Yup, you read that right. Family of eight. As in —>>> we’re officially expecting number SIX!!!!!!
For added fun…
I have no idea how far along I am.
This is my normal trick. I have been pregnant and/or breastfeeding for over twelve years. I’m one of those women who simply doesn’t have a regular monthly cycle while I’m breastfeeding, and of course I don’t have one while I’m pregnant. So there we go, that’s the last twelve years.
I’ve taken pregnancy tests every month for well over a year. Well, most months I take one and other months I skip it. I’ve felt more disappointment with each test. Recently though I’ve felt someone missing. It’s a strange and wonderful feeling. As I washed dishes one day I felt I needed to take a child inventory. You know what I mean – when you mentally have to run through where every child is located at that moment.
Jadin and Zion were on the trampoline.
Naomi and Gabriel were kitten catching (and, boy, is that fun 
).
Liam was in his high chair stuffing watermelon chunks in his hippo mouth.
But I felt another child here and unaccounted for; that’s when I knew it was time to take another test.
We are thrilled!
What to Expect While I’m Expecting ~
I have really good pregnancies. I just do. I know the Lord says that He never gives us anymore than we can handle. He must know that I can’t handle much. I’ve never had morning sickness. My feet swell a little. I put them up. The swelling goes down. I usually drop weight before I gain. The other major indication that I’m pregnant is that I can no longer successfully spin my plates and only sleep 6-hours per night. Suddenly I’m back to eight hours a night, plus a 1 (or 3) hour nap.
Birthing Center or Home Birth ~
I’ve had all five babies in the hospital. For our last three babies I’ve seen and been delivered by nurse midwives. Using the midwives has been a wonderful experience. For this birth I’m looking into using one of two local birthing centers or possibly having a home birth. Please leave me any wisdom on both options. With each baby I grow increasingly weary of the hospital routine. In fact being a nurse doesn’t help me. I ask too many questions. When I had Gabriel in 2009 I stayed so on top of my medications and asked so many questions that the hospital staff accused me taking my medication record. I didn’t. But how funny that it’s strange to have a patient that is passionate about being well-informed. And don’t get me started on patient rights. I already feel my momma lion hormones getting in a knot. This is why I need a birthing center or home birth, Lord willing.
Our Homeschool Life ~
As far as the rest of our week we’ve been busy staking tomatoes in the garden, running through the field, and taking daily life slow and steady.
Now it’s time for you to link-up for Big Family Friday. If you don’t blog this is a great way to find more like-minded blogs to read!
Congratulations! My dh and I have always planned our pregnancies (we now have two boys) and have recently been searching the scriptures more regarding letting the Lord plan our family…being open to His will more and trusting in Him. Right now, we are not not trying
and we will see what happens.
The Lord’s blessing is on you! Congrats again!!!
Congratulations!!! I know that “someone is missing” feeling quite well myself. Thanks for sharing your exciting news!
Congrats, so exciting!!!
Congratulations
This has been our first year homeschooling and I’ve appreciated your freebie finds and helpful hints! I don’t do pregnancy well at all…it honestly felt like God gave me too much to handle each time! But He is gracious and good. Praying this pregnancy is as easy as your others and that you grow closer to Him throughout.
YAY!!! Congrats on the new little blessing!! I am so happy for you and your family!!!
Congratulations! May you have a healthy pregnancy and birth. Two of ours were born at home with lay midwives (#4 and #6); the rest were in the hospital with only the first and last (#7) with OBs…the rest were with nurse-midwives. Our last OB was more hand-off than our CNMs have been, so it was a lovely experience. He hooked us up with a student nurse-midwife who was more than willing to sit and work with me throughout labor. I had had some non pregnancy-related health concerns, which is why I opted for the hospital; otherwise, we would’ve stayed home. We really loved our home births.
Oh, I should add that I used to work as a childbirth educator and doula…so I was one of those “annoying patients” who asked all sorts of questions, too! LOL.
Congratulations! SO very excited!!! I absolutely love your blog!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your newest blessing!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a homebirth my first time around, and I LOVED it. Sooooo beats the hospital (see birth #2). My favorite part is that the mw can use a portable doppler, rather than the thing they strap on you at the hospital. Having anything touching my belly during labor is awful for me. With #2, we stayed at home as long as possible, so #1 (then 2yo) got to be my breathing coach for a little while–which helped keep the mood light. I also love that homebirth allows me to demonstrate that childbirth is a natural part of the human experience, not an emergency that takes Mama away from home. I really wish I could have stayed home for my second birth (we weren’t able to secure a mw in time). Oh, and no being strapped into a car during labor, either (I transitioned in the car with #2–NOT my idea of fun).
