More....

I found this site when I was looking for pregnancy sites. Not that I didn't know anything about pregnancy -- it was my fifth pregnancy, but it was after a miscarriage and I hadn't given birth in 12 years. I've been married for 22 years and I have 19, 16, and 13 year old sons, and now a twenty month old son.

Most people's reaction to a couple of 40-something year-olds having a baby was positive, but we had some negative reactions too. Some folks we know (and are related to) believe raising children is a drudgery you just have to get through.

My children and husband were especially happy that I had finally quit smoking. No, I didn't get any banners, flowers, cards -- or even an "atta girl!", but I know they're happy about it just the same, and I am too. For those mommies out there trying to quit, I recommend www.whyquit.com. There is no advertising, nothing to buy. Yes, it is radical, but I smoked for over 20 years and was up to 2 1/2 packs per day... so I needed something pretty radical because I tried everything. I know folks who quit and said, "Everything tastes better!" I didn't have that, but I do breathe better and the cold I got this year didn't turn into raging bronchitis. I still get cravings to smoke now and then, but they aren't nearly as bad as in the beginning. Your first craving for a cigarette is not the same as the one you will have two weeks later and that craving will not be the same as four months later. I wish the best of luck to all pregnant mothers trying to quit and I want them to know that someone "out there" is not condemning them or thinks they are terrible. I want them to know there is a mommy out there just like them and she is praying for them.

My husband and I still hear the "Glad it's you and not me" comments regarding having another baby at our age, but what else were we doing for the next 20 years anyway?