I have to share...

[melafive]

Since Christmas I have lost about 15 lbs on weight watchers. I am now officially in the healthy weight range, barely but there! Sunday I woke up with painful urination and thought urinary track infection. Went to the walk in clinic and walked out with a prescription for prenatal vitamins and positive pregnancy test! I'm not late yet and they did a blood test just to be sure. Those results will be in today. This will be baby #4! Right now my kids are Almost 12, 10, and six. I'm excited but a little freaked that when this baby is six my oldest will be graduating! Very surprised I will be buying maternity clothes instead of skinny clothes! A little worried that I will be an older mom. My husband is excited but we are waiting to tell the kids and everyone else for a few weeks just to make sure things go okay.

Growing up my brothers were all older than me. Thirteen, eleven and five years older. This baby will have the same. I will also be the same age as my mom when she had me. Talk about a pattern here! My worry is I was not close to my oldest sibling heck I barely remember him in the house growing up! So for you with bigger gaps between siblings can you offer any advice or stories? Any thoughts on being a bit older and pregnant? So much going through my mind. Excited but really wasn't planning this at this time in our lives.

 

[rodeo65]

Well, I really can't offer anything on the age gap thing but just wanted to say congratulations on your soon to be new addition! It may be a bit of a mental adjustment, but really, really happy news!

DB and I are 4 years apart and we interacted but not all that much. We became much closer once he was a teen and started looking to big sis on girl advice. My kids are 16 months apart - with all the bickering that happens, sometimes I wish there were a couple or three years between them.

As far as being an older mom - I'm not sure what that is anymore. I thought I was older at 35 and 37 when I had mine, until my best friend had hers at 42. It didn't help that my OB called me an "elderly prima gravida" with my first...perception ya know. I would love the chance to have one more now that my clock seems to be winding down. At almost 45, I assume that's what the extreme moments of baby fever are - the clock screaming at me that the window is closing.

Enjoy this surprise - and congrats also on the weight loss / healthier habits...those habits will help through your pregnancy.

 

[sau418]

Congratulations!! What a shock I am sure, but a good one too!!

 

[kbheap]

Congrats! The same thing happened to me as soon as I got into my weight range at Weight Watchers. Good luck.

 

[kpgriswold]

You're living my life! We had just sold the last of the baby furniture and given away all of the infant clothes when I discovered I was pregnant with baby#5 at age 40. Not only that, but I was almost 4 months along by the time I figured it out!

The only big difference in your pregnancy may be that you have to do alot more testing, or be seen more often. They worry about us "old" moms due to the higher rate of birth defects. I was scared to death of doing an amnio, but it turned out to be no big deal.

Going back to diapers and all nighters was rougher this time, though maybe a bigger mental adjustmen than physical. I also find that I am much more tired, and not as able to keep up physically with my youngest now that he is 3. I rely on my bigger kids sometimes to do the running any playing outside.

On the flip side, I am so much more mellow now! Things that irritated me or drove me crazy about my older kids just slide off. I have more patience.

I also have more time. Instead of being lost in the haze of several small children at once, we get one-on-one time while the big ones are at school. And knowing he is ABSOLUTELY my last child EVER reminds me to really savor everything.

As for the age gaps, I will just say that my brothers are 7 and 15 years younger than I, and I have great relationships with both of them, while my DH and his sister are 2 years apart and have a miserable relationship.

Congrats to you! And best of luck!

 

[gabriellyn]

Since Christmas I have lost about 15 lbs on weight watchers. I am now officially in the healthy weight range, barely but there! Sunday I woke up with painful urination and thought urinary track infection. Went to the walk in clinic and walked out with a prescription for prenatal vitamins and positive pregnancy test! I'm not late yet and they did a blood test just to be sure. Those results will be in today. This will be baby #4! Right now my kids are Almost 12, 10, and six. I'm excited but a little freaked that when this baby is six my oldest will be graduating! Very surprised I will be buying maternity clothes instead of skinny clothes! A little worried that I will be an older mom. My husband is excited but we are waiting to tell the kids and everyone else for a few weeks just to make sure things go okay.

