Pregnancy Update: 3rd Trimester

(I love this one because it was Halloween weekend and Miller looks like he is scared of my belly). 

I just wanted to post a pregnancy update for this baby girl because I have done so few. Everything has been going fine. I have been so sore and it just keeps getting worse but that is normal. The only thing different this time around was that I barely failed the 1hour glucose test so I had to do the 3hour test and passed it with flying colors. I am still annoyed by the whole thing but oh well.

Here is my normal survey from 36 weeks.

How far along: 36 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I did not gain any weight from my last appointment so my total is 25 lbs.   

Maternity clothes: It is now cool enough to wear my fall clothes which I am excited about, but I am finding that everything is so snug. My bump is outgrowing my maternity clothes. I have my sprinkle tonight and I am wearing the same dress that I wore to my last sprinkle and my shower for Miller. I am just wearing it differently.

Stretch marks: Just all the old ones.  

Sleep: I had some great nights of sleep this week. I still want more sleep but at least it was good quality sleep.   

Best moment this week: Miller’s party was a success and now it is just Halloween stuff and a few odds and ends to complete. I managed to get some all my crafts done this week so I am feeling mostly successful.

Movement: This darn child apparently has too much room in there. She has been head down for months and at my appointment this week she was transverse. I am so freaked out now and doing everything I can to get her to go down. I think she tends to go back to being head down but I still feel some spinning. I have been doing some exercises that are supposed to help get her in the right position but now I feel like so much is up in the air. I want her to move so that I know she is okay but not too much.  

Food cravings:  I have hit a mental wall with meal planning. Either, it doesn’t sound good to me, we cant get the kids to eat it, we already made it and have it in the freezer downstairs, or Ben is allergic to something in it. This is so painful! I just wish it were affordable to get take out every night.

Food aversions: Anything that I have to cook.  

Gender: Girly!

Labor Signs: BH come and go. At my doctors appointment this week, my cervix is closed but really soft.

Belly Button in or out: I wonder what it would feel like for it to poke out. I will never know.  

What I miss: I miss feeling that we are not on a deadline. I love Halloween and really want to enjoy it but I feel like I am so stressed out about the baby coming that I am rushing through and not enjoying it.

What  I am looking forward to: While I will miss being pregnant, I am looking forward to getting through delivery. I am so worried about her position and I wish I could just know that everything will work out with that.      

Weekly Wisdom: I remember this feeling before but I feel like I have an expiration date of November 13^th and I am just sitting around anxiously waiting for it. In reality, it is great after baby comes and I am no longer stuck in this pregnant body but I can not get over the anxiety of the unexpected and nostalgia about missing being pregnant. However, with issues about her position this week, it makes me more anxious to get to the delivery and know  that I can have another smooth vaginal delivery.

Milestones: I reached a month away from our due date. It is so weird to think that she will be here in a matter of weeks now. 

Update from my appointment: She flipped head down again the next week but some point in the following week, she flipped again and was breech. Last week was really stressful because we had to discuss doing a version to flip her and inducing. I started redoing my exercises and this week she was head down again. My doctor is pretty sure that she has dropped and can not move again so we are just letting nature take its course. I am still pretty anxious but just trying to stay calm and will her to stay put and come out soon.  

Pregnancy #3 Update

So I am awful about blogging now, aren't I?!?!? In my defense, it has been the busiest year.

It all started with our trip to Disney last year, then our grandmothers getting sick and passing away around the holidays. This year, Ben has had a project back home in TN so we have gone up once a month for his meetings and this is on top of our other trips up there. In June we had back to back trips, one to the beach with my dad's side of the family and then a 14 hour car ride to Michigan with my mom's side of the family. Throw in a pregnancy and you have got one exhausted family.

This pregnancy has put me in major nesting mode. I think it mostly comes from the fact that we just bought our first house last year and I want to feel really settled here. Don't get me wrong, we have done some things over the past year but knowing that this baby is coming and my energy will be spent elsewhere, I want to get some things done now while I have the time. I have hung lots of pictures on the wall (which after years of renting is such a relief). We rearranged the basement so that I have a more functional craft space, and a guest room/nook and fixed up the bathroom. We painted and added molding to the kids bathroom (I love it!!!!). Of course I made the baby a nursery and finished up a few things in the kids rooms. I promise I will post about all of these, I just have a few last touches to finish up.

Obviously pregnancy posts have been missing. I have still been taking weekly pictures and keeping a journal but I have blanked on blogging. Here are some of the weekly pics. (I do not have a good starting picture because I did not find out until later this time then we kept forgetting to take a weekly picture).

The journal entries are more or less the same as before. The only difference with this pregnancy and the other two is that it is so much harder. I remember when I was pregnant with Scarlett, my doctor told me that the third, and subsequent pregnancies are harder than the first two. I figured that she had to be wrong because why the third but not the second? Well she was right. My muscles and joints are so much looser and sore. I can sit in the most comfortable position and I am still sore when I get up. I get cramps from the slightest movements.

