Baby #3: Nine Month Update

Five months already! Below is a little update on how I'm feeling, what I'm wearing, etc! 

Wearing: Maternity jeans that I cut off into shorts (so much more comfy than maternity pants and way cuter than normal maternity shorts). I'm not really loving my maternity clothes but also trying not to buy too much new stuff because this is our last babe. :)
Eating: Pretty much like I always do - no real cravings except lately I've been all about watermelon. This pregnancy is really weird because I don't crave sweets and I'm also not super hungry. I've only gained 8 pounds so far and I should be around 12-20 pounds. My doc says it's fine as long as baby and uterus are still growing, which they are.
Feeling: Really good. I'm in the pregnancy stage where it doesn't even feel like you're pregnant, except for the fact that I have to pee every two hours at night. I can feel the baby move now - little pokes and kick throughout the day - which is so fun!
Loving: Feeling the baby move - it really is my favorite thing about this stage! Also, my body pillow is a close second.
Worried About: A little worried about having a newborn right as Jon goes off to Korea, but I know it'll be fine. Also, a little worried about how a boy will fit into our family - it's going to be so different!
Excited About: Have a newborn again! I can't wait to hold him and snuggle him and hear him laugh and make him smile and find out what his personality is like! 

Baby #3: Eight Month Update

Eight months, and here we are! We took this pic in Ruidoso, NM on a morning when I tried to make a 1/2 mile walk up a slight hill in high altitude and got so tired and out of breath that Jon had to go get the car to pick me up - haha!!

Wearing: Dresses (although I feel like a giant elephant) and 1 pair of shorts that still fits. All the shirts I wear to sleep in are too small and show the bottom of my belly, which Jon calls my "belly smile." :) 

Eating: A lot! Still craving snocone ice like crazy. Also craving milk, but it hurts my stomach, so I've started drinking Lactaid which sounds gross but is actually delicious! 

Feeling: Very itchy and very heavy (my belly). Braxton Hicks contractions started this month and they are so uncomfortable. I can feel them coming on and my belly gets as hard as a rock, and I have to sit up really straight and breathe through it. I'm also having leg cramps at night - they wake me up from a dead sleep - which is terrible! Baby moves like crazy all the time, but especially at night when Jon and I are watching TV on the couch - he just kicks and rolls around! 

Loving: Writing the baby's name on things - so fun! Soaking up these last few weeks with the girls and our family of four. Being done with our to-do list and having nothing on the agenda but having fun (and taking naps). 

Worried About: To induce or not to induce. I' want to induce, but I'd like to wait until the 28th to induce (which is 40 weeks and my due date) but that means I may go into labor on my own before that, which freaks me out! 

Excited About: Dressing a tiny baby in tiny baby clothes. Seeing what the girls think of the baby. That first night home from the hospital, when everything is new and crazy and amazing. Slowing down, drawing in, spending time with my little family as the seasons change. :)

Baby #3: Seven Month Update

Seven months - It feels both like I've been pregnant forever AND like I can't believe seven months is here! Below is a little update on how I'm feeling, what I'm wearing, etc! 

Wearing: So many dresses! Shorts are getting really uncomfortable (won't stay up on my belly anymore), so dresses it is!
Eating: So much food - first breakfast, second breakfast, morning snack, lunch - you get the gist! ;) Also, a new favorite snack is "snocone ice" made in our blender - I cannot get enough!

Feeling: Not so great. The baby moves all day, and I love it - but it also hurts sometimes. At night, I wake up with belly pain and I have to stand up and get the baby to change positions. I'm also super out of breath all the time, feel a lot of fatigue in my limbs when walking and just generally feel very, very tired. Even with all of this, I am still enjoying being pregnant and will miss this big belly when it's gone!

Loving: Saying the baby's name in my head - I can't wait to tell everyone what it is! Also loving that none of my shirts cover my belly so the bottom hangs out and Jon and the girls call it my "belly smile."

