My Last Pregnacy: The Decison

It's kind of crazy to think that I have a family picture from the day we made the decision to try to expand our family but since it came the early morning of Addie's actual 4th birthday and her party, we are in luck!

Journaling from June 24, 2012

Thirty-five days ago, on 5.20.12 Addie's 4th birthday, we made the decision for a 3rd baby. We haven't at all wavered! A couple of times, on stressful days, I have questioned if I can do it and on numerous occasions already, I find myself "picturing" what our everyday life will look like with three kids. The grocery store, swim lessons, baseball practices, nights Blake is gone overnight, etc... But through it all, Blake and I are so excited and we both feel like is is so right for us.

Years ago Blake had mentioned loving coming from a family of three siblings and although at the time I said, "Great, I want one, let's compromise on two then!" It must have stuck. Through the first three rougher years with Addie's asthma, allergies and constant meltdowns, we always felt like we had our hands full enough with two. However, over the last year, as they have grown into these amazing, independent, little loving and mostly rule following kids, something evolved... but we never really talked about it or were at a place that we both wanted it. Even the day before this "decision day," we had held a garage sale and sold our Britax Newborn Car Seat and Stroller Set for a mere $40. We would have NEVER done that if we had known the serious conversation we would have together within the next 24 hours. 

When that Sunday morning came and I woke up early anticipating Addie's big day, something laid heavy on my heart and it was that I truly felt we should try for one more to complete our family, if God agreed. And that if we were on the fence about this, we needed to decide once and for all. For nearly three years, words from a friend of mine, Alison Madrid, really resonated while she was pregnant with their third. She told me that while they were deciding on a 3rd they ultimately came to the conclusion that once they had a third, they would never regret it but could they say the same if they didn't?

That early morning, I told Blake my feelings expecting him to not be at the same point and perhaps try to remind me how good we have it now. But instead, he whispered that he agreed.

Since then, we joke that we were on the verge of loosing Southwest Airlines Pre-boarding status for families with children five and under and  our preferred parking spot at HEB for parents with children, but in all seriousness, we know it will be on the the toughest things we ever do together but we feel like the four of us are up for the challenge!