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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Are You Sure?

Yes, I'm positive.


Early April brought the shock and surprise of a positive pregnancy test. To say we weren't expecting this would be an understatement. It's taken a few weeks of many conversations, many hugs of encouragement, and plan-making to get used to the idea.


Our kids are completely over the moon with excitement. When not at work, I'm confined to my bed with severe nausea (a first for this mama), ginger tea, and a good book. I know nausea is a good thing in early pregnancy (indicating that all my hormones are doing what they should), but find myself crossing off the days till I reach twelve weeks, when I'm told it usually abates. My husband has stepped up to the plate like the champ he is, taking over everything I usually do: making meals, cleaning up, bathing the kids, doing homework with them, putting them to bed, and so on.


When I can get out of bed, I'm knitting small things for a December baby, and feeling so thankful that we get nine months to wrap our minds around the blessed and life-changing news that our family of five will become six. I'm picturing another little dark-haired newborn  coming into this house, and into my heart, and am once again amazed at how the space in a family always expands to welcome a new sweet babe.


And finally, in the midst of all the worry and readjusting, I am overjoyed.



45 comments:

  1. As are we........December births are wonderful.....hunkering down for the winter to adjust to this new life and then when everything begins to feel "normal" and sorted, spring arrives.

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  2. Happy sister and aunt here!! Can't wait to meet the newest bud on your branch of our family tree. Love to you all, as always.

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  3. Big hugs!!! This baby will be blessed being born into such a loving family! :D

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  4. wonderful news! I was so very shocked when the stick turned colour that fourth time
    ( also an unexpected blessings) but it didn't take long to remember how newborns smell, nuzzle and coo- and I was so very happy!
    Babies are truly a blessings- hope the nausea passes quickly.

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  5. What a blessing to you and your family! Hope you feel better soon!

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  6. How wonderful!! Congrats. December births are wonderful!! My daughter was born December 17th and she was the best Christmas present and continues to be!!!

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  7. Oh my gosh, Stephanie! I was so surprised and happy when I opened google reader this morning and saw your post! Let me tell you, I love having 4 children...and I'm sure you will, too. It is SO HARD to be in a positive mood in early pregnancy when you just feel like total shite, but once the fog lifts and the nausea goes away it will probably be easy to feel overjoyed all the time. :)

    Congratulations!

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    1. Congrats!! I have had a december baby, and november baby! I luved having a baby at Christmas time!
      a baby is truly a blessing, even the surprise ones!

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  8. Oh Congratulations. That is wonderful news. Have fun knitting fabulous little baby things and I hope the nausea goes away sooner rather than later!

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  9. WOW, congrats!! What an amazing, unexpected surprise! I'm due in October, so we'll be winter-baby buddies :)

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  10. Congratulations! My last was also a total surprise (doubly so, being a girl after four boys in a row!) I am excited for you!

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  11. When I saw the picture I was sure it was going to be a trick, like one of your livestock was the one expecting or something. But no, no trick.
    Congratulations! This is wonderful news. You are a fabulous mother and it's very exciting that your family is growing!
    (PS - if you were serious when you commented that 'if I ever have another baby, I want some newborn photos', be sure to ask well-wishers for Erin Egan Photography gift certificates!)

    www.erinegan.blogspot.com

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    1. I agree! "Extras" beyond the absolute necessities will be beyond our budget this time, for sure, so gift certs. are a great idea. Thanks!

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  12. Many blessings to you and your family! We're preparing for our "high 5" (read:: Our 5th child) and are so eager and ready! It's amazing how, no matter how many children you have, the joy, the anticipation, the dreaming......it's all new and wonderful! So happy for you all xoxo

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    1. Congratulations! Someone once said to me, "Ah, just throw another potato in the pot!" Another said that twenty years from now, you'll know that if you had to live in a tent and eat berries to have that fourth (fifth, sixth?) child, you would.

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  13. Congratulations!! What a lovely surprise for you. Enjoy!

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  14. I was hoping to run into you in person but a blog comment will have to do. I had heard the news through a few outlets but the best was Robyn sidling up to Dave at work to share the news with a guy who has been there and done that;) Our fourth was truly our only surprise conception (although he really wasn't) and he is the baby that we refer to as the game-changer. He changed everything about our family and especially about me for the better. And here we are at number 6 - it's a wonderful life and you are all in our prayers. p.s. I have had severe nausea will all six (to the point of hospitalisation). I can't say enough about the wonders of Diclectin (B6 plus anti-histamine); it could get you through work.

