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baby number five

26 January 2015

... which makes me think of the song, "Mambo Number Five" which is tied for first place along with, "Happy", and "Moves like Jagger" for most annoying song EVER.  

I had to write the tiniest post to say a sequoia (the tree, not the vehicle) sized thank you for being so kind and generous with your comments and emails and everything re: the baby news. I was totally expecting a whole battalion of cricket chirps or a something more along the lines of ...



... understandably. But no! Simon and I were floored by how nice everyone was over the weekend. Simon was working yesterday but at one point he sent me a screenshot from my favorite social media medium with, "holy poop emoji"

you know the one ...


(I have no idea if that fact is true but I found it on the trustworthy internet so ... truth is likely)

Thank you thank you thank you. So much. 

Let's see .... can I give you any juicy details that wouldn't put you to sleep? No, but that's never stopped me before. I've been feeling great since about 15 weeks and I'm convinced it's a girl just like I was with Sebastian, Theo, and Phoebe so we'll see if my stellar track record gets another gold star.

It will be an exciting last week of June as the baby is due and we are moving and Simon is taking his boards as soon as we get down to Florida but we have the best friends and family already volunteering to help. My biggest stress {if you can even call it that} is going to be finding a grip of skinny car seats (this one? I know there are others and I will FIND YOU} to legally fit everyone in the Odyssey but .... minor, minor details.


Costco receipt checker ... you better get ready for this belly.

I solemnly swear to use that terrible pun no fewer than five times before June.

And I spent a mortifying amount of time getting that fancy baby onto that receipt so if you could at least pretend to marvel .... that would be wonderful.

Thank you.

69 comments:

  1. Ha! That graph does not lie! Or maybe that graph was just made after my pregnancies?
    I definitely thought of you having a baby and then promptly moving across the country and you're my hero. I'm glad the interior bambino is treating you well, gotta soak up those non-whining months while you can!

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  2. Um, I'm also expecting to fit a 5th carseat in the Odyssey this summer, so keep us posted.

    Also (and again, biased) I think 5th babies might even be MORE exciting. They just don't change the parents' lives as much as first babies. How many 5th babies do people see? Rare and valuable. Just wait until baby #14! Which won't fit in the Odyssey...

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    1. Both of y'all should just spring for the church minibus... it is inevitable/unavoidable...

      : )

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    2. Not to mention counter cultural and, therefore, very hip. (Congratulations to the Patton family!)

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    3. We have 5 (graph is spot on), anytime the topic of adding a sixth comes up my hubby's first response is "we would have to get another van" (we have a Sienna). However, I have been daydreaming about buying a mega van for years...so much space! Belated Congrats!!

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  3. The reaction I hate to hear, "you know what causes that, right?" Yeah, I think I do, congratulations to you and another adorable baby.

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  4. Before I'd even read your comment, I was marvelling at the baby you put on the receipt! Haha. Congratulations!

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  5. The 5th baby on that receipt looks *exactly* like your belly! Amazing! The first also looks just like Julia... who knew they employed artistes at Costco?!

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  6. We just got 3 diono radians and happily tossed our ginormous over priced britax ones (thanks lady who hit us, new car seats were def a silver lining. 3 across in my odyssey easy! Congrats on baby!! I am itching for number 4. If our friend Rachel B would agree to adopt my sassy 4 yo for a sister for Isa, I'd be pregnant already! Blessings to yall!!

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  7. P.s. The dionos weigh 200 lbs each so they are only fantastic if you never ever not once move them. Other than that they are perfection. Plus my car seat tech friend says that's Bc they have so much steel which is good. Don't ask me why.

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  8. I about died laughing at that graph. But I am legitimately still up at OMG BEST SHIT EVER excitement for you. And, as always, wishing I lived closer so I could make you dinner or something.

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  9. Baby number five is beyond awesome!! But really...if we are being honest...I would have appreciated if you would have let me catch up a little first. I mean, March, you couldn't wait till March. And I have yet to install the fourth car seat in the van that is not so mini. But I am so so happy for you guys :)

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  10. Radian = 3 across in a Ford Focus for us. I hear the Clek Foonf is also good and narrow, but is $300 more and let's face it, that name is ridiculous.

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    1. Diono radians weigh a lot but are awesome, safe, and narrow! I have a friend with 6 in her minivan!

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  11. I will forever be excited about Patton babes. Solemnly swear.
    As for the car seats, this post might help you out: http://csftl.org/three-across/ - should help in your back bench seat. It's a pretty stellar site with all sorts of tips and reviews on car seats.

