How do you KNOW when you are pregnant? I mean sure, I took a test on April 12th, but even before that, I KNEW. Maybe I knew when I opened up the ham to make sandwiches and it smelled like vomit. Or when my boobs, that normally hurt for a day or two before I get my period, were still sore three days later. Or maybe I just knew because I was a couple of days late, and I am NEVER late.

Bottom line is, I'm having a baby. This will be my fourth, and since the other three are boys, yes of course I'm hoping for a girl but I'm also not holding my breath. I live and work with girls and frankly, they scare the crap out of me - SO much more drama than a boy. And yet, the relationship I have with my mother, as a daughter, is just so amazing...

Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. As of today, I am exactly 5 weeks pregnant. Which is not very long, although it's kind of fun to have 5 weeks down already. And I won't even be posting this live for a few more weeks, so by the time anyone reads it, I'll be at 8 weeks. That's 20%.

I'm starting this blog for a few reasons. First, so my friends and family can read it instead of calling me constantly to see how I'm feeling - I'm somewhat kidding, I am sure I will appreciate the calls & emails, but this way anyone who wants to know can check in online & read about my journey. Second, as a journal for myself. And Third, because honestly while I don't know what this journey has in store, I am very clear about one things: Being pregnant at 40 ain't like being pregnant at 28.

So, how am I feeling? Tired. Really, really tired. Seriously I feel like I could sleep all day. And nauseous - yesterday I had to pull the car over and puke by the side of the road. Today I've managed it better, and avoided actual vomiting, but still feel crazy nauseous.

Beyond that? Excited. Thrilled. A little nervous of course. Happy that my two requirements for having a baby have both been met: I got pregnant before my 41st birthday (which is in 7 days), and I will be able to do my research pregnant, interviewing women who just had babies while mine grows. I'm surprised, too, since I was convinced I could not get pregnant anymore. We tried for 9 months (actually we tried for 7 months, and gave up trying for the last 2), and with the various health issues I have dealt with, plus my age, I figured maybe this just wasn't going to happen.

And yet, here we are. Baby #4 on the way. Which in our family is kid #13. Which is crazy.

And did I mention I'm 40?