I was in love with being pregnant with Miller. With Scarlett, I was so grateful to get to experience it again. This time, I am so distracted by the kids, trips and nesting, on top of being sore, achy and tired, that the miracle and magic that I once found in pregnancy, is mostly lost on me this time. A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, I was sick and tired of being pregnant. Now I am starting to feel sad that I am entering my last trimester. I just want to feel that enjoyment again, at least for the next 3 months.

I am going to try to enjoy the next couple of months, even though they are busy too. We have a two more trips but after that we have a few months at home. Miller is starting at a mothers day out program and soccer. Then October is busy with lots of Halloween events and Miller's birthday. I will try to be better about posting updates and about projects that we have been doing. I am not making any promises though.

Weekly Updates: 37 and 38 Weeks

How far along: 37 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +20lbs again

Maternity clothes: I am just trying to figure out my outfits to get me through the rest of this pregnancy and the events that I have coming up.

Stretch marks: Still nothing.  

Sleep: I am sleeping pretty hard except waking up to roll over. Miller and I keep sleeping in every morning and as guilty as I feel about this, we can correct it later. I am just enjoying the fact that we can right now.    

Best moment this week: I had my sprinkle this past weekend and it was so great to get together with friends to celebrate our little girl.

Movement: The doctor at my appointment this week mentioned doing kick counts. I know for some people they find these comforting but I just think this is one more thing to worry about. This baby girl moves when she wants to and if I were to do the counts their way, we would fail sometimes. I do think she has moved slightly. I can not tell if she dropped or just wiggled in a different nook but the top of my belly feels slightly different.  

Food cravings: No cravings and frankly, eating is just a hassle. I have very little appetite and only have to eat because my body tells me to.

Food aversions: A few things this week have had a weird after taste that I am pretty sure is in my imagination.

Gender: Sweet baby girl

Labor Signs: I am at that point where I am afraid that I will not know when I am actually in labor. As soon as I think I am having a contraction, it goes away quickly and she moves. I am guessing it is just her wiggling around.

Belly Button in or out? No change, still in 

What I miss: I have been so uncomfortable this week. When I am up and doing stuff, I get worn out so easily and my belly starts to hurt. When I sit down, between her kicking and everything getting squished up, I can not breath. When I lay down, I have to lay on my side which only feels good on my belly and the rest of my body is not comfy. I have no idea what it feels like to be normal and I miss that.

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to going to TN for Thanksgiving and getting home. Baby Girl can come anytime after we get home.  

Weekly Wisdom: There are days when I am so nervous for her to be here. However, one day this week there were some events with people I know, and articles that I happened upon on-line that were like God telling me to grateful. My nerves have not gone away but it did make me appreciate what I have more.

Milestones: According to some sites, she is full term but I am not ready to count that yet. It is comforting to know that it is safe for her to come anytime but I would like her to wait another 10 days, if not two weeks.  

 

 

How far along: 38 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +20lbs again (which surprised me)

Maternity clothes: I wear the same things all the time but I know that I will miss them eventually. I did find a small hole in the side of one shirt and a tear in the elastic of my maternity jeans. I believe that means that they are being too stretched out.

Stretch marks: No stretch marks but right under my belly button, there is a dime size broken blood vessel. I thought it was a stretch mark but Ben and mom looked at it and said it isn’t. Again, my belly is so stretched out! 

Sleep: This has been a rough week for sleep. Miller got a stomach bug, then Ben caught it and kept me up all night and sleeping on the couch. The next night I got the bug and sleeping on the couch at moms house for Thanksgiving. I would love to have a few good nights sleep in my own bed.    

Best moment this week: I had my OB appointment and was happy to hear that I got the all clear to go to TN for Thanksgiving.

Movement: She has been doing some wiggling awfully low and it hurts so bad. Besides that, she has done lots of stretching and rolling from side to side.   

Food cravings: Ugh! Since we all had a stomach bug, and I do not have much of an appetite anyways, no cravings. I actually keep forgetting to eat.  

Food aversions: No strict aversions but I was pretty selective with Thanksgiving food and only ate what I really wanted.

Gender: Girly girl

Labor Signs: At my OB appointment on Tuesday, I was not dilated at all and Baby Girl had not dropped yet. That is great this week since we are going to TN this weekend but next week I will be really annoyed with that.

Belly Button in or out? So stretched out but still in. Ben says he can see the back of it but I do not believe him.   

What I miss: I am seriously never comfortable, not sitting, standing, or  laying down. I have no appetite since my organs are all squished but then I get sick if I do not eat. I am having nausea again. I miss feeling normal (haven’t I said that before).

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to our weekend in TN for Thanksgiving. We have family to see and definitely have some traditions to uphold that have been up in the air since we found out we were pregnant.   

