Around January 14th I found out that we are expecting Mangis Baby #4! 3 more tests, a blood test and an ultra sound confirmed that. I was hesitant to believe the first test because I had gotten a false positive back in August. Of course that was orchestrated by God as it led to discovering the closure of the left ureter which led to my first out-patient surgery and 6 weeks of misery!
Anyway...back to baby. I am about 10 weeks along and baby is due September 27th. I've never actually made it to that magical "due date" so we'll see when this one wants to join us here! Seeing as I can't really hide this much longer (I seem to be showing a bit already) I'm going to try and phrase my answers to the questions/comments I am bound to be approached with...
1. Did you plan this? (or...for the less tactful folks...Did you do this on purpose?) Well, I wouldn't say I "planned" it but I am married and I don't use birth control so I can't really say "surprised" since I know how these things happen!
2. Are you crazy? What were you thinking? :) Well, babies are blessings no matter the timing or number!
3. Are you going back to work? I will work as much as I can in September and then return in January. Of course, my preference has always been to be at home with my kids but that opportunity is not open to us right now. And no, I don't like leaving my kids while I work. Each year is harder than the one before but we walk the path in front of us rather than dwelling on what can't be. For use it isn't about maintaining a lifestyle but making ends meet.
4. That wasn't very good planning. Some of God's greatest blessings come at seeming inopportune times.
5. Who's going to sub for you? We're working on that.
6. Do you want a boy or girl? I really don't care either way. A girl would be easier in that we have all the clothes and it would be two kids in each room but another boy would be fun too. I honestly don't mind either way.
We knew we wanted another baby. It is so wonderful to have two boys close in age and we want that experience for Keira. Jonathan and I are thrilled to welcome a new life into this world.
I really had a hard time believing that I was pregnant because I've had few symptoms! A little nausea here and there and being really really tired but one of the reasons I didn't jump to telling everyone right away was that I wondered if the lack of symptoms was a telling thing. The first months of pregnancy are different when you've miscarried. At lease they are for me. The first miscarriage was your basic find out you're pregnant and a few weeks later find out you aren't. The second one was more surprising for me. I won't go into the whole ordeal but it was challenging for us. So, when I really didn't have symptoms with this one I mentally prepared myself for the possibility that we'd walk that road again. I think we've waited also because we know that when we tell others the boys would find out through them if we didn't tell them...that is a LONG wait for a 5 and almost 4 year old!
Life is going to get a bit more hectic and a lot more blessed with the coming of this baby. I know Jonah will be thrilled. He informed me one day, "When we have our 6th baby..." That one gave me a laugh. He seems to think that if we don't have 6 then we will have enough kids to fill up the seats in the van. He is so precious. We'll see about Liam. He doesn't like change much but he'll be over 4 when the baby comes and he does love his sister. Keira will never know anything different!
As for me, I am looking forward to a new experience having a baby. My doctor no longer does OB care so Jonathan and I went out to Bella Vie to see if that option was something we were comfortable with. We like it there and feel comfortable with their back up plans and processes. I'm excited about that! I am also looking forward to not working during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The first half of the school year is my favorite but it is very busy and the calendar is always jammed full. I am ready for a chance to be at home and busy there for once! I'll probably be so sleep deprived that I won't know which way is up but I know that I'll cherish those memory making times.
All-in-all I'd say we are happy, excited, thrilled, and anticipating God's great plans this year!
