Surprise!

We were excited to tell the girls about our newest addition, but we weren't sure how receptive they would be. Before we started trying for baby #4, we had multiple discussions with them about expanding our family and let everyone weigh in with their thoughts. Though every time the discussion ended with a unanimous, "it's ultimately up to God" the more time that passed, the more settled into a family of 5 we became, and I think a few of us gave up on the idea that a family of 6 would be a reality. 

Then a few weeks ago, (when Mark and I already knew) we brought up the discussion again. Grace burst into tears and decided we shouldn't have another baby. Yikes. Not sure where it was coming from, and there was no going back, so Mark and I were a bit concerned. Then, we figured out what had her so upset. When we went to our Parish Mission a few weeks back, the girls wanted to listen to the speaker instead of going to play. The speaker discussed different Saints and their stories, one of which involved a mother dying in childbirth. Lots of questions later, we (perhaps against better judgement) told the girls that if we had to choose between saving a baby or dying, we would choose to save the baby. Trigger, lots of emotions. 

We decided we better tell Grace about her new sibling by herself before she was put on the spot with her sisters. Thankfully, when we told her she was overjoyed. She hugged us, got really excited, and had lots of questions. She helped us plan how we wanted to tell the little girls, how we were going to tell our families, and she really enjoyed being on the "adult" end of the surprise. We decided to wrap baby things up for everyone to open...including a 'big sister' shirt for Miss Norah.

Norah was so excited to be welcomed into, "the big sisters club,"

Emma was so excited she couldn't contain herself...so much screaming and celebrating!

Finally grasping what it all meant.

Overjoyed, and excited that our secret is out and she doesn't have to keep it from her sisters any longer!