28 Weeks with Baby Number 3

Currently 29 weeks 4 days pregnant 

This Week:

Third and FINAL trimester! Bring it on! 

Baby This Week: 

The size of a roller blade! 

Maternity Clothes:

The snow actually melted so it has been a little warmer. I kind of just live in my work clothes. I have 2 pairs of black maternity pants and then switch back and forth between a green and black long sleeve maternity shirt with a company sweater (unbuttoned) over top. When I try to wear a long sweater with my maternity leggings, the sweater is no longer as long as I like. 

Stretch Marks/Weight: 

Had an appointment after a wonderful 4 week break!! I actually lost weight which I was surprised about! 

Movement:

So much movement! I am trying to take time to remember what it feels like because it is the last time. 

Food Aversions/Cravings:

I have had a VERY specific and strong craving this week for BLUEBERRY yogurt. No other yogurt will do and one taste is not enough. So weird! 

But I am loving the fact that my belly has now reached food tray status! 

Symptoms:

Still more braxton kicks contractions! Doc said as long as they aren't 10 minutes apart or less, not to worry. Just one of those annoying pregnancy things. 

The waddling is here to stay I gather because the ultrasound tech and Doc both commented on how low baby is (head down!). So the pelvic pain and waddling is because of that. 

Then the usual. Insomnia, heartburn, congestion and fatigue. Still get the usual pain "down below" in the afternoon/evenings as the pressure on the cerclage all day. 

What I Miss:

My clothes. I am starting to miss being able to easily get dressed. Between trying to pick out something to wear and then having to put the effort into putting socks and pants on, it can feel like a chore sometimes! 

Labor Signs/Health Update:

Great appointment with the high risk team! The ultrasound tech was super descriptive. We saw baby "swallowing" and wiggling around. I knew right away from the screen my measurement was good. 1.4 before cerclage, 2.5 after ceclage and now 3.1! 

After a romantic lunch in the hospital cafeteria, we had a super easy appointment with the nurse and doctor. No weight gain, low/normal blood pressure, urine sample spot on. 

The first thing the doc said was that he had to take a second look to make sure there wasn't a patient mistake from the ultrasound. My cervix is now LONGER then it was at anytime during this pregnancy. It is like it has grown more closed. He was so encouraged that he said we could go another 4 weeks between appointments. We talked a "ditch the stitch" date which we are going to try and schedule between Christmas and New Years! So while prior we were going to be "lucky to make it until Christmas" before baby's arrival, it now looks like this baby will be born in 2018! 

Gender:

Still a mystery! The ultrasound tech tells us every time to close our eyes and turn our heads when they get close to the "goods". We did it again this week and when she was done she mentioned that we could have kept looking because baby had their legs crossed and couldn't see. She also mentioned that now that the baby is so big, a lot of the time it is actually less obvious because they either close their legs or cross them a lot. 

Wedding Rings/Belly Button

My belly button is almost non-existent. My wedding ring is loose some days but tighter on others. 

What I'm Looking Forward To/Best Moment:

Going to the doctor was a great thing this week. I was a little nervous from contractions but everything was fine. It is just reassuring that everything is OK! 

I am really looking forward to our company Christmas party. It is a lot of work to plan and when it is over, I feel like I can relax a little. I am also planning on getting 99% of the Christmas shopping done on black Friday! 

Daddy This Week:

Daddy has been pretty useless himself at the end of the week. He hurt his back working out so now we are both unable to lift things. I had intentions of getting him to bring up Christmas decoration boxes so that I could putter away at the rest of the decorating but he can't lift them. And neither can I....SO we have 1 Christmas tree up and zero other decorations! 

He was very serious and mad when I would not massage his back for him when he hurt it. I told him he has yet to rub my back or feet and now he can know what it feels like! 

Big Brother Sam:

Big brother has recently changed his opinion on baby gender. He is now team BLUE! Forever, he said he was getting a baby sister but now it's all about baby brother! He is getting a little possessive of his old crib and nursery when I started putting things in there. He wanted to sleep in his crib one night since it was "his". A little mini blue Christmas tree for his big boy room changed that though!  

