Constant Beginnings

I have had an interesting past few days. They have been filled with to-do lists, wrapping up another Graduate class, finishing the nursery, arranging care for Claire & Mya, picking up and packaging the cookies that the girls will bring to share with their friends at school and favors for visitors/nursing staff, packing my hospital bag, packing baby's bag, continued waiting and praying for news on Chris' retirement (numbers have been cut dramatically and the odds don't look great) and trying to soak up some time as a family of four. I thought for sure this little guy was trying to bust out on Tuesday evening as I started having contractions at 7 pm until 6 am the next day. I slept for about three hours, then moved to the couch where I learned of the great late night/morning line up on AFN. Seriously, it felt as if I was in the States--the Today Show, Hoda & Kathy Lee, Queen Latifah (had no idea she had her own show), the View, and Young & the Restless. It was lov...

I had my 38 week appointment yesterday. Mya joined me and helped take my blood pressure and assisted Dr. Downer. She was so excited to help. Everything looks good with Pedro. He is measuring on target, heart rate was 150 bpm, but laying oblique. Obviously, since he'll be a repeat c-section it doesn't truly matter how he is positioned, but I did feel reassured that the repeat was the right decision. I also tested positive on the GBC, which is a strain of strep. Again, this basically means nothing since he'll be delivered c-section, but interesting as I never tested positive with the girls. I gained 50 pounds this pregnancy. I was doing so well, but obviously my body likes what it likes. 50 pounds is pretty much what I've gained during each pregnancy. I will say that I think most of the weight is truly in my belly. I've worn the same maternity pants throughout my pregnancy and only gone up a size in shirts. I think overall, I've carried this little guy diffe...

I had such a great attitude-Yesterday. Today it is crap again. I just want to be done. I want my body back. I want to wear my "skinny" clothes and by skinny clothes, I mean before children skinny clothes. Yes, I've saved them all, although pieces will need replacing because I'll need a huge reward when I get to the point of wearing them again :) I want to jump into our new life as 5. I want to jump forward knowing that all is well, that all of these loose ends that are here now, will be gone soon and I want assurance that our girls will adjust with all the changes that are about to occur with open arms, happy faces and loving hearts. I want, I want, I want.... I had such a great attitude--yesterday. Somehow it was lost around bedtime last night. I shared this change with Chris. His response, "reset." If only it were that easy. It should be that easy. But obviously I am a complex person in a chaotic life. Nothing is easy. No decision is taken lightly. My Mo...

I picked up little dude's bedding today. On a side--not sure what to call him. Don't love "baby," dislike "buddy," so hands are kind of tied until he arrives and I can reveal his name to the general population :) Anyway, I ordered all the fabric online and had a local spouse sew it all together. She captured my vision perfectly! She is still making the blanket, cushions for the rocking chair and ottoman, so I cannot post the entire nursery yet. However, we are definitely seeing progress and I LOVE IT! My sister kindly noted that the deep red fabric looks very pinky. I'd have to agree, but rest assured it is deep red and lovely. 

7 more weeks to go! It cannot come soon enough! I am dying for life to get back to normal or at least reclaim my body, but obviously, super excited to meet our little guy. The girls had a birthday party for a friend this weekend and a random party goer approached me and said, "Congratulations! You're having a boy, aren't you!?" I didn't know her from Adam, so of course, she was guessing purely on the way I am carrying. I was totally excited! I do think I am gaining less weight all over like I did with the girls,  but I certainly do not possess that cute little basketball in the front either. He is getting to be one big beach ball! I've gained 30 pounds so far and would love to stick to that. We had an ultrasound this morning and we decided to bring the girls. They were so excited! Claire mentioned that in previous pictures, the little dude looked more like a dog than a baby. She was really hoping things have changed. And changed, they did! He is looking grea...

I am well into week 29 now. I've made my best effort to savor this pregnancy and simply enjoy each moment, knowing it will be my last. That being said, my feet are killing me, my lower back is in excrutiating pain at  the end of the day and I want nothing more than to wear sweatpants to work each and every day. Ha! I am ready to be done! I only have about 9 more weeks to go and I know it will pass quickly. I cannot wait to hold this precious boy in my arms. He will be so worth the wait! I finally dropped the fabric for his bedding off to the gal who is sewing it for me. I can't wait to see some progress pictures. I think it is going to be so cute! I've been stalking the online sales pages in hopes to find a dresser and finally found one for $20! Mya decided she needed one that was a bit larger and truth be told, this one is more feminine than the chest of drawers she is currently using, so we swapped them. I filled his drawers with all the clothes I've been collecting...

