BFP Today, Will Have FOUR Kids Under 4. - Pflugerville,TX

Congratulations and everything happens for a reason. If anyone has anything negative to say just brush it off and stay positive.

I guess they can say whatever they like...it's a done deal now! And if people say things like "But won't that be so hard?", ask them if that is an offer to babysit. :)

Everything is going to work out great, probably better even than you imagine! A year from now, you'll wonder why you ever worried. :)

You are me. 35 years ago I had a 3 yo, 2yo 1 yo and newborn! This was by choice. Wanted them close. Just did babies, babies and babies. Was it crazy, you bet. Everyone got their attention because they were all very young. Now they are all very close with their own families. You will do just fine. Congratulations! Remember to never lose your sense of humor and you will enjoy it. You are truly blessed.

Wow, congratulations!

I would be like you and in total shock too.

But what a fun family you will have! Your children close in age. Lots of funny family stories to tell.

Just hang in there. Take it a day at a time.. Do not give up on your dream about being a Fireman.. I bet you canstill do this in the future.. Gosh knows.. anyone that can give birth and raise 4 children is Super Woman!

Anyone who says anything other than "Congratulations" or "how are you feeling" is a putz ;) TONS of people have four kids and although I think they go partially crazy with all littles, it all works out just great in the end. I am like you, I have three and I am already going bananas with 3 kids 4 and under and one is a nursing little guy. So I get so well why you are totally freaking out, I would be too!!! But I do have a lot of friends that have told me three was worse than four, that they had already gone through the craziness of being out numbered and that after three it was just like 'ok, one more to throw into the circus!' :) I will tell you that today, for the first time ever I let my kids go to the store in pjs. I am from the south, you dress and look decent before going out. Well after feeding everyone breakfast and nursing the baby, I only have a like 1.5 hr window to get to the store, get home, unload and put up groceries before my lil guy needs his morning cereal and nap. So you know what we went to the store in jammies and the world did not end. Their hair wasn't combed and they still got adoring looks from all we encountered. My hair was tied up, my capris had carrots on them and my shirt was from the day before. We all lived, there is food in the house, I served a delicious hot dinner and we laughed along the way. You will make it. You are in such a hard time with already a house full of littles that I know you just probably can't see how it will work out, but it will. And take a page from my book and chill out. If you gotta stay in jammies some days, pull clean clothes out of laundry baskets and kick junk out of your way to get to the couch, it will still all be ok!!! Hang in there mama and Congratulations!!!!!!!

Congratulations and first off don't worry about what the family, friends or anyone else says. They'll all have opinions but it's your life and your added blessing. You will have to adjust your fire cadet training but you can do that another year. I have 8 grown kids and believe me I got many opinions on it from family and friends but wouldn't trade any of them. Our first two were 12 months apart and then a space and then several were like your ages are. You will enjoy it having them close in age and the 2 and 3 year old will be a bit more mature by the time the baby comes. The youngest one will be young still but will have a play mate. The first few months will be the worst for you if you are like I was. I always felt so bad and had the other kids to care for and felt so bad laying on the floor by them so sick or dragging around nauseated and thought it was a mistake but after I felt better I could face it much better. Just go a day at a time and enjoy your children because they grow up way too fast.

Hi C.,
First of all, Congratulations! You are an incredibly blessed woman! God ordains life and death. The Bible clearly tells us that children are a blessing. So, since you mentioned trusting in God's plan, I can confidently encourage you that this is indeed His perfect plan for you. What shocks me is that Christians would be anything but happy for you. I know that it happens a lot, but it still shocks me. We've got it all backwards, I think. Children are a blessing. Debt is a curse. In our society, and sadly, in the church, we reject the blessings and apply for the curse. Please, embrace this precious gift with confidence that the Lord gave this child to you because He knows it is good for you, and it will glorify Him.

Having said that, I have six children. After we had 3, I was pretty much maxed out (I thought), and was apathetic about having more. I was not interested in it at all. But, in time, the Lord changed my heart, and we were blessed to conceive our 4th. She was the easiest of children, fit right in, and the transition was seamless. I figure that once you have 3, you have figured out the major juggling that it requires, and adding one more to the mix is no big deal. Numbers 5 & 6 we just as easy. Plus we had older siblings willing and able to help out, at least in small ways. We have since lost 3 children to miscarriage. We would love more, but since I am in my mid40s, we are doubting that it will happen. So, we are embracing our little family of 8, enjoying our days, and thanking the Lord for His rich blessings. I pray you will come to a similar place in your life, seeing the huge blessing and embracing it. Don't worry about nay-sayers. Seriously. Their priorities are mixed up. This is your *child,* not a toy that you bought and couldn't afford. This is an eternal soul that the Lord thought fit to give you to carry, and hopefully raise. Blessings, dear mother.
PS I just went and read the other answers. I am so encouraged by the encouragement you have received! Thanks, ladies!

