GOSH. YALL. We are so overwhelmed in the best way possible with the outpour of love we received from baby Raads announcement! We will cherish all of the love forever and ever. It feels like I have been keeping the biggest secret from all of my closest friends, so it feels SO good to tell you all!
I honestly have been a little worried to share my journey since I have already received so many comments on girls comparing their journey, their bump, and questions around why we didn’t announce earlier, and so on. I will try to answer as many questions as possible, but just a reminder, I want to share a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that I’m learning everyday to live by, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. We all have different walks in life, our bodies are made so differently, and so are our stories. For those struggling to get pregnant, I know what those disappointed moments feel like, and I promise, the Lord has a plan for you! You also are in our prayers and never forgotten!
PS bottom of the post I am sharing personal photos!
On December 17, after months of so many failed pregnancy tests, we finally got our first positive pregnancy test! I was overjoyed and honestly in shock. Then quickly I let fear take over and steal that joy because I thought it was too good to be true and the reality of a possible miscarriage might happen. I didn’t get my hopes up but I also was so excited that we finally got a positive pregnancy test after months of trying. Honestly though, while we were trying month after month, disappointment after disappointment, I had such an overwhelming sense of peace that God was in control and getting pregnant would happen in His time.
I honestly had a feeling something was off in early December on our Europe trip because I was sleeping like a rock. I would pass out for 10-12 hours and that was so unlike me. We even amazon primed a pregnancy test to our hotel room in London one evening because I swore I was pregnant with all the changes in appetite and constant exhaustion. I knew was something was off, but our pregnancy test came back negative so again I tried not to get our hopes up.
Anyways on 12/17 Ted and I went to bed with so many happy tears. Funny enough we both had food poisoning that day so thats what led me to even take the pregnancy test in the first place since I was throwing up first. I was so in shock, I casually just told Ted we were pregnant lol. He stood there for about 5 minutes just staring at the pregnancy test lol! Then lots of happy tears!
This is the hardest little blurb to share and another reason why we decided to wait a little longer to tell everyone. We told our close friends and family during Christmas time, which I am so glad we did, but I still had that worry in the back of my mind that a miscarriage was still a possibility. I really did let that fear take over celebrating such a special time in our life and that’s something that I am choosing to share because it’s normal to feel that way.
On New Year’s Eve we went to Olive Garden (since I was craving pasta lol) and when we got home my fear became a reality and I started to bleed. I instantly thought I was going through a miscarriage. During something like this, the last thing I should have done was google it. Since it was the holidays, everything was closed, but luckily Ted’s dad knew an OBGYN that was on call. We made the 40 minute drive out to Pearland where we heard the babies heartbeat for the very first time, which honestly was such a bittersweet moment. I was still bleeding and the doctor said there really isn’t anything I can do but to take it easy. SOOO many tears and emotions over-flooded Ted and I at this time. We came home that evening scared to death and felt so hopeless. Hours later, I had the worst cramps of my life. The pain was so intense, I barely could breathe and went to the bathroom to rinse my face. A few minutes later, Ted found me laying down on the bathroom floor. I was SURE I was going through a miscarriage and Ted rushed me to the hospital. Again, there really isn’t anything you can do but just pray at this moment. We celebrated the ringing in of 2019 in prayers at the ER.
For weeks, I was bleeding and I was SOO fearful. Our doctor appointment was on January 8th and those 8 days felt like an eternity. We had no idea if we still had a heartbeat or what really was going on. Fast forward, I had a hemorrhage that put the baby at a risk for a miscarriage. The doctor, again, said all we could do is wait. She did say that 80% of the time all of this gets sorted out and leads to a healthy pregnancy. But if we can be honest, all I could think about was the 20%. For weeks, we just had to hang on that God was in control of the whole situation, and we would accept whatever He chose for us – but with constant prayers that He would allow us to be in the 80%.
