Well, here it goes—surprise! I’m expecting baby number three! There, I’ve said it out loud, and it feels undeniably real now. My partner, Alex, and I hadn’t actually planned for a third child, but we hadn’t completely ruled it out either. I was still on the fence, not quite ready to shut down my “baby store.” Meanwhile, Alex was ready for that the moment our second child came into the world. So, this revelation? A total shocker.
Just a few weeks ago, I found myself pacing in the restroom of a Walmart, anxiously waiting for the results of a pregnancy test (no judgment, it was the nearest place to get it done). What felt like an eternity passed in those few minutes, and when those little lines finally appeared, I froze. How did this happen? Sure, I get the mechanics, but still—how did this happen?
In the next thirty seconds, my mind raced like a runaway train. Panic set in, and here are some of the frantic thoughts that zipped through my head:
- Look at it again. That can’t be right.
- Check the instructions—this must be a mistake.
- What even does a smiley face mean?
- How? How did this happen?
- Did I take my pill?
- Alex can’t control himself!
- I’m still working off the baby weight from number two!
- What if it’s another boy? Can I manage three boys?
- I need a new vehicle! Three car seats?!
- Can we afford family vacations? A party of five?! PARTY OF FIVE!
- No more guest room for visitors.
- How far along am I?
- Oh shoot, I just had that girls’ weekend and drank way too much!
- I need another job.
- Alex needs to find a better one too.
- He’s going to freak out!
- Two in diapers? What if it’s a girl? WHAT IF IT IS A GIRL?
- Definitely going to need another job.
- Wait… I’m still in a Walmart bathroom.
- I should call Alex.
- Get it together.
- You’re pregnant.
- I’m pregnant.
- I can handle this.
Once I finished my internal pep talk, my hand instinctively found its way to my belly, and a smile crept onto my face. Here we go again, but this time it’s a party of five. God help me.
If you’re curious about the journey of pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy at womenshealth.gov or explore how to create your own family with an at-home insemination kit. If you want to dive deeper into the fascinating world of home insemination, read more on our blog here.
In summary, the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts that accompany an unexpected pregnancy is enough to leave anyone reeling. But amid the chaos, there’s a spark of excitement for what’s to come, even if it means navigating the wild ride of parenthood with three little ones.