Worried About: Starting to have little fears about labor and delivery. REALLY hoping this time around is just as amazing as my last one was! Right now, we're planning to induce on my due date - 9/28 - which is also me and Jon's 6 year wedding anniversary.
Excited About: Snuggling a baby this fall! I want to snuggle up in leggings and sweaters in a cozy house with a new little baby. I can't think of a better time to be off on maternity leave than Oct - Dec! 

Baby #3: Five Month Update

Five months already! Below is a little update on how I'm feeling, what I'm wearing, etc! 

Wearing: Maternity jeans that I cut off into shorts (so much more comfy than maternity pants and way cuter than normal maternity shorts). I'm not really loving my maternity clothes but also trying not to buy too much new stuff because this is our last babe. :)
Eating: Pretty much like I always do - no real cravings except lately I've been all about watermelon. This pregnancy is really weird because I don't crave sweets and I'm also not super hungry. I've only gained 8 pounds so far and I should be around 12-20 pounds. My doc says it's fine as long as baby and uterus are still growing, which they are.
Feeling: Really good. I'm in the pregnancy stage where it doesn't even feel like you're pregnant, except for the fact that I have to pee every two hours at night. I can feel the baby move now - little pokes and kick throughout the day - which is so fun!
Loving: Feeling the baby move - it really is my favorite thing about this stage! Also, my body pillow is a close second.
Worried About: A little worried about having a newborn right as Jon goes off to Korea, but I know it'll be fine. Also, a little worried about how a boy will fit into our family - it's going to be so different!
Excited About: Have a newborn again! I can't wait to hold him and snuggle him and hear him laugh and make him smile and find out what his personality is like! 

Baby #3: Four Month Update

We are so excited to be welcoming baby number three into our family in September! This babe will complete our family, and this is my last pregnancy so I'm trying to soak it up, but that has not been easy so far!

Since we were planning this pregnancy, I was super eager to take a pregnancy test the week of my period. When I got a negative result, I was so bummed! I really wanted to get pregnant in January so that the baby would be born before Jon left for Korea. I was sad for a few days, but then I moved on. Then about a week later, we were on the way home from the grocery store and I got really dizzy - like REALLY dizzy. I said "Woah, I'm really dizzy right now" and I put the air vents on me. Jon asked if I thought I might be pregnant. I was like no way, the test was negative. He told me to take another one. I went right into the house, took the test and it showed positive with two lines right away and I was SO HAPPY! I thought for a second about keeping the secret and surprising Jon somehow, but I knew I could not keep the secret right then - I was too happy. I came out of the bathroom smiling and threw my arms around Jon's neck. It was such a happy day. This was my first time ever getting a negative test result before a positive result - so crazy - it totally threw me off and made for a nice surprise!

I found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks and had a little honeymoon period until week 7 where I felt totally fine. I kept Googling "can you be pregnant and not get sick" because I thought I might be that lucky! I was wrong. :(

I got my usual weird digestion nauseousness right at the start of week 7, and I remembered why being pregnant is NO FUN. I felt super sick all day long. Eating was a challenge. I felt sick when my stomach was empty and then felt sick after I ate. I was a lose/lose situation. I basically tried to sleep my way through the sickness, going to bed at 8pm every night. When I hit 13 weeks, the worst of it went away, thankfully!

If anything, I would say orange juice and bacon got me through those first few weeks. Orange juice would settle my stomach and bacon was the only thing that didn't make me feel bad in the morning.

Now that I'm going on 16 weeks, I still have some digestive issues and still feel terrible if I over eat, but it's not debilitating. I hope that I get completely back to normal soon like I did with my other two pregnancies because I really loved food and stuffing myself full during those pregnancies and would love to do the same this time! :)

My cravings have been SO WEIRD this time around. Pineapple juice, orange juice, pickles, pickle juice, canned peaches and vanilla Snackwells cookies have been my go-tos. I also have had a major aversion to water. I can stomach it if it's cold, but really, I'd rather not drink it. In past pregnancies, I've had a food aversion to vegetables, but that didn't happen this time, so that's good! I was able to make healthier choices than I have in past pregnancies (but that doesn't mean I didn't indulge in plenty of treats, too!).

