Willa Elizabeth

September 10, 2014 

7 lbs. 8 oz. 

19 inches 

We Have Names!

Andy and I have had a boy name chosen for a few weeks, but hadn't really gotten very far on a girl name. The two girl names he absolutely adores I am not a major fan of. So, yesterday the kids and I sat down and hashed out all of the options of girl names. It's amazing how opinionated and passionate they are about names. We found a girl name, first and middle that we all loved and that I knew Andy would approve of too. He did. So unless someone has some huge revelation I think we've settled on names. Such a wonderful feeling!

Since we are not finding out the gender until the birth, we are not sharing our names with anyone either. The kids obviously know the girl name, but have promised to keep it a secret. We don't trust them enough with the boy name, so we're keeping that to ourselves. So different from the others, and definitely exciting. Probably will do it this way again if given the opportunity. Yay for New Baby having a name no matter what gender it is!

Under 100 Days Until New Baby is 40 Weeks!

I completed my 26th week of the pregnancy today. That means I have 98 days left until I am 40 weeks. Wow - that flew! I am so incredibly thankful that God has seen fit to give me so many amazing pregnancies. I feel fantastic! I feel like I am gaining a lot of weight, like I did with the girls, but feel very strongly it's a boy.

I'd honestly rather gain a lot of weight than be sick and miserable any day. I have no idea how I would have survived if I had been sick during any of my pregnancies. The Lord knows how little I can handle in that department, probably. Chances are we'd just have Samuel running around all alone had I gone through what some others I know went through. I am so thankful my pregnancies have been non-eventful so far. As I'm sure Sam is, too. I do not take this lightly. I am aware there are countless number of women around the world who cannot even bear a child, so gaining more weight than desirable seems like it should be a pretty petty issue in my mind.

People are certainly not making comments along the lines of "oh, wow, you don't even look like you're pregnant unless you look at your belly!" or "My! You are so tiny!" And, for all the selfish and superficial reasons in the world, a part of me wants to hear those comments. I want numerous perfect pregnancies and births and look amazing through it all. HA! Oh first world problems...

I don't really ever stress about my body, except when I'm pregnant, so having to go to a big fancy wedding last weekend surely put my self esteem to the test. I was going to be seeing people I haven't seen in years and didn't like how I looked. But, I really didn't want to let a few extra pounds ruin my mood. Instead I wanted to embrace this season of life and enjoy myself and others. I think I did okay for the most part.

Looking at these pictures below, I honestly cringe at how fat I feel like I look. But, I know I'm the only one who truly thinks about it at all. Andy tells me every day how beautiful I am and how adorable I look pregnant. But, he's not the one carrying all the extra weight, so it's easier for him, I'm well aware. But, I still wish I had the same perspective he does. I'm working on it.

I lose all the baby weight eventually, so that is my comfort, but with each pregnancy I wonder if this time will be the time it never comes off. We shall see. But, for now, I want to embrace this life I've been blessed with, and not grow bitter at the effects that come with this miracle growing in my womb. And, I know this precious baby is surely going to want pictures of his/her mama when they were growing in her belly. So, here they are...

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I adore this picture of my mom. She looks so happy and beautiful. She just radiates.

My love and me.

The stunning bride and me. I kinda have another sister... and she is awesome!

New Baby - 20 Weeks

Our Newest Valentine!

New Baby Reveal to the Kids

Before the kids went out to play in the freshly fallen snow we sat them down and told them we had something to tell them. I set up the camera on the tripod and snapped a photo every couple of seconds while Andy gave Rosie the chalkboard. It was the sweetest thing I've ever experienced watching the boys slowly read the sign and then put it all together. I didn't account for the snow messing up the board, so it made it a little harder for them to understand, but they finally got it. We will cherish this series of photos forever. The joy on their faces says it all. We count not be more thrilled to be adding another one to our family. This little one is already more loved than it can imagine.

We told the kids on Feb 13th but didn't share it with others until the 14th.

A Great Day Indeed!

I was just really having a hard day one day, very emotional about stuff, overly dramatic, etc. I was mostly disappointed that I had taken a pregnancy test well into the time when it should have shown a positive and it came back negative. I was sure I was pregnant, but oh so let down by the results.

The next morning, I get a delivery of these gorgeous flowers with this note. As I'm discussing with Andy how emotional I've been and how confused I am about stuff, he encouraged me to take another test since he was certain that I was pregnant. And this one came back positive! So, on New Years Eve, we found out that our 5th miracle was growing in our womb. Indeed it was a VERY great day.

Since then I keep this card on my refrigerator and read it each morning and it always gets my morning off to a great start.