38 weeks with baby #3

We're down to days. Literally. It could be tonight OR it could be in three weeks. Hopefully not four, but that could happen too. I'm thinking since I went 3 and 2 days over with the other two, I'll be close-ish to my due date. Praying specifically for March 10th for logistical reasons for our photographer and my parent's getting up here. Plus...it's true...I do love even numbers. :)

Some girls hate this stage - and trust me, I have difficult days - but I'm so so so weird in that I don't want it to be over. I'd rather remain pregnant in pain and discomfort than have the anticipation and suspense over with. At 33 weeks I remember crying thinking I didn't know how I'd make it another 7 weeks, but here we are. Well, almost.

And of course I can't wait to hold him/her and see them face to face and see all the intricacies of how God designed them and make the much anticipated phone calls and go through the excitement of finding out the gender and introducing the baby to Gwendolyn and Conrad, but I also know that it's just as difficult (ok, more-so) on the other side of all of this. Our lives will be changed in both amazing and extremely challenging ways. We'll have to come up with a new normal. Things that are routine and relatively easy will change and become more difficult (like getting out the front door and into the car for one minor example.) I won't have as much one on one time with the older two and I'm sure I'll miss them. Dinner already doesn't get on the table until 6:00 some nights. And out comes allllllll the baby stuff filling my house once again.

Of course, the Gift is great and beautiful and precious. The good Lord will show up like He always does sustaining us and providing for our needs. Our hearts will be more filled than ever before. The big kids will gain a new brother or sister and forever friend.

We'll make it.

I won't always have the energy or endurance or patience needed at just the right time, but I'm confident of this....God will. So I'm praying I lean into Him and His promises more than ever before. This role as a mommy wasn't meant to be done on our own strength, and I trust that in those moments of weakness, then He will be strong.

If you can't tell, I'm a big surprise person. I love them in all shapes and sizes. And I'm equally as excited to see all the ways both big and little that this little one changes and strengthens this family. It'll be an adventure, for sure.

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 38 weeks as of 2/22/15

Weight gain: After gaining 4 lbs in a week and a day the previous week, I gained nothing last week! So I'm still at 25 lbs. Naturally, I did what any pregnant girl would do after not gaining any weight and came home and had a bowl of cereal (Trader Joe's version of frosted mini wheats) with half & half instead of milk. 

It was so good.

Appointment update: My appointment last week went just fine except for Conrad learning how to open the door and escaping. He can be so good and obedient at times and then so....not. Aside from chasing after him and needing to demonstrate my disciplinary skills in front of the midwife (she was very sweet about it all), all looks good and she confirmed head down once again.

Heartbeat was lowest it's been yet....125 jumping up to 135 at one point when she woke baby up.

Like the week before, she commented on how low the baby is (I don't notice that part?!) and how it's a nice sized baby, meaning not too big and not too little. (I'm thinking low to mid 8's.)

** update from today's (Feb 24th) appointment **

Weight gain: 24 lbs (went down)
Heartbeat: 135 up to 150's when he/she woke up
Measuring 36 weeks, which she said is normal to see at the end since baby is lower.

All looks good and Conrad was an angel!

Gender: I finally got a few girl guesses after we posted a maternity picture taken straight on of me two weekends ago, but now all those same people (hi, Erin!) are changing their guesses back to boy after seeing an Instagram picture yesterday. Ha.

Sleep: It's been a rough couple of nights after what was a great night or two streak. Why does something that should (and typically does) feel so good after a long, tiring day hurt so badly? I just don't get it. 

Message to baby: 

Guess what?! Your car seat is out of storage! Daddy even washed it all up. AND I pulled my bag out of Sissy's closet so it's waiting ready and waiting to be packed. While very empty at the moment, I'm hoping it wouldn't take long to pack in a pinch. I really do hope you come quickly like your brother did, but please just give me enough time to pack sufficiently, ok sweet one?

In other important news, I also got an express manicure with Gwendolyn this past weekend, and painted my own toes........so in the event you arrive before my scheduled pedi on March 4th, I'll be presentable. Phew.

