Let's Make it Official

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, for ever and ever!  Ephesians 3:21-22

I guess I'll get right to it - we are thrilled and excited and so very blessed to be expecting Baby Pan in early July, 2012!

No one is happier to see this post than Bob, as he has been anxious to shout the news from the mountaintop ever since we found out. But for some reason it's been hard for me to share the news, and it's not because I'm not really excited. I'm just having a hard time saying (or typing) it out loud....I'm pregnant? I'm with child? We're expecting?

Even when I called my mother after two home tests and a doctor's office visit all confirmed the same thing, I small-talked for a minute and then went into the "Guess what?" mode (which, of course, she guessed immediately albeit cautiously). Bob, on the other hand, said "Hi Mom, hi Dad, we're pregnant." Just like that. So, as we've gradually told family and friends, he is always the one who announces it. And I've had to wrestle his phone away about 4 times now as he had posts ready for Facebook. So, here I am, making it official, which is what happens when you post something online, right?

So many emotions, so much I could write about the baby, and I'm sure many more posts will follow with more information than some of you will care to read! So here's a few highlights...

• Grandparents are thrilled! My parents are enjoying their first two grandsons Matthew and Charles born in 2011, so ours will be a third grandchild in about a year and a half. Fun for the grandparents, and fun for the cousins! Bob's parents have five older grandchildren already (ages 6 up to college), but have been anxiously awaiting one (or five) from us. Grandma Carolyn is already needle-pointing a stocking. And Bob's grandmother will be especially relieved if we have a boy, as she is concerned about no male child being in line to carry on the Pan family name. And it being the Chinese Year of the Dragon is even better!
• The Plan - We know (and continue to learn) that it's all in God's timing, but we're still geting some ironic satisfaction about how close we are to The Plan we established before we got married in 2005. We immediately told the grandparents, and any other curious souls, that we had a 40-year spreadsheet (they laughed) and children were planned at the 7-year mark. So, as it turns out, we'll celebrate our 7th anniversary in May, then welcome the first Pancake two months later. Not too bad! Hopefully this means other elements of The Plan are also on track, including enjoying each other all the way to our 70th wedding anniversary (at which point Bob says he has permission to trade me in for a newer model - we'll see).
• Me - Although I still think these "Oh, I loved being pregnant" women are complete nuts, I am fortunate to be feeling well. I've had fatigue and some queasiness and lots of indigestion, but I haven't been sick and nothing has been too severe. And I know enough to be extremely grateful! I've also been able to maintain most of my exercise routines, although I'm running a little slower and not as far. I've gained about 5-6 pounds during the first trimester, but being in the height of eating season and running a few less than 20 miles each week is probably to blame for some of that.
• Lisa - Some have asked if the live-in nurse is planning to stay, and I say we wouldn't let her go now! This is when we need her most! She adores her nephews as much as any aunt ever could, and we know she will be a wonderful aunt to our little one, too. Lisa has also been helpful making us several lists of potential baby names, with themes ranging from Bible names to football players to gymnasts to Harry Potter. My mother says, "Please don't name your child Hermione," but I think it's kind of cute.  :)