Baby #4

Now that I'm over half way through it, I figured it's probably time I blog about this pregnancy.

Ahem. Sorry baby #4.

We found out mid-September that we are expecting our 4th baby! We were planning a fourth so it wasn't too much of a surprise when I peed on the stick and it showed 2 lines. But, as any mama would know, the certain confirmation of life growing inside of her is a thrill.

I'm trying to patiently wait until May, when this baby is expected to arrive in our arms, and doing my best to savor each day of my last pregnancy. As easy as it is to complain about all the discomforts, I know that I will look back down the road {years.... down the road} and miss the feeling of having my babies so close.

Right now I mostly feel like this pregnancy is a means to the joy I'm anticipating with all the excitement I can bear, to the day we are in the hospital meeting, holding and snuggling a soft, sweet newborn. For the last time. I want to rush to that moment and at the same time hold it off as long as possible, because I know once it's over it will stay only in my memories.

So far this pregnancy has been a mixed bag of all the past pregnancies rolled into one. On top of the over-the-top emotional response to every.little.thing. I have been remembering the past three pregnancies on a daily basis. Flashbacks flood at the slightest hint of a scent, emotion, or quiver of nausea. The fact that this is the last pregnancy I will ever experience creates unique feelings I have to process.

So far the symptoms I've had most resemble my pregnancy with Evalyn. I was convinced it was a girl. I was so sick the first 14 weeks, I laid on the couch from getting up until Brandon would get up {he worked graveyard shift last year} and then I would go straight back to my bed. The only thing I could keep down was juice and nutrition shakes with the occasional cracker here and there. I was miserable and dreading how long it would last. I hated being away from my family so much of the time, but I had to do what I could to take care of my body and the life growing inside of me. It was a growing time of letting go of control. God used those weeks to refocus my trust in Him, and Him alone.

During that time I was so blessed and loved by my servant husband and my mama who stepped in and took on a lot of the caring for the kiddos and household tasks. I couldn't have made it with out them.

Finally, the fog started to lift around the second trimester and I seriously felt like a whole new person. I had moments were I forgot that I was pregnant. I could not say that about the first 14 weeks. Since then I've had mostly good days and I can eat again. There is still the occasional wave of nausea and of course all the other lovely pregnancy symptoms that come along for the ride. But I've been able to enjoy the pregnancy much more lately.

I'll tell you one thing though, second trimester "energy increase" every one talks about is SO much different taking care of three littles as opposed to none or even one. I.am.exhausted. all the time. I am actually looking forward {for now} to the newborn exhaustion, instead of pregnancy exhaustion!

I'll wrap it up and share my belly pictures so far...

I'm 22 weeks now.

I have my next appointment at end of the month. We had a gender reveal party with a confetti cannon to find out boy or girl...

21 weeks {Itty Bitty}

I wanted to update at 20 weeks and share about our appointment and ultrasound but we were in Branson and it just didn't happen. So here we are at 21 weeks instead!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 21 Weeks

Size of baby:  Itty Bitty is about the size of a cantaloupe!

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 6 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Hoping the weather is warm enough for shorts as long as possible! Not looking forward to buying maternity jeans, this is my first heaviest-in-winter pregnancy.

Gender: We are having a boy! We announced it here, in case you missed it.

Movement: Yes, but not nearly as strong or as often as the first two pregnancies. I suspected {and was confirmed at my ultrasound} that the placenta is right in the middle/front of my uterus. This adds a thick cushion so the kicks and movements are felt nearly as much. I'm a little bummed now, but I'll be grateful in the third trimester. :)

Sleep: Still having crazy dreams, I mean really crazy. And really real. I still feel so tired in the morning. I wake up several times to use the bathroom and have to flip often in the night because my sides get sore. 

Symptoms: Heartburn is getting stronger every day. Feeling short of breath after any activity. 

What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy and not needing a body pillow in bed. 

