So here we are, June 2008. Approximately 1 year, and 5 months into wedded bliss. What’s new you ask? Where do I start?

Well since getting married, I lost a job due to my employer going broke. I then started a new job, only to get layed off 7 months into my stay. (Keep in mind I LOVED MY FREAKING JOB) But wait, it gets better. In the midst of my small crisis, we were shopping for a house. So hey, no pressure on me. My losses and gains can only help contribute to the success of our family. It was undoubtedly the single most stressful, and frustrating time of my life.

Let’s keep in mind I was determined to keep my career on track. So my time was spent not only going on interviews 3-4 times a week, but continuing to look for our dream home. I wanted to be the glue that continued to hold the family together. I wanted my husband to go to work every day knowing I was “Taking care of it.”

In addition to that, we were planning for Pulaski’s (Al’s band) Cd release on March 1st. A pretty stressful ordeal considering the show has been in the making for almost 3 years.

Now this is where it starts to get fun.

I was in the process of landing a Full Time contract, we had just put a contract on a house, and it’s crunch time! OMG, EVERYTHING could be falling into place, just as we had hoped. Things were in the air that could bring a new calm to the entire family.

But wait. What’s today’s date I thought? Why am I not doubled over in cramps like I am every time this month?

Could I be? Nooooo….hmmm. What day did we??? Noooo. “Kids, we need to go run an errand to go to CVS. Mommy needs to get some um…vitamins.”

Now lets remember this is 4pm, on a Monday evening. Al is at work and has no clue that this is in the back of my mind as a possibility. He’s been in meetings all day, and I don’t want to call him and distract him. So I handle this alone, as the super wife he knows me to be. So it’s off to the pharmacy to go get some answers.

So I get home and plan out my night. Okay we’re going to make some diner, and after the kids get settled down I’ll take the test. But wait, I have to pee now. What if I pee now and I can’t go until later. Okay I’ll take the test now.

So I do the deed, and quit honestly I think to myself “It’ll be negative, I’m just stressed out”.

Allow me to share something funny about these little magical pregnancy tests. The box says wait three minutes for a positive result. Well I got news for you. If your eggo is preggo, that stick is going to light up like a roman candle, within the second your pee hits the test.

At the very moment I pulled the stick out from under me, I expected a negative result. I look at the test, and it’s a positive in 2 seconds flat. I took another to be sure, and oh look at that. Two lines makes another winner.

I think I stood in the bathroom for about 20 minutes, looking at both test as if Ashton Kutcher was going to jump out of them and say “HA! You’ve been punked!”

Now lets refer back to the beginning of my story. No signed contract, no approved offer on the house, two kids already, and Whammo Awe Hell, lets throw a pregnancy in the mix to add some spice to my husbands pending nervous breakdown.

I’ll admit in the back of my mind, I was jumping up and down, because I get to have a baby with the love of my life. We wanted this, we just wanted it in about 6 to 9 months.

Now, it’s time to get the kids settled down for the night, get everyone fed, make sure my husband has an enjoyable, relaxing meal before I drop the pregnancy bomb on him.

Stay tuned for his reaction!

So I come downstairs after putting the kids to bed, and I go into the bathroom to grab the test. I sat down next to Al, holding the test behind my back. It felt like I was waiting forever to spit out the news. I was nervous, I was worried, and I was excited. All in one!

The dialogue went a little like this-

me: So honey, you love me don’t you?
al: You know it baby.
me: No I mean, you REALLY love me don’t you?
al: Of course I do.
me: No I mean, I need to know you love me, even though I may be a really terrible planner?
al: What are you talking about, you plan everything for us?

At this point I hand him the test. He looks at the test as if it was some sort of a foreign or experimental water filter.

al: Um, I don’t really know what this means?
me: It means, I’m pregnant knucklehead.
al: REALLY?
me: Yes, really.
al: NOooooooo…
me: Yes…
al: wow…really?

And I’ll spare you all the kisses and loves you.

It was so interesting to see him go from a look of intense interest, to simple and pure joy. Al has made a truly wonderful stepfather to my two children, and we have done alot to build a strong sense of family for the kids.

We’re so very excited to see how this baby will link the four of us together in a way that we could have only dreamed of. I’m equally excited to watch Al become a father, and I’m so blessed to be able to give this to him.

And thats the story how we both found out about how a baby is soon to turn our blended family of four into a whole family of five.

Tune in again for a heartwarming tale about what it’s like to have morning, afternoon, and evening sickness. Did I mention “while you sleep” sickness?

Now this is what I don’t get. You go to the doctor, and express a deep concern for the fact that you haven’t had any solid food for the last 48 hours, and what do they say? They say, “Well just keep drinking water, you be fine. Mother nature has a way of making sure you’ll be okay.” How about Mother Nature just exempts us from this ridiculous ritual to start!

So with the worst behind me now, I am ready to roll with this. I not only can eat real food again, but I’m enjoying my bizarre cravings. The baby LOVES red meat, cucumbers, the smell of beer and ranch dressing.

One week I ate 6, yes 6 cucumbers. I guess it could be worse. The baby could want cheesecake, and I’d be like 9000 pounds come November.

Now the funny thing is, I don’t like Beer, and I’ve always hated ranch dressing.

Have I been seen dipping grapes into Ranch Dressing? Maybe. Did I eat hummus and Graham crackers together? I’ll deny it till the end. Somehow I fear this is not good for me.

However, i’m thinking of putting together these recipes, since I went to the doctor and I’ve amazingly only gained 2 pounds. It’s the Ranch Dressing and Grape Diet! Clearly it’ll be the new atkins of 2008.

Tune in next for my Gender Rage!

Thanks to all you moms who can’t wait 9 freaking months to find out what your having, there are no neutral baby clothes or bedding items left in the world!!! Everything is either Mega Girly, or 100% Boy! Can’t a family enjoy the surprise!!!? Jesssh!

grrrrr…….