Where Are My Shades?

35 weeks and 4 days along today. Wow, that feels good! Little lady does not appear to be wanting to leave her nest anytime soon.

Last Friday at my weekly check-up I was given a quick ultrasound just to check position, fluids, etc.etc.etc. The doc was poking and prodding around on my belly with her hand before she started and she said "I think she's head down now!" "Oh no," I, Dr. Mom, assured her. "She has been breech this entire time and I haven't felt her move at all, so I'm pretty sure she's still got her little hind end down there."
Well - upon taking a peek we see that indeed she is no longer breech! Her little head is now right down there where it belongs and her feet and directly in line with my ribs to make for some pretty good kicks!

I was measuring about a week ahead, which means she's even bigger than we probably originally thought. I'm okay with that!

She is just looking perfect in there. She was practicing her breathing and her little heart was just beating away around 150 bpm.

I was told that I could gradually begin to do more here and there around the house. I still shouldn't get too cocky until 37 weeks, but at least now I can help out a bit in the kitchen, fold some laundry, change a diaper or two, and just get involved in my house again! It feels so good! The boys seem to be enjoying having their Mommy back and have wanted to do a lot of cuddling and get some TLC here lately.

In addition to helping around the house I am also scheduling a few short little outings to get out of the house too! A pedicure and haircut are in my foreseeable future!

I also was so touched when two dear friends,Dana and Mary, threw me a mini baby shower last week. It just so happened that Mary was in town at the same time as my Mom, so they threw together a little celebration of this new life that will soon join our family! It was just so thoughtful and felt so nice to get out of the house for few minutes!

So...all in all, doing good! Finishing up some projects here while I have the time, realizing that soon this time of laying around will really be a thing of the past!

4

4 weeks from today I will finally meet you face to face.

4 weeks from today your brothers will get to hold their baby sister for the first time.

4 weeks from today your Daddy will have a little girl in his arms who can begin to melt his heart.

4 weeks from today we can start life as a family of 5.

4 weeks from today I can nuzzle my face in to your neck and breathe in the smell of you.

4 weeks from today I can hear your tiny cries.

4 weeks from today I can study your little fingers and toes and kiss each one.

4 weeks from today...

4 weeks from today I will have to say goodbye to these amazing feelings of life inside of me as you kick and stretch and grow.

4 weeks from today I will have to share you with the rest of the world and this time that you just you and I have shared privately will be no longer ours.

4 weeks from today my precious daughter...

you will be here.

Relief

This morning I got a call that my second fetal fiber nectin test, which they gave to me last Friday, was also negative. This means that there is more than a 95% chance that I will not be going in to labor until I am at least 35 weeks! This also means that they will not be giving me steroid shots like they did with the boys. They also will no longer be doing weekly cervix checks, but instead will just let us ride this thing out and see how far we can go!

I will be 34 weeks this Thursday. I am continuing to feel great and I'm not experiencing much at all in the way of contractions or anything like that. I really have this feeling that she is going to be staying put for quite a long time to come. I am praying so!

I think the plan is to keep me on bed rest at least for now. Even as the weeks pass I do not think I will be resuming the full load of carrying for the boys, the home, cooking, etc. Chris and I just want to do whatever we can possible to bring her in to this world healthy and full term! Oh what an incredible blessing it would be if we could bring her right home from the hospital with us and our family!

Her nursery is pretty much all ready to go. Her drawers are filled, clothes are hung in the closet, name is chosen and painted for the wall, crib is made...it is all becoming so real! We are getting pretty excited about meeting this new member of our family!

In the meantime having my Mom here this past month has been just incredible. My Dad will fly out this Friday and spend a week with us, and then the two of them will fly home together on August 5th. I don't even want to think about having that goodbye! We have all gotten so attached to having "MaMaMa" here with us. The boys absolutely adore her, and I do kind of think she's enjoyed having this time with them too. She has just totally jumped right in with both feet and she is helping out around here so much. It has been such a huge blessing of this entire pregnancy twist to have her here with us.

Sorry for being so quiet on the blog. When the boys are here I spend most of the day being entertained by them instead of on this computer!

Here is a recent pic of our little lady taken last week:

I just can not get over how stinking adorable she is! I see that little button nose and it reminds me so much of her brothers! What a miracle!

This is Dangerous!

It has become apparant that leaving me home alone with internet, my wallet, and a baby girl on the way is a very dangerous thing!


I am practicing good self control so far, but my Etsy cart is growing by the minute!

Come home soon Chris before I cave!


Just look at all these cute GIRLY things!!!

I found a tutorial to make hair clips like these. Now...if I could just go shopping for the materials!

Monthly stickers to apply to a onesie for pictures. I thought it was a cute idea!

Little hair clips

Oh fer cute!

:)

Parenting

Becoming a mother is always something I longed for. How many times did I make my brother David play the role of my husband as we played house and tucked our dolls in for bed at night? (He was such a great little brother!)

My cabbage patch doll Mamie had a daily schedule of feedings, naps, play time, and baths.
From the time I was maybe 16 I started a list of potential names for my some-day babies. (Is that creepy or cute? Not sure.)