Growing up my brothers were all older than me. Thirteen, eleven and five years older. This baby will have the same. I will also be the same age as my mom when she had me. Talk about a pattern here! My worry is I was not close to my oldest sibling heck I barely remember him in the house growing up! So for you with bigger gaps between siblings can you offer any advice or stories? Any thoughts on being a bit older and pregnant? So much going through my mind. Excited but really wasn't planning this at this time in our lives.

Congratulations! That is fabulous news! I have 3 children and they are all 5 1/2 years apart. It has actually worked out well - like one PP said, you can spend some one-on-one time with them.

As far as the pregnancy went, it was a bit different. I developed gestational diabetes and that was absolutely NO FUN. I don't really recommend doing that. But other than that and the twelve million ultrasounds, it was fine, although I did end up with a c-section too. Which wasn't a problem either. As far as recovery time, fatigue, etc, I would say it was pretty much the same as my other pregnancies.

I don't feel like I have less energy than when I was younger, but in truth, I am kinda low-energy in general! So no difference there at all. But I am a lot more mellow and that is definitely a plus.

As far as age differences go, I think my DD wishes she had a sister that was closer in age (and no brothers! ) but she's fine with it. She is a great help with the boys and they totally adore her, and adore each other as well. I actually have a younger sister (13 years younger!) that I am very close to, in contrast to my other sister who is only 13 months younger than me. I think that being close in age doesn't necessarily guarantee a close relationship.

Anyhow, hope this helps a bit. Just try to take it easy and enjoy it! Congrats again and take care of yourself!

 

[frtchr]

Congratulations!!!!

My brother and I are six years apart; DH and his brother are nine years apart. We're both close with our brothers now. It will be great for your family!

 

[reggiemcp]

Hi

Just had to tell you my story, after turning 45 last May and deciding to do something about my weight, I had lost 35 lbs. and found out two weeks ago that I was 4 1/2 months pregnant. I thought I was in menopause. I will 46 when this baby will be born and my son will be 6. They think the weight loss kicked my ovaries in working. However, the shock is wearing off and we are all very excited about it. I am worried about being so old, but just hoping and praying everything goes ok.

I did warn the the weight watchers gang about this side effect of losing weight.

Good luck with the pregnancy and remember you are not alone.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Congratz on the weight loss and new pregnancy.

 

[tiredsigh]

Wow! Congratulations everyone! I just started working out and watching my diet to lose 20 lbs using weight watchers.

on second thought....maybe weight watchers isn't the right plan to follow

 

[auralia]

my oldest brother and I are 10 years apart, im 8 years younger than the next and 5 younger than the next.... I am closest to my oldest brother by far, he took care of me when i was little, i even slept with him instead of mom and dad when i had nightmaires when iw as 4 or 5.... i imagine my brother was totally annoyed but he tollerated it and while we live 2000 miles apart he calls regularly... his children are 17, 15, 13, and 11 and my daughter is 3 so that gives a good show as to how very far apart we are age/family wise.

 

[scrappingizlife]

First let me say Congrats


My mother is the oldest of 7 children. Her and the youngest are 15 years apart. My aunt has always been like a daughter to her. They are very close. I think as long as your child plays an actuve role in the baby's life, it shouldn't be an issue. I think it really depends on the child.

Also me and my brother are 10 years apart. We get along fine. He's more of a keep to himself type person.

 

[ginnymack]

Congratulations!!! I am 12 years older than my youngest brother. I am probably closer to him than to my other siblings (brother 2 years younger, sister 10 years younger). Honestly, it is a bit more of a parent child relationship than a true sibling relationship....and that is ok! (My dad traveled a lot, so often times I *was* the other parent, running the carpool, babysitting, fixing meals, etc.) Once, my mother was tending to my sick grandmother who was in the hosptial about an hour away while my dad was out of town. It was my little brother's graduation day from kindergarten and nobody was going to be there. I talked my mom into writing me a note to get out of school. I stuck the video camera in my car and made it in time for his ceremony and recorded the whole thing for my parents! I was so happy I could be there for him. He was part of the reason I did not want to go too far away for college. I went to school 1.5 hours away so I could get home frequently on the weekend for his soccer games, or even for an evening for a school play or talent show.

