kids

Surprise! Surprise!

Kathleen Rauch38 Comments

I hardly have the words for this post. So I’ll lead with a picture. And a picture is worth 1000 words.

That’s exactly what you think it is….

I am expecting baby #8. Sometime in October. I am 46 years old.

Someone throw a tent over this circus.

When we told my in-laws, Mom Rauch said to Dad Rauch,

“Dear, do we know anyone as old as Kathleen who has had a baby?”

I was considered “advanced maternal age” when I delivered Mary Frances at 35. Johnny was born when I was 40. I asked my doctor what I will be considered when this little one joins us in October. He said there is no category.

We told the kids several weeks ago. We have waited to tell others until my appointment this past week. My first two appointments were cancelled due to coronavirus concerns. So I was pleasantly shocked on Thursday when the doctor confirmed that I am 13 weeks along. The baby looks strong and healthy.

We announced the news to my extended family during our Easter Zoom call. So on trend! Actually, Johnny announced the news. Everyone’s faces were frozen. It wasn’t a technical glitch.

My older brother Dennis called the next day. In typical lawyer style, he wanted to verify the news and ask a couple clarifying questions. We had a lovely conversation that eventually turned to wills and estate planning and guardianship decisions (my sister is hot on my case and working diligently to update our will as I write).

It then turned into a math lesson – just how old would everyone be when this kid does X or Y. Dennis then had a dandy of statement:

“When you drop this kid at college, and you are moving him or her into the dorm, the other parents will be looking at their kid and saying – Shoot, we didn’t know it was grandparents weekend.”

The Magnificent 7 are over-the-moon. Slightly disappointed that we are not expecting twins, they are convinced that we deserve a boy. They have been incredibly helpful and understanding as the pregnancy is taking its toll.

I don’t anticipate much difference this rodeo. A few extra tests, some additional appointments and specialists. I will deliver early due to concerns about my age and to protect the baby. Other than that, life goes on and we expand our hearts yet again to welcome another little piece of heaven.

38 thoughts on “Surprise! Surprise!”

    • Thanks, Liz! I still remember getting to know you better when you brought us a meal for Josephine. At least, I think it was Josephine 🙂

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  7. Congratulations!
    Your good news has inspired me to rewatch the original “Yours, Mine, and Ours” with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. I realize that yours is not a blended family, but a look into large families.

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  11. Every baby is a blessing! I’m so happy for you and your family Kathleen!
    I miss seeing you at FluidRunning:(

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  13. Congratulations, what wonderful news…if a bit of a surprise. 👶 🍼

    Good that you’ll be shipping a couple more off to college fairly soon…although that depletes the babysitter squadron!

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  20. I’m so thrilled for you. I am a microcosm of what you are doing. I had George at 43 years old, and it was an interesting journey. After Baby Ocho we can get together for a glass of wine and I can tell you that my “menopause” baby was the best thing that ever happened to me (he was #6. My oldest was already off to college.) You are truly blessed.

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  22. […] Baby Ocho was finally resting and the images of the heart were much better. The cardiologist (Dr. G) was able to ascertain that the apex of the left ventricle is the same as the right ventricle. Which is a fancy way of saying that the ventricles are the same height. That is the good news. Unfortunately, the widths of the ventricles are still significantly unbalanced. The team of doctors reviewing the baby’s case all agree with Dr. G’s diagnosis. […]

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  27. […] Most of us have 46 chromosomes, 23 sets of 2. Becky has 47, with an extra copy of Chromosome 21. There are three types of Down syndrome. Becky has the most common type, which occurs 95-97% of the time. The genetic counselor referred to this as a straight or free trisomy 21. It is a random, genetic event and not an inherited condition. This type of Down syndrome happens sporadically and is most likely related to advanced maternal age. […]

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