When I chose my one word for 2012 – VIBRANT – I had a moment where I wondered if perhaps it might come to mean more than just joyously living life. It was wishful thinking at the time – a what if and not a when.
Now it’s a when.
Somewhat to my surprise (but certainly not unwelcome) I’m pregnant.
<insert joyous hooray>
My reaction to this, and the roller coaster of emotion over the last several weeks, could potentially fill this blog from now to my due date. (But don’t worry – I won’t subject you to quite that much navel gazing.) I will share one story about a reaction that was most unexpected given that this is something wanted and hoped for, but mostly I’m hoping to move on in a much more positive frame of mind than I’ve been in of late.
If you read my post yesterday, you’ll probably wonder what on earth had me so worked up. I wonder that a bit myself, actually, as I knew I would once I got past that milestone. You see, I started a new job in the middle of December, which puts me not quite at the three-month mark. Total newbie. And I’m replacing someone who was away on mat leave for a year and then returned, on a part-time basis, only to resign a couple of months later to stay at home with her son. The team I’m leading has had a rough time with having a manager over the last couple of years (or not having one, as the case may be).
I know, this is more important. And people will understand. And what are you going to do, anyway?
I know all that.
But somehow over the last six weeks I’ve managed to work myself up into a state of guilt and unbridled angst over this. “Screw you” is not a life philosophy I subscribe to. (Not that anyone who leaves a job for any amount of time due to pregnancy or parenting does…) I’m not even past my probation period – not that I had any concern about being fired as a result of this announcement, but it’s all just so…new.
So instead of continuing to add to my already ever-present nausea with a stomach in knots, I decided to come clean. Better to have it in the open than stuck in my head, I figure. And besides, given how fast I’m already expanding it wouldn’t have been a secret for long.
In any case, it went well. I’ve told them and now I’ve told you.
And now, joyously, all those words that have been walled up inside me can be set free.
Coming on or around October 13, 2012 to a blog near you.
Image credit: SanShoot on Flickr
Oh, sweet mama,
congratulation on having everything out in the open, and on the new life you are harboring. lucky baby.
Hurray!!
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you, Rich, and Connor!!
What a wonderful year!
SQUEEEEEEEE!
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
Congratulations!
I am so happy for you.
This makes me beyond happy and thrilled for you and your family, Robin.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations! And you can subject me to any amount of navel gazing/ belly pictures/ ultrasounds, because God knows, I’ve been inundating everyone with mine.
So happy for you!
Congrats! That is awesome news, and I must admit I read your previous post and was not prepared for this one to say what it did!
Yay! Yay! Yay! When I saw the link on twitter, I literally gasped in anticipation, yet was still shocked to see I was right (I’m usually wrong, you see
). SO happy for you guys! And so glad you were able to “come clean” at work so you can stop worrying. <3
Oh, my…congrats!!!
What an awesome post, my friend!
I can’t wait.
Congratulations! On both your news, and your freedom to set your words free.
Oh Robin, I can’t tell you how incredibly happy I am for you and your family! I can’t wait to follow you on this journey!
I’m glad that sharing your news today went well. Congratulations, my friend!! xoxo
I am so so SO happy and excited for you!
Congratulations.
So excited for you!!!!
Congratulations so many times Robin!
(I was so barely pregnant when I took my first teaching job. I understand the anxiety about telling/being honest.)
Yay! Congratulations! I am so happy for you!
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you!!
I saw Rich’s FB status a few minutes ago – I had forgotten that I had your blog on my FB newsfeed as well! Congratulations! All the best to you and your growing family!
So happy for you!!!
JOYOUS HOORAY!! CONGRATULATIONS RF!!!
I became my grandmother when I read that word…pregnant. I gasped and clutched my chest (bosom?). All I need is some smelling salts and I’ll be her exact replica. Congratulations all around! Hurray!!!
Oh, ROBIN.
What a GLORIOUS way to tell us.
I can barely see this comment box through the tears.
I AM Ecstatic for all of you.
And, I don’t know if this helps or nothing: but I only had PPD with my first.
I was positive I’d have it again..but, no. Not for #3, either.
Congrats to you. All around.
Oh congrats! This is so exciting!!!
I’m so glad your news went well at work today! Congrats again dear friend. x
Woohoo!!! Congrats lady!!
Congrats my friend!!
Wonderful to read this post! You kept me hanging on yesterday like in a soap opera! So happy for you that you can be open about your news – what a relief
Much better than having to constantly adjust your clothes and secretly indulge in nausea relief. You can have soda and lemon, ginger candies, or whatever helps you this week, out on your work desk 
Hurray!
Congrats Mama! Such thrilling news. Best of everything on this sweet , crazy journey!
Wonderful news.
Fondly,
Glenda
Oh, Robin!!! Congratulations
Much love <3
Congratulations! So happy for you!
Congratulations to you! I can only imagine the numerous emotions this news came with given what you’ve come through to this point. You did it once, you know so much more about yourself in the process and your openness ensures you’ll come through it all this time too. You’re still going to achieve your vibrance but it may come in the form of a beautifully colored glow
xo
Happy, Thrilled, Excited, YEA…how many words are there for SQWEEEEEE!!!!???
Robin I am so happy about this news, lucky you, lucky family, very lucky and (already loved by their JBE aunties) Baby.
xoxoxo
Congratulations again, and I’m thrilled that you’ve announced it and can celebrate in the open now. Remember two things: (1) you have many friends to help you through hard times, and (2) just because you had PPD with Connor doesn’t mean it’s a given with this baby. Wishing you an easy pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum period! xoxo
CONGRATS!!!! That is very exciting
Probably one of the best times to be born too! 
I have five+ close friends or family members born from the 9th to the 14. Plus me! 
the 12th of October is a really good day! Just sayin 
Everything will work out and fall into place.
I am so happy for all of you.
xoxo
Yay! Congrats, hon. How exciting!
Congratulations! I completely understand your anxiety about telling your boss/coworkers and I’m so glad you were able to get it out. Now you can go back to focusing on that baby and your job. But not the worry. So happy for you!
Congratulations! Wonderfule news!
Congratulations!
That same thing happened to me. I started a job and two months later found out I was pregnant. It wasn’t necessarily planned, but it was definitely not unwelcome. They took it really well.
Super congratulations to you and your family!
Congratulations on your wonderful news! I’m glad the people at your work took it well.
The best news anybody can get! Congrats!
Congratulations!!!! Exciting!!
So so so happy for you! Congratulations, Robin!
Congratulations, Robin! So happy for you and your growing family!
YAY! We don’t have to keep it quiet anymore!
And? Two of my really good friends were born on October 13th. That’s a good day!
I just found your blog the other day and wanted to share my experience with you (the coles notes version!). Like you, I suffered horrible, traumatic, life altering PPD/OCD and about 2 years of PTSD after the birth of my first daughter. I thought I would **never** have another baby. But, slowly, over time my heart softened, and even though I was completely terrified, we decided to do it again. It wasn’t perfect, but it was *better* the second time around. My daughter is now almost 6 and my son is 2. I will never have another baby (still suffer from the PTSD from baby #1), but I felt victorious to give my oldest a sibling. You will figure it out. It will not be as hard the second time. You might always have setbacks from the first time around, but it is all worth it in the end!! I will be following your blog and keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome this time around. Just trust yourself and all that you learned the first time…..