Okay, I hate secrets. So it’s time to spill the beans about where I’ve been lately. (Or maybe you haven’t even noticed?? There have been plenty of contributor posts, whom I adore—–it’s just me who’s been around a little less the past few months.)
Some of you may remember me mentioning several times in the fall that I was unable to share as many Halloween costumes as I wanted to because I was so sick during October. I was so bummed about that. Well, the truth is I’ve had a mystery illness that has had me feeling pretty awful from September all the way to December.
The doctor’s have been pretty baffled by it too……but finally, after many different appointments and then finally doing a scan, they were able to find the problem.
They found a growth in my abdomen.
Crazy, right? There’s a tiny safety pin lodged in my abdomen. ;)
Ha. Yep, the Johnston clan is growing by one more member…..wow! These 4 kids now have to clean out a drawer or two to squeeze in one more little pal into this house!
And what are we having??? Well, even though it’s hard to tell……this is the ultra sound pic that supposedly shows that ——-> IT’S A BOY!!!! (Our ultra sound tech was no fun…..and hardly gave us any good pics. But that’s okay, I can feel him in there kicking around , so I know it’s actually a baby……and not just a safety pin! Ha.)
A few stats:
Truth is, we weren’t necessarily planning on having any more kiddos. But you know, sometimes plans change a little bit. And now that it’s sinking in that we’re about to become a PARTY OF SEVEN (gasp!)…Steve and I are thrilled!
What do the kids think about this family of ours, growing by a whole other little body?? Well, let’s hear from them.
Ellie (age 10): “I’m bummed it’s not a girl because girls are way more fun to dress. Are you sure it’s not a girl?!?! But I’m excited to have another baby to play with. Do you think he’ll like me most?”
Connor (age 8): “I think it’s awesome! I’ll have 2 brothers and 2 sisters! I’m going to feed it mashed up food, like I did with Oliver. And now I get to share a room with Oliver…and that’s exciting because at night I get lonely. Oh, and are you sure there aren’t 2 babies in your belly?”
Chloe (age 5): “Babies are the cutest in the world! I want to feed the baby like my dollies and dress it up. When he cries, I’m going to give him his binky. And if that doesn’t work, I’m giving him to you. When he has a poopy diaper, I’m going to give him to Ellie. I still wish it was a girl though.”
Oliver (age 2 1/2): He’s clueless. Ha. (And when I tell him there’s a baby in my belly, he tries to lift my shirt….but can never find this “baby” we’re talking about. He probably thinks we’re a bunch of loonies, trying to convince him there’s some baby under my shirt, because clearly, there’s not. I think he figures his Mommy just ate too much over the holidays! ;) )
However, I caught him doing a bit of research this morning, trying to learn all he could about his new promotion we keep telling him about!
I always worry about my youngest the most, with each pregnancy. It must be such a shock to suddenly not be the baby anymore. But this kid has such an independent (and feisty) little soul, so I think he’ll adapt just fine! As long as the baby doesn’t even *THINK* about touching his balls. Or cars. Or his favorite blanky/stuffed pig (named “Bacon”) that he sleeps with at night. Haha! Oh Oliver, I can’t even believe you will be 3 this summer! Holy smokes! (P.S. Now, will you kindly sit down and get your shoes off my fabric ottoman?!! Yeah, thanks bud!)
And now we will officially be one of those “big” families. At least it feels that way. 4 kids seemed like quite a few kids….but 5 seems like a TON! Haha! ;) But I really do love these babies of mine more than anything else in this whole big beautiful world! Being a mom challenges me, pains me, excites me, thrills me, frightens me, exhausts me…….but there’s nothing else that fulfills me as much as being a mother does. I do have other hobbies that I squeeze into my life (ahem, this blog!) and I regularly have to find time to do other things that stretch my brain and abilities, other than mothering. And I know every woman is very, very different…and that’s a beautiful thing, but for me there’s something in my soul that is drawn to motherhood and raising children sent straight from heaven.
So yes, even though we never specifically planned on having 5 children (and yes, we know how children are made ;) )…..I’m excited for the added joys that having another child adds to a home. So hang in there with me as I adjust a bit with juggling this pregnancy and then a new baby boy! But don’t worry, I can’t help but still love what I do here on this blog…so I’m not going anywhere! Blogging is one of those things that stretches me in a different way and is also good for my soul. Plus, it has introduced me to so many friendships and opportunities that I couldn’t have done otherwise. So if you’re one of the few who actually made it to the very end of this post (hi mom!), thank you! And if you’re someone who has been reading for years (and years!)…..thanks for hanging out with me and my family while I share (and sometimes overshare) the projects I’m making, updates on our family, and a whole lot of babble that sometimes comes from my my brain and out my fingertips. I adore the support here and can’t tell you enough times how much I love this space on the web. And now, before my pregnancy hormones take over more than they already have…..I better sign off!
Now please, go and enjoy your day!
