We're having a(nother) baby!

I'm sure anyone reading this has probably already heard another way, but it seemed appropriate to say a word about our newest addition here: Another sweet little Patterson baby is 12 weeks in to what is (and will be) a healthy, joyful pregnancy. We expect to meet this baby around August 26, 2011 (the official due date!). Zoe and the new baby will be about 19 months apart. So when he/she is born Andrew will be 5, Luke 3 and Zoe 1...as they are now.

Yes, we will find out the sex of the baby; most likely sometime in the first week of April.

We are excited to have a fourth child and there are often other emotions that accompany the excitement. These are usually the same as any family who welcomes any additional children: how can we possibly handle one more?!?! Because you only know the reality you're living in now. But - as our encouraging friend, Steven, said to us - "If you don't think you're a 4 child mother or father, that's ok. God does. And your job is to just agree with Him and watch Him make you one." Ok. I think I can do that!

Part of me is afraid that people are tired of us having babies and no one will want to celebrate this one with us. One of my friends jokingly said after several of us had had 3 babies: "if anyone has another one there's not going to be any more parties for you." For some reason this has stuck in my head and made me doubt a little bit whether people truly will want to celebrate with us. But I want to celebrate this baby! This seems like a major turning-point for the future of our (now quite big) family and we're looking forward. With hope.