We're Expecting!

We are excited to finally share our happy news. We're expecting our 5th child! This has been a long awaited and much prayed for miracle. We've been holding our breath (and still are) as I have had 4 previous miscarriages. We were also anxiously awaiting our ultrasound this past Thursday where we were able to take a look at our baby's head. So far, there are no signs of anencephaly, or any other neural tube defects. We won't be able to completely rule everything out until closer to 20 weeks, but for now we are celebrating this sweet new life within and celebrating that things look healthy and strong for now.
This is baby at 12 weeks gestation. Isn't it amazing how everything is already formed? For those that don't have an eye for the ultrasound picture, this is a side profile of the baby. It is laying on it's back facing upward, head is to the right, legs to the left, nice big round belly in the middle. Up above the belly you can catch a glimpse of a little hand.This is the same position, just closer up. Big belly on the left, head on the right with the thumb either in the mouth or up the nose. Guess that depends on whether it's a boy or girl, right? =)


My due date is May 5th (Cinco de Mayo). We told the children Friday night by giving them a quiz where we included random questions about our family, and then a question about how many babies are in my tummy, when my due date is, etc. It was fun to see their different reactions and how some of them clued in faster than others. We videotaped it and as soon as I can figure out how to convert it from our videocamera (it's not digital), then I'll post their reactions on here. It was tender as they each asked in their own way, "Is this baby going to live?" "Will we get to bring it home?" "Will it stay with us this time?" When we answered that as far as we can tell it will be a healthy baby, then they all really exploded into cheers. They were holding back a bit before, understandably so. We all love and miss Candace so much, and are happy to have an angel baby as part of our family, but we're ready and hoping to have the blessing of keeping this baby with us.



Friday evening we also told Jon's parents by giving them a dozen eggs. This will be grandchild #12 for them. Sorry Mom and Dad Flake, we didn't think we should mail you 40 eggs! =) Yes, this will be my parents 40th grandchild!

We've created a poll for you to let us know what your guess is as to the gender of our baby. It's on the right hand side under JoJo and my "Quote of the Moment." We'd love to hear your feedback.