In addition to first trimester symptoms, I also have some really annoying general pregnancy symptoms that'll probably stay with me the whole time: stuffy nose and tons of spit in my mouth. I had the stuffy nose with my other pregnancies but never the spit thing - it's terrible! I deal with it by sipping on liquids constantly, but it's really gross and my mouth feels gross 100% of the time and I so can't wait for that part to be over.

I've pretty much been wearing maternity clothes since I was 7 weeks pregnant. My digestive issues made me super bloated, so much that my regular clothes just were not comfortable, so I pulled out the box of maternity clothes right away. At almost 16 weeks, I just bought some maternity shorts in preparation for this hot El Paso summer.

I still haven't felt the baby move, but I'm so excited to. That's my favorite part and the thing that makes being pregnant the most fun!

We found out the gender of this baby super early because we had some genetic testing done. I found out over the phone that baby was a boy - and I was SHOCKED! It's a good thing I had a couple days to sit with it on my own before telling the world, because I needed those days to get used to the idea! Since I found out first, I planned a gender reveal for Jon and the girls - a giant balloon that they popped and blue confetti and balloons came out. Watch the video here! Now that I'm mostly over the shock, I'm so excited for a little boy to join our family! I can't wait to see what he's like! (And I'm already having a blast shopping for all new baby boy stuff!) :) We'll have our anatomy scan at 20 weeks to 100% confirm that baby is in fact, a boy!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Baby Klock #3 is a....

Pregnancy Update: Week 38

For those of you who haven't heard yet, we're having this baby on Saturday, November 17!! (Unless she decides to come earlier on her own.) At my appointment last week, we brought up the subject of induction, and my doctor said he could get us on the schedule for this coming weekend. We thought it over for a while - I know a lot of people have horror stories about induction - and in the end, we decided to do it. Even though I think it would be fun to wait and see when and how labor starts on its own, the fact that induction guarantees that I'll have my doctor (who I love) deliver the baby AND guarantees that my mom, dad and sister will all be here with me when it happens is enough for me to take the risk. I'm so, so excited for my family to arrive on Friday and to welcome this little lady into the world on Saturday!!

Now for a little update...

Wearing: Sweats, sweaters, leggings, slippers - and probably not much else for the next 3 days! (Eeeek, 3 days!!)
Eating: Anything fattening I can get my hands on (because it's all fruits and veggies starting Sunday!)
Feeling: Still mild cramping throughout the day, which my doc says is good
Loving: The fact that we are READY - I mean, really really ready - for this
Worried About: That moment when I get to the hospital on Saturday and everything gets started (praying a million times a day for a smooth delivery and no c-section)
Excited About: 3 days!! 3 days!!

Pregnancy Update: Week 37

Week 37 flew by! (I'll  be 38 weeks tomorrow - woooo hoooo!) Not a whole lot of new developments this week, except that we finished the nursery and wrapped up some house projects that needed to be done before baby gets here. Our to-do-before-baby list is getting really, really tiny now - just a few more things and we'll be all set! (But if she decided to come this afternoon, I would be completely ok with it - no need to wait on that to-do list, baby girl!)

Now for a quick update...

Wearing: My maternity sweaters - it's coooold here! (48 degrees today)
Eating: Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, cookies for lunch, peppermint ice cream for dinner (ok, ok, maybe I'm not, but sometimes it feels like it - sweets will be banished after baby, I swear!)
Feeling: Very mild cramps a few times a day - I'm hoping this means something is going on in there?
Loving: Life. My sweet husband. My cute cats. The beautiful Kentucky fall. Early holiday shopping. The excitement that everyday brings us closer to baby time. All of it.
Worried About: Contractions and what they'll feel like.
Excited About: Getting this show on the road! :)

Pregnancy Update: Week 36

Weeks 34 and 35 have come and gone without pictures to prove it (probably because I didn't leave my sweats for two straight weeks), but that's fine with me because we're two weeks closer to being done with this...eerrrrr, to meeting baby girl! ;)

(If I seem less than thrilled in the coming weeks, it's because I'm seriously ready for this to be over. Pregnancy has lost it's luster, and I will jump for joy at the first sign of a contraction.)

