IT'S A........ (and many more updates)

Okay, I finally got my act together & updated this blog like crazy - since I have been MIA for the last 4 months. - So there are many updates & many pictures & whew..... I am finally done :-)

For those of you that haven't heard, we are having a girl!!

It was a surprise - since somehow we just thought it was for sure it was a boy, but we are very thrilled and very pleased. We also already decided on a name. We wanted to name the baby a biblical name, and Sarah is the name that came into both of our minds. I love that name and we both feel it is perfect. We haven't for sure decided on a middle name. So Dayton will be the sole boy completely surrounded by girls. If I was younger, I would maybe have more children, but I feel like this pregnancy and baby is like our "bonus" baby.

I went in for an ultrasound about two weeks ago. I had tested high on a protein/hormone blood level test (& also because I'm older) - I am a higher risk so they recommended that I do an amniocentesis and an in depth ultrasound. We didn't do the amniocentesis as there is a risk of miscarriage, and I definitely do not want to cause a miscarriage, but we did have the in depth ultrasound. They look for any abnormal signs with a technician who is highly trained with high risk perinatal development. I was very nervous going into the ultrasound, but all went well. Our little girl looks fine - everything is developing as it should be. Now that doesn't mean everything is guaranteed to be perfect, but they couldn't detect any problems. So that was a big relief - but I am praying daily this pregnancy goes well with no problems and the baby is healthy & well. So yesterday, I was 20 weeks exactly - half way through.... Yay!!

Now I just got to get my photo albums done for Dayton & Emma (as I haven't even done a baby book for them yet - as I am about 6 yrs behind.) You know what I'll be working on this summer.

Here are the 5 ultrasound pictures we got (sorry if it is not so clear - they're pictures of pictures):







School is almost out for the girls. I finish up homeschooling this week with Emma. We are doing fun Science & Math experiments this week. We (Emma, Dayton, & I) also went to see the play/musical Jungle Book this morning. We all enjoyed it, though it was much different than the Walt Disney version.

Courtney & Melanie have been telling me for the last few months that they would like to be homeschooled again & do some classes at Homelink again. At first, I was like "no, I'm having a new baby - I don't want to stress myself out" - one more yr of regular public school & then I will homeschool again. But as the last few months went by, and as I started thinking & praying about it - I feel it is a good thing to do, but I'm always second guessing myself???? Don would prefer I do it, but he also doesn't want a stressed out nut case for a wife. I just have to be more organized & not do too much so I don't stress myself out or burn myself out. I have all of the curriculum I need for Emma & Melanie (as I use to be ultra organized & prepared & bought extra workbooks to go along with the curriculum/teacher's books), so I only need to get curriculum for Courtney.

And to put a kink in everything, Courtney also got accepted into the gifted/highly capable program for Lacamas (the Camas school - where she is now going). We just found out last week - so then I wonder if she should do that program instead????? So far, I enrolled them all in homelink for a combined science/history class on Mon & Thurs. Emma (1/2) & Melanie (3/4) are in for sure, but Courtney's grade (5/6) is full, so we are on a waiting list & we won't find out if she gets in until the fall. I also signed up the Melanie & Courtney for a drama class & choir class, and Courtney for a knitting class (as that is her new passionate hobby), & Melanie & Emma for a paint, sculpt, & draw art class (all on Wed). I'm also going to be teaching piano to Courtney & Melanie as well. There is so much you can supplement homeschool with (an American Girls class, band, PE classes, ice skating, etc, etc are also available) - but then I don't want to be Taxi driver 24/7. I need some peaceful stay at home days too. Courtney also wants to continue gymnastics next year & Melanie wants to continue dance. I love the teams they are currently on, but I've got to find something in the day/afternoon as I am tired of being gone at night - it is hard dragging all four of my kids around at night & all getting home 8:45ish two - three times a week & then having to get everyone up early the next morning.

As for Dayton, he is doing so well in speech/language (he has been going to preschool & speech for the last yr & half). He really took off & blossomed this year. His enunciation isn't perfect and sometimes it is hard to understand him - but his vocabulary and language are fantastic. He talks all the time & says just about everything now. Next year, I just want him to enjoy being a little boy & not have to get up early and go to school, so I'm not going to put him in the preschool speech program. I'm not concerned about his speech/language any more since he is doing so well. & he only gets to be little once, the rest of his life - he will have school or work.

Anyways so those are the plans for next year - if any one has good advice on homeschooling & how not to burn out - send it to me :-) as I am hoping for a very good and peaceful year (& hoping I am making the right decision).