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. 

21 Weeks

I'm getting bigger every day. I feel like  you've really grown a lot lately. I'm excited to meet you!

19.5 Weeks

How far along: 19.5 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 12 lbs. 

Maternity clothes: I wear maternity shirts but still wear regular shorts. Most of my pants are too tight on me now. 

Stretch marks: Quite a few - not sure which are new and which are from my other pregnancies.  

Sleep: My pregnancy isn't keeping me up but my boys are, as well as being sick lately (sore throat and cold). 

Best moment last week: My ultra sound on Wednesday. I got to see you moving around, see your little heart beating, and got the good news that everything is looking good - all of your measurements are on target. I enjoyed showing the DVD to Oliver later that evening. He was excited to see his baby sister on the screen. I also showed it to your dad that night. We're all excited you'll be joining us soon.

Movement: I'm finally feeling movement, as of Wednesday! I was getting worried because I wasn't feeling much movement but lately I've been feeling you quite a bit.

Food cravings: Still sweets, especially chocolate. Sometimes bagels sound really good, too.

Gender: You're a GIRL!!! :) (Still. The ultra sound showed this, even though we already knew from the DNA test.) I still can't believe we're having a girl. I half expected the ultra sound to show you're a boy, even though the DNA showed you're a girl. I'm just really excited to have a little girl. 

Baby Stats: I'm trying to remember how many ounces the Ultra Sound Tech said you are...not sure but you're tiny.

Symptoms: It's getting more difficult to bend over. Heartburn has started, as of today. I feel like my legs might cramp at times but haven't yet. I'm finally feeling like I have a little more energy. I feel like I can take on a few projects (your Grandma and Aunt Lindsey are coming this weekend to help me paint your nursery, for example). 

Labor signs: None (thankfully). 

Belly button - in or out? It's usually in but is already starting to poke out a little. 

What I miss: I still miss having the energy to go to the gym. I know I need to get there but I'm just so tired. 

What I am looking forward to: Having your nursery painted. :)

17 Weeks...and your gender!

Hello Sweet Girl,

We found out some very exciting news a little over a week ago..you are a little girl! I did this little photo shoot with the boys to document this exciting news.

This pretty much sums it up. Oliver is ecstatic to have a sister and I think Josh will be a little less than thrilled when I'm holding a baby on my lap and that baby isn't him. But I'm sure he'll eventually come around. 

How far along: 17 weeks 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 10 pounds. 

Maternity clothes: I'm wearing them but still wear some non-maternity shirts, too. 

Stretch marks: Quite a few - not sure which are new and which are from my other pregnancies.  

Sleep: I am still able to sleep okay but always, always feel tired. Absolutely exhausted. 

Best moment last week: I got a phone call from the Fetal Genetic Center. The Genetic Specialist told me you don't have Downs Syndrome (I was high risk for this, based on my blood test results + my age so I had additional testing, where they analyzed your DNA in my blood) and I also found out from this test that you are a girl! I am so excited to have a little girl. This is such exciting news for me!

Movement: There have been a few times where I thought I felt a little something but not often and not lately.

Food cravings: Sweets, especially chocolate. I made brownies from scratch the other day with Oliver for a Relief Society function and doubled the recipe so we could have some, too. Bad idea. They were so good! I eat chocolate chips a lot, too.

Gender: You're a GIRL!!! :)

Baby Stats: Test results show you don't have DS and you don't have Spina Bifida. I'm still high risk for Preeclampsia, low birth weight for you and low fluid levels in the placenta - but won't know for sure about these until I'm in the third trimester. My doctor said I'll have to get two ultra sounds a week once I'm in the third trimester so she can monitor you closely. I'm not too worried but I'm glad you'll be monitored closely. 

Symptoms: Endless exhaustion. 

Labor signs: None (thankfully). 

Belly button - in or out? It's usually in but is already starting to poke out a little. 

What I miss: Having the energy to go to the gym. I know I need to get there but I'm just so tired. 

What I am looking forward to: Hearing your sweet little heartbeat at my next appointment on the 20th.