We're having a....baby!

I wanted to wait a bit longer to tell everyone this time, since I had an early miscarriage (only 5 weeks-ish, but had taken a positive test) this summer.  I know this is nothing compared to how long others have gone, but I was nonetheless sad and feeling guilty since I had run my half marathon while pregnant and hoped I hadn't been the cause.

So I wanted to make sure everything was okay before I told anyone.  Our family figured it out pretty early, but its been a fun surprise for others.

So far, its been a great pregnancy.  I felt pretty sick at first, but the nausea has eased to tolerable levels and my legs have been less painful (not less unsightly--whew!) than last time.  I have felt so much more relaxed since I'm not as busy as last time, not moving house right before a birth, and not in as much pain!  Its really been a huge blessing.  I thought I'd have to ask for a bit of help this time, but we've been able to function much better than expected.  I'm sad this is my last baby, but also feel so pleased to be having him or her!  This is a little sweet bonus that I wasn't sure we'd be able to have.  There is also lot less pressure knowing I don't ever have to go through this again!  I think I've genuinely been able to enjoy this pregnancy (not at first...when I was sickest I wasn't enjoying anything).  I always look at my kids with appreciation during each pregnancy, as I see how much can go wrong.  I feel really, really blessed.  I would love to have kids forever, but I am definitely at the point where I don't feel I can give all of them what they need if I kept going.  So...I'm super happy and excited about this baby, while finally feeling closure that its okay for us to be done having kids.   Whew!  Sorry for the whirlwind of words.

Today I had my 20 week ultrasound and as far as I could tell, everything looked good.  I don't have an appointment with my doctor until next week to get a more official okay.

I (clenched jaw) decided I didn't want to find out the sex of the baby, but to let it be a surprise.  Miguel, on the other hand, definitely did want to find out.   But, I'm behind in this argument 3 and 1/2 to 1/2, (we found out with all but Isa, and even then Miguel knew but I didn't) and this is our last baby, so I was preparing myself for a knock-out fight (okay, not really).

Well, today I showed up for my ultrasound, and...no Miguel.  He's never missed one of these before, but he had forgotten about the appointment.  I had the devilish thought NOT to call him, since I knew I would automatically get my way, but decided to do the right thing and remind him.  He was 30 minutes away, and the sonographer thought the appointment wouldn't last much longer than that, so we decided it would be best if he stayed at work.  He asked to speak to her on the phone and she kept listening to him and laughing, so I'm sure he was bribing or threatening her or both. 

I was a bit sad to do it alone...but chances are his powers of persuasion (when of course I want to know what the baby is-- so easy to give in!) used on both me and the sonographer would have had the desired effect.  So.....we're having a baby!