Wisdom:

I am so thankful for online shopping. I literally did ALL of our Christmas shopping this year online. Even many stocking stuffers! On a year where I am not as active, I am thankful that I can still get the things on my list myself! 

xo 

27 Weeks with Baby Number 3

Currently 28 weeks 4 days days along! 

This Week:

Feeling a little anxious this week. Had a night of mild contractions and it kind of kicked my (and Ryan's) realization that we need to be ready into high gear. 

Baby This Week: 

The size of a camping lantern! 

Maternity Clothes:

It's cold and my winter coats won't zipper but I refuse to purchase a "maternity" coat when I could only be pregnant for such a short time. This happened with Sam and I just made it work. I did have to start wearing socks and shoes though which sucks. I hate bending down. 

Stretch Marks/Weight: 

Still no appointment this week and I do own a scale but apparently don't use it! ha ha! A couple small new stretch marks on the lower part of my belly that actually resemble vampire teeth marks. Weird! 

Movement:

Lots of movement and I love the stage in pregnancy when I can put my hand on my belly and feel a knee or an elbow sticking out. It's neat to feel the "hard" bones. 

Food Aversions/Cravings:

Hmm....I can't really think of anything actually. No strong cravings at all. Just cold water as I seem to be thirsty a lot. I just notice I am always STARVING in the morning. I literally eat 3 breakfasts. One when I get up at 4. Another at 6:30 and again at 8 AM. 

Symptoms:

Eep...LOTS of braxton hicks contractions and some real painful ones. Sometimes I am even able to time them. As the baby gets bigger, the end of this week I started feeling slight pulling on the cerclage area. No bleeding but defiantly pressure/pulling feeling. 

Then the usual pregnancy stuff. Heartburn, waddling, boobs out of control, can't see my feet!  

What I Miss:

Ummm..Wine? ha ha! I don't know but there is something nice about a festive drink while decorating our tree or wrapping presents. Not gonna happen this year. I also miss not hurting. Rolling over in bed is such a chore! 

Labor Signs/Health Update:

Eep. Yes. Contractions one evening which put me and Ryan into overdrive of terror. But they went away with some water and rest. 

Docs say it is fairly normal considering my condition and the stage in my pregnancy. I love my calm doctor. Ha ha! I'll be excited to see my ultrasound to see if my cervix is shortening or not. 

I started and now stopped the Iron pills I was told to take because of being anemic. They were just making me feel too sick. No matter the time of day or with food or not, they were making me so sick. 

Gender:

I can't wait to find out! I feel prepared for whichever gender it is. I find myself saying "he" sometimes when referring to baby which is interesting. I am finding my hair so limp and blah unlike when I was pregnant with Sam! 

Wedding Rings/Belly Button

My belly button is almost non-existent. My wedding ring is loose especially with the colder weather. 

What I'm Looking Forward To/Best Moment:

Looking forward to my parents getting home. The contractions hitting during their trip and hunting season kind of made me panic. Ryan was gone and so were the usual people (gone and had been drinking) in my life that I have on speed dial to drive me somewhere. It's so much different with Sam too. I have to consider care for him AND who will drive me to Ottawa. 

The best moment this week was getting our Christmas tree up in the livingroom! Sam is really into Christmas this year and while I am keeping everything easy and low key this year, I was delighted to see his face light up and co-operation with decorating. 

Daddy This Week:

Daddy has started some night shifts which is fun...HA! The change between day and night shift makes for weird sleeping and trying to figure out schedules. Our lives depend so much on weather this time of year. 

We decided that if I go into labor during a night shift, that someone else will drive me to the hospital and Ryan will just meet us there. It just makes more sense then me waiting on him. 

Ryan was home for the first night I had a few contractions. He was like out of a movie. Running around, yelling, just going nuts! So we had a little meeting the next day where we calmly talked about what he needs to do. We even made a step-by-step list for him. He just isn't the "calm" in a stressful situation but this scare might help him be more calm next time. 

Big Brother Sam:

Sam has had a better week and in good spirits. My belly is too big not to join him in his bed for story time. But he really likes that we can cuddle in our big bed! 

He likes to try and feel the baby now kick and is really curious as to when/how it will get out of my belly (through my belly button, duh). 

