38 and 39 Weeks

I'm catching up before I write Harley's birth story.

Week 38

Total weight gain: 39 lbs. I didn't gain any weight from the last week.
Sleep: Not bad.
Movement: Your movement has slowed down and I got nervous one night, but a little orange juice perked you up. You just don't have any room left in there!

Heartrate: 130-140 bpm

Symptoms:  Nothing new really. I just definitely feel like you are getting ready to make your debut!
Looking forward to: A safe and healthy delivery.
Progress: 2-3cm, 50% effaced

Week 39 

Total weight gain: 39 lbs. I actually lost half a pound. How does that happen?!
Sleep: Uncomfortable and anxious.
Movement: You are pretty calm, but I always feel your little feet in the same place.

Heartrate: 130-140 bpm

Symptoms:  I feel like you could fall out at any moment.
Best moment: Spending time with your brothers and soaking up what is left of this pregnancy before you arrive.
Looking forward to: Meeting you sometime this week hopefully!
Progress: 3+cm, 80% effaced 


We are so excited and ready to meet you!

Woah belly!

37 Weeks

Total weight gain: 39 lbs.
Sleep: It could be worse. I just wake up a lot.
Movement: Lots of movement, but overall you are pretty calm. I remember Hudson kicking me like crazy and making me sore.

Food cravings: Mexican food, eggs, salad

Symptoms: Mostly the same as last week - cramping, leg cramps (charlie horse at 3 a.m. is never fun), sciatic nerve pain, etc. Pressure, lots of pressure. My swelling actually went down this week and my feet look normal. I'm not sure what I did differently, but it's nice to have them back. I'm having a lot of significant contractions, but not the real deal yet.
Looking forward to: I'm looking forward to that moment when they lay you on my chest. I can't wait! I'm also looking forward to Granna coming next week. Hopefully, she makes it in time for your arrival!
Questions people have asked: 
Are you progressing/dilating? I don't know my "progress" because they haven't checked which is kind of nice because then you don't get your hopes up. It isn't a sure sign of when labor will start anyway. I usually walk around at a 3-4 for weeks. They might check at my next appointment when I am closer to my due date.
Do you really know what it is and you're not telling? No, I really don't know. I have my gut feeling, but that has not been confirmed to me. We weren't going to find out with Hudson either and had them seal it in an envelope, but Garrett wanted to find out and I respected his wishes so we opened the envelope a few months later at Christmas. This time we both agreed to wait.
Will you be induced? I want to avoid a medical induction at all costs. There are some natural induction methods that have been discussed if the need arises.
Why don't you want drugs? Disclaimer: I'm not a hippie. I have been medically induced with pitocin, epidural and everything that comes with it and I've had an unmedicated birth. I would choose the latter every time. Sounds crazy, right? Probably. But I have many reasons for why I feel this way. I also know that things don't always go as planned so I'm prepared for that also. Thankfully, the OB/GYN practice I go to now is far more respectful of your decisions to labor as you choose and doesn't make you feel like you only have one option either way.

Now, we just play the waiting game. I know that every symptom or contraction doesn't mean labor is imminent so it is easier to relax and enjoy these last couple of weeks. I did finally get some things together because I don't need to waste any time getting to the hospital this time. The boys are now sharing a room and that transition has been pretty smooth. I washed the car seat cover and plan on putting that in my car this weekend. The baby room is empty just waiting to be filled. We don't have all of the baby gadgets, clothes and stuff that we had the first time, but all this baby really needs is a boob and lots of love and I think we have that covered. :)

 

36 Weeks

Total weight gain: Not sure.
Sleep: A little better than last week.
Best moment: Spending time with my family this past weekend and celebrating my mom's birthday.
Movement: I can tell exactly how you're positioned and you are still in the same position you've been in for a while, right anterior. I feel feet poking out of the left side of my belly a lot, hands down low and a little butt protruding from the right side.

