Blog? Sure! Why not?

Let's see... it's closing in on 4 AM, and I'm sitting here, wide awake, timing contractions. 

Am I in labor?  I sure as heck hope so.

Thursday evening I started to get some pretty regular contractions.  They were 7-8 minutes apart and not painful- just annoying.  The contractions woke me up a few times in the middle of the night, but they were totally bearable.

Friday morning, I had the lovely uhhh... "show" we'll call it (soooooo gross).  The contractions were still coming but again, just braxton hicks.

I brought the kids over to my parents house for a bit and my mom looked at me and said, "You're in labor.  I can see it in your face.  You are either in labor now or you're going into labor very soon."

As the afternoon wore on, the contractions stayed about the same.  But I was starting to pay close attention to them because they had been coming now for almost 24 hours.  I timed them for an hour and realized they were closer to about 6-7 minutes apart.  I figured there would be no harm in calling my doc to just let them know/ ask them what to do next...

The midwife said the contractions needed to be 5 minutes apart for one hour, before I could go up to labor and delivery.  She gave instructions to drink, rest and relax...

What did I do?  Went out for Mexican food.  HA! :)

Shortly after dinner (around 8 or so) I noticed a kick up in contractions.  I googled one of those "contraction timer" things and found a free one.  After an hour, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my contractions were between 5-7 minutes.    I thought, "YAY!  I can finally go up to L&D!" 

My mom came over, and Ryan and I left around 10ish.  Once in labor and delivery, they triaged me- decided I was still at 2 cm (same as yesterday) and monitored me for a couple of hours.

My contractions started to come harder and faster.  They were about 4 minutes apart and definitely uncomfortable.  Unfortunately, they weren't doing anything to my cervix.  Around midnight, they checked me again and gave me the sad news that I was going to have to go home and wait it out.

We got home around 12:30/1.  I took a bath, some tylenol and tried to sleep.  I've slept in little spurts, but I think I'm up for the long haul now.

The contractions are coming every 4 minutes and are pretty painful.

I'm writing this blog entry in between contractions- timing them on the contraction timer thing- and praying that my water breaks so I can go back up to L&D.

I think its safe to say I'm in labor.  Now the big question is, when do I go to the hospital??? 

I've always been induced- meaning, I've been at the hospital from 1 cm-10 cm.  I've never had to worry about my contractions being strong enough to be admitted. 

I'm in this holding pattern right now or something.  I'm waiting either for my water to break (PLEASE GOD!) or my contractions to get completely unbearable, I guess.

And I hate those stupid pain scales they make you do... but on a scale of 1-10, I'd say I'm at a 5ish.  I'm feeling okay in between contractions, but during the actual contraction, I'm definitely breathing through them, and in a good amount of pain. 

This is labor, right???  I really, really hope so.

I will keep updating as I can! :)

Any thoughts or prayers would be soooo appreciated! 

COME ON BABBBBYYYY!!!!!

39. 3 Week Appt!

This is the most preggo I've ever been! 

I've been induced right at 39 weeks with both kids, so this is all uncharted territory.   I have to say, its kind of exciting! 

I had my 39 week appointment today and here are the stats:

-I've gained 38 lbs total... YUCCCCCCKKKK
-BP is good (118/80)
-I am dilated to a TWO and 75% effaced (YAY!)
-the belly is measuring right at 40 weeks...
-midwife is guessing the baby's actual size to be between 7.5-8.5.  She said she'd be shocked if girly was over 9 lbs.  (thank GOD)... but she also laughed and said "this isn't a 6 lb baby, that's for sure!" 
-my next appointment is on Tuesday- which is my due date.  The midwife said we'll go from there (induction or no induction), taking into consideration the size of the baby and how I'm feeling...

My fear of pushing out a giant baby is still there... but I have a lot more confidence than I had going in with Henry.  That bub was almost 9 lbs and he was so much easier to deliver than Maeve was!  I keep telling myself there's a good chance this baby girl is under 8 lbs. 7oz, therefore, it should be a breeze!  (well, kind of ;)

Everything is absolutely ALL set and ready.  The bassinet is set up, the carseat is set up (not in the car though because I am not crawling in the back to buckle Maeve in with this giant stomach).  My bags are packed, as are the kids' bags.  I do need to pick up some of those colgate wisps- instead of packing my tooth brush and toothpaste, I'm going to get a 4 pack of wisps... much easier :)

I do have a bit of a story to tell you all;  While in the waiting room this morning, a mom came in with 3 kids.  Two of them were older, probably 6 and 8?  And then she had a newborn baby girl.  I watched them while I was waiting to be seen, and this resulted in a mini panic attack.  These kids were significantly older than mine, and it was still chaotic with three.  The little girl (who was 6ish I'm guessing) needed to go potty, but didn't want to go by herself, and her older brother didn't want to move from his seat. Which meant the mom had to bring her and the newborn (in the carrier) to the back to use the bathroom.  When they got back, the little girl wanted the baby to wake up, so she started tickling her feet, poking at her, etc.  The mom was begging her to stop- obviously wanting the baby to stay asleep- but after a few minutes of poking the babe was up and screaming. 

