Um....what??

This was Mona's reaction to the news (left).

We say that Mona is an "only child". She loves having the place to herself. A baby in the house is really going to cramp her style. We plan on reading up on some ways we can prepare Mona for this event, but quite frankly, I don't think anything we read is going to make any of us more prepared.

Mona really does like babies. She tries to lick inside of their mouths, mainly. But toddlers are something else. One of my cousin's young children, Claire, adores Mona, and chases her around the house. Mona is not a big fan, and generally tries to hide under the table. It's not that Claire is mean to Mona. But Claire does have a cute blonde 'fro that floats around her head like a golden cloud. I think Mona is terrified of it. Secondly, Claire is right about at Mona's eye level, which I think is disconcerting for her. Dogs feel as if they are being "challenged" when someone stares directly into their eyes.

I have heard some folk wisdom on the dog-and-baby topic. I guess it helps to bring the baby's blanket home from the hospital before you bring the baby. Then give it to the dog and let her sleep with it, spoon it, whatever. I guess giving the dog the scent of the child before actually having to *meet* him or her is the point.

We'd love to have some advice on this topic, if you have any. And no, giving Mona away is not an option. Forget it. I mean...LOOK at her.

8 weeks

This is my first post. Tyler suggested the blog thing and I thought it was a good idea. Most of our brothers and many of our close friends no longer live near us, so it will be an easy way to update everyone.

We found out I am pregnant on St. Patrick's Day. I was one or two days late, so I took a home-pregnancy test. Jono waited outside the door, and when I said "ready" he came in and we both hovered over the test until it blinked "PREGNANT". Even though we knew it was a possibility, it was still kind of shocking. We were happy and we kind of started giggling.

We finally told our families the news this past weekend. We told my parents and brothers on April 11, my 28th birthday, at the Pancake Pantry in Nashville. We told Jono's parents, his brother, sister-in-law and grandma while barbecuing in the backyard. The parents cried a little, even our dads.

Some of our friends know already because they kept inviting me out to the pub and I kept having to come up with lame excuses not to go. The rest of them will know by this weekend, when we have more time to call everyone.

Here I am at 8 weeks. Pretty much looking like I normally do, just a tiny bit paunchier.