When Doug and I got married I knew that 1+1=2. I also thought that I knew that 1+1=3 when it came to having a family. I had been under the impression that when a couple has unprotected sex it leads to pregnancy, right? Isn't that what every young girl is told her whole life? Well, apparently it doesn't always work like that.

I can't pretend to think that trying to conceive our first was in any way like the horror stories or devastating stories that other woman can tell but I do know that it didn't happen like I thought it would. After 5 months of trying with no pregnancy I had to try to take control of what was going on. I started charting my cycles and learned an incredible amount about my body. Amazingly, it only took 3 more cycles to get pregnant.

I just knew I was pregnant. I was reluctant to take the pregnancy test because all of the sudden I was kind of scared of what a positive test really meant. I would mean that everything in my life was about to change. Indefinitely. I raced home with my heart beating a bit faster (probably hormones) and my mind racing about the rest of my life. I took the test and it was an undeniable, "PREGNANT".

Now, to tell Doug. I could hear the rumble of his car pulling up to the house. I had a plan but his early arrival made it just a bit more complicated. I ran down the stairs passing him on the way and gave him a nonchalant kiss hello trying to act normal. He went up the stairs to change his clothes and I scurried to the bread box in search of a bun. Yes. A bun. All I could find in my hurried search was a hot dog bun. It would have to do. I quickly opened up the oven and tossed it in. I sat on the couch, turned on Dr. Phil and waited for Doug's return. He came down and looked like he was frustrated after a long day at work. I asked him if he could please open the oven. He looked at me with a quizzical look all wrapped up in a touch of irritation.

"Why?" he asked, letting out a breath as if to say, "Ugg. Is it broken?"

"Please. Just open it." I requested again a bit more insistent this time.

He looked inside and stated blandly, "There is a hot dog bun in the oven."

"Uh huh." I said smiling coyly.

It went right over his head. He just looked at me like I was insane. I apparently had to clarify, "YES honey! There IS a bun in the oven!"

The frustration and irritation visibly melted from his face as he said, "Really?!"

I never looked back after that day. I knew that I would be a mom. It was a perfect day that was just the start to the adventure of having a family. 1+1 does equal 3. This time.