Congratulations, Jamerrill! What wonderful news!
Congratulations! what a blessing!
So very happy for you! Praying all goes well =) Our baby (number 8) will be born in our hospital…Lord willing =) We’ve had some close calls! We love our doctor, and my s-i-l is an OB nurse who is usually present for our deliveries, so for us, this is just the best way! I’ve been tempted, but we’ve had a few complications, so I’d rather just be close to medical care when it is needed!
I have 8 children – 21 down to 2. I am usually pregnant or nursing also. In fact, with my last baby (2010) the midwife asked me when my last cycle was…. umm 2003!
I had my 1 child in a hospital with a dr I had never met – my 2nd was in a hospital with midwifes ( before I even knew what a midwife really was) – my 3rd and 4th were in a hospital with a dr and my only 2 with epidurals. After that I went 1 1/2 hours away to deliver with a midwife in a small hospital – by far better than my other experiences – I delivered the next 3 like that. Then they stopped delivering babies and I found a birthing center about 45 min away. I was a little nervous about not being in a hospital (even a small one) When all was said and done – my last experience was best – I had her in a big tub, we were in a cozy room that looked like a home, no pressure to do anything I didn’t want to – I left after we passed all the “tests” ( able to walk, shower, potty etc..) – it was about midnight ( I just wanted to wake up at home).
I have a dear friend that was due with her 7th almost the same time I had my 8th. She had always delivered in a hospital, yet couldn’t find one she was okay with – she decided to brave it at home with a midwife – she said that is the way she will deliver the rest of her babies – God willing. She is due with her 8th in 3 weeks and preparing for a home birth.
Congratulations! I had my 2nd baby 6 months ago in a birthing center and cannot adequately describe how awesome it was. In a birthing center you have infinitely more freedom, the natural birth process is allowed to unfold, and statistically it is safer than hospital delivery when not a high risk patient. I am curious about home birth for my next. I think the transition from hospital, to a birthing center experience is a nice middle ground before the deep plunge to home birth. My favorite part was leaving just 4 hours after delivery to go home to my well prepared nest where I could sleep, nurse and fall in love with my little guy without interruption. Whatever you decide may it be a blessed birth.
Congrats! Wishing you a happy and healthy 9 months!
Oh my! How exciting! Congratulations, my friend! Many blessings to you and your entire family.
Congratulations!! What a BLESSING! Can’t wait to hear how far along you are.
i am currently 25 weeks with number two (hopefully with SO many more to come!!), and this is my first birthing center delivery, my CNM is very well educated in herbs, natural birthing and even suggested that we do most of our labouring at home- which we plan to! She understands our hesitations and agrees that some of the practices in the hospital are ridiculous. we are grateful to have her, and God had to lead us to her, because we originally had a home birth planned with a midwife! We are currently taking a ten week course on christian natural birthing- which i highly highly recommend, even though you were a nurse. there is just so much to learn! congratulations i am excited for you and i cant live without reading your blog and being encouraged!
Congratulations!! What wonderful news!
Congrats — what a blessing for your family… and I love the way you just knew “someone was missing”. Beautiful.
Can’t wait to meet this new babe next year!!!!!!
WOOOH! Congratulations! I hope this pregnancy follows the “norm” of your others in terms of feeling good, etc. =)
We always knew God was up to something when night after night we’d sit down to supper, all there, and hubby would be waiting for that missing person before starting to pray. The little ones would think it so funny and say, “We’re all here, Daddy, aren’t you gonna pray?” Congratulations to you all. Give me a call, too, I’ve had the gamut of birth experiences (home to hospital, beautiful to horrific).
CONGRATULATIONS!! I always “knew” when I was pregnant, often as early as the next morning! ;-D I would love to be pregnant (and have been hoping and praying these past 10 years) but God has other plans and now, I’m just about past that time of opportunity. I have 8 wonderful blessings, another in heaven (possibly several more) ranging from 25 down to 10. I’m so excited for you as God adds another treasure to your family..