Now for a little 36 week update...

Wearing: Sweatpants and Jon's t-shirts (unless I'm forced to go out in public, then black leggings and one of three shirts that are long enough to cover my bum)
Eating: Halloween candy. Pumpkin muffins. Pumpkin cookies. Pumpkin bread. (Don't judge.)
Feeling: Heartburn. Insomnia. The constant need to pee. Thirsty. Out of breath. Congested. Swollen. And fat. (You notice I didn't say contractions? Haven't felt one - or anything resembling one - yet. Serious bummer.)
Loving: That every single day brings us closer to the end.
Worried About: Going past my due date - I want to go early sooooo bad. So bad. (You notice I didn't say labor? That's because I'm so ready to be done that I am now welcoming it with open arms. That's what I call progress.)
Excited About: Getting this bebe out of mah belly and into the world! ASAP!

But in all seriousness, we are so, so excited to be this close to the end. Not just because it's all bad these days, but because we can't wait to meet our little lady. I can't wait to hold her, to call her by her name, put her in one of her tiny little outfits, bring her home and have the next part of this whole parenting adventure begin. :)

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 32 & 33

Time is flying by, isn't it?? My 32nd and 33rd week came and went and now we're on to number 34. Eeek! Below is a little update on what's been happening around these parts lately...

Wearing: Really, really uncomfortable pants. We've had some chilly weather lately so the trusty pair of shorts I wore all summer had to be retired in place of maternity pants, which I thought were awesome at first until they fell down every. two. seconds. Oh the days when I wasn't pulling my pants up constantly - I really can't wait for those again.
Eating: More like drinking! I'm thirsty all the time these days and drinking water, milk, juice and lemonade like it's going out of style. I'll drink three huge glasses all at once and then be so miserably full, but I can't help it - it's so good!
Feeling: Out of breath. Fat. Clumsy. Did I mention out of breath?
Loving: The fact that we almost have every single thing we need for baby girl's arrival! The only outstanding item on my list is a diaper bag (which I'm being pretty picky about). Oh, and I should also add foot massages from my sweet husband. They are divine.
Worried About: Labor. Sorry, I have to say it again. I'm trying not to be, but I am. The closer it gets, the more scared I get. Part of it is the not knowing - When's it going to happen? How's it going to happen? Will it go fast? Will it go slow? I need a plan, people! I'm a planner!
Excited About: Dressing this little lady. Her clothes are all washed, folded, sorted by size and waiting in her closet, and I can't wait to put her in them! Sometimes I sit in her closet and put outfits together. It's like playing Barbies, but real. ;)

Pregnancy Update: Week 31

 

I drove down to Texas last week for my baby shower this past Saturday, and it was a blast! A huge thanks to everyone that came! I am so very excited about all of the cute clothes, toys, books, and more that our little lady received. I can't wait to get back home and organize everything in her room. Now that we've got most of what we need, I'm getting reaaalllly antsy for her arrival!

Below is a little 31 week update...

Wearing: The comfiest maternity clothes ever. I may just continue wearing them after the pregnancy. They are that comfy.
Eating: Anything sweet. Donuts. Cinnamon rolls. Cookies. I LOVE IT ALL. (And so much milk, still.)
Feeling: Out of breath - all. the. time. (Still)
Loving: Her room. Her clothes. Her toys. All of it.
Worried About: Do we have everything we need? Have I done everything I need to do? Do I know everything I need to know? How will we travel with a baby in the future? How will we fit everything in the car? Will she love me? Will I know what to do with her? (Suffice it to say I'm not getting much sleep these days with these things running through my head, on top of the constant bathroom trips.)
Excited About: Meeting this little lady! I so hope she comes early - I don't think I can wait until Thanksgiving!