Cravings: Lately and unfortunately I've been craving chocolate. Why all these things that add to the heartburn?? :(

Best Moment this week: Getting my 2 year old out of diapers! Looking forward to only having one in diapers for a couple months.

What I am looking forward to: Honestly, not being pregnant. I can't wait to hold this baby boy in my arms. :)

38 weeks

Even though I'm 'full-term' now I still have a couple weeks until the estimated due date. Little lady was 2 days past her estimated due date. Which for all intents and purposes could mean that my due date was off, since it really is just a rough guestimate any way. I don't really think of her as being 'late', to me she was right on time!

I don't really have much reason to believe that this baby would be any different, until I had my first exam and I was 3.5 cm dilated already! That's how far I was when I went into labor with Little Lady. So imagine my surprise when the dr told me I was that dilated at my 36 wk appointment.

Now I'm here at 38 wks, still no 'real' labor. I've had contractions that have gradually increased in intensity but then they just stop. They are usually in the evenings and I just feel all around crummy everyday starting around 3:30 or 4 pm.

I'm getting to be more and more uncomfortable and feel tired all the time. I ache and I feel sore and the kicks and jabs are getting more and more painful too. I've really enjoyed this pregnancy for the most part, especially compared to the last one since I was so sick almost the entire time. But I'm really feeling done. I want to get back to being able to be active with my almost 15 month old. I want to eat and not feel like one bite fills me up, only to be starving half an hour later. Not to mention I'm so over breathing fire after every single thing I eat. I practically have to sleep on an incline or it's just an open passage of acid going up and down my throat all night.

Speaking of night time, I can not get comfortable for the life of me! I sleep on one side only to wake up to a sore hip, so I spend about 5 min trying to roll over to my other side and then to get comfy and fall back asleep is a whole other thing. Poor Stud Muffin is no longer able to get a very good nights sleep because my rolling around wakes him up! {And I DO feel bad for him since he has to get up and go to work everyday... at least I can try and nap when Little Lady does and I get to be in my pj's all day long if I want to be!}

So enough of my complaining... this baby will come. He or she can't stay in there forever! And when that time comes, we are going to be so excited!!!!

So on to the update/belly pic:

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a honeydew melon 

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 12 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I pretty much feel like being in my pj's all day! I dread getting dressed each morning because the only thing that is comfortable is comfy clothes.

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Movement has changed from sometimes rapid movements and jabs to much slower and intense kicks and stretches. We are definitely running out of room...

Sleep: I am up several times a night to go to the bathroom. But a lot of times I don't really need to go, the baby is often putting pressure on my bladder making it feel like I have to go. Just practice for the schedule to come... It's getting more and more difficult to get comfy.

Symptoms: Crazy dreams, heartburn and reflux, pretty tired all day, frequent bathroom breaks.

What I miss: Being able to do as much activity with Little Lady. And when she wants to cuddle it gets a little tricky, she trys to get comfy but my growing belly just gets in the way :D

Cravings: Most of the time I lack an appetite. I usually settle for a bowl of cereal. I snack a lot, I feel so full with not much food at all.

Best Moment this week: Spending quality time with Little Lady, giving her extra attention before our whole world changes!

What I am looking forward to: Meeting this little person who will be added to our family so soon! And I have my 38 wk ob appointment tomorrow! Praying for progress...

Updates.

***UPDATE: Clarification on my comment at the bottom about miss Sweetcheeks making her appearance soon, that is a friend of mine's baby girl and she had just texted me to say she was in labor and going to the hospital! You can read more about her if you click here .

This weekend I did my best to keep myself busy without being too active. Knowing that this birth is so close makes me feel so restless and I hate just sitting around and wondering and waiting!!

Since this weekend was a drill weekend, we were without Stud Muffin during the day time. {I'm on maternity leave until January!} Yesterday we went to a friends house and helped with a project she's working on for the women's retreat our church is doing at the end of this month. I'm pretty bummed that this is the first one since I started attending this church that I won't be able to go to. They are so much fun!! It's a weekend away in the mountains with 'The Girls' and not to mention the amazing time soaking in my sweet Savior! But there is always next year...

