The Big 3-0

There are baby girl and I right at the 30 week mark. In the background, a ready and waiting crib. In the past few weeks, we have gotten a lot of things checked off the "before baby" list. Big things like move Vada to a big girl bed, check! Rearrange the upstairs to make room for the crib and dresser, check! Potty train Vada, check! The last big amazon order came in last week to finish off the changing pad, crib, and bath tub. Her clothes are washed, folded, and put away. And now we wait.

I don't think anyone is as anxious for Miss Hunter's arrival than Lucy. She asks every, single day if the baby is going to come out today. Last week she said, "It takes so long. I don't want to wait anymore." Yes, I hear you Lu. Vada has finally started making some acknowledgements of the baby and will lay down and kiss my belly throughout the day. Thankfully, baby and I are both healthy and growing and got the news last week that she is head down and in proper positioning for her eventual exit. Although the third trimester has brought with it total exhaustion, I am happy to say that in general I feel pretty good. At this point with Vada I was making weekly chiropractor visits and not exercising at all. This time around, no chiropractor and up until a week ago, was still practicing pilates. The contractions rage on daily and her movements are getting more and more frequent and strong, to put it nicely. She has a fairly predictable schedule of being awake when the girls are sleeping, usually at nap time and always after they are in bed.

James is preparing for baby girl much like he did for the other two, by starting a huge home project. With Lucy, he began her nursery at around 34 weeks, by ripping out all the drywall in the room and starting fresh. With Vada, it was our bedroom with the same process at 30 weeks. This time, he demolished the old garage at 29 weeks and is working on beginning construction of a new one. Nesting is a funny thing.

The mom guilt is really starting to press in hard as I get larger and have less and less energy, especially in this heat. Playing outside most days is just not an option unless we do early mornings or late evenings. I am trying to keep us booked with play dates, library events, and as many chances to be in water as possible. The girls start swim lessons in two weeks and I am so excited for this opportunity for them, as well as the chance to be in a pool at least once a week! Vacation is in three weeks and we are all anxious for a week at the beach. Both girls love the beach and I am so looking forward to the simple entertainment it will provide us all. Trying to give the girls opportunities to enjoy summer and the last few weeks as a family of 4 is a huge priority these days.

I have set a few personal goals for the last ten-ish weeks of this pregnancy since most other preparations are done. I really want to enjoy this time. I think it is a blessing in disguise to be due at the end of summer so I can still do things with the girls through September without worrying about a baby being in the heat. I am trying to embrace not being able to do my hair because of hot flashes and wearing a bikini without worrying about what my stomach looks like. I always thought I would be uncomfortable wearing a bikini while hugely pregnant but pulling a one piece up over this belly is far more uncomfortable. I love when James rubs my belly and all the "interesting" questions Lucy can come up with about delivery ("can I help the midwife catch the baby when it comes out of your v_____?") I am finding joy in the little things, like finding a ring I can wear as a wedding band, a pair of shorts that actually fit, and this recipe for salted caramel ice cream.

So close, yet so far away.

Catching Up

It has been awhile since I have stopped to take stock of where our family currently is. I am missing spending quality time with friends lately and just catching up to know what is going on in their lives and sharing what is happening in ours. Plus, I always love going back and reading what the girls were doing or getting in to at certain points. So, in my mind I'm having a little date with a best friend I am missing and filling them in. Grab a cup of coffee, as for me, Talenti Salted Caramel Gelato it is.

Last weekend we had the most beautiful baby sprinkle held for our family. The outpouring of love, support and excitement over baby girl was indescribable. Not to mention all the ways the girls were included in the party and getting some new little things of their own. Obviously James and I are over the moon excited to meet our next daughter but seeing our family and closest friends share in that joy left me speechless.

Speaking of little miss, we are currently 27.5 weeks deep, into the third trimester. I honestly thought this pregnancy would fly by. It's not. The weeks are slowly creeping by and I cannot let myself think about the fact that we still have 3 more months. I think we have both hit a growth spurt in the last couple of weeks and I know feel like there is an actual baby body in my belly that does not appreciate her big sisters leaning on her. She is most active at night and likes to turn her back/bum out to make one side of my belly super hard and uncomfortable. I have been having Braxton hicks contractions every day and sometimes they stop me in my tracks to breathe through. Yet, I still look forward to going through labor and delivery again. I am having the strongest nesting needs even though we will not be doing a nursery for this little lady.

