I remember back in the early days of my marriage and motherhood.  We had many young ones very close together.  (we still do)  Our older children are closer in age though than our younger ones.  I remember how busy I was then and how many people when they should have been encouraging a young mother of many instead found it their place to discourage.  I remember very well doing the math and realizing that one day I would have five teen age children at the same time.  So many tried to discourage me by saying things like how they felt so sorry for me, how they were glad they were not me, how they would shoot themselves rather than being in my place, how I would regret having these children, and the open ended “just wait until” comments.

Thankfully, I did not let those comments discourage me.  In fact, I often did and still do feel sorry for those people who did not realize the blessing of children and young adults.  I remember speaking with my husband and saying how we knew it would be different.  Yes, it doesn’t matter how well you parent, you can still have a wayward child.  But, when you are raising your children for the glory of God and being dependent upon him and fully engaged in prayer for your children trusting in the promises of God, there is hope and confidence in who those children will grow to become.

I used to say to myself that I would wait and see when the day came whether those discouragements were valid.  One amazing thing I have discovered in this journey of parenthood is this, if you see your children as blessings that is what they end up being.

Well, we are in the midst of birthday season and I am now the mother of five teen age children and I can easily without reservation say that they are each a blessing!  Not only a blessing but a tremendous blessing!  They do not give me heartache as the naysayers said they would.  I am honored to be their mother!  I am honored that the Lord blessed me with them!  My life is fuller and richer because of them!

Having five teens is not the disaster so many told me it would be.  It is not full of heart ache and grief as many warned.  I still have my hair and it is not white!  I am blessed beyond measure!

So to all those naysayers, I hope you can see that children and young adults truly are a treasure, a blessing, and a gift of the Lord!

It has been a busy few days around here.  I had my 38 week appointment on Wednesday and our son was born on Thursday afternoon.  All went well and both baby and I are doing great.  I am glad that he was NOT born this past Saturday.  Our last baby turned two years old on Saturday and I wanted so much for each of the children to have their very own birthday.  Thank the Lord for granting that request.

So, the baby was born on Thursday the 11th at 3:14 pm.  He weighed in at a tiny little 7 pounds and 8 ounces and was 19 inches long.  He is beautiful and just perfect.  He is so laid back and is just as sweet as can be.

We came home from the hospital on the 13th ( my 2 year olds birthday) at about 4:30pm.  She is sick and was running a fever and had been waiting so patiently for her birthday party.  It was just a short family birthday and she felt pretty miserable.  A few hours later my hubby ended up taking her to the ER.  She has pneumonia AGAIN and an ear infection.  What a way to celebrate your birthday, huh?  She is starting to feel better.  A lady at church this morning gave her a big batch of helium balloons for her birthday.  I think that was wonderful.  It extended her birthday a bit and she was feeling better and able to enjoy it more.

As you can see it has been a bit crazy around here.

So here are a couple of photos to share with you………………….

First, here is our new son, Nathan Asher.  He’s a handsome one if I do say so myself!!!

Here is one of the birthday girl!

And a shot of them together………

I am abundantly blessed!!

Here I sit at 38 weeks and no baby yet.  I am still pregnant.  A few contractions here and there but nothing signifigant. I began taking black & blue cohosh and evening primrose oil a few days ago.  I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, hopefully that will yield some good information for me!

Here at our house everyone is choosing a date.  We decided if someone guessed the correct birth date they would win something.  Not exactly sure what yet.  I thought that I would let you all in on our little game.  I have listed my stats below.  Take a guess.  What do you think the baby will weigh?  When do you think he will be born?  There is no “real” prize only the bragging rights for being correct!

child#1  Boy: 9 pounds 3 ounces 5 days late

child #2 Girl: 4 pounds 8 ounces 7 weeks early

child #3 Girl: 8 pounds 4 ounces 2 weeks early

Child #4 Boy: 8 pounds 7 ounces 2 weeks early

Child #5 Girl: 8 pounds 1 ounce 2-3 weeks early

child #6 Girl: 8 pounds 3 ounces 2 weeks early

child #7 Girl 8 pounds 1 ounce 1 weeks early

child # 8 Girl 7 pounds 6 ounces 2 weeks early

child # 9 Girl 8 pounds even 1 week early

child #10 Boy    WHAT IS YOUR GUESS????

I am soooo ready to have this little bundle!  I am used to delivering early by a week or two and I am hoping that will be the case this time.  I am more than ready to pop!  I wonder if after reading the list below you will agree with me.

You know it is time to have your baby when:

• You notice that people no longer look at you but at your belly.
• You have practically outgrown every maternity outfit you own.
• It takes either help or five full minutes to roll over in bed.
• You notice 80 year olds walking better and at a faster pace than yourself.
• People have been asking for two months if the baby is due any day.
• People comment about HOW big you are and that you definitely LOOK ready.
• Walking up the stairs makes you as winded as running a marathon normally would.
• After only being home  for 12 days (from a seven month deployment) your hubby says it is time for you have that baby because it seems like you have been pregnant forever!
• You use your belly not only as a table but it is a very stable table.
• You begin to believe that getting out of the bathtub should be considered an Olympic event!
• When you step on the scale you wonder why your husband’s weight is registering!
• You have at least one moment a day when you cry because you just don’t think you can carry this heavy weight even two steps longer.
• You start having the recurrent pregnancy nightmare of delivering in the car and ruining the interior of the nice vehicle.
• You begin to think you could breath fire because the heartburn is winning out over that bottle of Tums you carry everywhere with you.

