Baby #9 {Update}

“To bear and raise godly children is to leave a legacy for future generations.
The legacy of homes, land, and wealth is great, but these can be destroyed and vanish away.
The legacy of children will last through the generations.

To bear children is to lay up treasure in Heaven.
God is not only interested in populating earth, but in populating eternity.
Parenthood has eternal rewards. It is not something that fades away.
It lasts into the generations to come and also eternity.
We need to guard ourselves from the trends of our day that lure our attention to ‘things’
that will not last and pull us away from the tasks that are lasting, such as raising children.”

-Nancy Campbell

 

Standing in the foyer of our church a few Sundays ago, I was having a light hearted conversation with one of my friends, who also happens to be expecting her third baby. What a delight to see her little family growing and her joy of motherhood increasing with every new week of her pregnancy. Coming up to the two of us, our cheerful pastor’s wife was easily added to the conversation.

“I was wondering — would be it be okay to throw a baby shower for you?” she asked with a gentle smile.

Of course, my eyes went to my friend’s direction. Naturally, I thought she was referring to my younger friend – who is only on her third pregnancy – surely, the shower arrangements were for her little one to come. The thought of a baby shower for our own little one never even crossed my mind. When I found out she was referring to both of us expectant mothers, tears sprang into my eyes.

“A shower? For me and the baby?” I questioned, shocked and humbled, as it has been years and years since someone has celebrated the arrival of our babies in the form of a baby shower.

“Oh yes! It is for both of you! All babies are a blessing in this church! We love babies! Every baby should be celebrated, no matter what number they are!” the lovely pastor’s wife explained.

With absolute joy and utter amazement, I retold the story to my husband on the car ride home.
A baby shower for us, he asked? Surely not. After all, we have had ‘so many babies.’ Indeed, I told him – we were included in the baby shower! We were both so blessed – for so many reasons. No, this baby does not NEED anything but the love (and diapers!) and home life we will give to him and her when they are born.

However, it is a immense blessing to be shown what the Bible says in this practical way: Children are a blessing, no matter if they are the first born baby or the ninth or even the 12th baby of the family born! My heart was filled with gratitude at the words of our pastor’s wife – all children SHOULD be celebrated – especially inside the family of God. I was most excited for our children – the girls, mostly – as they have not attended many baby showers in their lifetime and also adore and love babies. They are so excited to attend their own sibling’s baby shower. What fun! What a beautiful way to show to our children that they — and all babies – are wanted, special and sent from God.

Baby #9?! Wow.

This is usual the reaction from most when they ask how many children we have.

{Really, yes, that is a large family but we do know other families with more children than we have!}

Indeed. We never imagined having nine children, but now we can imagine have 10 or even more!

In some ways, I feel more blessed with each pregnancy. In no way do I take this new little baby-to-come for granted – and it’s certainly not a feeling of, “Oh dear, there’s another one on the way!” to me at all.

In fact, with each pregnancy and with the birth of each new child, the responsibility and the God-given challenge of parenting is awakened and renewed.

It is a truly an honour and a rich blessing to be carrying baby #9 …and I know my heart grows with more love with the arrival of each little one into our family.

 

 

 

At 30 weeks, things have gone very smoothly so far. Despite the regular aches and pains of a pregnancy (not to mention multiple pregnancies and getting older!), I have nothing to complain about. Yes, I am sore – yes, my legs hurt, yes, my muscles are stretching and yes, I go to bed early – but I know this is part of the pregnancy journey.

As I flipped our kitchen calendar from January to February this past weekend, I did, however, have a sudden panicky feeling of all that needs to be done before the baby arrives …. more school work needs to be finished, areas of the house cleaned that need organizing or painting, closets, drawers that need cleaning out, a two year old that needs to move into his big boy bed… oh, and where are those cloth diapers?
Are we ready for a new one? Hardly. We will probably always need to do something around here – this is true life and every day, there are new challenges and adventures for our family. But I love this life – this large family living – and– with God’s glorious grace — we will enter a new chapter with joy and strength.

 

 

 

We are planning a home birth with our midwife again – Lord willing – but again, every pregnancy is different and I know the outcome is all in God’s hands.  No, we did not find out the gender and will let it all be a nice surprise on the final day. Really, this update is rather short because things are going well!

 

So thankful for this little one to come!

 

P.S. If you have any name suggestions … please send them our way!

 

 

February 14, 2020 - 11:57 am

Teresa @ SF Everyone sending Names that start with “L” I looked back over the post .. not sure if you are wanting L names? Here’s a few names I love for a little girl. Lauren, Aleia ( A-lay-a) Mia, Alyssa, Haley, Allie, Annalise, Ashlynn, Shea. Hugs!

February 12, 2020 - 4:19 pm

Sam Congrats! I feel as though you must have already considered and perused through every L name in the book ahha but I love: Lily/Lillian a lot and believe it’s a beautiful name. Laurel is also beautiful with strong imagery. Lydia. I’ve always liked Lena which comes from Alena “light and shine”. I am all about name meanings.

For a boy… Levi, Lucas, Leo, Landon, Lawson, Lief (scandanavian for heir or loved), Leeland.

February 8, 2020 - 4:20 pm

Gigi Thank you all for your kind words! And your wonderful name suggestions! Yes, we do have a theme of the L names so I am inclined to stick with it …
My pastor’s wife *IS* sweet. The other thing that makes her kindness all the more precious is her family’s struggle with fertility. Very easily, she could be bitter and upset. However, she has a true generous heart for the Lord and I can see that in her.

