July 25/08 ... Above is a picture of my 8 kids ... Samuel's picture (child #9) - is included with his profile & birth story

Jan. 7/08

Hi, I'm a first joiner of anything online. I love following the pregnancy week by week. A little bit about myself - been married for 17 years. Currently have 8 children with my husband (4 boys / 4 girls). I have also had 2 miscarriages (one at 15 weeks; the other at only 5 weeks). I am now 11 weeks 4days. Hoping all is well with everyone!! Congratulations to ALL.

Jan. 21/08

Pregnancy Survey

About You
Name?: Lise
Age?: 38
Height?: 5' 2"
Pre-pregnancy weight?: 124 lbs

About The Father
Name?: Bruno
Age?: 43
Height?: 5' 8"
Are you still together?: YES! Married for 17 years

About Your Pregnancy
Is this your first pregnancy?: NOPE!!! Currently have 8 children
When did you find out you were pregnant?: November 18th/07
Was it planned?: NOPE!!
What was your first reaction?: Thrilled! That kind of news never gets old.
Who was with you when you found out?: husband
Who was the first person you told?: The children
How did your parents react?: not surprised of course
How far along are you?: 13 ... almost 14 weeks
What was your first symptom?: missed period; then nausea
What is your due date?: July 24/08
Do you know the sex of the baby?: NOPE!! Really don't want to know.
If so, what is it?: ...! ..
Have you picked out names?: Not at all.
If so, what are they?: .....
How much weight have you gained?: None
Do you have stretch marks?: Very small mark... from previous pregnancy
Have you felt the baby move?: Not yet.
Have you heard the heartbeat?: No.. appt. on Jan. 23rd/08 .. should hear it then

About the birth
Will you keep the baby?: ABSOLUTELY!
Home or hospital birth?: Home
Natural or medicated birth?: Natural
Who will be in the delivery room with you?: Husband and midwives only
Will you breastfeed?: ABSOLUTELY!! No better way...
Do you think you'll need a c-section?: I hope not.
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: No.
What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: He/she is beautiful...
Would you let someone videotape the birth?: NOPE
Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: EXCITED...

Feb. 04/08

All is well ... just keep waiting one day at a time...Still soooooo sleeping. Can't get enough SLEEP... Did I mention I LOVE TO SLEEP. LOL Half way through winter. (definitely not my favorite season).... come on SPRING..... At least now I'm starting to show more (at 15 weeks). Just starting wearing maternity pants (with regular tops still though). I am now feeling the baby more.. YEAH!!! Next appt. in 2 1/2 weeks.... Can't wait

Feb. 13/08

You know, I thought I could feel the baby a bit...and now it seems for days on end I don't feel anything at all. It really stresses me out. I thought it would just get stronger and stronger and more distinctive. But instead --- it's like it just disappeared. Okay, a little more patience.... Next midwife appt. is Feb. 21. Must keep my mind on other things. As well I don't have m/s anymore - which is great - don't get me wrong. But with no flutters and no m/s - I can't help but think that something is wrong.....HMMMM

Feb. 22/08

Had my appt. yesterday. All is "PERFECT" !! I'm exactly where I should be and I was able to hear the heart beat again. It is such a relief - how comfortating that is. The heart rate was 120-130. Kinda low I thought, but I think it's still normal.... 4 weeks till next appt.

Mar. 7/08

Yup I caved in. No surprises for me....Had my ultrasound yesterday IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY!! Everything is absolutely perfect... Couldn't ask for anything more. I guess that's the tie breaker..boys are one up in the family now.. lol

April 17/08

10:00 a.m. I have my 26 week appt. today. I can't wait. Weeks are just moving along. I feel the baby all the time now. Also getting more of those round ligiment pains (ouch!) Boy how I remember that feeling...lol Still no boy names yet - hope I find something I like soon.

12:45 p.m. Came back from my appt. hb is 140. I measure exactly 26 weeks + I've gained only 2 lbs. since the last appt. ----TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN IS NOW: 9 lbs. So far so good!! My next appt. is now scheduled in 3 weeks. after that it's every 2 weeks....That really makes it feel sooooo close. YEAH..

May 12/08

Had my appt. May 8th. Gained 5 lbs. in 3 weeks. But that's okay - makes my total to 15 lbs. now.

Appts. every 2 weeks now. Got more blood work done (check for iron & sugar). That should be the last of it. Heart rate was 156. Head was down. Don't think he'll be moving,'

Big families are beautiful.

May 27/08

Had another appt. yesterday May 26th. It was also my birthday. "Happy Birthday to ME" - 39 years old. I've only gained .5 lb. Grand total is now 16 lbs. Not too bad at all. Getting extremely tired / uncomfortable. Almost there... 5 weeks left to work (31 days total) - but who's counting. hee hee

June 12/08

Just came back from midwife appt. I've gained 2 lbs. Total is now 18 lbs. Baby is now in "breech position". That has me really depressed. All my kids were born naturally. The last 5 were born at home. I'm 34 weeks today - and baby decides to flip. UGHH!!!! Have a C-Section has always been my absolute worse fear. Lord, please help turn this baby around again!! Another appt. in 2 weeks. This will be the longest 2 weeks ever. I've got exercises to try to flip him again...I hope it works...Everyone please say a prayer for me because this really scares me....

June 26/08

Well had another appt. yesterday. Baby is still not head down...sooooo going for an Ultrasound today at 3:00 to find out exactly how this little boy is positioned. Last day of work tomorrow!! Yah Hoo!! Didn't gain anything...so still total of 18 lbs weight gain.

June 27/08

I am soooo bummed. My ultrasound yesterday confirmed a perfectly "BREECH BABY". I'm at 36 weeks. Please Samuel....turn form mommy. I've got so many ppl praying for me. I'm going on all fours to motivate this child to turn; putting an ice pack on top of my belly... This totally has me stressed out. "Breath.....". Okay, I must stay calm and accept the facts....if he doesn't turn on time - a C-section will be imminent. Boo-Hoo!!

July 9/08

I had an appt. with the midwife yesterday (at almost 38 weeks). She managed to perform the procedure to manually turn the baby around. He is now head down. Ya Hoo! Now I'm still hoping and praying that he stays that way!!! But I do feel a lot better knowing that my chances are good to having another natural delivery. After having my last 5 kids at home...this time I've opted to have this one at the hospital (still with a midwife)..."just in case anything else may go wrong"....

Aug. 21/08

I All is wonderful... Samuel is now 1 month old. Bare with me, I rarely come online anymore. At home all I have is dial up and it's EXTREMELY SLOW. Putting 1 picture can take 15 minutes... I'll occasionaly want to keep in touch... but sometimes it'll be a month or two. Take care lovely ladies...xx/oo