The Future is Now!
24 May
Two years ago I began compiling links to items and baby-related sites on my delicious account. Each one is marked “future.” A crib here, a link to a breastfeeding group there. Earlier in the year, I had about 60 links. Kind of crazy for a child-less woman. Today, I have 107. Why the surge in baby browsing? The future is now, or at least several months away.
In January 2011, I officially become a Momma – to a real human baby, that is – I’m already JJ’s momma.
I’ve debated about telling “you all” just 8 weeks in. Hell, I debated about telling anyone (even my own Mother) at first. You read all of these warnings about waiting 12 weeks, 20 weeks, until you hear a heartbeat, or until the moon is full on a Wednesday. Then there is the guilt when you tell people, the fear that it was too soon, the thought of having to go back and tell everyone that something went wrong and of your husband’s entire hometown knowing about your fertility issues. It’s all so scary. I’ve spent 70% of the last four weeks in a constant state of joy. The other 30% ? Worrying my brains out.
I love the internet. It’s one of my closest friends. But when you’re pregnant, the internet is the scariest place on earth. I spend more than 10 hours a day on the computer. I have to, it’s my job. But I must learn to avoid googling “miscarriage” “baby’s heart rate at 7 weeks” and “when to announce you’re pregnant.” The horror stories are all over my tiny 13″ inch screen.
I read somewhere that sharing your happy news with the people you know is like spreading the joy. A how can things go wrong when everyone is pulling for you, kind of a thing. I’ve also read that if something does go wrong, you can’t expect people to share in your misery if you weren’t willing to share with them your joy. As you can see, I’ve dug realllly deep into the baby center message boards.
While I can keep it from some friends and the Facebook community, I simply couldn’t keep something so tremendously happy from my readers. You’ve all been here for me through my march toward sobriety and I can’t even begin to express how much your kind words of support have helped me through it. If anyone can tell me to stop worrying, and share an utterly positive pregnancy story, I am sure it will be one of you. You’re all so, so good.
So, now that I’ve shared the sugary sweet good news, let us forget all of the horror stories and shriek in joy.
I’m pregnant! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Congratulations!!!! Don’t worry too much. You don’t want to miss out on the so-called joy of being pregnant. At least that is what I have heard…anyway..enjoy the moment!
HUGE congratulations, gorgeous! I’m so very, very happy for you- your life is just getting better and better every day!
I don’t really have any pregnancy stories, but for me, the fact that I’m NOT pregnant is the most positive thing I could hope for. So, we’ll just say that counts, ok?
Seriously though- this news made me happy in all sorts of ways. You will be awesome, as will your babens.
Congratulations! That is wonderful news…the best time to announce it is when you’re ready. Google is good but always listen to what your heart says, it’s your baby.
xoxo
EEEEEEEE! So happy for you!!!!
CONGRATS ! that is amazing news !
Pregnancy worrying is only the beginning, then comes the real worrying when really get here
But we survive !
SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
congrats!!
Yay!!! How exciting!
Oh wait, I already knew
Stay away from those sites. Go to the happy ones. Like dimplesanddandelions.com
Congratulations! That’s awesome news! And now my advice about Google–step away from the computer. If you know anything about your body and pregnancy (and I’m sure you do) you are already doing everything you can to ensure a happy, healthy outcome. If something goes awry, it will likely be unpreventable and horrible and you will have support. Knowing everything in the world doesn’t prevent these things and doesn’t make them easier to bear. If everything goes perfectly (the more likely scenario) you will want to have not wasted a second of your pregnancy or an ounce of your energy on worrying. So relax and trust in your body to do what it was born to do. Congrats!
Thank you, thank you. A hundred times, thank you!
Oh Brooke! How happy I am for the future (au’ naturale I’m sure) birth of your child. You are going to be a fabulous mother of an intelligent little lemon. I do stress that you should embrace the happiness of finally getting pregnant. But, don’t ever shy away from the internet! It was my lifeline during Braxton’s first year of life. Although, I chose what to listen to and not to. There were many times when I said to myself, “Well, maybe that is the way they choose to do things.”
You will often find that your natural motherly instincts will kick-in with little feedback from mommy forums numerous times during your child’s first year.
On another note, I wanted to let you know how very proud I am of you and your sobriety. I know it was never easy for you, or anyone for that matter. You have noteable strength and will power that has weathered you through the roughest storms.
P.S. I’m so very glad you came to South Jersey and I hope that I am one of your new “adult” friends.
WOW!! That’s amazing news!! I haven’t visited in quite some time, and then I find this! Congratulations x 10000!
I hope you’ll keep us in the loop about how you’re doing! I know it’s kind of weird because I don’t technically “know” you, but I teared up a little when I read this post!
aww, thanks Amanda. Not weird at all. Babies make the best of us pretty sappy.