Charlie

When talking about baby #4 Carlyn has always insisted it will be a boy and Annie has insisted it will be a girl. Rick has only insisted that we don't find out what it will be. This is very hard for me. Well, I've been trying to talk myself into not finding out for Rick's sake, but struggling with it.

The other day I was putting the kids in the tub and Annie said something about our new baby brother. I asked if she had changed her mind about it being a girl and she said, "Yeah. Its a boy." I forget which one said next, "Yeah, and you should name him Charlie," but the other quickly agreed. I asked where they got that from-Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Charlie from the Santa Clause. Carlyn said from the Santa Clause but maybe Charlie Brown too. I said I didn't know and we finished the bath.

Later I was talking to Rick telling him about it. We thought it was really cute. After telling my family several times it was starting to grow on me. So we've come to a decision. We will not find out if its a girl or boy and we will call the baby Charlie (Charley) until the baby is born and then we'll see if we still like the name or not.

A Sigh of Relief

Okay, I know this isn't the best picture, but if you look closely you can see an outline of a baby there (the head on the left, the profile of the head and body). He/she is big enough that the doctor thinks 14 weeks could be accurate, but we'll wait until the 20 week ultrasound to say a "final" due date. Otherwise, it is June 1st for anyone who is wondering. I saw a good strong heart beat and the doctor said everything looks great. *Sigh* I've been much more paranoid this time and was very happy to hear him say it. I've been so blessed so far. I don't take it for granted. I appreciate every good appointment. I did have a couple scary ones with Carlyn, one where the doctor couldn't find the heart beat, so they sent me for an ultrasound just in case. This baby was very active and I was so happy to see it. Sometimes I think we're crazy for having 4 so close, but I know once he/she's here that I'll wonder what I ever did without him/her. I guess I wasn't quite accurate when I said we didn't take any pictures on Thanksgiving. Here are my kids and a couple cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Since Darren has been sick, he's been much more sedentary and snuggly. This was him in the baby swing (which he pulled out of the closet the other day) and snuggling with Carlyn's blanket and a bottle of Pedialyte. He's also been watching more shows since he got sick. He'd watch maybe a minute before when yesterday he watched a whole hour! He loves Baby Mozart, Elmo, & Dora the most. This is the disadvantage of being the younger brother of two girls who have big imaginations. Carlyn was trying to put on his socks and shoes and Annie was cutting his hair with toy pliers.

His expression is the best, I think :) At least they weren't putting bows in his hair!