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Baby Number Four | What's One More?

I have some big news for you guys today:
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Yep. I'm pregnant. Again. This is the last time, I swear. No really. Seriously.
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I'm 13w3d today, due on July 8th, 2017. Which was the exact same due date as Porter, three years apart. Mind blowing, right?
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Let's just get right to it, shall we?

Q: Were you trying?
A: Nope. Without getting into ultra-specifics, let's just say that even when tracking your cycle and avoiding at fertile times, sometimes you have to just assume fertility beginning on day 9. Which is insanely early and perplexing but now we know it's completely possible. Nate and I had been discussing his future vasectomy for all of 2016, but he never bit the bullet. So, yeah, 2017 will be his year to get it done. Seriously.

Comment: But I thought you guys were done having kids!
Response: So did we! There was always a tiny voice in my head that didn't feel DONE, and that darn voice just wouldn't quit. But I did a swell job at quieting those thoughts by reminding myself of the plenty of reasons to stop at three kids. Because there were plenty of reasons to be done. Apparently we were meant to have four though, and it's going to be wonderful. A big family, full of even more noise and laughter and chaos....what a blessing!

Q: How is Nate handling this news?
A: (Furrowed brow from me) He hasn't been the one sick and tired and pregnant, so I'd say he's going to be just fine. Yes, he wasn't even sold on three kids and his famous quote this time was, 'Huh, I just always pictured us with two kids.' A LITTLE LATE FOR THAT NATE!

Q: Will you have to move?
No, but we will need to tackle our house addition soon! We've been getting quotes and talking to the bank and we might even move forward with it in the next few months. Yikes! But exciting.

Q: Will you quit your job and stay at home now?
Probably not, but who knows. I love my very part-time schedule and need that structure and balance. Then again, four kids is a totally different ballgame so never say never!

Q: Are you excited? Are you insane? You are so screwed. Four kids is a lot. 
Yes, thank you for that. We are extremely excited now! Full disclosure: when I saw the two lines on a pregnancy test, I cried and they weren't happy tears. I was shocked and confused and in total disbelief. I mean, on October 28th, I was two days late with my period but my cycles were short, so I figured they were just lengthening out to normal. I took a test right before hopping in the shower and saw the positive test before getting in. I was so overwhelmed. It was surreal. I was nervous to tell Nate, scared for all of the changes this would bring, and sad for the loss of sleep/my new self post-babies.

I didn't tell Nate in a cute or thoughtful way. I simply tried not to think about it all day long while I was home with the kids, we put them to bed that night, and then as the two of us were sitting on the couch I knew I had to tell him.

Me: "So.....I was two days late.....and.....I took a test....."
Nate: "AND? YOU'RE PREGNANT?"
Me: (Nodding my head and wanting to cry).
Nate: (Throws head back and cackles, laughing) "Holy cow. Okay then!"

He honestly took the news better than I did at first. We talked about the logistics of having a fourth that we never pictured having. And over the next few days we started feeling less panicked and more excited.

And then I started to bleed pretty badly right before 6 weeks, JUST like I did with Cecelia. I'll go more into it in a later post, but after I bled I started to want this baby even more. It felt like, 'Wait a minute, don't take this baby away from me, we can do this!' I started praying for another miracle, just like we got with Cecelia.

We had two ultrasounds and saw the giant bleed get smaller. We saw a heartbeat. We continued to think positively. I decided to switch back onto my own medical insurance for 2017, so that I can see my beloved OB who I've had for the three other kids. And so my first real appointment isn't until January 10th, and I've only had those two ultrasounds and some HCG blood draws so far. Oh, and my home doppler---that is keeping me sane for sure.

Q: How have you been feeling this time?
A: Extremely exhausted, downright barfy, bloated, peeing a lot...the usual. I also had strep throat around week ten and seriously wanted to die. Luckily I could take Amoxicillin but not Ibuprofen. I would have done anything for some Ibuprofen with the fever I had. I was just starting to feel less awful before Strep, then that set me back a bit. But as of today I'm not napping daily and can function without needing to hurl, so hooray. I will say that being pregnant with my fourth child means caring for three other children at the same time, which always seems to make the first trimester exponentially harder!

