I still can’t believe this is happening but – I’m pregnant! Angelo and I are having our first baby in June of 2022!
In mid-October, I started feeling really tired and bloated (I’m quite literally always bloated but it was more than usual lol), so I took a pregnancy test and it came back negative. I was like cool, I can continue my excessive black coffee and sashimi consumption.
A few days later, I took the last pregnancy test I had because I was still late, and that was inconclusive. I figured it was negative and there was no point to go buy another set of tests, but Angelo told me to go to the drug store on my lunch break just to be sure, so I went.
I came home, took a test, and while I was scrolling Instagram anticipating a negative result, I looked down and noticed a second faint line. I nearly collapsed on our bathroom floor.
I took 5 (yes, 5) more just to be sure. And they were all positive.
We’ve been trying for some time – in fact after another negative pregnancy test over the summer, I said screw it and planned a trip to Italy for our long-overdue honeymoon, then I scheduled an appointment at a fertility clinic in November. I was starting to feel like I’d never see a positive test without the help of a specialist.
One hour after I finished filling out the paperwork for the fertility specialist was when I took the positive pregnancy test. I couldn’t believe it.
I am so so so beyond grateful for this baby, but between 24/7 nausea, fatigue, anxiety that I’d have a miscarriage, and not feeling myself at all, it’s been a rough few weeks. I’m not afraid to admit that I found myself feeling lonely and depressed. No one told me how hard the first trimester would be, but when things got really hard I had to remember that I was growing a literal human, and this is only temporary.
A few things that got me through the first trimester:
- Unisom and B6 to help with nausea
- Treadmill walks
- Toddler diet carbs (chicken nuggets, french fries)
- Journaling
- <20 min Melissa Wood health workouts (when I had the energy)
- Planning the nursery
- Tik Tok
- Working from home (which I do anyway and I have never been more grateful for that)
- Napping (can’t be nauseous if you’re unconscious)
To keep myself distracted from nausea when I wasn’t working, I naturally began designing two nurseries before we knew whether we were having a boy or a girl. I became so invested in both designs and came up with a boy and girl scheme that I truly loved equally. Like, to the point where I thought “if we have a girl, what am I going to do with this bomb ass boy nursery!?!?!?”
I found that choosing things for the girl nursery (ahem, florals upon florals) came much more naturally – and realized that picking things for the boy nursery really pushed me out of my comfort zone, which I actually enjoyed.
And then…
Angelo is the first and only boy after five sisters, so for the last 12 years, we always joked that we’d only have daughters. Needless to say, we were SHOCKED to find out we’re having a boy (during the gender reveal that I told myself I’d never do).
Nursery Design Plans
Unfortunately, my beloved office will become the nursery (that was always the plan), so the wallpaper and everything else has to go. Which is totally fine, I enjoyed it while it lasted and I love a clean slate.
I’m going alllll out for this nursery. No detail left behind. There will be plenty of years filled with typical boy stuff, but since I’ll be spending a lot of days and nights in this room, I want to love it, but of course make it beautiful, comfortable, and functional.
Option 2 (only difference is Althea Citron as ottoman fabric instead of Schumacher Bixi)
I plan to get an upholstered rocker (and recover it in a new fabric), the crib, and a few other things secondhand.
There are so many fabulous vintage swivel/rocking chairs on FB MP that I have saved, so I just need to find one that I like, scoop it up and drop it off to get reupholstered.
Whether it was a boy or girl, I was dead set on this scalloped ottoman from Mainly Baskets. In a boy’s room, it would be so perfect with a masculine print like the Schumacher Bixi velvet.
I have always wanted to use grasscloth in a nursery – I think it’s something that the baby can grow into, it’s not busy like another wallpaper I was considering, and it’s calming.
But alas, I still have plans to incorporate a pattern that I originally considered on the walls and have always thought “if we ever have a boy, I’d love to use this pattern somewhere” so felt like it would actually be fun to use in the rather large closet…
I know that everyone and their mother has used this wallpaper in one room or another, but it doesn’t mean I like it any less. I consider it to be a classic, and will be a beautiful contrast to the green walls.
