Bethany is Pregnant!!

Well our lives have taken a major turn for the better, as we've recently learned we'll soon be parents! Bethany is due in.... well, that's kind of classified info because of the Baby Pool being planned at the fire department. I may have let the expected date slip a few times, so a keen and perceptive firefighter may get the inside track on that.

Bethany told me by way of a gift-wrapped home pregnancy test. She was feeling pretty ill for an extended period, and was at her wits end. With the help of some friends, she worked out the reason for feeling that way -- this was while I was away for some job training. Upon my return, she had confirmed it all and gave me that box which completely took me by surprise. What a moment, I'd have to say the best single moment ever!

At that point we figured it was about six weeks along -- but later scans and tests have put us further down the road. We're out of the first trimester now, which should mean the worst of her sickness is past. The baby is about 4-inches long, has bones and organs, and for the first time today, we got to hear his/her heartbeat! What an amazing moment -- the first of many to come.

It was a hoot to tell our parents. Luckily, both sets were recently up to Denman for a visit about a week apart. Anne got the news privately on a walk with her daughter, just the two of them. Ray received a clever card hand-made by Bethany for the occasion -- his stunned silence spoke clearly enough though! He and I had the traditional smoke together to celebrate. We got my mom and dad at the same time, handing over the envelope with the ultrasound image we'd obtained just the day before -- just casually slid it across the coffee table while visiting and chatting about this and that. I think we got 'em all pretty good!

So we're now strapped in for an exciting rest of 2009, as we begin caring for our child. It starts immediately with proper nutrition, rest and exercise. We've never eaten better than we are now, making sure we cover all the bases. Bethany has been finding herself naturally craving the good stuff and is suddenly put off by the less-desireable items, snack foods and sweets etc. Nature having its say I suppose. She's also experiencing many of the physical changes that are to be expected, she's sleeping more and getting the royal treatment even more than usual.

So things are coming together for us very nicely. We think Denman will be an awesome place to be a young family -- we know we'll have the support of some great friends close-by and our own families from afar, not to mention our peaceful and safe surroundings. Having now spent almost a full year here, I couldn't imagine an environment more suited to the life we've envisioned for ourselves. Away we go then!