One year ago...

A year ago this week, I got some of the best and most shocking news of my life...I was pregnant!

(If you haven't heard the story, you can read about it here. Don't worry. 

There is nothing too TMI about it! I know some of you are...sensitive...when it comes to all things pregnancy.)

On that day, I don't think either Mike or I really knew just how much change this wonderful news would continue to bring over the next 38 weeks and beyond. As I approach this one-year mark, I have been reflecting on my pregnancy quite a bit. I thought I might write down some of my lessons learned, observations, etc. 

WARNING: This is probably my longest post to date. 

- I will never forget the first time I saw Grayson's tiny little form via ultrasound. Or heard his crazy fast heartbeat. After my first doctor's appointment, I had to go back to work. Just so happened it was also on my 30th birthday. It was so much fun to share the ultrasound pictures with my coworkers, especially my group, because they celebrated right along side me. My heart was so full, and I didn't think it could get much fuller at that point. I was wrong! :)

- I learned being a picky eater makes pregnancy that much harder. What do you mean I can't have my iced black tea from Starbucks? And blue cheese is off limits? Those are my two major food groups right there! :)

- There is no way to predict your emotions. I had heard stories of course, but I didn't understand until I experienced it. Take my word for it -  Don't look up random nickname generators online and plug in your least favorite coworkers names into them while pregnant. Just don't. At first you will be laughing hysterically and before you know it, you will be sobbing and crying uncontrollably while your husband looks on in disbelief. At least that was the case for me!

-  I learned first hand that people can be mean to pregnant ladies. Again, I had heard stories - but I never really understood until it happened to me. And I am not chalking this up to being sensitive from pregnancy hormones, because I can still feel the sting. I was under some grand delusion that everyone would be happy for me (they weren't) and that no one would say anything hurtful (they did). Be nice to pregnant ladies, people! If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it at all.

- In comparison, hearing kind things about my appearance were like balm to my spirit. One sweet lady at work stopped me in the hall one day and told me that I must be having a boy, because I looked so beautiful. I will always cherish this lady's kind-hearted comments! She wasn't the only one to say nice things of course, but I especially remember what she said! My friends and family always complimented me even when I looked my worse.  Mike especially - "You're wearing my old flannel pants and my old long-sleeved track shirt to the hospital for monitoring?! You look stunning!" Haha! :)

- Moving was a bad idea. It was difficult trying to sell our house during this time period. Selling our house, buying a new one, moving in just two weeks before Grayson was due...it was just too much. I'm surprised I stayed sane. Or maybe I didn't but people were gracious with me anyway.

- I am not sure what I would have done without my fellow mommy-friends - especially - Mary Ann, Heather and Mindy. They were always just a text away with some encouraging words and advice! 

- We made the right decision in finding out the sex. I was so sure we were having a girl - I wouldn't say I had my heart set on it though because I wasn't at all disappointed when we were told he was a boy. I was so thrilled and excited!

- Saying farewell to my workplace of nearly 6 years was difficult. On one hand I was so glad I didn't have to drive over an hour to work anymore (I had only been doing it a few weeks, but I was so tired.) But on the other, the relationships I had built there...well I am certainly missing some people and my daily interactions with them. I know I have mentioned it on here before, but my group was the best. They celebrated and supported me every step of the way of my pregnancy, and they were some of the ones who told me I looked nice even when I was reduced to wearing flipflops to work because my feet were so swollen. Those ladies are amazing!

- If anyone local is thinking twice about having a baby at our local hospital, come talk to me first! My doctor is fantastic. She had big shoes to fill because I loved my doctor in Columbus, but she exceeded my expectations and then some. The hospital staff treated Mike and me so well! Our nurses were so funny - to the point that we were cracking up while I was in labor. Who is laughing hysterically while in labor?! I was! :) They snuck in some ice cream for us one night too. And we loved the anesthesiologist! He talked Mike and me step-by-step through my epidural in the afternoon and then through my c-section in the early morning hours - and even offered to take the first pictures of Grayson. He was hilarious and kind. We had THE best care. The best. I just don't think I can stress that enough.

- That early morning while I was in surgery, waiting for Grayson' arrival, Mike sat by my head and stroked my hair. I remember thinking that we would soon be 3 instead of just 2. His first cry was so surreal. My doctor said, "Erin, do you hear that?!" If I wasn't so overwhelmed by everything - physically, mentally, emotionally - I would have probably burst into tears. A special moment :)

In closing, as weird as it sounds, the song A Thousand Years by Christina Perri really "spoke" to me during my pregnancy - especially in those early weeks. I know. It's supposed to be a love song, but hear me out...the chorus sums up perfectly how I felt during my pregnancy and how I feel now :)

I have died everyday

Waiting for you

Darlin' don't be afraid

I have loved you for a

Thousand Years

I'll love you for a thousand more

On this one year anniversary, I am thanking God for my beautiful family - 

my amazing hubby and sweet son!

I felt compelled to share this picture.

Gray's "first" pic

The "end" product - my sweet boy just six days after he was born.

Grayson today :)