I’ve been having a bit of an identity crisis lately. Ryan has one more year before starting kindergarten and I can almost taste having all that extra time to get things done. I’ve been really trying to think of who I want to be when my kids grow up. I’ve mulled around creating another blog that focuses on family traditions and moderate homesteading.. .writing about topics that peak my interest like beekeeping, raising chickens, and which crops are worth planting in an urban backyard. I considered writing another book. I have ideas for two novels that keep nagging me. Or submitting articles to magazines and newspapers. Really the possibilities are endless.
I’m so ready for the next stage of life. Over the last 2 years with moving and purging, I managed to get rid of my maternity clothes, the crib, the highchair, swing, playmats, most our baby toys, ALL the clothes, both boy and girl. It feels so good!
Henry and I have been talking about how family trips are becoming so much more enjoyable now that we don’t have to worry about babies and toddlers.
Well, you know a few weeks ago how Natalie and I had a stomach bug together? How my friend’s son had it for 10 whole days? Well, Natalie got better and I didn’t. Turns out what I have isn’t contagious. I don’t know any other way to say this other than just blurting it out…I’M PREGNANT!
I am unexpectedly expecting our fourth child.
Henry and I are in shock. It was not in the plan. (why, oh why, do we still think we can plan things?) I no longer have to wonder what I’ll be doing when Ryan goes to school because I will be taking care of another child. Â We are officially starting over with diapers, nursing, sleepless nights, sippy cups, naptimes, and the most relevant thing right now – morning sickness.
I’m 12.5 weeks along (we are also back to counting down our life in weeks) and still nauseated most days. I was more tired in the beginning, but over the last week seem to be motivated again and able to get through most days with only one nap instead of two.
Emotionally I’m pretty much still in denial. I’m not excited and I’m not upset. The first thing I thought of when I saw that little blue line was, “I have to go through labor again. I DO NOT want to go through labor again.” That’s when my brain switched to denial. I’ve lived there ever since.
Several people have asked me if I want a boy or a girl. I really mean this when I say this… I’m not being trite…. I really, really just want a healthy child. Boy, girl, puppy, or kitty. I don’t care. Just make it healthy.
The kids are, of course, excited. Ecstatic, really. I’ll have to post about their response another day. But for now, know that we are expecting a baby somewhere around December 16.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Comments (24)
Lurker here….for quite sometime. 🙂 I have prayed for Ryan. Love your family and your blog! But I had to share…
We had our 4th child last October. She was very much a surprise as well. We had our life planned. “I” knew how things were supposed to go. I mean that is the whole reason I had the Adiana procedure done ( much like Essure) to PERMANENTLY block my tubes. Right?! God said no. LOL
I cried and cried and cried for weeks. I knew that I loved her and would love her just like my others but it was everything else. The fact we had a 12 year old, 9 year old, and a 13 month old. It was the sleepless night, the nursing all night, diapers, clothes, and the financial burden of another child.
But I knew that God had other plans for our family and I KNEW because of that everything would be OK. And it is….I couldn’t imagine life without her.
Can’t wait to hear all about this new little one! 🙂
Ooh a puppy! I didn’t even know that was a possibility! I hope you have a puppy!!
Lol, Katie! Love ya!
I know, I know… it’s so true Leighann…Our plans are not always Gpd’s plans! We think we have things sort of figured out,… and then God has other ideas! 🙂 But hey, congratulations…this wonderful little someone will be a blessing and a gift to your lives. I am so happy for you and Henry and the kiddos. Ryan will love being a big brother…he is such a little man! <3
Love, Linda
oops! * God’s plans..not Gpd ha!
Congratulations on your unexpected news! If I were in your shoes, I would feel exactly the same way. And like you, I was horribly nauseous and exhausted the whole first trimester, so hopefully that will improve for you soon 🙂
And you of all mommies know how important having a healthy baby is – boy, girl, puppy or kitty!!! I’m voting boy, to give Ryan a buddy, and to balance things out 🙂 Congrats and happy pregnancy!