I've been in your shoes and know how you feel!

First, people will always say unnecessary negative things...ignore them, usually they don't mean what they say or they are unfortunately plain ignorant.

Second, looking back at my now more "grown up" children, I have NO regrets. My children are very close as friends and our house is always full of laughter, loudness and lots of love.

Don't get me wrong, we had a few difficult years. Babies are a lot of work (as you already know, hehe) but think of the great rewards in the end. Each child is a precious gift from God and obviously He had a plan for your family that you did not expect. Trust Him and let Him carry you through the difficult times.

Congratulations!!

Congrats! I have been there:) :) It'll be just fine. I now have a 8, 7, 5 and 4 year old- all girls. It is working out well for us. I believe everything happens for a reason.

As far as family and friends, I get many more compliments (because my kids are mostly well behaved) than I get "bad" comments. ...and just brush it off!

We stopped at four only because my husband got a vasectomy. I'm 100% confident that if he hadn't we'd have 7 or 8 kids about now... and I've only just turned 31. LOL:)

Again, congrats!

Hugs! A good friend of mine had a 4 year old, a set of 8 month old twins and found out she was expecting her fourth. They lived in a two bedroom condo that they couldn't sell and she was freaking out too! BUT...now her baby is 10 months old, they have a house and she is a happy, happy mamma. She didn't know how she was going to do it (she also works full time) but she is doing it and although their lives are busy, she tells me all the time she would never trade it for the world!

Is that happy enough to make you at least a little less fearful? ;) Probably not, but hang in there. I'm sure it's scary, but you can do it! You are a great mom and have enough love in your heart for one more baby. Think of the stories your kiddos will have in 30 years of all their escapades!

My Sister in law is the oldest of 6 and her family consisted of 6 kids that were all born as 5 and under. She and her brother were B/G twins and her mother had one additional child each year for the next few years. She and her twin were only 5 when the 6th one was born. Her mother is the most laid back person I've ever met. I asked her the first day I met her...how did you do it? How did you survive having so many toddlers at the same time? She shrugged it off like it was no big deal at all and said, "It was a lot of fun. You just need a few extra gates" :-) I am sure it had its stressful moments...I have only one and he sometimes gives me stressful moments. But congrats. I have always heard that once you have 3 you can handle any number ...and you are already used to 3.

Big hugs to you! I'm "baking" #2 and freaking out. Apparently this little one is someone you need in your life. Deep breath, you can do it.

I am my parents' fourth, and was completely unexpected in their plan and much younger than my siblings. I know my mother struggled. But honestly, now 40+ years later, I have perhaps the closest relationship with my parents of all my siblings. It'll all be okay -- tough at first -- but good!

I am expecting #4/5 (any day now)- I have 3,5 & 6 yr olds, plus a 10 yr old stepson. My kids are 13 mos and 21 mos apart. I will echo what everyone else has said- three was much harder than four. I'm not really worried about the logistics of adding another person to the family. For me, this is the largest age gap and it has been hard trying to get myself back in "baby mode". We have been out of diapers for over a year and my kids are getting self-sufficient. I got rid of all my maternity clothes/baby clothes/stuff- all but the crib and high chair- because we were "done". I started back to school this year and the plan was for me to return to work after my youngest started kindergarten. Well, God had other plans for us! I just have to put my plans on hold for a couple more years and now I am going to be blessed with a little daughter- all of my kids are boys.
I would say that you are fortunate to be having another baby right now, instead of having a surprise in several years. The first year(s) will be a blur, but I promise, it does get easier. My boys are the best of friends and they ALWAYS have someone to play with.
You'll do fine! And the fire academy will still be there in a couple of years :)

First of all, Congratulations :)

It's easy for me to say 'don't worry about what other people think'...but we're expecting number 5...and I still was a little hesitant about telling certain people that I know thought we were crazy! But really...don't worry about it :p.

A few comforting thoughts (I hope so anyway)...

My grandmother had 4 boys under 2 1/2 (the last two were twins). Her Dr. (back in the fifties) told her to start smoking to relieve stress - I wouldn't recommend that! She said it was hard in the beginning...but a lot easier as they got older because they were such good friends...they entertained each other...and to this day, get along great.

