So I guess you heard...? :)

I have never been known to keep a secret. That is, my own secret. Anytime there is anything happening in my life, I have to tell someone! Often, everyone!

And as you have probably already heard, we're having another baby.

I don't think I can express how grateful I feel.

When we first took the test only last week, Patrick was in charge of looking at it after the allotted time; I was too nervous/excited to look! So I hid my head under a pillow. When I heard him say "Well whaddaya know?" with a distinct warmth and a noticeable smile, I got the nerve to take a peek.

I saw the little plus sign and I smiled at Patrick. Then I promptly sobbed. I mean sobbed -- because I was so overwhelmed and grateful and relieved and amazed all in one moment and so crying seemed the only reasonable response!

We made the decision quickly after that to share our news with everyone, beginning with family of course. I know it is customary for many women to wait until they're 12 weeks along, but with us, since everyone knew we were trying and dearly wanted this baby, keeping it secret seemed almost unfair to the people behind the scenes who have been praying for us. Plus, this baby, despite being so tiny, is already our child -- wanted long before he or she even came to be.

Patrick actually made a very public announcement of it through work. We've both been so touched since then to receive emails from his readers congratulating us. Some are strangers to us, yet to them this child in my womb is a gift worth celebrating. I can't help but agree!

And now that I have blogged about it, I am going to talk with you about Baby #2 (henceforward called "Apple Seed" because that's what Patrick and I refer to him or her as) in a format I nabbed from my sister.

* * * * *
How far along? I'm only three weeks thus far. This is all very very new!
Total weight gain: It appears I have lost some weight. Cutting out sugar will do that to you.
Maternity clothes? Can you believe it? I already wore my maternity pants yesterday! Don't worry, it's not because I have a baby belly but because I was out of clean normal pants.
Sleep? Actually going wonderfully. Patrick is getting up with Noah first thing so I have a few moments to myself in bed, plus I have been tucking in at about 9 or 9:30, giving me about 10 hours of sleep every night!
Best moment this week: Telling Noah we're having another baby, and asking him if he wanted a brother or sister and he said, "Yeah!"
Movement?: I'm sure little Apple Seed is moving, but I definitely can't feel it yet.
Gender? I go back and forth on whether I think it's a boy or girl. I am going with Boy for now, as those are the names that I am most drawn to right now. Obviously, though, I would be thrilled to have either.
Cravings? I went to Mass tonight and found myself thinking, almost shouting in my mind, "Nutella!" the way you might say, "Eureka!"
Belly button in or out? In. And it's a subject of much discussion and delight with my toddler now that he has discovered the magic of all things Belly Button.
What I miss: I should say alcohol, but since I so rarely drink, I don't think I'll feel deprived. What I am missing is white sugar, which I gave up even before I was pregnant for my own health. When you realize how many things you LOVE have sugar in them, you start to feel so left out. (Sniff sniff, Dairy Queen.)
What I am looking forward to: The next eight months of life! (Oh and wearing my favourite maternity dress!)
Weekly wisdom: If someone thinks you're already showing and you're only three weeks along, it's probably best to not say sarcastically and perhaps somewhat annoyed, "Oh that?! That's just fat from the last baby!" Just smile and say, "Thank you."
Milestones: Simply finding out we're having another baby is plenty o' milestone for this week!