I substituted Maeve in for the 8 year old and Henry in for the 6 year old, and that's when my panic attack started.  It's not even plausible to think that I could take Maeve to use the bathroom without some kind of help.  As of now, when we go to the potty, it takes all of me to keep Henry off the floor and Maeve on task.  It's a big event to go to the bathroom- Maeve likes to touch everything and take her sweeeeet time, and Henry is head butting me to get down.  Throw in a newborn, and well... bring on the panic attack. 

Or just the simple task of getting out of the car.  Yep, Henry walks just fine- but he does need help unbuckling (obviously) and getting out of the car.  Right now, I carry him everywhere, because if I were to set him down he'd be across the parking lot in a second.  Maeve listens great and is very good about holding hands and walking with me.  But I have to figure out a way to transport Henry and the newborn from the car to our destination... hmmm...

Besides being completely scared out of my mind that my kids are going to revolt against me and swallow me whole, I am SO excited to meet this baby girl.  I can't wait to see her face and have those precious night time feedings :)

So.... baby girl?  You can come now please... PLEASE!

Friday Night Leftovers

• 37 week appointment this morning :)  Here are the stats:

            -baby is head down and very high...
            - dilated to 1 cm (BOOOOO)
            - measuring big (surprise surprise)... not sure how many weeks ahead
            - group B strep test was done (will know results next week)
            - I have a UTI...
            -apparently, I have a LOT of fluid in my belly- not a lot of baby... which makes me very happy.

• we have to take a hospital tour at some point here- its required because I haven't delivered at this hospital.  Although I'm not sure what would happen if I were to go into labor, and hadn't toured L&D- its not like they'd send me away and say "sorry you haven't taken your tour yet.  We can't deliver you."

• I am SO happy with my decision to go with the midwives.  I did meet a great doctor on the "doctor side" of the practice, but the midwife I saw today was awwwwesome.  Super friendly- and we laughed our way through most of the appointment, which was really nice.  I meet another midwife next week and I'm hoping she'll be as great as the one I saw today.

• Here's a conversation heard this morning:   Henry was crying...

                      I asked Maeve, "Maeve why is your brother crying?" 
                      Maeve:  "I hit him on the head."
                      Me:  "Was it an accident?"
                      Maeve:  "No."
                      Me:  "Did you say you're sorry?"
                      Maeve:  "No.  I'm not sorry."
        
           nice huh?  I swear my kids really do love each other ;)

• So uhhh, I don't really want to go through labor again... too late to back out?  ha :) 
• My sister (Meghan) is coming to town this weekend... I'm hoping there are lots of good meals in my immediate future ;)

• I need a good book to read!  Any suggestions???  :)  PLEASE??? 

                           
Gosh I think that's all I have for this week!  It's slow around here... just a huge waiting game ;)

36ish/37ish weeks!

I'm right in the middle of week 36 and I hate to say that I'm only 36 weeks along- because really, dang it- I'm 36 weeks and 3 days!  And at this point, I'm counting down every minute of this pregnancy!




I was doing sooooo well with weekly updates on the baby lobster.  With the move and all, things went a little haywire and I slacked big time :(...



Anyways at 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant I am....

