Oh baby, do Jake and I have a lot to be thankful for this year! We’ve been keeping a HUGE secret and I’m so excited to FINALLY announce the big news: we’re expecting Baby Byers on May 16, 2020. I have been dying to tell y’all the news, but wanted to wait until after the first trimester was over. Jake and I could not be more excited for the biggest adventure of our lives after 5.5 years of marriage.
You may remember in my 2019 New Year’s resolutions post that becoming a mom was one of my personal goals. To be honest though, I was the one who kept putting off trying. Our original plan was to try for a baby once we were settled in Birmingham. With a new job and Jake’s tough intern year of only 1 day off a week, I just was not ready. When I finally made up my mind I was ready to get pregnant, I selfishly wanted it to happen immediately instead of trusting God’s perfect timing. While it didn’t take us long in the scheme of things, Jake and I are not one of those couples who got pregnant immediately. After months of negative pregnancy tests and many people asking when we’d have a baby (side note: please don’t ask people this, it’s very hurtful when you’re trying), I started to get very anxious and mildly depressed. I was also getting discouraged and not sure when it would ever happen.
In August, after another month of negative pregnancy tests and starting my cycle, I began to really get down. The Lord truly has the perfect timing because I came soon across a sermon on Facebook by Craig Groeschel from Life.Church in Oklahoma that truly changed my heart. His message says, “Anxiety is a signal it’s time to pray. In other words, if it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about. If it’s on your mind, it’s on God’s heart. Be anxious about nothing, but in every situation take your request to God.”
Craig quotes the scripture, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
After this sermon I truly knew God was telling me to trust in His plan. His plan is better than ours. I then gave my anxiety to the Lord and 100% trusted in His plan and timing. Instead of my normal prayers to get pregnant, I prayed for His timing. I felt a huge peace that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“For this child we have prayed.” 1 Samuel 1:27
On the morning of Friday, September 6th our lives changed for the best, when the Lord answered a HUGE prayer. Although I still had 2 days until my expected cycle, I decided to take a very cheap Amazon pregnancy test. I wasn’t expecting good news and told myself to not get my hopes up since it was very early. I took the test first thing in the morning and was getting ready for the day. I set a 3 minute timer to read the test per the instructions. After a couple of minutes I noticed a very very faint line. The line was so faint though that I couldn’t legitimately tell if it was just part of the test (the evaporation line) or if it was a line reading pregnant. I did a little research and couldn’t determine if the test was legitimate or not, since it was such a cheap test. I decided to ask on a mom group on Facebook I’m in and many women answered immediately saying it was 100% positive. I immediately deleted the post, since I wanted to keep it a secret and headed to work. I still was unsure if I was really pregnant. During work I was so excited to know and couldn’t focus. I went to CVS during lunch and bought a digital early response test. I couldn’t wait until I got home, so I took the test there. After the 3 longest minutes of my life, the word “pregnant” appeared!
How I Told Jake
Jake always told me he wanted me to tell him that I’m pregnant in a special way. I found out early that Friday morning, and knew I had to tell Jake as soon as we got home, as there was no way I could keep the news a secret for an hour together, let alone the whole weekend. After quickly coming up with a plan, I decided to incorporate our fur baby Wom-Wom, who is the love of our lives and our first “child”, into the announcement. I went to Target.com and found a “big sister” t-shirt to dress her up in. Luckily it was available on site-to-store pickup in 2 hours. I knew Jake would be getting home early that day, but thankfully I was able to leave work pretty early, pick up the shirt and by the grace of God beat Jake home by just a couple minutes. I locked the front door and quickly dressed the cat in her t-shirt. Luckily by the time Jake pulled in I was ready to go. He came in and saw me holding the cat on the couch and kind of laughed because she was dressed up, but he didn’t immediately see what her shirt said. I told him to read her shirt. As soon as he could comprehend the news, he immediately cried tears of joy and I did as well. I wish I had recorded the reveal, but I also wanted to keep the moment special and I was afraid he would know something was up. It was one of the most special moments of our lives. I showed him the many positive pregnancy tests I took and we immediately called our families to tell them the amazing news. We celebrated at our favorite restaurant. I found out before I was 4 weeks, which is very early.