And now here I am...at 31 years old...mother to three.

Motherhood is everything that I ever dreamed it would be, but SO much more.

So much more of everything. Every emotion.

So much more intense.

So much more demanding.

So much more responsibility.

So much more fun.

So much more love...

As I have these days right now to lay here at home while my family is in Minnesota it has given me such special time to focus on the mother that I am. The other night my friend Carla prayed that this time of bed rest would be a time of refreshing for me as a mother. A time where I could focus and spend time thinking about, and praying for, my children - for them now, but also for their callings and their destinies...and I feel that I have had time to do just that!

For the first 30 weeks of this pregnancy it shot by me so fast. I was finding myself so busy and "full" with the boys that I never seemed to have the time to just sit back and anticipate the arrival of our daughter in to this family.

These past few weeks as I have laid here and felt her kick, move, and grow I feel that we have grown so close. I have even been talking to her a lot these past few days as we lay here alone together! I've been singing to her, reading to her, praying over her...and it's just been pretty special! I am truly thankful for this time alone I've been given with my daughter.

I have also, in the past few days, started reading "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp. It had been laying on my night stand for the past 6 months or more, but I finally picked it up and started plowing through it. Truthfully a while back I had started skimming through some of the first few pages, but I had then tossed it aside because it wasn't practical enough for me. I wanted it to give me step by step directions on how to handle exact situations that arose in my home, like the little boy laying on my kitchen floor screaming and kicking because he didn't get his way, or the two little boys who are shrieking at the top of their lungs while wrestling around the living room and trying to bite each other... and I didn't find those answers in the book!

What I have found so far in reading through his book though is his firm belief that parents must deal with the heart of their children. If we just respond to the inappropriate behavior and don't think about where that behavior is stemming from, we are not getting to the heart (haha) of the matter.

It just made sense to me. If you have a child who is, for example, caught in a lie, it is important that our child understands the heart issue about lying. Why don't we lie? What does the Bible teach us about lying? Who are we hurting when we tell lies? Why does it hurt ourselves when we lie? If we can get our children to understand the deeper truths and Biblical basis for how we live, then it goes beyond us being the ones who are running the show and telling them do this, don't do that.

So often I have already found that I can be a parent who disciplines my sons out of my frustration or irritation. If they are being too loud for me, or if they are disturbing my peace, or if their fighting is making me mad, then I react. This book talks about taking our emotions out of the equation. We don't punish and discipline to appease ourselves and our own selfish wants, we should instead do it because we care about our children! We want to raise them to be aware of the decisions they are making, and why making those decisions is important.

I have only made it through the first few chapters, and I still have a long way to go and a lot more dissecting to do, but I have really been gleaming a lot from it so far.

When it comes down to it though parenting can be such a daunting task! I so often doubt myself and my ability to be an effective mother to my children. I think about how many things I am doing wrong, or will do wrong along the way. I think about how much counseling they are going to have to go through to try and erase the memories of their childhood with their crazy mother! And the truth is...parenting is tough! Parenting is scary! Parenting is a HUGE responsibility! It gives me such incredible peace though to know that I'm not doing it on my own. First of all I am fortunate to have an amazing husband who stands beside me as an incredible father to these children. He truly is an amazing gift in their lives. But...he is also human just like me. Both of us realize that we need one higher than us to help and guide us along the way.

This book has also given me a bit of a wake up call. So much of parenting comes down to where our hearts are at too. What example are we showing to our children? How do I handle times when I am stressed? When I don't get my way? When someone has done me wrong? Do I lie? Do I show anger? Do I lash out at those around me?

If I spend all my time thinking about the hearts of my children but spend no time nurturing and feeding my own heart I will be of no good to them.

Just some thoughts...

So Thankful

Yesterday morning I went in for another check up of our little girl. They wanted to do a detailed ultrasound and get some weight estimates as well as recheck my cervix via ultrasound again.

I have been battling fear and anxiety some the past week thinking ahead to this appointment. I was nervous that things perhaps would be even worse, and of course my mind begins to jump to the possibility of needing to be put on bed rest in the hospital, or the fear of her coming now at just 32 weeks. This past Wednesday though I had some dear girlfriends pray with me before this appointment. It really helped me to have such peace going in yesterday morning.

So - I went in for my ultrasound. They checked her first and found that she is still completely and totally frank breech. Her little tooshie is just pushing on my bladder and her arms and feet are just hanging out above her head! Luckily, since we are planning a c-section for September 2nd I don't have to be too concerned about it - she just doesn't seem very comfortable to me!

They took measurements of her head circumference, her abdomen, and her femur. With those measurements combined they approximate her weight to be about 4 pounds, 8 ounces right now. I was so excited about that! I thought that I looked too small yet to be carrying around a four pound baby, but maybe that's just because I am used to carrying around 2 of them! She is measuring in the 58th percentile, so she is just a perfect little thing! We are so thankful!

They also checked the amount of amniotic fluid around her and found it to be just the perfect levels.

They then checked my cervix. 2 weeks ago my cervical length was 27 mm. 2 weeks prior to that it had been 35. When they checked it yesterday it had gone back up to 39! That is an amazing change for the better! Bed rest is definitely working and paying off. Even with me pushing down on my belly and creating pressure the numbers barely changed! I was so excited...nearly giddy! Thank you Lord!

