I had a prenatal appointment today and was able to hear the heartbeat. For once, Mark stayed home with the kids. We thought it would be easier that way for one time.

However, when they stuck the Doppler on (yes, like the radar thing but different), my nurse couldn’t find the heartbeat. She searched for awhile then Dr. J took over and Nurse D tried to distract me by talking about nothing. Dr. J shushed her and we heard the faint little heartbeat. Faint because it was just quiet but it was very strong and Dr. J said it was healthy. I was glad and breathed a sigh of relief. I just knew something like that was going to happen when Mark wasn’t there. He also took my physical paperwork for the adoption and so, hopefully, we’ll get that squared away soon and will be able to have our homestudy finished.

So, time for a poll, shall we? What do you think the baby is? A boy or a girl??? Place your vote. Voting will end on October 29th since that is when I’ll have my u/s and we should be able to see what God has in store for us with #5.

We are very blessed, and grateful for a healthy baby so far. Please continue to pray for this little one. And, I am feeling much better. Current cravings include oranges, tomatoes (in salads and foods) and milk. Heartburn is in full swing but Zantac should combat that now!

Well, we’re heading into 14 weeks of pregnancy #5 and here’s a little game for everyone.

First of all, yes, we’ll find out what we’re having. I feel like Zoe deserves to be prepared if she’s going to have another brother! Not that she’ll love him any less.

Secondly, before any of our pregnancies (usually a few months before we get pregnant) we usually have a general idea of names. Even if we don’t have the names solid, they’re pretty much set into the first few weeks after we find out we’re pregnant.

With this pregnancy, the idea of picking out a boys’ name has never occurred to us. We thought there would be a break between #4 and our adopted daughter. God had some wonderful other plans, so now we sit, without a boys’ name.

Really, we have a name picked out, but I’m not sharing until u/s day (ultrasound day). I’m also open to ideas if I hear a name I like. I thought I would challenge all my faithful readers and those who just popped in.

I am speaking of boys’ names, because, let’s face it, Mark and I have been waiting on another girl and have had that name picked out since I was pregnant with Ace. And the odds of us having a girl are pretty slim…just look at the pictures from his side of the family.

Here’s the Name Game rules:

1. No normal everyday run of the mill names. If it’s in the top 100 in the past few years then it’s out (okay, Zoe’s name was an exception but we had already chosen it before we found the name lists and it was waaaay at the bottom when we looked). So take out John, Robert, definitely William (since my cousins, all on the same side, think they should all have children named William…I digress).
2. Points for choosing a name from history (that’s unusual) and/or a literary author name (but has no history of immoral behavior).
3. It has to mean something good. We don’t want a “tree” for a child nor do we want a “cart driver” or a “brook.” Also all the Mac/Mc names are out since they mean “son of.” Unless you want to name him McMark (hmmm). Here’s another example: Blaine, which I happen to like, means “tall and slender.” What if we have a short and fat kid? What a complex! Double check the meanings, I just didn’t associate that Liam’s name was the equivalent of “strong willed defender.” See what I got myself into! Another example: Zoe’s name means “life.” Ace’s name means “unity.” Josiah’s name means “fire from God.” Pretty cool names to live up to!
4. It doesn’t have to be a Biblical name but…cool uncommon ones are welcome (meaning, no Hosea’s or Hananiah…although I like both, they just don’t flow for me).
5. It has to go with his middle name that we’ve definitely settled on. It’s Ian and it means “God’s gracious gift.” Now, I know that Ian is a really cool first name, however, a friend from church (and I think a blog reader) has a child named Josiah and one named Ian and I don’t want her to think we’re copying her. Plus, I want an uncommon cool first name.

There ya go. Leave a comment for a name suggestion. If we like it better than the two we’re looking at, we may use it. I’m curious to see what name other people think would fit into our little brood!

Just found it…it’s Short Circuit. For anyone out there doing some trivia!

My pants still fit, but they have a lot of give in them…at least three of them do. My shirts, however, are not covering my belly that sticks out over my pants…guess it’s on to maternity shirts soon…pants to follow!

Well, I was asked to share my thoughts. Personally, I think it would be very funny if we were blessed with twins. Not to mention a pure miracle.

Statistically, our chances of getting pregnant with twins are very low. So, here are the factors that are needed/favorable to have twins and how we compare to Mark’s brother and his wife.

Hereditary: Increases chances if it’s on the mom’s side only. And it’s not, at all to my knowledge. It does run in Aunt B’s side of the family, though.

My age: I’m not over 35. I won’t comment on Aunt B’s age only to say that she wasn’t 35 when she became pregnant with the twins.

Maternal Weight and Height: Hmmm! I’m taller and I’m a lot heavier than when I started this motherhood thingy…there’s one factor that could affect us having twins. I’m overweight but not obese which could drop my chances there, but I am tall.

Been Pregnant Before: let’s see, yep, that’s happened. Apparently with each pregnancy the chance of twins increases.

I still don’t see it as a strong possibility given the lack of history in my family. That being said, I know God has a good sense of humor and if we had twins it would be solely because of Him. It would also be pretty neat because Aunt B and Uncle B’s twins were #5 & 6 and that would keep us even, as we seem to keep staying at the same amount for a little while. I will also say that I’ve been praying that would be able to adopt twin girls, however, I’m trying to remember if I specifically said adoption or not. Hmmm, can’t remember. Doesn’t really matter because God is control anyway!!

We “broke the news” our newest baby to our Sunday school class and church friends in general yesterday. I was really shocked after being asked a couple of times how I was feeling. Especially after reading this article.

It was nice to be asked and I willingly shared.

And here, I’ll share too…the answer in short is, I’ve had better days.

In long, the nausea bug has hit pretty hard and it’s getting harder to keep food down. Cooking is appearing less appealing but I still have this strange craving for veggies and wouldn’t mind cooking them. When we first found out there wasn’t any nausea, but as the past couple of weeks have progressed it’s gotten more and more, from just a little bit here and there to pretty much all day now. I’m slowly sinking in to what I’d like to refer to as the “blah” days. I’m trying to take extra vitamin B and B Complex to combat the nausea but I’ve been a little erratic with it so I’m not sure if it will help much. In general, I don’t normally expel my stomach contents when pregnant. I just feel like I need to, typically all day. As a result, I usually don’t enjoy eating and turn my nose up at a lot of foods.

And, as guessed, I’m also extremely tired but can’t sleep much. I’m bummed because I just laid down with Ace and Liam and tried to take a nap but only got in about 15 minutes before spontaneously waking up. Hopefully, that will be enough energy to make it till tonight!