Cayce started making precious handmade outfits for little girls after her daughter was born in June 2007. People Magazine thought she was all that, too, because she made an appearance on their baby blog in April 2009.

Now that Cayce is pregnant again, she’s started making maternity clothes. I tried to convince her to make maternity clothes the last two times I was pregnant. Apparently she needed to be pregnant herself in order to make that a priority. Better late than never! Her stuff is so cute, it tempts me to reproduce again. Check out her new clothing line on amazon (if that link doesn’t work, go to amazon and search for Cayce Collins in the Clothing & Accessories category).

I’m not so secretly hoping that Cayce has a boy this time, which will guarantee that she’ll devote a portion of her creativity to a new line for little boys.

Before you ask, yes, Cayce has a web site. Unfortunately, she’s been so busy making clothes that she hasn’t had much time to devote to updating her site. It’s still a “work in progress”. Ditto with her etsy shop, although she’s hinted it’s almost ready for biz (search for CayceCol on etsy). Until her online presence is an accurate reflection of her amazing products, your best bet is to contact her directly via email: caycecol@gmail.com

P.S. – For the record, Cayce and I have been friends since 1989. This makes me awesome by default. So, if you want my autograph, I’ll totally hook you up.

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A couple of nights ago, I was cleaning out a cabinet in my bathroom and came across a little box with tests from my last three pregnancies. Feeling a bit nostalgic and giving it little thought, I posted a photo of one on facebook. I suppose I shouldn’t have been shocked, but within about 30 minutes I had 50+ comments. Naturally, most people assumed it was an announcement for baby #6. My sister-in-law even took the liberty of calling Andy’s parents with our “announcement”. I then clarified that it was not a new test, just reminiscence. By the next morning, I deleted the photo because it seemed to be creating “problems”.

What shocked me more than the 50+ comments, was that not all those comments were positive.

{steps on soap box}

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHEN A BABY BECAME A BURDEN RATHER THAN A BLESSING?!

{steps off soap box}

Would it really be so terrible if I was pregnant again? (Not that I’m planning on it… now.)

I came from a large family. I have 1 full brother, 2 half brothers, and 5 stepbrothers. Many siblings are the norm in my life. I see nothing abnormal about a big family. I rather enjoyed it then, and I rather enjoy it now. I love the chaos that results in the whole family gathering together!

It seems that in today’s society, two kids are normal, three kids are a stretch, and anything beyond three is ludicrous. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve heard: “Five kids? Are you crazy? Don’t you know what causes that?” Maybe those people think they’re funny, but my translation of their reactions is that they feel surely having so many children was a mistake and that we regret it.

As long as parents can care for and provide for their children, why should a house full of them cause anyone to judge?

I’m not saying it’s easy. Sure, there are times when it’s crazy. Yes, it’s a financial obligation. As with most things, there are good and bad aspects. But overall, the scale is tipping mostly to the positive.

Regardless if a family has two children or 20 children, I believe the family should function as a team. Do my kids help around the house? Of course! Do the older kids help with the younger kids? Yes, they do! It’s called teaching them responsibility, that we help each other, that family is a priority, and that the world does not revolve around them.

Psalm 127 says that “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him… blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

I embrace my full quiver and am thankful God has entrusted us with so many of His children. I’m thankful for the five I have, and if more are in our future, I will be thankful for them, as well.

Pregnancy? Beautiful.

Photos of pregnant bellies? Well, they can either be super classy or super barf central. That being said…

If you’re ever the one holding the camera, please use THESE as examples of what to never ever do. Never EVER. {shudders}

I’ve been a little bit earlier with each pregnancy. Since Jonah was 19 days early, I had it in my head that I would probably have Josiah the weekend of October 16th-17th, especially since I had a labor scare at 35 weeks. At my appointment on October 14th, my doctor said I was 2 cm, 50% effaced, and my bag of water was bulging. Surely I would have the baby that weekend, right? Wrong.

I tried everything that had worked in the past: walking, eating spicy food, sprinting up and down stairs, stretching, going to my chiropractor, praying, etc. Still nothing. When I woke up Sunday morning and there was no sign of labor activity, I started to panic. I locked myself in my closet and cried for two hours. Hormones? Yes. Fear of ruining the art festival for Andy? Yes.

Our friends called and said the beach was epic. I pulled myself away from my pity party and went to the beach. They were correct. It was epic.

I sat in my chair, soaking in the most beautiful beach day of the year. I prayed and begged God to make the baby come.

When I woke up on Monday, October 18th, there was no activity. It was my niece’s third birthday. I thought it would be cool for the cousins to share a birthday, but I refused to get my hopes up.

Andy got ready for work while I sat on the couch and drank my morning coffee. As he was about to walk out the door at 9:00, I casually mentioned that I thought I might be having contractions, but I was sure it was nothing. He kind of rolled his eyes like “yeah, yeah, I’ve heard this before.” I got up and made the conscious decision that I would not sit down again that day because I wanted to give the contractions every opportunity to increase.

