Baby Hodges #4!

We are having another baby!
God sure did surprise us in an amazing way!

After Andrew was born I struggled with a desire for one more child, but thought that I couldn't handle it, not another pregnancy with all of the problems it seems to cause each time, and I couldn't handle miserably stumbling through motherhood failing constantly not feeling like I have what it takes to do it well. How could I possibly parent four when I am so lacking parenting three? Well, God is sufficient. He will equip and does so every day. Dependence on Him is imperative. He chose us as these kids' parents and will guide us as to how to do it! I rest in that.

Until three months ago, we felt like God was okay with us being done with the baby-making business. I prayed a long time ago that if that decision was the wrong one and He really wanted us to have another child, that God would defy the odds and surprise us by making it happen despite our feelings or actions. Otherwise, we felt a peace about just raising the three that we have. 

God made it very clear that He plans our lives and executes the twists and turns. He chooses life and creates as He wills. The sentence I've thought of most since the moment I found about the pregnancy is that "God gives us gifts we didn't even know we wanted." He loves us that much. We didn't ask. We felt insufficient to live up to the calling. But, He chose us anyway. What a gift!

I'm very happy that, despite a very emotional and overwhelming start, this pregnancy is such an exciting one. I think every time you have a baby and know what it takes for God to knit him or her together so intricately it's an exciting thing. But, with the other kids we planned. We planned Hannah, planned Hudson, and knew we wanted a third when we got Andrew. This one was all God. I think that makes it super-special. He gave us the blessing of having and raising another child just because He willed it so. It's our joy to respond with thanksgiving, obedience, and excitement!

I found out about the pregnancy on February 26th when Rodney was out of town for work. For two days I waited for him to return so that I could tell him the big news. I'm thankful that he suspected the news and had a little time to let the possibility soak in because he quickly responded with "Well....that's exciting. It will be an adventure!" It did my heart good that he didn't freak out!

In the first few weeks I was having a good bit of cramping, which is always alarming. I made an appointment for the eight week mark and that was my first OB visit. We did an ultrasound then and of course all of the bloodwork and initial testing. I have to say, it's the fourth time around and you just never get used to all of the poking and prodding. It's just never comfortable going through all of that. But, everything was fine. I was so very relieved and thankful! The doctor said the cramping must have just been from the uterus growing and stretching. You'd think that muscle would be used to all of that by now!

At 12 weeks I went back for an extensive ultrasound (since I am considered high-risk because I turn 35 one month before the baby is born). They did their genetic testing and such. Everything looked fine. I haven't heard anything about the labs so I suppose they must be normal too. 

12 weeks

Baby was about 3.5 inches long 

Heartrate-151

Baby was moving a lot and waving the fists around and bringing them to its mouth.

 8 weeks

Heartrate-111 (On the really low side of normal, so I was somewhat concerned and in heavy prayer about it until the 12 week test. What an answered prayer for a heartrate in the upper normal range then!) 

I've already been feeling the baby move some and felt first movement on April 17th at a little over 12 weeks. I got up early morning to use the restroom and when I laid back down, the baby must have been woken up by the movement because the baby starting moving around like crazy in there. I laid there for about thirty minutes just feeling the movement. What a great reason to be kept awake when I wanted to go back to sleep! I think I've felt it several times randomly since then, usually when I settle down in the evening.

I'm about 14 weeks now and the time seems to be flying by already. Hannah and Hudson are enjoying seeing pictures of how big the baby likely is each week. And they pray for and thank God for the baby every day. It's so sweet. It's so nice to share this as a family as we look forward to our new little addition!