A few of you noticed my remark about this being our last newborn. The underlying question being, “How do you know?”
I don’t know how we know. We just know. You know?
I thought this would be a good topic for a post because it stems from the most recent question being posed to us by friends, and of course, complete strangers.
It usually goes something like this…
“What a beautiful baby girl! She’s so new! And how great that you get to experience a girl after two boys!
So do you plan on having any more?”
I know I’m just as guilty of asking that question, but seriously. She’s not even a month old yet. It’s right up there with the question I get when I tell people the boys are 20 months apart, “Was that planned?”
Karen and I were talking about this last night (their two are the same age spacing). They brought supper over last night and our kids all played downstairs while we had uninterrupted adult conversation. It was wonderful. But back to the question at hand…
My response has been that I don’t want to be pregnant again. What? You’re surprised? I think I griped enough for three pregnant women during this pregnancy. Feeling Emily move inside was the most INCREDIBLE feeling, but apart from that I was pretty uncomfortable. Not as bad as some women, but bad enough to not want to go through it again. Or put Matthew through it again.
If we want to have a fourth someday, we will adopt. Some families in our church have adopted from China, and I think that’s cool. We have more of a burden for local kids, so we would probably start in Canada first. I have talked to a couple of people who have adopted toddlers and their stories have inspired me. To know that there are kids just like mine who don’t have a permanent home breaks my heart. So much so that we may have to do something about it when and if the time comes that we want a fourth.
In the meantime, we just give what we can to organizations that help kids. Our kids are too small to think about adding one more toddler right now. Though when my three are older, and if God leads, that is the course we will take.
But for now we will remain a party of five. And a party it is. An amazing one. Best party I’ve ever been to.
11 Comments
I agree with you “you just know” I had that after my 6th. The whole pregnancy wasn’t great(all the others were very easy)I ended up with a C-section. I think the good Lord prepares us for the different stages in our lives and the different plans he has for us!
Comment by joyce on October 31st, 2006 @ 8:07 amYour family will always be exactly what it should–three kids or ten! 
I agree with you, too. We just “knew” that we were done after our second. We both had a strong feeling and we never doubted.
I’m sure you will be a very happy family of 5!
Comment by Hannah on October 31st, 2006 @ 10:28 amI think a lot of people are stopping at two. Way back when, my Grandparents had nine children. 9. But then, they had a big farm and that’s what you did back then. Had a bunch of kids (no birth control) to carry on the farm. Your family is the perfect size for you, just as my Grandparents family was the perfect size for them.
Comment by reddirtroad on October 31st, 2006 @ 10:53 amAmen to that! I have felt such a need to adopt since I have been a child. I love the fact that I had my daughter but it’s so true there are so many innocent children out there who need a good home with loving parents. And wow kudos to you for going through 3 pregnancies! Seriously I’ve done 1 and dont want to for awhile!
We’re done too. We also have been thinking of adoption (a girl which we coudn’t guarantee with another pregnancy), maybe even fostering. My brother is adopted. I also don’t ever EVER want to be pregnant again. I spent all 9 months with both puking every day. Not fun. Worth it, but no desire to do it again.
You have a beautiful family!
Great post, Angella!! I love hearing your perspective on those nosey questions… hehe
Comment by Elizabeth on October 31st, 2006 @ 4:31 pmI think I knew about 3 seconds after my positive HPT that Chloe would be my last… she was lucky she got conceived that month because I’d done near about given up on having that second!
It’s funny how you can just know it isn’t it?
You have a gorgeous gorgeous family.
Best!
Comment by Julie Bo Boolie on November 1st, 2006 @ 5:51 pmI totally understand what you mean about just “knowing”. I felt strongly after the boys that we weren’t done yet…and God said we weren’t. But now I truely feel that we are. Our family is complete.
Let all the nay-sayers words brush off of you!
Comment by Lisa on November 1st, 2006 @ 9:10 pm
Sounds like you have a great plan! And a great party of 5 you make
Comment by kami on October 31st, 2006 @ 7:46 am