Wow that was a lot! I wanted to thank you all for your love and support. Jake and I are very thankful for y’all and feel so blessed. I will be sharing a first trimester Q&A soon. Please let me know if you have any questions and I will answer them in the post.
To all of the mamas who have lost a baby or are trying to conceive please know you’re in my thoughts and prayers. I know how hard it can be to see a pregnancy announcement, so please know I’m here if you want to talk.
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Yay friend!! So happy that you both can share the big news! 🙂 Congratulations!!! I love that your cat was part of the story to tell Jake. Also you found out you were pregnant on my birthday!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
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Thank you so much, Annaliese! It feels so good to finally share. I was so glad I could incorporate her into telling Jake. It was so special. Oh wow so cool. 🙂
OH MY GOSH !!! I am so so excited for You and Jake Courtney . Many congratulations to you. I know it was probably so hard to keep the news to yourself but it is better to wait until the first trimester. I do remember becoming pregnant was one of your goals . I can understand it being depressing having negative results , and yes, you should never ask people when are they going to have a baby ! That is a beautiful bible verse in trusting in the Lord and his timing not ours . We are all guilty of being anxious Courtney. That was really exciting finding out and seeing the word “pregnant ” pop up! That was a great way to reveal the news to Jake by dressing up your Cat! How sweet to have that moment and cry tears of Joy together . You will always have our love and support and I will add prayers for a comfortable pregnancy going forward. That is a lovely sentiment for Moms who have lost a baby. Sending You Jake and Baby Byers lots of love, The photos are beautiful , Terri xo.
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Ahhh thank you so much, Terri! I have been dying to publish this post since we found out. Absolutely, I was so glad He taught us to trust in His plan. Jake loved how I told him, I was glad to come up with something last minute that surpised him. Awww thank you for your kind words and prayers <3. Thank you again, Terri. Happy Monday.
Court congrats! What a beautiful journey and story! You all will make amazing parents. Love ya!
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Aww thank you so much, sweet friend! We feel sooo blessed and are so happy for you and your family too. Aww love ya too, girl.
Congrats Courtney!! I’m so happy for you!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
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Thank you so much, Jennifer! I am so excited to FINALLY share.
Sounds amazing and wishing you an easy pregnancy!
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Aw thanks so much, Betsy!
Congrats Courtney to you and your hubby! This is exciting news!
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Thank you so much, Monika! We feel very blessed.
Such happy news, Courtney! I love everything about this post!! Your photos are GREAT, and the content is so beautifully shared. I’m very excited for you and your entire family!!
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Thank you so much, Martha! We feel so so blessed. Aww thank you. I hope you’re all doing well. <3
Oh my goodness this is so exciting!! I feel like we’ve talked about it for years and it’s HERE!!! I can’t wait!
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Ahh thanks, Rachel! We really have. I cannot believe it! I hope you’re doing well.
So, so, soooooooo happy for you and Jake!!!!!!!!!!
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Aw thank you so much, Kaitlin! We feel soo blessed.
Yay!! You and Jake are going to be great parents! I am super excited to watch the new life❤️
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Aww thank you so much, Lynn! We so very excited. We miss you and the neighborhood.
Love the story of how you told him. Congrats again Courtney!
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Aw thanks, Monika! It was such a special moment.
Congrats to you guys this is so exciting!
xo,
Lindsey
http://www.lindscatherine.com
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Thank you so much, Lindsey! 🙂
So happy for you both! What a wonderful time!! We too know your feelings of the waiting game. Ecstatic you all are finally becoming parents. xoxo
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You’re so sweet, Amy! Thank you! Praying for y’all and for the right timing. <3
What a fabulous News! Congratulations Courtney and sending lots of love and best wishes.
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Thanks, Ashh! We are just so over the moon. 🙂
Oh my goodness!! Congratulations you two!! When I saw you hint to an announcement I was so hoping this is what it was going to be. I’m so happy for you! I absolutely love the way you told Jake. I don’t know if I would have been able to think of anything clever for an announcement, haha! You two are going to make the best parents. Congratulations, again!
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Aw thanks, Lindsey! We are over the moon! Hahha yes, he loved how I told him. Our fur baby was the perfect way to tell him. We cannot wait.
Wow congratulations babe!!! So excited for you ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Ahhh thank you so much.