Progress: I've already had a lot of people ask about how I'm progressing. My doctors/midwives don't do routine cervical checks and probably won't until at least week 38 so I don't know. I do know that the baby is head down and his/her head is engaged. It is safe to assume that things are definitely happening based on my history and how I'm feeling now.
Food cravings: Breakfast tacos and Rosa's. The closest Rosa's is like an hour from my house. It is tragic.

Symptoms: Sciatic nerve pain, serious swelling in my feet (worse than ever), heartburn has returned, cramping, back pain, pelvic joint pain, heart arrhythmia and I'm still having frequent Braxton Hicks. It might not seem like it, but I really do feel great at this point for the most part!
Next appointment: May 9, May 16, May 23 if I make it until then.

All of my babies at about 36 weeks...watch them grow. And I thought I was big with Hayden? Ha! My belly looks like a torpedo now.

 

Where have my ankles gone??!!

35 Weeks

Total weight gain: 36 lbs. I only gained a pound in two weeks. This baby loves me already! 
Sleep: Sleep was not so great this week. I was up ALL night one night and watched shows on Netflix.
Best moment: Spending time with my WDP girls.
Movement: For several weeks you have been in the same position and I always feel feet and hands on my left side.
Food cravings: I ate chinese food again. Weird.

Symptoms: I started having really bad pain in my pelvic joint. I had it with Hudson too, but not this bad! It hurts to walk, sit, stand, roll over. The only relief comes from lying down which is not something I can do all the time. I was walking almost every night and I haven't been able to do that. I also have melasma or the "mask of pregnancy". I never had it during the other two pregnancies. I actually noticed it a couple of weeks ago. I hope it goes away! And then the usual swelling, back pain, cramping, etc.

34 Weeks

Total weight gain: We'll find out next week.
Sleep: I wake up frequently at night and can't go back to sleep.
Best moment: We went to the movies to see The Lucky One at the Alamo Drafthouse. That makes two date nights in one month which is more than we usually go on in a year!
Movement: Very strong movements and appendages pushing on me all the time.
Food cravings: Muffins and I've really wanted McAlister's Deli but there's not one near my house. Bummer.

Symptoms: I feel really good overall, but there are definitely signs that the end is near. I'll spare all the details. Back pain, cramping, braxton hicks all the time (though none of this is anything like the real deal yet) and swelling.

Wedding rings on or off? I stopped wearing it this week. I can still get it on, but it was getting uncomfortable.
 

 Painting momma's belly. :)

 

There are quite a few more pictures in this series. I'll have to post them later, but they had a lot of fun!

The belly at 34+ weeks.

32 Weeks

This has been a really busy week! We had the boys' birthday party last Saturday and their Easter party at school on Wednesday. On Thursday, the lovely ladies from my neighborhood "book" club had a special night for me and another neighbor that is due in June. It has been a fun week filled with great family and friends! As far as symptoms go, I am just really tired and have been swelling like a toad. I've definitely had my fill of sweets this week and will have to get back on track next week. It is more difficult for me to move around, bend over and walk without a waddle. You are still very active. A lot of people try to guess what I'm having and the responses have been about 50/50. We shall see!

The beautiful cake my neighbor made for book club.

31 Weeks

The biggest thing that happened this week is that you have already dropped. This is good for my ribs and the heartburn, but now the pressure has shifted elsewhere. :) Since you have more room in there now, you have been VERY active the last few days. I really think the hiccups make you mad because it is like Kung Fu Panda when you get them. I have been eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, salads, yogurt and eggs this week. I go for a walk almost every night and enjoy some quiet time, just me and you. That will surely never happen when you come home to this crazy house! My dreams have been wild. Some are too embarrassing to even share. Overall, minus the fainting episode, I think I have felt best during this pregnancy. I am exhausted, but not extremely uncomfortable.