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  12. Holy shit! You are my hero! I don't know how you do it. I'm dying with only one baby- as in no sleep and no time. And my hubby is already begging for more! PS Congrats! I'm always excited for more Patton babies!

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  13. Best. Graph. Ever. And please excuse me for not saying congratulations the second I saw you last night. My mind was not thinking straight obviously! But I totally enjoyed dinner and maybe (hopefully!) we can do it again before your big move!

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  14. There are a lot of different car seat configurations that will fit three across, but if you can afford it seriously just go with the radians! Apparently you can get them discounted through Kohl's and user Kohl's Cash or something? I don't know, except I wish we had just shelled out for radians instead of our motley assortment of seats... But they're safe and functional and we're like, $500 richer so I suppose it all worked out...

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  15. I Second (third, fourth?) the diono. We have ONE WHOLE KID, but know the diono is super skinny, esp compared to britax roundabout. Though it is as heavy as all your kids combined.

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  16. So, now I know why you no responde to my comment that Train will be performing in Tampa. In June. on the 6th. Go on ahead and use that old "labor/newborn" excuse. LOL! Super exciting!!!! Congratulations to you ALL!!! TracyE

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  17. We have 5 in carseats in an Odyssey, and the only way I could make it fit was 3 radians across the back! And my 2 littlests rear facing in the captains chairs. We live in Lakeland close to Tampa too, I never meet people with kids as close in age as mine. Therefore, I love your blog lol!! Congrats!!!!

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    1. You live in Lakeland??? Ok I know this sounds weird, but can you email me? I tried to find your email but couldn't and have some questions about the area!! Thanks!

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  18. I am super excited about #5 for you. I have three, all girls, and people roll their eyes obnoxiously and ask if we are done yet. Then I want to slap them across their rude faces and tell them that yes were are done, but only because I have health problems that caused the last pregnancy to be a pretty scary one.

    There is a facebook group that is AMAZING. If you tell them what kind of vehicle you have, etc. they can give you the best options. https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarSeatsForTheLittles/

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  19. Yay, congratulations!!! And YES to the Radian carseats! I'm only pregnant with my second right now, but my sister just had her third child and they only have one car - a PRIUS. Do you know how tiny the backseat of a Prius is?! At first she was convinced they'd have to get a new/different car with their 3rd on the way, but she got Radian carseats for the older 2 and - miracle of miracles - all three carseats fit! They have a Graco snugride for the baby. Good luck on your car seat hunt!

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  20. Keep the updates coming! Hooray for all of you, and what a lucky baby!! I'm from a family of 6 kids and I think #6 was the most exciting because he had so many people loving on him all day long!

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  21. Congrats on baby number 5! My cousin has four under four and she swears by Diono! I just wish they didn't cost so much! But they are amazing! I have another friend who has three of them in the back of her sedan...totally doable :-)

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  22. kid #5 is when we got rid of the mini van and went full Catholic with a Nissan NV. No car seat problems with 4 out of our 6 still in them. :)

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  23. Don't forget you have a place to stop in Atlanta if you need a resting place on the way to FL! And maybe you need to upscale from the minivan...! We drive an 8-seater Suburban.

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  24. We love our Diono car seats! ...and i never tire of your baby updates!

    Elise L.

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  25. We had to fit 3 car seats across in our VW and after researching and researching, we went with 2
    Foonfs and a Maxi-cosi Mico. Yeah foonfs are $$ but seriously taking one out and throwing it into Daniel's car is a breeze. Aesthetically amaze. Safety amaze. Cleans really well. And that graph. Perfect.

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  26. I was stunned at the news of your pregnancy. Then I laughed hilariously. Then I wanted to cry and hug you. My first two are 17 months apart, which is closer than we were...expecting, but YAY! Then I got pregnant with #3 when #2 was only 4 months old, and I was happy, but nervous. Or scared. That too.

    Then we miscarried the third, and the grief hit me like a tidal wave. I realized then how much I want to have more kids -- right now, close together, so they can laugh and fight and play and grow up close, like our first two have started to do. And every time I get nervous when I check that pregnancy test, I promise you, I honestly think of you. The fact that you're joyful in the midst of so much work and chaos and headache and sacrifice -- and wonderful, wonderful kids -- makes me want to say, "Yes! Have all the kids!"

