A Baby Goes West

ByAshley Hours
Comments 110 Comments

Hi, my dear friends! Ready for this one? I’ve got some fabulous news to report from over here in the A Lady Goes West family: we’re expecting a little Baby Goes West, and we couldn’t possibly be more excited about it.

Baby and pregnancy announcement picture with sign by A Lady Goes West

Coming into the world October 2017

Our little bundle of joy is due in October 2017 (which is also Dave’s birth month) and will surely make this year the biggest of our lives (as well as the lives of our families, as this will be the first human grandchild for my parents, who currently have three furry grandchildren, Rudy included). As of today, I’m about 13.5 weeks pregnant and done with my first trimester. I’ve seriously been dying to tell you all, but of course, we wanted to wait until just the right time. We had a doctor’s appointment a couple of weeks ago and heard a good heartbeat, so I knew I was ready to let the news out. It’s real!

Dave and I found out that I was pregnant (four weeks pregnant, to be exact) on Super Bowl Sunday the first weekend in February, and it’s been quite the whirlwind since then. By whirlwind, I mean taking four pregnancy tests in one day. Being shocked. Then feeling excited, nervous, nauseous and totally exhausted all the time. Then trying to go through my daily life as though everything was normal and routine, even though it was anything but — there’s been a human forming inside me. Ahhh!

Baby Warriors onesie photo by A Lady Goes West

Pregnancy announcement picture by A Lady Goes West(My shirt, pants and shoes)

The path to pregnancy wasn’t a short one

I’ve got to be totally honest and real with all of you, because you’ve been there through the last few years of my life — getting pregnant was not easy for me, or for us. In fact, it took a VERY long time, and it was quite the learning experience for us both. I learned SO much about hormones, fertility, balance and what it takes to conceive, that I’m going to share a lot of it with you over the coming months (get ready for an influx of information, and feel free to email me your questions as they arise). Quite frankly, because it’s been so consuming and tough at times, I haven’t been ready to talk about it with you or put it out into the Web world, but now that I’ve processed it all and finally gotten pregnant, it’s just about time to share. But for right now, all I want to do is tell you the exciting news, that a baby is a’ brewing. (OMG … )

We don’t know yet whether we’re having a boy or a girl, but we have names for both, and would be happy with any healthy baby that we get. We will find out the gender in another few weeks, and you guys will definitely be informed.

Ashley's pregnancy announcement photo by A Lady Goes West

How I’ve been doing lately 

How am I doing? I’ve been feeling okay. Still working out and teaching several group fitness classes a week and keeping on. And I’m going to get into more details about that in a few days (maybe TOO many details, actually hehehhe). But the news it out now! Funny thing is that Dave said to me the other day: “Do you think people know that you’re pregnant based on the food you’ve been posting (maybe a little carb heavier than before?) and the fact that you haven’t had any wine?” I said, I didn’t think so, unless you’ve noticed my expanding waistline. But you guys tell me: Did you have any idea? 🙂 

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110 Comments

  1. Congrats, Ashley! Wishing you both the very best. Although I don’t have any kids and am not planning on any, I find the pregnancy posts really interesting so looking forward to hearing what you have to say. Again, fab news! xx

    Reply

    1. Hi Diane! Thank you SO much! I’m happy to have the news out there, and glad that you’ll still read if I write about it heheh! 🙂 Hope you are doing well!

      Reply

    1. Hi Susie! Thank you so much, my friend!! I think Rudy will have some trouble not being the only child at first … but he’ll get there hahaha! 🙂

      Reply

  3. I’m so very excited for your little yet expanding family! For some reason, I had a little inkling, but I think it’s because you’ve just seemed to be really glowing lately! Congratulations!?

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  4. OMG. So freaking excited for you and I don’t even know you (well, you are the writer of one of my favorite blogs so it’s kindaaaa like I know you ;))
    Hahaha. Sorry if that came out more creepy than intended, but I really am so excited about this news and so happy for you.

    Reply

    1. Well Julie, if you read this, then you pretty much know me … so you can totally say that! Not creepy at all! heheheh!! I really appreciate your kind words, friend!! 🙂

      Reply

    1. I know you are!! FIT PREGNANCY!! I love to see how you’ve kept working out throughout your pregnancy! Such an inspiration, and I hope to do that too. Thanks for the love, Ash! 🙂

      Reply

  6. Oh Ashley, I’m so so happy for you guys!!! This is the best news.

    I’m sorry to hear you struggled with getting pregnant but I think it’s brave and amazing to open up about it. We haven’t started trying yet but I’m nervous it could be a long journey for us as well when we decide to.