Today that same friend and her husband came over after church service to help me with a surprise for Stud Muffin...

Ever since my OB appointment last week he's been feeling a lot of pressure on his to-do list before baby comes. Since that may be sooner than we ever anticipated, he's been worried and a little stressed.

Recently we sort of gutted our kitchen to get rid of some stuff that was really just taking up space and causing us to feel cramped. We also decided to purchase a pot rack to hang our pots and pans to give us more cupboard space. I found one on eBay that was a really great price. It came in last week, the day we found out I was so dilated...

So I got a great idea to get some help with hanging it for Stud Muffin while he was working and take some pressure off of his to-do list!! I couldn't wait for him to come home and see :D

It's not the greatest picture but you can get the idea. Right now we have the chandalier still up because we need a light in the kitchen but I think we are going to replace it with track lighting. And I'm hoping to get our walls painted this winter!

And with our pots and pans now out of the cupboards I have room in the island for more pantry space. Which is so wonderful because our pantry is ridiculous and hardly even a pantry. It's been a struggle to keep it organized or even to easily see what's actually in there! I'm often buying things that we already have and it's been very frustrating. But this has created a great solution. Check out my extra space:

I'm planning on using these pull outs for canned and baking goods since this side of our island is just opposite the stove/oven! I'm so excited :D

And when Stud Muffin got home he was very pleasantly surprised! 

Or maybe it was just that he was happy to see his family... Either way, I love to see these two smilin'!

And on another note:

Here's my 36 week pic and update.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 36 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a honeydew melon 

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 12 lbs {I actually lost 2 lbs since the last time I was weighed, probably because of being sick and throwing up so much.}

Maternity Clothes: I pretty much feel like being in my pj's all day! I dread getting dressed each morning because the only thing that is comfortable is comfy clothes.

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Oh yes! This baby is very active! Mostly at night when I lay in bed to go to sleep.

Sleep: Still having crazy dreams. I am also up several times a night to go to the bathroom. Just practice for the schedule to come...

Symptoms: Crazy dreams, heartburn and reflux, pretty tired all day, frequent bathroom breaks.

What I miss: Being able to do as much activity with Little Lady. And when she wants to cuddle it gets a little tricky, she trys to get comfy but my growing belly just gets in the way :D

Cravings: Most of the time I lack an appetite. I usually settle for a bowl of cereal. The last 3 days though I've been craving cookie dough something fierce!

Best Moment this week: Having my the dr tell me at my OB appointment that I'm already 3.5 cm dilated.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting this little person who will be added to our family so soon! Also hearing about and seeing pictures of little miss Sweetcheeks if she makes her appearance anytime soon...

34 weeks

Throughout this pregnancy I've only been doing updates by the month {or as close to as possible} and that was simply because I didn't want to commit to weekly updates on top of taking care of Little Lady. But I was thinking that I would like to try and update every two weeks now, the same as my OB appointments are now. We'll see how well I'm able to do that....

I also thought it would be fun to post my belly pics from when I was pregnant with Little Lady, just for a little fun and comparison sake!

Here I am with Little Lady {I was 33 weeks in this picture but it's close enough!}:

And here is my belly pic for The Sequel this week:

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 34 Weeks

Size of baby: 17 in and 4.5lbs + 

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 14+ lbs {since I was in the hospital for my appt I didn't get weighed this week.}

Maternity Clothes: I pretty much feel like being in my pj's all day! I dread getting dressed each morning because the only thing that is comfortable is comfy clothes.

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Oh yes! I can tell it's getting cramped in there!

Sleep: Crazy and random dreams have been waking me up in the early mornings and then I have trouble falling back asleep because I lay there and think through the insane dream I just had!

Symptoms: Crazy dreams, heartburn and reflux, tire easily, frequent bathroom breaks.