I am an RN also, and after I was born again (close to 2 years ago) the Holy Spirit started to change my opinions drastically about everything I thought I knew and was in control of as a nurse. I have really been led away from a lot of Western medicine and opinions, in baby steps. Ina May Gaskin’s Birth Matters really spoke to me. Her basis for things (like Mother Nature or your “inner primate” or evolution, instead of God) is wrong but read it at least for the history of how birth moved from homes with midwives, into hospitals with physicians, because it is fascinating. And the statistics too. But, even with all the opinions and stories you are going to get from your readers, this is a decision between you, your husband, and God. Don’t forget to let the Holy Spirit lead you in this, as well
Not that I’m saying you won’t. Too often, I still get caught up in research and opinions and forget to pray and consult the most important person of all, my Creator. Also, the last couple of days, when we go somewhere, I keep looking in the backseat thinking I am missing someone, but all 3 kids are there. I never realized until I read this that maybe there is something to that feeling! Congratulations on your little blessing!
How exciting!!! Congratulations! I’d love a surprise like that myself.
Congratulations sweet friend!!!!!! God is so awesome to bless your family in this way!
I’m aching for #7 but by choice when our 6th was born, the baby center was put out of production.
I know that I’m gonna enjoy hearing pregnancy stories from you!
Dear Lovely Niece:
Congrats! Way to go! WOW! Breast feeding for years and years! All I had was about 5 mos with Samuel, trying to get off of me! LOL! Except we did have the lovely bonding times! THAT was so worth it! PLEASE be as safe as you can be with the delivery of #six! I would go to a birthing center,and not have baby at home. Even though you have been through this many times, and you are a Nurse, I think you can’t be too safe,and every birth is different too! God Bless you and your tummy! When is it time for a visit from me? LOL! Much Love, your Aunt Nancy 000,XXX
Congratulations to you and your family! You are an inspiration and a blessing. You’re right when you say that the Lord never gives us more than we can handle. I’m praying that we will conceive our fourth soon. Please pray for us. I’ll pray that the Lord will give you His supernatural strength. Blessings.
If you haven’t seen it already, I highly recommend watching The Business of Being Born. It was a huge eye-opener for me. I almost went with a home birth after watching it, but at the end of the day, I’m a worrier. And it worked out right, since my son was born with a missing thyroid. And basically, since the chances are at least 1 in 4 that later kids will also be missing it, I’ll stick with the hospital, or at least a birthing center (I’ll have to lok into how that’s covered by our insurance). But if I were braver and knew how newborn screening stuff worked for home-born babies, I would be very tempted to do a home birth.
Congratulations! I have been blessed with 3 beautiful, healthy children. Here recently, though, I grow more disappointed each month when “that time” starts.
I have always said I wanted either 4 or 6 children and adopting at least one of those precious once. My husband has always been set on 4 and also agrees that adopting is for us. I don’t know what it is, but for some strange reason, 4 just doesn’t seem enough anymore. I feel and know our family is incomplete, even with us now looking into adoption. I miss the feeling of one growing within me. I pray for another easy pregnancy for you! Please also pray for me that I either become content with the family God has already given me, or He does a work on my husband’s viewpoint on it all. 
Congratulations!!!!!!! I wish the best to you!!!!! I know that “someone is missing feeling” . I’d be at a friend’s house and start counting to make sure I had everyone. I would try to think who was missing when I realized they were all there! And if I wasn’t pregnant then I would be within a month or two. God is awesome and I treasure each one of my blessings (children). I do not regret letting God plan our family. I do not regret any of our children. They are all true blessings from God! He has always provided for our needs and has indulged us with some wants.
“Gentle Birth Choices” is a GREAT book to read! It has a lot of the history of homebirth (without all the “Mother Nature”, evolution stuff) and just a lot of good information about birthing. I am just part-way through it and it’s so interesting! Watch Business Of Being Born if you can and learn, learn, LEARN! It’s so important to be well-informed as to your choices
If God should bless us with #6, I really want to birth at home. There are no birth centers near us and I’m so done with the OBs and hospitals around here. I had a c-section 8 1/2 years ago (and 3 natural births since) and they STILL treat me like a VBAC and do all sorts of junk to me (constant monitoring, can’t labor in the tub, etc.).
LOVE your blog! It’s one of my favorites
very exciting – I would love that! God bless – Great pics too!
That is WONDERFUL news! Congrats!
What exciting news! So happy for you!
