First trimester - over

We found out we were expecting baby number 4 right before Christmas. Bill was in the middle of re-finishing my mom's old dollhouse that we were giving to the girls for Christmas. We had spent countless hours painting, sewing curtains, fixing up furniture, putting in tile and hardwood, and repairing the outside. I handed him a little cradle for the dollhouse and asked it he could paint it. Inside was the positive pregnancy test. Needless to say, Bill was a little shocked!

When we realized we were going to have four little ones, we decided we would probably never convince anyone to watch them so we could vacation again!! So, we immediately booked our trip to Jamaica!

We told my mom and dad when they picked the kids up for our Jamaica trip. I told Mom I had bought a new shirt for the trip. I showed her a shirt that said, "Due in August". She didn't say much for about 30 seconds! Then she said, "Oh, my! What about Christmas next year?!"

We began telling friends when I was about 11 weeks along, because I was starting to show a lot! I guess my body just "knows what to do" now!

The first doctor's appointment was very nerve-wrecking as I waited for the viability ultrasound. After I saw the little one's heartbeat, I finally sighed a breath of relief. August 26 was set as my due date.

The first 12 weeks I was very tired. In the evenings, after dinner, I had to go to bed immediately. I don't remember such extreme tiredness with the first three kids. I felt a little sick in the evenings and occasionally if I woke up in the middle of the night. I did not sleep well and had headaches from the caffeine withdrawal. Now, in week 14, I have a lot more energy, but already feel my joints and ligaments stretching and rearranging. After sitting for long periods of time I can feel pain in my joints, hips, and back. I also have a really ugly varicose vein on the back of my left knee that has already proven to be quite painful.

The kids are very excited and talk constantly about "the baby". Lexi likes to peek down my shirt to "find the baby."

The first trimester seems to have gone fast. I'm much busier with three other kids to take care of , so it makes the weeks pass more quickly.

Baby number 4....welcome to the family. We can't wait to meet you!!