January has been quite a month for us as a family. We started off the month with Jessica still on the intensive care unit following her heart surgery; were reunited with Sophie 11 days into the New Year once Jessica was back in a “normal” bay on the ward and came home two days later. The second half of the month has been full of medical appointments – but not just for Jessica. You see, we’ve been keeping quiet about the fact that there’s another little member of our family to consider. A little person that right now is about the size of a lime, gender unknown, and is currently known as Peanut.
We told the girls on Christmas Day. Jessica in particular has been very excited. Being in hospital has been a good thing in that respect with trying to keep Peanut a surprise! She told all the doctors and nurses that “Mummy has a baby in her tummy!” and has been giving my tummy lots of kisses. Sophie has been a little more matter-of-fact but has been asking questions about Peanut. She would like to have another sister. Jessica would like a brother. We’re not planning on finding out until Peanut actually arrives though so hopefully the excitement of actually having a new baby will ease any potential disappointment on that front!
Hospital aside, the girls have been very good at keeping Peanut a surprise until we’ve given them the green light to talk about it. It’s not always been easy, especially the baby bump has made an early appearance this time around. I’ve had to carefully consider my outfit choices to minimise the chances of people guessing! It also made the hospital stay a little more “interesting” – the joys of first trimester symptoms! On the plus side though, it forced me to rest a little more and look after myself better than I perhaps would have done otherwise.
Thankfully the fatigue and nausea have now eased. The girls are excited that they can finally start telling people about Peanut. Jessica is recovering beautifully from her surgery and has been enjoying having “school at home” with Mummy as she will be off until at least half-term. Sophie has been enjoying having her sister at home a little more. There’s been lots of time for crafts and cuddles, stories and snuggles. We’re still in a bit of a post-surgery bubble in many ways. It’s been nice to be home together.
And so here we are at the end of January. The four of us enjoying our first family trip out since Jessica came home, sharing our little surprise and very much looking forward to becoming a family of five later this year.
Awwwwww Louise that’s amazing news. Congratulations to you all. What an exciting year you have ahead xxxx
Thank you Gemma. We’re so excited about it 🙂
Absolutely wonderful news. So exciting. Congratulations.
Thank you Tara. We’ve very excited about it 🙂
Congratulations, such lovely news. I am so pleased Jessica is doing well and is back home now too xx
Thank you so much. It is so lovely to be home together and to see Jessica doing so well 🙂
Oh my goodness that’s the best news ever! Congratulations xxx
So glad Jessica’s doing so well
2018 is going to be quite a year for you!
The photos are beautiful as always xxx
Thank you Donna. We’re all very excited about it x
What wonderful news! You are Superwoman!!! X
Thanks Sarah, not so sure about being Superwoman, but I do my best! xx
Huge congratulations!
Thank you Sarah 🙂
Congratulations. You are making me want another now.
Thank you Helena. I’ve been tempted to go for three for a long time! 🙂
Congratulations to you all. I love having three. I’m sure the girls will change their minds on whether it should be a brother or a sister, in the next few months. Rest up.
Thank you Cheryl. It won’t surprise me if they keep changing their minds! 🙂
Such fab news! Congratulations! So pleased that Jessica’s recovery is going well too! You’ve had a lot to deal with later but do take time out to look after yourself and bump! x
Thank you. It’s been a busy month. Have been making sure I take time to look after myself too though 🙂
Such fab news! Congratulations! So pleased that Jessica’s recovery is going well too! You’ve had a lot to deal with later but do take time out to look after yourself and bump! x
Such exciting news Louise, huge congratulations! What an exciting year ahead!
Thank you Katy 🙂
Ah Louise this is wonderful news I am thrilled for you all such a beautiful end to a tough couple of months x
Thank you Sarah, we’re thrilled too 🙂
Ah what a great month. Lovely to see Jessica is home and they are both excited for a new sibling! Congratulations to you all x
Thank you Carly 🙂
Oh Louise, I’m so happy for you! Such wonderful news, huge congratulations to you all.
Nat.x
Thank you Nat, it’s so nice to finally be out in the open with it! 🙂
Congratulations, great news. Glad Jessica doing so well too.
Thank you Jenny 🙂
Congratulations to you all! What wonderful news. I’m sure Jessica and Sophie will be amazing big sisters! X
(I had trouble hiding the bump third time around too – some people had actually guessed I was pregnant before I knew myself!)
Thanks Sarah. I had people guessing early last time – being in hospital made it easier to keep quiet this time around plus some careful outfit choices when out and about afterwards!
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Simply love this news. Congratulations. Look after yourself xxx
Thank you Claire, will do 🙂
Wow, Congratulatons. Well done to the girls keeping that huge secret. . I’m wondering how you’ll manage your “family-stack” photos with another one ( I guess it will be a babyin a papoose- what do you call those front-slings?)…
Thanks Elizabeth. I think we’ll go for the baby in a wrap idea! I’m sure we’ll find a way to do the “totem pole” photo 🙂
Congratulations. Well done on managing to keep it quiet.
Thank you Alan 🙂
Such lovely news. Huge congratulations x
Thanks Susan 🙂
Such wonderful news, Congratulations! I am so excited for you all!
Thank you Jenni 🙂
Such wonderful news and so happy your month has been a positive one xx
Thank you Laura 🙂
Awww congratulations!! So happy for you guys! Wonderful news Louise. Xx
Thank you Elizabeth 🙂
Whoop whoop! So happy for you, big families are wonderful, most exciting news all month – that and Jessica’s recovery!
Thanks Fiona. Definitely agree that big families are wonderful – I’m one of nine and love it 🙂
Congratulations, such lovely news Louise and perfect timing for you all. x
Thank you Laura 🙂
Aww! I am so happy for you! Congratulations xxx
Thank you Kim 🙂
How exciting! Huge congratulations!!!! I’m so happy for you 🙂 And I hope Jessica will start to feel better soon, it must be very tough on her.
Thank you 🙂
Oh how exciting huge huge congratulations!!! We can share our pregnancies together hahaha I have a bump and baby linky too now if you ever want to join sharing all things pregnancy birth maternity baby products put baby’s first year. So glad to hear Jess surgery went well and she is on the mend at home now. You are doing amazing homeschool recovery and pregnant. Sending big hugs lovely family snaps and the start of a family of five like me. This year is exciting. #meandmine
Thank you Jenny. So exciting to be looking forward to becoming a family of five 🙂
Congratulations Louise! Hope everything goes well.
Thank you Winnie 🙂