To this day I get the "what should I do" phone call if my parents are not around or even if he just wants a second opinion. It is a different sibling relationship for sure, but I would not trade it for anything! I adore that kid (who is now a grownup!) and I am pretty sure the reverse is true as well!

And a bit of unsolicited advice from the much older sibling - Please don't take advantage of the built in babysitter thing, or lean on your oldest too much. They should ABSOLUTELY contribute to the family and to the household in general, just make sure it is in line with their peers. And if you do ask big bro or sis to give up Saturday night plans to babysit for you, it would be really cool to schedule it in advance and slip them some cash to make up for it!

 

[snorkelyn]

Same thing happened to me. I lost 12 pounds, was rediscovering my marraige and enjoying our new hot tub (my youngest was just over a year at the time). After a couple weeks of "flu-like symptoms", I realized I was 4 months pregnant at age 37 with #3. SURPRISE!

Anyway, I quickly gained back the 12 pounds. The baby didn't come out "cooked" from the hot tub, and I couldn't imagine life without him. Like a PP said- I have another chance to savor the baby stages. (and we made sure he is the last!)

As for being an older mom- In the area that I live, it is more common to start families in the 30's, and not uncommon to still be going at 40.

My brother was born when my sister and I were 8 and 12. It's almost like he had 2 more "little mommy's". It was a great dynamic!

 

[LaurLaur04]

You sound like me! I too was certain that I had a UTI and I walked into a clinic and walked out with a positive pregnancy test!! lol Now everytime I get a UTI I think I'm pregnant

 

[a1tinkfans]

Since Christmas I have lost about 15 lbs on weight watchers. I am now officially in the healthy weight range, barely but there! Sunday I woke up with painful urination and thought urinary track infection. Went to the walk in clinic and walked out with a prescription for prenatal vitamins and positive pregnancy test! I'm not late yet and they did a blood test just to be sure. Those results will be in today. This will be baby #4! Right now my kids are Almost 12, 10, and six. I'm excited but a little freaked that when this baby is six my oldest will be graduating! Very surprised I will be buying maternity clothes instead of skinny clothes! A little worried that I will be an older mom. My husband is excited but we are waiting to tell the kids and everyone else for a few weeks just to make sure things go okay.

Growing up my brothers were all older than me. Thirteen, eleven and five years older. This baby will have the same. I will also be the same age as my mom when she had me. Talk about a pattern here! My worry is I was not close to my oldest sibling heck I barely remember him in the house growing up! So for you with bigger gaps between siblings can you offer any advice or stories? Any thoughts on being a bit older and pregnant? So much going through my mind. Excited but really wasn't planning this at this time in our lives.

I just want to say CONGRATS and WOoHOo to you all!
Stay Healthy and have a Beautiful, uneventful pregnancy!

 

[poegirl30]

Since Christmas I have lost about 15 lbs on weight watchers. I am now officially in the healthy weight range, barely but there! Sunday I woke up with painful urination and thought urinary track infection. Went to the walk in clinic and walked out with a prescription for prenatal vitamins and positive pregnancy test! I'm not late yet and they did a blood test just to be sure. Those results will be in today. This will be baby #4! Right now my kids are Almost 12, 10, and six. I'm excited but a little freaked that when this baby is six my oldest will be graduating! Very surprised I will be buying maternity clothes instead of skinny clothes! A little worried that I will be an older mom. My husband is excited but we are waiting to tell the kids and everyone else for a few weeks just to make sure things go okay.

Growing up my brothers were all older than me. Thirteen, eleven and five years older. This baby will have the same. I will also be the same age as my mom when she had me. Talk about a pattern here! My worry is I was not close to my oldest sibling heck I barely remember him in the house growing up! So for you with bigger gaps between siblings can you offer any advice or stories? Any thoughts on being a bit older and pregnant? So much going through my mind. Excited but really wasn't planning this at this time in our lives.

