36 Weeks

Lots of progress this week! I completely lost my desire to eat. AN.Y.THING. I had to force myself to eat all week, because, in a cruel twist of pregnancy brutality, I still get hungry, but the very thought of eating brings me to tears. Now, the only reason I call this progress is because, in my misery, I went back and read my 36 week pregnancy update with Brody, and it said:

"I have no desire to eat whatsoever. I have realized that it is not so much that I have lost my appetite, because I still get hungry, as it is that eating is just not satisfying. I eat to make the hunger go away. But usually my stomach feels heavy and upset after I eat. But if I don't eat, HEARTBURN. So its a trade off."


On Saturday night, at 10:00pm, I was struck with the urgent need to clean. Nesting. I scoured and scrubbed and wiped and sanitized until midnight. And I only stopped because I needed more cleaning supplies. Then, as soon as I laid down, I had such strong, painful cramps and low back pain that I couldn't fall asleep for an hour and a half. I only slept about 4 hours that night, because my cramps kept waking me up. I have been mildly crampy on and off since then. Another indication that I am right on track in my pregnancy progress. Here is my 35 week update from Brody's pregnancy:

"I woke up several times on Sunday night with strong cramps. I have been feeling crampy ever since. Yesterday my lower back started to ache as well...I looked back at my baby blogs...to find that I started feeling this way about 2 1/2 weeks before Jazlyn was born."

That ended up following true with Brody. I started feeling crampy exactly 2 weeks (+2 days) before he was born. So... that would put me on track to meet this little one in about 2 1/2 weeks! Whoa!

It is really interesting to learn my own personal pregnancy patterns, and how consistent they seem to be!

36 weeks

Mask



brown blotchiness

35 Weeks

Baby and I have been enjoying all of the sunshine this week! So in honor of Sunny March 2012, we took our picture outside this week! We have been spending every day playing outside, eating lunch on the deck, and taking in all the vitamin D we can get! I hope hope hope that it is this nice out when Bambino decides to join us on the outside.

I continue to have LOTS of strong contractions-- about 5-6 per hour or so. We will find out at our next appointment (36 weeks) if all these contractions are making progress for labor. Any head start I can get would be fabulous! At my last appointment (34 weeks), I measured exactly 34. My BP is still excellent, so no snags there for my planned water birth. Baby's heart rate was 140bpm. Starting next week, I will begin weekly appointments, and get checked for dilation/effacement. We are in the home stretch!

The heart burn that plagued me last week has subsided! I am feeling "good" this week compared to last. I am still uncomfortable at night, and feel like my water just might break from all the pressure every time I stand up, but for the most part, I am not feeling too terrible this week.

As the time draws near to meet sweet babe, I find myself getting ever more excited, but also a titch nervous (which took me by surprise!). I am not generally the type to feel nervous about my upcoming birth, but this time I am a little, for unbeknownst reasons. Because this pregnancy has seemed to last FOR.EV.ER, I am surprised to feel a flutter in my stomach when I realize I may be holding our sweet little one in my ARMS in 3 weeks. That's coming up fast! But the excitement of that thought is winning out over the nerves.

Until next week, dear readers! Adieu!

35 weeks

35 weeks, full profile

34 Weeks

Okay... what can I say? I am having "issues" now that I didn't experience until week 38 before. Example, this baby is suddenly so big and heavy that it is already forcing me to run for the bathroom at least every 45 minutes. This is very anti-productive, Folks. And very annoying. Example #2: The sudden heaviness has also caused constant back pain. Example #3: I have shin splints today from... living. Just the normal walking around the house. WHAT? What is happening to me? Example #4: I end most days by slumping onto the couch (or bed) and feeling so much relief from the uncomfortable pain that I cry. Tears of frustration and relief mingled.

This morning, while getting dressed for church, I broke my dress trying to pull it over my huge, weird body. So I did what any normal pregnant woman would do... I sat down on the floor of my closet and cried for awhile. Then I sewed my dress, because I really didn't have many other suitable options. I ran into that problem a lot this week. I would dig through my drawers, be delighted to find that "roomy" shirt that I know is comfortable and covers everything, only to find when I slip it over my head that it is no longer roomy, and no longer comfortable. I must have had a growth spurt. I had approximately 5 people tell me TODAY that I suddenly look huge.

