34-36 Weeks - Baby #3

This pregnancy overall has been a little different than the other two and has proved true again with false labor. The other night Robert and I were sitting on the couch and I started feeling like I did the same night I went into labor with Wyatt. I kind of panicked, as nothing was really ready for the baby (car seat, hospital bag, a name, etc.) and we didn't have a plan for the boys if I were to go into labor. Talk about third child/pregnancy problems.

On Saturday I was home all day alone with the boys and it was an insane day - just one of those disasters of a day that involved a lot of poop, spills, booboos, crying, comcast guys working on our house for over three hours, fighting, and overall insanity - all while having contractions and cramping. I am wondering if this baby is going to tease me for the next four weeks (no thank you!).

Needless to say, I hopped on Amazon over the weekend to order a few baby essentials, since we lost all of our newborn items, packed the hospital bag, and installed the car seat base. 

I had an ultrasound today and baby looks great! He is measuring 6lbs 7oz and on track to be about 8lbs, if he comes on my due date. Baby was super active during the ultrasound and the doctor was really happy with all of his measurements (head, belly, legs, etc.) and positioning (he is head down and ready to go). We saw his cute little butt chin and chubby little cheeks - just like his brothers! 
Beyond excited to meet this little man and for his brothers to meet him <3

31-33 Weeks - Baby #3

Soooo exhausted and ready. I am out of comfortable clothes, sleep is just ok, and I am really looking forward to feeling like myself again! 

Baby boy is on track to be about 8lbs at delivery - bigger than Hunter, but smaller than Wyatt. His heartbeat has consistently measured 144 and he is measuring right on track for mid October. We get to see him on an ultrasound in a couple weeks, which is always fun.  

Thankful next month we will meet our sweet boy and can't wait to see him. 

28-30 Weeks - Baby #3

Just bumping along here. Seeing my doc every three weeks and baby is head down. He is moving so much these days and moves my whole belly around like an earthquake. He weighs over 3lbs and feels huge in there! 

25-27 Weeks - Baby #3

Hello third trimester! 

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though I am not feeling great and am so beyond tired, I know that I am moving forward and in the home stretch.

We recently found out that we have to move out of our house find something new, so with the move and a week long vacation in Tahoe, I am hoping August/September will fly by. 

Baby boy is moving around like crazy these days and doing full on body rolls. Hunter still seems pretty excited about the belly and finally calls it a "brudder" instead of a sister, haha. 

As we move into our new house I will be sure to update the baby's space, as right now he does not have anywhere to sleep! Third child problems.

22-24 Weeks - Baby #3

Nearing the end of 24 weeks with baby #3, phew. Happy to say I am six months pregnant and only have three more to go. I am feeling really big these days and, honestly, not loving being pregnant as much this time around. The bigger I get, the harder it is for me to play with the kids and maintain the house. 

Being home all day with the kids we use a lot of dishes, play with a lot of toys, soil lots of laundry, make a lot of messes, etc. - which means I am busy busy busy trying to clean up the aftermath 100x per day. I am exhausted. And I know it isn't going to get any easier :)

On a positive note, the baby likes to move when I am getting ready for bed every night. He is still a quiet guy in there and doesn't seem super busy yet, but I have felt a few big rolls and can feel (and see) he is growing fast. My belly feels more like I felt at 30 weeks pregnant last time and I am kind of scared to see how big it will get by the end of the pregnancy.

Hunter loves to kiss him and curl up with me on the couch or his bed and snuggle the bump. I have a feeling he will be really sweet and caring with the baby once he is here, as he is really gentle with my belly and with his baby doll. I can't wait for all the boys to meet each other. Thinking of them lined up in matching jammies makes me so excited. 

What's new with the baby?

Your baby is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at about 1 1/3 pounds. Since he's almost a foot long (about the length of an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. 

19-21 weeks - Baby #3

Going on 22 weeks here and already feeling b-i-g. 

I finally ordered maternity clothes, so I am looking forward to a package delivery in the next few days and hope I will be more comfortable! 

I have gained 11 pounds so far, but it feels like a lot more and the yoga clothes just aren't cutting it for me anymore, even though they are the most practical :)

Hunter still thinks he is getting a sister and asks if he can touch and kiss "her" every night before bed. We correct him and tell him he is getting a brother, but he doesn't seem to be convinced at this point! Sorry buddy!