• very uncomfortable.  My back hurts, my legs hurt, my feet hurt, my neck hurts, etc.  I have acid reflux soooo badly.  I had this with Henry too- not so much with Maeve- and if I can recall, it just gets worse and worse until delivery. 
• I called my OB office today and requested to see the midwives... which is a little bittersweet.  I met one doctor that I absolutely loved, and another doctor that scared the beeeeez out of me.  Apparently by me making a "formal request" for a midwife, that means a midwife will deliver me.  I really don't care who delivers me (except for the scary doctor I saw last week) I just want to have my appointments with some friendly midwives.  :)
• eating is getting hard... no worries though- I'm pulling through ;)  Really though, between the acid reflux and the limited amount of space, not much is appealing.  I've been eating a LOT of yogurt, lemonade, plain noodles, cheese, cheese and more cheese.  
• omggggg the braxton hicks!  If this were my first, I'd be in the hospital every day saying I was in labor.  Now that I'm practically a rabbit (pregnant with my 3rd child), I know the difference between a real labor contraction and a "fake" one.  
• Since induction is not an option until 42 weeks (ahem... yeah) I had to fill out some paperwork for the hospital- (assuming that I would be like any other normal preggo, and go into labor on my own at some point...) it would be helpful to have my paperwork already filled out, rather than filling out in the middle of labor.  Anyways there was a section about the good ol' epidural... (already filling out a consent form for one?!?)  I did consent to it... but my mind is going back and forth about whether to request it or not.  You see, with Maeve, I got an epidural around 6 cm- it didn't work- it numbed half of my body, which ended up being more painful than having contractions on both sides, so they took it out.  I begged and pleaded and I'm not really sure how it all worked out, but somehow I got another one reinserted- this one did work- but I wasn't pushing so they turned it off :/ ... I like to say that I basically did Maeve's labor naturally about 90% of the time (and her labor was 22 hours).  And it sucked. SO BAD. SOOOOO BAD DID IT SUCK.  I can hardly remember any of it.  In fact, the first memories I have of her after the birth, was telling my mom to take her because I was too weak to hold her.  It definitely wasn't how I had imagined it to be.  With Henry, I was on the fence with an epidural because it hadn't worked last time... but at that magical 5/6 cm mark, things started to get bad and I was thankful I had filled out the consent form for one.  Henry's epi worked GREAT.  It worked within a few minutes of the doc putting it in and it covered my pain until it was time to push.  I can clearly remember Henry's birth- heck, I ordered food 20 minutes after having him.  So I've got these two wars going on in my head- one side- the epidural might not work and I don't really want to go through that again... and on the other side- it just may work, and I could have a "nice" delivery?  I don't know... does any of that even make sense??   Probably not :/
•  Two  pregnancy "moments" to remember from this week:  - Ryan sent me to the grocery store for dinner and I came back with a dozen donuts.  I didn't think anything of it until I walked in the house and had my hungry husband and two kids staring back at me... whoops :/.  Another "moment" happened last night- I woke up around 1 am to a growling stomach, so naturally, I ate the entire box (I'm not exaggerating) of Cheerios.  I fell back asleep around 1:45ish or so, and woke around 4 to more stomach growling... I ate half a box of ritz crackers.  I'm blaming the late night munchies on not having an appetite for most of the day??  I don't know... I gross myself out ;)
• Maeve tells me (almost) every morning "Mama!  Look at you!  You're grown up today!"  I'm not sure what this means exactly- I think she's shocked at how big I am, each and every morning?
• Speaking of growing... I've gained about 30 lbs so far... exactly like I did with Maeve.  Crazy huh?  Henry I gained like 5000 or something crazy like that... The girls apparently don't pack it on like the boy did.  ;)   
• My 37 week appt. is Friday... with a midwife!  Group B Strep & getting checked for any progress (or lack of progress)... 

OH!  And a huge shout out of GOOD LUCK AND FAST, HEALTHY LABOR VIBES are being sent to JULIE!!!!  I will be glued to my phone all day tomorrow- I cannot wait to find out if that's a boy or girl that's been baking in there!!! :)  YAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!

{semi}Wordless Wednsday! (almost at 130 followers! :)

Today, I'm linking up with a few fabbbbbulous blogs... be sure to check them out!

The Paper Mama

Parenting by Dummies

and then she {snapped}

Live and Love Outloud

28 WEEKS! :)... and feeling really good! .. knock on wood.

           A loving pedicure done by none other than the husband. 

Wordless Wednesday (25 weeks!)

Me:

Baby:

24 Weeks...(bullet style)

• lots and lots of wonderful movement :)  I love it!
• I could eat bagels and cream cheese 24/7... and I practically do.
• I am going a little nuts trying to match the GIRLS... (yay!) If I find something in a 4t and newborn, forget it- It's bought and in my bag within minutes.
• Part of me wants to "reveal" the name (I know so lame- its just a name) but I do like the element of having a secret/surprise... especially since we did find out the gender.  But most of my friends and family know it already, so I might as well spill the beans... maybe not.  Who knows.
• I am big... this entire time, I've been thinking I might get lucky and have a 7 lb baby- not an 8/9 lb baby.  But this chick is putting on weight.  I'm thinking I might have another 8 lb baby at the end of this...yowieee.