Our "to do" list has gotten a bit longer (who wants to come clean behind my refrigerator?!) but we're also getting things knocked off as the days go by. Daddy wants to get all tax stuff to our accountant before you come so that's the most daunting at this point. I have a couple of shoots to still edit and blog posts that I'd love to get done as well. Remember what I said about March 10th?? :)

Glad you're warm and cozy in there because it's anything but warm out here right now. Sorry about that. You'll enjoy Minnesota three seasons of the year, I promise. 

We love you.

Love,

Mama

36 weeks with baby #3

I'm actually posting somewhat on time this time around! Now.....do we all think I can get November, December, AND January "In Pictures" posts done in the next 3ish weeks?!

Wish me luck.

It's not lookin' good, but there are more important things.


Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 36 weeks as of February 8th

Weight gain: 25 lbs. That would be 4 lbs in one week and one day. When I texted Tom after getting weighed at my appt this last Tuesday evening (it was at 6 pm so I'm blaming it on being late in the day compared to morning appts and having just eaten dinner) and his reply was "LOL! How did that happen?!"

I made her take it twice so I know it wasn't a fluke. And I really have no idea how it happened.

Appointment Update: I'm measuring exactly 36 weeks, passed my group B strep test (good times), and the midwife Kathleen confirmed baby's head was down. I opted not to be checked so she had to feel the baby to make sure. She was a bit iffy because she said the head and bottom were feeling similar, but after taking some time she was almost 100% certain. Based on what she was feeling, she said we have a "little peanut". Heartbeat was 138. I am there weekly now!

Gender: It's been basically endless boy guesses recently. I was really thinking girl myself, but have changed my vote and am going with boy. I don't think I'll switch back.

Sleep: Ahhhhh sleep. How I miss you. Although...I crawled into bed after a bath Sunday night and was laying on my right side and for a few blissful minutes I felt completely, totally, 100% normal. No pain or discomfort. Just absolutely relaxed.

And then I got kicked.

And I loved it.

But honestly, sleeping is just rough. It's great at first, but God forbid I have to move. I find grunting and moaning to help. Kidding, but only kind of.

Random thoughts: We selected a doula! She's still working towards her certification, but seems more than qualified. She was kind enough to come and meet the entire family last week. (Fun fact: she has two sets of identical twins! And a single. So five girls!)

And we hired a photographer who looks incredible. She's out of town at her son's wrestling tournament the weekend I'm due though, so we're praying I go late. Not even joking.

Even if she wouldn't be available, our doula is a hobby photographer so I'm really feeling confident that it'll all work out one way or another.

(And now is when you all turn and talk to the person beside you about how crazy I am for wanting a photographer at my labor/delivery. It's ok though. It's not for everyone, but I cherish those pictures and moments caught on camera!)

It was pretty safe to say I was an emotional mess last week. I think I cried about something every.single.day. It was exhausting. My sweet daughter colored me pictures and Conrad has even started showing concern when Mama's having a moment. Naturally it's typically about nothing and has just convicted me about my lack of faith in God and his infinite provision over the plans and details of our lives at times. Conrad wasn't napping well. I was physically so tired. And it just all caught up to me. Thankfully this week has been soooo much better and I'm feeling pretty great for being almost 37 weeks pregnant. I cried only briefly tonight at the thought of not being pregnant while talking to Tom about whether we've enjoyed this pregnancy enough. Our conversations go something like this:

Me: "Do you think we've soaked it up enough?"
Tom: "Yep."
Me: "Really? Like we've enjoyed it and reeeeally soaked it all in? Because it's going to be over in just a few short weeks."
Tom: "I know."
Me: "I just want to make sure we've enjoyed it and taken it in."
Tom: "I've enjoyed it. You just don't have time to soak in your third pregnancy. You're too busy with the other two."
Me: "That sounds horrible."
Tom: "Well, it's the truth."

In addition, we're back to discussing names. We had settled on a girl name, but are back to the drawing board. We both love our boy name, but Tom has thrown a few others into the mix. We have three weeks. THREE WEEKS.

And lastly, I'm really hoping this weekend will be spent getting the remainder of our to do list completed. It's not difficult things like painting or reorganizing (although.....that does sound lovely.....hmm....) Just things like getting the car seat and rock-n-play out of storage, burning my CD of music to be played, etc. etc. Easy peasy.

