50 reasons...

13 more days until the big ultrasound!
I'm pretty excited. :)
I was reading on Baby Centre (a Canadian Website) that said that in Canada each year about 330,000 births occur and of that less than 10% are with midwives and an even smaller percentage choose to have a home birth.
That's quite a small percentage! I'm still more than 5 months away, but looking forward to it more and more each day!

I found this adorable little list on Baby Centre. Some things I would say are not guarantees, but they are definitely fun to think about.

50 reasons to be glad you're having another baby

1. Digging out all those tiny little baby clothes again and remembering when your great big toddler was brand new.


2. Knowing that your labour is probably going to be shorter and hopefully easier this time around.


3. Seeing the look of amazement on your older child's face when they meet their new brother or sister for the first time.


4. Having a routine already established with your toddler, so that you aren't stuck in the house with a new baby, wondering what to do with yourself.


5. Going on mat leave again (although with that much more to keep you busy at home)!


6. Watching your toddler "helping" with her new brother or sister.


7. Feeling so much more confident with your newborn than first time around (it's amazing!)


8. Not having to buy all that baby equipment again.


9. Watching your children start to play together as your youngest gets older.


10. Having all the fun of picking out another baby name.


11. Letting your children play together (or squabble!) in the back seat of the car on long car trips.


12. Knowing that your children will entertain each other (eventually!)


13. Rather than learning to be a parent first time around, you can now just enjoy it.


14. Feeling a lump in your throat as you see your first-born hold your second-born.


15. Knowing that your children will always be there for each other.


16. Your first-born will acquire an audience that is genuinely impressed with his latest daring deeds, such as leaping off the kitchen table.


17. Someone who was just a child now becomes a 'brother' or a 'sister' as well.


18. On a career development note, you acquire unparalleled diplomatic skills - once you've got through six months juggling the demands of more than one child, you are perfectly qualified to run the United Nations.


19. Weaning is easy - the younger one just crawls round the carpet picking up the Cheerios.


20. Hearing your toddler announce to everyone - "that's MY sister"


21. Watching your toddler stuff a cushion up his sweatshirt so he can grow a baby too.


22. Looking at your toddler putting his hand on your belly and asking incredulously - "Are you sure there's a baby in there?"


23. Hearing your toddler ask "can we buy a boy?" when you tell him you are having another baby.


24. Suddenly realizing how big and grown up your toddler is once you have your tiny baby.


25. Watching both children fight to be the first to hug Daddy when he gets home from work.


26. Realizing that you are a "real family" now you have two (or more) children.


27. Being able to say "my children" rather than "my baby".


28. Being able to say to your toddler, "you did that, when you were a baby!"


29. Sitting on the sofa with your partner, cuddling one child each.


30. Knowing that a sibling is the gift you give your firstborn that outlives you.


31. Getting out your baby pictures and having a little weep over them.


32. Saying to yourself: "Last time I'm sure I wasn't this sick/this huge/didn't go off pizza"


33. Already knowing about BabyCenter Canada from day one!


34. Being better informed about labour and birth, having experienced it once already.


35. Hearing your baby chortle with delight at your toddler's antics.


36. Bath times becoming unstoppable splash time, now that there are two (or more!) of them in the bath.


37. Seeing your toddler finally start to eat veggies as a snack because his little brother is having them too.


38. Loving your older child for giving her baby toys to her little brother so willingly.


39. Finding your eldest child being completely absorbed in baby toys.


40. Listening to your eldest child become a bossy big sister.


41.Having a little bit more free time while your children play together (one day!)


42. Seeing how your new baby brings out the caring and protective side of your older child.


43. Watching your older child teach your youngest new skills, like how to stroke the cat gently.


44. Going all gooey at the sight of small and really tiny clothes hanging together on the clothesline.


45. Being able to read all your favourite baby books again.


46. Having a sweet little baby to cuddle when your older child is being unbearably naughty!


47. Seeing your children grow up together, inventing their own secret games and words.


48. Hearing the different ways your toddler tries to say the baby's name.


49. Being able to buy 'two adult and two children' family tickets.


50. Giving your first child a friend who shares the same history and background as him.