<p>Oh, congrats Huguenot Mom!!!</p>
<p>congrats, Hugueonot mom! That was a lovely post, too. :-)</p>
<p>Please tell me this is not contagious amongst CC posters! :eek:</p>
<p>But congrats to those who are expecting.</p>
<p>The scariest post I ever read was one on the first page about the post-menopausal woman who gave birth to triplets…</p>
<p>Seriously, congratulations to those of you who are getting this early start on college planning! If you sign up for Upromise now, you’ll have a nice little nest egg in 18 years! </p>
<p>I imagine there are a combination of concerns and joys much different from first time around. Health of baby will be an issue, health of parents might be. I hope all goes well for you and wish you the best. You get to take a trip - just maybe not the one you thought you’d take! Life is what happens to us while we’re making other plans.</p>
<p>My grandmother was 8 months pregnant with my Mom when her son got married…she was definetly an oops baby, her closest sibling is 16 yrs older than her. I am the baby of the baby, my oldest cousin is 20 yrs older than me, and 5 yrs younger than my Mom, yet we are so incredible close and I think it is due to the fact that you can’t really figure out where the next generation begins and ends.</p>
<p>hugenot…a wonderful post that most of us could not write in advising the OP. </p>
<p>Most of all, congrats on your joyous news. All the best.</p>
<p>FF, when is the bonus baby due? And yours, Huguenot?</p>
<p>Congratulations to both FF & Huguenot. </p>
<p>FF, I can imagine how hard this must be for you. I am 48 & haven’t had a period in a year. There was a time last year when I was terrified (yes, that would be the correct word) that I was pregnant. I had spent so many years devoting myself to my family, and I just didn’t think I could possibly do it all over again. I was too drained. However, I also knew that if I WAS pregnant, there was no way I would do anything but have the baby. It had nothing to do with “abortion is wrong” — it had to do with the fact that I figured if I was pregnant, there must have been some good reason for it in the grand scheme of life. After all, it wasn’t like I was some young kid fooling around whose life would be ruined if a baby came along. I was a married woman with a loving family & enough money to at least stay out of the poorhouse. I had already decided (before I knew that I was not pregnant) that I could & would be able to raise another wonderful child.</p>
<p>My very best wishes to you as you deal with this totally unexpected blessing.</p>
<p>FemmeFetal,</p>
<p>Congratulations! Being an older parent certainly may change your plans somewhat, including some unforeseen expenses, but hopefully the joys of parenting will make up for that. My sister is 50 and has kids ranging from age 3 to 27. She still looks good, keeps healthy and enjoys life to the fullest. Being 47 when you have a child is not that unusual any more, even for a first child or especially an only adopted child. You should probably develop some way of handling the jokes (“Boy, I bet that was a surprise!”) from those who have known you for a while, using humor if possible.</p>
<p>Besides fantasizing about an empty nest, perhaps you too have thought about how you might raise a child slightly differently if given another chance. Here is your other chance. Optimism will go a long way. I agree with other posters that a child with experienced, caring mature parents is a lucky child indeed.</p>
<p>Much good advice here.</p>
<p>All I can add is congratulations! May you have much joy!</p>
<p>Our little one is due in February. We are praying this one makes it. I had a very devastating miscarriage since the birth of our youngest and it has made me pretty nervous this time. I have difficult pregnancies - so you may see more or less of me depending on when I can snag a laptop from the children 
- but it is definitely worth it. I can not imagine life without our younger children!</p>
<p>Huguenot, I will keep you in my prayers.</p>
<p>Same here. Best wishes, Huguenot. How old are your older kids (aside from the 3 year old)? Am betting you have a great support system at home. I understand the apprehension, though. I had a couple losses in a row, the second quite late. Decided to stop trying and then found out S2 was on the way. I think I flooded the poor kid with stress hormones throughout the pregnancy! So yes, it’s nerve-wracking. Hang in there!</p>
<p>And to the OP – I would second all the good advice you’re getting here. I have a neighbor who, due to hip/pelvic problems, didn’t even get the OK to try for more children until her early 40’s. She said she was not at all the oldest on her floor at the hospital – plenty of women in mid-forties, and even one 50. Because of her age she was considered high risk, but never had a problem. I also swear she looks better now than she has in years. </p>
<p>I heard recently that the pre/peri-menopause years are also some of the prime years for surprise pregnancies. I’m not sure if it’s because women’s hormones and schedules change, or we just don’t expect it, or both. </p>
<p>The good news is that your stepdaughter’s baby and yours will be very close in age. Is your husband supportive? After the initial surprise, I’d bet this will be a very exciting time for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>My kids are 10 years apart & I couldn’t ask for anything better. No competitiveness; younger idealizes the older & older is charmed (not irritated) by the cuteness/attention of the younger. Big age span can be nice. :-)</p>
<p>Our large family of mostly boys ranges from 18 to soon to be born. It’s never boring around here :-)</p>
<p>It is a <em>lot</em> easier having difficult pregnancies now because I do have so much help. That’s one thing that makes me sad for other moms. I think so many people quit having children when they have two little ones and it seems so incredibly overwhelming. I wish they knew that it really gets a lot easier as the older ones grow up. </p>
<p>And it is so special to see the relationship between the almost grown-ups and the little guys. Our youngest keeps telling our eldest that she’s going to college with him. He tells her, “You’re too little, sweetheart.” And she says, “But I’m getting bigger everyday!” with a really sweet pout. They just adore each other! I wouldn’t trade for anything!</p>
<p>And to the OP – I’ll bet it’ll be just the same for you! Your older children are going to love to pieces that precious one you are expecting. And think how young everyone will think you are on Parent’s Day <lol></lol></p>
<p>Oh-- and FemmeFetal (what a cool name!) –</p>
<p>I meant to say, you don’t have to derail those empty nest plans. Being older makes us able to think outside the box and do those things we really want. One of the many reasons we homeschool is that it allows us freedom - freedom to travel the world, freedom to explore old and new ideas, freedom to keep our own schedule and do exciting and spontaneous things. </p>
<p>Having babies at my age hasn’t kept me from my writing, or serving as a director of non-profits, or helping manage our family business, but they’re a great excuse for continuing to make my family and home the priority. </p>
<p>I’ve found out that babes can nap in your arms, or in car seats, or in siblings’ arms. I’ve found out that little ones really don’t care whether you’re in Asia or Podunk, USA. What they want is their parents’ arms, mom’s milk, and a clean diaper. And you wouldn’t believe the service you’ll get when you travel with a cute baby </p>
<p>No, keep your plans - and give this little one a childhood to remember!</p>
<p>Moderator Note: This thread is being closed. Misrepresentations and re-registration after being banned violate our Terms of Service.</p>
<p>This action is taken with apologies to longtime poster in good standing, huguenot, as well as to those posting in congratulations and support of her news. Please feel free to continue that discussion, as desired, in a new thread.</p>
<p>—Moderator Andale for the Moderating Team</p>