A Little Big Announcement…

Adam recently looked at me and said, “I feel like it’s been a while since you last blogged.”

It has been.

But, there is a good reason… Adam and I are expecting a baby!

We are very excited… but, man.  The first trimester thing is no joke.  My energy was way down and it took everything in me to try to stay on top of work, the garden, canning, working out and maintaining the house.  So, blogging took a bit of a back seat.

But, I am happy, for so many reasons, to say we are out of the first trimester and that my energy is back up… and that there are two blogs in the queue for this week.  

However, it took a little bit of thought to announce our news on social media.  I was honestly very hesitant.  But, I knew that there are many people that I have gotten to know through blogging or through various online workshops I have done and the many moves throughout my life that I don’t speak with often that would likely still love to know.

And, I am also really glad that I have the platform like the blog to share real feelings on in hopes that there is someone who can relate.

One of my biggest hesitations came from the fact that I know many– too many- great couples who have struggled with fertility and miscarriage.  I know that announcements like these can sting no matter how hard you try to be happy.  And, while I know that I will never have the right words for couples who face these challenges, know that your feelings- no matter how bad or angry you feel for having them- are valid.

My other reservation was the fear of losing who I am… or, at least having it be perceived that way.  I had this irrational thought that because I was sharing the joy of my pregnancy that I would be losing my edge within my career.  I am in a male dominated industry and work through contracts with attorney’s and predominate business owners often.  I was afraid that being excited about a baby would be “too girly” of me and make it seem like I am losing my drive or mental toughness.

But, with the help of Adam, a business owner himself, I took a step out of my own thoughts and remembered all the amazing career women and mom’s in my life as well as the inspiring women I have been introduced to through blogging who are mom’s and strong business owners.

Smiling, I also remembered a second grade me, standing in front of my classroom on “career day.”  We were asked to dress up and share with the class what we wanted to be when we grew up.  Despite my teachers attempts to try to convince me to be a veterinarian just like 75% of the other girls in my class, I stood proud in an apron and held tight to a baby doll and told everyone that I wanted to be a mom.

This April my career dreams will be coming true.

And, I am completely overwhelmed with excitement and pure, girly, motherly joy.

Just for fun… because I am a girl’s girl, here are a few little details:

• We found out that we were expecting the weekend after my 28th birthday.  I was so tired with absolutely no good reason, so I wondered if something might be up.
• Adam has been the cutest through all of this.  I am so grateful to have such a strong yet sweet partner.  I don’t think he has been able to wipe his big grin off his face since he saw that little blue plus sign.
• We will not be finding out the gender.  I believe that there are too few genuinely great surprises in life and I want to soak up as many of those moments as I can.  I also get goosebumps about the thought of Adam being the one to tell me that I have a son or a daughter.
• Food?  Give me all the sweets.  Ice cream has been number one.  But, I do have weird moments when all I want are fruity candies… like Twizzlers. Or, mmm, Swedish Fish.
• Missing?  Lattes on cool fall mornings.
• Saving my life? La Croix.  OMG.  I think I need to buy stock in the stuff.

We have been blown away by the love this little one has already received from good friends and family.  We have started a pretty good collection of super cute locavore baby swag thanks to the many sweet people in our life.  We are so lucky to have you be a part of this baby’s life too.

With lots of Love and excitement,

Claire and Adam