We have talked about this for years. I know some folks have wondered since it's been nearly seven years since Clayton. It has been a very delicate subject for me. I have always felt like with Clayton, being Clayton, I "couldn't" have another child even if I wanted to. He demanded so much. And I am happy to meet those demands. So even though we have considered the idea, we have never felt free to make that choice. Now I've broken two of my own rules. In discussing it, we knew if we were going to, it would be in the next couple years, but I told myself I would not be pregnant for our fall Disney trip and Clayton would have to be a full 3 years NED. We are a couple months from 3 years NED, but we won't do his tests until September. And if all goes well, I'll be 7 months in Disney now. All of which is less than ideal to me. But I keep telling myself two things...(A) For it to happen now might be a sign that with all we have going on with Clayton, this is our only window and so God rushed things along and (B) George was willing to do whatever I wanted, but I was never able to make up my mind, so this way, God showed us His decision, which brings us back to (A).
So why was I crying? Well, when I took the test, I glanced at it as I set it on the counter only to see that the lines were starting to form already. Mind. Blown. But I didn't have a chance to watch it change because the dog had peed in the house and I was off to clean it up before Clayton went to sliding. Ironically, the dog is in heat right now; poor thing has trouble holding in her pee since she's been this way. So when I got back and saw the positive results, I immediately looked at Clayton and burst into tears. It has finally started to feel like he and I have a handle on things. We can do so much on our own now. The idea of throwing another child in there just seemed to ruin that. I didn't want anything to take away from Clayton. He runs our little world and we let him. This would change everything. The idea of taking anything away from him just broke my heart, he deserves all of us.
Next there was an immediate flood of anxiety. Crap can I have a healthy baby...will I be healthy...can I make it through labor and delivery...aww shit. My first pregnancy was anxiety ridden from the beginning (but especially from 14 weeks onward) and I can't foresee this one being much different. The last seven years have given me a lot to be anxious about.
On that subject I know there will be some people who think we are crazy or irresponsible for this to happen given everything with Clayton. I know that whether folks are positive or negative about this most folks will wonder in the back of their mind about the health of this baby. So let me say this...We aren't stupid. We know due to our first experience and every day since that we might be in for a lot of heartbreak. And what we ask is that if you are negative or pessimistic about this life event of ours, please keep it to yourself. It's enough that I feel inadequate on my own as a mother-to-be, I really will not be tolerant of any outside negativity. One of the most important things for me will be to suppress my fears and anxiety throughout this and those anxieties will be challenge enough without the ( possibly unintentional, but still) hurtful thoughts of others. Because know matter what people think, I can say that we have already thought about it and whether someone might realize it or not it is hurtful to me. Like I said, I have always been sensitive with the idea of another child. The negative thoughts of others are why. Not because I care what folks think, but because those same thoughts swim in my mind everyday, I don't need to be reminded of them by outsiders. In fact for as much time as possible throughout this pregnancy, I am going to be trying to forget them when it isn't absolutely necessary to bring them up. I aim to be as stress free and healthy as possible for this pregnancy. So even if you are expressing your concerns out of love, don't. There is not a concern anyone could have I haven't already had, plus a million more. What we need is positivity and prayers. Please just pray that this will be a healthy baby and that I will be healthy throughout this and nothing will happen to me so I can still be here for Clayton during and after. I mean it, we desperately need those two prayers!
I do want to point out to some of those that are concerned, that there are plenty of families who have had a child with health concerns and who have still gone on to have heathy children. We have always been told there was no genetic fault from George or I with Clayton's challenges. A random gene mutation is responsible for everything from his learning challenges to his severe medical needs. Which by the way we adore his learning challenges. They only make folks love him more. We would not trade those for anything. It is only the medical stuff we could do without. Even some of the medical would be ok, just not all of it. We have been exhausted from it all and it has definitely been taking its toll lately. But that's another post entirely.
Since we did not knowingly make this decision, we have a lot to figure. But we'll figure it out. Thank God we are at least settled in our new house and George will be over half way to his degree when the baby comes. When the baby comes should be interesting enough because it will be in the middle of George's final exams for school. Poor guy, he's never gonna get to sleep.
All of that said, I have grown more excited about it since finding out. All part of my anti-anxiety plan. Focus on the fun stuff...and lots of reading to distract myself. It's funny because Clayton is both the number one reason I don't want another child and the number one reason I do. Such a tug of emotions. The idea of him having a buddy makes me ecstatic! I think that for kids like Clayton, siblings are important and beneficial in every way. I just have to get past the idea, that Clayton won't have all of me now. I also think the timing of Clayton's development with this baby's could be extremely helpful to him as far as communicating and progression goes. There is so much good that can come from this if we can get past all the shock and worry. Shock is an understatement. I made George go get more pregnancy tests and a different brand just to be sure there wasn't some fluke. I really and truly could not believe it.
So anyway, SURPRISE! And please, please, please pray for our family with this next chapter.