Q: Will you find out the sex?
A: Duh, yes. You know me better than to wonder that! I am feeling like it's a girl because of the similarities to Cecelia's pregnancy and the early conception date. The kids all want a sister, too, which is adorable but a little scary because it could very well be a boy. Either way will be great, and no we haven't picked names yet. We will find out the sex sometime in February, I believe, since I'll be 20 weeks in mid-February. I didn't do the first trimester blood work that you can have at age 35 (!!), so we will just have to wait a bit longer.

Q: How did you tell the kids?
A: We waited until Christmas Day, right after I hit twelve weeks. I knew that as soon as we told Truman, the entire world would be aware of our news. It was hard to keep it a secret from them for so long but they reacted as expected, and it made this baby seem a lot more real! I have a video to share in another post but spoiler alert: Truman jumped up and down, Cecelia just stared at me, and Porter hit me and said, 'No, not funny.' TYPICAL.

Hopefully these details suffice for those in shock and horror right now;) I have plenty of drafted posts ready to go up each day until we are caught up in real time. Until then, here is a little slideshow I made to commemorate the first trimester. Newsflash: I started showing ridiculously early this time. It's like my uterus is an old pro or something.



FOUR! from Julia H. on Vimeo.

102 comments:

  1. Congratulations! A nice, even number! Wishing you a healthy and happy journey with #4!

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  2. Congrats!! I have four kids also (6 year old, 3 year old & 18 month old twins) and I love it!! It's crazy at times, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way!!
    Can't wait to read more posts!!

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! I'm hoping that is what I'll always be able to say, too----crazy, but in the best way possible.

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  3. Yay yay yay yay!!!!! Congrats from Canada
    -Sarah

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  4. Oh my gosh!! How surprising! And wonderful! Congratulations!! :D

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  5. I am SO excited for you!!!! Seriously. I can't wait to read all about this pregnancy. Congratulations!!

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    1. Thank you, Annie. I can't wait to write all about it.

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  6. Noooo! I also have three kids but with that tiny tiny "what about four?" voice I ignore. You were one of my major family of five inspirations. What are your newborn pictures going to do to that voice?!

    But congratulations, of course! I can't wait to read about the new Goolia character!

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    1. Well, the pictures will probably seem very peaceful and adorable....but you know I'll tell the full story about the chaos, too. So take it or leave it! Ha!

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  7. Ahh!!! This is so exciting!!!!!!!! You & Nate are amazing parents :) Prayers for an easy pregnancy and a healthy baby Julia!!!!! Cannot wait to follow along as your journal this pregnancy [and life with 4 kids]!!!!!!!

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  8. Congratulations! So exciting!!

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  9. Oh my goodness congratulations!! I am so excited for you! I'm one of six in seven years (and only one set of twins) and LOVED growing up in a big family! There's always someone to play with and your older ones will definitely be old enough to help out! I'm due with a surprise third in June, and it's looking like we'll have another cross country move in April so I totally get the shocked and overwhelmed feelings but am super happy for you! : )

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    1. Wow, you can do it! Cross country move makes our house addition seem like small potatoes. Best of luck and thank you!

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  10. So so so exciting!! Congratulations!!

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  11. Congrats!! Very exciting. Wishing you a smooth and healthy pregnancy!

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  12. Congratulations, Julia!! It is really wonderful to start off a new year with some good news. I've heard every kid after #3 is a piece of cake. ;)

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    1. That's what they say! I will report back at the end of this year;)

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  13. Congratulations! I have 4 kids also (5,4,3 and 8 months) and it's awesome. Crazy, loud, busier than I ever imagined but awesome.