What is new with the baby?

• The baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — about the size of a carrot. 
• You may feel like he is practicing martial arts as movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges.
• Your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

16-18 weeks - Baby #3

Well I guess you could say I popped! The past two weeks have been pretty uncomfortable with lots of cramping and lack of sleep. I think the baby was just making itself a comfy house in there because I can definitely tell my belly has grown. I don't remember such a dramatic growth spurt in such a short amount of time happening with my last two pregnancies and I think my belly has caught up in size to where I was the last two times. 

I still have headaches almost daily, wahhh. Drinking water is a big challenge, which likely contributes to the headaches, but if I drink a lot of water I feel nauseous - so there's that. Sleep is not great, but not terrible. I don't have a pregnancy pillow this time around, so I think a lot of my discomfort is positional. I am trying to get through without buying one because they are pricey and I don't know if I will ever need one again.

Exercise-wise I am doing more than I did the last two times around since I am home with the boys. I think I walked about 7 miles yesterday and I probably average about 3-5 miles per day, depending on what we are doing. 

size of a bell pepper

We have our anatomy scan next Wednesday to make sure the baby is growing on track. This is the ultrasound where we would normally find out if the baby is a boy or a girl, BUT this time we are going to wait and find out with our families over the weekend. We'll ask the doctor to write the sex down on a piece of paper so we don't see it right then. I can't wait to share the excitement with my family and it is going to be hard not to have the doctor just tell us during the appointment.

13-15 weeks - Baby #3

Hello second trimester! Baby is now 4 inches long and the size of an apple. 

I am finally feeling out of the woods with all the first trimester exhaustion and nausea- hooray :) 

I am in the process of switching doctors so I am not sure when my next appointment is, but I was told my new doctor would likely do a baseline ultrasound, which means we get a bonus look at our little babe. Can't wait! 

I am sad to be leaving my physician at Stanford, but it makes sense for me to be closer to home, especially now that I am home with the boys everyday and they aren't at daycare. 

I am still not showing nearly as much as I was with Wyatt at this point which surprises me being my third pregnancy. I am also having some heartburn this time which I didn't really experience the last two pregnancies. I think I remember having it twice at the verrrry end of Wyatts pregnancy. 

I started feeing flutters at 14 weeks and can't wait for those baby kicks to get stronger. Overall I feel pretty normal and can't complain :)

Growing

Family of FIVE

Robert and I are excited to announce we are expecting baby number 3! I found out in February I am pregnant and due October 17th with our third little babe. We are so, so excited and can't wait to find out if it is a boy or girl (probably not for another couple of months). 

So far I have been feeling the same as my last two pregnancies, tired and nauseous, but overall not as bad as some women have it. It is challenging keeping up after two toddlers and feeling "sick", but somehow you just push through and do it. I am currently 12 weeks pregnant and thankful to be out of the first trimester. I seemed to pop around the same time as I did with Wyatt, but this past week the bump has disappeared and is no where to be found! 

I've been taking weekly pictures like I did with Hunter and Wyatt and love looking at the comparison shots. Crazy and amazing how our bodies change. We can't wait to meet you little babe!

Telling Robert the news on Valentines Day <3

Baby #2 - 39 Weeks

Let's hope this is my last weekly update :)

I am officially out of clothes to wear and am popping out of my maternity tops - yikes. Last week Robert and I both got some sort of 24 hour bug, which was not fun at all. I spent most of 24 hours with my head on a pillow feeling like death, unable to eat or drink anything, but am happy to report that all is (mostly) well this week. Every other day I seem to have lots of energy, while the other days I am planted on the couch. My doctor's appointment on Friday went well and baby boy is still happy and moving around in there.  
Don't get too comfy big boy.

Cooper knows what's up

Other than that, I am just enjoying my maternity leave with yoga, errands, visiting Robert at work, organizing, baking (!), and relaxing. Next appointment is on Friday..

What's the baby up to? 

• The average baby is about 20 inches and weighs about 7.5 pounds. 
• The baby has reached its final birth position. 
• It will be cramped inside your uterus for much movement.
•  Your baby will continue to punch and kick but lower in your abdomen, under your pelvis.