    I’m looking forward to following along with your pregnancy! Congrats again, lady!!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Sarah! For some people, getting pregnant is a breeze — and for others — not so much. I wish you the BEST of luck when you are ready. And thanks for the love, my friend! The Bay Area misses you!

      Reply

    1. Thank you SO much, Susan! I hope so too! I really appreciate your kind words, and thank you for reading along this journey with me! 🙂

      Reply

  10. Congratulations!!!!! How exciting! Being a mom is amazing! I am excited for all of your future updates and posts!

    Reply

  13. Congratulations!!! So exciting! I’m due with my first 10/17 and I work in Walnut Creek so we may need to get together sometime through this experience! ?

    Reply

    1. No way!! Twinsies!!! I love to hear that! Then we are TOTALLY on the same timeline. Would LOVE to meet you, Maryann!! Maybe we can do prenatal yoga together! 🙂

      Reply

  16. Ashely I am so excited for you and Dave and can’t wait to read about your pregnancy journey. Many co workers have always informed me how difficult it was for them getting pregnant, so I’m always interested in hearing your story. And your announcements are absolutely stunning! Congrats!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Patricia! I think a lot of people struggle with getting pregnant — and it’s embarrassing — but I am definitely happy to share my experience in case it helps anyone else. 🙂 Thank you so much for reading, my friend! 🙂

      Reply

  17. Congratulations you two! Such an exciting time! I actually did have a feeling by the way your diet was shifting a bit. It may be because prepping the body for pregnancy is something I have been thinking about as well! Looking forward to learning about your journey!

    Reply

    1. Well you’ve come to the RIGHT place, my friend! I will totally be sharing all about that “prepping” stage — which was a long one for me hehehe. Thank you so much for reading, Shelby! 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hi Brittany!! Yay!! The beach sounds awesome — (as it rains outside my window right now). Have SO much fun, and thank you SO much for reading!

      Reply

    1. Hi Heather! Well you are NOT alone in your struggles! I wish you the best of luck! And I really appreciate you reading, lady! 🙂 Sending you some love!

      Reply

  25. I noticed the lack of wine pictures and I did think you looked a little glowy! You look beautiful! Very happy for you!

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  26. Oh my goodness, yay!! I’m so, so happy for you. I didn’t know, but I was curious if you’d start wanting to have kids soon. 🙂 I’d love for you to write about it if you feel comfortable.

    Reply

    1. Hi India! I’ve been ready for kids for a while! And I’m totally ready to get the rest of my story out there! Thank you so much for reading! 🙂

      Reply

  27. I could totally cry for happiness for you two right now. I can’t wait to be apart of this journey with you and hear about everything! I’m one of the weird ones that love ALL the deets 😉 I am so happy and excited for you, what a true blessing. I can’t wait to hear about it all!! XOXOXOOX

    Reply

    1. You are the SWEEEETEST, Jacquelyn! Love you! Thank you for reading, and THANK YOU in advance for going along this little journey with us! 🙂

      Reply

  29. So excited to read about your journey! I am currently due September 27th; what is your due date? Congratulations!!

    Reply

  33. Soo excited for you!! I’m currently in the midst of preganancy struggles, so I’m looking forward to hearing your story! I love women that are confident enough to open up about this topic because it effects so many of us!

    Reply

    1. Hi Nina! I’m so sorry to hear that about your struggles. You can rest assured that you are NOT ALONE! And it will happen one day. It happened to me. I will be sharing a lot more soon, and I hope it is helpful! 🙂

      Reply

  36. I definitely noticed the lack of wine and the flowy tops, and surprised at the addition of pasta to your dinners 🙂 Congratulations to you both. What a crazy and exciting time and I love hearing about people trying very hard for something they really want, and finally getting it. I too, am looking forward to learning as much as possible about your experience, and hopefully it will help in lifting the stigma we have around the struggles of conceiving.

    Reply

    1. Hi Sheila … I mean, pasta and bread are pregnancy staple foods, right? hahah! And thank you so much for your kind words. I will definitely be sharing more soon. Thank you for reading and following along!

      Reply

  38. YAAY! Congrats to you and your family! So exciting 🙂 Rudy is going to be a great big brother!!

    I can’t wait to read more about your journey, sending good vibes to keep the feeling good going strong!

