baby #4

When I was 9 months pregnant with Hattie, I dropped Ivar and Elsie off at the first day of preschool. I went back to my car and watched them play together in the sand area. Right then I texted Rory that Baby #3 was going to need a Baby #4 so they would have each other like Ivar and Elsie do.

And so here we are, pregnant with our forth child. This baby was wanted, prayed for and planned. And we are so thrilled. The day we found out I was pregnant I decided to take the test on a whim. Rory had already left for the day and I had a Dollar Tree test and was eager to see. But I was shocked when the second line appeared. As luck would have it, that day my sister-in-law Lisa was coming over to gather grapevine from our grove to make wreaths. So I asked her if she would watch the kids for two hours so I could meet Rory for coffee. He had just been in Seattle for the weekend and we had hardly caught up.

I picked Rory up at Caribou and told him I wanted to go to the river. So we went to a favorite patio restaurant that overlooks the water, and Rory ordered us Fried Pickles and Cherry Cokes. How very fitting.

He had so much to tell me from his trip to Seattle. He had stuff to tell me about an exciting meeting at church. He had a lot to fill me in on with his business. It was a glorious day and we were so happy to be together.

After we left the restaurant we walked across a bridge and I told Rory about how that morning Ivar and I had been out in the barn talking about all we have to be thankful for. Ivar and I had thanked God for the goats and sheep, cats and chickens, the garden and orchard, for our barn and field. And I told Rory, "And you and me...we have our three awesome kids to be thankful for, and now a forth on the way." And I whipped out the pregnancy test out of my pocket and held it in front of him.

Rory's face lit up with an immediate joy that I won't forget. He was instantly happy. And we hugged and laughed and cried and thanked God. Because we are so, so grateful.

So baby #4 is on its way. I'm feeling fine and have a few hours a day of nausea, but it's mild.

And for the record, we feel good with four. With my other pregnancies I knew I wasn't done. But this one I have a peaceful feeling that this will be my last pregnancy. Of course I could be wrong, but I like four. We will fit in a mini van. Everyone has a partner. Groves Party of 6. I'm a fan.