Today's the Day...

I'm going to be leaving for the hospital in just a little bit. So exciting! I probably won't be able to post anything (unless Matt brings me his laptop in the hospital), so look for an update in a couple days when I'm home. Wish me luck! :)

Another Update

Went to the dr this morning, and everything is fine. I'm dilated just a bit more than the 4 cm I was this past Monday, but no other progress. Baby is doing great -- just waiting for him to quit teasing me! He offered to let me go to the hospital today and help get things going, but I opted to let him come on his own this weekend. Dr was pretty sure that he'd come on his own over the weekend as well. If not, we're headed to the hospital on Monday morning to be induced!

I'm having a few sporadic contractions, but nothing too strong. We'll see how it progresses throughout the day. Mom did make it here, about the same time I got home from getting Carter from preschool. We're both exhausted from long nights, so looks like it will be naps for everyone this afternoon! :)

Update...

So, regular contractions have stopped. I have no idea what's going on. What's funny is we're joking he's waiting until Grandma can get here. My mom got stranded in the middle of the night on her way here in Springfield, OH, with a flat tire. Someone had stolen her spare a while ago too! Luckily, she was at a rest area. Unluckily, nothing was open to help her. My dad drove out and they had to wait until something opened this morning to get a new tire.

I'm going to call the dr's office to let them know what happened and see if I need to come in for a check. I know baby's fine, because he's actually quite active this morning (and was last night during contractions). They got stronger at the end, then just kind of stopped. I went to sleep to get some rest, fully expecing to wake up and go to the hospital.

I'll keep you updated...

Contractions!

I've been having somewhat regular contractions since around 8:30pm tonight. They were still quite far apart until 12:18am -- then they were about 10 minutes, give or take a minute or two. Still could be anytime that anything more happens though. They are getting more intense, but I know they'll be getting much worse. :) My mom is on her way, driving through the night to be here when the little guy is born. My friend Tanya is waiting the call to come be with my kids if we have to take off to the hospital soon. I'm so excited and anxious for him to arrive!!

Today's Dr Appt

An exciting appt this morning! I am measuring 42 weeks (I was 37 weeks last Friday), am a full 4 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and the baby's head is at a -2 (which means he's pretty darn low and almost ready to come out!). I'm also having some contractions today -- nothing too strong or regular, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's here fairly soon. :) Dr said I made a lot of progress in one week, and also stressed that if I start regular contractions or my water breaks to get to the hospital FAST. She thinks it'll be a quick labor! For now, I've got an appt scheduled for next Monday -- then we'll set up the induction for next week (prob Tues) -- but dr said she wouldn't be surprised if he's here between now and then. Me neither!

I'll keep you updated as more happens!

An Update...

I had a dr appt this past Monday (36 weeks) and still haven't posted about it! I was a little more than 3 cm dilated and dr was pleased with my progress. He said I basically just have to actually go into labor! Oh, but when I do... don't mess around -- just get to the hospital! I think because of the way I'm progressing now, he thinks it will be a quick labor. We'll see, as you never know. The plan is to still induce on Nov 25th, if I make it that far (and that's according to doc). This week I have been having more Braxton Hicks contractions with my stomach "balling up". I've also started losing my mucous plug, but that could be due to the dilation.

Other news from the appt... Dr doesn't think he'll be bigger than Carter, but he could be as big (9 lbs 12 oz). They don't want him to get too big, but know that I delivered Carter easily. My strep test came back negative, my blood pressure is great, and I lost 1/2 lb this week (up 27.5 lbs overall). All great news! I'll go back on Monday morning for another check.

Matt has been in California since last Saturday so it's been a little rough on me this week. Of course, this is the week that I got super uncomfortable walking, lifting, bending over... The kids and I were in Cincinnati for Amber & Eric's engagement party on Saturday, then my parents came home with me. They helped me (like crazy!) around the house Sunday-Tuesday. It was really nice having them here, and we got so much done! It all makes it very real that baby could be here anyday.

Lauren and Carter are now all moved into Lauren's room. Lauren has adjusted very well to her toddler bed -- we moved her on Nov 2nd. Carter is actually excited to sleep in the same room too! I'm still getting all the clothes and toys situated, but at least the priority stuff got done. Carter's room is set back up like a nursery and it made me a little sad that it wasn't his room anymore. But we'll have a new little guy in there, and that's exciting!

I feel like I've been doing non-stop laundry all week too. All the baby's clothes are washed and (almost) put away. I also pretty much finished buying Carter's and Lauren's winter clothes. Plus the normal laundry, towels, sheets... It never ends!