We have been studying Philippians this semester for women's development and it has been challenging and so very rewarding. Philippians 4:6 has really helped put everything into perspective and ease my mind. I was feeling a little apprehensive about the birth and not having anything ready, but I have no reason to be anxious because God is in control!

  This was taken before my belly dropped. It's a bit lower now.

30 Weeks

How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain: 33 lbs.
Blood pressure: 110/60, hope it stays that way! 
Sleep: Not so great anymore.
Best moment: Feeling you move ALL the time!
Movement: You are starting to get kind of wild in there and making me pretty sore!
Food cravings: the usual plus eggs. I have been really thirsty, but water just isn't cutting it. I have to add something to it to actually enjoy it.

Anything making you queasy or sick: no

Symptoms: my ribs are extremely sore, leg cramps, Braxton Hicks multiple times a day, swollen feet, back pain, heartburn, shortness of breath

Belly Button in or out? I'm pretty sure it might explode at any moment.
Wedding rings on or off? still on...barely.
Looking forward to: Seeing family for the boys' birthday party and my next appointment.
Baby's heartrate: 140ish bpm

I went to the doctor on Wednesday and the midwife said you will probably be at least 9 lbs. unless you are a girl and then maybe a little less. I'm not sure why we have such big babies, but as long as you are healthy I'm okay with that. You are head down and the likelihood of you becoming breech at this point is small. I am starting to reach the uncomfortable stage with Shrek feet, heartburn, not being able to breathe and ribs that feel like they are on f-i-r-e. Laci sent me some books about natural childbirth so I'm trying to be a little more prepared for your birth than I was for Hudson's. I totally winged that one and I'm not really sure how. I had my mind made up and I'm glad I didn't let anybody talk me out of it. The good thing is that I don't really remember the pain. Even though this is the third time I've done this, I felt like I should be more prepared so that I can have the best chance at the kind of birth I want in case things go differently than last time. Speaking of, I'm really hoping that I don't go into labor during rush hour. Can you help me out with that? :)

29 Weeks

You are definitely on the move these days! You get the hiccups often and I don't think you like it very much because you start kicking like crazy. As you get bigger, I can feel your feet and your little hiney and if I nudge you, you usually respond. I am still having frequent Braxton Hicks. They are not painful in comparison to what I remember of the real deal, but they are certainly more uncomfortable than I had the last two times. The heartburn is back with a vengeance and I am making more trips to the bathroom which means less sleep. I've been thinking a lot about your name. We call Hayden and Hudson H1 and H2 for short. Will you indeed be an H3?

And a snapshot at 29 weeks.

28 Weeks

Hello third trimester! It seems so close, yet so far away before we get to meet you. Other than being tired, I have really felt pretty good and I am thankful for that! Mom told me the other day that I seem to feel better this time than I did at this point with Hudson. With two kids, no matter how tired I am, I don't have any choice but to press forward and keep going. My feet continue to swell and my back hurts, but that is to be expected. I did not inherit the sweet tooth your Granna has, however, I have craved sweet things much more than usual. I go to the doctor every three weeks now and although you still don't have a name or a room or clothes, we are so ready to bring you home!

27 Weeks

How far along? 27 weeks

Total weight gain: I went to the doctor yesterday at 27 weeks, 5 days and the total now comes to...wait for it...30 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes, I have tried to repurpose regular clothes, but it just doesn't really work for me. I am too tall and it's hard to find things long enough to cover my belly.
Sleep: It is starting to become an issue because I am H-O-T and my nose has been stuffy so I can't breathe. Oh and can't forget the leg cramps.
Best moment this week: Listening to your heartbeat!
Movement: You move ALL the time, but mostly in the morning and at night, and you can see my belly move when you're really going crazy. Hayden thinks that is hilarious!
Food cravings: yogurt, granola, Chipotle, pound cake, brownie with ice cream

Anything making you queasy or sick: When Hayden threw up in my car the other day. Normally that doesn't bother me.

