Well, baby number 2 is on the way. He or she is due in mid-April to early May. Probably early May, considering my track record. The spacing is great; Benjamin will have a playmate close in age. Also, the baby will come near the end of the schoolyear so I won't miss many lessons and will have a good 3 months to enjoy the new one. The downside of the timing is we'll miss my little brother Chuck's wedding in Rhode Island in June.
We're surprised, grateful, Jeff is really excited. I'm...hmm. I'm not even feeling pregnant and definitely not yet on the baby-excitement-bandwagon. But give me time and I'll come around. :) The suspicion had been growing in my mind that, since it took us so long to conceive Benjamin, we might just be a one-child family. I was getting (too) used to having my body (mostly) to myself; starting to get the hang of this motherhood thing a little bit. And we are out of the hard stage with Benjamin. He sleeps through the night, he's much more independent, mobile, interacting with us, learning to do for himself more every day. Now, it's back to square one! Sigh...but yet how wonderful, too.
I told Laura that, this time, I didn't have any hunches about gender. But since we talked I realized that, yes, I do. I think it's going to be a girl. We'll see if I'm right!
God is good, and he definitely answered prayer in this case. I casually asked some dear friends to pray for a sibling for Benjamin. Within days we were expecting. Maybe I'll send some more requests their way, since they have a hotline.
This time around I'm looking forward to prenatals with Amy in Gville. It will be nice to have the same care throughout the pregnancy. And it is nice to have so many unknowns out of the way, and less educating-of-self to do. I like knowing what to expect--at least some of the factors.
And if it is a girl, won't I have fun learning to make sweet little dresses. :)
13 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I'm so so so excited for you! Between you and Laura's new baby it's giving me that "I want to have another itch!"
Any reason you put up a double stroller? Please don't say you want twins LOL
And I totally hear you on the prenatal care and knowing what to do already. You'll enjoy this pregnancy so much more!
SWEET!!!!! What a load of blessings for your family. Caleb, wedding, and another baby for you guys! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
oh yeah... I second Erin's "want to have another itch. " It is a bad rash.... LOL
I know Will's expressed his ecstasy to Jeffrey, but I wanted to let you know how happy I am for you guys, too! Being an only child, I know how much of a blessing it is to have a sibling. I am very glad for Benjamin's sake that you'll be having another! And very happy for the world's sake, too, because I think you guys are excellent parents and it will be nice to have more Jeff/Emily permutations in the world :-).
Love you guys - and I can't wait to see you soon!
Emmie,
Congratulations! I'm so excited for your new addition. ((((girl! girl!!!)))))))
Whoohooo!
Besides, if Abbie can do it, so can you! Love you!
Emily! Congratulations!:) How wonderful!:) God is good and certainly in control of all things!
Love to all of you,
Noelle
Thank you for your kind words and congratulations. After seeing Laura's beautiful, perfect little boy I am getting excited about the new addition!
You all are so sweet...thanks for sharing in our news!
Erin...no twins; I'll leave that to the experienced supermoms! :)
Just figuring we might need a double-seater for Benjamin. Although he will be close to two when the new one is born. How did you work it with Grace & Isaiah?
Emily,
just my .02 but I would definitely get the double stroller. You may want to consider getting one that is one-seat-behind-the-other, not side-by-side; makes shopping in narrow aisles easier, a mon avis.
I actually have an attachment that goes on the back of my double stroller to provide seating for a third child and my oldest is (just turned) 5. It just makes it easier if we're going to be walking long distances i.e. the zoo, park, etc.
Congratulations!!
pass on the double stroller!!! umbrella stroller and sling is the best route! but if you do want a stroller for two check out the sit and stand style strollers. Both of my SIL'S have one and I am impressed with them. The double stroller side by side or behind each other are heavy and awkward! Trust me, I have one and only used it a few times before hating it! hey, just my two cents worth....
Congratulations, Em!! I am so, so happy for you.
While you are just starting and I am ending, I am glad that we were able to be pregnant at the same time again.
And I laughed at the stroller. Wait until you start doing research. This one doesn't hold infant seats. This one only holds a certain brand of infant seat. This one holds 40 pounds in one seat and 60 in the other. This one holds 40 on each side, but the seats are always partially reclined so when you go to the store to try it out, the boy complains and keeps trying to hold himself more upright by sheer arm strength as he grips the cup holder. And on and on and on... It's more complicated than buying a car. :)
Few more stroller notes to bear in mind. Yes, I have weird children, but just in case, the second is not as calm as the first. Here are some tips re: strollers with strong-willed, highly opinionated children...
Re: the inline strollers or the standard cheaper front and back - I would bear in mind that some kids can't stand not being able to see. From one week old, Brady cried and cried if he couldn't get a full range of vision which is why he would not use a Maya Wrap or front carrier (until he could be turned around to see out). He had to be held so that he could see and the carseat had to be put into the stroller forward facing, not facing me so that he could see where he was going.
Even now, Brady has to be loose enough in the straps so that he can hang half his body off the side to look behind us as we walk. He keeps a 360 degree view of the entire world while in his stroller.
So, you may want to hold off on the actual purchase until you know the baby's personality, if you are considering anything besides a side-by-side.
Call me a wimp, but as a mother, I think that I will need to pick my battles with two children under 2.
We are taking the plunge and buying the $450 side-by-side simply because I want to head off fights about who is sitting in front and in back, have no intention of struggling with another baby who screams to the point of hysteria out of sheer anger when put in a baby carrier, and not going to try to haul groceries home from Costco when our full-size sedan is only able to hold the stroller that we are getting (Zooper Tango) or the MacLaren (more expensive) without taking up all the room.
I guess I will wait to see what the baby is like before purchasing a stroller. The truth is I don't use the stroller we have very much. I take Benjamin out for walks around the neighborhood occasionally but don't use the stroller for shopping. Usually, Benjamin's falling asleep on the way to the store, so I just leave him in the carseat. He's a little big to need a carseat in the cart, but when he's sleepy he's not going to sit upright in the cart by himself.
It's funny how picky babies are. Benjamin hated his infantino sling (the kind that keeps them in a pouch next to your body). Other babies love them. Benjamin doesn't like having to stay in the stroller for long walks either.
Everyone keeps telling me the second baby will be NOTHING like the first, so it does seem wisest to wait.
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