And here's me... at 24 weeks/4 days ;)

Happy Saturday :)

23 weeks!

This post is coming about 4 days late... I'm actually closer to 24 weeks, but same difference I guess.

The name of the game is "TIRED." 

I am very thankful that I have a husband who understands how tiring it can be, chasing around  2 kids and growing a 3rd.  On the weekends, I get at least one nap a day :) 

The weather is getting nicer, which means evening walks are in our future.  We've taken a few already, and that familiar feeling of an achy tailbone and hips has come back.  But it feels great to get out and walk!  I have NO idea how some preggos run throughout their entire pregnancy!   I waddle around the neighborhood a couple of times, and I'm good to go... it would be completely hilarious to see me try and run! ;)

The baby is very active, which I love :)   My favorite part of pregnancy (and I know I've said this 1000 times already) is the movement.  I could lie in bed all day and feel all the bumps and kicks.  I love trying to guess what is what, but really- I have no clue. 

The kids (well Maeve, I should say) are definitely noticing my big belly.  She likes to remind me about how big I am. 

This week... the baby is still the size of a papaya.  Apparently after 22 weeks, the baby's size starts to vary from baby to baby... so the papaya is a size reference for weeks 22-25.

And here's ME... (ughh)

The weight has caught up to me.  I am HUGE.  It's kind of strange, because the foods I've been eating aren't super bad or anything- I think I'm just eating a LOT of them.  Yogurt, cheese, turkey & bread, cereal, orange juice, bagels and ice cream- those are pretty much my staples.  I mean, it could be a lot worse- I could be going to McDonalds every day (remember that phase? ;).  My body must be craving calcium or something...

And with that, we're off to Cascades Ice Cream.  :/
PS- one month till I'm in my 3rd trimester!  NUTS!

22 Weeks

I had my 22 weeks appointment today, and true to form (no pun intended) the weight gain has begun... and its bad.  Henry I gained a lot throughout the entire pregnancy.  Maeve I lost in the beginning and gained (a LOT) in the 2nd half.  It looks like this baby girl is going to be like her older sister.

I can't remember my exact number from my last appointment, but I'm rounding it in my head, and thinking I've gained about 7 lbs. in one month.  YUCK. 

Other than the horrible number on the scale, everything else was great.  Baby's heartbeat was in the 140's.  I'm measuring at 22 weeks and feeling really good.  I got the UTI and sinus stuff out of the way last week and I'm hoping that was the LAST time I have to take that stupid antibiotic during this pregnancy! 

I spent the weekend doing a few fun things for the new baby.  I went to a mom-mom sale on Saturday... wasn't that great (in my opinion).  Maybe I've gotten super, duper cheap, but I can't find it in me to pay 5 bucks for a used outfit...   I can go to Gymboree during one of their red bin sales and find shirts for 99 cents... anyways, I did get a bouncer- its pink with birds and flowers- so cute :)

I also decided to get out my sewing machine and try to make THE SIMPLEST FORM OF A BABY blanket there possibly is!  No joke- I googled "easiest baby blanket" and found some good directions for a sewing dummy like me.  I was shocked and delighted when my blanket actually turned out like a- GASP- blanket!  haha:)  Matching seams, stitches and all!  It took me two hours- TWO HOURS- to make this little blanket (its about the size of a receiving blanket) but I think I'm going to try to make a few more.  Maeve was pretty impressed with the blanket and requested one for herself- I told her we'd go to the fabric store to pick out any print she wanted and I'd make her a blankie... and then of course, I've gotta make Mr. H one.  So I think these simple receiving blanket things are going to become my new weekend hobby.  Here are a couple of pictures of my pride and joy...

I am having my bedding made by an incredibly talented sewer (is sewer a word?)  Her name is LeeAnn and if you need anything- ANYTHING- she can make it.  Check out her site- I am so excited to pick out my fabrics for the bedding!!! :)

This week, the baby is the size of a papaya. 

And I am looking a little (okay a LOT) like a whale...

I don't think it helps that I'm wearing blue... seriously- do I not look like one of those cartoon whales???

I think so.

thankful thursday

I am thankful to have a little girl (and guy... and another little girl on the way:) so I can laugh and smile as I see life through the eyes of my kids...



Maeve:  "Mama I'm Rapunzel and Henry's the prince.  You're Peter Pan and the spooky lady at Walmart is the witch." 


It's an understatement to say these kids are the light of my life.  :)

Happy Thursday!