My sister-in-law has some of her kids very close (14 mo.) and some farther apart (4+ years). She said that the ones that were close together were a lot easier because she was in 'baby mode'...it was harder having the big gap.

It's true - once you hit 3...the transition is not near as difficult when you add another one. I was really nervous about three...for the first time my kids outnumbered my hands! When we had number four, it really didn't seem that much 'harder'.

If I had any words of advice...it would be simply to make sure that you're getting time for yourself...at some point :p. I remember my dad walking in from work when I was a kid and my mom grabbing the keys and saying, "I gotta get out of here for a bit...I'll be back". I once asked her where she used to go, and she said she'd just drive down to a dead end street by our house, bring a book or a notebook...and relax for half an hour. I do also have a distinct memory of catching her in her closet one day with a bowl of ice cream. Whatever works! Allow yourself the occasional emotional meltdown (and the milk and brownies that follow)...and know that it's ok.

Good luck with the pregnancy...and beyond! Keep that faith and trust...I think moments like this are good for all of us - they make us surrender ourselves more fully to one who knows and loves beyond our ability to comprehend :).

Congratulations!!!
So you didn't plan this. Most of the best things in life aren't planned.
Who cares what they think? The people most suprised by this are you two. They will be just as suprised, I am sure. But they will get over it and be excited in no time!

Congrats C.! God's plan for you is GREAT!! And when he thinks you are not following his plan the way he wants, he gives us suprises!! They really are not surprises because it is our life's plan. Everything happens for a reason. You will survive!! You and your family will come out just fine. Cherish ALL your babies for they are not babies for long. All too soon they will be grown and you will look back at this time and wonder why you were so worried!!
Good luck!!!
Blessings!
D.

Congratulations! I had a big surprise pregnancy 9 years ago. It was a totally different situation than yours, but I was just as surprised as you, and felt just like you - shocked, and trying to have faith that God knew what He was doing.

Now 8 years later I can't imagine life without my surprise. I only have 2 sons as opposed to your 4 bundles of joy, but as others have stated, the more the merrier! I know you're shocked, scared, overwhelmed, etc., but it will work out, and you will have another blessing in the end.

((hugs))

Maybe it's God's way of telling you not to join the fire academy yet.

All 3 of my pregnancies were surprises. I learned something with each of them.

Congratulations.

How wonderful! Once the shock wears off you will feel the blessing this is! Don't worry about the comments you get...let them roll off your back! You got this!

How great for your kids to be so close in age. I do home daycare with so many little ones in my home. I recommend good gates and magnetic locks! It's like crowd control with small people!

Congratulations on your newest crew member! Be well!

Congratulations-you will have many more yrs to become a fire fighter-but now's clearly the time to have your children! All the best!

You never know what you're capable of doing, until you're DOING it! Try not to worry about what other people will say or think - only you have to live your life....and I think it's shaping up to be a life full of love and laughter.

Know how blessed you are to be given these four lives to nurture and protect. Yes, you're in for a couple of challenging years, but nothing worth having comes easily :) Congratulations!!!!

Apparently you are not supposed to be in Colorado at this particular juncture.
Congrats, let it ride :)

Yea! Congrats on the baby! I know that you seem overwhelmed right now, but something tells me if you are tough enough to have the mindset of a firefighter, you will do just fine.

For naysaying family members & friends? Just smile and say, "We can't wait to meet our new baby!"

two words ... tubal ligation :)

Hey, my SIL and BIL are TRYING for number 5 at the moment... So 4 can't be that hard, right? :)

First - Congrats Momma on the great news!! :)
I was petrified when I was pregnant with my 3rd. But they say 3 is harder than 4. If anyone says anything negative, just brush it off and rub your belly!! :)

DO NOT worry about what they say. It will hurt probably what they'll offer for 'advise'. My MIL announced to the entire room when we told them we were expecting surprise #5 that we were idiots. Yeah...that was hurtful, but she loves our now 14yo son. EVEN if you'd waited another 10 years people will have comments on the size of your family and frankly it's none of their business. IF you truly trust in God's plan for all of this, then lean on HIM for comfort and understanding because people will disappoint you often. I think it's wonderful! Congratulations.

Your family and friends should say "congratulations" and "we love you". I am one of four children and my mother was an only child. She would often say that she couldn't have imagined life any other way than with the four of us. Now I'm a grandmother and one of my daughters has 4 sons and while it is a challenge, they are all so unique and wonderful and we couldn't have imagined life any other way. BE BLESSED!

Everything happens for a reason?

CONGRATS!!!! Just tell nay sayers " God has bigger plans than we did "!!!!