Message to baby:
Hi Baby! I can't believe we're so close to meeting you face to face. Gwendolyn has been asking me lots of questions about you lately and has decided she now wants a girl because she "already has a brother." I remind her that we'll be happy with whatever God gives us because He knows best. Her name suggestion this week was "Cy." (We've been reading our ISU book about Cy the mascot a lot recently...) She loves to feel you kick and even sings and talks to you. Her eyes just light up when I tell her that you'll recognize her voice when you come out.

One thing I'm so excited about is seeing if you look like your Sissy or Brother Bear. I get comments from people all the time saying how much they look like each other so it's exciting to think and wonder about you.

If only we had a magical way to see what you're up to when you're moving around like crazy. I apologize for the tight space, but would greatly appreciate if you wouldn't kick me soooo far out to the right side sometimes.

We marvel at what God has already done in your life before it's really even started out in the real world. We continue to pray for health and growth as well as our preparation for your birth day. We trust that He goes before us and prepares the way.

With love,
Mommy

34 weeks with baby #3

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 34 weeks on January 25th.

Weight Gain: 21-ish lbs (as of midwife appt on Feb 2nd)

Gender: I'm pretty sure every guess of gender has been boy recently. (Two in one day even!)

Appointment update: I'm measuring about a week behind (measured 34 weeks at 35 week appointment), baby's heartbeat was the lowest it's been at 135, and I'm now on the weekly appointment schedule, which boggles my miiiiind you guys. 

I found out I was pregnant July 1st, which seems like forever ago, yet also like yesterday. 

Sleep: It's hit or miss. I can lay on my right side and be pretty comfortable. (Until I have to roll over.) 

The baby is often so active at night that he/she usually keeps me from falling asleep for awhile. I love feeling it and only occasionally does it cause me actual discomfort, thankfully. 

Waking up in the morning is usually painful. Literally. I'm usually still tired and very stiff. 

Random thoughts:

I took both kiddos home to my parent's two weekends ago for three nights. Mom and dad graciously watched Gwendolyn and Conrad for me on Saturday while I was out with a few high school friends from 5:00 pm until almost 2:00. Yes...2:00 AM.

 #partyanimals 

#nottrue 

#twoofusarepregnant 

#wejusthavealottotalkabout

It wasn't easy making the trip without Tom at 34 weeks pregnant (maybe staying out so late wasn't a great idea), but my parents helped where they could. It's always fun getting home to see friends and spend time with Grandma and Grandpa!

I also had a night recently where I had 12 braxton hicks contractions in an hour, which is definitely more than they'd like to see. I attribute it to being a Friday night and just overdoing it. I knew they'd probably suggest putting my feet up and drinking lots of water, so that's just what I did. (Thankfully they subsided.) BH contractions are no joke with baby #3 though.

Baths help tremendously.

So do naps.

Some days the ligament pain is equal to or greater than the varicose vein pain. Together they make for one very sloooow moving and occasionally cranky and emotional pregnant woman.

We're now eating Paleo. Tom is 100% while the kids and I are more like.....33%. Either way, it's drastically increased the amount of fruits and veggies we're eating and almost entirely cut out all processed foods and sugar completely (I do have a dark chocolate stash that no one knows about. Shhhh...) I'm really hoping and praying this precious babe is a better eater than his/her big brother thanks to his/her exposure to greater amounts of kale, carrots, sweet potatoes, grass-fed beef, and certified-organic free range chicken. It's worth a shot, right?

(p.s. Gwendolyn has been knocking our socks off with all she's been trying lately! We're so proud of her!)

I knocked the following off of my TO DO list last weekend:

• Snacks for hospital

• New swimsuit top for labor

• Order coming home outfits

• Revise and print updated birth plan

Slowly but surely it'll all get done.

I'm full of random thoughts lately, it's just getting them down that is difficult.

Off to help Tom with that yummy Paleo dinner!