Weekly Wisdom: I have had lots of conversations with people about inducing vs. going into labor naturally. I am really hoping Baby Girl comes on her own in a week.

Milestones: 38 weeks is definitely full term. I am so grateful that we have been able to make it this far and have such a healthy pregnancy.

Weekly Updates: 35 and 36 weeks

How far along: 35 weeks (and only 35 days to go)

Total weight gain/loss: +21lbs (I really want this weight gain to slow down but at least I know a large portion of it is the baby gaining weight)

Maternity clothes: I am trying to figure out what to wear for a few upcoming occasions. I wish I could go buy something but I know that I do not need to. I am sure I can put something together from my closet.

Stretch marks: Still nothing, yay!

Sleep: I remember sleeping fine at this point with Miller but this is different. I have to wake up a few times a night because I get sore. It takes me a full minute to plot my maneuver to roll over and then another minute to execute it. Then sometimes I realize that I have to go to bathroom and that is a whole different kind of maneuver. When I do sleep, I sleep so hard that it makes me so grumpy and sore to get up in the morning. I am not sure if I hate sleeping at this point in my pregnancy or I should just be grateful I do not have a newborn waking me up yet.  

Best moment this week: We were actually able to get some more maternity pictures. I am so relieved that we were able to get a great set of photos to capture this time with our family without having to hire someone.   

Movement: There are lots of times during the day when I have not felt her but when I do, it is majorly uncomfortable. Lots of pressure and her pushing my organs around. The other day, I swear I felt her kicking me so far on the side that it was almost in my back.

Food cravings: I really only look forward to my dessert time at night. Ben has gotten me a hot chocolate a few times in the past week and that was nice. I am so tired of eating the same foods everyday and we have been stuck in the house. I wish we could go out to eat but not with Miller.

Food aversions:  No aversions, but still, nothing really sounds good.

Gender: Our little lady

Labor Signs: My doctor checked me this week and there is nothing going on.    

Belly Button in or out? Same old, same old.  

What I miss: I miss having a project to work on and be excited by but I do not want to start anything new before she comes. I just feel like I am in a rut but I know that in a few weeks, I will have my hands full. I feel tired and drained all the time, and Miller and I have been cooped up in the house all week.

What I am looking forward to: I have moments where I am sooo excited for Baby Girl’s arrival but right now I am looking forward to my sprinkle next week and Thanksgiving back in TN.

Weekly Wisdom: I realize that rather than dread her arrival, I kind of just want her to come so I can deal with having a newborn again and not dread what is unknown. Everything might be smoother than I expect.

Milestones: We are 35 weeks down and 35 weeks to go. That is a fun milestone!

 

How far along: 36 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +20lbs

Maternity clothes: I remember when my maternity clothes did not fit too well and were awkward. Now they are getting really tight and the shirts appear too short. Part of me is sad that I will be saying goodbye to them in a few weeks but part of me is so over wearing the same few things over and over again.

Stretch marks: Lots of stretching but no marks.

Sleep: My biggest problem is waking up. I keep missing my alarm and sleeping through it so that Miller and I get up kind of late. I am not complaining about the extra sleep though. I am sure I need it since I wake up multiple times at night to roll over, go to the bathroom or take a Tums.   

Best moment this week: It was kind of a dull week but Miller and I were able to have some fun at home and out.    

Movement: There are lots of inactive times but when she is active, she is active. I woke up to her this morning and I swear she did a somersault but then hiccups this evening indicate that she is still in the same position.

Food cravings: I had a breakdown last night and did not want anything. I had forgotten to put dinner in the crockpot and because I could not decide on anything, I pouted until Ben volunteered to go get me cheesecake factory. Not exactly a craving but it was nice to eat something different since I have not left the house for a meal in months.

Food aversions:  Nothing ever sounds good, EVER.

Gender: I still cannot believe that I am having a girl. In a good way it weirds me out that I have girl stuff in my house and packed girl clothes in my hospital bag.

Labor Signs: Sometimes I think I am having back contractions but because they are faint and irregular, it might just be my back hurting from all this weight I am carrying in the front.

Belly Button in or out? Still way in  

What I miss: I miss having energy. On the one hand, I hate being bored so I want to keep myself somewhat occupied. However, all the things that I need to do are quite physical and I just do not have the energy or stamina to do them. And I feel bad asking Ben to help out after a long day of work. On the other hand, I know I should just relax and enjoy these last few weeks of “peace” (as much peace as you can get with Miller to chase).  

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to my sprinkle this weekend. I am so excited to get together with my friends to celebrate this baby girl.

Weekly Wisdom: I talked to my Grandma and she promised me that having a second child is so much easier than transitioning with the first. I have no idea why, but I have so much more anxiety this time than I did with Miller.  

Milestones: OMG!!! She could be here any day now. I really want her to hold off until the first week of December but that is still only 2.5 weeks away. So close! I am excited and terrified at the same time.