I am officially 27 weeks and I feel HUGE! My energy level was high up until a week or so ago. Now it seems everything is a struggle. I go to work, then yearn to lay on the couch. Sadly, my to do list is only getting longer, so laying around isn't so much an option.  In terms of all things baby, I feel great. He is a mover, but it goes in streaks too. He tends to move around alot when I lay down at night, but it seems his sleep cycles are fairly in sync with mine at this point. Let's hope that continues. I've picked up a few more things for him. I am feeling pretty well prepared and am not worrying so much that he'll be dressed in pink. We have a name, which we aren't sharing with the general public yet. I have no swelling, sleep well at night and my only complaint is my lower back pain that I feel by night's end. I will take it all. This pregnancy has been pretty easy. I took my 1 hour glucose screening this week and was completely freaking out about it...

We have made it beyond 25 weeks and nearly to 26 now. Hard to believe that in less than 100 days, we'll be meeting this little guy. We are so excited. The holidays have certainly helped pass the time and I know March will be upon us before we have time to blink. I feel so badly as I have done a pathetic job of documenting this pregnancy. Life has gotten the best of me. Between Claire's schedule, Mya's schedule, my schedule, Chris' schedule and finally our family routines, time to reflect and think has been kept to a bare minimum. I do feel great. My clothes still fit nicely. I am wearing my prepregnancy staples of cardigans and colored t-shirts with my dress maternity pants each day to work. Friends at work were asking how I was feeling the other day. My comment was simply "large." I feel like I look larger than I did with the girls at this time, but another friend, who typically tells it like it is, spoke up and told me I look great! She asked if I was at...

At 15 weeks we went to a German OB for an ultrasound. He was 99% certain that it was a boy, but I wasn't convinced since it was so early. Well, 5+  weeks later, it is still a BOY!! I never thought I'd be a boy mom! I just assumed since we already had two lovely girls, that maybe we'd only have girls. What a surprise! Chris is ecstatic. I am too, just shocked! He is measuring a bit ahead right now--15 ounces, heart rate was 158 bpm. Other than that, he looks perfect. His hands stayed pretty close to his face the entire hour of our appointment, so we only saw glimpses of his little eyes, nose and mouth. He looks beautiful and we couldn't be happier. Let the shopping begin.

Little One, Here I am at work. Trying to work, but can't seem to keep focus on anything but you. The anticipation is growing. Everyone is excited. Mya talks about you all the time. Claire cannot wait to meet you. Daddy is convinced you are a "he," whereas I am not certain. Not in denial, just not convinced. I do want to know, see the proof. That will come soon enough. In a little over one hour to be exact. I am now 20 weeks, 5 days and we are going to the doctor for the anatomy scan. Daddy and I will look at you with amazment. Pure joy and happiness as our prayers have been answered. We frequently sit in disbelief, finding it hard to believe that this is real, to see God's plan for our family is becoming more and more clear. I am excited to see your beautiful face, your 10 fingers, 10 toes and watch you kick and wiggle around. It is today that we will see if you are in fact, a little girl or a precious little boy. Each wonderful. Each a gift. You are, swee...

This poor kiddo is already getting the short end of the stick. I used to be so prompt about keeping pregnancy updates, but life has taken over. 2 kids, activities, 2 school schedules, work, and life has gotten in the way. This is my first real update. I am going to keep it short and sweet this time in hopes I can keep up with updates every few weeks. I finally took my first pregnancy picture this week too! Amazing! How Far Along:  19 Weeks Size of baby:  8 ounces Total Weight Gain/Loss: +9 pounds Maternity Clothes: Yes. I still wear one pair of pre-pregnancy jeans, but dress pants are definitely maternity. Shirts are mostly maternity. I wear alot of cardigans that are not maternity. Gender: ?? Movement: A few "butterflies" here and there, but mostly at night. Symptoms: None. I feel great! My energy has returned for the most part and I've been having some pretty decent hair days. Nothing to complain about. Sleep: I am a great sleeper. Our kiddos ar...

We are heading to Italy for the long weekend--Pisa, Cinque de Terre and Florence. It will be a whirlwind trip, but again, crossing off 2 of our "must sees." It should be fun! I had my 16 week check up this week. Claire and Mya were able to listen to the baby's heart rate. It was 160 bpm.  I'll also throw in the fact that the Chinese calendar is once again predicting a boy for us. If you've read my posts from my first two children, the Chinese calendar predicted them to be boys as well.  Hmm.....

Chris and I had this elaborate plan on how we were going to share the news with our girls. I ordered adorable shirts, which took forever to get here. They were supposed to ship Oct. 4, but didn't. I am not a patient soul at all. I love to share good news and spread the excitement. We went to a German doctor last week for a gender reveal ultrasound. He was 99% certain of his selection. Claire and I began looking at clothes online. She asked questions about why we were looking at baby clothing, but thankfully, my sister has a little guy and a baby girl who is due in December. They are my perfect excuses for all things baby! Claire asked nothing more and began pointing out things we should buy Jackson or the new baby girl. Our weekends typically involve partaking in a local event or just relaxing, which means a trip to the KMCC Mall. Saturday we went shopping or at least looking. Once again, the girls became excited, choosing items for Jackson or the new baby girl. I decided I cou...