I am feeling so close to the end in so many ways (and I am) but still have a ways to go in reality. I have a good 4-6 weeks left, which sounds like an awfully long time to go on like this...

I haven't mentioned my appetite lately. It has been a little lower than normal this week, due to the hot weather I believe. I don't ever feel as hungry when I am hot. The things I have been really enjoying this week: cold oranges, sugar snap pea pods, strawberries and chips with my mom's homemade salsa. I have also been craving a vanilla milkshake, which is odd because for the most part ice cream is not appealing. Along with appetite, I should mention that Midnight gives me heartburn. No joke. I get severe heartburn almost every night now. At midnight.

Speaking of the weather... we have been having 80 degree weather this week in MARCH! It is like a dream come true. I LOVE the sunshine. I am one of those people who should live in Florida. But I married a man who should live in Alaska. So we compromise with the upper midwest. I hope with all my heart that the weather is like this when I go into labor. With the sun shining down on me, a certain euphoria takes over and I feel like I could do anything. That would be a reeeally great feeling to have during labor.

34 weeks

33 Weeks

This week has been a little rougher than the past couple. I haven't been sleeping quite as well. I have had a definitive increase in trips to the bathroom. I get contractions CON.STANT.LY. When I eat until I am full, there is so much pressure in my belly that I need to lean back just to catch my breath. Oy.

One day this week I was experiencing some semi-intense cramping. So my Prince Charming (who was at work) arranged childcare for the kids and sent me to bed with water. So I spent the rest of the day in bed sleeping and watching shows. I feel much better now and have not had any more issues. (Thank you, Love!)

I have been extra emotional this week as well. I keep ping-ponging between the desire to be done-- have my body to myself and meet our sweet baby, and wanting the pregnancy to last longer knowing this is probably the last time I will feel a baby moving inside of me. I lay in bed every night with my hand resting on my tummy, relishing every little movement.

Saturday was Flynn's due date, as I mentioned in my previous post. I received such an outpouring of love this weekend. I want to thank all of you who showed your support through a kind word, a note, or flowers. I cannot begin to tell you how deeply that touched my heart. It moved this mama to tears several times to know that I am not the only one who remembers and honors Flynn's life. So thank you.

33 weeks

32 Weeks

Remember how I said that 30 weeks is a big milestone for me? Well, 30 is really exciting, but then every week after 30 goes sooooooo stinkin' slooooooooooow. Especially when close friends of yours give birth around now ;  ) (Congrats Aaron and Sarah!) I have been paying much closer attention to each passing day. Bad idea. It really makes time crawl. I try to distract my mind with my life apart from baby, but I think it is inevitable. The whole "nesting" thing has taken over my brain and I can't seem to regain control. So.... we wait.

I have been so grateful for deep, peaceful sleep up until now. I am starting to notice that changing this week. I have not been sleeping as well. I toss and turn frequently from discomfort, and have to get up several times to go to the bathroom throughout the night. I take comfort in knowing that each uncomfortable night, is one night closer to meeting sweet Bambino.

On a more serious note, I am approaching this week with a sad heart, remembering that I was due with Flynn on March 10th, which is this Saturday. And since I always go early, I am sure he would have been in my arms by now. It is a strange thing to mourn the loss of one child, while preparing to greet another. But somehow, thankfully, my mind has completely separated the two. Separate people, separate feelings. This is something I never would have understood, if I had not been in this place. If I had not had a miscarriage. I feel the pain from losing Flynn still and will never stop missing him, and yet still rejoice at this life within me knowing that s/he is not a replacement, but rather a sibling.

32 weeks

Spot On!

Ran across this list this week, and internally shouted "Yes!" after each point...



31 Weeks

It feels like my body is changing and preparing for labor this week. I have countless (strong) contractions every day. As in, every time I change positions, or bend over, or breath, I have a contraction. Nothing painful ever, but strong nonetheless. I also had a run of two days straight where I had the sensation that blood was pooling in my head and feet. Similar to the feeling of when you hang your head upside-down. I am not sure what that was all about. Hormones maybe?

