barfiness isn’t too bad this time. Hugs and love to you!