Congratulations to you, Henry, and the whole family! Guess you don’t have to worry about those shrunken jeans after all! All kidding aside, what a lucky baby to get assigned to such awesome parents! We will pray every day for you to feel well and for a happy and healthy baby and mom.
As I stand here in our kitchen stuffing my 6 month pregnant face with chips I laughed out loud when I read this post! Over Thanksgiving and Christmas we talked about how great Disney was going to be in the spring with our girls 8 and 5, the beach this summer was going to be so easy with no babies, no diapers….just life was getting easy. We made plans that my husband would go in April for his vasectomy when he took time off during turkey season. And then as I laid in bed one January night it hit me. I got up, took a test and sure enough it was positive. I laid back down and told no one, not even my husband. I was stunned. All the years since my second we tried for a third, I took hormones to get things moving and nothing. And here we were, content with the blessings God had given us and making plans. Nope, baby #3 is due in September. It took a while to get here but emotionally we are elated, thrilled, all those things. But a few months of are we crazy was certainly there! Good luck, and what a gift!
Congrats! I finished your book a few weeks ago, and I remember at some point in the book that you mentioned wanting 4 kids, so…. Yes, healthy is what really counts. I bet part of you is worried after Ryan, but I am praying for a healthy baby. We will be praying for you and watching your blog for more updates. To echo someone else’s comments – how blessed this baby is to have loving parents and a loving family.
Congratulations!
yay!!!
Wow… what surprising and wonderful news. I think your feeling exactly how I would feel if a fourth child popped up on our radar. Thankfully God knows what He’s doing. I’m praying for healthy! And I’m not just saying that I’ll pray (I’m guilty of doing that too often). I want you to know I literally just prayed. I’m sure because of what you’ve been through with Ryan that there are fears and worries that the rest of us can’t comprehend. So I am praying.
So THAT’S how you shrunk your pants?!?! Ha! Congratulations on baby #4! What a blessing. Praying for a healthy, uneventful pregnancy!
HE he, ya know that thought did skip thru my thoughts when you kept saying you were under the weather. Congrats sweetie. Trust me when I know what you mean by shocked, Sailor was our shock at 42 I was considered a granny, which also ment I had to have so many more tests, but then again I got to skip a few mandatory classes since they said I was a pro…
I know it was unexpected but you are a terrific Momma and will get through this just fine. 🙂
Whoa! Congratulations! I am really happy for you. This is why we keep the crib flat packed in the basement. I’m a little superstitious.
God likes to remind us that we are not in control.
I pray that this total change of plans ends up being one of the biggest blessings He has ever given you!
Congratulations!!! So happy for you, and sending lots of prayers and good vibes for a strong, healthy baby!
Very excited for you all!! Couldn’t think of a better family to be born into! 😉
I was thinking as I was reading how much you had given away – OH NO – and then just a few lines later there it is. Congrats to you and Henry. You are such awesome parents. I remember my mom telling me to make all the plans that I want but that God just laughs as he knows the plan for our life. Your kids will also be such super big siblings. I hope you feel better soon & isn’t it great to know it wasn’t the dryer fault your pants were shrinking. Becky
Congratulations!! What a wonderful surprise. Another Steelers and Penguins fan! God knows what He is doing…and He has special plans for this little one. I can’t wait to see what those plans are 🙂
Gail
Annapolis, MD
Congratulations. I have followed your blog ever since Ryan was a little tyke – praying for your family. Now I guess you know why those capri’s were a little tighter than they had been!
Congratulations! I think if it happened to me, I would feel exactly like you. Of course, I have had 2 different surgical procedures that would preclude it from happening to me, so maybe not EXACTLY like you, but I’m sure you understand. 🙂 When you think you are done, it has got to be tough to get into the baby mindset again. But it will be awesome! There is nothing quite like snuggling a tiny little baby. All the best.
I love it! Congrats! It’s never how we plan it and His plans are always better 😉 Love you!