Matt will be home very early Saturday morning (closer to Friday night). It'll be nice having him home, and will let me worry less about going into labor! Luckily, I have so many great friends "on call" should something happen before he gets here. They've also been keeping me busy and company while he's away. We're headed to one's house for dinner tonight, and another's for dinner tomorrow. It's so nice having company and not having to worry about it! I think I would've gone crazy without my parents and friends this week -- thanks, everyone!

35 Week Picture

For your viewing pleasure (HA), here is the picture of the week. I paired it next to Lauren at 35 weeks, with another comparisons below.

(35 weeks with baby boy; 35 weeks with Lauren)

(38 weeks with Lauren... a much better comparison!)

Dr Appt, 35 Weeks

I had another dr appt early this afternoon. Both kids went with me, but they behaved well. Luckily, I was in and out in twenty minutes. :) The heartbeat was very strong, as always, and she mentioned how active he was. She measured my belly, but I completely forgot to ask what it was. I'm assuming it's still on track, which would put me around 39 weeks. I had to have the group B strep test as well, so she did a cervical check while I was undressed. I'm already 50% effaced and 2 cm dilated! She said that if we were to induce, my cervix would be ready. Good news to me!

Carter told her that the baby was coming on Nov 25th. She asked him what if he came early? He answered that he'd be here Nov 25th because "that's what my mom told me." ;) So, the dr is thinking he might come earlier on his own. Guess we'll wait and see! I have another appointment in a week with another check. Matt's out of town all next week so let's hope baby at least waits until after then!

(Oh, I just have to add that before leaving the room, Dr Weiler said she'd see me in a week -- unless I needed them sooner. Hopefully not... I'm not completely ready to have him yet!)

34 Week Picture

Okay, so you've already heard how I'm feeling this far into my pregnancy. Today I actually had some energy, up until 4pm anyway. ;) I just wanted to share the latest picture. And yes, I know I'm huge. :)

It's taking its toll...

This really has been a great pregnancy. I've had lots of energy, hardly any sickness, low weight gain... But lately it's really starting to take its toll! My energy is winding down -- or dwindling fast when I do have it. Taking care of a house, husband, and two kids is almost getting to be too much for me. Most the time I can only look at what needs to be done, wishing I could just get up and do it. I do one task then have to sit and rest. It's so frustrating! Today is a day I have a lot to catch up on and NO energy to get it done. I keep getting short of breath and feel like I'm going to fall asleep standing up! It could partially be due to the Benadryl I took last night for my eye... Yes, that stuff really knocks me out! I'll keep going somehow, because life (and my kids) doesn't stop. :)

Major accomplishment for the day: Cutting my toenails. You know you're impressed. :P

Baby Shower

Yesterday my wonderful friends Christan and Mandy threw me a fabulous baby shower. I know it's number three, but this was untraditional. Everyone brought a casserole for me to freeze for when after the baby is born! What a great idea! We played some great games, and each one gave me a list of names (starting with every letter of the alphabet) for ideas. Who knows... maybe the name was revealed at the shower and only those in attendance get to know. ;) I have pictures of our fun posted, so enjoy!

Thanks to all those who came and made this so much fun! Having a good meal after the baby is born is going to be so much easier now. :) We also got some adorable first outfits and diapers to start us off. You guys are great!!

Geez...

You know you're HUGE when a lot of your maternity clothes don't fit anymore, and there's still 5 weeks left! This is crazy... I feel like I'm trying to cram into regular clothes when I get dressed. I'll post a 34-week picture later so you can see. Ugh... what am I supposed to wear now?

A little pregnancy humor...

Dr Appt, 33 weeks

Okay, so I knew that I felt WAY more pregnant than I actually am. In 2 weeks, I've grown 3 cm! Being that I was already measuring 2.5 weeks ahead, I'm now measuring 3.5 weeks ahead! I was 33 weeks along last Friday and today I measured 37 weeks. Dr Weiler put it bluntly -- I'm growing a big baby! She said there's no way they'll let me go to my due date (WOO HOO!). For now, she wants me to tentatively think about inducing on either Nov 25 or 28, so I avoid Thanksgiving and can be at home for the holiday. At my upcoming appointments they'll be able to tell if it needs to be sooner or later than that, after checking my cervix and making sure I am actually ready to have the baby. They don't like to go more than 2 weeks early just to be sure the lungs are developed. Matt thinks they just have my due date wrong. :)

Everything continues to go smoothly. Baby is very active and healthy, and so am I. I've gained 21.5 lbs overall and my blood pressure is excellent. I go back in two weeks and will hopefully know more then! :) I guess we better get a move on naming him, getting baby clothes sorted through and washed, and getting the kids' bedrooms rearranged!

