37 weeks...and so ready to be done!

How far along: 37 Weeks (36.5 Weeks in these photos) 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 40 lbs. (Yikes!) 

Maternity clothes: I am so sick of them! I only have one pair of maternity jeans that fit (pictured here), a few shirts and a skirt or two. I feel extremely unattractive at this point. 

Stretch marks: So many.

Sleep: Sleeping a little better than I was but I still wake up once or twice to pee and I don't get nearly the amount of sleep my body needs (I usually get around 6 hours). Josh and Oliver get up around 6:00-6:30, which is way too early. 

Best moment last week: Two: 1. I had an ultra sound and was able to see your ribs moving up and down as you're practicing breathing. Pretty cool to see. 2. Your dad put together the bench part of the window seat for your room and drilled the top to it. I'm excited to put it in place and decorate it with pillows and things (as soon as the curtains are up). 

Movement: You move a lot.

Food cravings: Chocolate. Sweets. Sometimes bread. (The 40 lb. weight gain should come as no surprise.) 

Baby Stats: You are doing great. What started out as a long list of risks (Downs Syndrome, Preeclampsia, low fluids in the placenta, low birth weight, low pap-a...all due to my age and some my age combined with blood results) have now all been eliminated. I'm grateful for that. I still have to have two Non-Stress Tests a week since I was so high risk - just to make sure you're doing okay. This entails being monitored so the doctor can see how often you're moving. If you fall asleep during this process, we have to wait until you wake up to continue. It can be as short as 20 minutes or as long as an hour. They aren't my favorite, especially if I have to take Josh with me, but I am grateful you're being monitored and that you're doing well.

Symptoms: Ugh. Everything hurts - bending, walking up the stairs, carrying Josh, my tailbone when I walk, turning over in bed, strain on my legs / varicose veins, I get out of breath easily, I feel light-headed and dizzy often, I have Braxton Hicks contractions almost daily, I have to pee a lot, my back hurts, my hips fall asleep when I lay on them (so I wake up in the night a lot, to turn over) I have heartburn a lot (several times a day), I'm incredibly exhausted...I cope by taking a warm shower in the morning to relieve the back aches, a warm bath a night to do the same, I take TUMS for the heartburn, I try to sit down and rest for a few minutes at least once during the day (not easy with two active little boys) and lots of self-talk to get through each day. 

Labor signs: None that indicate true labor...just lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and lightning crotch (a casual term that refers to shooting/sharp pains in the area of the vagina/cervix/groin that come and go and hurt like heck, but only for a few seconds.) I only had BH contractions once with Josh and not at all with Oliver and didn't have lightning crotch with either of them but have had both very frequently with you. 

Belly button - in or out? Definitely out.

What I miss: My pre-pregnancy body. 

What I am looking forward to: Meeting you soon! (Hopefully sooner than later.) 

One month to go

Dear "Lady Bud" (as Daddy calls you...we have Oliver, our "Bud," Joshua, our "Baby Bud," and now you, our "Lady Bud."),

The time of your arrival is getting closer. One month to go until your due date. I'm pretty uncomfortable and feeling ready to have you on the outside of my body. I'm trying to appreciate my pregnancy with you the best I can, since we're planning for you to be our last. But near the end, it's becoming more difficult to appreciate the discomfort.

I'm excited to meet you and see who you look like. I dreamt a while ago that you look like your dad when he was young. I had a dream back in 2008 that we had a baby girl and she had your dad's skin and hair coloring. It will be interesting to see.

Tonight I stood in your room and ran my hand along your little dresses hanging in your closet. It's fun to envision them on you. I have a few more things to do before your nursery is finished and I'm very excited for everything to come together. I'm just so exhausted...it's a slow process. Your brothers keep me very busy and worn out.

Oliver is very excited to meet you, as well. He has been praying for you for a long time, as have your dad and I. We love you already!

Love, Mom

So uncomfortable!

How far along: 34 1/2 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: A little over 30 lbs. 

Maternity clothes: None of my "cute" maternity clothes fit me anymore. Not much fits me at all. I kind of feel like a beached whale. I like wearing black because my belly band isn't as obvious. NOTHING looks flattering anymore. I am definitely past the "cute" pregnancy stage. 

Stretch marks: Yep. I'm fine with it. (The varicose veins...not so much.)