I plan to share the design and DIY process on my IG stories over the next few months, and hope to finish the room by no later than May. We have so many in-progress projects that I want to finish by Spring (dining room, living room, en suite bath, my closet), and I’ll be sharing all of that on my stories too!
If you’re reading this still on your journey and waiting for your miracle too, I know how difficult this kind of news can be to read. I understand if you need space and please know I’m sending you love.
Angelo and I can’t wait to meet our little guy in June, and I can’t wait to share the nursery process with you!
xo
Alisa
Overjoyed for your baby boy to come news! God Bless!
Thank you Pamela!! ????????????
Congratulations!! Your baby boy is LUCKY to have you as his momma and his nursery will be GORGEOUS! Blessings to you on this hard fought and wonderful journey.
Could not be more thrilled for you! Congrats – hope your remaining pregnancy is so much smoother!
Thank you Denise!! ????
Congratulations! And I hope the worst is almost over as far as feeling sick and tired etc.
Thank you!!! I hope so!!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to follow along
Thank you Heather!! ????????????
Woo, Hoo! Congratulations! Can’t wait to see the completed nursery. That ottoman is cool. After being used in a baby room, it could always be reinvented with different paint or fabric to go anywhere. Super useful!
Thanks Laura!! Totally agree. I am so obsessed with it!!
Congratulations to you and your husband! I cannot wait to see the progress. You are wise to look for a comfortable rocker. Many loving hours feeding and reading will be spent in that corner of the room.
Thank you so much!!!????????????
Congratulations!
Congratulations!!! My husband and I just found out a little while ago we’re expecting a boy in April so I’ve been working on nursery ideas too!! I have this same crib skirt, brass lamp, and rocking horse in my plans! I need to get my act together and share some on the gram. LOL I can’t wait to see what you do!
Omg that’s amazing!! Congratulations to you too!! ????????????
Congratulations to the both of you! I love the design plan and can’t wait to see how it comes along.
Thank you Brittany!!!
Yay! I’m so happy for you both, congrats!
Thank you Jenny!!!
ALISA!!! I’m so excited for you! Congratulations!! And that nursery concept is gorgeous.
Thank you!!!
Ahhhh congratulations! I got so excited just at the title, and officially pumped for this classic bb boy nursery.
Thank you so so much!!! I’m so excited!!!
Congratulations Alisa! First born sons are such a gift and a delight! The nursery is beautiful!
Thank you so much Mandy!!!!
That’s amazing!!!! So happy for you and Angelo!!
Thank you Erika!!!
Congratulations! ????????????
Thanks Stacy!!!
Congratulations to you both!! As someone that struggled with both infertility and horrible morning sickness (Sea-bands were my saving grace) I can totally identify with your feelings of misery and WTH did I get myself into. Much love and joy to you and Angelo! Can’t wait to see everything!
Thank you so much Terry!! ????????????????
So excited for you & thank you for your comment at the end – it means a lot ???? You’re using the same wallpaper I have bookmarked for someday and I can’t wait to see how it comes together- your rooms are always gorgeous!
Thank you so much Niki ???? sending you love ????????????
Congratulations!! How exciting! The nursery will be beautiful!
Thank you!!!!
I am so very happy for you! It’s truly the best of projects. Congratulations to you and Angelo.
Thank you!!!????????????????
Congrats Alisa!! Soooo happy for you❤️❤️❤️! Can’t wait to see the gorgeous nursery you design!!
Thank you!!!????????????????
Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh! I KNEW IT!
Seriously though, Congratulations! What a blessing! Naps were seriously my favorite thing during pregnancy, well that and guacamole.????????????
Hahahaha guacamole ???????????? thank you!!!!
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you and
and Angelo!! Yes, a bambino will be your biggest design project, so exciting!!
Thank you!!! ????????????
Congratulations! The nursery design is beautiful! I’m so excited for you!
