I think it's hilarious to see people's faces when they ask me, upon noticing my pregnancy: Is this your second? And then I smile and tell them, nope, fourth. 

So... when am I due? Baby will make six (counting my husband and me, of course) around the end of August/first of September or so. At least that's when the blessed event is expected. I try not to put too much stock into due dates, though.

In my first pregnancy, I was due December 6th, but fully expected to go a week or more beyond that. My reasoning was that my mom's due date to have me was June 4th and I didn't make my appearance until nearly 3 weeks later! Although back then they didn't have ultrasounds and such to date pregnancies as specifically as we do now, I suppose. Anyway, I was fully shocked and unprepared when I went into labor more than two weeks early! Claire was born the Sunday after Thanksgiving that year. 

Then, oh wise one that I was, I was fully confident that baby #2, due November 7th, would be born around Halloween at the latest. Which would've been cool because October 31st is my late grandfather's birthday. This was right around the 2004 general election, and my co-workers (because of my previously mentioned infinite wisdom) had no inkling whatsoever I would actually still be here to anchor on election night. I have to explain that the 11 pm producer had spent HOURS and WEEKS preparing her election night rundown -- counting on only Tim to anchor our election coverage since I'd be home nursing my newborn. But you know, since my first baby was early, of COURSE my second one will be too, right?

Well... I was a crazy pregnant woman that first week of November -- again, not even past "due" yet -- stressing over still being pregnant, still working, should the producer re-do her whole rundown, and what if I go into labor on election day itself and she has made all those changes for nothing and has to change everything back crazy crazy crazy!! Finally our then-news director Maribeth Anderson - God bless her - looked at me and said, You're here, you'll be here, we'll re-do the rundown, no big deal, done.

So yep, I was here, I anchored election night, I quit stressing, and Miss Ava came just when she was ready to come, a day AFTER my due date. Which was still cool since that is Meemaw's birthday (My mother-in-law).

You'd think I'd have learned my lesson with #3 but I still found myself getting anxious WHEN IS THIS BABY COMING?!?! and he was born four days before his due date. Soon that sweet boy will be turning two.

MAN am I rambling and not answering any qs whatsoever!

Okay back on track.

Boy or girl? We chose not to find out. Matt was inclined to during our 20 week ultrasound but I was disinclined and he didn't feel as strongly as I did so we don't know. The wonderful ultrasound tech said afterward that she did see, but I was watching the whole time and whatever she saw, I didn't. Matt claims to have seen, but readily admits he has no idea if what he thinks he saw was actually what he thought he saw.

We found out with #1 that she was a girl, but with the other ones we have waited until birth. I have loved all those experiences and wouldn't change any of them.

So here we are... 11 weeks (or so) to go, kicky baby, two excited big sisters, one big brother who has a couple more months to enjoy being the baby, and the whole summer ahead of us! :-)

Penny