October 20, 2007

THE SALAD DAYS

These were the happy days, the salad days as they say, and Ed felt that having a critter was the next logical step. It was all she thought about. Her point was that there was too much love and beauty for just the two of us and every day we kept a child out of the world was a day he might later regret having missed.

So we worked at it on the days we calculated most likely to be fruitful, and we worked at it most other days just to be sure. Seemed like nothing could stand in our way now. My lawless years were behind me; our child rearin' years lay ahead. But biology and the prejudices of others conspired to keep us childless.

Our love for each other was stronger than ever, but I preminisced no return of the salad days.

I've been itchin' to watch Raising Arizona again, it being one of my favorite movies of all time, but I just didn't think I could bear watching a movie about a couple who can't have a baby. For nine months, I touched it lovingly on the shelf but knew I wouldn't be able to watch it. It makes me cry on regular days; there's no way I could watch it when I too thought my womb might be a rocky place where a seed could find no home.

We've even joked about stealing one of the Dente boys, since they too have more than they can handle.

The past nine months have been a valued experience for me. I thought I'd be going into labor by now, but instead I've been forced to examine why I wanted a baby in the first place and what is really important in this world. Nine months ago, I thought it mattered what month the baby would be born, or what time of year would be best to be pregnant, or whether I wanted a boy or girl. Now...none of those things matter anymore. I've let go of caring about anything, save that a healthy child blesses our household.

I've woken up and taken my temperature 234 times, each time a depressing reminder that I wasn't yet pregnant. I've been forced to watch others around me get pregnant and to learn that life isn't fair and how hard you try really plays no role. I've confronted myself, thrown temper tantrums, and learned to get over myself in the process. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't trade these nine months for anything. I learned a lot about myself and about life in the process.

So when I took that pregnancy test last weekend and saw the little pink plus sign appear, I knew we were ready. And I hollered at my husband to get Raising Arizona out.

We were finally going to watch it.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:42 PM | Comments (42) | Add Comment
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1 YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy! I've barely ever commented but I've been reading your blog for more than a year now and I am so glad for you!!!!!!

Posted by: Sabbrielle at October 20, 2007 03:28 PM (2a16B)

2 I can't tell you how happy we are for you. You KNOW how much we love you!

Posted by: airforcewife at October 20, 2007 04:17 PM (emgKQ)

3 Congrats, Sarah. I have goosebumps reading that post.

Posted by: keri at October 20, 2007 04:29 PM (HXpRG)

4 Congrats! :0)

Posted by: stuffed at October 20, 2007 04:54 PM (4Rr9R)

5 What a great announcement! Congratulations! I love that movie....

Posted by: Army Blogger Wife at October 20, 2007 05:03 PM (kQWmi)

6 Congratulations! I did not see the end coming! But what an end it was! And it's just the beginning!

Posted by: Amritas at October 20, 2007 05:46 PM (02w/M)

7 WHAT UP!!!! Totally fantastic! Congratulations, Sarah.

Posted by: Anwyn at October 20, 2007 06:30 PM (dzxw9)

8 Congrats, I wish you the best 9months. Thanks for sharing your story, I have been reading your blog for a few months and found it helpful & I could also relate b/c my DH just came home late summer from a 22 Deployment and we having also been trying and so far no luck but hopefully soon so glad I'm to hear your good news !!

Posted by: MN Guard Wife at October 20, 2007 06:36 PM (czegE)

9 Congratulations to you and your husband! Here's to a very happy, healthy pregnancy!

Posted by: Non-Essential Equipment at October 20, 2007 09:58 PM (0bmKX)

10 Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you both. Enjoy that movie, it's one of my favorites.

Posted by: Mare at October 21, 2007 04:09 AM (LQyFc)

11 A little pink plus sign. That brought tears to my eyes. Sarah, I am so happy for you. Many, many blessings to you. Congratulations.

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at October 21, 2007 04:12 AM (G9siZ)

12 Congratulations! What a great way to announce the wonderful news. And know that many good wishes for a happy, healthy pregnancy are being sent your way.

Posted by: jck at October 21, 2007 04:58 AM (jQVQ+)

13 Sarah, Like Keri I have goosebumps and like Butterfly wife I have tears in my eyes. I am so thrilled for you. And that is the best movie ever. It is one I can watch over and over again. At my age this time will fly, but for you it will only fly in retrospect. When I was pregnant with my first child I had a book I checked daily to see what developments the baby was making. Now they have ultrasounds and you can actually SEE the changes. CONGRATULATIONS!!

Posted by: Ruth H at October 21, 2007 05:56 AM (BGu/e)

14 YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!from pigtails, to pregnant!!!(in how many days??!!) I am so HAPPY, for you!!!!!!!!

Posted by: debey at October 21, 2007 06:12 AM (7kywJ)

15 Congrats to both of you!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Ted at October 21, 2007 09:02 AM (yRolC)

16 I've also been reading your blog for quite awhile but rarely commented. I totally didn't see the end of that post coming, and your fantastic news made me actually scream out loud in surprise! My heartfelt congratulations! May you have a wonderful and joyous pregnancy.