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    1. Perfect!! We can do this. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  14. Wow! How exciting! Given I am 2 weeks into 3 I am glad it is you and not me haha but that is wonderful news!!!

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    1. LOL, I totally get that. Two weeks is a ROUGH time for newborn life! But you got this, girl.

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  15. That is exactly how our 4th came to be and the reactions of my hubby and myself were the same as yours. We also have a small house and life is insane but really 3 was also insane!! We had a rather crappy 2016 and anticipating our bonus baby was exactly what we needed and a reminder we aren't in control!

    It was super fun announcing #4 because NOBODY saw it coming (including us :))
    Congrats!!!

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    1. Here's wishing your 2017 is amazing, love our similar stories! Thank you!

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  16. So excited for you!!! I feel as if I need to be pregnant now beings we were both pregnant at the same time with Cecilia and with Porter haha! I think I'll sit this one out though! ;)

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    1. Ha! I will be sure to report all of the not so fun stuff to be sure it's not a skewed opinion here;) Thanks!

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  17. omg, omg, omg!!! I'm so excited for you! And now I want another one. Gah! This is one lucky little babe. So much love in store for her. Or him. Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you!! Didn't mean to stir up baby fever, but I get it;)

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  18. Congratulations! I have been a follower of your blog for forever! Almost everything you wrote above sounds exactly like my husband and I when we found out we were having #4 (the avoiding fertile times, the vasectomy talk, the not so happy tears, the addition on our house...all of it!). We had struggled with infertility to have our first 3 through IVF, so we NEVER in a million years thought we would have a spontaneous kiddo!). We knew it was a blessing but we were SO SCARED to embark on 4 under 4...at the time we had a 3 year old, and two 1 year olds! It's been challenging and amazing and loud and FUN...but, we can't imagine life without our youngest who's now 2! What great news for you and your family!! I'm excited to continue to follow!

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    1. This made me smile, I'm so happy you got your bonus babies! And that you've survived and can't imagine life without them. So awesome. Thank you!!

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  19. Congratulations!! So excited to follow along! My second is only 4 months old and even though we both say no more, if it were up to me I'd have another but it was hard enough to convince him to go for a second.

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    1. I totally get that!! Thank you and enjoy that baby!

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  20. Congratulations!! What a fun surprise.

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  21. Congrats!!! That is so exciting! I would love to have 4, but I can't get my hubby on board with a 3rd yet :)

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  22. Congratulations - so exciting!! My son is about 2 months younger than Porter and I am due with my 2nd at the end of June, so I'm excited to read along with this one!

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  23. I am so excited for you! I've been reading and following since the STLWed days. You've come a long way!!

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  24. Congratulations!! I loved this Q&A format... made me lol a few times. My cousins have 4 kids (the older kids were 2, 5, 6 when the baby was born). They said that the craziness was not all that different going from 3 kids to 4, hopefully that's the truth :)

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    1. I sure hope so, lots of people tell us this. We will see! ;)

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  25. Ahhh! Congratulations! So happy for all of you!

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  26. I don't even 'know' you but have been a follower since CC was a baby. I am still in shock! Makes me almost almost almost have a 3rd.

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  27. Congrats!!! I am one of four kids and I loved being in a big family. Also, I'm pregnant with #2 and due July 4th!

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    1. Fourth of July babies!! The best! Thank you and congrats.

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  28. How wonderful! I grew up with three siblings and it was chaotic but wonderful.
    Wishing you a healthy pregnancy.

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    1. Thank you! Chaotic but wonderful---should be our slogan!

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  29. I love your blog and have to say this has been the best post over the years! I am so excited for you. Enjoy every second :) And can't wait to continue to follow you as you grow your family.

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  30. Can't wait to follow along through your pregnancy!

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  31. Congratulations Julia and family!

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  32. Congratulations! I'm just a blog reader and don't know you personally, but happy for you! I know the shock of an unexpected pregnancy - and the tears. I found I was expecting our second when our first was only 7 months old. Yikes! But the tears turned to cheers, and 35 years later all is good. :-) Praying for an easy pregnancy.