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    1. What a wonderful way to phrase it: "joyful in the midst of so much work and chaos and headache and sacrifice."
      I was also stunned at the #5 announcement, thinking, "Didn't she just have a baby?" I can't imagine being in your shoes, but I guess I want to fill them. Husband in medical school, three under 4 (twins) and I am obsessed with having a fourth baby. So there you go. Rock on and congratulations! You and your little belly look fabulous!
      PS. I already commented along these same lines but it disappeared. Maybe it needs approval or more likely, it's gone forever. Sorry if this is a repeat.

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  27. We just had our fifth in September, and the Diono totally let us keep our Odyssey. We have it in the middle of the back seat between two Graco Nautilus-es, but one is a booster which helps the fit. Our two rear-facers are in the captain's chairs. Have you seen Car Seats for the Littles on Facebook? They have the skinny on skinny car seats.

    Congrats on number 5!!

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  28. Congratulations! I've never commented before but had to weigh in on the car seat situation. I have five little boys, all five and under (our middle guys are triplets). I remember being a little hesitant to even tell people about our fifth because I thought people would think we were crazy! (and maybe we are). For sure our house is chaotic at times but I wouldn't change a thing! We too have a Honda Odyssey. We have three Britax Marathon carseats side by side in the back and two in the middle section. They all fit fine! Really. Best of luck to you and your wonderful family!

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  29. Congratulations!! Just saw the news on IG but had to comment here too haha! I'm a new reader but am already learning so much from reading your stories! So happy for you all! I come from a ridiculously huge family- there's 11 of us and my older brother right before me is only 11 months older so yeah my mother is a saint. But I just love my crazy big family and I consider them all to be my closets friends! All the best to you guys!
    xo,Keila

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  30. You go and enjoy your fifth baby. I'm hoping for my fifth right now... except that to the outside world my fifth will only appear to be a second. =)

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  31. You're kids will be just like me and my sisters! Well, all five of us were born in exactly 6 years! But we're all girls. All just a year apart and it was lots of fun growing up. I don't know how my mom did it. She says, "lots of organization" but we had a great time. She always wanted more kids but my dad said, "no way" so that was that. Five girls.

    We've been trying for number 2 for almost (almost!) 4 years. But we're going to get there. I love seeing your growing family. I have a Sebastian too! He'll be 4 next week!

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  32. I am so happy for the Patton crew!!! But PLEASE share with us the comments from Costco. This empty nest grandma of one needs entertainment eh ;p

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  33. Definitely the diono. We can fit two side by side and a graco snugride in the back of our two door Ford Focus. They are great seats. Really simple, install easy, fit when everyone though it would be impossible. They are heavy, but not bulky. They are so streamlined they just feel like part of the car.

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  34. I LOVE our diono. Our little guy is almost two and is rear facing (because I'm a freak) - he's super tall and is still sitting comfortable in that seat! :)

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  35. I have never had a baby and I'm not even pregnant but I am ALL about the research and am totally getting a diono. So, one vote from the person who shouldn't have anything to say about car seats! (congrats again!)

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  36. While I am always hungry these days, I have to admit that I exclaimed a shocked and excited little OMG at your announcement. Congratulations, Patton Family! I am pregnant with #2, so knowing that you are expecting #5 makes me feel like I should be able to handle two no problem ;) Wishing you all the best and looking forward to more pregnancy posts!!!

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  37. Congrats on the new baby! I am due with number 2 at the end of June as well and am nervous to go from 1 to 2. Ironic as I am the oldest of 10. We moved, I broke my ankle, my husband I both started new jobs (with some night shifts in there so boo I feel that pain) and we found out we were pregnant in a matter of 3 months. You Steubenville girls have given me many a boost through your writings (you and IHOD) and friendship (Ruthie and Molly) so I feel like I know you.
    With so many of us spread out across the country away from family and friends, the invisible network you create helps a lot of new moms remember we are not the only ones in the trenches and that life doesn't have to be that serious all the time! Your family is a beautiful witness!

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  38. I'm pregnant with our second now but I believe the graph. Everybody's so over it this time! My husband's friend thought this was our third baby and I thought, "wait... so you didn't even care if the second was a boy or girl, or what its name was?"
    I think babies are a wonderful blessing and that each one should be celebrated. Congratulations again, so excited for all of you!

