Friday, January 16, 2009

Doctors and Parasites

So, I finally saw the doctor today about this parasite that's been taking all the joy out of eating and sucking my energy dry for the past few months. Apparently, there's something in the water around here, because I know lots of other people with similar symptoms right now. He said that there is nothing to worry about, that this will run it's course. The lack of appetite will wear off (frankly, it did about two weeks ago, just in time for New Year's Resolutions) and the fatigue may or may not linger. I can expect to carry this parasite around with me for another 5 or 6 months. Jared & I have decided if it's going to hang around so long, we might as well name it and make it a part of our family.

Yes, it's true. We have entered unchartered territory. The territory where people look at you like you are a freak when they find out that you are going to have 5 kids. I'm pretty sure that qualifies us for the circus, the nuthouse, or at least a reality show on TLC. A family with 4 kids around here is uncommon but not unheard of--plus, the last time I was pregnant, most people assumed that we were just "trying one last time for a girl"--their words, not mine. Now I can be that crazy Mormon-homeschooling-mom-with-all-those-kids. (Who am I kidding--that was probably me long ago anyway.)

All kidding aside, we feel so blessed and grateful that the Lord is sending another one of his children to join our family, probably in the first few days of July. (I have scheduled c-sections, but sometimes they decide to come before their scheduled and approved date.) Our children could not be more excited, and I'm sure you'll hear in future posts about their fabulous naming ideas. To make things even better, my sister is expecting and due 3 weeks before me, so we'll have close cousins!

Are we crazy? Sometimes. (And more often when I'm pregnant.) But I have a conviction that the Lord wants me to be a mother to these children and that He is making me into the woman that He knows I can be. I'm far from perfect, but with His help, I can do anything He asks.

The picture is me with Kimball in the NICU, a few days after he was born. He probably weighed 3 lbs and a couple of ounces here. We don't want to do it that way again if we have our choice (which we don't).

41 comments:

Rebecca Blevins said...

Congratulations! You're actually due before me? I feel like such a wuss not doing the exercise challenge now, but in reality I can't feel bad because I know I couldn't have committed to it. We all just do what we can!

That's so exciting! I'm happy for you guys! I'm looking forward to all the baby-naming posts. I'll bet your kids will have some great ideas!

Around here, if you have more than three you have a big family. Here's to crazy homeschooling families with more than 3 kids!

Anonymous said...

How exciting for you Michal! I can't wait for all the upcoming baby posts!

thatredhairedgirl said...

I am so excited for you! I am grinning ear to ear. I have been waiting for this ... yippee skippee!
Livee is happy for you (and wants you to remember she can babysit anytime:)

Congrats to you both - you guys are the best parents :)

TheQueen@TerrorsInTiaras said...

Congratulations. Very exciting!

Michal said...

rebecca,
please don't feel like a wuss. we all have different bodies and different situations. i had to do the exercise challenge because otherwise i wouldn't exercise, giving myself license that i don't feel good or am too tired--if i don't exercise through this pregnancy, i will be big enough to legitimately qualify for the biggest loser! in my first two pregnancies (when i was the heaviest), i exercised through the entire thing and kept my weight gain down. then i lost a bunch of weight and got pregnant with 3 and 4. being pregnant, i let some of my good eating habits slip, my exercise habits fall apart, and gained back enough weight that i am back to where i started. anyway, i know that i shouldn't obsess about weight in pregnancy, but i really want to be as healthy as i can and keep unnecessary weight down.

Michal said...

miss tawny,
as always, you are too kind. but we love it. :)

Macy said...

Holy cow! Congratulations! Something is in the water...

Sea Star said...

Congratulations on your "little parasite". I am so totally with you with the tiredness. I don't remember being so tired with the others.

I am only going on #4 and wow! do people think we are crazy. Three is already a big family around our parts.

I hope things continue to go well.

Aly sun said...

How cool! Why do people look at large families like they are nutty? I think it is great (as long as the kids aren't jumping off the walls). Congrats!

A mother heart said...

Congratulations!!! And I must be very slow this evening because I was all concerned and shocked that you had an actual parasite and was sick--totally not getting it until well into the post. It's late, what can I say.
And what is it with people thinking they can make judgements on other's family size? I'll never understand that.

Rebecca said...

People are actually jealous that they're not brave enough to have a larger family, that's why they judge and try to make others feel inferior. See, that explains it!

My sister is pregnant with her 5th also...very exciting. Congratulations!

Montserrat said...

HURRAY!!!!

The loveliest kind of parasite to have. :D

And hey if you ever need a good comeback for rude comments about the number of kids you have feel free to ask. The people in our old town were used to us but when we moved here we made major waves in all the stores and still do. Mostly because the girls automatically line up stairstep style and follow behind me.

Andrea said...

Yipeee! That is wonderful news!!! A wonderful parasite to have! Also great that you and allison are due close together!

Sonja said...

I'm so happy for you Michal! You guys are a terrific family. I always think the best retort to those very out-of-place comments is, "Well, our kids make us happy."

I hope your "condition" continues to improve and that your pregnancy goes well.

Now I wish I could be there to help with your kids or bring you by some soup (or whatever you are craving). :)

Can't wait for the updates!

Erika said...

Wooooo Hooooo!
These are my favorite kind of parasites :-)

I'm especially glad that you & Alli get to have your kids so close together. So fun!

Scrappy said...

Hooray! I am so happy for you and your family.
I am so jealous that you get to have a baby at the same time as your sister. That is so exciting!