31 weeks

Maybe more than my body, my mindset has shifted. I am in full-throttle baby mode. I have been listing the things that need to be done before baby's arrival, and getting to work to accomplish them:
-I washed and packed the two "going home" outfits
- I packed the diaper bag.
-We have our baby names decided with the exception of a girl's middle name. So last night we narrowed down the list to four possibilities. We will try to make a final decision on that this week.
-I started working on a labor playlist, gathering songs that I believe will "distract" me and encourage me during the pains of labor.
-This morning, I revised and printed our birth plan to hand in at our appointment next week.
-I did extensive research this week about breastfeeding, and preparing myself for the best possible success

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Along those lines, Jared and I have decided that since breastfeeding is so important to us and I have had such ill-success in the past, and because the first 48 hours are extremely crucial in the overall success of bf, we will not be accepting visitors while we are at the hospital (with the exception of family). However, we would welcome and love visitors after we arrive home! Please just understand that breastfeeding is my top priority, and visits will revolve around feedings. I need to do this right this time!
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Baby has been on my mind so much that last night I had a dream...

I was laying on the couch watching the kids while Jared was out running errands, and was turning over when I had one strong contraction and the sudden urge to push. So I gave birth (in one push, and no mess!) and held our new baby boy with joy. I texted Jared that the baby had been born, and he arrived home about 20 minutes later. I then spent the next two hours chasing the kids around the house breaking up fights and doing my motherly deeds, all the while passing the baby back and forth with Jared. I was growing ever more distraught as the time passed because I wanted to breastfeed the baby right away, and didn't have the chance. Finally I broke down in tears and told Jared I had not even had the chance to sit down and breastfeed yet, so he quickly assured me he would take over with the kids and handed me our precious baby girl. I looked into her beautiful round face, surrounded by various shades of pink blankie and hat, and fell in love.
The dream was so vivid and seemed long and very detailed. I woke up feeling sad and disappointed that I did not in fact have my babe that I fell in love with in my dream, even though it was gender-shifting AND because I did not experience a no-pain, one push, no mess delivery. :-)

Baby Love

My sister, Anna, came over and did a prgnancy photo shoot with me today.

AREN'T THESE INCREDIBLE!?

Click on over to her blog, Etc to check out some more of her work.

30 Weeks

This has always been a big week for me. I am finally in the 30's. I give birth in the 30's. The end is close!

I am still sleeping really, really well at night, which is a huge relief. The kids have been waking up at night a lot lately, which has been a good reminder of the brutal schedule that my future holds. I am one that relishes (and needs) her sleep. So for now, I am rejoicing in the Lord for granting me such deep, peaceful sleep.

I am having so much fun gathering baby things and preparing for this little one. We got an AWESOME bassinet this week from the Youngmans. I am not kidding, this thing is like the Rolls Royce of bassinets. Jared and I set it up yesterday, and it is stinkin' awesome! It even came with a remote control to operate the mobile, music and vibration settings. No joke.

I also spent every night this week online searching the latest and greatest in the baby world. I feel a little out of the loop already! The best discovery of this week was Comotomo bottles. I thoroughly researched bottles of every kind and decided on these. They are made of a squeezable silicone and have multiple holes (just like breastfeeding) depending on the flow you want (four levels). These have also been dubbed the only true "slow flow" on the market. They got the best ratings of all the bottles, specifically from mothers who mostly breastfeed but need a bottle as similar to breastfeeding as possible. Several people even said that using this bottle helped their baby learn the proper latch when they were having trouble at the breast. Anyways, I ordered two today and am very excited to put them to use!

5oz and 8oz

Choice of pink or green

Squeezable silicone to mimic letdown

29 Weeks

I am so excited to meet this little one soon! I have started to think about and prepare for all the "infant" things we will need around again. Like clothes for starters. Most of ours have been passed along. Bottles. Blankets. Pacifiers. Bottle brush. Socks. Hats. Diapers. Etc, etc, etc. I am in gathering mode. I was irrationally excited to receive the nukie I ordered in the mail today! Silly, but fun.

Also, exciting news! I finished both baby blankets this week! After two months of labor (haha), here are the results:

For a boy...

For a girl...

Aren't they cute?!

On the not-so-happy side: I have been experiencing an almost constant headache all week. It is throbbing when I go to sleep, and greets me every morning when I get up. I am not sure where this is coming from or what is causing it. Hopefully next week will be different.