Thank you!!!!????????????
Congratulations to you two! Baby boy will be so loved ????
I love the nursery concept, the ottoman is *chefs kiss*
Thank you so much!!! Isn’t it so cute???
Congratulations! So excited for you both! The nursery plan looks beautiful
Thank you!!!????????????
Such exciting news!! Congratulations! ????
Thank you!!!
Congratulations! You must be floating in spite of the first trimester ickies. Over 30 years ago my husband and I booked the big trip to the UK after years of “trying” before going to a specialist. My doctor urged us to try one more time while away, even though it shifted all my meds by a couple days. It worked!
The nursery is going to be wonderful, and I’m so happy to see colors and joy instead of another “sad, beige” nursery. This is going to be so much fun.
Omg that’s insane!! Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words ????????????
Congratulations!! ???? Looking forward to seeing the nursery come together! The design is beautiful!
Thank you!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Such exciting news, y’all will be great parents!! Baby boy is going to be so stylish from the start!!!
Thank you!!! ????????????
The first trimester can be so, so hard and feel really isolating when you’re not telling most people what’s going on. We hear so much about post partum depression but not enough about the mental impact feeling so terrible for months can have on you. And such a disorienting feeling of being grateful to be pregnant but your body and mind feeling its worst.
Congratulations and hoping for a smooth rest of the pregnancy.
Agreed! It’s such a weird time. I’m glad it’s over now and I hope I can continue to feel better! Thank you for the kind words
Holy moly! At first I was thinking … biggest project yet … the kitchen … hmm, she would have hinted at that for some time. Baby Bovino is a total surprise! Congrats to you and Angelo, and I hope you feel more like yourself soon.
Okay, for the nursery, on the one hand I’m all in for an AB room makeover, and I love all your fabric and wallpaper choices. On the other hand, you could totally keep the Bird and Thistle wallpaper and even the paint as is! But I know you won’t … so hit me up for that Raphael wallpaper. And pillows, of course! I’m getting ready to use it in my bathroom too. Been a favorite for a long time!
Thank you Hollie!!! I actually already started removing it ???????????? it was fun while it lasted. But I will definitely be hitting you up for some pillow goodies!! ????????????
I am so excited for you guys! I was a little disappointed that I never got to use my boy nursery plan, so I used it as the start of my living room design and painted my second girl’s nursery blue! I know how attached you can get to a design.
Parenthood rocks! Congratulations!
Ugh I love a blue nursery for a girl!! I think that’s fabulous!! Funny, I was thinking of where I can incorporate some of girl nursery designs I came up with hahah!! And thank you so much.
So so excited for you! Congratulations! We are ~just~ beginning our TTC journey but with some known health issues I am entering into it with a lot of anxiety. It’s so wonderful to hear your story!
In another note I am very excited to follow along with your nursery plans!! I don’t have Instagram so please post here. I literally love everything you do and would move into your house right now without changing anything… love your style and taste.
Thank you!! And Good luck!! Sometimes it happens when you least expect it ???? and thank you for the kind words!
It’s crazy how happy and excited I am for an internet stranger- but when i say I shed real tears of joy for you and your husband, i mean it!
Thank you for sharing!
Awww thank you so much!!! ????????????????
Aah!!! This is such exciting news Alisa!!! Congrats friend! Babies really are the best. I love the nursery and I’m so excited to follow this journey of yours.
Thank you Jenasie!!!!
This is the best news! I also got my positive pregnancy test almost a year into trying, 1 week before our first Fertility appointment! Sometimes it just works out that way! ???? Boys are the very best and love their Mom’s big!
Omg!! That’s amazing!! Thank you ????????????
Congrats! I am also expecting in June! The first trimester is pretty miserable, but once you get past it, it’s a wonderful feeling! Definitely worrying less, less nausea and feeling less tired!
Thank you!! Congratulations to you!!!
How incredibly kind are those last words in your post. Super excited for you. As a local tri-stater I saw your office stuff on FBMP and was thinking what is she doing! Her beloved office! Hahaha, now I know. Best kind of redesign!
