Following a molar pregnancy miscarriage in September 2021, Charles and I have been cautious about making a major family announcement. After months of doctor visits, testing, and an absurd amount of mosquito spray (I do NOT want to get dengue), we are ready to announce that Baby Boy Conklin is scheduled to arrive in early March 2023.
The girls are very excited. Charlotte proclaimed, “thank you, thank you, thank you!” and jumped up and down when she heard the news. She has been persistently asking for a little brother for the better part of two years, both because she wants a new playmate and also because she is convinced that life is unfair for Charles who has to live with 5 girls and no boys (Crystal, Charlotte, Catherine, girl cat Miso and girl dog Leena). Catherine responded more cautiously at first, but ever since has been playing baby, practicing putting her dolls in and out of the crib.
We plan to have a natural delivery here in Cambodia at a local clinic with a French-trained doctor. During my meet and greet with her, she literally discussed every single test, timeline and option that was on my list to ask about, without me bring it up. She is following a very American timeline for prenatal care, with additional testing for tropical parasites at regular intervals. One other advantage to my appointments here is that the ultrasound is in the room and every month I get to watch Baby Boy jumping around and kicking the fetal heart monitor in real time.
Feeling a bit cautious, I have also scoped out the emergency options. If any complications should arise, Cambodia now has a NICU and several high quality hospitals. We are overly familiar with our Medivac-to-Thailand options and I have hired a doula who is not only willing to Medivac to Thailand with me if necessary, but also has experience with birth complications in Cambodia and coordinating care while going back and forth between the hospital with the NICU and the hospital with the mother. Given how smoothly my pregnancy and delivery with Catherine was and the general strength and health of Baby Boy, I am not anticipating needing any emergency care, but it makes me feel better to have a plan in place.
We ask for your prayers as I entered the last trimester during this Christmas season and we celebrate God’s gift of new life for our family!
So happy to hear your exciting news! Prayers for a heathy and comfortable last. Trimester. Such an adorable picture of Baby Boy Conklin!
Congratulations! May everything go smoothly and dengue-free.
Congratulations!!! Exciting news! We’re so happy for you!
With love Aunt Kathy and Uncle David
Wonderful news!!! Thanks for sharing.
Such exciting news and we’re so happy for you and excited for the girls!!!!
What a blessing and so happy for each of you!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!! We are so excited about this good news! Praying for a safe delivery and a healthy rest of your pregnancy!
What wonderful news! Prayers and blessing to the Conklin family!
This is wonderful news! I am so happy for you guys. Please keep us updated with news and of course pictures!!
We’re so excited for you!! Love you all!!
Praying for the best of everything for all ! Thanks for sharing!🙏❤️🙏❤️
Congratulations!!!
Happy Happy News …..thank you!!!!
So excited and happy for you guys!! 💗💗
😊❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏👍
I am so happy for you,the whole family! I am glad to hear that good medical care is available , sounds like you have checked it well.Prayers, Glenda L.
Congratulations–Such exciting news!! Mike and I are praying for a healthy last trimester, and a natural delivery without complications. I can only imagine Charlotte’s and Catherine’s excitement 🙂 Blessings to you all as you anticipate the addition of your precious baby boy to your family.
This is wonderful news! Congrats to you all. Praying for you as you navigate the last trimester and birth options.
I’m just now reading this post! thanks for sharing your daughter’s responses, they are so dear. Being that they are both a bit older you’ll have great helpers! Sounds like you’re doing a great job of getting all your ducks in a row for this delivery. Praying that it will go smoothly.