Pregnancy Update: Week 30 & Number 1

30 weeks, people! Only 10 more to go - or maybe less if this lady decides to come early (which I've been trying to convince her is a good idea). Here's a quick update on what I'm up to:

Wearing: Maternity clothes! My belly has finally outgrown all of my non-maternity shirts, so I treated myself to a little maternity shopping spree at Old Navy. Cords, jeans, sweaters - oh my, am I ready for fall! :)
Eating: Honey toast, double stuffed Halloween Oreos, mandarin oranges, cheese + crackers, lots of milk
Feeling: Out of breath - all. the. time.
Loving: Getting baby shower presents in the mail - it's so much fun to open things and set them up
Worried About: Labor! (I'm pretty sure this will be a main stay from now until the end.) Did anyone see the Keeping Up With the Kardashians finale? Courtney cried on her way to the hospital because she was scared of labor, and I cried on my couch with her. #ifeelyagirl
Excited About: Baby's first Christmas (Yes, I've already got holidays on the brain.)

P.S. - This also crosses number 1 off the list! We snapped this photo at the Tennessee State Fair this past weekend where we ate lots of good fair food (cotton candy, roasted corn, turkey legs, so much lemonade), played with some really cute sheep and threw darts at balloons. More photos from the fair coming up next week!

Pregnancy Update: Week 29

Wow, where did last week go?? Sorry for being MIA. The 28 weeks photo? Didn't happen. Nope. Buuuut, we have 29 weeks today! (Time is flying by, isn't it?)

And here's a little 29 week update...

Wearing: The same two pairs of shorts I've been wearing all summer (Thank goodness for them or I'd be pants-less, and no one wants a pants-less pregnant girl.)
Eating: Better than I have been (ex: less cookies and more veggies) after a little side-by-side comparison of my legs at the beginning of the pregnancy and now (it scared me a little - or a lot)
Feeling: Achy and sore, especially in the mornings
Loving: Baby girl's room (still) - it's definitely my favorite room in the house now
Worried About: LABOR!! I watched a video of an epidural the other day, and I cried. It's that bad.
Excited About: Baby girl's name - I think we finally decided on a first name (still working on the middle name), and I love it. :)

Pregnancy Update: Week 27

27 weeks, baby! We're getting close! (And mah belly is gettin' BIG!) A quick update below...

Wearing: Stretchy striped dresses - still (See above)
Eating: Sweets - sooooo many sweets - this pregnancy has really amped up my sweet tooth
Feeling: Stuffy (I've never blown my nose so much in my life) and achy (my back still kills me)
Loving: Back massages (Thanks to my amazing boyfriend for these!)
Worried About: Baby names (We still can't find one we both love - Eeeek!)
Excited About: Baby girl's room - It's coming together, and I LOVE it

Forgive me for the grainy photo - we snapped this one late in the afternoon when good light was hard to find.

Pregnancy Update: Week 26

Well, hello there, third trimester - I've been waiting for you! Tuesday was exactly three months from my due date, which feels really crazy. If this little lady decides to come early, she could be here in as little as 10 weeks - aaaaah! There's still so much to do! (I sure hope that nesting thing kicks in soon - I have a nursery to get ready and could definitely use some motivation.)

It's really interesting to me how things seem to change exactly on schedule with each trimester. Right when I hit the second trimester, my food weirdness went away, and I started feeling like my old self (aka pretty great). Then, right when I hit the third trimester, I completely understood why people say it brings a whole new bag of tricks. 

My lower back aches - like really aches - all the time and has forced me to adopt that pregnant waddle everyone loves. As if that's not enough - boy, am I tiiiiiired. Trips up the stairs in our house pretty much justify a nap these days, and easy things like folding laundry and doing dishes leave me huffing and puffing like I just ran a marathon. 

Below is a little more about my 26th week...