HA!! Yes I was trying not to list it all at once ???????????? thank you!!!
Congratulations! Sad to see that office go though, it is one of my favorite rooms.
Me too. But I will always have the photos haha!!
I’m very happy for you. This is exciting news. I just hope you feel better soon.
Congratulations!!! I’m an insta follower and am thrilled for you both.
Congrats!!!! Also due with my first in June 2022 and will be basically copying everything you do for your nursery!!
Congratulations ????, what a Christmas blessing. I know so many people who had problems conceiving for years, then went to check out fertility treatments and such and got pregnant. I truly believe it has to do with letting go of stress and saying. Well on to finding another alternative and walla it happens. And designing children’s rooms my favorite. So happy for you and yours. Enjoy this time and relax and no breathing chemicals. My children are adults now and I so miss those years. Merry Christmas!!????
Thank you Christie!!! I totally agree!!!
Awww so excited for you and Angelo. Congratulations! Hope you start feeling better. Can’t wait for nursery updates. Xo
Woo Hoo!!! Your work is being shown today, December 20th, on an Instagram story by shorehavenhome (and this story is also being shown by the great Jean Stoffer on her Instagram)! Isn’t that your bathroom? How awesome!
JOY!!! I am so happy for you. Rest every chance you get (advice for the for the next 18 years).
Thank you!!
Lovely news, congratulations to you and your family. It would fun to see the baby girl nursery scheme you worked up, hint hint.
Congratulations to you and Angelo. It so uplifting to hear some good news. Your designs are as gorgeous as usual.
So much love is in store for you and
your baby.
thank you so much!
Oh, I’m so happy for you, Alissa! And, if it makes you feel any better, My doctor told me that the crappier I felt, the better. That means that the hormones that keep the pregnancy viable have kicked into high gear. Just writing that makes me nauseous! That’s how vivid the memory is decades later! Of course, for anyone who doesn’t feel sick, it doesn’t mean that things aren’t going well; it usually means that you’re exceedingly lucky!
And, yes, “morning” sickness is a misnomer. I was sick all day long, but the worst was usually the evening.
It did end after 3 months like clockwork.
My 31-yr-old 6′-3″ baby is visiting me for five whole days and I’m sooooooo happy! He was hell on wheels to raise, but we’re great friends now! xoxo ~ Laurel
PS: Love your nursery ideas as well!
PPS: My first-born who’s here is also a June baby. He was due June 7, but kept me waiting until June 18th. Can you tell I’m a little excited for you?!
thank you, Laurel! Haha, it’s been a rough few weeks. I’m hoping the nausea ends like clockwork soon. I hope you have a great few days with your son!!
xo
That is AMAZING news!!! Huge CONGRATULATIONS!!! Very happy for you both!!!
Congratulations Alyssa!!!
I’m so happy for you and Angelo! Sharing your journey could be helpful for a lot of women. It helps to know that you are not alone when going through this.
When I went through infertility and losses (25 years ago), there really wasn’t much support and no one to talk to. No social media, maybe a book or two. It was devastating. Many miscarriages, 3 ectopic pregnancies, failed IVF. With each pregnancy there is hope, and with each loss so much grief. Intense grief. We don’t have any children, it didn’t work out that way, but we have spent our lives rescuing dogs, and giving them so much love. It has helped fill a void in my heart to give to these sweet loyal dogs who needed a second chance.
I know how thankful you are that this miracle has happened for you. My wish is that you will start to feel better soon and that all goes well.
Can I just say how sad I am that my favourite office of all time is going to be going?! I mean, it’s for a good cause, that’s for sure! Could we just box it up, walls and all and ship it to me in Ottawa??! I’ve said it before, but every bit of your office is perfection to me.
Happy New Year. All my best to you and your family and little baby! ????
Oh what a wonderful Christmas present. Congratulations! I am expecting my first grandchild in June…a boy. Can’t wait!