The Biggest, Best News Ever

It has been a long 15 weeks of being oh so secretive with you, my friends. I chose to avoid social media altogether because I’m so bad at holding in exciting news—especially since this big time, life-changing, amazing news came midway through my #SelfCareSeptember journey.

Trying to conceive 100% contributed to all of the stress, anxiety, and social pressure I was feeling that pushed me to focus more on self care than things that were out of my control. That month was so helpful to me as I connected with so many of you and I’m so glad we could all grow together. My personal #SelfCareSeptember was boosted by some answered prayers. . .

The roomie and I are going to be parents!!! ❤️ We’ve got a little one scheduled to join our family at the end of May and my goodness are we excited.

Everyone sweetly asks how I’ve been feeling when they find out and I’m very happy to report that I haven’t been sick (yet). I’m so grateful for that! Now that we’re in the second trimester, I feel like my sleeping habits are returning to my normal, but I think I slept through most of the first trimester. 🤷🏻‍♀️

In terms of cravings, our child is made of buttered noodles with parmesan, homemade popcorn, fruit, cranberry juice, and a McConnell family staple—cocoa and toast. I regularly decide I’m starving but can’t ever name a single dish that sounds good. The roomie just adores that about me, I think. 🙈

• 

• 

As far as the gender, during our last ultrasound I had a weird feeling I was watching a little boy squirm around and kick his legs for us. I stuck to that idea until we found out. Ryan thought he would end up with a bunch of daughters. 😂 We’re so over the moon that our little guy will join us right in time for his first Iowa summer! 💙💙💙 What a lucky kid.

So, in the most exciting news we’ve ever gotten to share, our crew living Behind Our Red Door is growing by one little man and Penny the corgi (our firstborn) has yet to accept the news. She’ll get there.

Thank you in advance for any prayers sent our way as I try to keep this baby boy safe and sound and growing until May AND as we prepare to be parents! I feel emotional and so blessed to even be able to type that sentence. ❤️