Halfway there! And confirmation…

We are at the halfway mark of this pregnancy!  Here is a not so cute self-portrait from this morning, but I felt that I needed some documentation of this pregnancy.  I definitely GROW as the day wears on and my abs give out.

(I was really on my way to workout…not just bumming it in my comfy clothes…although I do that too!).

Pregnancy is going really well.  I have quite a bit of energy now and never got too sick.  Only exception is the ridiculous bouts of sciatic pain.  it started at around 4 weeks and has progressively gotten worse.  I am seeing the chiropractor a few times a week…hoping to get some relief.  I have already almost fallen down the stairs 3x when the pain catches me off guard.  Worries me for when I am bigger and more unbalanced.  I have to get this under control.  ASAP.  

BIG NEWS: At my 20 week ultrasound today, they confirmed that it is a BOY!  Yep.  We will have 4 Boys.  God must have big plans for this family!  I won’t get the official results from the Ultrasound until next week at my doctors appointment, but he looks healthy to me.  Now, to start finalizing a name…and trying to get inspired on another masculine nursery.  

Precious baby boy.

 

This next part is just going to be me being completely honest.  Might want to skip over if you are feeling judgmental or can’t read this with an understanding, compassionate heart.

First off, I am so excited for this baby.  I truly believe that all babies are blessing.  A gift from God.  I am totally grateful to God for this child.  Another boy is going to be so much fun.  And our home is sure to be one full of laughter, energy, smelly shoes, pranks, love, roughhousing, balls (the sports kind!), camo, teasing, dirty dishes…you get the idea.  I can’t wait for what is in store for our family.  If I had to choose between having 4 girls or 4 boys, I would have voted 4 boys ALL DAY LONG.  Little boys rock.  And I am not uber girly.

But, there is a “but”.  Or maybe it should be an “and”.  While I am thrilled and honored to be trusted to care for 4 of God’s little boys, I am, in a weird way, mourning.  We are done having kids after this.  I will never be able to have the “mother/daughter” relationship that my heart has hoped for.  I don’t think it is a worldly desire to want a daughter…so I am a bit confused as to why it is was put on my heart, if it wasn’t meant to be.  I am not too sad (just a little sad) about the lack of precious outfits or mani/pedi outings, although I would have gone crazy shopping if this was a girl and I already had my girly nursery picked out.  It is more about in the future…as my child grows into an adult.  No helping her get ready for her first dance. Or helping my daughter pick out a wedding dress and planning the wedding.  Or helping as she has her babies.  Or weekly lunch dates just to visit.  Or middle of the night phone calls for parenting advice.  I think that boys and girls, in general, just have a different relationship with their moms.  And don’t get me wrong, the relationship between a boy and his mama is SO SPECIAL!  but different.  Maybe it is just something missing in my own life that makes me want that other relationship.  I don’t know.  For now, I just pray that God will give me peace on this matter.  

Oh, and please don’t ask me (or any parent of all boys) if I am disappointed, in front of my boys.  Or, you couldn’t get a  girl?  Or anything of that nature.  I never want my boys to feel that they aren’t enough.  They are amazing.

And, don’t ask if we know what causes this.  We do.  And we are completely happy and thankful for our big family.

Basketball team comments are acceptable.  I don’t even mind too terribly the “you’ve got your hands full” comments.  Because I do.  Literally. 

Snowballs, Sledding, & Skiing

I really wanted to get the boys to snow this year…and the 2 biggies up on skis.  It is so much easier when you can learn at a young age.  Since they are newbies, they don’t need a big mountain.  SOOO, off we went to New Mexico for a last minute trip.

Flight was a smooth a can be…just a lot more gear when you have to pack for skiing.  Luckily, my mom joined us so we had an extra set of hands to help.  As long as there is curb side check-in, we decided we could even do this on our own with the new babe!

Skiing:  

Parker’s car sickness combined with his altitude sickness meant he had to sit out the first day…with Joseph watching him in the halls of the resort.  Evan, my mom, and I had already headed down the mountain.  He kept trying to go to ski school, but he would walk a few steps and then collapse in total defeat.  He shared his sickness all over the resort.  In one quick attempt to make it to the restroom, our nice camera bit the dust.  So all pics from the trip are from my i-phone…not many of them.

Much better the next day.  Trick is Dramamine 1 hour in advance, front seat, and Ginger Ale, and lots of towels and bags just in case.

Both boys really loved skiing and did really well.  They can’t wait until they can go back next year.  Since I won’t be prego, I will be able to join them!

Cold, early mornings…like in the teens cold.  Parker was out barefoot and short sleeved.  Huntsinger genes.  Definitely.

Fireside snuggles.

Lots of Legos (Thank you, Grandma!)  Early in the morning and late at night.  I woke up at 4 am one morning and got up only to find Parker sitting at the breakfast table working on his newest creation.  Apparently, it couldn’t wait until a decent hour.  Crazy kid!

Little bit of Ipad.  It was out in the open.  Not in use.  He saw his chance and took.  Pants or no pants.  He was going for it.

LOTS of sledding.  Evan’s favorite activity by far.  He would just drag the sled along everywhere.  Whether or not someone actually wanted a ride.  

And they wanted to walk all over the frozen lakes and partially frozen river.  Made me a nervous wreck, but they had fun.

Great trip!

One of my fondest memories from my childhood is our yearly trips to Colorado with loads of family.  I think we went almost every year from the time I was 6 until 16 or so with a group of around 30 people.  Lots of food (thanks to “Grandma in a Box”) and game nights and skiing (from the first to the last lift ride up).  Hope that we can bring that tradition back!