Such a tough time but throughout the long days, the Lord truly did provide, we had our 12-week appointment, and everything was perfect! It was such a roller coaster of emotions! The more I talk about it with other women, the more stories I hear about the trials and blessings of a pregnancy. Everyone has a different story, and it’s ok to talk about it. Nothing is taboo and your story is beautiful no matter what.
Honestly though, the timing was all the Lords. Such a miracle we could NOT believe it. Mom has been begging for a little grandson or niece since the second we got married lol! Once we got the news that her cancer came back, I prayed all the more the Lord would grant us the privilege to get pregnant so our little one can meet her. She has been over the moon about the news of her being a grandma and I am just so happy that I have her here during such a special time! I can’t give enough credit to God for his divine timing!
So let’s just say YES he was ecstatic, but y’all, he just quit his job to start a new company a week before we found out lol. And if you know Ted, he is all about comic relief. The amount of funny comments that were mentioned in 5 minutes were probably more than I’ve heard in a lifetime lol so I knew he was stressing out. You could see how happy he was, but at the same time, I literally could see him trying to plan out the next 8-9 months.
He just quit his corporate and had been working on building his new business and leaving the comfort of corporate world benefits. We both were dealing with moms cancer coming back and so much more family stuff that he was trying to sort out as well! Oh, and we also live in a small thousand square feet condo so he really was freaking out lol! Of course he is super excited but being who he is, logic all came running through lol we have had to adult REALLY hard lately. But honestly, I have never seen him more excited in his life. And he’s so heavily involved, you would think he was the one giving birth to this child lol.
Ted and I have been married for 6.5 years and we just had a feeling that we are now ready for the next chapter in our lives. We have been praying about it for years and I think when you know, you know. I had this interest in babies more than I ever did before lol! Also for those that have reached out about the pressure from others, DON’T let others pressure you! We pretty much got it every day from our Arab family of when we were going to but only you know your situation and when you are ready!
I JUST started to pop. Especially in the evenings! My clothes were feeling tight but nothing like how the bump looks now. By the end of the evening I feel like I am 9 months pregnant lol! Currently in the morning, I have such a tiny bump, looks like a food baby. It’s so crazy how much it changes depending on the day and what all I eat! For those office babes that asked me how I hid it, I just wore super loose clothing! I went for lots of maxi dresses, a denim jacket around my waist, or a loose top. Also for those worried that I am not embracing the bump, I promise I am! I have plenty of personal photos to capture this sweet time and I am in awe everyday of what our bodies can do!
Absolutely not! I don’t plan on buying many maternity style items unless I have to! I know the majority of y’all aren’t pregnant and I still want to be the best resource for you all. I will just be sizing up to a small or medium in all my clothes moving forward!
I am not sure how I got so lucky, but I feel absolutely great! Like never before! The first trimester I THANKFULLY didn’t have morning sickness or I don’t think I would have been able to work as much as I did. I did, however, get SUPER tired by like 3 pm and went to bed by 8 pm lol it was great! I also was on “bedrest” and took super advantage of that lol! Mom also didn’t have any crazy symptoms so that’s good!
At first, I had a pop tart every day for like a month lol then I moved on to cereal. Other than that, still eating normal! I do eat A LOT of subway tuna sandwiches but I think I’m currently am getting sick of that too. Oh, I was THAT prego lady the other day that had pickles and chocolate haha idk why it happened but it was SO good. I also crave salt and lemon, but have been doing that since I was little! I have only worked out a handful of times during 2019. Since I kept it easy this entire year, it got me WAY out of shape lol. I now am trying to get back into cycling a few times a week!
If somehow you got through all of that, bless your heart! We just had 3 crazy months to catch you up on! I will be sure to do another bump date at the end of my 2nd trimester! If I missed any questions you may have, please leave below and I will be sure to answer!
I just can’t thank you all enough for the amount of love and support we have. This baby is already so loved and I couldn’t be more grateful!
Congratulations!!! What an exciting time in your life! I love how you relied so heavily on your faith and on God’s timing during this journey. Can’t wait to see more updates!
