We Have a Secret... Well, Maybe Not Anymore!!

We've been keeping a big secret around our house for the past few months. In less than six months, we will be a family of five! I'm actually still a little stunned when I think about it... Mark and I have kept this secret since the end of August and have just recently let the cat out of the bag. We've had to be extra secretive this time as we didn't want to tell the kids until we knew that everything was going well with this pregnancy. I am now 15 weeks along and all appears to be well. This time around, though, the pregnancy is hitting me harder than before. I have had a lot more persistent nausea and vomiting--not fun. Last week gave in and started taking the Zofran that my doctor prescribed. Though I wish I weren't taking it, it really does help me keep my food down on most days. Hopefully, I'll get lucky and I will start feeling better sooner rather than later!

I didn't realize how fun it would be for Mark and I to share our news with the kids. James seems to have a pretty good understanding that we will have a new baby in our house. And, at the age of five, Ella is very interested in the baby and extremely excited... PROVIDED that the baby is a GIRL! James, on the other hand, would really like the baby to be a boy. The kids have had a few arguments on the subject and they usually end with James sweetly saying we can have two babies--a boy for him and girl for Ella. I think one baby will be just fine and I don't think we will be finding out until the baby makes his or her debut near the end of April. My actual due date is May 4th. Since my other two babies arrived a few weeks early, I would be shocked to make it to my due date with this one... but, you never know!

Below is an ultrasound from my last appointment a week and half ago. I think this is one of the best early ultrasound pictures that I have had from any of my pregnancies. The baby seemed to be waving at us or giving us a thumbs up when this image was captured. It is so amazing to catch a glimpse of a little miracle growing!!