Also, I am not entirely sure I will make another 10 weeks. I just don't think there is room. The distance between my pelvis and ribcage feels too small and no matter how I sit, bones are competing with baby. My body remains very sensitive, and I have numerous contractions every day. I am hoping this is really good prep for labor, and that it will make things go quick and smooth.

29 weeks

han-gry

Yessss... I know this word well.

28 Weeks

UPDATE: I passed my glucose test with flying colors. Not even remotely close the the "cut off." Since sugar is my enemy these past months, I would have been SHOCKED outta my pants if I didn't pass. Also, we met our midwife for the first time, and realized as soon as she walked in, that she is the same woman who taught the Preparing for Birth class we took at Woodwinds prior to Sophia's birth 5 years ago! We enjoyed our visit, and I am glad I made the switch!

Things are getting ever more uncomfortable. My hips ache all the time now. Ache, hmm... not a strong enough word. Shooting burst of radiating pain is a better description. Baby must have had a growth spurt over the past two weeks and gotten huge and... hard. It literally feels like I have a solid basketball in my belly, and I can't bend over anymore without a big struggle. The muscles over my belly are stretching and aching as well. And because of the weight in my belly, my back is perma-sore as well.
My stomach is still as touchy as ever. More often than not, after I eat I feel mildly sick to my stomach. It is the rare (HAPPY) occasion when I feel normal after eating.

Along with baby getting bigger, the kicks and movements are much stronger now. Still the most inactive baby so far, but s/he moves enough now that I don't worry anymore.

I have my first appointment with the midwife on Wednesday, and my glucose test. I keep telling myself that I only have about 10 weeks left... sometimes that's encouraging. Sometimes not.

On a brighter note, I am almost finished with my baby boy and baby girl blankets that I have been working on over the past two months! I will post a pic of each when they are finished.

27 weeks

28 weeks

26 Weeks

Not much change from last week. My hips still hurt, I (feel) like I am waddling a little more, it's harder to get off our deep couch, i have to sleep with a pillow between my knees, my tummy feels heavy...

After Bambino's plea last week, my kind and loving mother brought me not one, but TWO loaves of fresh cinnamon bread, which have both disappeared. This week, smoothies are my main source of joy and sustenance. But not sweet smoothies, because sugar still makes me feel sick. So I have been making numerous combinations of superfood, detox smoothies that involve spinach, kale, pomegrantes, bananas, flaxseed meal, berries, and mango. Delish (and uber healthy)! The next best meal I have had all week was a salad of organic spring mix with baby spinach. I could not get enough. Apparently after all that cinnamon bread, baby was in desperate need of some nutrients!

One thing to note that I have been meaning to mention, is that my body is much more sensitive and "touchy" this time. I get contractions from any amount of exertion. I even get them if I sit in the wrong position. Just thought it was worthy of a mention.

26 Weeks

25 Weeks

Every week I am shocked that another week has gone by. My life with three little ones keeps me so busy that I don't even notice the time flying by. My body is starting to notice though. A few changes this week-- my hips are starting to ache, and my tummy feels noticeably heavier (maybe because of my hip discomfort). I have started to waddle a little after getting up from sitting for a long period of time, because that is when my hips hurt the most. Perhaps baby is in a growth spurt, because I have also felt very tired this week. More so than usual.

My next appointment will be at 28 weeks, and I will have the glucose test already. I am excited for this appointment, because I scheduled this one with a midwife. I have seen midwives for all of my previous pregnancies and really liked the care I received. This time I tried out an OB doctor for awhile, and just haven't felt as pleased. So back to the tried-and-true for me.

This week, Bambino wrote an email to my mom pleading for a loaf of her homemade cinnamon raisin bread. She responded, "All you need to do is ask! Tell Mommy I'll call her tomorrow when it is out of the oven." Aren't Grandma's the best!?

25 Weeks

Pregnancy Dreams Continue...

