We’re PREGNANT!!
Josh happened to be working in the office, instead of at home, that day. So I had the whole day to prepare a way to tell him. I went to the doctor and got a blood test to confirm the pregnancy. Picked up groceries and made a special meal. 2 years ago I had purchased the dad shirt, onesie, fox, and bear as ways to tell Josh. He knew there was a box in the closet he couldn’t open but didn’t know why. This was the day he found out what was in the box.
I felt so silly taking the first belly pictures but i knew that if i didn’t we we’d miss the full progression to 40 weeks. So the beginning of weekly belly photos began.
We wanted to tell our parents in person and at the same time. So we had to convince my parents to come from South Dakota, for no reason, and not raise suspicions. I made up a story about wanting to learn how to make gluten free pie crust for the Fall Harvest at church and that I NEEDED mom to come help me. …I mean she’s the queen of pie crusts in our family.
They had to keep it a secret until our first ultrasound. We wanted to see Baby and know things were ok before we officially announced to everyone else.
First Ultrasound at 10 weeks
more belly photos
We told the church at 11 weeks. Everyone was extremely excited! Christy Kelley gave us this sweet gift to celebrate.
The ever-growing belly & some of our Christmas photos that featured the bump. We announced on Facebook before this point but sent an announcement in our Christmas/New Years card.
We went to South Dakota for Christmas. This was the last family Christmas in my childhood home because my parents are moving to Indiana to be close to Baby Nugget. Liberty’s Christmas program was such a blast thinking about Baby Nugget being there for the next one.
The pregnancy had gone extremely smooth so far. Aside from some minor nausea. Baby Nugget kept growing, and we were full of joy. Not all of the pets were excited about Baby. I started feeling light flutters about this time.
Then we hit the halfway point! 20 weeks down, 20 more to go! The anatomy scan was exciting. We got to see a little face and wiggles from Baby Nugget. We did not find out the sex of Baby Nugget. Can’t wait to unwrap this surprise in June! This was the point we learned my placenta was low-lying and could cause a c-section. Because I have a skin condition that leads to too much scarring and potential for more surgery, this was not a desirable route.
So we earned ourselves a third ultrasound.
more belly growth
In Josh’s family, 4 of us were pregnant in 2022 (Jordan, Me, Abby, & Rachel). At the time, we only 3 we knew about. Jordan was due first and we had a blast at her shower.
more belly photos
We had 2 baby showers in one weekend: Church & Family. My parents came from South Dakota for this trip. This was the last trip they could take up here before Baby Nugget comes in June. i have a TON of photos from the showers but i’ll just post a few.
Church shower
More of the belly
March 15th we got to see one of our favorite bands in concert: The Midnight. Josh originally was worried that my pregnant butt couldn’t handle the show. But I whined enough that we went and sat in vip and enjoyed the whole thing! i was definitely exhausted the next day.
As gifts kept pouring in we slowly made our baby room into a true nursery.
AND THEN we had our first baby scare and a couple of hospital visits. The week of March 20th was not our friend. First, i had some unexpected pain and bleeding at church. This lead to a visit to the ER. They examined me and Baby. Everything was fine. We still don’t know why that happened. The whole thing exhausted us and we napped with Martin boy.
Four days later josh was working in the garage on a knife and had an accident. This resulted in another ER visit and some stitches.
more belly photos
I had my gestational diabetes test …. a little later than usual… but that was a miscommunication. In the end, everything was wonderful there.
Then it was time for Holy Week! … my mother and I have a joke that sometimes we call Holy Week “Hell Week” because of the extra stress and energy it takes from pastors. The irony is that this week ended up being the best Holy Week I’ve had. I really felt God show up in beautiful, spiritual ways.
The following day- Easter Monday- we had an ultrasound that became scare number 3. Originally, this appointment was intended to simply check the position of the placenta and see if we would need to do a c-section. the placenta was still low, but we also learned that baby’s head was not the size it should be compared to the rest of the body. The doctor was uplifting and cautious but wanted to send us to Indy for further testing to ensure Baby Nugget was ok. …. so we earned ourselves a 3rd and 4th ultrasound.
In the midst of our uncertainty, we had a hint of joy. We FINALLY got to meet our new cousin Lynleigh, who had been born 3.5 weeks earlier, to Jordan & Eli.
We had some wonderful prayer warriors praying for Baby Nugget and sending us all kinds of encouragement.
After almost 3 full weeks of waiting (33wks on May 3rd), we had our specialist ultrasound. Baby’s head was smaller than the rest of their body and that could mean a few different things. So at 33 weeks (May 3) we had an ultrasound with a specialist in Indy. AND They gave us some videos!
Naturally, after we cried in relief at the good news for Baby Nugget, we celebrated in Clay terrace at Kona Grill and Sur La Table.
Now we prepare for Mother’s Day. My first one actually pregnant, feeling like an actual mother. I know my fur babies have always made me a mom, but this year feels different.
It’s amazing how fast my energy is zapped now.
May 8th -Mother’s Day breakfast at Liberty 2022 (apparently I didn’t take any photos of that breakfast!) Josh wasn’t feeling well, so he stayed home from church, but we went and saw Doctor Strange that evening.
We went crazy on May 15th. Here’s a crash course on the next 14 days: 1. put an offer in on a house, 2. my parents sold their house, 3. we invited them to live with us (they sold their home), 4. we prepped our house for sale, 5. pets to vets for vaccine updates, 6. boarding for vaccinated vets, 7. rainbow bridge for senior pets, 8. dr visit C-SECTION?!, 9. sold our house.
A little more detail: On our way home from church, we spur of the moment swung by a house we had considered buying a few months ago. I had received an email that it was still on the market and we had to drive by and find out why. This story deserves its own blog post, but suffice today we put an offer in on a home on Monday the 16th. The house plan led us to packing and prepping our own home for the market…. and preparing our pets for boarding and a move.
May 26th at our 36 week appointment, the doctor determined my placenta has not moved enough for a safe vaginal delivery. We will schedule a c-section when we meet the doctor performing the surgery at our 37 week appointment.
While they checked my placenta, they also gave us the gift of a 3D ultrasound. Look at Nugget’s chubby cheeks!!! They measured Baby at 5lbs 15oz at that appointment and still with tons of hair.
You may have noticed that two of our animals did not get their shots. We realized quickly that Dexter and Franny would not do well with this new move (stairs, electric fence, not to mention boarding, vaccinations, etc. needed for this to happen). Dexter has been battling cancer (and has allergies and regularly gets kidney stones) and Franny has extensive arthritis, which means grooming, potty, and other basic daily things are difficult. So Franny and Dexter crossed the rainbow bridge on May 27th to give them the best peaceful end. Their last day didn’t have to be a bad day. We miss our first babies.
ummm the last week of May…. beginning of June!!
May 31st i got to use up the rest of my spa gift card with a maternity massage. IT WAS HEAVENLY!
Baby is due June 20th but we will likely have a c-section the week of June 12th.
Meriah J Tigner 