Symptoms: dry and stuffy nose, leg cramps, Braxton Hicks multiple times a day, swollen feet, back pain

Belly Button in or out? Outie for sure.
Wedding rings on or off? still on, but getting tight.
Looking forward to: Hayden's first t-ball game, Granna coming to visit
Baby's heartrate: 134 bpm

26 Weeks

I can't stop thinking about your arrival and how much we already love you! I am trying to treasure every moment of this pregnancy, knowing it is probably my last, and spending as much time as I can with your brothers. I wish I could just bottle up all of these precious moments and keep them forever, but the best I can do is try to preserve them. Many people ask if I have any feelings about whether you are a boy are a girl and the answer is yes! I just haven't shared with anyone. It is our little secret.

I am losing the energy I had the last several weeks and find myself having a hard time staying awake. I really wanted a warm brownie covered in ice cream this week and made a special trip to Target to make that happen! I've been trying to walk every day so that I can enjoy said brownie. My saddle bags will thank me one day. My feet have still been swelling and the dreaded leg cramps have started at night. My belly button is now an outie much to Hayden's fascination. I discovered my belly is 40 inches around because I had to measure it for something I ordered. I wonder how big it will be in approximately 12 weeks?!

It won't be long before you enter this crazy, beautiful world, but for now I want to remember this...

 Hayden is always so sweet and wants to talk to you and know when you are coming "out"!

*I'm working on a little project that I hope to share before too long!

25 weeks

You are becoming quite active and the boys love feeling you kick. Hudson likes to lay his head on my belly and say "hey". I am still feeling pretty good after all of the craziness a few weeks ago. My feet have been swelling for the first time this week. I was hoping that we could hold off on the Shrek feet for a while. It is too early for that and it's not like it's hot or anything. I might have had a little too much sugar this week with all of the Valentine's treats. I still can't tell for sure if my belly is that much bigger than it was with the boys, but it just seems different.

 Hudson loves to measure my belly with this Handy Manny tape measure! I don't think it will fit all the way around. Ha!

24 weeks

After having doctor appointments every day last week, this week has been mostly uneventful. The maternity clothes I ordered arrived today so I have something to cover this big 'ole belly. I don't remember being this big all over the last two times, but I probably just forgot. I definitely feel pregnant and as much as I try not to do the waddle walk, it is getting harder not to. Hayden said he wants you to sleep in his room so he can take care of you. He asks almost every day if it is time for you to "come out".  I look forward to May. It will be crazy. Our house will be full and my heart will be overflowing.

This is my lovely holter monitor accessory I wore last week. I go back to the cardiologist next week. He prescribed a beta blocker to help with the arrhythmia and my ob/gyn wants to do monthly growth scans to monitor growth while I'm on the medication. I'm still on the fence about taking it, but I just want to do what's best in the long run. I had another episode at the boys' school where I almost passed out and that is not a good option either.

23 weeks

How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain: 24 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Just ordered some new ones because I was literally down to about three shirts and one pair of pants that fit.
Stretch marks? Yes. I like to think of myself as a tiger who earned her stripes.
Sleep: usual for me
Best moment this week: Another ultrasound showing a wiggly, healthy baby! You even sucked your thumb.
What I Miss: I miss the fact that I will never look how I did five years ago, BUT I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world to have my three babies!
Movement: Moving more often and getting stronger!
Food cravings: Granola, smoothies

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Symptoms: Dizziness, rapid heartrate, headaches, heartburn...good times! I am also having Braxton Hicks often, but not too often.

Belly Button in or out? It is making its way out.
Wedding rings on or off? on for the time being.
Looking forward to: We have absolutely nothing ready for your arrival so hopefully we can start moving the boys into the same room and making some progress!

Baby's heartrate: 143-155
Estimated weight: 1 lb. 9 oz.
I am still measuring about a week ahead, but you are currently average for size in the 60% percentile.