 The average baby weighs in at over seven pounds, but can be as much as one or two pounds heavier or lighter. It can vary with each baby, and there is no cause for concern. Your pregnancy is considered full term now. At birth the umbilical cord will stop working when the child takes his first breaths of air outside of uterus. The child's breathing will trigger changes in the heart that will force all blood to go through the lungs. Baby is restricted in movement as there is no space left in the womb. You should be finding it easier to breathe now that the uterus is dropping away from the diaphragm.
You may be experiencing the nesting syndrome by attempting to clean, cook, shop and prepare for the new arrival (mm hmm). This is very common, just be careful that you do not wear yourself out. You need to conserve your energy for the hard work ahead in labor and birth

Baby #2 - 38 Weeks

I am officially off of work - whoohoo. 

We spent Monday under the weather, so that wasn't great, but Tuesday Robert was back to work and Hunter was in daycare. I got a lot of stuff done around the house (nesting craziness) and treated myself to a manicure and pedicure. Blissful. I was also able to pluck my eyebrows - amazing what you can do when you have some extra time on your hands!

no make-up and no work clothes, ahhh

I am feeling a lot better about the baby arriving now that I have prepped the house. I set up his bed, changing station (those diapers are tiiiiinnyyy), and clothes in our room, cleaned out closets, made room for bottles in the kitchen cabinets, packed my hospital bag, and rearranged some storage in the nursery. Makes it all feel so real!

teeny tiny things

I've hit the point in pregnancy where I wake up feeling really hungover and feel like I've been hit by a truck. I remember this from last time and it's no bueno. I also have headaches and feel like I have a cold, but I am positive it's just a pregnancy symptom as I had it for most of my pregnancy with Hunter.  

My next appointment is on Friday and I will find out if the baby has made any progress. In the meantime I will be cramming in lots of Cooper walks, yoga, and errands while I have the freedom.

I bought my first muffin pan and baked!

What's the baby up to?

Length of a leek

• Baby is about 20 inches and weighs about 7.5 pounds.
• The soft down, which covered the body throughout the pregnancy, is now disappearing.
• The body fat is continuing to build up, baby putting on about 1oz a day.
• The wrinkled skin is becoming 'baby' smooth.
• The baby may have reached its final birth position.

Development is complete, baby's main job is to gain weight. The body continues laying on the fat stores at a rate of about an ounce a day, that will help regulate his or her body temperature after birth. Baby may have a full head of hair now, an inch or more long, but some babies are born with only peach fuzz. Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby for weeks has disappeared. This week, your baby weighs around seven and a half pounds and measures about 20 inches head to toe. You are almost at the end of your pregnancy. Your weight should not increase much from this point. It should remain between 25 and 35 pounds until delivery (hit 25lbs).

Comparison shot

Baby #2

Hunter

Overall these pregnancies have been very similar. Same weight gain, same symptoms. I think baby #2 is a little lower, but that's to be expected. Hard to believe there is still room to grow...yikes. 

Baby #2 - 37 Weeks

Full term! 

Nesting is in full effect and I find myself consumed with to-do's. I know if he came tomorrow we would all survive just fine, but as a planner I can't help but check as many to-do's off of my list as possible. Happy and relieved to report that I only have two more days of work. I feel silly walking (waddling) around with my patients and honestly it's awkward because I look like the pregnant patient looking for labor and delivery instead of an employee.

Sleeping is still good, aside from a few nights here and there when I wake at 2/3am. I am so thankful for the sleep, as I know my dreamy nights are limited. I am still feeling wiped in the early afternoon but usually get a second wind around dinner time when the dinner, clean-up, bath, etc. rush happens. Side note: Hunter puts himself to bed now and it is the cutest thing ever. After dinner he pulls out his baby or stuffed bunny and says "nigh night!" The first couple times I thought it was a fluke but he keeps doing it..so funny.

a peek into our blurry mornings before work

Other than the above, I feel the same a last week - pressure, headaches, and contractions. Can't wait to meet this little boy. I am so curious to see if he looks like Hunter! A million questions go through my head and I just can't wait to lay my eyes on him. I also can't wait to know what his name will be.

What's the baby up to?

• Typically, baby now measures 19.5 inches from the head to the heel.
• Baby weighs up to 7 pounds.
• The head diameter is over 3.5 inches.
• The water could break at any time.