What I miss: Being able to do as much activity with Little Lady. And when she wants to cuddle it gets a little tricky, she trys to get comfy but my growing belly just gets in the way :D

Cravings: Most of the time I lack an appetite. I'm still really hungry but not too much sounds good to eat.

Best Moment this week: Having Stud Muffin finally home for good from his training.

What I am looking forward to: Working on the nursery and spending quality time with Little Lady!

Pregnancy update and other things.

The last two weeks have been INSANE for us!

1. Stud Muffin has been away for a 6 week training and he finally graduated last Thursday (Sept 9)! I was so proud of him and his commitment over that time period. I know it was extremely difficult to be away from his family for so long and we certainly missed him!! On top of the pressure of being away from home for 6 wks, he was busy doing homework every night {to include 20+ pages of reading a night, 3 speeches, several papers and even more tests}, community service tasks, and he volunteered for the flag team where he was responsible for retreat and revillie. He even had the honor of being a part of the POW/MIA ceremony at his graduation dinner. I was so excited to be able to attend his graduation dinner and honor his accomplishment.

And then that night he surprised me with a room at the Broadmoor Hotel and we had a wonderful time away, just the two of us! Little Lady got to have a fun sleepover with some friends who are like family to us. :D

This was the view from our room:

Let's just say this place was WAY out of our league but it sure was fun to live in luxury for just one night. I don't think I could take more than that of some one always opening the doors and carrying your bags.

2. The second big thing this past two weeks was we, Stud Muffin and I, both had to work for 4 days for an inspection our base was having {we are both in the Air National Guard}. This was difficult for me because I'm a stay at home mama and I love being with my baby girl! I was certainly glad to have that over with and now I have the next 3 months off while I have {and recover from having} this baby!

3. On Monday I woke up feeling nauseous and actually threw up several times during the day {one not so pretty time happened to be in the car, while driving} and then on Tuesday, same thing. On Wednesday morning I had thrown up 4 times and couldn't keep anything down for the life of me, not even taking Zofran would help. Not even clear liquids. I knew I was drying up and would need to get fluids ASAP. I called my OB office because I wanted to avoid going to the ER and having that charge if at all possible. 

When the OB finally called me back, she instructed me to go to the Labor and Delivery unit at the hospital and have IV fluids given to me. When I got there they hooked me up to the baby heart rate monitor and the contraction monitor. The baby was fine, but I was contracting, mostly because I was so dehydrated. They got a quick flowing IV hooked up and started pumping me with fluids as well as a good dose of Zofran. I finished one bag and they got a second one going. After the third bad had almost emptied and the contractions had pretty much subsided, they decided to release me. 

The nurse took out the IV and and got my release paperwork together and I got back into my street clothes. As the nurse was reading the paperwork to me I started to feel nauseous again and even got a few sharp pains in my stomach {not contraction pains}. I told the nurse and she asked me what I wanted to do. Since I had spent the last four hours sitting on a slab of rock they call a bed in the triage room, I just wanted to go home. {Keep in mind I had driven myself there. Stud muffin had stayed home with Little Lady}. She it was up to me and that she would get a wheelchair to take me down and out to my car. We proceeded to go down the halls of the hospital and I was praying I could make it home with out losing my stomach again.

We didn't make it. I moaned and she ran to the nearest door to get a bucket. I managed to hold it in until she returned but she turned the wheel chair back around and took me back to the L&D unit. Luckily she took me to an actual room where the beds are at least lightly cushioned... There I was put back on IV and given another dose of Zofran. My OB happened to be in {by this time it's 10pm} doing a delivery so she came in to check on me. She perscribed me some Ambient so I could sleep and she said she'd be back in the morning to see how I was doing. {My OB office is in the hospital.}

After they gave me the Ambient I was out! I remember a nurse coming in once to scan my arm band because they we giving me Pepcid through my IV. I had heartburn really bad from all the throwing up. I was wishing I could hook up an IV of that stuff at home since I've had heartburn this whole pregnancy! I didn't wake up til around 8:30 {which is sleeping in when I'm usually up at 6:30 with Little Lady!} and I felt really groggy. My Ob came in shortly after and said that I could try some clear liquids, slowly. As long as I could keep those down with out a hitch I would be able to go home, if not they would keep me until I was able to keep something down. So I had a little apple juice and some jello and then some chicken broth. I kept it all down so I finally was able to come home!! I just spent yesterday recovering and resting since Stud Muffin was able to stay home again. And today I feel so much better!