I love you so much already!

22 Weeks

As mentioned, I blacked out last Saturday at the mall. I have felt okay the rest of the week other than being tired. I went to the doctor and had some bloodwork done and will go back next week. I want to avoid being put on bedrest anytime in the near future or at all for that matter. In keeping with the pound a week tradition, I have gained 23 pounds. I usually don't even buy sweets, but this week I have really wanted cookies and milk and pound cake. Hopefully, I can walk that off! I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions every now and then. We have not decided on any names and might just have to wait until we see you to know for sure. I have another ultrasound on Monday and can't wait to see you again!

21 weeks

Week 21 was mostly uneventful. It was yesterday which marked week 22 that got interesting, but more on that later. We've been trying to enjoy the pretty weather and keep your brothers busy. I started having some of the SVT symptoms that I had with Hudson, but hopefully it is not anything that is going to get worse. You are full of surprises little one and like to keep me on my toes! You've been getting the hiccups lately. I finally looked at the chinese lunar calendar and it says that you are a boy. We'll see if you will prove it right or wrong! I'm not sure how much weight I've gained, but my belly is getting bigger by the day and I think my belly button might actually pop out this time.

These boys really want to meet you!

20 Weeks

I have not been great about taking pictures every week, but I really think that is okay and I don't think he/she is going to hate me because I didn't obsess over the small things. I pick my battles these days. I have a lot of aspirations and ideas, but I have to choose my time wisely so as not to become completely overwhelmed.

More importantly, I want to enjoy this time and also make sure the boys have enough of my attention because I fear in a few months that there will not be enough of me. I know there will be and we will adjust. I just don't ever want anyone to feel left out.

Without further ado, a message to my little one.
We are halfway there! Probably more than half actually because I've never made it to my due date, but we'll see! I have listened to the video of your heartbeat over and over and smile every time I think of you and what you will look like. Will you look like your brothers? If you are a girl, I hope you're tough because they are a rowdy crew. They talk to you and ask about you almost every day. If you are a boy, Lord help me because I am going to be way outnumbered and will have to get another job to feed all of you!  I still feel pretty good and you let me know you are there often with your acrobatic endeavors. I have another ultrasound at the end of this month and look forward to "seeing" you again.

 I meant to post this from the ultrasound last week. Sweet profile at 19 weeks.

 20 weeks

19 Weeks

We went to the doctor on Wednesday and got to see your sweet face! You are a very active little thing and gave the ultrasound tech a hard time. Hayden went with us and loved hearing your heartbeat! He asked to hear it over and over so we recorded it so he could listen to it whenever he wants. Your heart rate was about 150 bpm. You are measuring a little over 20 weeks so just a little bit ahead, but everything looks good! We still do not know if you are a boy or a girl and will just have to wait and see!

I am consistently gaining a pound a week and have reached the 20 pound mark. I don't think it matters what I do, I am just designed to gain a lot of weight during pregnancy and have big babies. :) Surely the midnight snack can't be the only reason to blame.

I am actually feeling pretty good and trying to keep the momentum going before the third trimester crash. Sometimes, I still can't believe that I will have three kids. I know this is not a strange phenomenon for people. It's just crazy for me to think about having three kids before I'm 30!

19 weeks, 4 days
He was excited to see his baby brother/sister!

16 Weeks

I think I may have missed 15 weeks. I am 16 weeks today.

You are starting to move a lot more, but daddy can't feel it quite yet. It is mostly at night or in the mornings when all is quiet and I am being still. My belly is growing bigger by the day which could be partly because I am STARVING all the time. After 3.5 months, I am finally starting to feel sort of normal again. I will spare the ugly pregnancy symptoms that nobody talks about, but those are in full force. Daddy and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary last night with a lovely dinner. We had no idea five years ago just how blessed we would be today!

My belly seems rounder and fuller this time, but I could just be imagining things.