It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

I'm so happy it is almost Thanksgiving! Not only do I love thanksgiving and the delicious foods but now people will stop telling me "But it isn't even Thanksgiving." When they hear me listening to Christmas music, see me writing out Christmas lists with my kids, or talk about decorating the house. ;) ( I haven't decorated the house yet but not because it isn't thanksgiving but more due to my exhaustion, see previous post)

Since I mentioned the previous post I'll give you a small update. Things are going great. I am 13 weeks now and have my second appointment with my midwife on Tuesday. I am starting to feel better and am getting my energy back little by little. Hooray for the 2nd trimester!

Lilli is so impatient for the baby, and everything else. (That is what it is like being 4) She wants to know why it isn't Christmas yet, WHEN is the baby going to get bigger and come out, and when does she get to be a mom. ;) All in good time little one. We talked about just enjoying everything that is happening and how exciting it is to wait for things. (Now to take my own advice!)
The other kids are doing great. Emma made the high honor roll again at school and was moved to the pre-alegebra class. (In fact she and Oscar are in the same class. Oscar was a little put  out at first but only because he doesn't want to share his friends) haha
Oscar did really well on his report card as well. He has improved a lot over the last few years, his major problem has always been...not turning in homework. He has gotten so much better about doing his homework and actually turning it in and his grades are starting to reflect that. He has never received bad grades but when it is something as silly as not turning in homework that keeps him for great grades, well that is something we talk about for sure.
Henry has been working hard to overcome some of his own challenges and we are so proud of him for all his hard work! He is such a great kid. So sweet and extremely creative. Yesterday he was home sick from school and he spent the whole day in his room making a book. He drew all the pictures and colored them, wrote the story, and created some great covers for the book. I'd much rather he spend the day doing that than watching T.V. or playing video games.
I do love my kids, they are all so amazing, and each in their own way. Cant' wait to spoil them a bit at Christmas.

"I'm so tired"...or..."Why I've been MIA for a month"

It isn't that I haven't had anything to blog about, I mean come on, I have 4 kids after all. There is always something to brag about or laugh about. The reason for my absence is that my energy has vanished the last month and I haven't been feeling very well. Not to worry though, I did get checked out by the Dr., and though they did find a little something, they assure me I will get my energy back in another 18-20 years. It may even gradually return off and on throughout that time. I am somewhat used to exhaustion and lack of energy having 4 kids which is why with this little thing I'm in the midst of, it seems the last of my energy has been zapped. I'm sure at this point some, or most of you can guess what I have. It is pretty common. It is a little thing called...

PREGNANCY! 

You heard me right! We are having a baby. The kids are all ecstatic and we are too. The 5th little Andersen will make his or her arrival at the end of May (or if I'm lucky yet again, closer to the beginning) ;)

It is kind of strange to be at this stage again. We really had thought Lilli would be the caboose but once she started praying for a baby brother or sister we figured we might be headed down a different path than we thought. Kids prayers are very powerful! So we only have 30 weeks left and I think Lilli may just burst with excitement and impatience long before we get there. 

It will be interesting to find out what we are having not only because this baby is the tie breaker as far as boys versus girls goes but also because so far we have had a gender switch with each child. To this point it has been...boy, girl, boy, girl. SO will this one be the one to break tradition? Or will we have another little boy? Time will tell and though I'd really LOVE to wait for that moment in the delivery room when they say "Congratulations! It's a..." I know I'm not that patient. (Neither are the kids) So sometime near Christmas we will probably find out what this package contains. (I've always been one to try to figure out what my presents are before Christmas anyway) 

 My guess is that we are having a girl. Any guesses from you all?