The Real Story--Announcing Baby #5 (and maybe #6)

Alright, so I realize today is April Fools Day and I realize that anything I say will be questioned.  I'm not usually a practical joker, but today I couldn't help myself.  This morning I posted this on FB.  

Went to the Dr. late this morning. In TOTAL SHOCK right now! 12 weeks, and we'll find out just how prophetic mi Rigoberto actually is. Totally willing to take whatever we get but kinda hoping for something missing between their legs, if you know what I mean. We were already talking girly names last night on our trip home from Spokane. SO EXCITED!!!!!!

 Okay...so while not ALL of this is true (including the ultrasound pic--courtesy of Google), there is some foundation to this information.  So here's the real story.

4 weeks ago, I hesitantly took a pregnancy test...and it came up positive.

Day of Positive Pregnancy Test (4.5 weeks)--Baby #5

 Deep Breaths Melanie.  Deep Breaths.

So much HOPE yet so much hesitancy.  It's hard for the two to co-exist peacefully.

I immediately fell to my knees and thanked my Heavenly Father for this little blessing.  I assured him that although my head has been wrapped up in the twin girls prophecy for years now, I was more than willing to let that go for one healthy baby....whatever the sex....just as long as, this time, things could work out and I would be able to cradle this little one in my arms when its time came. 

"Well, those lines are really dark," are the words that came out of Rob's mouth after looking at the little white stick.  A true testament to the many faint-lined pregnancy tests we've had in the last 22 months that have resulted in loss.

True to form we prepared to keep this little secret to ourselves.  It's just easier that way.  But I couldn't do it.  It was eating me alive.  I just didn't think we should do it alone this time.  We needed help.  We needed support.  We needed prayers.  So we told our families.  Best. Decision. EVER!

Unfortunately, because of my extremely large mouth, and a rapidly growing 5th baby (10th pregnancy) belly, I have had a really hard time keeping it to myself.  Sigh.  Too many people know, including you now.  It makes me feel vulnerable...and scared....and yet, not.

We're certainly not out of the dark but are weeks past the point I miscarried the last four.  Add that to the fact that I am sicker than I have EVER been, we feel hopeful this little one is thriving and will continue to do so.

Because of my "high risk" of loss, I have already been in to see the doctor, twice.  I've had two internal (aka wand) ultrasounds (now those are fun), have heard a heartbeat, and have a beautiful picture of the little blob.

Ultrasound @ 5 weeks 5 days--Baby #5

It's not much but it was relieving to see/hear anyway.

"So...there's only one in there, right?" I asked.  Doctor's response, "Oh...it's too early to tell at this point."  Yeah, he's totally abreast of Rob's "twin girl" prediction and my unfounded "hopes" of it actually happening.  He doesn't think it's all that unlikely and is totally on board with us (until proven otherwise...he he)  "I've heard weirder things, he said." 

Because there is only one outer sac (chorion) seen in the pic, if there ARE twins in there, it would be what is called a Monochorionic (same placenta) and either a Diamniotic (each has it's own amniotic sac) or Monoamniotic (share an amniotic sac) pregnancy.  In either case, they would be identical.

Hah....how cute would it be to have identical red, curly haired little female Gillespies running around. 

Sadly, both of these are really rare...so I'm not holding my breath.  Rob....now that's another story.  He's still holding on to the idea with gusto.  Won't let it go until we have further evidence it's just one  (oh..and he REALLY wants a girl this time.)  It's so cute.  :)



As for me, I'm just "grateful" to be feeling extremely sick, a testament to positive things giving me more and more HOPE by the day.

I'm growing HUGE so very fast and am too sick to even think about trying to "hold it in".  I realize it's my 5th but, sheesh.....look at this thing...... (taken today)

7 weeks and 5 days--Baby #5

compare it to my last pregnancy at 7 weeks......

Now you know why I feel like such a whale already.  He he he...

So there you have it.
 

One year older and wiser too....

January 24, 2006 this particular bouncing baby boy slowly made his way into our lives (as in 21 hours slow) and quickly into our hearts.

