September 26, 2004
Annie's right, I should blog more about being pregnant. (You might regret that request in the months to come, by the way. I'll try not to turn APOG into a babyfest, but it can be awfully tempting!)
Okay, so here's the deal.
I am incapable of keeping good news to myself, and I can never wait the preferred 3 months before telling people when I'm pregnant. So, I'm a month along, and blabbing to the mailman, to the lady at Wal-Mart and to the world at large.
The bad side to that is, if you miscarry, then you have to backtrack and tell everybody what's happening. It's hard because people don't know what to say.
I know this, because before Eli, I had a non-viable pregnancy.
I never thought something like that would happen to me. It tested me, it tested my faith, because I didn't understand why God would go through the trouble of letting me be pregnant, then suddenly, not be. It seemed so arbitrary, so unnecessarily painful, so unlike what I expected God to do. I was angry, disappointed, and just sad.
In the days that followed though, I found peace, and understanding, and now, even thankfulness. There's a purpose for everything, even in the tragedies. God used that to teach me the things I needed to learn.
So now, announcing a new pregnancy, I don't do it with trepidation or fear, because I believe that whatever happens will be the right thing. And yet, a part of me is reserved, knowing that things do happen. The chance of miscarriage is not increased for me just because I had a previous one, but still, there is a sense of detachment until a little more time passes.
Telling everybody, making it public early on, it's trust in God. Not trust that He will do what I want, which would be a healthy and happy baby in 9 months, but trust that no matter what His will is, it's right. That's where this road has taken me, and I can't be sorry for that, no matter how hard it was at times.
So. Am I excited? Oh yeah, I am. Overwhelmed? No, not really! I've already given into the fact that life is going to be crazy busy for me for the next twenty years, and the tradeoff is so worth it. My life is amazing. I love it, imperfections and all. Another baby to share that with will be wonderful!
Lotsa happiness at APOG.
You have once again made me one proud auntie, Shan!! I love you and am super excited!
Posted by: ashley at September 26, 2004 08:31 PMCongrats Shannon! I know he/she will be a super cute kid like the Wren and Eli! I'll be praying for you and the baby!
Posted by: Took at September 26, 2004 11:19 PMHey there! I was away only for the weekend and what good news I missed. Congrats, Shan! Way to go!
Posted by: Jano at September 27, 2004 08:11 AMYay! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Jeannette at September 27, 2004 09:38 AMMazel Tov!
Posted by: hugo at September 27, 2004 11:07 AMExciting news! I love the beginning of pregnancy. It's so hard to keep the bubbly joy contained. Congratulations! We will pray for you and the safety of your little one.
Posted by: hollie at September 27, 2004 11:24 AMAwesome! I am so happy or ALL of us. And so proud of you in every way.
Your grandparents had stepping-stone babies.
Then your parents had stepping-stone babies.
Now you and Patrick are having stepping-stone babies.
I love it.
Your Nanny told me yesterday she always wanted a dozen babies... and that's funny... because I did, too.
I never had any of my very own... but my brothers and sisters... and my niece... are sharing theirs with me... and I don't feel at all left out...
Thank you so much for making my life richer...
Posted by: Aunt Vickie at September 27, 2004 11:59 AMWell, that is so great! I just stumbled across your blog and, instead of clicking off in boredom, I was taken in. I really like your positive attidude, your fun sense of humor, and your wonderful writing. I am amazed that you have 2 kids, work, and still find time to be creative. You are an inspiration to women everywhere!
God bless you and write on, sister!
Praise God!
Congratulations, Shannon to you and to Patrick. May this be a very blessed pregnancy for everyone, even the kids.
BTW, what's happening with Patrick's internship and the new house? Good stuff I presume.
Posted by: another Shannon at September 28, 2004 12:16 AMCongratulations!
I know the mixed feelings of announcing a pregnancy. We too had a miscarriage- in June of 2003. We didn't tell anyone about it and it really made my life and getting past the disappointment really difficult. I finally had to fess up to many people what was going on in our lives and the support that flowed from those wonderful people made me feel badly, like we had denied them the opportunity to support us and lift us up in prayer. So when we announced this pregnancy, I knew that whatever happened we would be surrounded by loved ones. We still waited a little while before telling the whole world, but it wasn't the typical end of the first trimester. Just until we had heard the heartbeat the first time.
Anyway, congratulations on your new family member. Looking forward to reading pregnancy related blogging!
Wow, congratulations Shannon :) Please keep writing about your pregnancy - we are going to attempt trying (I can't stand that expression, but everyone knows what you mean when you say it) for a baby brother or sister for Miss 4 in the next six months so I can be clucky via you!
Posted by: Fi at September 28, 2004 05:00 PMOh, I've been visiting for a few weeks now, just haven't commented until recently. Yes, as the others said, please blog away about your pregnancy, I'm sure the people who enjoy your blog would love to hear about that too. I know I would. I just recently found out I'm gonna be a Grandma for the first time! BTW, a very YOUNG Grandma, at 41 years of age. (Eeewwww! that sounds old, but actually I am very immature, ha-ha!) Maybe I should start a "Baby Blog"? if so I will send you the link.
Posted by: annie at September 28, 2004 07:09 PMYay Fi! :) I can already imagine the exploits of Miss 4 as big sis. Excellent blogging material! And that's what it's all really about it, isn't? Life's not worth living if it's not bloggable. Ha!
Congrats Annie! My mom was 41 when she became a grandmother, and she's had a great time.
Posted by: Shannon at September 28, 2004 08:13 PM