And Baby Makes Ten

Let me take you back to Friday, November 25, 2011. It was the day after Thanksgiving and I had the day off from work. I met some friends for breakfast and on the way home realized I was sick...again. Was it stress? Something I ate? The stomach flu? Probably. But this was like the fourth day in a row that I felt sick...and I had been feeling off for the past few weeks. Crampy, nauseous, irritable. Hmmm.

I am the queen of rationalization but these symptoms were starting to stack up to the point where even I couldn't ignore them. So, I decided to make a stop at the store on my way home. I only had $12 and also had to pick up some things for dinner. So, I ended up buying the cheapest no-name pregnancy test the store sold. As I was dragging myself through the store, I found myself hiding the test in the cart like I was 16 and some disapproving adult might see it and know what I had been up to. It's funny how stress makes us act.

When I got home, the only person in the house was my mom. Living in a house with five other people it's pretty safe to say that almost NEVER happens. Not saying a word, I scurried into the bathroom and took my test. I have taken dozens of these in the past, all with the same result. So, I expected to wait my three minutes, get my negative result and be on my merry way. Instead, I saw the vertical line that never appears. Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod! It’s a plus!

I swear I felt the entire world shift in that moment. There was no way this was happening! Being the highly emotional person that I am, I immediately burst into tears, raced out of the bathroom and shoved the test into my mom's hands. She had no idea that I was even taking a pregnancy test, so you can probably imagine her confusion. I'll never forget the look on her face. She could tell something big was going on since I was crying in front of her but she had no idea what she was looking at. She said, "I don't know what I'm looking at! I don't understand!" And I yelled something along the lines of, "It's positive! What am I going to do?!"

Based on my response, it might seem like wasn’t excited about this baby. I was and am excited! I was just completely overwhelmed and not sure that I could trust the knock-off-no-name test. My mom demanded a clearer result. So, off to the drugstore we went to get the most advanced form of technology you'll ever pee on. This situation called for no less than digital.

When we got home with the test, I didn't have to pee. Ugh. Of course. My mom kept asking me if I took the test yet while flashing a look of eager anticipation as only an expectant grandma can. But I just couldn't go.

Finally! I had to pee! The result? Error!!! You have GOT to be kidding me! I decided to breakdown and actually read the instructions before taking the next test. I had nothing better to do while waiting to pee -- again. Apparently you can't tip these suckers upside down, which I clearly remembered doing. Long story short, when I finally was able to go again, I made sure to use the test properly. A few minutes later I got the clear, digital answer I was looking for. Pregnant!

And things haven't been quite the same since. :)