Monday, February 27, 2012

Five Firsts With Our Fifth


For this being our fifth baby, there are many firsts, making us almost feel like first-time parents again.  Almost.  

This is the first time we've been able to attempt a home birth.  We have practiced the Bradley Method for every birth and each one could have been born at home, but financially, it has always been cheaper to have a hospital birth.  Until now.  I can't tell you how much peace it brings to know that we won't have to make the nerve-wracking trip home from the hospital.  They are just so little in those car seats!  Personally, hardest part of a hospital birth is to wait until they release us.  It's torturous to crave contact with the rest of my family back home, to want to bond together with the new baby, to help everyone transition into their new roles, but to have to wait until the hospital decides to free us.  What a gift to have the whole process at home!

For the first time, we didn't find out the gender.  The planner that I am must be chilling out a bit.  I had to know what I was having with the other four babies so I could prepare a gender-specific layette.  So we would only need to choose one name.  Either a boy name or a girl name.  It just made sense.  This time around, it's fun to have such a mystery child, though I will admit at times I just wanted to get a pink or blue onsie or two.  But you know what?  This is exciting.

For the first time, we are waiting to name this baby after we meet it.  We've never had the luxury that a home birth brings to wait to name the baby.  I have a few ideas tucked away, but anticipating that moment where we study the baby, pray over him/her (some more), and decide a good name fit after meeting this little one feels so good.

The infant car seat won't be installed until after the birth.  This is most convenient since, thanks to the new California law, our six-year-old will still be in a booster seat for two more years.  This makes that back seat quite snug with three of them (with one in a booster) squeezed back there together.  Keeping that back seat less crowded for as long as possible is ideal.

This is the first pregnancy and newborn that will have the honor of professional photo shoots, thanks to a very generous photog friend.  This makes my heart happy, seeing as the youngest children of large families tend to have the least amount of pictures taken of them.

It is rather strange to have so many firsts with it being our fifth child.  But it feels adventurous, in a way.  I like it.

10 comments:

  1. I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your blog! As a stay-at-home mom of two, I think what you do is very inspiring! I have even started to menu plan and we will be expanding our garden this year. May God bless you and keep you safe during your delivery of baby #5 :)

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  2. I never got the sex of our three boys, either. Though I wanted boys and that's what we got!
    I like green and yellow, so we never had any trouble there, either.
    I wish you all much luck and a blessed delivery. ♥

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  3. Excited for you guys! Everytime I see a Riddlelove in my inbox I wonder if it's the one telling the baby is here! Blessings in abundance!

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  4. It's kind of interesting but I as read your post I couldn't help but think there is something special about this child. Of course your other children are wonderful and special but I feel like this baby is going to bring you new challenges and different rewards. Even though I almost never your family in real life I am so happy to be a part of your lives through your blog and facebook. You really inspire me. Many Hugs and blessings to you and your beautiful family.

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  5. *Hi* I just recently found your blog... and I LOVE it!!! :) I read your entire story of moving to the fifth wheel and felt like I kind of knew you... then I realized how "old" that story was and found out you've been on your "new" farm for awhile-- and getting VERY ready for a *new* baby!!! <3 I'm so excited to be able to read this and I check your blog every day :) Blessings to you and your family!
    P.S. I'm a homeschool mother of four--but they're older (10, 14, 16, 18). :)

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  6. Love reading your blog and hearing about your family. My kids LOVE Jeremy Riddle as they call him..and his music. We are worship pastors so anyone we listen to from Bethel or IHOP KC, they think we know personally.:) I am praying for your transition over the next weeks and for your sweet family.

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  7. Oh how fun! So nice to be experiencing so much wonder, even with your fifth child. And I'm so excited for you to be able to have a home birth! I hope it goes well for you - good luck with all of the up and coming adventures!

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  8. you are so amazing. i wish you lived in Portland so I could be near your awesomness. Love to read and be inspired. My husband and I are Bethel-ites. He went to SOW last year and told me about your blog from Jeremy...

    Later!
    simona

    p.s. happy birth!

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  9. Ok, I'm just getting caught up with my google reader and I'm loving your blog posts about your little one. :) I mentioned on a more recent post that we are expecting #5 and I feel the same way - experiencing all of these firsts. We aren't finding out what we are having and we will be having our first homebirth. By #5 you would think that pregnancy/birth is old news... but this seems so new and exciting (well, minus the morning sickness. That's not exciting.)

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  10. Expecting my 5th! Have never done pregnancy photos...maybe I should! Would love to have a home birth.

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