Posted by: InTheAirForceAgain at October 21, 2007 02:16 PM (WjrQW)

17 Hooray!!! Love the news!

Posted by: jennifer at October 21, 2007 03:07 PM (TMBJh)

18 Congratulations!!! Such wonderful news for you and your husband!!

Posted by: Kasey at October 21, 2007 05:35 PM (tttDj)

19 FANTASTIC! You've learned so many parenting lessons already, and you were already going to be a great mom anyway. I'm so excited for you and proud of the way you've grown over the past nine months. YAYAYAYAYAY!

Posted by: Sis B at October 21, 2007 05:47 PM (6qNPu)

20 Man, I was wondering how you were going to blog about it...I love it (and now I don't have to worry about keeping it a secret)! Whew! I'm so happy for you guys...

Posted by: Erin at October 21, 2007 06:44 PM (XRza7)

21 HOORAY!!! Congratulations!!! I noticed that when I finally just gave up and took my temperature for the fun of figuring out my cycles (which are weird), we were blessed with a little pink line of our own. I was sure I didn't ovulate that month, too. Shows what I know! I'm so happy for you two!

Posted by: deltasierra at October 21, 2007 08:41 PM (woXks)

22 Oh Sarah! Congratulations. I'm just so happy for both of you, y'all will be wonderful parents!! WooHoo!!!!

Posted by: Tammi at October 22, 2007 01:58 AM (dnmhS)

23 Congratulations to you both. All best wishes for a comfortable, safe pregnancy. LAW

Posted by: liberal army wife at October 22, 2007 02:36 AM (Ocu2J)

24 It's funny looking from the other side of the fence. We constantly ask why do we have a harder time with birth control than making babies! I guess God only knows the reason for making you wait. Congratulations to you both! This is the best news of the week. Keep us updated on your progress. Will you find out the sex of the baby early?

Posted by: Angie at October 22, 2007 04:05 AM (4DpOk)

25 Sarah, Congratulations! Such wonderful news to start the day.

Posted by: R1 at October 22, 2007 06:22 AM (Eaoq8)

26 Congratulations! What a lovely post, I too don't comment, but have read your blog posts for a good three years now. You deserve all the best!

Posted by: Crys at October 22, 2007 07:19 AM (dqGUK)

27 REALLY!!?? Oh my gosh, that is the best news! We are so happy for you!!!

Posted by: Raging Mom at October 22, 2007 07:44 AM (l+Chn)

28 YES!!! And here is to one of the luckiest babies on the planet!! There are plenty more sald days where this came from. Oh and guess, what if you thought you learned a lot trying to get pregnant, just wait for the continued lessons. it seems to me as though the Lord, has a fantastic sense of humor and likes to remidn how much we do NOT know. Welcome to parenthood....

Posted by: awtm at October 22, 2007 08:24 AM (++3l4)

29 Congratulations!

Posted by: Green at October 22, 2007 09:23 AM (kS0CA)

30 Whoo hoo!! I've been waiting to see what you'd say. This was a great way to introduce the newest member of your family to your adoring fans. I knew that your comments section would be blowing up...

Posted by: Kate at October 22, 2007 12:58 PM (tB/4l)

31 Congratulations. How wonderful for you. Wishing you the best of everything on this exciting next chapter!

Posted by: Amy at October 22, 2007 04:13 PM (I9LMv)

32 WooHoo!! Congrats!!! I am so very excited for you.

Posted by: Reasa at October 23, 2007 10:37 AM (vdL8w)

33 Oh, How exciting! Congratulations!

Posted by: wendy at October 24, 2007 11:20 AM (56tHP)

34 Yeah!! Congrats Sarah! That is fabulous news! Enjoy your pregnancy! Being a mom is the best!! Congrats to the hubby too!

Posted by: jen d at October 24, 2007 02:47 PM (Qbs8b)

35 WOW! Go away for a few days and I missed THIS!? CONGRATULATIONS SARAH AND SARAH'S DH! My condolences to Charlie Dog,who will now be relegated to second banana status.

Posted by: MaryIndiana at October 24, 2007 05:20 PM (tOxFf)

36 Very cool! Welcome to a New World. Truly, things will never be the same! I am excited (and relieved) for you, regardless of our past blogging together. Good news is good news....

Posted by: Allicadem at October 24, 2007 05:23 PM (L94cV)

37 Congratulations!

Posted by: Toni at October 25, 2007 11:56 AM (OoGre)

38 I was just casually catching up on my blog reading when, all of a sudden, I got to this post. And I cannot contain myself. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Here's wishing you all the best ... http://blogs.tampabay.com/standingby/

Posted by: Jan Wesner at October 25, 2007 05:31 PM (J+vKa)

39 Such wonderful news, Sarah! Wish I could be at SpouseBUZZ to give you a hug. Awesome! And I'm so impressed with your attitude about what you've gained the last nine months. Just too wonderful... *HUGS*

Posted by: FbL at October 27, 2007 05:11 AM (rW1/8)

40 Congratulations!

Posted by: Chuck Adkins at October 27, 2007 04:58 PM (buCns)

41 I know I'm WAAAAYYYY late - but major Congratulations!!! I'm so very happy for you. *grin*

Posted by: Teresa at October 29, 2007 07:16 AM (rVIv9)

42 Sarah, I know I am WAAAAAYYYYY behind the eight ball but Congratulations!!!! I am so happy for you and your husband! (um, I love to quilt... especially baby quilts... hint...) )

Posted by: Lemon Stand at October 31, 2007 04:29 PM (I9l3I)

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