    Reply

  39. So excited for you guys. I check into your food posts once in awhile and did not notice 🙂 I can’t wait to hear more- this is one lucky baby!!! I know you and Dave are already excellent parents.

    Reply

  40. Ahhhh YAY!!! Congratulations! I also struggled to get pregnant but finally did after 2 years. So I can relate to your newfound knowledge of allllll things hormones, “ttc,” etc., as well as to the feeling of absolute joy/relief/trepidation, etc. when you finally get pregnant 🙂 So happy for you and can’t wait to hear more details when (if!) you feel comfortable sharing.

    Reply

    1. Hi Amanda! Well I’m glad to hear that you finally did get pregnant. It takes a long time for some of us! And YES, we learn a lot. Thank you SOO much for reading. More to come soon. 🙂

      Reply

  42. Aw love this so much and love that with all the stress and worry that is all good news ! You’ll be an amazing mama and so glad you’re feeling good! Feel like it’s a blogger baby boom! Octobers is an awesome month especially since you guys don’t get winter ! Tee hee! Sending you so much love xo

    Reply

    1. Hi Fiona! I was JUST saying that it will be much easier to cloth myself since I won’t need a ton of jeans or jackets heheh. YAY is right! And thank you SO much for your kind words, my friend!! YAY!!!

      Reply

  43. CONGRATS ASHLEY & DAVE!! So excited for you both – & Rudy of course! I started to notice wine disappearing and the thought crossed my mind, so happy to see the thoughts confirmed 🙂 I can’t wait to follow along on your journey.

    Reply

    1. Hi Erin!! hahahh I’ve noticed the wine disappearing too. 🙂 Sadly! hahah Thank you SO much for the kind words! I really appreciate it!

      Reply

  44. Congratulations-so exciting! I saw your post on Instagram last night and was immediately so happy for you and your family! It’s funny you ask, I did sense a difference in your posts but couldn’t tell exactly what it was. Guess it’s hard to contain all the excitement! Thanks for sharing the happy news with your readers!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jackie! That’s so funny how you could sense something was different. And thank you SOOO much for the kind words. AND thank you for reading!! 🙂

      Reply

  45. Wow, so exciting! The thought occurred to me on a recent post as you just looked a little different somehow (glowy and beautiful, of course!). Thanks for sharing the fun news!

    Reply

    1. Hi Amy! Thank you SO much! You are so sweet. And I’m to finally get the news out there. I really appreciate you reading! 🙂 Have a great night!

      Reply

  46. Congratulations, Ashley! I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and I’m so happy for you and Dave. I did wonder a little here and there- you just looked glowy and your diet changed a little- haha! I’m married but no kids yet, but I enjoy reading pregnancy posts to know what to expect someday. Look forward to hearing more. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Traci! Thank you sooo much for reading! And I figured somebody would notice something heheh! 🙂 I will definitely be sharing more!

      Reply

  47. Hi, Ashley! I don’t know if you remember me, but we worked at C&P together. My last name has changed, but I haven’t :).

    Congratulations on your little bundle of joy! I’m so happy for you. I look forward to reading all about your journey to, and through, motherhood. All the best to you and your family.

    Reply

      1. YAY!! I’m really good, thank you! Yes, I am still at C&P :). My kiddos are getting so big: almost 21, 15, 13 and 10. Time flies!! Enjoy this time in your life. I”m so happy for you!

        Reply

  48. Congratulations, so exciting! I am looking forward to reading more about your TTC journey and following along your fit pregnancy journey! 🙂

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  49. SOME OF THE BEST NEWS ever to wake up to on a Thursday! Life is such a gift from God, and it always makes my heart want to explode when someone announces that they are going to have a baby, because i know the journey to conception can be such a long and tough one.

    Reply

  50. Yeeeeah – I’m so happy for you guys! I cannot wait to learn from your experience, too.

    Here in Denver, we often talk about how pre- and post-natal workouts (good, healthy ones) and so hard to find. While many places provide them, they’re so rarely well marketed because it’s a small, ever-changing market. With that in mind, I’m incredibly pumped to hear about how you healthfully change your fitness routine to stay on top of your game, but keep your baby healthy, too.

    Again, SO excited for you guys. Baby West is already so loved. 🙂

    XO, Jessica
    http://www.semisweettooth.com

    Reply

    1. Hi Jessica! Thank you SO much! And YES, you are right — the whole pre-post-natal fitness thing isn’t the most popular subject, and it should be. I will definitely be sharing more!! 🙂

      Reply

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