Unexpected 2nd baby on the way!

Debbie - posted on 02/16/2010

I got married when I was 17, a year and one month later I had my daughter (we had planned on waiting 5 years to start a family, God had other plans), my son was born 6 days before my daughters first birthday. All of this and we lived in Germany because my husband was in the Air Force. At the time it seemed so overwhelming but we just took it day by day. I look back now (21 years later) and know that God's plan is always better than my own. Both of my kid's are in college and are wonderful adults. I wouldn't have done it any other way. You'll make it. Know that God is in control and He will never give you more than you can handle!

Heather - posted on 02/16/2010

God gives us the grace we need to get through each day. He gives mothers with one child enough grace to handle one child, and a mother of 8 children the grace she needs to handle 8. God is good. He is in control, and he knows what you need.

I was surprised by a third pregnancy when I thought I was done, and then surprised again when we found out it was twins! But as I said, God is good, and his grace is sufficient for me!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Sheelah - posted on 02/16/2010

It definitely takes you by surprise. My daughter, Kadelyn, was only 8 weeks old when I got pregnant with our son!!! I was very over whelmed, and sooo not ready. My husband & I already had a rock start having our first child 5.5 months into our marriage, and having two 11 months apart was a very emotional time for everybody directly in involved. I was scared, I was not excited in the least, and I definitely DIDN'T appreciate the "jokes" everybody else seemed to enjoy during my 2nd pregnancy!
BUT it all worked out in the end! Our Kadelyn & Drydien are 5 & 4 now, we have a 9.5 month old and I'm just over 9 weeks with #4!!! Our two oldest are the bestest of friends and don't really think of each other as individuals. We just revealed to our daughter that Drydien would not be going to school this fall with her and I honestly don't even think she really understood us! They've always been together!
Trust me, in about...three years you wouldn't want to have it any other way :)

Lynnette - posted on 02/15/2010

About 20 years ago I went through a very similar experience. My husband and I planned to have 4 kids, three years apart. God said you really should have consulted me! When our son was 8 months old I got pregnant with my second child. I was NOT happy! I was afraid I couldn't handle two so young and too proud to admit my fears! In my head I knew all the right answers like you seem to but I wasn't as smart as you and didn't reach out for encouragement! It wasn't until I held my daughter that I knew she was perfect and the best thing to happen to us! God later convicted us to let Him plan our family and she was followed by 6 more boys and 1 more girl. She became a huge helper, my right hand. Now she is becoming my friend.
It will get crazy at times! Remember your sense of humor. Laugh at those crazy hormones. Someday I'm going to ask God about them! You are so right to work at being thankful. Hang in there. Oh, just tonight my two oldest talked on the phone for over an hour. Our son is away at college. They grew up to like each other!!

Lindsay - posted on 02/15/2010

Wow Sandra! The same exact thing happened to me! Only my two little boys are 14 months apart. : ) My youngest is 6 months now and trust me, if I can do it anyone can! God has such a loving way of providing just enough grace to get through the day. So just take it one day at a time. Don't look at the big picture! Just think about what you have to do today, then wait and see what God will do for tomorrow. And I definitely agree with Victoria's comment about Praise and Worship! Music has a way of lifting you up so take advantage of that! Even if its just playing softly in the background, it helps! I'd also encourage you to be memorizing verses about putting your trust in God. It's so easy to worry, but God wants to show you that He can provide, so just trust Him! As women we want to know the how right now! But God will show you when He's ready! You'll have your good and bad days, but in the end it is so worth it! My heart just leaps for joy when I watch my little babies interacting together! Its so sweet and its so different when there's a bigger gap! My 18 month old is already trying to be a good big brother! He gets so upset when the baby cries. He brings him toys and blankets, anything he can think of to help! And the baby just smiles and laughs anytime his big brother even looks like he might be giving him attention! He already looks up to him! Oh, it is so much fun! I'm so glad to know that you'll get to experience these same joys! So hang on! Leave it to God and He will bring the sun out to shine once more. : )

Anne - posted on 02/15/2010

Hi Sandra, First off CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!



Now for some Encouragement and advice--- At least I hope it helps.



Our daughters are adults, however I remember The day I found out we were pregnant for our second child. Our daughters are 4 and a half years apart. My concern was not the space between them, but I was terrified I would not love the second child as much as our first. This fear was so not necessary. God Supplies All Of Our Needs, and He did Supply the love needed for this new child. Even before the baby was born I started referring to this child as our "Bonus" Baby. For me she really was a BONUS because I had always thought I would not be able to have more than one chid, due to a major heart defect I was born with and had surgery when I was 8 years old to correct the heart problems. because I was referring to our child as a bonus, I started to have very positive feelings and thoughts about this pregnancy . To this day I consider Our youngest as a Bonus From God.



AS far as the age space of 15 months, I can not talk from experience, however from watching other moms with children close in age, they prioritize what is the most important, and accept that maybe the house does not get dusted as often or the cookies in the cookie are not always home baked.



I hope that this has helped.

Victoria - posted on 02/15/2010

Praise the LORD for His awesome blessing in your life.



I totally understand. I had my first, then when she was 2 1/4 we had our second and thought we were done, then when she was 15 months old I found out I was 20 weeks pregnant. There is 20 months between the last too, and I was so worried about being overwhelmed, but it was actually easier with them being closer in age, they both took naps in the afternoon which gave me a rest time or time to get stuff don't about the house. My husband also was a great help also. In the morning when the youngest would nap I took time to focus on the older two, and in the afternoon the oldest would be a kindergarten.



God will work it all out, just entrust everything to Him and He who has given you these great blessings, we see you and them through.



Just one little tip, I always found singing helpful, whenever I was feeling a little hormonal or stressed, I would put on a worship CD and Sing Praises to the LORD, scripture tells us that God inhabits our Praise and it is honestly such a great booster for strength and peace and confidence in the LORD.



Once again PRAISE the LORD!!!!

Cheryl - posted on 02/15/2010

*smiles real big* COngrads and SLOW DOWN!!! Yes, you're hormones are going crazy! you need to relax and take it day by day! you have alot of time and things may change by then- don't stress yourself out worrying!!

you can do it :-) just keep turning your worries and cares over to God, instead of dwelling on them!

*hugs* congrads again! I am also pregnant with our sixth (three on earth, two in heaven) I go on Thursday for ultrasound and 1st appointment. We're thinking end of Sept, early Oct sometime. They have all those groups for babies born such and such a month. Maybe we should start a group for Babies going to be born in the fall or something like that ;-)