Don't worry about the age difference...my oldest is graduating in two months and my youngest is four! My dd (17) was there through the birth of her brother, and my older son (15) has been very helpful with him. He's fairly spoiled by his siblings. His sister watches a Disney movie 2-3 times a week with him and often takes him out for breakfast on Saturdays (just the two of them), and his brother plays Legoes with him and is teaching him to play T-ball.

I do think that when my dd goes to college in the fall, it will be an adjustment for my ds(4), but she will only be an hour and half away, so I hope that it won't be too bad, plus we will be able to Skype.

Anyway, I hope you have a great pregnancy! Our little blessing has been a wonderful gift to our family, and I am sure that yours will too!

 

[nat1234]

When my youngest was born, my other children were 13, 8 and 6. When my oldest was graduating high school, the youngest was 4. It's worked out. The oldest and the youngest are really close even more than with the other two. Since the oldest has left home, the other three are becoming much closer, so it has worked out. My youngest one is the family entertainer, and thoroughly spoiled by all. This fall, I will be back to one at home. I'm finding this really hard to contemplate at times. As others have posted, you're not alone. You'll be fine, it does seem strange at first but it's wonderful experience. So congratulations to you and your family.

 

[mdsouth]

Since Christmas I have lost about 15 lbs on weight watchers. I am now officially in the healthy weight range, barely but there! Sunday I woke up with painful urination and thought urinary track infection. Went to the walk in clinic and walked out with a prescription for prenatal vitamins and positive pregnancy test! I'm not late yet and they did a blood test just to be sure. Those results will be in today. This will be baby #4! Right now my kids are Almost 12, 10, and six. I'm excited but a little freaked that when this baby is six my oldest will be graduating! Very surprised I will be buying maternity clothes instead of skinny clothes! A little worried that I will be an older mom. My husband is excited but we are waiting to tell the kids and everyone else for a few weeks just to make sure things go okay.

Growing up my brothers were all older than me. Thirteen, eleven and five years older. This baby will have the same. I will also be the same age as my mom when she had me. Talk about a pattern here! My worry is I was not close to my oldest sibling heck I barely remember him in the house growing up! So for you with bigger gaps between siblings can you offer any advice or stories? Any thoughts on being a bit older and pregnant? So much going through my mind. Excited but really wasn't planning this at this time in our lives.

Hi

Just had to tell you my story, after turning 45 last May and deciding to do something about my weight, I had lost 35 lbs. and found out two weeks ago that I was 4 1/2 months pregnant. I thought I was in menopause. I will 46 when this baby will be born and my son will be 6. They think the weight loss kicked my ovaries in working. However, the shock is wearing off and we are all very excited about it. I am worried about being so old, but just hoping and praying everything goes ok.

I did warn the the weight watchers gang about this side effect of losing weight.

Good luck with the pregnancy and remember you are not alone.

Congratulations to you both - it must have been a shock! My kids are seven years apart (6 and 13). We just have the two, a boy and a girl. But they get along great and always have. They are extremely close to each other and play well together at home.

I, myself grew up with an older sister 5 years older than me, a brother two years older than me and my little brother six years younger than me. We are all close to this day.

As someone else said, having a child as an older mother, will just mean a closer watch and more ultrasounds during the pregnancy. I had numerous ultrasounds due to my daughter's strange heartbeat/rate. It corrected itself and she was fine. I did great otherwise, blood pressure was great, no swelling, etc. I chose not to do an amino test since there can be a small risk of miscarriage with it and I had had at least three miscarriages prior to this pregnancy.

There are lots of older mothers in our society today - more than I thought there would be, so I do not fell out of place at school functions, etc.


Warm blessings to you both and pixie dust too!

 

[momma2kiddos]

Congrats! Same thing happened with my 18 month old. Thought I had a UTI.....turned out to be a fetus. Him and his sister are 11 years apart and get along GREAT.......for the most part! Now that I'm preggers again, I don't know how I'm going to deal with a toddler, a newborn, and a newfound teen! Time to tie my tubes up! Oh, and with this pregnancy, I ALSO was doing weight watchers!

Congrats!