Around noon, I decided the contractions might actually be real. I started to time them. By 1:00, I realized the contractions were about 3-4 minutes apart. They still weren’t that strong, but they were consistent. I hated to go to the hospital and be sent home for false labor again (embarrassing), but since I was 37 weeks and technically full term, I thought it would be worth the effort to try to convince my doctor that breaking my water was a good idea.

I called Andy and told him to come home from work. I called my mom and said it would be a good idea if she came over to watch Noah and Jonah. She had planned on coming around 4:30, anyway, to bring dinner to us. I told her now would be better than later. I finished packing my bags, cleaned the kitchen, and put away laundry.

Andy and I got to the hospital a few minutes before 3:00. The nurse checked me and I was 4 cm. Clearly the “almost nonexistent” contractions were actually doing something! She called my doctor, who said to admit me!

To say I was happy was a huge understatement! I started giving a play-by-play on facebook because surely all 688 of my friends wanted to know every detail of my cervix dilating. Right? Okay, maybe not, but like that was going to stop me!

3:40 pm – My doctor broke my water.

4:00 pm – I got my epidural.

4:28 pm – 6 cm. Epidurals are glorious.

5:30 pm – 9 cm. I can’t remember what time my doctor came into the room, but it was after 6:20 pm. I pushed five times and…

6:29 pm – Josiah Reed was born!
Weight: 7 lbs 12.5 oz
Length: 20 3/4 inches

How a baby can be 20 days early and that big is beyond me. No wonder I was in so much pain the last few weeks! Thank God I don’t go until my due date.

By the time I got settled into my recovery room, it was too late for the kids to come up to the hospital and meet their new brother. Andy went home so I could go to sleep, and he could relieve my mom and step-dad of their babysitting duties.

Taylor and Nathan didn’t really want make-up work, so they both opted to attend school on Tuesday. Andy brought all four kids to the hospital after the oldest two got home from school. It was kind of crazy having our “party of seven” in my hospital room, but it was good to see their beautiful faces.

Wednesday morning I was restless and ready to go home. Andy came to visit with Noah and Jonah, but they were being wild and Jonah needed a nap. I sent them home so Andy could go to work for a few hours while my friend babysat the little boys.

I got discharged four hours earlier than expected, which is always a nice surprise. I could tell it was gorgeous outside and I desperately wanted to feel the warm breeze and the sun on my face. My friend continued watching Noah and Jonah while Andy brought me and Josiah home. We arrived around the same time as Taylor and Nathan’s buses.

So, now I’m a mother of five: a girl and four boys. People have already asked me if we’re done. Well, as I wrote on my doctor’s facebook page:

“Thank you so much for working past your on-call shift just for me! I hope you get caught up on sleep tonight! Let’s do this again sometime, mmmkay? {hugs}”

Was I serious? Only time will tell! {wink, wink}

I was starting to get tired by about 8:00 pm and thought it would be a good idea to time the contractions just in case, especially since they were getting stronger. From 8:00-9:00, they were kind of all over the place, ranging from 2-9 minutes apart. However, between 9:00-10:00 they were consistently 3-4 minutes apart. I called my friend (who is conveniently a nurse at my OB’s office) and gave her the details. She said I should go to the hospital to be monitored, since I’m only 35 weeks. Better safe than sorry!

So I packed my bags just in case, and Andy and I headed to the hospital. We left Taylor in charge since her brothers were all asleep. No sense in my mom coming over and losing a night of sleep for nothing!

I was kept on the monitors for an hour and a half. The contractions, although real, lost their consistency (figures) and I was only 1 cm dilated (sorry to those of you who just puked), so they sent me home at 11:00. I went to bed, and by morning, the contractions had completely stopped.

Of course, I’m slightly disappointed, because I can’t wait to meet sweet little Josiah and kiss all over his face and cuddle him and love on him. But I’m honestly more relieved than anything, because I don’t want to be transported to a hospital an hour away for use of the NICU, and I would hate for my baby to have trouble due to underdeveloped lungs. He needs to hang tight for another week and a half or so.

Josiah at 32 weeks

Tomorrow I’ll be 34 weeks pregnant. Yesterday was our re-shoot and, OH MY GOODNESS, Amy totally rocks my world! I’m not even necessarily a fan of maternity photos, but THESE make my heart happy! She captured one of the most precious and treasured parts of my life in a way only she can. Thank you, bestie!

See all his hair?!

Daddy’s nose!

Yawning!

I’m 30 weeks pregnant. Taylor was 10 days early, Nathan was 11 days early, Noah was 13 days early, and Jonah was 19 days early. See the trend? I expect to meet Josiah in 6-7 weeks. Almost there!