I shared the news on Facebook just after we told our family at Thanksgiving.
At 10 weeks, we had a very healthy ultrasound saying Baby Sabin #3 will be due late June 2011; the 24th which is right on Grady's birthday!
It's so funny to think about sharing the news... because each pregnancy has been different, with different levels of expectancy during different seasons of life.
I hesitated sharing the news when we became pregnant with Cade, understandable since I had been recovering from a previous miscarriage at 10 weeks... counting the hours and days when we passed the 13 week marker; but even still I was on edge the entire 42 weeks (yes 42 weeks of waiting!)
Then when we told Cade about Baby Sabin #2, he was 2 years and only starting to "get it" because some of his friends were big brothers; it was right around Christmas time at the "safe" 12 weeks. It was a pregnancy mixed with {well we want more than 1, this seems like all right timing but how can I add more to my plate} and then also the overwhelming joy of realizing just HOW much God loves us...and has an abundant amount to go around (only a parent gets this multiplication of love!)
Back in 2008 Cade was convinced he was going to have a sister... maybe it felt like less competition... and since my pregnancy was more mellow-- not nearly as many karate kicks that took my breath away... I thought it might be possible. But we were waiting til "birth day" and it was so funny Cade kept saying "she" when Grady was born! Grady has been ALL boy-- being built like a tank since day 1 at 8lbs and 13oz. compared to Cade's 7lbs 9oz. and yet SO different than his brother too.
Now Cade is SO excited to be BIG, BIG Brother... in fact he was the one who overheard me say "pregnant... while on the phone with the doctor" and said with his eye glimmer and innocent smile "Mom, do you have a baby in your tummy!?"
David & I looked at each other from the front seat with awe at our smart boy and said, "Yes" excitedly. Then we asked him to keep it a secret until Thanksgiving (after the ultrasound) and he kept saying "it's a secret" whenever we told anyone our news- much to our surprise he kept the news under wraps for the 5 days (as far as we know). NOW he believes it should be a "boy" cause boys are better he says!
And then there's Grady... at 2 1/2, he kindof gets it since he has a big brother, but he keeps putting something in his shirt to share that "he has a baby in his tummy!" And keeps looking at my tummy wanting to "see". The black & white photo didn't quite have him convinced; but visiting the Dr. with me to hear the heart beat and talking to my belly sure has helped. He's been able to "practice" with other young kids and delights in sitting on the couch to "hold" them and of course use any stuffed animal he can find to feed, diaper and soothe during crying. I just adore that both he & Cade have the heart and desire for siblings.
I'm so thankful that we have close to 3 years in between our kids, I feel like it's enabled me to pour into them with quality time until they are a bit more independent and willing to help. "10 years of diapers!" David says, with hopes this chapter of sleepless nights and diaper changes will be closing with #3.
Somehow it seems like a big jump to go from a family of 4 to 5, it has to do with living space, cars, Disneyland rides and even zone defense, since man:man is no longer viable, claim larger families!
But since we've been part of Montrose Church and as part of Dunsmore, there are a fair number of families with 3 kids with the oldest at 6 years... so we also feel surrounded by larger families that we can share life with and really look up to.
Some of them have kids more spread out than others; but there seems to be a certain whimsy in the face of chaos that comes along with more...sure there's more personalities, more needs, more variety, more financial need but when I look at these dear families my heart says: more love, more teamwork (if we are teachable), more joy and a more intitmate bond to family and God makes it all worth it.
I know I'm not alone in reflecting over the 2 vs. 3 kids debate, I thought this was so funny how searching google for answers prompted this mom to compile wisdom from other parents via this blog.
This baby wasn't exactly "planned", like most of 2010, it's been a year of surprises that God has been using to lead us forward. We adore our boys, and I LOVE how they LOVE each other. Since Dave & I grew up as onlys (sibilings more than 7 years younger)... it's been so awesome to see the sibiling bond and we've been adjusting to the rivalry too!
My heart has wanted more kids, we spoke of 4 from the beginning...but after our first, taking one at a time seemed way more realistic. I just wasn't sure we were ready to stretch MORE given all the growing we'd been through... of course we can't help but wonder what life would be like with a GIRL too. But the genes run deep with boys...so only the ultrasound in March will tell. YES we are going to find out this time (even though we didn't the last two!)
I am enjoying being pregnant this time...that's new for me. After bouts of morning sickness, hormones & lots o fatigue, I thought this whole process was overrated my first time around; but somehow during my pregnancy with Grady, even being overdue, I felt like I was glowing and happy, I had learned a lot about taking care of myself and my physical limitations. Plus, I was expectant to meet this precious child and overjoyed like all those happy preggo people talk about.
Maybe it helps that I LOVE being pregnant this time of year... it concides so well with cool weather and the holidays to help hide the baby bulge (inbetween looking preggo & just plump in the middle), although I don't have much appetite being green with morning sickness- I even gave up coffee for 12 weeks-- which I never had before since college!! AND I LOVE reflecting on Mary's expectancy during the Christmas season. Her faith and her courage when faced with the unexpected AND the pregnancy is ripe during the newness of Spring and ends before the real HEAT of summer and there's plenty of sunshine/fresh air to enjoy with the kids.
We are waiting on the Lord for this next chapter; we are cozy in our two bedroom, 1 bath. We've learned the baby "room" isn't used for those first months anyway and at some point we'll make room for a crib in the kids room-boy or girl! We spend most of our time outside in the yard or at the kitchen table, and there's plenty room there for more. The bathroom is cozy and the kitchen is snug when we are all in there together; but we are all learning about taking turns.
With Him All Things Are Possible, especially beyond my perceived human limitations.
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