I’m so happy everything is going well. I personally have no intentions of having children but I’m super happy when people achieve their dream of being parents, congratulations!
Loved this post!!! I was sooo excited when I saw your announcement! I’m so happy that everything worked out in God’s favor. Can’t believe my favorite blogger is finally pregnant!! Congrats again ?
Also, I have all sorts of cute finds for maternity if your body decides your crazy!
Thanks for sharing!! Hope you continue to have a wonderful pregnancy and praying for your mama and you mama for your little peanut!!
Oh my goodness. I love that you are sharing your journey with us. Your story is so relatable to mine. I’m due around the same time as you. It took the hubby and I a year to get pregnant so I completely understand the disappointment month after month. The other thing is that I quit my job a week before I conceived. How funny that Ted did the same thing! I didn’t think we’d be getting pregnant anytime soon so didn’t think anything of it. Everything works out how it’s supposed to! Best of luck to you and your growing family.
Congratulations! This post has brought me so many tears and I am so happy for you and ted! Wishing you both all the best on this new journey!!
Congratulations!! You two are going to be great parents! God works in misterious ways and everything happens for a reason. He knew you two were ready to be parents. Best of luck and cant wait to watch you on your journey!
I am so happy to hear everything is okay! Congrats and Thank You for being so honest. My husband and I are 17 weeks pregnant and have went through the same thing— I have bled on and off our whole pregnancy and I can honestly say there’s nothing more scary in the entire world. It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one on this roller coaster of emotions! I cannot wait to follow along on your pregnancy journey with Baby Raad? Are you guys going to find out gender?!
All in God’s timing for you guys! It’s amazing to see it unfold. So incredibly happy and excited for you and Ted and as always, I’m so amazed at how strong you are and keep it so together and so graceful despite tough times with family. God truly has y’all in the palm of his hand and you are BLESSED! Praying for you and the little Raad peanut! Love ya’ll!
So happy for y’all!! We are both due im August mama ?
Congratulations! I am so happy for you guys! I’m also pregnant with my first and due in September. I love your posts and am so happy you’re sharing your journey. It will be so helpful for first time mommies like myself.
Congratulations!! I love that you shared these personal experiences with your readers – thank you for doing so! So happy for you and your husband!!
Congratulations Dede! I am so happy for you and Ted, and your new blessing! I too had a bleeding scare, around 10 weeks I think, but it all went well. Trust God, and enjoy the rest of this journey!
Celebrating your blessing! I am so excited for you both to feel the pure love of this new addition. I can’t wait!
SO excited for you, Dede! I cannot believe you went through all of that! Praying for you & this sweet blessing of yours! I am SO happy for you!
In reading your post I thought maybe if you happen to need a fertility, health, and wellness consultant my friend is available Megan Beninelli on Instagram @fertilityframework.com. She’s proven to be an amazing resource for so many of my friends when it comes to I wonder what this means, and should this be happening, or what the heck kinda questions. No sales pitch she’s just a good friend and your journey and scare made me think you could’ve used a Megan.
Poppin’ over to say congrats. You’re such a great human you’re sure to pass that on! Praying for your mom’s strength and well being and sending lots of love to you and your fam 😘😘😘.
Sending all the love to you and your family! Congratulations ❤️❤️ I recently became a mama and I can honestly say there is absolutely nothing better in the world. So much love!
Oh my goodness, congrats! I teared up reading this. Y’all are going to be the BEST parents.
Congrats!!! 8 months preggers here! Subway tuna sandwiches have been my fav during this pregnancy too!
What an exciting time and a blessing!
You’ve had quite a journey so far in your pregnancy!
Praying for a healthy delivery for you and your baby!
I had a similar bleed with my first (and one with my second on Christmas Eve at 16w!) and I have 2 perfectly healthy boys! I understand how much it steals your joy, but don’t let it take it all away. So happy things are moving along so well, baby will be here before you know it!