21 Weeks!

So we made it through the ultrasound and I shopped my way through the weekend!  It's way too hard to resist those sweet baby girl clothes! :)

On Saturday, I started feeling achy and flu-like.  And then I got that all too common (common for me anyway) pain in my back, which is a sure sign, its a bladder infection.  I went up to L&D and spent the afternoon doing urine samples (I had to do two for some reason) and listening to baby bump and thump all over the monitor.  The nurses were very impressed that they could get a good read of her heartbeat since I was only 20/21 weeks.  She definitely slipped off the monitor a few times and I got to listen to the lovely alarm, but for the most part, she was in the 140's the entire time ;)  Anyways, they had me out of there relatively quickly (4 hours?) and on meds.  Today, Tuesday, I am feeling much better.  I do think I'm having some sinus or allergy problems... I'm hoping the antibiotics I'm on for the UTI will kick whatever junk is in my face/head out....

I'm pretty sure we have a name picked out for this bub... but as always, its a secret.  It feels good to have a name though :)

I feel huge- like wide huge.  Such a difference from my pregnancy with Henry!  Henry was like a basketball- all out in front- it was actually kind of nice because I think the majority of the weight just went straight to my stomach.  This time around its all over- my thighs, my hips, butt, etc.  Blah.  I am 3 lbs above what I started the pregnancy at now.  With Henry, at 21 weeks, I was getting a lecture from Dr. P about putting on too much weight ;) haha- I think with Henry, I had put on at least 20+ lbs by this time... insane!  The funny thing is, I look bigger (body wise) with this baby- even though I weigh about 15 lbs. less!  

Here's me & the watermelon baby bump...

 My body just sort of absorbs the bump huh? ;)


The baby is the size of a banana this week!

I have been feeling oodles and oodles of movement, which is by far, the BEST part of pregnancy!  She is all over the place, and I love it.  My hormones have been all over the map as well.  I don't know what its been, but I've had more melt downs over the past 3 days than I have all year I think.  Saturday I cried in bed for about 30 minutes after the kids went to bed, because I missed my mom.  Sunday, Ryan and I were in the middle of talking about how we think this baby girl is going to complete our family, and I burst into tears because the thought of this being my last pregnancy really got me upset... so strange.  Yesterday, I read Maeve "On The Night You Were Born" and I sobbed the whole way through.  It must have stuck with her, because as soon as Ryan got home, she ran up and told him that we read a sad book today and "mama got so sad."  Speaking of Maeve and the things she says, I'll end this post with what she told me when she ran in my room this morning:

"Mama!  Good morning!  You're so big today!" 

nice ;)


...oh and a photo challenge on this (really) boring Tuesday...


The theme is "SURPRISE!"  Maeve's favorite thing to do on the beach is chase the seagulls- the way they swoop so low, always thrills and surprises her ;)

Half Way There!

Okay, this pregnancy has FLOWN by.   I'm 20 weeks today, and my ultrasound is Friday... I love all this baby stuff, but gosh, I am so not ready to go through labor yet! 

I'm feeling pretty good (knock on wood) as far as being preggo goes... I've had lots more energy (thank GOD!) and I'm still sleeping comfortably.  My stomach isn't too big yet; I even painted my toe nails last night- no problem whatsoever! :)  I'm definitely carrying this baby way differently than I carried Maeve or Henry.  This babe feels so absorbed- not sticking out at all.  I feel like I'm carrying (it) around my hips, and waist... yuck, kind of expanding to the side rather than the front. 

Weight wise, I am still around the same as when I started this pregnancy.   Which completely, totally blows my mind.  I eat like a 3 year old.... mac and cheese, fries, ice cream... and of course my go to (which I'm actually eating right now)... cheese danish & orange juice :)  YUMMM.

Both of my babies (Maeve and Henry) were quite the movers while in the belly.  And this one seems to be following suit.  I remember asking Dr. P about kick counts- as long as you get 10 kicks in an hour things should be good- I'm already counting around 30 and hour... with Maeve and Henry, around 25/26 weeks I remember counting up to 100.  Nuts!  And yes, on the outside, both of my kids are still as wild as ever. :)

The only complaint I have right now, is my inability to swallow my prenatal.  I don't know what it is, but I can't get that stupid pill down.  I've been chewing flinstones all week...  I'm planning on asking about that at my next appointment.

So the BIG ULTRASOUND is on Friday (April Fools Day!)... and the BIG question is "Are we finding out?"  My answer is still:  I have no idea.  I think chances are better that we'll leave knowing the gender, because when it comes down to it, I am the most impatient person ever.  But I like to think about waiting and having that big surprise in August...

