Becca is pregnant!

From Becca:

There's a "bun in the oven!" Or a mini Penny at least :)

Yes! I'm 19 weeks pregnant with our first baby, due in February. My husband Coble and I could not be more excited to grow our family (and Pennies team...).

To be honest, the first trimester was no joke... I was down bad sick (so nauseous, vomiting 8-10 times a day, weekly IVs) and wasn't sure when it would end.

If one more person told me to "try ginger chews and crackers," I was going to punch them.

 This wasn't morning sickness. It was borderline hyperemesis gravidarum, and I'm grateful it eventually passed. It was a dark time. I like to keep things cheesy, but I was sad most days.

If you know someone who experienced this (or is going through it), I'd be happy to commiserate with them. Send them my info.

Coble didn't leave my side. He made endless meals I requested then threw up, but he never stopped taking my requests :)

My mom called to check in daily, and even drove La Fiesta chicken soup and chips all the way from Greensboro to Charlotte... I swear I gained my strength after that visit... That soup is my fav!!

And of course, Mr. Finn provided endless snuggles... Dogs are the best.

It was constant survivor's guilt. I was grateful to be pregnant. I knew women that wanted this so badly. Yet, I was so sick day after day and it affected me mentally. I couldn't work or drive or do, well, anything. When would it pass?

Thankfully, around 14 weeks it did. My energy started to return and the nausea lessened. 

The heartburn remains. Lord have mercy. The heartburn.

Hello Pepcid. And lots of fresh sourdough. TY Coble.

You can't plan for pregnancy. Of course you can try.

But when is the right time to start a family as a Founder of a bootstrapped company?

My good friend and mom of two said, "You never are officially "ready" to have kids, you just get a feeling and go for it." 

And life it short. So here we are. 

The first trimester knocked me out cold. I was completely MIA. But not that anyone noticed... because...

THE PENNIES TEAM IS AMAZING!

Our business continued to run smoothly thanks to these ladies:

• Lauren - Thank YOU for running the warehouse and getting every order out on time. Thanks to you, our quality is superb, our team is happy, and I'm alive (thanks for coming to the house and bringing me treats and Pennies' bills from the mail lol)
• Kate - Thank YOU for handling all things customer service, retailer POs, and random requests. You helped our customers (and me) feel organized and taken care of. I appreciate it.
• Madeline - Thank YOU for jumping into the chaos like a professional. Your onboarding was short, but you continue to wow us with your ideas and effectiveness. In awe of how you balance work and motherhood! I will continue to learn from you.
• Cat, Lesley, Mishell - Thank YOU for your dependability, hard work, and communication. You kept every batch of Pennies high-quality (my Grandbetty would be so happy) and you kept our ovens baking away. Y'all are the reason people have Pennies on their tables and in their pantries.

What's the plan once baby comes? How will it affect work and current operations?

HAHA who knows!

But with God and this team, I am more than confident we will figure it out. 

Stay Cheesin! 

Becca

P.S. I'm won't dive into our fertility journey. But this news, while so exciting, is difficult to share. I tear up thinking about the women out there that desire to become pregnant and grow their families but are having trouble. I'm thinking of you right now. I'm grateful to know a God that has the whole world in His hands (including you), hears your desires, and never leaves you alone in your suffering. I'm praying for you and love you. SO much.