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    1. Thank you, Jody! Very glad for this three year gap with Porter and the new baby, finding out at 7 months post partum would have been a totally different ballgame!

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  33. Oh my goodness!!!!! I'm so excited for you. We have three and are "done" with no real measures in place so...Who knows I guess. I love it!! You're the cutest family, might as well pile on some more.

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  34. Congratulations! I'm actually due the same day as you, but with my first. It will be fun to follow along! :)

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  35. How exciting! Congratulations! Hope you are feeling well!

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  36. I already said it on IG ;) but congratulations! I'm the oldest of four and while I'm content with 2 for myself, I LOVE having my 3 siblings. It's fantastic! Excited for your family!

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  37. Best news I've heard all day. :) Congratulations!!

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  38. Congrats! You're giving me baby fever now too. You were pregnant with Cecelia and Porter when I was pregnant with my 2 kids, so maybe my surprise third will not be far behind. ;) Here's to a happy healthy pregnancy and some sanity with the addition!

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    1. So much baby fever going around these days, best of luck to you! And thanks.

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  39. Wow! I may be as shocked as you =) I've been reading since Truman was a baby. Congrats! Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy. I've only got one 14-month old. I want three but my husband wants two. We are in negotiations on that third. We had to conceive via IVF, so an unexpected baby would be pretty shocking.

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    1. Thanks, Sara. And best of luck on growing your family, maybe you'll get three with twins next time. You never know!

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  40. Congratulations!!!! This is EXACTLY (as in to the day) how my surprise third baby came along. I was also convinced I was having a girl because of the ridiculously early conception date. Benjamin will be one in February ;-)

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  41. Congratulations! I have followed your blog since your first pregnancy and am so excited for you. I am sitting here trying to decide when to go for number 2 and kind of hoping the decision is made for me :-) Huge congratulations from a stranger on the internet!

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    1. Aw, thank you. I guess having the decision made for you is a really nice thing!

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  42. I am late to comment! But CONGRATULATIONS! I first found your blog 3 years ago when I was pregnant and have followed along since. I'm so excited for your family :)

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  43. Congratulations! I have been following your blog for a few years but have never commented. I really enjoy your writing style and hearing about your family's adventures and am really happy you've kept up on the family style of the blog instead of going to so many sponsored posts unlike many of my other previously favorite reads. My son is just a few months older than Porter and I'm also due in July but with my second! I'm excited to follow along with you throughout the pregnancies, hope everything is going well.

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    1. Congrats on baby number two, Brittney! Best of luck on your pregnancy, here's to the next seven months!

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  44. I think that it is wonderful news. I started reading your blog before Porter was born. I was never privileged to have children so I get so excited when it happens for other people. For what it's worth, I didn't think you were done at 3 either. LOL I am happy for you and it will be fine. You'll find your new normal. You are the second of my "friends" to find out they are having a baby this summer. I wonder who the 3rd will be? -mary mattioni (not sure why it won't let me open my google account

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    1. Thanks Mary! And who knows, Blogger is still so strange sometimes.

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  45. The look on your face is priceless.
    -mary mattioni

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  46. OMG, congrats. I started reading right after you got married. Funny enough, I just had the exact same thing happen except with a surprise baby #3. I'm 3 weeks behind you. Congrats again.

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  47. Congratulations! You have an adorable family that will be adding to the cuteness factor! My sister has four kids. Crazy, but also fun.

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    1. Thanks Amber! Crazy and fun, I'm all about it.

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  48. Congratulations! I have three siblings and I liked the wonderful chaos growing up. My babe just turned one and I don't know how my parents did it with 4 kids in 5 years! Wishing the best for all of you!

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  49. This was almost exactly my and my husbands reaction to being pregnant with our fourth, ha! I was happy but also really nervous all day long to tell Derek...and he laughed just like your husband and said "Well, I guess we're having four!", haha!

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