Happy Easter, Happy News

Happy Easter! Christ is risen!

Our holiday was extra special this year, because we shared the joyful news with our families that our fifth child is due to arrive somewhere around October 8!

Here is a sneak peek at Tiebreaker (our pet name for #5), from my ultrasound at 7w6d:



Thankfully, s/he had a strong heartbeat. We had a scare early on in my pregnancy caused by five days of red bleeding and clots. I had three blood tests to check my HCG levels (all doubled nicely), and then this ultrasound. Yesterday, at 12w6d, Collin and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat via Doppler for the first time (153 bpm).

The news was received by our families with much surprise and some concern, so I've compiled a brief FAQ to answer many of the questions we've already been asked (and some I expect have been asked behind our backs).

Q: Five kids? Are you crazy??

A: Yes!

Q: Where will you put them all?

A: In bedrooms, with bunk beds eventually. If necessary we can also pitch tents in the backyard. Arizona's climate makes that a viable option.

Q: Was this planned?

A: When that becomes your business, I'll let you know.

Q: Don't you know what causes that?!

A: Yes, and we're very good at it.

Q: Are you trying to overpopulate the Earth?

A: No, just outnumber the idiots.

Q: Haven't you ever heard of contraception?

A: Of course we have. We simply choose not to use it. We've very pro-choice in that regard.

Q: You're done after this one, right?

A: We figure we'll stop once we get an ugly kid. Hasn't happened yet.

Q: Are you going to get fixed?/Is Collin going to get fixed?

A: No; neither of us are broken. In fact, our reproductive systems work perfectly!

Q: How are you going to afford five kids?

A: We plan to write a best-selling book in which we demonstrate how to deflect rude questions from nosy people. We've had a lot of experience so far.

Any other questions? Please feel free to ask! I can't guarantee you'll get the answer you want, though. :)

23 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I knew it when I read the post!

    So exciting! My kids need good Catholic husbands! But I can not promise my girls will have good grammar! LOL ;)

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    Replies
    1. Any DILs of mine will learn grammar or face the wrath of their MIL. :P

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    2. If that is the worse they get from their MIL that is okay with me!!!! LOL

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  2. I love your responses!

    And congratulations!!!! Such joyous news!

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  3. Congrats!! Children are awesome. And yours have awesome parents.

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  4. You missed one of my favourites:
    Don't you guys have a TV? :)

    Congrats and I hope all goes well with your pregnancy!

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    Replies
    1. I haven't been asked that one yet, but if I am, my response will be: "If you think TV is better than sex, you're doing it wrong."

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  5. I love this! Do you mind if I share this on my blog--with the link back to your blog, of course?

    And, congrats!!!

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  6. Congrats. Glad the bleeding stopped. I suppose that they don't know the cause. Ive had a co worker who bleed during the 1st trimester. She had normal pregnancy otherwise but it was still scary.

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    Replies
    1. No, it remains a mystery. The hypothesis right now is uber-implantation bleeding.

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  7. Congrats Joanna and the FAQ was fun reading!

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  8. Congratulations JoAnna!!! Grow, baby, grow!!!

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  9. I was wondering when you'd announce! I'm due Oct 24 and lurk on the MDC birth board. ;)

    So, names!? Seems like you're getting down there with the holy family theme, perhaps Joachim/a?

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    Replies
    1. Haha! Do you post there at all, or are you just a lurker?

      I'm not sure if we'll continue with the Holy Family theme... the only other names that fit with the theme are John and Zachariah, and none of those are on our list at the moment. (John is actually a family name on both sides of our families, but it's also been used a lot...)

      Tiebreaker will definitely have a saint's name in the first or middle slot (or both), but we're still mulling possibilities.

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  10. I haven't posted so far, I probably will as things start to be more "real". I'm hoping for a VBAC and the ladies there seem to be a good source of information on that sort of thing.

    This next one will be either Joan or John so I think it's a great name.

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  11. Love the answers to these questions! I have had similar questions asked of us. We have a new answer to the question "Don't you know what causes that?" Our new answer has been, "Yes, God!" (This is such an obvious answer, I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier.)

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  12. Congratulations!!! Love all your responses.

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  13. Fantastic news, and fantastic post :)

    Congrats!

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  14. Congratulations! :)

    I am going to bookmark this for the responses. ;) We're only on number two, but I imagine in a few years I may be wanting some of these (especially the "outnumber the idiots" one! Hah!)

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  15. Few things are cooler than bunk beds when you're a kid. Perhaps this might help? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ABAL74C/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

    All the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! We're don't need bunk beds yet - that's a few years away - but something like the above is a great option for when we get to that point.

      I hope you and your family are doing well!

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  16. Congrats! Excited for the little life that is quickly growing inside you.

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