I have been on a serious no-meat kick and luckily our overflowing abundance of fresh vegetables is making preparing meals around that easy for me. It's nice to get out of the usual groove of meals and start experimenting with new foods and recipes. Last night was sweet potato, black bean burritos which were delicious in my book. That and rainbow chard fritters have been my favorite concoctions lately.

I have really started delving into the world of preschool at home for the girls. Lucy is showing a ton of interest in letters and numbers so there has been a lot of researching going on. Since she will not be attending preschool in the fall, I am putting a lot of responsibility on myself to make sure she is getting what she needs and wants from me. With baby girl due in September, I am trying to get a handle on what a daily activity/ lesson plan may look like. I am adopting a lot of Montessori principles and activities because I have seen success with those in the past with her. Vada is starting to notice color and identify animals so I will be doing some different things with her as well. The amazon wish list is filling up! Arranging swim lessons is next up on the to-do list.

Lucy is turning into such a little girl lately, no more baby in her. She will get her own breakfast, dress herself, brush her teeth, and tell everyone else what to do in the meantime. Her knack for directions is uncanny and she picks up on every little detail of any situation. Her memory is insane and she will ask me things about stuff we did last year or longer with surprising detail. She could not be more excited about her baby sisters arrival and telling me what she plans to do and teach her. She is wise beyond her years and has the most joy around her friends and family that, although overwhelming at times, is contagious.

Vada is a tiny tornado. She is rough and tumble, never sits still, and moves a million miles a minute. She is talking up a storm and has no problem telling you what she needs or when she has been wronged. Mornings have been rough for her lately but after nap she is happy as can be. She is a total goofball and loves to make people laugh. She is obsessed with baby dolls and does a surprisingly good job of taking care of them. She is now dressing herself too and has been potty trained for over about two months. She still loves to be held and loved by her Mama but has become more and more of a Daddy's girl as she gets older. Every morning she asks if he is home and anytime she hears the door she screams "Daddy's home!" Seeing her interact with her smaller cousins makes me think she may not have as hard of an adjustment to being a big sister as we fear. She is only one month away from her 2nd birthday which she refuses to talk about.

 

As June draws to an end we have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks, hopefully making time pass quickly. We had an impromptu beach day last week and the whole family is itching for our beach vacation the first week of August. Counting down the days until we are a family of 5...

Me and My Girl

It finally feels real. 23 weeks deep and I am so in love with this little lady. Something in the last couple of weeks has finally clicked and I am now picturing the baby girl growing inside my belly. Her movement has really picked up which is no less amazing this time around than the first. James feels her move almost every night and Lucy got to feel a kick while I was rocking her one day. She has asked to feel it again every day since. She also comes up to me throughout the day and puts her hand on my belly and says, "I love her."
We decided on her name and I am so afraid of blurting it out when I am around our family and friends because she already seems to be THAT. Picking up an outfit here or there and choosing swings, bedding and blankets... she is on her way.
A friend of ours took some maternity photos for us last weekend. They turned out beautifully and although some will not be shared, I could not help but get tears in my eyes as I saw how this baby is changing my body. I absolutely love being pregnant, despite the swelling, discomfort, and inability to get dressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love you little one.

 

 

This Man turns 28

Happy Birthday, you stud you

Half way to meeting our little lady

Little Miss Hunter, our third beautiful baby girl. Thanks for being so cooperative during the ultrasound. You must have really wanted to let us know who you were. You checked out perfectly and surprised no one with being a little lady. Hopefully, your low heart rate and general lack of movement mean you are taking a little more after your mama and daddy than your two older sisters. A relaxed, laid back baby would be a welcome change, sweets. So, we had a little party on your behalf with your grandparents and some of your cousins and aunt and uncle. When I really think about it, it is kind of weird to have a party about someone's lady parts. First and last my dear. I am having fun looking for some clothes for you that are not obnoxiously girly. I have about had my fill of neon pink baby clothes. We bought you a few things over the weekend and I am getting excited to see you in them. My favorite purchase, as with your sisters, was your baby blanket. I put a lot of thought into those, for some reason, so I hope you like it as much as Daddy and I do. You really are pretty easy on Mama for the most part these days. I have had to stop worrying about how little you move in there and just enjoy only being punched and climbed on from the outside for now. The midwives let me know I have an anterior placenta so that is acting like a cushion between you and my belly. You went almost two weeks only moving a handful of times that I could feel but I am trusting you are growing well. I know one thing, you are making me TIRED. Good gracious, I think you would be happy if all I did was sleep. I am sleeping plenty at night but I am dragging through every day lately. Daddy says I look out of it 90% of the time lately. The only other thing I can contribute to you is my need for spicy food, which cannot be satisfied. I don't know what to give you to turn this off but I am not even phased lately by the spiciest of foods Daddy and I can come up with. You also are demanding I eat vegetables but not much else. Bowls full of broccoli? Really? This is definitely the first time in my life I have to remember to eat enough. Your sisters are becoming more and more interested in you as my belly grows, Lucy especially. She talks to you and about you everyday and is eagerly awaiting the day you give her a good kick. Mama is feeling an immense amount of responsibility as the reality of having three little women is settling in. Trying to be the best example of what a woman, wife and mother should be is a daily challenge to me as I know you all will be watching me to learn both what to do and what not to do. From the clothes I wear to the words I choose I am constantly on observation by three of the most important people in my life. I know I am shaping you into who you will be even as you are growing in my belly and I both fear and anticipate continuing to do so as you and your sisters grow. You are loved, you are loved, you are loved little one. I will be dreaming of you until I see your precious face.