33 Weeks... Really? Only that many?

I was 33 weeks along this past Friday. Hard to believe it's coming up so fast, but also hard to believe that I'm only 33 weeks! I think this pregnancy has gone by the slowest. I've still been feeling great, other than being more tired lately. I think that's to be expected though! Still working on a name for him -- I really want him to have a name by the end of this month. At least Matt and I have been talking about it more! I do think he needs to be more serious than naming pro football players. ;) It'll get done... and maybe to continue driving everyone else nuts, I won't tell! HA!

Here are some pics to compare. I know I missed last week's, but actually got bigger this past week! Surprisingly, I gained no more weight. :)

(33 weeks with baby boy; 33 weeks with Lauren)

Just for fun, here I am at 36 weeks with Lauren... two weeks ago I was measuring 3 weeks ahead. What do you think? I think it's a better comparison...

I have a dr appt on Monday morning, so look for another post then!

31 Weeks and Dr Appt

Wow... 31 weeks! In the single digits of weeks left. :) I've still been feeling great, other than tiring out easily. My sciatic nerve/back only bothers me when I've been doing a lot of walking; now it's more the ligament pain that gives me grief. It's not all that often, though. I can tell baby is getting bigger -- sometimes it even hurts when he moves! And he moves quite often... :)

I went to the dr today for another checkup. Dr. Stowell said everything seems perfect. He thinks the baby will land somewhere in between my previous two (Lauren was 8 lbs 3 oz and Carter was 9 lbs 12 oz), although Matt teases me that he'll be even bigger than Carter. Let's hope not! He's definitely head down and has a great heartbeat. He's also gone through a growth spurt since my last appointment, as I'm now measuring 3 weeks ahead! So when will he come? Let's hope at least a little early... I don't think I can last another 8-9 weeks! As for me, my blood pressure is still great, and since I found out I was pregnant I've gained 20 lbs. :)

The first is me today... The second is with Lauren at 31 weeks (at my baby shower with Mandy, who was 26 weeks pregnant with Sam!). It's the same shirt, and no it didn't shrink! He's definitely lower and bigger!

The Name Game

Okay, it's REALLY time to start talking names. And I know you all probably think we don't take any name suggestions seriously, but we do! In the end it is our decision, but we love hearing the names people like. We're kind of stuck -- so please let us know your favorite boy names! Feel free to post more than once, as you think of them. :)

30 Weeks

So, I'm not going to write much. I'm 30 weeks 4 days along now, and feeling even more so! I wanted to get the pic posted -- this time I wore the same shirt and stood the same as I did with Lauren. Better comparison... what do you think?



Okay, so I think he's bigger, and definitely sticking out more. I wasn't shaped like this for another week with Lauren! (No wonder my pants won't stay up... look how low and oval my belly is!)

Dr Appt, 29 Weeks

I had another doctor appointment today. Saw Dr. Greathouse again, but only because Dr. Stowell was delivering a baby. I'm scheduled with him again next time. It's been a while since I've seen him! Anyway... things are going very well. Baby is moving a lot, and seems to be moving during my exams. I measured 30 cm (30 weeks, a little ahead of where I am now), had good BP, and baby's heartbeat was excellent. Everything was normal with the glucose test last time as well.

I told the doctor about the sharp pains I've been getting. She confirmed my suspicions that they were ligament pains. I mentioned them because they're so much worse than my previous pregnancies -- so bad sometimes that I can't move! I also feel nauseous with them sometimes. She said they actually do get worse with subsequent pregnancies, which surprised me because everything's already been stretched once! They're at their worst when my uterus goes through a growth spurt. I notice them when I've been active or bending a lot. But, nothing to worry about. I go back in another two weeks!

Oh, and a milestone reached -- THIS IS MY 100th BLOG POST!! :D

Duh...

So I was on a website and one of the ads on top read, "Wanna know how to get pregnant?" Seriously... I think we all know how that happens! I know there are some technicalities separate from the au natural way, but I wouldn't click on an ad for that.

You know, someone that found out I was pregnant with number three asked me, "You do know what causes that, don't you?" Like it was some mistake and I shouldn't be having a third. I don't know what was going on in their minds! Even if they were attempting humor, it didn't humor me at all. Rather, I found it very rude.