Sleep: Still not sleeping well. At all. I wake up to pee and when I do, my back hurts so much, it's sometimes difficult to fall back to sleep. Plus Oliver and Josh get up in the night from time to time. 

Best moment last week: I finished the cushion part of the window seat for the nursery last night. So excited to see it come together.

Movement: I'm feeling lots of movement, especially in the early morning and night. Your kicks are getting stronger and feel lower.

Food cravings: Still sweets, especially chocolate. I try not to give in too much but it's pretty intense.

Baby Stats: I have a doctor appointment tomorrow so I should have an update after that.

Symptoms:  I can say all the same I did last time: still backaches, exhaustion, I feel "heavy" (I can feel the extra weight from carrying you bearing on my legs when I walk up the stairs). I'm getting more uncomfortable with each passing week. Bending is very difficult. I also have sleep issues and I'm feeling HUGE. But it's all more intense and exhaustion is unreal. Plus I feel dizzy a lot. Once 4:00 hits, I often have to steady myself on something. The doctor said this is normal, especially for mothers who have other kids to take care of and slack on self-care a bit. That would be me. I also have varicose veins all down the back of my thighs and knees. I'm not thrilled about this development. I feel like I have been pregnant FOREVER! I can't believe how long this pregnancy is feeling to me. My other two went by so much faster. 

Labor signs: None but I'm feeling more pressure, like you're trying to get out. Getting closer. Update: I had my first non-stress test at my Dr. appointment yesterday. I was hooked up to a monitor for about 45 minutes, which recorded your heartbeat and movement. About half way through, Dr. Labesky asked me, "Are you feeling contractions?" I told her no. She said, "You've been having them for a while." She said it isn't concerning or pressing if I can't feel them and she will check me next week to see if I'm dilated at all. She did an ultra sound and fluid levels look good. But I have to say, this kicked me into gear as far as feeling a bit of urgency, especially because when I stopped to check the mail on the way home and got out of the van, I felt a contraction. I think more of the Braxton-Hicks variety and just one, but still...it motivated me to get the hospital bags packed last night...just in case you decide to make an early appearance. 

Belly button - in or out? Very much out.

What I miss: Having my body to myself and fitting into my size 6 clothes. Also, energy and sleeping better than I am. (Same as last time.) Also, going to the gym. I can't fathom it right now but I miss it still. 

What I am looking forward to: My Dr appointment tomorrow, just to get an update. Also, finishing the window seat for the nursery. 

29 Weeks

How far along: 29 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Loss? Funny. 

Maternity clothes: Getting a little sick of them. Excited to wear my pre-pregnancy wardrobe again someday...eventually.  

Stretch marks: Quite a few on my stomach. Still. And probably some new ones, too.

Sleep: I am not sleeping well. At all. I have officially kicked Wendel out of our bed (politely) and he's a good sport about it. He sleeps on the guest bed because I was literally waking up every time he turned over, coughed, got up to use the bathroom, etc. I still wake up several times in the night (hearing the boys cough, hearing Oliver go into the bathroom, Josh has been waking up in the night lately, I have to pee, I have a bad or vivid dream that wakes me up, I'm too hot, I wake when I turn over...). Last night I laid in bed for two hours, not able to sleep. The baby was kicking the entire time. The boys get up between 6:00-6:45 and I'm always tired when they get up. I'm looking forward to getting some good sleep again someday, which I realize won't happen for at least six months, probably longer. Sigh. 

Best moment last week: We finally finished up the dresser a while ago (my friend, Autumn helped me paint it) and moved it into your room last weekend. I put the white ceramic knobs on the other night and it looks great. I'm so excited about it and to see the room come together.

Movement: I'm feeling lots of movement, especially in the early morning and night. The kicks are getting stronger.

Food cravings: Still sweets, especially chocolate. I try not to give in too much but it's pretty intense.

Baby Stats: I haven't had another ultra sound since the last one but I do have a Dr appointment tomorrow, where the Dr will do a stress test. (The first of many, I'm sure.) At my last appointment, she said you're measuring right on track. I was also told at my last ultra sound appointment you're head down.

Symptoms:  I can say all the same I did last time: still backaches, exhaustion, I feel "heavy" (I can feel the extra weight from carrying you bearing on my legs when I walk up the stairs). I'm getting more uncomfortable with each passing week. Bending is very difficult. I also have sleep issues and I'm feeling HUGE. 

