I want to record the story of how I found out I was pregnant, maybe more for me than for you reading this.
Now, I'm not a date-oriented person. So much so that I have always been terrible at remembering my own anniversaries. Dan and I never had an official dating anniversary, because neither of us could remember the date. We knew it was in spring, within a few weeks of my birthday. So, how do I know the exact date I found out I am pregnant? Normally, I wouldn't, but it just so happened to be Dan's birthday. That would be his real birthday, not his pretend birthday on October 9th. I don't know why he thinks he needs two birthdays, but oh well.
I had been feeling off and sickish for a while, but even though my period was late I really didn't think I was pregnant. My period is often late and I figured it would show up when it wanted, just like always. I was a little concerned though, and wanted to make a doctor appointment to make sure I was okay. It was pretty likely that they would test for pregnancy at the doctor so I decided to go ahead and take a test on my own just to rule out the possibility before making an appointment.
I watched in shock as the plus sign appeared immediately. I stared at it for a few seconds, then quickly put it down and left the room. A few minutes later I crept back in and gingerly picked up the test. Still positive. I shook it, and looked again. The opening scene in the movie Juno came to mind, where Juno is reminded by Rainn Wilson's character that a pregnancy test is not an etch-a-sketch, and I felt a little silly. I peered doubtfully at the result window. The plus sign was still there, darker than the control line that shows up to let you know the test is not defective. I put it down and left again.
I picked Dan up at work that evening. I had sneaked in and out of the bathroom a few more times, rechecking that the test hadn't mysteriously changed it's mind. I hadn't given any thought as to how I would tell Dan, and I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it secret long enough to devise a sweet and creative way to break the news. So, as soon as he had his seat belt buckled I handed him the test. Nice way to say hello, right? Don't worry, I cleaned the stick before tucking it in my pocket. Anyway, Dan kind of stared at it in silence for a few seconds. I assumed he had very limited familiarity with the devices and was figuring out the results. Then he grinned. "This is the best birthday present ever"!
Now, I'm not a date-oriented person. So much so that I have always been terrible at remembering my own anniversaries. Dan and I never had an official dating anniversary, because neither of us could remember the date. We knew it was in spring, within a few weeks of my birthday. So, how do I know the exact date I found out I am pregnant? Normally, I wouldn't, but it just so happened to be Dan's birthday. That would be his real birthday, not his pretend birthday on October 9th. I don't know why he thinks he needs two birthdays, but oh well.
I had been feeling off and sickish for a while, but even though my period was late I really didn't think I was pregnant. My period is often late and I figured it would show up when it wanted, just like always. I was a little concerned though, and wanted to make a doctor appointment to make sure I was okay. It was pretty likely that they would test for pregnancy at the doctor so I decided to go ahead and take a test on my own just to rule out the possibility before making an appointment.
I watched in shock as the plus sign appeared immediately. I stared at it for a few seconds, then quickly put it down and left the room. A few minutes later I crept back in and gingerly picked up the test. Still positive. I shook it, and looked again. The opening scene in the movie Juno came to mind, where Juno is reminded by Rainn Wilson's character that a pregnancy test is not an etch-a-sketch, and I felt a little silly. I peered doubtfully at the result window. The plus sign was still there, darker than the control line that shows up to let you know the test is not defective. I put it down and left again.
I picked Dan up at work that evening. I had sneaked in and out of the bathroom a few more times, rechecking that the test hadn't mysteriously changed it's mind. I hadn't given any thought as to how I would tell Dan, and I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it secret long enough to devise a sweet and creative way to break the news. So, as soon as he had his seat belt buckled I handed him the test. Nice way to say hello, right? Don't worry, I cleaned the stick before tucking it in my pocket. Anyway, Dan kind of stared at it in silence for a few seconds. I assumed he had very limited familiarity with the devices and was figuring out the results. Then he grinned. "This is the best birthday present ever"!
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