The basics:
Baby Trapp is a girl and she's due on June 20.
Isn't that conception date pretty close to your wedding date?
She is a "honeymoon baby," literally.
Was this a planned pregnancy?
No. I would call her a "happy accident," but that's a little insulting to the ridiculously complex process that is creating a life. I will say that we were not actively planning for children until later in life (*cough*30*cough*) so our immediate goals have taken a pretty drastic adjustment.
When did you find out about the pregnancy?
By home test, November 29. Confirmation by a doctor was on December 6. I had no morning sickness or mood swings, and I was still receiving what I thought was my monthly "visitor." When my late November period didn't arrive, I took a test and received a positive, thinking that I was just a couple of weeks along. During my first OB appointment, the doctor turned the ultrasound screen around and I almost fainted when I saw an actual baby swimming and kicking around. It was an incredible shock, to say the least.
When did you tell your family?
We told my parents at Christmas, and Brian's parents on his mom's birthday.
Why did you wait so long to share the news?
We were hoping to have better news on the job hunting front before announcing the baby. Brian's final day in the Coast Guard is June 30 and my due date is June 20, so everyone is understandably worried for us and we're obviously very, very worried ourselves. The stress of not having any kind of plan in place is already a heavy burden, without the well-intentioned curiosity of friends. Now that I'm over 20 weeks and starting to show, I had to concede that my "wait till we've got a plan" plan was not going to happen in time.
So what's the backup plan?
I will deliver at David Grant Medical Center in Fairfield, CA and we will remain in our current home. We have savings and a severance allowance to cushion the blow of the worst case scenario, which is Brian not finding a career job by June. I am genuinely confident that this plan will not be necessary, but I am comforted to know that it exists.
Will you work?
I would like to. I have been actively job hunting throughout the entire pregnancy, and will continue to do so after the baby is born. The fact that I just finished a graduate degree in a subject I have no work experience in is pretty lame, so I would like to get started on my government career as soon as possible.
How are you feeling?
I am shocked by the surge of maternal, protective and loving hormones I've been flooded with these last few months. I expected to be emotional and prone to crying, but that hasn't happened. Instead, I find myself constantly bewildered by how doe-eyed and lovey-dovey I get over random experiences. Anyone who knows me knows that I am the opposite of the corny, overly sentimental girly type, but pregnancy has turned me into a veritable Puss In Boots.
How is Brian adjusting?
He is an amazing husband turning into an incredible father. (There is nothing hotter.) He has always been excellent with kids, and originally planned on becoming a 5th grade teacher before he joined the Coast Guard. Everything about this transition has been natural and pleasant, and I swear sometimes I find myself totally flustered by how intuitive he is. Every night he puts cocoa butter on my tummy, and talks to our daughter as if he's expecting a response. We constantly discuss our parenting preferences, and we luckily had plenty time to align those goals throughout our 5 year relationship. I'd say he's adjusting very, very well.
Final thoughts?
Please keep those prayers and happy thoughts coming. We're both very happy and excited, but we are also grounded in the reality that our little family is already in peril and we need to keep our focus on finding work. Once Brian has found a job, I will tentatively do a happy dance and truly start celebrating <3
4 comments:
I am so happy for the both of you! I of course send good thoughts and prayers on the health and well being of the newest Trapp. I also send you LOTS good thoughts toward the job hunts. I am a planner, and I know you are too Flo. James and I are in very similar situations and I cannot imagine adding a baby to that.
That's a lot of worry. I hope that something comes along that eases it a bit!
I had no idea! I'm so thrilled for you; you're going to be an incredible mother! Will continue to pray for guidance and peace for you and your husband! Congratulations :)
Flo! This is wonderful news! And, don't worry. It'll all work out. If I know you, you'll come out of this with flying colors and lots of style!
By the way, congratulations on the wedding, too! Everything (especially you) looked beautiful! Glad you had such a great day!
Awesome news, even with the not-so-awesome circumstances hovering in the background. Praying it all works out - sure it will. :) Congrats!
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