 He was pretty mellow at first, and I wondered what had happened to the extremely active gymnast/soccer player/wrestler, I had come to know in the womb.  At about 13 months, the spastic child reappeared ("Hey....I recognize you") and he has not stopped spazzing out since.

Cael is a very sweet and loving child.  He LOVES to show others affection and attention (especially his youngest brother Kian).  He is always "on the go" and would do WONDERS with a pet dog he could tease, roll around, and run with all day long.  But, since he can't have one, he does such things with his brothers instead.  Much to their chagrin sometimes.  :) 

Cael is an excellent student and very friendly.  He loves to attract attention to himself but actually get's VERY shy when it's actually focused on him.  We LOVE that about him.  It's so funny to see him duck his little head and turn redder than his hair when he see's you've been watching him.  Ha ha ha....it's great.

He is such a fantastic addition to our household of XY's.

Happy 7th Birthday Cael!

We LOVE our Little Red!

"Awe Mom...."

Our "little artist" self designed the birthday cake this year

Star Wars gumball machine, Harry Potter Lego board game, and a Mario DS game...what more could a boy ask for?

Please enjoy this little video of the birthday boy receiving a BUNDLE of attention AND birthday kisses.  (Note the shifty eyes and the nervous smile of embarrassment...so funny)

Favorite Super Bowl quote of 2013...

...did NOT come from one of the million dollar fancy schmancy commercials in between plays but from my own flesh and blood.

Gabe may be at a super silly (and extremely obnoxious) age, but he does come up with some good ones every once in a while.

This is no exception.

"You know Mom, I don't really like watching the Super Bowl but, I know that as long as I sit there and pretend to watch it, I am guaranteed access to some pretty awesome food."

Ha ha ha...... love it.  

It was because of this manifesto I just HAD to take a jaunt back to the store for a last minute snack item that had been crossed off our menu this year.

Summer Sausage (with cheese and crackers).

I just couldn't help it, knowing it is Gabe's "absolute favorite Super Bowl food of all time."

Ha ha ha....makes me laugh. 

And his Dad had such high hopes for him as a baby that he'd become a star quarterback.  :)

 Oh well.....

We love him just the way he is!

 

Devilish Dinnertable Banter

Rob and I were discussing his usual Saturday night activities (online Halo) at the dinner table and, of course, the kids overheard. 

Gabe asks, "What are you playing tonight dad? Halo?" 

To which I replied, "Yep. So, if you are lying in bed and feel The Spirit leave our home, you will know why." 

Gabe smiles and both he and I look at Rob. 

There he is, sitting with his "I know she's right but I'm not going to tell her so" smile on his face. Gabe looks back at me, sitting there with my "I know you know I'm right" smile. Back and forth goes his gaze between the two of us, smiling bigger ever second. He can tell we are enjoying our little moment of banter.

Then he adds, "Well, I won't feel it leave because I'll be asleep." 

I could have let it go but I just couldn't resist another go.  

"No, Gabe. Our spirits can ALWAYS feel the presence of pure evil. Even in our sleep." 

Cha Ching! More "knowing" smiles.

I may not agree with Rob's choice of entertainment but have long since given up letting the adversary use it as a tool of contention in our marriage. 

Instead I take the opportunity to gently and lovingly remind him of my feelings about it, and find something else to do in the meantime. 

Tonight it's a movie and some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (with milk) while I snuggle up with my "blankie" on the couch.

My Mountain Man

Rob decided to experiment with a different time of facial hair this winter.

A FULL ON BEARD.

Not to be confused with the time of the creepy cop stash.

I think it turned out rather nice and fills in quite a tremendous amount more than it did when we were young and first in love  (my mom still mourns over the "dirt" on his face in our engagement pictures).

  

He was sure to condition and lotion it every day.  Necessary steps for smooches. 

He was sad to see it go.  His face is freezing.  He may, or may not, be growing it back as we speak. 

What are your thoughts?  You like-y?