Wearing: A few maternity shirts that I LOVE (and that finally fit my belly) - Maternity clothes are seriously comfortable.
Eating: Mandarin oranges, so much milk, lemon bread 
Feeling: Achy and tired - like an old woman
Loving: The fact that strangers can now tell that I'm pregnant (Waitress at Cracker Barrel, Cashier at Wal-Mart - you totally made my day!)
Worried About: Labor - I'm terrified! (And I have a feeling it's only going to get worse as I get closer.)
Excited About: Finding out what this little lady looks like - I can't wait!
Missing: Alcohol and coffee (I had to add this one in this week because it's true. I miss my daily Starbucks runs and wine with dinner something fierce right now. Only 3 months to go....)

Pregnancy Update: Week 25

25 weeks this week! 15 more to go! (Give or take.) A little bit about what's going on in - and out of - that belly of mine... 

Wearing: Stretchy striped dresses (Never have I actually liked that stripes accentuate my middle until now)
Eating: Soft peppermints - I carry them in my pockets - it's an addiction
Feeling: Itchy! Someone scratch mah belly, pleeeeaaaase!
Loving: Rootbeer (and soft peppermints)
Worried About: Baby clothes (Will NB sizes be too small? Too big? Will 0-3 months do? Aaah!)
Excited About: Baby clothes (Gosh, they are just so darn CUTE!)

P.S. - Today is my birthday! I'll be back later with a birthday list for my 31st year! 

Pregnancy Update: Week 24

I had my 24 week check-up yesterday, and the doc said baby and me are doing excellent! One more check-up in four weeks, then I'll go in every two weeks until the little lady gets here. Eeeek! It feels like it's getting closer! Now for a little 24 week update...

Wearing: Tanks + Shorts (Still! It's hotter than the Sierra here!)
Drinking: Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (I finally found this in the grocery store, and I cannot get enough.)
Feeling: Really, really tired every three days or so (I think those are her growth spurt days.)
Loving: Little lady's crazy kicks at night
Worried About: Choosing the right name (It's so hard!)
Excited About: The fact that she will be all ours - to snuggle and love and dress and sing to and watch grow up forever! (I think it might take a few weeks after she's born for that to really sink in.)

Pregnancy Update: Week 23

I saw the quote below on A Cup of Joe this morning, and I immediately knew I needed to write it down so I'd remember it in 4 months. I think it's the perfect way to describe the challenges that come with a new baby while still appreciating every moment: 

"When Toby was a newborn, I would joke to Alex that new motherhood was like traveling abroad. You're tired and jetlagged, and you haven't showered and you're sort of sticky, but then you look around and the world is beautiful and otherworldly and you're glad you came." 

And now for a little 23 week update...

Wearing: Stretchy skirts (like the one pictured above) 

Eating: A HUGE bowl of Fruit Loops every morning (They are delicious!)

Feeling: Uncomfortable at night - I so miss sleeping on my stomach

Loving: Any outfit that shows off my little bump (I'm so happy that it's growing!)

Worried About: Kids and food (I know it's early, but I already have big goals for this baby to grow up eating healthy foods - not chicken nuggets and sugary "fruit" drinks like so many kids do these days.)

Excited About: Baby names - We've got a little list going, and it's fun trying each one out.

*This very patriotic outfit inspired by the first day of the 2012 Olympics. Go Team USA!

Pregnancy Update: Week 22

We snapped this photo right before we packed up to head home from the lake. I feel kind of funny wearing a bikini these days. I always wonder if people can tell there's a baby in there - or if they just think I've had one too many hot dogs. ;) Below are a few fun details from week 22:

Wearing: Mostly shorts (stretchy denim is the best!) + tank tops 

Eating: Ice cream! So much ice cream! (Root beer floats have never tasted so good.)

Feeling: Baby girl's pokes and kicks, occasional leg cramps

Loving: My new body pillow (makes side sleeping so much more comfy)

Worried About: Parenting (what kind of parent I'll be, how me and Jon's parenting styles will mesh)

Excited About: Baby clothes that look like grown up clothes - only miniature!