And that's about it for us {as if it wasn't enough ;P}

I'll post a 34 week update and Little Lady's 14 month update sometime this weekend.

The Sequel: 6.5 Months

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 27 Weeks


Size of baby: 14 inches from head to heal and 2+lbs!


Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 7lbs


Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah. Lots of skirts and dresses on these hot days!


Gender: It's a surprise!!


Movement: Oh yes! Almost all the time but especially when I lay on my side.


Sleep: This depends on Little Lady... but I have started waking up even if she doesn't just to go to the bathroom.

Symptoms: Crazy dreams, heartburn and reflux, feeling winded easily, frequent bathroom breaks.


What I miss: Being able to sleep on my stomach! I missed this really bad when I was pregnant with Little Lady and it's starting to be the same this time. My hips start hurting after sleeping on only my sides.


Cravings: Not too many specific cravings anymore and I'm so grateful to be able to eat just about anything I'm hungry for with this pregnancy, unlike the first one.

Best Moment this week: Little Lady turning 1! And realizing that we have less than 99 days too go! We are on the downhill now! :D


What I am looking forward to: Finishing up clearing out the soon-to-be second nursery so we can start prepping for The Sequel!!

20 weeks

Baby bean is now 20 weeks old!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:  20 weeks

Size of baby:  Weighs about 10 1/2 ounces and is 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom {10 inches from head to heel} which is about the length of a banana!

  

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  7lbs so far

Maternity Clothes:  I've been wearing dresses and skirts. My non-maternity pants no longer fit. I plan on wearing summer dresses and skirts all summer long!  

Gender:   ??? Going to be surprised!

Movement:  Getting stronger! I feel kicks and when the baby rolls around.

Food Cravings:  The cravings have died down a bit. I did crave a ham and cheese sandwich about a week ago. :)

What I miss:   Not burping every meal the rest of the day. Not needing to eat every two hours.

Sleep:  Vivid dreams most nights.

Symptoms:   Hungry all the time, tired all day, swelling belly ; ].

Best Moment this month:  The increase in movements!

What I am looking forward to:  Our ultrasound next week!!

16 weeks

We had our 16 wk appointment last Thursday and it went really well. We got to see our dr from when I was pregnant with E. She just had her first baby in February and has been out on maternity leave for our previous appointments. It was good to see her and I'm excited to be back with her for the rest of this pregnancy.

We heard the heartbeat and it was in the 150's.... so the old wives tale would say that is a Girl heartbeat! Who knows!?

Our next appointment in June will be with our ultrasound! I can't wait to 'see' our little baby bean, wether a he or she we are so excited to meet this baby!!

And now for the belly update :)

Pregnancy Highlights**

How Far Along:  16 weeks

Size of baby:  4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. About the size of an avocado.

  

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  7lbs so far

Maternity Clothes:  I've been wearing dresses and leggings. My regular pants no longer fit. I plan on wearing summer dresses and skirts all summer long!  

Gender:   ??? Going to be surprised!

Movement:  Been feeling flutters!!

Food Cravings:  Pineapple, Taco Bell, Carmel Frappachinos

What I miss:   Not burping every meal the rest of the day. Not needing to eat every two hours.

Sleep:  Vivid dreams most nights.

Symptoms:   Hungry all the time, still sick in the evenings, tired all day.

Best Moment this week:  Feeling flutters for the first time!

What I am looking forward to:  Our ultrasound next month!

{**I got the idea for this from another blog I stumbled across. I liked it so I'm going to be using!}