Ashley
P.S. I have a really fun sewing project that I will post either tomorrow or the next day. But it’s all ready to go….and begging to be shared!
Hi, I’m Ashley—the DIY-enthusiast behind this crazy blog!
tous mes félicitation ASHELY je suis contente pour toi
congratulation ashely
Congratulations!
I’m a long-time reader but have been MIA…we welcomed our surprise 5th bundle of joy LAST April and it is the best. So very happy for you guys! Congratulations and enjoy! :)
How exciting! I had my little girl about the same time your had your littlest (she’s turning 3 in July) and I am due in May with a little boy, too! That will make us a family of six which really does seem big to me!! Congrats and good luck!
Aww, I have followed you for years and years. I’m so happy for your family!
Congrats Ashley and family. I have followed your blog for years and enjoyed seeing your family grow. Your projects are what got me back into sewing again! Thank you so much for sharing.
Just read this now. Such happy news. Congratulations to you. Best wishes to you and your family
Congratulations, Ashley! Your kids are so lucky to have You (the fun do everything MOM. Thanks for everything you share.
So I’ve been following your blog on and off for years, and it’s been so much fun to watch your adorable family grow! I “remember” Chloe being born! We are also in a similar stage in life, doing the cross country move, growing (also due at the end of April! Will be #4 for us!) we even just got a new puppy in October! So I love that you share these things with us! Congratulations and I hope the rest of your pregnancy will be uneventful and as restful as you can have it!
Congrats! I’m also due in April and waiting for fun baby related tutorials (we don’t know if ours is a boy or girl, so some gender neutral ideas are always appreciated)! (my other two were also born around when you were having other babies!) The new addition of Diclegis to zofran has been good.
P.S. I used your pregnant skeleton costume tutorial at Halloween to announce this baby!
And I meant to say, I love your personal family posts! I actually just checked back at Make It and Love It to see if you had posted anything, when I saw this post! :)
What wonderful news!! Congratulations! I have been stalking your blog since you and I were pregnant at the same time! My oldest is 5 years old. :) I’m sure you will all love your new baby so so much!
Congratulations. What a fun surprise. Your write up on this was cute and fun to read.
Congratulations Ashley! I love your creations and your blogs, esp. that you’re a Mormon too. May you continue to be an inspiration. Hugs from the Philippines! <3
wow!!!! Congrats on baby#5….You have a great family, I wish you all the best!!!
Antigone
Congratulations!! Wishing you and your family all the best xxx
Congrats!! I’m one of those that has followed your blog for years and have made so many of your projects! Love your blog. Wishing you the best with this pregnancy! I just had my third little girl and am struggling to find time to make all the things I want to for her so I think you are amazing to have almost 5 kids and also keep up this amazing blog. So glad you do though!!
So, so happy for you! I’ve been following you since my now seven year old was a baby. And we’ve had babies within a year each time. I feel like I have a great friend in you even though we’ve never met. You’re amazing!
You’re a week ahead of me! We had our boys weeks apart last time! So happy for you and your family!
So happy to hear your news! A baby is a blessing to all. :) Your children are so sweet. :)
I knew it!!! Well, I really hoped you not feeling well was just a pregnancy symptom and not something serious!
Congrats and so happy for you and the family!
To be completely honest I was very suspicious :D
I think I started following your adventures when your 2 older children were toddlers (my girl and your older girl are more or less the same age, and my boy is more or less the same age of your second girl). Then, everything is different! :)
I’m older :) I was 36 when my girl was born and 41 when the boy was born. And I don’t think I would have energy to have more; although if I was younger I think that I would consider a third, but 5? WOW! Congratulations! You are VERY brave!
As to the risk, don’t let the doctors frighten you and take away your joy. My boys’ pregnancy was a nightmare because of that.
Sure, they have to be careful, sure you have to be too, it’s all natural they cared BUT they don’t have to be so DRAMATIC about it!!
So congratulations to you and your family and I do hope that your discomfort quickly is overcome and you can plenty enjoy your pregnancy.
Congratulations!!!God.bless.you.and.your.beautiful.family..Greetings.from.Argentina
Congrats!! That is so exciting!! There are days that I “wish” we could have another baby (we have four). But I am getting to a point in my life that I don’t have the energy I had when my now 11, 11 and 12 year old children were the age of my 4 year old. I am looking forward to reading about your baby!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW BUNDLE OF JOY!!
Congratulations! I’ve been reading for a while now and remember when Oliver was the new baby on the blog. Can’t wait to meet the newest little addition to your beautiful family. Thank you for sharing, you are an amazing mom and God knows what he’s doing.
Congratulations! Love all your posts and look forward to them.
Boy, did you scare me when you said you had a growth in your abdomen! Very excited for you and your family…congratulations! Your blog is the very first blog I followed and I have learned so much from you. Thank you for sharing your talents and your life with others. Happy mothering!