MOST OF ALL:

• Because it would be so much better to hold that sweet baby in your arms, see what he looks like, caress the soft baby skin, and be able to breath once again!

Just so hubs isn’t too shocked when he gets home.  Here is how the belly *uh hum* I mean baby has grown.  This is my seven month shot.  Well, actually 32 weeks 5 days to be exact.

I cannot believe that I am about to do this!  But I am posting my 29 week (6 month) belly shot.  I may regret it, in fact, I think I already do.  Especially after my grocery store run this morning!  The cashier asked me when I was due.  When I told her she said, “Oh wow.”  Then  she proceeded to tell me her daughter was due tomorrow.  I am wondering if she thought that I was due any day rather than in three more months?!?!

ANYWAY,  I don’t want my hubby coming home to a total surprise though so the photos are necessary I suppose!

Back and forth, back and forth.  If you have been following along you will know that I have been trying to guess the sex of this little bundle that I am carrying.  My gut instinct has been that we were having a boy.  I have guessed all but one child correctly.  Testing the heart rate has always worked for me.  Even the one I guessed wrong had been confirmed via ultrasound.  Only when I was told the heart rate later did I tell the doc that it could not be what I had been told.  The heart rate actually did win over the original ultrasound.  So I am convinced that for me heart rates can tell you the sex of the baby.

This baby has had me a bit confused.  The heart rate was high, then borderline, then high again.  All over the board.  My gut was saying it was a boy but I just couldn’t believe that it would be so.  After all, we have so many girls and my boys are now 19 and 14.  The odds are against us and the heart rate was not something that had been very consistent.

I went in for my ultrasound last week.  The heart rate was at 138.  I began to get a little excited thinking that just maybe my gut feeling was right after all.  The tech asked if I wanted to know the sex it was all I could do to keep from saying, “Heck yah, why do you think I’m here!?”  But instead, I very politely said, “Yes, I would love to know.”

He scanned over my belly and before he even said a word, I KNEW!  I responded before he could even tell me himself what we were having!  If you know much about pregnancy ultrasounds you will understand this….

There were no three little lines!  There was a turtle  instead!  Yes, indeed, my gut was correct!  We are having a little boy!!!!! Oh boy, A BOY!!  And isn’t he the cutest little guy ever?

A friend shared this article and I thought it was definitely worth the read.  It is written by a Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.  Here are a few excepts.

A funny thing happened to me the other day when my wife and I had, thank God, another baby (a boy). Many of my friends didn’t seem all that happy for me. Sure, they went through the motions of smiles and congratulations. But it was evident that many thought me insane. Why would a young man and his wife ruin their lives with eight children?
_______
Indeed, the contempt shown to parents of many children is the last acceptable prejudice in our society.
_______
How strange to live in a world where loving children casts one in infamy. Having a family with many children implies a backwardness and primitivism that is deemed unbecoming in the developed countries of the West. Large families, it is thought, exist only among religious weirdoes or the teeming hovels of the Third World.

Rich countries, by contrast, prefer to increase their standard of living rather than the number of the living.
________
I am often asked by women dating men how to tell whether they are marriage material. I tell them, “See if he enjoys children.” A man who loves children is playful. He will spend his life joking with his wife because he loves to see her laugh, and will flirt with her because he loves to see her smile.

Take a moment to go and read the entire article then pop back over here and let me know your thoughts. Those with large families, have you felt this prejudice? Those without larger families, have you ever found yourself displaying this type of prejudice? Please, just share with me.

I forgot to put the link!  I guess that would be helpful!  So, here it is…

The Contempt Shown to Parents of Large Families.

Many think it is just an old wives tale but I am convinced.  The speed of a baby’s heartbeat can tell you the sex of your baby.  It has worked for me every single time.  In fact, one time we were told by our doctor that we were having a boy via ultrasound.  In my 8th month he told me the heart rate and I said, “I can’t be having a boy!”  We discussed this and I swore to him it was not a boy and I would bet money on it.  He even took me into the ultrasound room to prove me wrong.  Then to his surprise said, “Yep, that is definitely a girl!”

The heart rate has never been wrong for us.  The faster the rate a girl, the slower, a boy.  Now of course you have to check each month and find the most consistent rate.  The heart rate also tends to slow down a bit the further along you are.

I am not completely sure as of yet but I thought I would put the info out there and get your thoughts on it.   I have a suspicion though. I just am not convinced enough to say it out loud.  I have an ultrasound scheduled in four weeks.  We shall see if my suspicion is confirmed or not.

Ok, on to the stats…..

My girls have always been 145-160.   My boys 120-130.  Last month I was at about 150-155 (do not remember exactly).

I am at 16 1/2 weeks currently.  Heart rate today was 140.

So, here are my questions to you…

1. Do YOU trust the whole heart rate thing or still think it is just an old wives tale?

2. Do you think it is too early to make an assumption based on heart rate?

3. Boy or girl?  What do you think?

I am about to do something that I swore I would NEVER do!  I am actually going to share some belly shots with you!  There is no guarantee how many times I will do this.  After all, I already feel like a whale and am only 12 weeks along.  By time 20, 30, almost 40 weeks roll around I may not have the nerve to post any more.  But for now, I will share an 8 week shot and then a 12 week shot.

With number ten…..that belly sure seems to pop out faster than I would like!   8 weeks, kinda cute but by 12 weeks, not so much! UGH!