“Making a decision to have a child–it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” –Elizabeth Stone
I wasn’t supposed to be a mom. I was going to be a famous news anchor. Or a fabulous Broadway performer. Never mind the fact that I can’t really sing. Or have an aversion to depressing, troublesome and disturbing news stories. I certainly wasn’t cut out to have children.
My sister Deb was going to be the mother. She loved babies. Adored them, in fact. I, on the other hand, babysat exactly twice. The first time I gagged my way through the sweet potato feeding. The second time, I turned to throw a dirty diaper in the pail and caught my 9-month-old charge seconds before she tumbled off the changing table. (Nobody told me that watching them meant you had to actually WATCH them!) Obviously, Broadway show tunes would be FAR easier!
I remember my grandmother telling me that when God wanted to bless someone in ancient times, he almost always granted them land, livestock and children. Lots and lots of children. At the time, I understood the value of a good herd of sheep, but kids? Not so much. They eat nasty sweet potatoes and launch themselves off of changing tables.
Apparently, I should have been born in first century Israel. I now have four children. And am due with my fifth. And consider myself one of the most blessed women I know. Go figure.
I’d like to invite you to join me for the ‘Home Stretch’ of my pregnancy, and share your baby story with me as well.
We’ll talk about the joys and fears of pregnancy and motherhood, discuss hints and tips for triumphantly moving through these incredible nine months, and, you’ll get to watch me get larger each week. Much larger. And, you’ll come with me into the delivery room for the main event! Thanks for joining me in this journey!
What’s happening to baby this week?
*This week marks the beginning of the third trimester.
*Baby now weighs around two pounds and is about 15 inches long.
*The eyes (which began forming during the fifth week of pregnancy), are able to blink open and respond to light through the womb.
What’s happening with ME this week?
*It’s official: I can no longer climb a flight of stairs without getting winded.
*My heartburn (which went dormant for a few weeks) has made its fabulous encore.
*I awaken each and every morning with a thrill in my heart when I feel this baby move inside me.
Have you scheduled your childbirth prep class yet? If not, click here to register.
Let’s hear from you!
What’s the craziest thing anyone has ever said to you while pregnant?
October 6th, 2009 at 11:45 am
When I was pregnant with the 1st of 4, my grandmother, matriarch of 10, gave me a few pieces of interesting advice. Number one, “don’t lift your arms higher than your head… this will wrap the baby’s cord around its neck”. I was trying to grab something from a high shelf at the time… potentially devastating! And number two, “don’t let the bath water cover your belly, the baby could drown”. That’s right, DROWN! I can only imagine the many other wives tales she had to follow during 11 pregnancies! Thankfully, despite reaching high and soaking in a very full tub, my beautiful babies survived my “risky” behavior!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
My husband and I have 3 beautiful children and we are both on the fence on having a 4th child. I think we would love to have another set of little feet come and join our family however we are fearful of being too old and not being there for them when they are having their own families. I will be 40 in January and my husband is 42. Did you struggle with deciding you wanted more children?
October 17th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Jennifer,
I laughed my way through your email thinking of the horror on your grandmother’s face when she saw you reach for that shelf! Even though she gave you some ‘interesting’ advice, my hat is off to her for being pregnant with, delivering and raising 10 children, and the sadness she must have endured with her child that didn’t survive. And kudos to you for taking your grandmother’s suggestions in stride. Congratulations on being the mom of four lucky kids!
October 17th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Karen,
Oh, how I wish you could have been inside my head just a year ago…thinking the very same thoughts! Even though our situations are different (my husband had never had any children, and was very eager to have a child), we both had many, many conversations about our age and what that meant to a future child. I worried about the health of a baby and pregnancy over the age of 40, I looked up all the information I could about how to keep myself healthy and active in my “old age”, and I even (she says sheepishly) checked out all the ‘over 40′ celebrity moms…just to make myself feel better! Here’s what I know: Several of my friends and acquaintances have been “women of advanced maternal age” when they delivered their babies, and every single one of them have said that these children are the light and blessing of their life. Their children keep them young, remind them of the miracle of life, and because they are older, they have more wisdom, patience and maturity to parent well. During this pregnancy, I have learned that so many women are having babies well into their 40’s. I can tell that you would really love to have another child, you might just need a little nudge to get off that fence. If you’re marriage is strong, your finances are stable, and your heart is open to another baby…I would encourage you with the refreshing words of Mark Twain:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream.
Discover.”
Best wishes Karen…thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your story…please keep us in the loop if little feet are in your future!
October 20th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Okay… Lisa~ I read Karen’s post and I “get it”!! lol My instrumental friend….
Karen- I’m 40.5 and on my way to 41… I don’t feel my age– most don’t think I’m over 35 (well, maybe there are some out there that do but they aren’t talking lol!!) and I have 3 children- 12, 10 and almost 6. We are on the ‘fence’ with you. Hopefully, we can both fall to the better side soon and catch the dream our hearts desire. I m/c about 6 mo ago. That pregnancy was a surprise– but a very wanted surprise. The loss has dug deep into my heart and soul and these past few months I’ve been confused and scared about what to do ‘next’. Now, as I’m sitting here typing I want you to know my heart is full of desire for another child. I’m hopeful God will provide… there is nothing in this world like children and there is nothing in this world to keep your heart and spirit young and vibrant like that of a child. We’ll all just be ‘hipper’ mom’s Ha Ha!! When we’re 60 and have a 20yr old off at college. We’ll be more in the know on fashion, slang words and the ‘who’s who’ of Hollywood and we’ll be able to smile and say ‘we did it without any regrets’!! God willing, maybe you and I, Karen, will be next on the baby wish list and registered at Babies R Us…
xx~ Tina