Wisdom:

Putting on socks and shoes sucks at this stage of pregnancy. I've moved a kitchen chair to our door and have dubbed it "Momma's Chair" not to be used for anything else except to help my bend down to put on my winter boots. 

xo 

26 Weeks With Baby Number 3

Currently 27 weeks and 4 days pregnant. 

Don't mind the bare belly. Wanted to show off my fancy new accessory! 

This Week:

Feeling just ease this week. Past that crucial viability week and now just kind of coasting for a few weeks. 

Baby This Week: 

The size of a bowling pin! 

Maternity Clothes:

I am loving maternity clothes although my "casual" at home clothes are lacking. I refuse to buy anything and just slump around in Ryan's shirts instead. I just don't want to stretch out some of my favorite lounging t's. 

Stretch Marks/Weight: 

No appointment this week but I am sure there has been some gaining going on. My stomach feels more pronounced and round then it did with Sam who was higher up and longer. No new stretch marks. 

Movement:

So much movement. This kid takes after its Momma. He/she is way more active in the morning then in the evenings. 

Food Aversions/Cravings:

Actually kind of a boring week with cravings. Between trying to be careful with a gallbladder friendly and blander foods to keep heart burn away, it's pretty boring. But I noticed this week a big decrease in my appetite. I can only eat smaller meals at a time. 

Symptoms:

God love the maternity belt! There are some days, I don't need it at all. I have no hip/pelvic/back pain. But there are other days that I feel like I can't even move. On those days, the belt helps me to still be able to move. Another fun one this week is the nausea and vomiting which I thought I was done with. Apparently, iron pills are really hard on the stomach and my tummy does not like them. And then the usual. Heartburn, sore back/hips/pelvic area, insomnia. 

What I Miss:

Ryan had one day this week that he had to do a night shift for snow. And I missed him. It's a little frightening to have him in the city and me alone during the evenings/nights. But I have a bunch of numbers on speed dial! Ryan also has been spending his weekend nights at the hunt camp so again a quiet house for me. I miss the extra hand to put Sam to bed. 

Labor Signs/Health Update:

Not a lot of update here for once because I get this nice long break from doctor appointments. I started the iron pills which suck. I am doing a pretty good job (I think) of listening to my body. I still get sore in the afternoons/evenings in the cerclage area. Just feels like a pulling pressure/pain. I have definitely started to get some not painful braxton hick contractions which is interesting. 

Gender:

Team Green! My skin has been so clear this pregnancy which if you follow wives tales suggests boy.

Wedding Rings/Belly Button

No changes but belly button is starting to get more shallow. 

What I'm Looking Forward To/Best Moment:

Looking forward to getting a couple more nesting projects done this week. Also crossed a couple more Christmas gifts off the list which makes me super excited. I really want to be prepared early for Christmas this year so that if baby does come, or I feel like a whale, it's one less thing on my plate. 

Daddy This Week:

Ryan I think has enjoyed my new found freedom as well but there was a couple nights where I had to snap him back into reality and boycott getting supper ready after getting Sam. I'd just be so sore and he would be lazing in the living room watching me cook, empty dishwasher, tidy up, entertain Sam and etc. No way Mister! Ha ha! I'd plop my butt down beside him and eventually he got the hint as supper started to burn. 

Big Brother Sam:

Sam's going through a little threenager stage again. For a while, we thought it had passed. Well it seems it is back. We are trying to help him work on his listening skills, patience and being less rough. He is really trying to figure out what he can and cannot get away with and how far he can push us. Ryan and I thankfully are pretty patient (and consistent in discipline actions) and are just hoping we can help Sam to get through this stage. We think it's good practice for when baby comes because we guess it will happen again when he is getting less attention. 

Wisdom:

Get a maternity support belt! It's well worth the $25 I spent on Amazon. Even for a preggers that isn't experiencing a lot of pain, it helps with your posture which helps in the back later on as the belly gets bigger. 

xo 

24 and 25 Weeks with Baby Number 3

Currently 26 weeks and 4 days pregnant! 

This Week:

At 24 weeks we have reached VIABILITY! What a relief and I feel myself relaxing a little. Week 23 was so stressful because it was just so important (mentally) that I make it to week 24. In fact the night before I kept waking up dreaming I was having contractions and bleeding. Stupid mind games! 

Baby This Week: 

A wide brim Fedora hat apparently in week 25! 