Gaining one ounce per day, your baby is growing rapidly. An elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when baby stretches and squirms about (yes, ouch). Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.
Even though you are three weeks from your due date, you are now considered 'at term'. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop your labor once it starts, even if it is before your 40th week.

Baby #2 - 36 Weeks

Less than a month to go!

This week I am experiencing the typical nine month pregnancy symptoms - cramping, back pain, lots of contractions, headaches, tiredness, etc. By 1pm I am ready for a nap and my brain pretty much turns into mush. I packed about half of my hospital bag and we pulled out the infant car seat to install. I also flipped through some pregnancy books to review, but honestly just don't have the time or motivation to read them. Ignorance is bliss at this point and I am trying to just make it through each day instead of stressing about the things I can't control.

To do: install car seat, buy baby a going home outfit, buy a stroller, arrange a space for the baby to sleep, and finish packing the hospital bag. I'll probably end up doing all of this on my first day of leave. We did narrow down our name list of three names, so I think we'll take those to the hospital and wait to meet the little guy before making our decision. So hard this time around :/

I started training my replacement this week at work, which is exciting and hard to believe. I am happy to be handing over the torch for a few months, but also nervous about leaving my work in the hands of someone else. I just keep reminding myself that I get to wear yoga pants and spend my days staring at a newborn and then the work stress melts away :)

I am so, so excited to have a newborn again! <-- I might be eating my words next month sometime around 3am, but that's okay.

What's the baby up to?

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a head of romaine lettuce). He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath.

Baby #2 - 35 Weeks

..and 35 days to go. 

This week we discussed names and managed to cut our list of thirteen names in half - I'd call that progress. We are also getting closer to buying a new car, so we are slowly but surely moving in the right direction. 

I came down with a cold and also experienced my first migraine - ouch. Now I know what auras look like and hope to never experience them again. Also, my left hand went numb during all of this which was pretty alarming. After a quick call to the doctor and lots of water and sleep, I am feeling a little better. I had my coworker check my blood pressure this morning and all is good there, so I am hoping it was a one time thing.

What's the baby up to?

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (about the size of a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Baby #2 - 33 Weeks

So.much.pressure this week. I feel like I am literally going to pop. Not sure how seven more weeks of baby growth is possible.

I officially have my last day of work before maternity leave on January 19th and am excited to have the countdown on my calendar. Hello yoga clothes, goodbye dresses and heels. 

Excuse the cherrios everywhere. I can't be bothered with bending over anymore unless I'm not getting back up for awhile. 

What's the baby up to?

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark (about the size of a pineapple). He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal.

Baby #2 - 32 Weeks

Just trucking along here at 32 weeks. Still dealing with some dizziness, hard cramping, and super-power baby kicks. This kid is strong and can take my breath away! In addition to those symptoms I've noticed my back has been pretty sore, especially in the morning. Walking through the hospital is increasingly becoming more difficult, but I do think it's good to be moving around. I find myself out of breath while trying to talk to my patients and that's embarrassing, but o'well! Luckily I am still sleeping at night, which is an improvement from my last pregnancy. I have nights that I am awake for a couple hours at 2am, but for the most part I am sleeping like a log from 8:30/9pm-whenever my human alarm wakes me, and I am thankful for that.

What's the baby up to?

By now, your baby weighs 3 3/4 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby (thanks baby!). In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (if he's anything like Hunter, he'll be a baldy for awhile).

Baby #2 - 31 Weeks

Single digits with nine weeks to go. The last several weeks have already flown by so I can only imagine how fast the next nine will go with Christmas and the New Year!

My little cheese ball had a rough few days and nights with a fever and teething. Thankfully we all slept last night and he seems to be feeling and eating better (he is laughing in that picture, such a morning guy!). 

Pregnancy-wise I am starting to feel maxed out: big, tired, and baby is constantly shifting the belly around. I've had a few dizzy spells and light headedness which I don't remember having with Hunter. It's a little concerning at work when I am out with patients so we'll see how the next few weeks go. 

I am thankful to have time with baby #2 still in utero, as we are so not ready yet! Take your time little guy :))

What's the baby up to? 
This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3 1/3 pounds (about the size of a coconut) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.