So, the BIG news is.....

....what you are all probably expecting me to say....

Im Pregnant! 

Yes, I am 12 weeks pregnant today. We couldnt be more thrilled! We've wanted this for a long time and are so excited to welcome a baby into our lives. 

We actually began trying in July/August of 2009. I quickly became pregnant, but had a miscarriage at four weeks. Five days later, J deployed. That was not the happiest time in my life, but thankfully, I stayed busy since it was my last semester of grad school. J came home on Christmas Day that same year and shortly after, we got our orders for Germany. We decided to hold off on actually trying to conceive (TTC) until we arrived in Germany, but we wouldnt use any BC or prevention until that time. Basically we said, whatever happens will happen and we'll be happy about it.

Fast forward six months to June and we arrive in Germany. We officially started TTC that month, but we didnt get pregnant until December, six months later. J was away on work trips during a month or two during my fertile days, but I was starting to get worried. I mean, an entire year of not using protection and we still werent pregnant. I had scheduled an appt with a GYN doctor in November to discuss my worries. She told me that if we hadnt conceived by May, it would be time to look into referring me to a fertility specialist. That seriously freaked me out and caused endless worry, but thankfully, we were able to conceive on our own in December and are expecting this little one in September! 

So, how have things been going?

I found out I was preggo right before my fifth week. I was sick everyday from day 1 of week 5 until day 1 of week 11. Constant nausea, but I never threw up. Jenny McCarthy describes it as morning sickness purgatory and I wholeheartedly agree! The term "morning sickness" is BS too. Mine lasted from the moment I ate breakfast until I went to bed at night, sometimes even waking me up during the middle of the night for some good ole dry heaves. As of week 11 though, it was like someone flipped a switch and Im magically not nauseated anymore. I have my moments, but luckily, they havent been anything like before.

As you can imagine, food hasnt been my friend until recently. I preferred bland food like potatoes and pasta during the first 11 weeks. Ive craved cinnamon rolls, cheetos and cupcakes, things I havent eaten in years! I felt like a 10 year old child most days because for lunch and dinner I would have mashed potatoes (or potatoes in some form) and chicken fingers. I also ate a ton of fruit. Im still craving lots of fruit (mainly kiwi), but thankfully my cravings and aversions are settling down. For weeks I havent been able to stomach the thought of vegetables (other than potatoes), but I am slowly working them back into my diet. The thought of broccoli or spinach (things I normally love) made me gag. Im still not ok with those two, but can eat veggies mixed in with other foods. As for weird cravings, Ive had a few- pineapples and cheetos, applesauce and cheese, shrimp, cornbread & mashed potatoes.

My sweet husband has taken this all in stride and acted like a champ. He's very happy my appetite is coming back so his own eating schedule can get back to normal and Ill get back to cooking. =) He's also been great at massaging my aching back and cleaning the house so I dont have to. Im so lucky to have him!

I avoided the dreaded bone weary fatigue that everyone talks about during the first trimester, though since week 11 I need a nap or at least a "rest" everyday. And sleeping at night has become more difficult. I lie awake for hours.

Im not showing yet, though there are definitely some days where it looks like Ive even an entire box of cupcakes. Ive gotten close, but I havent actually done that.... yet.

We've nicknamed our little one Baby Olive. Around week 8 the baby was supposedly the size of an olive. Up until then we'd been saying "baby whatever fruit it was that week" but when we got to olive, it just stuck. We like it for a nickname, but no, we arent naming our child Olive even though I do like it for a girl's name.

We're just enjoying every minute and looking forward to finding out the sex and meeting our little one. Im also super excited to start registering and buying adorable baby things!

*Dont worry, this blog isnt going to turn into baby central. Ive created a baby specific blog for family and friends where I can gush all about the little one so you guys dont have to hear all the nauseating sweetness that goes on. ;) I will update you on how things are going though and do some baby posts along the way, Im sure. Please feel free to ask questions/make comments! 

For those of you who are/have been trying: I hope one way or another you are blessed with the child you so desperately want. Our journey has been a year and a half in the making, but I know some of you wait much longer than that. I say a special prayer for you and hope one day it will happen for you too!