Anyways, here's a pic of me today... at exactly 20 weeks.

ewww ignore the fat rolls on my side... blah.


And here's what the baby is looking like (size wise, anyway):

Holy cow a cantelope??? 

PS-there is a major baby boom going on right now :)  and I LOVE IT!  I have had a few friends in the past few weeks tell me they're preggo (sorry, who those peeps are will remain a secret :) and I am SO, SO, SO EXCITED FOR ALL THE BABIESSSS!!!!

19 Weeks

Well technically, I'll be 19 weeks on Wed. but I had the camera out today, so I took a pic :)

This week has definitely been the start of the awesome, strong, baby movements.  Ryan's felt the baby move a few times and it's just as exciting as it was the first time around.  It's such an incredible feeling. 

I'm still struggling a bit with insomnia- but now I at least have something fun to do in the middle of the night- count baby movements :)

Food wise, I have been liking ice cream, yogurt, cereal and cheese danish (ha), a LOT.  How healthy, huh?  It's no wonder I'm back up with my weight!  I still get nauseous like clock work, every single night starting around 4 or so- I have no idea why- I've tried a thousand different things to make it go away, but it just has to run its course.  I chug water and usually around 9 or so I'm feeling fine.  It's not bad nausea.  I can still eat and I definitely don't puke (knock on wood).  It's more of an annoyance at this point.

So for the heck of it, I put together a little comparison chart.  Below, is a picture of me preggo at 18 weeks with Maeve & Henry and, me presently preggo at 18 weeks 5 days with the lobster.

Any guesses as to how you think I'm carrying??? :)   

18 Weeks

I had my 18 week appointment yesterday- it was your very typical baby appointment... which is a good thing! :)  Everything checked out fine.

Heartbeat was in the 140's, I'm measuring fine and I think I'm back to the weight I started at.  (Maybe a pound over?)  Anyways, everything is going really well :)

We set up the big ultrasound for April 1st (yes, April Fools day ;) and I'm still pretty set on not finding out the gender... although, I'm not promising anything- I could totally cave!

As much as I miss Florida, its nice to be back home so I can take my daily naps... The kids both go down around 1 and if I'm lucky, they'll both sleep for an hour and a half, although Henry sticks closer to an hour.  Still though, one hour naps are very, very nice. :)  Besides the morning sickness, the fatigue has definitely been the hardest thing to deal with.   I think I've given this piece of advice before, but I'll give it again:  If you're in your first pregnancy, SLEEP ALL YOU WANT AND ALL YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!!  :)

At 18 weeks, the babe is the size of a sweet potato... how cute ;)

And here is what I look like :)

ewwww ignore the dirty mirror...

I think I'm carrying high- what do you think?

17 Weeks (a little late...)

So... here we are, home... and I just realized I missed blogging about my 17th week of pregnancy.  I thought I should catch you up... since you're all dying to know what's going on, right? ;)

At 17 weeks, I can say that I'm feeling better.  There are still the crazy salivating moments that make me go into a gagging fit- but I haven't puked in 2 weeks.  AND- I gained 4 lbs at Disney! ha :)  I knew that whole weight thing was going to catch up to me...

Disney at 17 weeks preggo wasn't fab- I'm not going to lie.  And I hope you don't think I'm complaining- I'm not- its more of just an observation I made- going to Disney while preggo, isn't the best.  I was so bummed I had to sit out all the big rides and any of the rides that would toss my stomach (teacups, rockets...)  And I felt like a huge party pooper when at least a few times a day, I'd say "I need to sit or something."   Eating, however, was a ton of fun- I didn't feel guilty at all for stuffing 7 mickey waffles in my mouth each morning. 

About two nights ago (maybe 3?) I started to feel some baby wiggles.  Or what I thought were baby wiggles.  Today (17 weeks and 4 days) I am definitely feeling movement.  Especially if I curl up in a ball, with my knees to my stomach... ;) 

I have my 18 week appointment this Monday, and I'm assuming we'll set up our big ultrasound.  Now here's the kicker-  we decided NOT to find out what we're having.  I know, I know... how obnoxious.  But I am pretty positive this babe will complete our family and we really wanted to have the experience of "not knowing."  It's going to kill me to have to turn my head when the tech makes sure everything is alright in the gender department, but all that really matters to us is that this baby is 110% healthy.  We've got plenty of boy things, plenty of girl things- we're just going to sit back and enjoy this last ride...

