Yes, the Tanner family once again has super exciting news!
We are expecting baby number 8 early in 2017. Almost exactly two years will have passed since we welcomed little Brynna Ruth into the world.
Sydney is the most excited. She and I were in the local hydraulic shop picking up a repaired tractor part, and she announced out of the blue to the poor guy there–“There’s a baby in mommy’s tummy!”
She also says that it’s going to be a boy. So we shall see. Since we don’t peek during the ultrasound it’ll be awhile before we know for sure.
The other kids aren’t as convinced that it’s a boy, though Jeffrey is hoping it is. Jayme and Ellie, on the other hand, predict a girl.
A boy would leave us with an even split–four of each. A girl would leave the girls ahead 5 to 3.
How We Prepare the Other Kids for A New Baby
From the beginning we’ve taught our kids that babies are a special gift from God. That mindset has really carried over into each of them.
They look forward to a new baby. To watching the baby grow. To watching a personality develop.
Yes, children are a blessing. And Bryan and I model an attitude of excitement for the kids. We include them in going to the midwife appointments and listening to the heartbeat.
They help brainstorm names. (Bryson Luke is winning for a boy name right now, and Zoe Abigail for a girl, but those will probably change before baby actually arrives!)
Towards the end of my pregnancy, we all fill out a prediction paper. I create a little form with options for the kids to circle and fill in. They decide what day they think the baby will arrive on, what color eyes baby will have, and if baby will have hair. They circle a pound and ounce prediction and a length one.
Then they have a spot to draw a picture.
After the baby joins the family, we pull out the prediction papers and give a piece of candy out for the closest guess in each category.
Pregnancy Countdown
My first trimester has finished, and we’re looking forward to baby joining us in about six months. I’m sure the time will fly.
At least until my due date passes and I’m still pregnant. I usually go two full weeks over, and those two weeks DRAG!
I’ll be posting periodic pregnancy updates here on the blog, and will be sure and let you know if Sydney was right with her early gender prediction!
