There are so many positives about blogging, but one of the very best things is that my online content serves as a time capsule. In the early days, there were no set rules; blogging was a creative outlet and a way to document the things that mattered most to me. So, when tasked to write about my pregnancies, it was fun to backtrack since my blogs and social media outlets have been my online baby books and pregnancy journals.
When I started blogging eight years ago this month, I was working as an editor in NYC. I had a lot going on back then, but life as I knew it was about to change. In fact, my very first blog post in January 2007 declared my long-awaited pregnancy.
Because we tried to conceive (TTC for those in the know) for two years, I was emotionally overwhelmed, but mostly in disbelief. For about two years, I charted and documented my fertile days. Every month, I would test multiple times, only to be disappointed with negative results. So, when I couldn’t get pregnant, I started to fill my free time. (Free time. Ha!) We traveled, I joined a gym, we’d go out on date nights more often—I couldn’t keep myself busy enough. I read every pregnancy book, visited every forum, but truly, things didn’t happen until we least expected it.
When I found out I was pregnant with my first son, disbelief was the main emotion.The night before I tested, I was at a dance class at the gym, but I remember my boobs being more pronounced and tender. At work the next day, the day I missed my period, I just knew something was different. Because I worked in the city, there was a drugstore across the street, so I grabbed a pregnancy test during lunch. I stared at the pregnancy test at my desk but couldn’t wait to take it, so I took it at work. So when that faint plus sign appeared, I practically screamed! I couldn’t confide to anyone at work, but I shared the early news with my online friends. Since smartphones weren’t really a thing yet in early 2007, I secretly scanned my positive pregnancy tests! I must’ve skipped all the way to the subway that evening, I was that happy. One of the most fulfilling moments though, was taking a Clearblue test at home and to read the word “pregnant.” Even better? To wrap that test and announce to my excited husband!
Throughout the next nine months, I continued to document what I ate, how I slept, how I felt—basically anything having to do with my first pregnancy. Everything was brand new and totally foreign with my first pregnancy. Even though I was sick up until the seventh month, I remember basking in the thrill of pregnancy. When people refused to let me sit on the subway, even at 37 weeks, I let it roll. The first time is such a glorious time!
The Second Time Around
The thing about having multiple kids: life just gets busier and crazier! Also? Your memory retention gets a bit foggy, and sometimes, corners are cut to make life a little bit easier. When I found out I was pregnant with Littles, again, I just knew because my boobs were the first marker. My body started to show me signs of pregnancy once again. Since TTC the second time around was more systematic than the first time around, I think I was a little more stressed.
I was just as excited as the first time, but the disbelief was exchanged for exhaustion. I was a little bit older and a bit frustrated that it took so long to get pregnant again. When I found out I was pregnant with Littles, I was at home, here in the suburbs. Once again, I charted and noticed the spike in my temperature. When I missed my period, I just knew I was pregnant with my second. I remember taking multiple tests and I was able to document the positives with an iPhone and Instagram this time, rather than with a scanner like last time! I shared the news with my husband and life truly got a little more colorful as we embarked on our next pregnancy journey! Apparently, I took way less photos of this second reveal. At least Littles was Instagram and FB official.
Clearblue played such an integral part to both of my pregnancies. I was able to learn that I was pregnant after trying for long and I was able to use the positive tests as a way to announce these special moments. Since my pregnancy with Littles in 2011, the technology in pregnancy tests have truly evolved.
Clearblue Advanced Pregnancy Test with Weeks Estimator is an OTC hCG test that not only detects pregnancy, but in some cases can detect hCG 4 days before your period is expected. This test can estimate how many weeks have passed since ovulation. For anyone that’s struggled to get pregnant like I did, you know how it feels like an eternity waiting to test!
Pregnancy is such a wonderful time, and I’m so glad that I documented it in photos and blog posts. Even though the details are more vivid with Biggie, I’m so glad that I was able to capture the moments that mattered— even if the second kid might have fewer blog posts, we know it all happened thanks to Instagram.
Are you or someone you know TTC? We’re giving away a Clearblue Advanced Pregnancy Test with Weeks Estimator.
Just enter below:
This is a sponsored post as part of the BabyCenter Blog Network. I have been compensated for my participation and time, but as always, opinions on NKT are my own.