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    1. I keep hearing about it! Today has been a really great day and I just scarfed back a bowl of tomato soup and a ham sandwich...it was SOOOO good after days of ginger tea and soda crackers! We'll definitely be seeking out your wisdom in the months/years to come! I think Robin initially sought out Dave's financial advice, then broke the news as to WHY we were so interested in tweaking our finances again! :)

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  15. Wow! What a great news! Congratulations! I hope you feel better soon.

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  16. Very exciting news Stephanie - congratulations!

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  17. This is such happy news! I agree with Elena about our fourth child too (my second December baby). Little G truly challenged me in so many ways to go deeper in my journey of self-care, self-acceptance and helped me to let go of the many areas of my life where my tight grip of control was suffocating me. It is tremendous what gifts and blessings these beautiful little people can bring into our lives! You are surrounded in love and support Stephanie...hoping I can make a meal for you sometime in the next month or so and maybe send it home with Robin one day after work. I know the yuckiness of the all-day nausea all too well. I tried the Diclectin this time for my first time ever. I'm thinking it helped -- though we'll know more once we have the ultrasound and find out the gender. My girls have always made me really sick, so if this little one is a she I'll be ever more convinced of the effectiveness of the drug. If you ever want to chat, I would love to talk!

    Enjoy having every excuse to stay in bed (I know that's not much consolation), but at least you don't have to feel guilty for relaxing your standards of cleanliness a bit and letting your husband care for you! Blessings!

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    1. I'm elated for you! I've done four nausea-filled pregnancy, each one worse than the last and yet - there is no joy like a new baby! Soooo happy for you, mama!

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  18. Congrats Stephanie! What a blessing!

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  19. oh, congratulations!! i'm so excited for you and your family!

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  20. Oh my gosh!! So excited for you..such a beautiful surprise! :) I only had nausea with my first when she was a twin. I remember putting crackers on my night table and having to eat them before I got out of bed...it helped. I hope the nausea subsides for you. I can't have any more babies so I will find some bliss in sewing bonnets for yours! So glad your family is such amazing support for you...baby blessings to you!

    K

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  21. Congratulations on your surprise blessing!!!! I am SO happy for you all.

    And for what it's worth, my experience was that #4 (and 5) were a whole lot easier to adjust to than #3 was. We were already used to being completely broke :-) Ha. The rest of the adjustment was easier too.

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  22. I can smell that newborn head already.we are lucky to go through the whole process together again,love mommy

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  23. Congrats ~ Congrats~ Wonderful news! What a fun Christmas you will have!

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  24. Congratulations!!!! I'm sorry for your nausea and hope that passes quickly. I am nearing my May due date, and our family will go from 7 to 8. What a wonderful December you'll have. ~Jill

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  25. congratulations!! a new baby for Christmas, it'll be so exciting (o.k. and exhausting too) our little "surprise" came when I was 37, I thought we were done, I thought wrong. Our wee man, is 8 and I still can't get over how time passes so quickly. Enjoy.

    Amanda

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  26. Congratulations!!!! How wonderful. I was sick with both of mine, like so sick my eyes were purple because all of the blood vessel broke around my eyes from throwing up. It does get better around 12 weeks, but with Noah it wasn't until closer to 20 weeks that I felt better.
    I wish you a very happy and healthy 9(10) months!!!


    Jennifer @ Dark Blue Dragon

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  27. Congratulations! That is such amazing news! I was sick with both of my two but found that eating raw helped. Hope your nausea finishes soon! x

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  28. Congratulations! Sending lots of baby love your way!! I have been SO sick with this pregnancy - almost 20 weeks and STILL can barely enter my kitchen without retching. May the force be with you.

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  29. Yay! So happy for you. I am preggers too with #4 an it was a "surpise" as much as one can be I suppose...ha! I hope your nausea passes soon and I'm glad to hear how much support you're getting form your family.
    mama blessings!

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  30. Many congratulations to you and your family! Wishing you a very healthy and joyful pregnancy :)
    -Jaime

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  31. aaaaA!!!!!!! i am all a-tingle! congratulations!!!!!

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  32. what an amazing gift! you are often in my thoughts and I will keep you and your baby close to my heart during your pregnancy! hope to see you over the summer!

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  33. So sorry I have missed reading your blog for a bit but I am so happy for all of you and appreciate your honesty in your writing - I remember those days not so long ago but would do it all again....
    Warm wishes,
    Tonya

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