The reason I've been away

This guy.

Isn't he cute?

I've been calling him (or her, we don't know and aren't finding out) Lotus Flower.

He is making his mommy very sick, but with the help of lots of strong medicine, we are both getting by.

I'm playing the odds and calling him a him. I don't know if he's a he or a she, and contrary to popular belief, I really don't care.

We like the idea of 4 boys. Keeps the status quo, and no one gets left out.

But a girl would be nice, too.

It's not a line, we really do just want a healthy baby. I'm having some trouble with my own health. My pregnancies are not easy. This baby will be a blessing, and we will not be disappointed either way.

We feel extraordinarily fortunate to have a houseful of happy, healthy, beautiful children. We never truly believed we would be this fortunate. We are working and praying hard each day to ensure one more healthy baby enters our family when it is time.

We are all very excited to meet him. Or her.