Jared and I hide out in a hotel room, with the kids. We are trapped here indefinitely, because of the recent sequence of events. You see, last week Jared sat on my sister, Anna and tickled her. My parents are pressing charges. Then, Jared and I ran a red light and were not wearing our seat belts. Mysteriously, my mother knew about our indiscretions, but we did not get caught. She is VERY upset that we got away with illegal actions. Our court date is in a few days. And here we are, hiding out in a hotel room to avoid court. Because frankly, we think it is completely ridiculous to go to court for tickling someone (which is the focus of the court date, not the actual illegal actions).
In a desperate act to try to erase this nightmare, I go meet my mother to plead our case. I pour out my heart, and my frustrations, explaining that we just cannot understand WHY they would press charges over tickling. Anna wasn't even upset. We are just so confused. She stares me down in cold silence, refusing to budge an inch.

As soon as I get back to the motel, there is a knock on the door. I peer through the peephole and see that it is my dad, and brother, Andy, who flew into town for the hearing. Figuring Andy wanted to hug me and show his support before the court date, I cracked the door open. In a flash, my dad snapped a tracking bracelet around my wrist that was attached at the other end to a handcuff. I just look at him in shock and disbelief, and slam the door closed on four of his fingers, then continue to lean into the door, smashing them. After a few seconds, my conscience catches up with me, and I open the door and apologize. To which my dad responds, "No, that was a fair reaction," and then proceeds to close the door on his own fingers again.

Then my eyes fly open...

24 Weeks

I finally got a boost in my appetite this week. I can't stop thinking about eating. While I am eating, I am planning what I am going to eat next. After I finish eating, I dream about eating more until I have waited the "appropriate" amount of time until I can eat again. It is quite a change from the past several weeks, wherein eating was more of a forced duty I endured.

I was asked this week if I had the choice (assuming the baby was fully developed and ready to come out), would I be ready to have the baby this week. My response was an emphatic "Yes! I would have it today." Buuuuut. While most of you know my impatient stance on pregnancy, I am trying to enjoy it. I lay in bed every night with my hands on my belly, relishing the little kicks within, knowing I may never feel them again.

As my belly grows, I am being reminded of the uncomfortable aspects of pregnancy now too. I cannot (comfortably) lay on my back anymore. Or my stomach. Side to side I go at night, flipping back and forth. Comfort may be out the window for the next 15 weeks or so...

But all in all, I feel well and have no complications. Baby is healthy, Mama is healthy. We are truly blessed.

24 weeks

23 Weeks

Twenty-three, folks! Getting ever closer to meeting this precious babe (did you see that adorable face?!) Now that we had our ultrasound, and got a "sneak peek" at Bambino, I am more in love than ever, and can hardly stand the thought of waiting another 4 months to meet him/her! However, I am convinced that my remaining time will go very quickly. Life with three little ones is never dull, and the distraction makes time fly.

We have been doing some rearranging this week in the kids' rooms to prepare room for B. We jammed a set of bunk beds in Brody's room, so eventually when baby kicks him out of the crib, he will have somewhere to go. It looks great, and I am very pleased with the results!

I have been feeling very well the past few weeks. I still have aversions to most sweets, but would take nearly any kind of salty food (junk or not) any day. Tortilla and potato chips have been especially "on the mind" (and in the mouth) this week. Red meat always sounds amazing, though we ain't no money-bags around here, so haven't gotten much of that. But it sounds amazing nonetheless.

Babers kicks mostly at night between 10-12, but is not NEARLY as active as Jazlyn and Brody were. This may, in fact, be the least active babe so far. We'll see what the next few months bring.

23 Weeks

Oh Hello, Baby!

We had our ultrasound today!

We spent a good portion of last night debating whether or not to find out the sex of this baby. I was really torn this time. It being our last one (God willing), we thought it might be a fun new experience to find out this time. After a long discussion, we decided...

 For the first time ever, we got to see our precious babe in 3D! It was very exciting, though I wish we got more than just this one image in 3D. But, I am happy nonetheless.

Bambino's precious face

Does this look like the face of a boy or girl to you?

What a SWEETHEART!!!

Doc says everything looks great! Baby is healthy and growing perfectly. We are so extremely blessed. And Bambino looks every inch as cute and precious as our current three did. Now, after seeing that precious face, it is going to be even harder to wait another 15 more weeks to see it in person.

...to not find out.

Etc.

My sister, Anna, created a blog finally! Head on over to Etc. and check it out! You are in for a treat. She is an aspiring photographer/photo editor, and a generally silly, fun person. I am anticipating an entertaining read.