32 weeks with baby #3

We had the wonderful opportunity to get away to Florida for a little baby moon three weeks ago. We left early on a Saturday morning and returned around 3 pm on Thursday. It was the perfect amount of time and the kids - of course - did awesome with Mimi and Papa. Conrad didn't sleep the best, but was otherwise totally fine without his Mama, whom he looooves a lot right now. (And this Mama doesn't mind.) Gwendolyn was counting the number of nights she had left until we got home and said she missed us; however, I'm pretty sure she had the time of her life hangin, eatin' treats, playing with Mimi and Papa AND Tenley, watchin' movies, and picking out her outfit every morning. Which was the same dress, tights, and cardigan most days, I believe. Bless her heart.

Anyway, we are SO thankful for parents willing to watch our kiddos so we can get away and do such wonderful things. We walked on the beach, swam in the pool, napped in the sun, relaxed in the hot tub, read, ate reeeally good food, watched TLC and HGTV in bed for hours, and had the most glorious quiet time each morning on our deck overlooking the ocean. I'm not sure it gets much better!

And while we were there, I hit the 32 week mark! Woohoo!

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 32 weeks as of January 11th (so behind!)

Weight gain: At this point, I had gained 22 lbs. 

Gender: My friend Libby is having a boy and due 5 days after me and had sent me and a few other girls a picture of her belly the same day I took the top pic of me. If I had had to guess that particular day, I absolutely would have guessed we were having a girl because we're carrying so differently. She's straight out - adorable - basketball and I feel more.........rounded. :)

My midwife told me at my appointment on January 9th that she was guessing girl because it looked like the baby was "hugging me" which I think is a kind way to say I look wide. 

Ha. I'm fine with it. 

Heartbeat was 138-145 at that appointment. (I didn't know there could be ranges?)

My Random Thoughts: 

I had my medical records with me for our trip - just in case.

Having a baby in Florida would have been crazy and very inconvenient.

Walking on sand is hard work when not pregnant.

Walking 3 miles on sand while pregnant is exhausting.

Swimming with goggles takes swimming to a whole new level of fun.

Florida sun is so much more pleasant that Mexico sun.

Eating on vacation may be one of my favorite parts about traveling...we ordered warm breaded goat cheese three times. (We ate at the delicious hotel restaurant every night.)

TLC's "Kate Plus 8" sucks you in. I'm not sure how or why, but it just does.

Watching hours of cable in bed is absolutely worthwhile. 

I just do not move quickly anymore. Sorry, Tom.

Baby moons are good for the soul and the marriage.

The sound of the ocean might be one of the best sounds ever.

It's important to remember to pack all liquids away in your suitcase otherwise they will confiscate. 

That feeling of returning home and having your kids back in your arms...brings such joy to the heart.

However, there is no "easing" back into your job as a SAHM. No half-days. No working from home. It's just like, BAM. Welcome home. Now change a poopy diaper and clean up the floor and by the way, we're ready for snack.

People at airports say funny (and honest) things.

For example:

"What are you....9 months pregnant?!"

"You having a boy? You're totally having a boy. That's a boy."

"You look like you're about to pop!"

Babymoon to Florida

Tom and I were able to get away for a babymoon to Papano Beach, Florida back in January. We used all sorts of points for our flights and our hotel and did the trip for little to nothing, which makes it even that much more fun! (And didn't make me feel bad about getting a $6 virgin pina colada at the pool one hot afternoon.) We had a fabulous room with a beautiful view and I just loved spending our mornings together out on the balcony. The sun felt so good. Tom read an entire book. I caught up on some magazines. We took naps, and watched way too many episodes of Kate + 8 and House Hunters. Can't even tell you how wonderful it was! It's a looooot of work to leave the kiddos, but oh so worth it to come back rested and refreshed. 

Although I had to laugh because unlike with other "normal" jobs where you return from vacation and maybe have that evening or next day to regroup before returning to work, it was like BAM! Back to work the moment we walked in the door. Diapers. Hungry. Thirsty. Baths. Etc. Etc. Welcome home mom and dad! :)

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Leaving for the south in January is now officially a MUST. It was the boost I needed to make it through the rest of winter!

Crisp and clean hotel room....just the way I like them!

So good to be here!

There was a gourmet restaurant right in our hotel that we literally ate at every single morning and every single night. Thankfully the food was delicious because there weren't many other options within walking distance, and my very pregnant body just wasn't up for a ton of walking.

This dessert though....