For week 17, the baby is the size of an onion (barrrrf)

And here's my belly picture, at DISNEY (right on my 17 week mark)...

Ryan had the camera, and I really wanted a pic with all THREE of my babies, but it didn't quite work out... oh well.. you get the idea- a nice spare tire  baby bump is coming along.

OH- and make sure you take a guess in our baby game!  It's anyone's game now for sure, since we're not finding out until D-DAY!!!  Click on the link below to participate! ;)

16 Weeks... and Disney Bound!

Things are going pretty well over here! :)  I'm feeling better- there are still days where I substitute meals for milkshakes, but it's all good.  :)

I'm still the same weight- but I'm suuuper close to breaking even.  I'm quite positive after Disney I will have solved that problem :)

Food wise, I've been attracted to the same ol, same ol.  McDonalds breakfast, olives, milkshakes, yogurt... yummm..

In fact, this week, I pulled into McDonalds at 10:35(ish) and frantically asked, "Are you still serving breakfast??"  And the lady said no, but they could try and make something- it depended on what I wanted.  I went through a list of about 3 things before she said "Yes, we can make that."  But the moral of the story is, apparently you can go to Mickey D's whenever and they'll "try" and make what you want... interesting... very interesting.  This could open a whole new door into my McDonalds breakfast obsession.

Other than the food stuff, I'm having all the regular, fun preggo stuff.  My gums bleed (ALL. THE. TIME.), my nose bleeds (usually in the mornings) and I get up at least 3 times a night to use the bathroom.

I am waiting OH so patiently to feel some baby movements!  I feel like it should be any day now, so every time I lie down I concentrate on trying to feel something.  I've felt lots of gurgles and fluttery things that could be the baby, but I haven't had that "AHA! That's the BABY!" moment yet...

This week we're headed to the most magical place on earth- and I'm more than excited.  I hardly slept at all last night with anticipation of going to the airport tonight... What can I say?  Disney is seriously the best.  I can't remember if I've blogged about this before or not, but I'm a little bit nervous about being able to hold my own this year.  Meaning, I'm kind of bummed that I might be the one sitting out most of the time, just because I'm not feeling the greatest.  I'm also a little scared that some of the rides are too jarring for a preggo woman...  Obviously I would not go near any roller coaster or any of that stuff, but I really want to be able to ride "Snow White" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" with the kids... both of those rides though are a little jerky... any preggo disney go-ers out there that can give me some advice with the riding situation?

On the baby growth front, this week, the lobster is the size of an avocado (which also happens to be one of my favvvvve foods)

And I'm looking like this:

Sorry for the weirdo looking picture... I was taking them for scavenger hunt sunday...  ;)

OLIVE you... (I love you:)

This blog has turned into my baby book... with maeve, I had an actual hard cover book that I wrote in, pasted pictures in, filled out, etc.  With Henry, ummm, lets just say I slacked.  This time around, I'm trying to document as much as I can on here... I am planning on getting my blog published one day (into a personal book- not like PUBLISHED published! ;), so I think it will be fun to look back at the wacky things pregnancy does to your (my) body.

Today, I'm writing about olives.  Specifically, my love for them...GREEN olives that is.  Quite literally, I just ate an entire pouch.  I was feeling pretty good, seeing that the caloric count is only 25 cals per serving, but then I realized there were 7 servings in said pouch.  All 7 salty servings are now happily (for the moment anyway) in  my belly.  Along with my pouch of olives, I also had some cheese.... garlic cheese to be exact.  "The Laughing Cow" makes some fantastic, drool worthy, spreadable cheese.  Normally I spread them on crackers or something, but today I just ate the cheese.  Like scooped it out with a fork and ate it, in between bites of olives.  To wash it all down, I chose sparkling peach water... I know, don't even ask.

Anyways, it was good, and I'm preggo so poo.  :)

Oh and remember my "Wordless Wednesday" post?  Are you just dyyyyying to know what Maeve was doing in this picture?

I thought so...

Let me tell you :
She actually had a booger on her finger (I know- so gross and probably not what you were expecting) and she was trying to get it off her finger.  In her words, "It is so sticky mama."  ummm yuck?  But cute pic, eh?

ONE MORE DAY TILL THE WEEKEND!! YAY!

15 Weeks :)

Yay!  Another week down :)

Thanks to a lovely combination of zofran, zantac and unisom, I seem to be doing pretty well with the morning sickness.  I've also cut down my McDonalds breakfast habit... ;)

This past week I've noticed a huge exhaustion come over me.  All I want to do is sleep, sleep and sleep.  I think its because Henry has been sick since Friday... waking up in the middle of the night over and over again is really taking its toll.  But the bub's been on antibiotics for 3 days now... so things should be getting way better, soon.

