The other day, after a doctor’s appointment, Dan and I sat the kids down at the kitchen table and told them that we had an announcement to make. Immediately, the kids were fired up, their little bodies practically humming.
I started with, “why do you think Mommy went to the doctor today?” In response I got, “To get a shot!” “Because you’re sick!” “To have him look at your bones!” “For the flu!”
“Good guesses, but no.”
Moving on, I told them that something really exciting would be happening in April that wasn’t Jack’s birthday.
“Is it a festival?” Maria asked. “Your birthday!” someone else yelled.
“Ummm. No. Not a festival. And my birthday is in November.”
I looked at Dan. I said, “This isn’t going quite like I thought…*”
So, I switched to the direct approach. “In April, right around the time of Jack’s birthday, we’re going to have a new baby!”
The kids went BEZERK. They were jumping up and down, hollering cheers, saying “I knew it!” (Right.) The looks on their faces were absolutely priceless. Never in the history of the world has any group been so excited about a baby. I’m sure of it.
Maria proclaimed, “so that’s what the extra fat is for!” (Nice. I’m only 11 weeks.)
Jack told me I needed to start eating a little more.
Luke said that he was going to hold the baby aaaallllllllll the time. And at dinner, he looked over at me and said, “Mommy! You are so lucky! You have a baby in your tummy!”
Maria said, “I thought you said you were too old to have another baby!” (Must they remember everything we tell them?)
Jumping into the melee, and unable to resist, Dan asked them all, “What are we going to name the baby?”
Maria: “I know! Grace!” (Her middle name.)
Luke: “Luke!” (Wonder where he came up with that one.)
Jack: “Dack,” since it rhymes with Jack. (Hmmmmm.)
Sam: (screaming) “BABY ABBY!!!!!BABY ABBY!!!!!BABY ABBY!!!!!” (Um. Taken… by his newest cousin.)
Later in the evening, when Dan was upstairs with the other kids, I had Jack to myself. He snuggled up next to me on my bed and told me how happy he was that we were having a new baby. At one point I said, “can you believe we’re going to have FIVE?” He reached over, patted my belly, and said, “we already DO have five, Mom.” So sweet. And so right.
While I’ve contemplated the reactions to come from other people, I knew the kids would be happy and that it would be fun to tell them. I just didn’t realize HOW happy they’d be or HOW fun it would be to tell them.
Now that the kids know, we thought we’d let you all know (if you haven’t heard them screaming it already from the mountaintops, that is.)
Introducing the newest nut (and about that size) growing in our family tree:
*I guess because the kids have talked a lot over the last year about babies and wanting another baby (Maria specifically pining for a sister) I thought they might be able to guess.
P.S. To answer some of your questions:
Q: Are we going to find out what it is?
A: Yes, after four surprises, this time we plan to find out. I feel a little like it’s a cop out, but we are all desperate to know. (Especially since we gave away virtually everything and will need to make a few purchases.)
Q: Didn’t you just get the “last one” potty trained?
A: Yes. And we found that we just desperately miss diapers.
Q: Are you happy?
A: Absolutely! How can you not be happy about a baby?!?
Q: You do know what causes this, right?
A: Yes. We do. And we like it.
Q: Do you have any names picked out yet?
A: See blog above.
20 responses so far ↓
1 Sarah // Oct 1, 2009 at 7:37 pm
No freaking way!!!!! Congratulations! That’s is wonderful. I guess it’s a good thing you’re not coming to the reunion because you wouldn’t have been able to drink anyway. Hey you need to send me your phone number because I wanted to call you and I can’t find it!
2 Anne // Oct 1, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Congrats!!! How exciting is it that God is blessing your family with a new little one. I am so excited that your family is growing again. I think it is great that my babies are going to have cousins they can get into trouble with when they get a little older.
3 Liz // Oct 1, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Congratulations!
How exciting!
4 Stephanie // Oct 1, 2009 at 8:20 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So exciting!
5 morethananelectrician // Oct 1, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Right. No freaking way!!!!
Take a deep breath…what a cool experience. I think this one might be a fun for everyone. I wish you excellent health and a lot of patience!!!!
6 Steph Davenport // Oct 1, 2009 at 8:28 pm
CONGRATULATIONS! We had 5 under 7, so I know it’s an adventure, but we wouldn’t change a thing! Big, big hugs!
7 Amanda Johnson // Oct 1, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Oh my gosh…I’m so excited for you guys! That is so cool, 5 kiddos! Praying for a happy and healthy pregnancy! Congrats!
8 Laura // Oct 1, 2009 at 9:10 pm
CONGRATS!!!!!!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL! TELL THOSE RUDE PEOPLE TO COME, IT’S NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS!
9 Alexandra // Oct 1, 2009 at 10:32 pm
How exciting! Wish you didn’t live so far. I love it, everyone is having babies, it’s so wonderful.
10 Maggie // Oct 1, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Woohoo! More chaos, more fun!
11 Gwen // Oct 1, 2009 at 10:49 pm
OMG! I’m so glad my supply of baby cousins is being increased.
I will have enough for an army… put me on your visitor list for summer 2010! And don’t worry, I’m sure all us commenters will find you the baby items you need!
12 Alicia // Oct 2, 2009 at 3:46 am
SO happy for you and your family!!!! Congratulations!!!!
13 DeDe // Oct 2, 2009 at 9:20 am
Congratulations!!! I think it’s awesome. My sister is having baby #6 in December and I can’t wait for the little guy (it’s boy #4) to get here. He will make Christmas that much more fun and special! Can’t wait to read about the new addition to your family.
14 Troy // Oct 2, 2009 at 11:21 am
See I told you everyone would be THRILLED. Remember to keep your cool at the rude comments and do what I do….pray they have more kids than me:) I love you and we have been praying for sweet baby H for weeks…..now I can tell my kids who it is! YAY! We love you guys. My vote would be Elizabeth!
15 A word from Zoë’s godmother @ fourinarow « 8 Hands 2 Hold // Oct 2, 2009 at 11:26 am
[...] A word from Zoë’s godmother @ fourinarow Jump to Comments Announcement of the week [...]
16 gran // Oct 2, 2009 at 11:40 am
oshkosh and carter’s stock will rise! go out and invest now! but your birthday comes soon. need to converse on that. and of course luke’s too. we’ll chat about names in a couple of weeks. there’s always roberta and willhemina if a girl since no one did the shapard thing of robert or william. love, mom
17 Greg // Oct 3, 2009 at 2:40 am
Now you will have that basketball dream team you always wanted. Also, do yo have a goo psych on standby. Just kidding. Congrats!
18 Lacey // Oct 5, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Yeah!!!! Another wonderful blessing in the nest! You are blessed for sure as is this new peanut – what a wild & wonderful family she will be lovingly welcomed to (spoken by a woman who KNOWS wild). So happy for you. And yes, I did say she – I have hunch
19 Marilane // Oct 7, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Congrats! God’s blessings are many – 5 seems about right. You have brought me into a new age. I’ve never replied to a blog before. Maybe this is the start of a whole new me.
Really enjoyed traveling with your mom. She has been asking me if I’ve seen your blog lately and now I know why.
20 Theresa // Oct 10, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Susan Congratulations!! That is amazing news, I am so happy for you and your family. God bless, Theresa
p.s. Alexander asked me if we could go to the baby store and get a brother or sister! He’s going to be 4 years old in a few weeks. It would be great to have another one.
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