And we got this goat cheese appetizer three times. 

Oh ya know...just headed down to the pool after dinner.

Hot tubbin' under the stars!

We had great weather for the most part, but one afternoon as we were reading out near the pool, (notice we're the only ones...) it went from sprinkling to an all out doooownpour with little to no warning. I can only imagine the laughs we I gave anyone watching us from inside make a mad dash for the overhang. The seconds it took to grab our stuff was all it took to literally soak us. So exciting!

I'm not really sure how people take those cool shadow pics....

32 weeks!!

I had a vision for this picture, but what I wasn't anticipating was the rapid way I'd sink as soon as I was on my back. Tom was a trooper in helping me get the perfectly imperfect picture. :)

So thankful that my husband sees the importance of our spending time together, grandparents who take entire weeks off of work to watch and love on our kids, and the blessing of rest when you need it the most.  

January in Pictures

January in pictures...coming to you in JUNE! 

(I'm going to backdate it just so everything stays in order. If anyone cares. :)

The Romeo and Juliet painting painted by my great-great grandma back in the late 1800's finally came down. I am nostalgic about family heirlooms, but I'll admit I absolutely love our new picture wall showcasing our fall family pictures. I stare at the pictures of the kids almost every day!

Movie time with daddy before bed.

Morning snuggles.

These two. It's too much.

I'll do a separate post with our pictures from Florida, but this is Conrad snuggling with Mimi after we had walked in the door and he hadn't seen us in 6 days. He barely moved. Didn't really even care that we were home. NBD. 

Oh good...he still loves his Mama!

We had a blast on our vaca, but man did it feel good to have those two back in my arms!

Some of my favorite pictures taken of the kids while we were away..

Dish liquid in a pan = entertainment for a good 20 minutes.

(Gwendolyn was tracing letters in it before Conrad joined in and it quickly became a foamy mess.)

Pretty cold in Minnesota in January!

"He just loves me so much, mom. Awww, I love you too, buddy."

she said.

Daddy's home!

They were just pretending to be asleep, but isn't this the cutest?!

It was a regular occurrence to eat dinner pretty late. I'm guessing it was pushing 6:30 this particular evening, and as you can see we had tired - and hungry - kids.

First time using this cart at Target...they thought it was hilarious.

I went home and got together with the girls for our annual progressive dinner. Always need about 10 more hours with them!

Due 5 days apart...

Now we know there were both BOYS in there!

While I was out with my girls, Gwendolyn went to her first high school wrestling meet with Grandpa. Dad said she lost interest after the third match, but thankfully played well with her princesses until close to the end. She told me all about her "biiiiiig hot dog" and the cheerleaders and how "the boys just wrestle over and over." 

Conrad stayed home with Grandma and played with Sissy's Polly Pockets (of all things....)

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Breakfast at grandpa and grandma's house - OJ, donuts, and super fun cereal! (And a banana that probably remained unopened because let's be honest....who wants a banana when you can have a donut.)

Snuggling with his "mimic" aka blanket on our way to Waverly after church to see the Willms!

BFFs reunited and I finally got to meet baby Caroline!

Helping Grandpa with bird chores.

That is one crazy contraction...

We celebrated Tenley Kay's FIRST birthday! I don't know what we ever did without her in our lives...she brings us all so much joy and is absolutely adored!

34 weeks with Conrad on the left and 34 weeks with Luther on the right

(Totally had to replicate this pic, of course.)

We've all been pregnant at the same time for at least a few days/weeks for all three kids. Now Amanda is due with #4 on July 4th - can't wait to find out what she's having!

It was about this time that he started smiling for pictures. You just had to be fast enough to capture them!

Shopping at Kowalski's and naturally they're lovin' on each other.

We concluded our ECFE music class - the kids enjoyed it and it was a good excuse to force ourselves out of the house in the dead of winter (and grab a delicious muffin on our way home...)

Our picky eater decided he loves kale chips of call things.

Conrad was going through a veeery rough patch of sleeping (up early and itty bitty short baby naps) which made for a rough month or so for all of us. Plus side, I got a lot of one on one time with him. :)

He was soooo tired.

I mean...this shirt.

"Suuu-mie!" aka smoothie.