BIG news!!

We are so excited to announce to the world that we are expecting baby #3!! God has definatley gotten our attention as He has revealed His plan for our family in His own perfect timing. Little Love #3 was a surprise but a beautiful one that we can't stop smiling about. While our world will be rocked, yet again with 3 babies under the age of 3 for a short period of time...we are up for the challenge and thankful for the blessing of children.

"New Baby" is what we call it around the house and it seems that daily Caroline finds ways to incorporate it into our conversations. So that is what I will refer to it as. New baby is due October 26th. I am 11 weeks tomorrow. I have been terribly sick...3 days after our positive pregnancy test I had to call the doctor for a neausua prescription and have used Zofran when needed. I am happy to report that for the most part the neausea has tapered off and hopefully will not return! Being sick with 2 other little ones around is quite an event. On top of the pregnancy sick I have had an AWFUL cold/sinus headache issue going on that lead me to 2 different trips to the ER to make sure that everything was ok. March was truly a blur with me being so sick and out of comission. Thankfully, family and friends helped us through that tough spot and we are ready to get our feet back under us and running!

New baby will be 20 months apart from Emily, who is 15 months apart from Caroline. We are so excited about the closeness in their age...but also extrememly nervous about how the first few months/years will be with 3 babies in tow. BUT I love envisioning them as 3,4,5 year olds playing beautifully together outside while I paint my toenails in the sun and sip sweet tea while watching. LOL. Yes...I've already started dreaming. But I also look forward to seeing the bonds of siblinghood develop in these early years....if my memory will hold up to remember down the road. New baby is huge...well, new baby's mommy is huge. I popped out IMMEDIATELY, like 7 weeks!! 2 options here to believe: #1 it is a 3rd baby, that's just how it goes. #2 my tummy is just used to this baby thing and enjoys the open invitation to bulge. Either way, we had lots of people thinking twins were headed our way with our signs and symptoms being so strong. Either way, we would have survived (I think) but we are happy to report that just 1 baby was spotted at this doctors appointment.

The plan is to move the 2 girls into the same room and give Emily's room to new baby. We have an extra room...but we would like to keep it open for guests and still use it for the playroom/office/anything room. I love the idea of the girls being together- but a lot must happen before then. We have 6 1/2 months to accomplish quite a bit before new baby makes his/her debut: -Caroline needs to move to a "big girl" bed and learn how to sleep and STAY put -Emily will then transition into Caroline's crib -The art of sleeping will be introduced again to both girls- I guess they will share the same bedtime and just "talk it out" until someone falls asleep first?? Any tips are welcomed! -The biggy...Caroline must get pottytrained. I can't stomach or manage 3 in diapers. Nope. Can't do it. And probably can't afford it!!

So those are just he BIG milestones I see heading our way at a lightening speed pace. Prayers and notes of encouragement are always welcomed...lol.

Boy? Girl? We don't have a preference. We just want a healthy little one to add to the crew. A girl would be easy...we have all the clothes, experiences, know-how with little baby girls. A boy? Truly scares me a little bit. BUT I know Brad would love having a son...and of course I would too...but we have this "girl thing" down pretty well I think. Either way, we find out at our next appointment on May 23rd! Can't wait. Red hair??? How fun would that be...could it really happen a 3rd time? We'll see!

New baby is already loved and adored by its sisters. Caroline loves to talk about it- she always says it is a girl baby, and has named it "Allie". Whatever floats her boat for now. She actually recognized the baby in the ultrasound video and noted it was naked. She asked if it was taking a bath. Then she asked if it was born. Which makes sense...mommy went to the doctor and came back with pictures and video of the new baby...it must be hiding out at the doctors office. But at the same time, she knows it is in my tummy growing to be a big baby. Either way, I love seeing her excitement. Emily has waved to the new baby on the dvd. That's about the extent of their relationship now. ;)

We are so in love with new baby already, and the ultrasound and pictures just cemented that love even more. Although the Lord is growing our family at a rapid pace, unlike a lot of traditional families, and a little different that what we had roadmapped for our family on the map of life, we are so excited and wouldn't change a thing. We know that the Lord equipped us and will continue eqquipping us with ALL we need at each moment of each day. We are so thankful that we are not in the control of this master plan...but that we can REST in the hands of the One who is.