I birthed my first 6 babies in hospital, very naturally, and mostly on my own terms. Birthed babies #7 and 8 at home. Most wonderful experience EVER! We had much less ‘Newborn Transition’ with those two babies. They were more alert, more content, and Mama was much more rested and had a shorter recovery/recoup time. I learned to enjoy the Babymoon period, also.
Congratulations!!! The world can always use another beautiful little one!
Congrats! I had a homebirth for both my boys! I loved it both times! It was so special to be at home with my husband and my parents when each arrived! My second came after my oldest was asleep, thank God he slept through everything! when the little guy woke in the night for his second ever feed, my toddler heard and came running in yelling ‘baby! Baby!’. It was a perfect moment all four of us in our bed as the brothers first met!
Congratulations!
My first three were homebirths and my fourth was a hospital transfer. Everything turned out OK, and we maybe didn’t have to transfer after all, but it it better to be cautious, right?
I’d definitely plan another home birth though! If you don’t mind taking responsibility for your own health, and you have a good support system in place then home birth can be wonderful. Definitely find a really great midwife who won’t hesitate to transfer to the hospital if need be. 
Congratulations! I too, am expecting
How do you make the picture collage?
Awww! Congratulations!!!
But with #5, we felt God calling us to the hospital (there are no clinics locally)… and I went, kicking & screaming & crying the whole way… but also knowing there had to be a reason. 24 hrs after my water broke, my body still refused to kick into labor no matter how many tricks we used 
And so, I had to take the pitocin (evil stuff, if you ask me!) to get my labor started. At some point they turned it off for about 20-30 mins and the contractions completely quit! So, I really was where I needed to be. As a mother & a nurse, YOU know best… look into your options (some insurances pay for clinics, but not homebirth) and then trust God with the decision… even if it means changing directions closer to due date 
I delivered #1 & #2 in hospital settings… 32wks in with #3, I called my hubby in tears after spending hours at the Dr & hospital, “I can’t DO THIS!” Bedside manner was horrendous, I was only in for checkups! God was looking out for us & directed us to a midwife who only accepts one pregnant lady a month… and she had my month free!! He weighed in at 10 lbs 2 oz after a waterbirth (LOVED IT!) and although my biggest, he was by far the easiest of all 5 of my labors & births! I was relaxed, we laughed, we walked… #4 was also born at home
Again, congrats!!
Lol. congratulations. We are expecting our third and I am a nurse going to be having a c-section. I think God has mistaken me with someone who can handle more…morning sickness is my enemy. I hope all goes well with your home birth or birthing center. Dread the surgery, but happy to have healthy babies.
Congratulations!!!
My sister has had all 3 of her children at home with a midwife. She loves it and wouldn’t have had it any other way. The birth of her son in February took, from first “official” labor pain to delivery, just under 4 hours. And he was a big baby, almost 9 lbs.
I on the other hand, had to have an emergency c-section with my first and due to type 2 diabetes also anticipate a c-section with my 2nd, due in November.
Congratulations
What wonderful news!!
Congratulations, Jammerill!!
I have had hospital, home and birthing center births. Each were good in their own way. Pray about it … God will let you know.
Congratulations!!!! I envy you (well except for being pregnant in this weather with no AC). I so wanted to have more babies. Congrats again!!
Congratulations on your exciting news! I LOVE that your family has such a heart for children. We currently have three children under 5 and are eagerly waiting to find out if number 4 is on the way!
With my 1st we had a hospital birth with a “midwife” who was actually more like a doctor, only coming in the room in time to catch him. I received no breastfeeding support or information and we struggled to figure things out on our own. During labor I was pushed to have drugs, made to stay in my bed on my back (duh! do these people even know what they’re doing?!) and was hooked up to a zillion machines. Worst. Delivery. Ever. Brought us the best son we could ask for, but it was not a nice memory getting him here. With our second we were in a different state and went with a hospital birth again with a REAL midwife and had a very positive, natural delivery. Problem was, 20 MINUTES after having our daughter the nurses barged in with needles and eye drops and without asking were going to inject our newborn. We objected and told them we weren’t doing any of it and they made a big stink about it and less than an hour after delivery I was in tears and they were threatening to take her to CPS if we refused the shots. I was horrified at their agenda and the treatment I received. Thank goodness my midwife stood up for us that choice that we had as THE PARENTS. That whole bit of drama scarred me pretty badly and when we found out #3 was on the way I KNEW I never wanted a hospital birth again. We had an amazing midwife who answered all our questions before we asked them, was calm and soothing, let me do my own thing and became part of our family. My second little girl came into the world in a darkened room with candles lit, soft music playing and surrounded by family. Less than an hour after she was born I was cleaned up and rocking her in my rocker…my hubby and I just sat there looking at each other until I finally said “what just happened here?! That was amazing!! Let’s do it again!” lol There are not enough good things I can say about that birth. It was so…peaceful. God blessed me with a wonderful experience and I can’t wait to do it again someday! I’ll talk to any pregnant lady I see about the joy of home birth. Ha ha. As far as infant safety, the midwives come to the birth with equipment in case of complications, but they are trained to watch you and if they feel complications may arise, they transport you to the hospital before it becomes an emergency and stay with you the whole time as a “middle man” between you and the staff. I’m excited for you if you chose to do a home birth! I think you’d love it! And if you do have one, you’ll really never want another hospital birth again. Congratulations again and enjoy that new bundle of blessings! 
