Of all of the projects we’ve been working on since spring, I think this one is my fave.

jason4

Yes, we’re having another kid, and yes, it’s just one (we checked). We think it’s Grrrrr8t! (Get it?…of course you do). (Anybody else hear Tony the Tiger’s voice just then?)

jason2

We are praising God for the opportunity to bring another life into this world to love on and teach his principles. The older I get, the more I grasp just a tiny bit more of what a privilege that truly is.

The kids are, of course, ecstatic. I say that as if it’s a foregone conclusion, but I actually had someone ask me in an interview the other day if my kids ever respond to a pregnancy announcement with something like: “Aw man, enough, Mom! No more kids!” Now, granted, this person was definitely coming from a different set of worldview assumptions than I hold, but I found myself a little taken aback (not offended, just surprised) by the question.

Because our kids have never been anything short of euphoric to learn that another soul will be joining our tribe (we’ve got a video of them dancing and cheering for this announcement, but I haven’t gotten it off of Shaun’s phone yet). I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: my kids don’t just love each other. They like each other. (It doesn’t mean they don’t fuss at each other sometimes, just that the norm is for them to get along in a natural flow of constantly changing sibling combos–both older/younger and everything in between). Maybe this sounds like a case of “methinks she doth protest too much,” but I feel compelled to reiterate this because of the skepticism and cynicism that I’m met with so often in response to the concept that your kids (especially if you have a lot of them) could be friends. And I want to encourage you that they can! Many of the families we are close friends with (regardless of their family size) say the same thing about their own kids, and I see it exemplified in the way their older kids help the younger or how the sisters are also best friends.

ANYhoo, back to what you’re really wondering: what about this baby?? Give us the stats!

Okay, then.

Gender: we don’t know for sure yet, although we had an early sonogram, and we think we know. I’ll be sure to update you when we have a more “official” result.

Due date: January 21st, but…if you’ve been reading for a while, then you know that that means less than nothing. We’re probably looking at February.

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I’m exactly 18 weeks as of today, and I’m feeling great. Such was not the case for the first trimester—-maaaaaaybe more so than usual? Hard to tell. The twins’ pregnancy was harder than any other, for sure, so I’m probably just forgetting how draggy I felt during that first trimester. More than anything, I think I am just “feeling my age” a bit. I’ll be 36 when this baby is born, and, while the differences are fairly subtle, I can definitely tell that I don’t have quiiiiite as much pep in my step as I did when I was 29 (my age when the twins were born).

I’m still teaching all of my fitness classes. Actually, I teach between 9-10 hours a week, which is my highest number in years, so nothing has slacked off there.

At this point, my energy is back, and I don’t feel terribly pregnant except when I try to sit up or twist too quickly (hello, round ligament pain!). Oh, and when I glance down at my right leg, which I have “affectionately” dubbed my “Frankenstein leg,” thanks to nasty varicose veins.

We just started back with homeschool co-op after doing “homeschool lite” all summer long, and we’ll dive back in with our full curriculum in about a week. I don’t plan to do anything differently about our schedule during this pregnancy, but I know from experience (because both Honor and Theo were due around Christmastime) that, while these first 4 months have been pretty slow, the last 3 or so will FLY. It’s kind of nice to have all of the holiday hullabaloo as a distraction.

Oh, and before anyone says: “I just KNEW it! I knew you were pregnant!” I would like to point out that we have consistently had a baby (or two) every two-ish years for the last 7 or so, so… ; )

As the young’uns say: “It’s how we do.” (Man, I feel old).

The bottom line: we are thrilled for this baby, but, as much as I can’t wait to meet him/her, every time I think about labor, I shudder involuntarily. I say it every time, but it’s still true. The only way I can psyche myself up for that kind of pain again is by being miserably pregnant enough to wish myself UN-pregnant, regardless of how bad it hurts getting there. God is faithful, though, and I pray that, when the time comes, he’ll get me through it just like he has every other time.

And then, I’ll have a gorgeous little squish to make it all worth it. That’s the good stuff.

Pregnancy? Eh. We put up with each other.

So, there you have it, folks. We are having Baby #8! Blessed be the name of the Lord.

P.S. All of these lovely family shots were taken by our good friend Jason Stitt Photography, and if you’re local to East Texas, I highly recommend him!

P.P.S. On a frivolous note, I’ve had some questions about my dress in these pics on social media, and it’s both flattering, comfortable, and cheap! So, there you go. (Reviews vary widely, but I got a “good one,” I guess, and it had free returns, so I wasn’t too worried. I’m wearing a small, and it’s still fairly loose, so it definitely runs large).

 

19 Comments

  1. I saw your post on Instagram the other day and it made my heart so happy! Your family is absolutely beautiful. I’m due Jan. 31st (with baby #4) which also means nothing because I’m almost always 2 weeks overdue. Anyway, we haven’t told anyone yet because of my fear of how people will respond. Obviously I have to tell people soon because I can’t hide it much longer, so finding this post was perfect timing for me. I really enjoyed it!

  2. Yay for babies! Congratulations to your family!
    Our baby #5 is due on January 23rd! (I’ve had two arrive late and two arrive early, so we’ll see which way this one goes.)

  3. Those are gorgeous pics, Abbie. And I LOVE the obvious excitement your entire family exudes — both in photographs and in person — over each new addition. God has blessed you abundantly!

  4. Congratulations! You and your family are incredibly blessed, and I am so happy for you!! I appreciate how positively you talk about having your family. I know everything isn’t always roses, but you are always quick to say that your children are blessings (which they are). I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you telling that side of motherhood,

  5. Congratulations!!! We have 10 (ages 18 yrs to 15 mo) and they’re begging for at least one more. I’m 42 so their daddy tells them it’s soon time for them to get married and have their own.

  6. Ohhhhhhh sooooooooooo happy for you guys! Can’t tell you how wonderful it is to get a post from you – sure miss hearing how life is going. Hugs and blessings!!

  7. Just so exciting! I’m excited to be pregnant with you again! We’ve done a good job timing it together 😉 My baby boy (after 3 girls) is due Dec 31, but I’m definitely planning on January because that’s how my body works too.
    Also, I have horrible varicose veins after my twins. I was told about SRC Health pregnancy shorts when I was pregnant with the twins, but I shuddered at the price and didn’t get them. Now the veins are worse with this baby and I sucked it up and bought them. To say they are life changing is an understatement.

  8. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! It’s hard to believe that I’ve been following you since you announced your pregnancy with the twins! I feel like you’re family! So happy for y’all!!

  9. Congratulations! I had our last baby at 36. He just turned 8 months! Such a gift!!!! Your family is absolutely beautiful!

  10. Congratulations!!! Truth be told I actually checked on your blog the other day to see if you’d made an announcement yet! 😛 Our seventh is six months old now and I would dearly love a number eight (our oldest is 9, so ours have generally come pretty quickly one after the other). 🙂 what a precious gift!

I love hearing from you guys!