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  39. I am pregnant with #6 - #1 is 7 years old - I feel your every joy and pain! It totally gets easier as they get older, but harder on this old body!!
    I do LOVE our Diono carseats (we have 3!!!) and have NEVER regretted the price tag! (And I'm cheap!!) They are HEAVY, so as long as you don't have to do a lot of in-and-out or moving to a 2nd vehicle, I predict you'll love them too!
    I appreciate your humor, and come for laughs often...though I don't comment much! ;)
    Congrats on another blessing from above!! :)

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  40. Congrats again!! Im on the car seat hunt as well, there should be more options for us three acrossers.

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  41. I'll just go ahead and add that we love our Diono as well. :) It was reccommened to us by a friend. The review that sold me was by an EMT and he talked about how well he’d seen this car seat hold up in terrible crashes because it has a steel frame. So, yes, it's heavy...but worth it!

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  42. I'm so excited for you! And yay for the lead on a "slim" car seat! I have twins and we've been chatting about baby #3 so now we can actually fit a third baby in our Honda Pilot! :)

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  43. I KNEW I was missing something big! The phone has been MIA (thanks to my #5, a glass of water & a lapse in parenting skills). But after four days in rice, it seems to have recovered (crossing fingers). Congratulations!!! Hurray!!!

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  44. I just saw this car seat bench. Sadly we only need two car seats and our 16 yr old would not care for a harness. But I thought it was brilliant and something you could use. We had to upgrade to a newer Odyssey with a second row bench seat when #6 joined the crew last year. And congratulations to the family!!

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5s8HOtbJZg

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  45. OK. Trying this link.

    http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+multimac+car+seat&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=134CBAD414E3E196F126134CBAD414E3E196F126

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  46. Sorry about that. Just youtube multimac car seat.

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  47. Congratulations! What fabulous news! I know this is earth-shattering, but you have never had THIS baby before. I never get the said reaction to the announcement of each child. We don't keep having the same person over and over.

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  48. Congratulations!! Exciting news, no matter what the number!

    xxChristie
    www.KiKiMac.me

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  49. After stalking all the comments I feel the urge to check out all these 3 across car seats and I only have 1. Ha! Yes, keep us posted on what you decide. Again--Congrats!!
    Des Moines, IA

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  50. First comment on this blog ever, so you know it's important. Get the Combi Coccoro car seat! They are so skinny and they make all my wildest (car sear) dreams come true!

    http://www.amazon.com/Combi-822062A-Coccoro-Harness-Keylime/dp/B00IL5IJKY/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1422455952&sr=1-1&keywords=combi+keylime

    Here are the facts:

    1. Most important, they come in a bunch of colors. I have the key lime and the orange one, and I get lots of compliments (great for my ego :) )
    2. They clean up super easy - my monsters are dirty little creatures, and with a little Shout and a run through the washer, they look brand new (I've had one for 3 years and it's good as new!)
    3. They are LIGHT! - I can easily switch them from one car to the other no problem, while holding another baby in my arm.
    4. I said they are skinny, and i mean it - I'm a foster parent, and so I regularly have differing numbers of children in my care. Last summer, in my (very) small Chevy Malibu, I fit two Combis and a regular infant carrier/base in the backseat of my car, with no issues. It was tight, but they fit, and a third Combi would have been more narrow than the infant seat.
    5. They sell them on the Kohls website too, and if you can get your hands on a 30% off coupon, it brings the total to like $175 after tax. BoOM

    Cons (just to be fair)
    1. Sometimes my rings catch on the fabric and make little snags. Whatevs
    2. It can be a little hard to get them as tight as you want them to be, because the bottom of the seat is rounded. For me it just involves kneeling in the seat to get the seatbelt or latch system as tight as I want it.

    I really heart my Coccoro. Legit the best.

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  51. OMGOODNESS get the Clek Fllo! http://clekinc.com/fllo/ It has extended rear facing up to 50 lbs! and is super narrow! Sits 3 across! Im basically in LOVE with ours! ANNNND they come in pretty colors :) i.e pink for girls!! It wins TONS of carseat awesomeness awards too! You'd LOVE it!

    congrats again!

    M


    littlesouthernblog.com

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  52. I am dying laughing over your graph!! :)

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  53. I'm out of the loop here, and just saw this. Great news! Congratulations!

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  54. Yet another lover of the Diono over here. I watched Amazon for a while and the price randomly dropped down to $180 for a day.

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  55. Such amazing news! Congratulations!

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  56. Congrats, Grace! I love having 5 kids. I admire you and Simon. You're making the world a better place in your own unique way. God bless your family!

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  57. Just found your blog - I love it!! You are hilarious!! And randomly : we have the diono radian and LOVE it! Highly recommend it!

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