Maternity Clothes:

Big time! Can't live without maternity clothes now! I never buy maternity PJs because mine always fit but I am noticing that my baggy shirts are beginning to show the belly. Might have to switch to Ryan's shirts to sleep in soon! 

Stretch Marks/Weight: 

At my appointment at a little over 24 weeks, my prediction of weight gain last week was accurate! ha ha! It seems my body maintains a certain weight for a long time and then BAM all the weight gain in one week! Up 5 lbs in 2 weeks at my last appointment. Yikes. 

Not really any new stretch marks yet but I can kind of see them coming in. 

Movement:

From day one, this little one has seemed to be more active then my other two. The last two weeks its felt like it is almost trying to escape! 

Food Aversions/Cravings:

Not a lot of cravings these weeks. Just really hungry in general. I seem to get a craving for something and once I've had it, it goes away and doesn't really return. I am noticing my appetite has decreased in the sense that I don't eat as much in one serving. Running out of room I guess! 

Symptoms:

The pelvic, hip and back pain have been crazy these weeks. I finally caved and ordered a maternity support belt to try out. I am really hoping it gives me a little relief in the afternoons/evenings from the pain. 

What I Miss:

Once I hit 24 weeks, I gained back a little independence! I am still "taking it easy" especially in the afternoons because I experience some pain "down there" from the pressure of the day. But I am now dropping Sam off at daycare in the mornings which I am loving! So this week I can't miss anything with my new found freedom! 

Labor Signs/Health Update:

An appointment at 24 weeks revealed things are still looking stable and so he gave me permission to go 4 weeks (!!!) before my next appointment! He knew I had a long drive and said he doesn't see a need to see me. He also assured me that I can call or come in at any time if I ever had any concerns at all. 

At 25 weeks, I went and got the glucose drink/blood work done at The General on a rainy day. I couldn't have time to fit it into a regular appointment with daycare drop off, ultrasound and  appointment. So when the doc gave me a 4 week break, I knew I could get it done one of those weeks. Well I picked a rainy day and Ryan was off and came with me. It was so quick and I didn't even have to fast before hand! I got a call the next day with the results and while the blood sugars look good (never thought there would be a problem), they did tell me that I am anemic and would require to take something to help since it is so low. I guess that explains why I am so tired all the time. 

Gender:

I am very split on the gender. Ryan has been "boy" the whole pregnancy and I have been more flip-floppy. Week 25 I had a strong boy feeling having felt girl for a few weeks. In other words, we have no idea! ha ha! My Dad is convinced it's a girl and my brother's family are sure it's a boy! This little one sure is keeping people, including me, guessing. 

Wedding Rings/Belly Button

No changes but belly button is starting to get more shallow. 

What I'm Looking Forward To/Best Moment:

Because the blood work in week 25 went by so fast, we decided to run a couple small errands. I had promised myself I wouldn't buy or organize anything for Baby until after week 24. So we went to Buy, Buy, Baby and got a few small items. Soothers, wipes, thermometer and a cover. We still need a few more items that we'll pick up but it felt so nice to plan for a happy baby outcome by getting some things off the "to do before baby comes" list! My nesting heart is happy! 

Daddy This Week:

Ryan actually went away for a few days to Nova Scotia with my brother. He was a little nervous leaving me but all was good and I am glad he got away and had some fun. One thing that is an argument in pregnancy with us is that I BEG for a foot or lower back rub all the time and he never gives me one. Never has for any of my pregnancies. So, I told him that it's enough and he is buying me a message! ha ha! When I showed him the price, he mentioned the next day he would give me a foot rub. #success 

Big Brother Sam:

I apologize to everyone in contact with us in the next little while with Sam's loose use of the word "Boobs". We have been trying to explain to him that baby won't be drinking a bottle or milk from a cup like he thinks. That mommy will be nursing baby which means baby eats from my chest. He says, "but I have a chest" but then we have to explain that he doesn't have "boobs". Well now it's boobie this and boobs that...ugh! 

We also had an amazing Halloween with our little Peter Pan! He did so well trick-or-treating. Now we need to come up with a 4 person costume idea for next year! :) 

Wisdom:

Halloween candy is DANGEROUS! 

xo