Stephanie said...

congratulations, I was a little concerned about the parasite situation, but I finally caught on. :) Rebecca feels like a wuss because she can't exercise, but I feel like a wuss because I don't think could have more kids and survive. So good for you, you'll do it all marvelously.

MK and Co. said...

Congratulations Michal! That's so great that you and Ali are expecting together. You know there is an epidemic here it Utah of that same Parasite. It's especially contagious in BYU student wards. Congratulations again to you and your family. And I think big families are wonderful!

JandJ said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I had to do a little rereading to figure out the parasite thing, but I am so happy for you and hope I'm ready to catch the same bug soon.
THAT'S A LUCKY BABY WHO GETS TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE!

Unknown said...

Yeah!!!! So happy for you guys! Believe it or not, there was an article in the Washington Post last year that talked about people with lots of kids in their families being show offs and braggarts. Why, you ask? Because it is now assumed that if you have a lot of children it is because you are wealthy and are showing off your money. Clearly, no one in their right minds would have that many kids unless they had a ton of money. Then the article outlined how much it cost to have children, etc. Quite a funny read!

nickandstaci said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for you guys. I can't wait to hear more about the new little one!
PS- let Jared know we miss seeing him, hopefully soon we can make our way back over there!

Super Kimmie said...

Wahoo! Congratulations - so happy for you guys. You two are great parents and this little one is coming to a wonderful home. Let's see... that's numbers 10 and 11 grands for my sister - too fun.

Ice Cream said...

Wow! Welcome to the crzy to have 5 club. =)

Tamlynn said...

Congratulations! You had me going too with the parasite thing. I was worried!

Prudy said...

Hooray! I'm so happy for you and Alli too. It's babyville around here too, since Catte, Heidi and MK are all expecting soon. Can't wait to see if it's pink or blue for you and Alli too. Come visit before then, pleeeeeeease! And after too so I can see the new baby.

Christine said...

Good for you! And congratulations too.

Marybeth said...

I think it's fabulous you're having another baby. Congratulations!!!

Marybeth

The Red Hen said...

I think this is AWESOME - and what a better thing than to have your sister pregnant at the same time! You can comiserate together - go for doughnut runs together (or whatever strikes your fancy) AND when they both arrive, they will have someone besides their siblings to laugh and learn with.

In my family it is a joke that there is never just one Bronson woman pregnant at a time. As soon as one person announces it - there is great specualtion as to who the other person is!

My kids LOVE the fact that they have cousins their same age.

Congratulations - if anyone can "DO" five kids it is you!

Love,

--Jana

P.S. I thought you had an actual parasite until about 3/4 the way through the post - some things never change with me. ((DUHHH!!))

Molly said...

Congratulations!!!

mahina said...

malia just told me about your parasite (and alli's) late last night so i had to come by and congratulate you! that is super exciting!

i totally understand how you enter into a different realm once you ar eprego with your fifth. i haven't been there, yet, but i do wonder about the looks and comments i will get once we get there. i try not to go too many places with all of the kids, but it can't always be avoided!

good luck with this pregnancy! my you feel great and have tons of energy!

Cammi said...

CONGRATULATIONS! You are brave! I agree - five kids does seem like the number that puts you into the "lots of kids" category - but wouldn't you agree that big families are usually so happy and fun?! My husband comes from nine and they are such a fun-loving bunch and have great stories about growing up. None of them want to have nine of their OWN but they sure had fun being ONE of nine! Your kids are going to have lots of fun sibling memories and will have all those BEST FRIENDS for life. And Bronwyn certainly needs a chance to be a big sister - she's so cute! Congrats and ENJOY!

Yvonne said...

Congratulations! That is awesome! I can't wait for baby posts! Good luck and enjoy! I am not cut out for such things, two is it for me, I am so lucky and blessed to have them!

Kim said...

Oh, its in the water and you know it. A little warning to readers who aren't expecting: its contagious!
:) Just kidding, you guys are great parents, less than five would be an injustice. We all know what we can and can't handle, good for you for following the will of the Lord. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!

I think Allison can tell you about parasites after serving in Honduras, she should be a pro regarding the subject.

Hansen Family said...

Congratulations! I too was like Aubrey wondering how in the world you got a parasite. A new baby is so exciting!

Unknown said...

Congrats. I wish you all the best. You are brave! I can barely handle the three I have, so I give you all the credit in the world. You are such a wonderful mom and this new baby will be so blessed to be entering your family!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you told me you had a "bun in the oven" while we were at the grocery store. When I saw the title of your post, I was so worried you had the plague or something! I'm really excited for you and the rest of the family.

You and the hubby sure make cute kids, so just keep em' comin!

Let me know when your belly is too big to see your feet and we will get a pedicure together!

Love and miss you!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is so exciting. We are thrilled for you guys! You are such a wonderful Mama. Your kids are lucky to have you!

xoxo

Christine said...

I still haven't gotten a test... I was at Target yesterday and totally forgot. I think I'm good. I would be sick otherwise= not just dizzy... right? Congrats to you though!!!

Keli and Mike said...

Congratulations you guys! What an exciting time.

We just found out that we are expecting also! It was kind of a surprise to us but couldn't be happier! I haven't been in the office to tell Jared yet, so feel free to share the news with him. I really need to get in there one of these days, but we are down to one car now which makes it hard.

Hope everything goes well!

An Ordinary Mom said...

So I take a few days off from reading blogs and I miss your big news ... WOW! How exciting! Congratulations on your new parasite :) !!

And even though I don't have 5 kids, I come from a family with 9 kids. I still get lots of funny looks about that.

I am also with Steph, I might be a wuss because I don't have more kids ... I might not survive, too :) !!