I’m off the computer for three days and I miss the biggest news ever! Congratulations! What an incredible blessing! I am so happy for you and for your growing family. I’m kind of partial to the widwife/home birth or birthing centre route as opposed to the hospital, but I think ultimately, that decision should be prayed about and made only by you and your husband. Praying for a wonderful pregnancy and complication-free delivery!
Congratulations! I just had my third a little over a month ago at home and it was amazing! I would highly recommend it if you and baby are healthy. I just wrote about the home birth last week. If you’d like to read about my experience check out this link: http://artistta.blogspot.com/2012/06/amazing-experience-of-birth-of-our.html
At the bottom of the post I also have links to how my other pregnancies went and how they’ve changed as I’ve changed my diet. Each birth has been considerably different depending on the location of the birth and who was in charge. I also did a post on some helpful point for considering a home birth. I too checked out birth centers for this last birth. While it would have been an up from a hospital, the home is still far better, at least for me. One thing to consider is I found that the birthing center was far, far more expensive, at least 4 times more than a home birth. That’s a lot, especially when insurance doesn’t cover the bill, which ours didn’t.
I hope your pregnancy goes as well this time as the last 5.
Just wanted to say that I had my second baby boy at a local birthing center with a Midwife and Doula and the experience was AWESOME! I highly recommend having a Doula if this is your first birth with pain meds, etc. My Doula literally was with me the WHOLE time feeding me, rubbing my back making sure I was ok and helping me get through contractions. Although both births were awesome in there unique ways I will always treasure knowing I had mine naturally and at a birthing center. If I were to have a third…I would even consider homebirthing! Wonderful experience!
Congratulation! so exciting for you as I know you have a heart for children! My husband and I have 6 kids with a heart to have more! So exciting:)
My sweet cousin (also homeschool mom, politician, author and violin player) has a great book and site about birthing choices. She and I were pregnant simultaneously and it was fabulous having her to bounce birth choices and decisions off of. I picked hospital with variations while she continued with hard core home birthing. But we both had great experiences (and great kids!).
Check her out: http://betsydewey.com/
Who knows – maybe she’ll send you a book for free. If not, let me know and I’ll send you my copy. I might be able to talk her out of another one.
Congratulations! After working as a labor and delivery nurse, and pediatric nurse, I totally know what you are going through. I had my first three babies where I used to work. As we decided to allow God sovereign control over how many children we had, our whole way of thinking changed, and our last baby was born at home with a midwife. I would have never considered that option years ago, but was surprised at how much safer it was at home, and how I was able to significantly decrease my risk of cesarean section by delivering away from my old OBGYN friends. I loved the experience SO much more than in a hospital, and was stunned that I survived the process without calling for a ride to the hospital for an epidural at the last minute. ;o) It really is doable, safe, and delightful to have my family there. The postpartum experience couldn’t be beat. I love being in my own bed and shower! May God guide you as you seek His plan for you in this. God bless you!
Thank you, Nicole. I really am looking forward to a laid back postpartum experience. After talking with my hubby more I think he’s leaning more toward the birthing center – which is fine for me at this point. I look forward to being able to come home and rest with our new baby.
Thank for everyone, for all the wonderful and helpful comments above! Our power, water, and internet went out with the east coast storms last weekend. It so was encouraging to log back on and find your wisdom! xoxo
Congratulations! I just found out that we are expecting number 5 today
I can barely get off of my knees – so thankful! I can’t wait to tell my husband, and kids 