November 3, 2008

Part 1: Big V?

It was a little past noon one hot day this summer. John just got back from helping a family in our small group move.

He waltzed through the door and boldly announced "I'm thinking of having a vasectomy". Just like that. Completely out of the blue.

I was shocked and extremely dismayed.

Nevermind, I had always thought I would be done at 3 kids. Three was just my magic number. I came from a family of 3 kids. People would sometimes question this number saying "But that is an odd number. Someone is always going to be left out at Disneyland." And you know, we always go to Disneyland. I would just say, "Ah, they can just invite a friend".

After Ollie was born, it was too sad to think of him being my last. So, I just thought, maybe one day I might have another. But I really did think we were done. And then when Ollie was a few months old, John started talking about having another baby. I kind of laughed and went along with it. I didn't really think he was serious. But he kept bringing it up. And after a while, he kind of planted a little seed in my head that maybe one day, that could happen. He kind of got my hopes up.

Hence the disappointment on my part when he told me we were done. Apparently the men in our small group were nudging him in that direction. I was a bit disgruntled and decided that these Christian men were having a bad influence on my husband;)

John's reasoning? We were in over our heads with our 3 boys and could not possibly add another to the mix.

It was hard to argue with that, since for the past couple of weeks I had been calling him every day from work, begging him to get home as soon as possible. Ollie was in the middle of another teething episode and was shrieking all day until my nerves were fried. So I told John, "Maybe in a year or two things will settle down..." A vasectomy sounded so sinister. So final.

I did not beg or whine, like I normally would. Well, maybe I did for a few minutes. Then I stopped. I bit my tongue and prayed about it. And stopped calling him at work, begging him to get home. I knew that if I raised a fuss, John would just dig in his heels and get even more stubborn. Don't be deceived by my husband's easy-going demeanor. He can be one very stubborn guy when pushed.

For the next month or so, I really did my part. I warned him of any possibility of getting pregnant. Oddly enough, he did not seem overly concerned. Go figure.

In September, I had some suspicious symptoms, so I took a cheapo dollar store test. It came back negative. I was not too concerned. I had just finished nursing Ollie 2 weeks earlier, and so I was getting accustomed to being late. So, I did not question the stick.

That is, until a week and a half later, I was gagging on my scrambled eggs. I have eggs almost every morning, and I never gag on them unless pregnant.

I snuck off to my room and took another test. Within moments the second line turned purple.

And I was shocked. And a bit shaken.

How was John going to react?

13 comments:

  1. I love it. #1: Mark always jokes about getting a vasectomy... not.funny. #2: I too cherish my cheap-o dollar store tests. #3: I had the same reaction when my test with same came back positive. In fact, just to be sure I took another before I told Mark. And then another.

    Can't wait to hear more about the story. I'm so excited for you guys, and LOVING that so many people around us are "going for four." Gives me hope that I can persuade mister mister over here for two or three! :)

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  2. I too took a dollar store test and I thought for sure that it was wrong with this pregnancy. I quickly went out and bought a "real" test and got the same result....

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  3. I used to feel the same way about having 3...." Someone is going to be left out if we go to Disneyland "... IF WE GO??? We don't even live in the same state :D Anyhow, 1,2 or even 4 or 5 or how many anyone has is always a blessing from God.. Very excited for you ;)

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  4. oooo I'm SO excited to read this!

    I can't wait for part 2...I LOVE YOU FRIEND!!!!!!!!!

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  5. YAY! A story!! And as impatient as I am, I'm super excited to read each and every part of the story!

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  6. I love the whole story! I make Ryan look at your blog from time to time to see how much fun 3 kids looks like ... now 4! I am just trying to convince Ryan for 3! He jokes about getting a vasectomy right after the second is born ... I told him I would NEVER forgive him =( How the heck would THAT come up in a group of guys moving?!?! Ha ha boys are too funny! I am truely so excited for you.

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  7. A story! Yay! I only have 2 boys and I completely understand the calling your husband and begging him to come home as soon as he can! I am one of 3 and always said I would have at least 3 but no more than 5 kids, but here I am with 2 and I am the one who wants to be done while my husband says he wouldn't mind another. I am glad God took care of the decision for you! :) And who cares about Disneyland and being even?! I have a family of 4 and if my boys love roller coasters like their dad does, I am certainly not going to be going on the rides with them so we'll STILL be uneven! ;) Anyway, I really relate to how you feel. I can't wait to read more of the story! You're such a great example to me and I don't even *really* know you. :) You're a blessing in my life!

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  8. *groan* Davi, you know I am not good about waiting patiently. Sit down and finish the whole story!!!! But I suppose it'll be more exciting this way :0)

    Installment 2 tonight, right?

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  9. ooh, yay, I was HOPING we would get to hear all about how you found out!! I can't wait for part 2 either-- so far, I am simply relieved that the Big V was avoided and the Lord took over. :)

    So I'm glad I'm not the only one who happened to make the connection between my three girls and your three boys... I'm sure it's too much to hope that all three of each would pair off, but certainly we could arrange at least one marriage out of our perfectly lined up kids??? :)

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  10. OH Davi...so glad the Big V didn't happen before #4 :) And how the heck did the vasectomy come up with a group of guys moving?

    So exciting to get to read your story!

    Oh and as far as the dollar store tests go, last month before I got my period, I wanted to take a test so I looked online to see which test are most sensitive. Certain dollar store tests scored up there with the top expensive brands.

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  11. How cute is this story. :-) I can't wait to read the rest! Promise not to go DAYS between posting!!! I don't know if I can handle the suspense of waiting.

    P.S. I now know that next time its not necessary to buy EPT for $14... for 1. (Stupid digital.)

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  12. Oh my goodness, I love your story! And I swear by $ tree pregnancy tests too. Especially when you're a pee-on-a-stick-a-holic like me. ;)
    Can't wait for part 2!!

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  13. Ooooh, I am so excited about another round of Davi story installments! And I love how this has started! Your 4th baby is starting out so much like our 4th baby! And our 4th baby is the most wonderful, fun, easy-going, entertaining, funny blessing of a child, so I am very excited to see this little one that the Lord is graciously granting to you!!

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