Life Update: We’re having a baby girl

We found out we were pregnant on April 3, 2023. I loved that night, and everything its changed.

I had told Tucker I was feeling a little different over the past week or so before we found out, and I was already two days late in my cycle. He didn’t believe me, since early pregnancy symptoms and pre-menstrual symptoms are very similar. He didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. On the other hand, I knew something was different.  

By the time I was four days late, I decided it was time to get a test. I bought 3 pregnancy tests from Food City, including the “dummy” one that literally spells out “pregnant” on the test. No confusing lines to read - just a simple word. And three tries to prove it.

It was tuna sandwich night. Tucker and I make tuna sandwiches differently, so we alternate tuna sandwich nights. April 3rd was Tucker’s tuna sandwich night and while he cooked in the kitchen, I anxiously sat on the couch for as long as I could. About four minutes after he started cooking, I announced that I might as well just take a test. 

He agreed, though he was sure it would be negative. We’d only recently (like a few weeks prior recently) that it was time to grow our family. It was hard to believe we’d have gotten pregnant on our first try. At least now we’d know for sure. 

We have a half-bathroom right next to our kitchen, so I pulled out the “dummy” test and huddled into the bathroom. I’d only taken a pregnancy test once before - a few months after we’d gotten married, I was sure I was late and possibly pregnant. I have a rule where I refuse to take a pregnancy test without Tucker present; so I made him wait outside the door while I peed on a stick and the lines told me we weren’t parents yet. I won’t lie, I was a little disappointed but also knew we wanted to wait a little longer before trying for a baby. 

This time was different. I felt different. We’d decided together; we were eager together. Tucker was making tuna sandwiches and I peed on the stick with the door open. A very romantic evening, for sure.

The box said it would take at least 3 minutes for a final reading, so I capped the stick, washed my hands, and set it on the counter. 30 seconds passed and I nervously started talking to Tucker, trying to distract myself from the long wait ahead. Before I could finish my first distraction-intended sentence, I couldn’t help a glance down at the test. It was done. 

“Pregnant”

I gasped and Tucker stopped mixing the tuna. “What?” 

“I’m pregnant. I’m pregnant!” 

“Are you really?” 

We looked at the test together and the unmistakable “pregnant” word. We were parents - in fact, we’d been parents for the last few weeks, which was really crazy to think about. We ate our tuna sandwiches with a new sense of purpose and joy. We were having a baby! Our prayer had been answered so quickly, by His grace!

I took a second test a few hours later and what do you know? Still pregnant.

We went to our first ultrasound together at around 9 weeks, to confirm the pregnancy and meet our midwife. Everything looked great - when they confirmed the pregnancy, the nurse even said, “Girl, you’re really pregnant! The test said so right away.” 

We found out she was a girl at 12 or so weeks. It took us a bit to land on a first and middle name, but we’ve finally got one that we both love. We’ll announce her name to the world once she’s here, outside my belly. 

We shared with our families in June - most were surprised and most cried, including me (though I hear that’s just something I do now, thanks to this little baby). 

We got a clearer ultrasound and heard her heartbeat in July - she’s perfect and, according to the ultrasound technician, she’s got long legs. So we know she takes after Tucker in that department. 

Baby Curtis in July 2023

So much has changed in just half a year. I’m six months pregnant now, nearing the end of my second trimester. Tucker and I always knew I’d go home full-time once we had children, to care for our home and homeschool the kids, and the Lord made it clear to start that journey earlier than our baby girl’s due date. I quit my job at the start of August - I got a part-time job at our church that will last until December. We’ve been deep cleaning and organizing our apartment to make space for our new little one.

Time has flown by and everyone says, “It only gets faster!” She’ll be here sometime in early December - we’ll have a Christmas baby! We’ll announce her name and share photos through our Christmas card. (If you want to be on our Christmas card list, please email me your address!) 

It’s all very surreal - especially when she kicks me in the bladder or in my rib. I’m grateful that my second trimester has been a breeze in comparison to my first - we’ll see how the third goes. I don’t recognize myself when I walk past a mirror, my belly sticks out so far. I’m surprised at how much my midsection can stretch and she’s not even done cooking. I’ve been bad about taking weekly “bump” pictures, but here are a few from June, July, and August.

It’s surreal that she’s almost here and it’s surreal that she’s a GIRL!

I think that part hit Tucker a few months ago - I had just come home with a bag full of pink baby clothes given to me by a friend. I was so excited to show him, so I laid them out and started babbling about each piece and what I loved about them.

He stared at the flowers and bows and then quietly said, “We’re having a girl.”

That’s right buddy - we’re having a girl. :)

While we’re generally going to keep our children off of social media, I at least wanted to provide some sort of introduction before I start mommy-blogging all over the place. Motherhood and homemaking are brand new to me, but they are prayers I’ve had for a long time. I’m grateful to finally be in this season and I’m excited to write about it along the way.