Labor signs: None (thankfully). 

Belly button - in or out? Out now.

What I miss: Having my body to myself and fitting into my size 6 clothes. Also, energy and sleeping better than I am. 

What I am looking forward to: My Dr appointment tomorrow, just to get an update. Also, getting the nursery more put together. 

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken at the end of November to document our family right now...two active little boys and you on the way. Here are a few to show you my growing belly.

Difficult to see my belly in this shot but believe me, it's there.

Josh wasn't up for smiling much but I still love that this documents our family, here and now. I'm excited to have your sweet little self on the outside of my body in our next family pictures. 

27 Weeks

How far along: 27 Weeks - Officially in the third trimester

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  A little over 20 lbs. 

Maternity clothes: I'm wearing them exclusively now. 

Stretch marks: Quite a few on my stomach.

Sleep: I am not sleeping well. Every little thing wakes me up - when Wendel turns over in bed, when the boys cough, when I have to pee...as a result, I am tired all. the. time. Plus I think that magical 2nd trimester energy is gone for good. Man, I already miss it. It was so short-lived. Sigh. 

Best moment last week: I had an ultra sound yesterday and everything looks good.

Movement: I still feel you move frequently, often at night and in the morning when I'm laying down. Oliver has felt you move twice now, which he loves. His whole face lights up when he finally feels that kick.

Food cravings: Still chocolate, especially chocolate ice-cream lately (Breyers brand) with Stephen's Hot Chocolate (Dark Belgium Chocolate flavor) sprinkled on top. 

Baby Stats: You weigh 2 lbs. 10 oz, which is in the 89th percentile (according to the ultra sound tech yesterday). It's funny because the reason for the ultra sound was to measure your growth since there is a risk you might have low growth / weight and it turns out you're ahead of the curve. (Hoping you won't weigh 10 lbs by the time you're born.)

Symptoms:  Still backaches, exhaustion, I feel "heavy" (I can feel the extra weight from carrying you bearing on my legs when I walk up the stairs). I'm getting more uncomfortable with each passing week. Bending is very difficult. 

Labor signs: None (thankfully). 

Belly button - in or out? Out now.

What I miss: Having my body to myself and fitting into my size 6 clothes. Also, energy and sleeping better than I am. 

What I am looking forward to: Finishing your dresser and getting your clothes and your room organized (still). 

24 Weeks

How far along: 24 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Approximately 18 - 20 lbs. (Yikes)

Maternity clothes: I'm wearing them pretty much exclusively now. 

Stretch marks: Quite a few on my stomach.

Sleep: It's getting more uncomfortable to sleep because I'm such a light sleeper these days and if someone or something wakes me up, it's difficult to fall back to sleep because my back hurts. I have your dad rub my back in the mornings before he leaves for work and taking warm showers helps, too. It's also difficult to get enough sleep because your brothers are early risers and get up around 6:00am. 

Best moment last week: I don't know that it was a specific moment but I'm enjoying working on your dresser with my friend, Autumn (we're painting an old dresser I purchased and adding new hardware to it for your room). Also, my friend, Jodi, gave me a huge container of clothes for you, as well as a carseat and bouncer. The clothes are adorable. I'm so excited to dress you in them!

Movement: I feel you move frequently, often at night and in the morning when I'm laying down.

Food cravings: Still sweets, especially chocolate. This is not a good thing since it was Halloween on Friday and Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentines Day are still to come with 3 1/2 months to go until your expected arrival. 

Baby Stats: You're measuring right at 24 weeks.

Symptoms: Backaches, exhaustion, I feel "heavy" (I can feel the extra weight from carrying you bearing on my legs when I walk up the stairs). I'm starting to feel uncomfortable and the thought of 3 1/2 more months seems like a lot right now. I can't bend over easily. I put on tennis shoes the other night (I actually made it to the gym) and it was very difficult to bend over to tie them, even in a sitting position. I'm also loosing lap space. It's difficult to hold your brothers on my lap because there isn't much room. 

Labor signs: None (thankfully). 

Belly button - in or out? Starting to poke out a little.

What I miss: I still miss having the energy to go to the gym. I also miss laying on my stomach. 

What I am looking forward to: Finishing your dresser and getting your clothes and your room organized.