Protected

Sweetest baby,
    You are so loved. You are worrying your mama sick these last couple of days. The last real "oh, that's baby!" move was three days ago and I have been trying everything to get you to give me a roll or nudge or something in the days since. Of course, I have read a ton about you and it seems lots of babes slow down about this time and rest up during a growth spurt. You have a couple more days of leisure than its high time to start reminding me you are ok in there. You see, baby, this family is already so very attached to you, as if you are already here. Your Daddy has felt you move twice in the last week and has already started rubbing Mama's belly for all the stretching your growing results in. He holds you at night while we sleep and talks about all the little baby things he can't wait to experience with you. Lucy talks to you, lays on you, and pushes you around in there every day. She tells me how much she loves you and has already asked to help with diaper changes and even offered you her baby doll this morning, big deal little one. Yesterday she brought your piggy bank upstairs to Mama and Daddy's room because she knows you will sleep with us. She is looking forward to sitting next to you in the car and feeding you bottles when Mama and Daddy go on dates. You will forever be taken care in your big sister.

 Vada is the one constantly kneeing or elbowing you. She has one time said that you are a baby boy and your name will be Otis. Speaking of Otis, he's looking out for you too. He rarely leaves Mama's side all day, which is what those quick, almost-trips are from you may feel in there. When Mama lays down to rest he is right beside the bed, ignoring his own bed a few feet away.

   I read your sisters a book that starts with the line "I wanted you more than you ever will know so I sent love to follow wherever you go." I think of you every time. You are the baby we prayed so hard for. TThe one we are not taking a single day for granted. Maybe that's why I am pressuring you to move. I need your reminders. I need the reassurance of your presence and constant growth.

Baby #3 update

Here we are between 17 and 18 weeks. I have a felt some movement in the past week and a half but it's feeling more like waves of movement than specific kicks or punches. Yes, I am actually looking forward to those :) We had a midwife appointment on Monday and baby's heartbeat was 140 (for anyone wondering, the girls were always always 160, not that it changes my mind) and we both checked out well. Not sure how I am measuring because the midwife made my week/ pregnancy/ life by saying I had abs of steel and she couldn't feel where my uterus was. Score for a mom of three! See, pilates does make a difference people! More exciting, however, was scheduling our anatomy scan for April 29, only a week and a half more!!! I still am convinced baby is a girl, as does Lucy, but James and the midwife seem to think boy. Whomever is in there is getting on a nerve, literally. I woke up one day last week with a completely numb left foot and a few days later had the same thing all down my right leg and into my foot. Stretching and pilates definitely seem to be helping and although I tried a chiropractor when I was pregnant with Vada, it hasn't gotten to that point yet. The hormones are in full swing and I am blaming my highly emotional state on baby's growth spurt that happens between 16 and 20 weeks. In better news, I now wake up feeling rested in the morning which is a true blessing. Now if we could just get the skin issues to clear up...
  Everyone in this family is so excited to be adding the next member. Lucy is already super attached to the baby and lays on my belly trying to hear something almost every day. The other day I told her I loved her so much and she said well I love the baby so much. Vada has been lifting up her shirt and saying "In here" whenever we ask her where the baby is. We have settled on names both for a boy or girl and are eagerly awaiting next Tuesday.
  I am now in the wonderfully "manageable" stage of pregnancy where my bump is the perfect size and I only get really uncomfortable right about the time the girls go down for bed. I am loving being pregnant, as always, and look forward to the next big moments of kicks and rolls and finding out just who is in there. For now, we'll all look forward to Easter weekend and a much needed mini vacation to the beach next weekend :)