jtmitchum.com

So many things have happened that I haven’t updated my site to announce the most important update in my life. Family and friends have known for a great deal of time, so I have only been reluctant in informing the web as it were.

Back in January, on a Monday, I was zipping around getting a few things done before I headed into work. As I hurried up the stairs to get my last few items, Kerry stood before me with a look that hovered between nervous good and nervous terrible.

“I think I’m pregnant,” she said.

I can tell you now, my life has never been the same since then. After about 4 or 5 home tests over the course of the next 2 to 3 days, we became solidly convinced that either all pregnancy home kits were messed up, or we were most definitely pregnant.

Four weeks later, in a matter of seconds the ultrasound peered around and I saw the first picture of my child. Kerry’s words described it best.

“It looks like a peanut.”

I could already see the tiny oscillations of the brightest point of that ultrasound and recognized it as the heart beat before the sonographer even mentioned it. The beats were coming at 184 a minute and it was fascinating. It was fascinating the way lightning is fascinating to young children. Bright and amazing but just a little bit terrifying. There was no doubting it now, I’m going to be a parent.

Four more weeks later, the doctor would hold a fetal doplar to Kerry. The doctor searched for what seemed like hours and I came to understand the meaning of a pregnant moment. Finally, through all the rush and whir of bodily noises and just after I could identify Kerry’s heartbeat came this rush and whir at twice Kerry’s heart rate.

I heard the strong pumping contractions of my child’s heart. As the Doc. held steady, we listened and smiled at the powerful whir and thuds coming at nearly 160 beats per minute. Now that is a moment. No terrifying sensations here, just pride and warmth.

It was at that point, 3 months in, that I could finally let the rest of the world know, which really meant work and friends that aren’t as commonly seen or are at a distance. So, Kerry is safely into the second trimester and a lot of relief comes with that.

I’ve got about a million diary entries about how she’s been doing in my personal journal, but I reserve those for now. She’s doing well, but I can tell you this little one is vigorously ripping her of nutrients and energy at every turn. Good for the baby, wearing on mom.