Disney is a week from TODAY!  WOW! :)  I can't believe it!  It feels like we've been saving up and planning forever for this trip!  We are ALL so excited.  Ryan comes home from work every day saying, "I can't WAIT to be out of here."  I think we're all over the weather.

My size is growing... my weight is still the exact same, but I feel everything filling out.  It can only be a matter of time before the scale jumps up by 10 lbs. and then 20, and then 30... etc.

Here is what I look like this week...

And here is the approximate size of the lobster :)

I keep thinking I'm feeling little pokes and wiggles. And with this being my 3rd pregnancy, you'd think I'd know exactly what it feels like. I think I normally start to feel the baby around 18 weeks on a regular basis... I'm excited for that! :)



Ohhh and 4/5 more weeks until we find out what this bub is!  I go back and forth all the time.  Some days I am 99% sure its a girl, the next day, I'm positive its a boy.  Who knows... :)  I actually was trying to talk Ryan into NOT  finding out at 20 weeks.  When I went in a couple of weeks ago for my ultrasound, I was sure the tech would be able to take a guess at the gender... but she didn't even look.  And I walked out feeling... fine!  It was actually kind of fun to go back home and play the guessing game again.  Ryan was pretty adament that he wants to find out though... funny, because I thought he'd be the one saying "lets wait" and I'd be the one dying to know.  I'm still dropping the hint that I'd like to wait and find out... but he wants to be "prepared."  haha :)  We'll see I guess!
 
Happy Tuesday :)

Cravings...

My friend Julie prompted me to do a post on cravings :)  I'm not sure if there is an actual outline for this post or if its just freelanced by Jules herself- but I will try and follow her lead... 


I am ashamed to admit, that I could probably eat this entire tray of Dog House hot dogs... mmm

My favorite breakfast... (okay this is already embarrassing)  Mickey D's bagel... minus the bacon. 

Favorite Beverage... It used  to be sprite or 7up- anything fizzy that would settle my stomach.  But then I was introduced to this incredible sparkling water- that wait- DOESN'T taste like sparkling water!  There are a ton of different flavors and they have zero everything (sugar, carbs, caffine, etc.)  My fave. is the tangerine and key lime.  Although the black cherry is pretty good too- the one flavor that tastes like caca is strawberry... skip that one, friends.  And thank you Courtney for introducing me to such fabulousness!

I normally eat at least one of these a day:

They are so refreshing and feel really good on my (often) sore from vomiting throat... :)

I am really looking forward to going to Disney for the food.  Specifically, the giant rice crispy treats and the Mickey ice cream pops.  How gross and pathetic is that?

I love fruit while preggo.  Any kind... with Maeve I craved oranges like crazy... with Henry I think it was strawberries and watermelon.  This time, I've really liked peaches and nectarines.  But really,  I'd eat a platter of fruit anytime, anywhere- preggo or not :)

And like any preggo, I'm a huge fan of anything salty... like pickles or olives.  Again though, I like these a lot when I'm not pregnant, so it's not a shock to crave them like mad while I am.  I can eat an embarrassing amount though, if given the opportunity...

I've been eating a lot of cream cheese and mustard... not together- but ya know, on different things. 

A few weeks ago I saw Manda post about a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.  I will admit, at first, it didn't sound so great.  But this was when I was in the depths of my morning sickness.  I wasn't getting much down and I tended to opt more towards beverages (hot chocolate, slushies, milkshakes)  so while out one night, I gave it a whirl.  And it has now changed my life.  ha :) 

Now I'm sure you're all sitting there thinking I am well on my way to obesity.  And yeah, that might be true... but strangely enough I've lost weight so far.  It definitely sucks puking and I will jump up and down (sort of) when I'm finally done with this morning sickness (that is still here BTW... 14 weeks and 4 days..) but I'm pretty sure my morning sickness is the only thing that has saved me from gaining 100 lbs during my first trimester.  The thing is, at any given time, I can't eat a lot of anything- so while I might get McDonalds umm, 3 out of the 7 days of the week, there's a good chance, that that will be my big meal.  (which in by no means is a good idea... it just seems to work that way).  I'll have to re-write this post in a few weeks when I'm *hopefully* feeling 100%.  As awesome as these foods look to me, I'm still on the verge of gagging 24/7.  :(