#4 is official!

Yesterday we had an ultrasound to find out how far along we are since I wasn't exactly "regular" when we conceived. So it's official now! We saw baby #4 in there, the heart beating nicely at 136 bpm. It measured at 7 weeks which is surprising but I guess since my cycle wasn't normal yet anything is possible. So the due date is October 29th but most of you know it'll be more like the beginning of October. I have no idea what it's like to go past 37 weeks and I'm sure I'd be hell to live with if I ever did! Lots of people are asking me what the party is that I'm planning. It's called a Mother's Blessing Celebration. I want to gather together all the moms and women who want to celebrate moms and babies and have fun! I'm thinking about early June and I'll be sending out save the dates and invites. I want all the women who I send invites to to pass the word along to other women they know who would love to celebrate with us! This is not a shower, it's a celebration of new life and a new journey. I am going to ask you to bring few minor things....food to share, a bead (glass, plastic, clay, doesn't matter), and positive thoughts. Like I said this is not a shower so please don't bring gifts, if you would like to help in any way we would appreciate donations for the home birth since insurance won't cover the cost. I'm really looking forward to this journey especially since we're hoping the destination to be a healthy baby born calmly and quietly at home!

One Worried Mommy

We just came back from the pediatric urologist today and got some news that's causing me to freak out a bit. Thorin was born with very minor hypospadia which Darren and I had agreed not to do anything about since it would mostly be a repair for cosmetic reasons. It basically means that he pees down and to the side a bit because of how his urethra developed. Today we found out that surgery is necessary because the opening is very narrow and will cause problems as he grows. Of course I agree with the surgeon and need to do the repair before he can remember it because who the heck wants to go through something like that and remember it? I hate to think about this whole thing since we are anti-circumcision but have no choice in this situation. Also the fact that my baby is going in for surgery! At least it's only an out-patient procedure so he won't have to stay overnight but those are going to be a few very long hours for me!

Storyland, Santa's Village and Mt. Washington

We're back from our vacation in NH. We had a great time with Sarah, Stacy and Lou....I was a little worried about a vacation with a 4, 3, 2.5 and 1 year old but things went better than I thought!! We got there Monday afternoon and headed right over to Storyland. We wanted to get the "After 3p" tickets so we could come back Tuesday for free and it worked beautifully. Even though it was raining we got a feel for the park, went on some rides and had a blast.  Video links...here

We like to give home-made gifts, which one of the kids would you like?

Funny huh? I'm serious. No, I'm not...I love my kids, I love having a large family but sometime it's tough day after day after day. And remember when I mentioned that it was ok to go to the hot tubs on Valentine's Day.....well, some of you already know that it probably wasn't a good idea. We found out a few days after that we're expecting #4 in October! It was a pretty big surprise to us too since we were taking preventative measures. I always say "Things Happen for a Reason!" but I do think we should look into some other ways for preventing after this round, people are going to think we're rabbits!!
Honor is very excited! Of course she's hoping for a girl! I think it's great that she's so interested in babies and where they come from. One of the midwives that we talked to said that's how she chose her path in life, being present when her mom had each one of her 6 siblings. This time around we are hoping to have a home birth and I think it will be great that the whole family will be able to celebrate together instead of abiding by hospital rules and regulations.
I've had my fill of hospitals and doctors and monitors and IVs and every possible reason to keep my baby one more hour, one more day, just to do another unnecessary test or procedure. Of course for women who have complicated pregnancies and have pre-existing conditions that make it difficult to give birth should be in a place that can help them. Hospitals have their place in this world and we are very fortunate to live some where that they are at our disposal when needed. But this time for me it will be a comfortable, quiet celebration that every one will be welcome to join with us.
I feel like this is where my journey in life has taken me. I want to help women have more confidence in their bodies and minds and take control of their pregnancies. When the kids are older and as long as it hasn't become foolishly and carelessly out-lawed, I would love to become a Certified Practicing Midwife and attend home births. For now I will be planning a Mother's Blessing party, hopefully with help from family and friends. ;) This will be a celebration in the place of a shower. It'll be a celebration of the journey into motherhood and I think will be fun and empowering for all involved!!