February 7, 2020 - 7:35 pm

Teresa @ SF You look so lovely! I am so happy for you all sweet friend. What a wonderful home and family you have. What a nice blessings to have a baby shower. Your pastor’s wife sounds so sweet. Looking forward to the next post. Hugs to you take care!

February 6, 2020 - 1:03 pm

Julie So very happy for you and you your family! And baby showers are so fun and exciting. What a blessing to have a loving church family to share in the joy of this new life. I have a couple of names to think about, for a girl Loretta, this is my moms name. Also Lyra (pronounced Lear-ah) from a dear lady in our church that’s just turned 93. And for a boy Lloyd (yep, with 2 L’s) this was my grandfathers name. Prayers for continued health for both you and baby and for calm as you prepare for the arrival. Blessings!

February 6, 2020 - 12:42 pm

Regina Shea Oh I just read your all children have L names but I don’t know their names so forgive me if you already have these names.
Well now I have to change my name’s lol
Lily
Lillian
Laura
Louise
Lilith
Lanie
Lydia
Lorreta
Lizabeth

Lucas or Luke
Lawson
Lawrence or Larry
Lionel
Leonard
Leon
Luca
Luka
Lijah

February 5, 2020 - 4:34 pm

Diane My latest grand baby is named Lillian Jane. Another suggestion for a girl would be Liana. It means “God heard us” I believe. I love this name whenever I hear her mother call her at church. This was their first daughter that was born to them after several years of infertility. Now they have 2 more children born, and a son that they adopted before Liana was born. His name is Liam, another L name for you.

February 5, 2020 - 1:56 pm

Diane Awe! So happy for you! I would love to see some pics of the Shower. Congratulations!

February 5, 2020 - 7:19 am

Gigi Jen, yes, I know, I can’t believe how quickly the time flew by!
Thank you all for the great name suggestions … what wonderful names!

February 5, 2020 - 12:14 am

jen What?!! You are already 30 weeks?! I’m so happy that your church is celebrating your new baby. Love this so much!

As for names:
Girls: Laurae (Lor-eh), Lynlee, Lainey
Boys: Lennon (could be girl or boy), Landon, Linden

February 4, 2020 - 11:31 pm

Katie Taylor Also our name suggestions 🙂

Lawrence
Lee
Louis
Leo
Luka

Lily
Laura
Lizzy
Libby
Linda

Xx

February 4, 2020 - 5:35 pm

Debby in Kansas, USA I am partial to Child #8 of 9. That’s where my husband fell in his birth order! In fact, he & his sister (#9) were both born on the exact same day, just one year apart! My MIL was one of two children and my FIL was an only child. They both wanted a big family and did so. I’m glad they did! I love my #8 dearly!!

Pregnancy looks good on you! What an exciting time for your family. May God bless you and keep you and baby well. I predict a girl. Lillian. I have a beautiful cousin named Lillian.

February 4, 2020 - 11:48 am

Mrs cox yo Oops..I forgot your children have names beginning with L….I like Levi meaning joined to or attached to, and Leana meaning meadow

February 4, 2020 - 11:43 am

Mrs cox You are lovely, and this baby is so very blessed to have such a wonderful family awaiting with open arms. I like the name Eli for a boy and Anna for a girl. God bless you. I so look forward to reading each blog post.

February 4, 2020 - 11:41 am

Kristal You look wonderful! I’m glad you are having a good pregnancy. Can you believe you are almost there already!? I am sure your family is getting quite excited. Hmmmm, names? Have you ever thought of Laura (I do love Little House on the Prairie!)? I think the names Lucy and Lydia are beautiful too. For boys, Luke/Lucas, Lincoln, Levi. Not sure I gave you any unique ideas here. 🙂 Take care during these last few weeks.

February 4, 2020 - 11:01 am

Katie Taylor Praise the Lord! What a beautiful blessing 🙂

February 3, 2020 - 10:53 pm

Regina Shea You look simply lovely Gigi. Pregnancy definitely suits You! Let’s see for names:
I don’t remember if you two find out beforehand what you are having so for girls so forgive me if name suggestions are already nanes of your current children. I also put middle names
Emily Grace
Bethany Joy
Felicity Patience
Alaina Peace
Patience Marie

Boys:
Jacob Michael
David Andrew
Stephen Peter
Phillip Paul
Micah Jeremiah
That’s all I can think of at the moment. I’m excited for you and can’t wait for your little one to get here.

February 3, 2020 - 10:17 pm

Brenda Clair (Gigi’s Mom) Gillian, you look more beautiful with every pregnancy! xoxo

February 3, 2020 - 10:08 pm

Nancy I agree with Monica: you look so beautiful, radiant, and feminine. And your love and joy expressed in receiving this 9th blessing is such a delight to read. I smiled at your invitation to offer name suggestions. About 30 years ago, I heard a girl’s name for the first time — Lyrica (pronounced lyric-uh). I thought it sounded so beautiful and, well, lyrical! I would’ve loved having a daughter by that name, if I hadn’t had all boys! Perhaps it is a more common name than I’m aware of, but I’ve only known of one little girl who had it.

February 3, 2020 - 6:27 pm

Monica The wee one is growing!!
You look beautiful—radiant and so feminine. I love it! Praying you have a easy transition into these last few weeks—wow it’s flying by. Somehow it will all come together—don’t worry. It’ always does! Hugs, Monica