The countdown is on!

Baby # 5 is on his way.  I feel very ready to have him, but have never felt so unprepared for a baby to come.  After Baby #4 I was certain we were done having kids.  I felt we had met our limit and couldn't possibly do more.  I gave my maternity clothes, our swing, our pack and play and all of our baby boy clothes away to friends and family.  Little did I know that as time went by, my confidence would improve in Kip and I's ability to bring just one more into this world. 

It was a hard decision...in some aspects I was  looking forward to being done with diapers, potty-training my last child, and reaching some sort of plateau.  As hard as I tried though,  I just couldn't get rid of this constant feeling that there was one more spirit in heaven waiting.....for us. There was a lot of praying, conversations with Kip and thinking about the matter.  I can honestly say that baby #5 was one of the more planned pregnancies we have had. I am 100% confident in our decision. 

As most of you know, Kip and I have never had any trouble in the fertility department and as soon as we made the commitment to get pregnant...a month later I found out I was.  What came next was anticipation.  I really wanted Mckayla to have a sister, even if they would be 9 years apart, so of course I was hoping for a girl.  I kept insisting that it was a girl but I think I knew in my heart that it was a boy (I often found myself referring to this baby as a "he" or a "him" when talking about him).  At 16 weeks and again at 20 weeks my doctor confirmed my reluctant suspicion that yes, we were having ANOTHER boy. 

I won't lie.  I cried, because up until that point I still had hope that maybe we would have a girl.  I knew that for sure this time, this baby, would be our last.  I think thats why I was sad.  Not that I am at all disappointed that I am having another precious baby boy, but that now I know that there is no hope for another little princess...we are done.  I love my boys.  They are so much fun, they love their mom, they give me hugs and kisses all the time.  I AM happy with what God has given me, and i know that there is a reason for all these boys in my life.  As for Mckayla and I, we will survive the rough housing, the testosterone, and ALL the sports....and we will combat it with glitter toes, perfume, shopping and GNOs.

So...the Willises are preparing for yet another ride down the roller coaster of a new born's first year.  Its a year full of sleepless nights, adjustments,new schedules around a baby....but a baby blesses your life in so many ways..  They teach you to slow down for a moment, enjoy a new life, notice the awesome things in this world that baby's find so fascinating, and that we pass by every day.    They pull your family closer together. 

31 weeks and counting.....