We are hopeful and anticipating that as long as I keep off my feet and continue to take it easy this little lady should have no problem riding out this pregnancy for quite a long time to come still and just stay put and keep packing on the pounds!

The Dr. said that in a few weeks if things continue to go well I may be able to get off bed rest, but I am not sure if I will want to! If I can keep her inside until 39 weeks and allow her to grow and grow and grow, that is exactly what I want to do!

Belly pictures to come soon!

A Whole Lotta Busy

I tell ya.

2 18 month olds are a lot of work fun.

From the moment they wake up shrieking and giggling in their cribs at 7:30 till the moment they crash back in them for naps at 1 and then shriek and giggle again at 4 until crashing back in bed for the night at 7 they are ON THE GO.

Constantly moving.

Exploring.

Touching.

Climbing.

Grabbing.

Poking.

Talking.

Giggling.

Yelling.

Stomping.

Twirling.

Running.

Eating.

Fussing.

Crawling.

Throwing.

Bouncing.

Dropping.

Crying.

Drinking.

I don't know how the energy that these two little boys produce could be harnessed, but it could be a major money maker if we could figure it out!

They are a blast.

They completely keep me on my toes all day long, but by the time bedtime arrives the last thing I want to do is walk on them any longer!

I continue to pray and cover this little girl with protection that she will remain safe and secure in her little home even with all the bending, cooking, peacekeeping, bouncing, sitting, standing, comforting, crouching, chasing, lifting, changing, sighing, singing, and reading that this Mama carrying her does in a typical day.

It is a home full of activity. Full of signs of children.

Chris and I often just smile and laugh as we look around at our changed home. Finding toys in the most random of places, a kitchen rug that can NEVER stay clean, and fingerprints covering every inch of wall space 3 feet and under.

It is a wonderful time. A time that is completely exhausting and at times completely overwhelming...but so full of love, hugs, kisses, cuddles, cheesy grins, and all that good stuff.

Here are a few pictures taken at the NICU reunion we went to a few weeks ago. It was so much fun to see some of the boys nurses and doctors again after 17 months. The boys had a great time running wild and free. They rode a teeter totter for the first time and also went on their very first train ride! Chris and I both got emotional after we buckled them in and watched them ride away with all the big kids on the cow train!

Grayson and Gertie

Grayson is the 3rd one back and Ethan is the caboose. They were the tiniest little guys on there! The mother in front of Grayson kept a close eye on them for me. She is a mother of curly headed twin boys born just 2 weeks before ours!

Ethan on the slide

...And There On Your Left You'll See Week 26

Things are just moving right along in the baby growing department!

We have passed the 26 week mark. I can't believe it's going so fast!

I am going to dedicate some time this week to sorting through clothes and start getting some outfits washed, hung, and put away!

Chris and I think we have decided on a name for our little girl. As we did with the boys, we are deciding to keep the name a secret until her big arrival. There is just no other name that I love as much, and whenever I say it to her, or say it to the boys, it just does something to my soul. I just feel like it's meant for her!

I am getting really excited about her arrival.

I don't know if it's fully sunk in that we are going to have a third child in this house. It is going to be wild to see Ethan and Grayson as big brothers.

We have been talking a lot about the baby and the baby sister. They know that the baby is in my tummy, and they give her many gentle hugs and kisses. My friend Irene told me that our local library has a huge bin full of books that can be checked out all on the topic of bringing home a baby sister. I want to get this for them and start reading some books to make the topic even more comfortable and familiar!

Things are continuing to go smoothly during this pregnancy. I have been going in every two weeks for visits, and they are closely monitoring me to make sure there are no signs of preterm labor. So far, so good! The cow shots are continuing for another 10 weeks or so.

Here are a few pictures taken at 26 weeks:

20 Weeks, 4 Days

This morning I had my detailed 20 week ultrasound. They checked for all those important little parts, and checked on the growth of Baby Itsy Bitsy to make sure she was growing okay.

She checked out just perfect!

Oh.My.Goodness. I can't tell you how much fun it is to be pregnant with one little baby! To focus my attention and love to my little daughter growing away there in my uterus.

She is just precious and I love her already. I want to squeeze her, and kiss her, and snuggle up with her face against mine...

Her little button nose was just so irresistible today during all those pictures. Her little fingers were tucked up under her little chin and she was just having a grand ole' time!

Everything is progressing just as it should be. She is measuring in at around 14 ounces right now - so we've almost got a one pounder on our hands!

Over half way there!

I had fun looking back on this post from my pregnancy with E and G to compare where they were (and how big I was!) around this same time frame.

I feel SO much smaller this pregnancy, and I can't believe I had gained 30 pounds at this point with the boys! Wowsa Big Mama!

Drum Roll Please!!!

Welcome to our new little family blog! Glad you hopped on over here and joined us. I would love it if you would become a follower of this blog. You can sign up on the right hand side of the screen. That way you can be informed whenever I post anything new and keep up with our exciting lives!

I really, really, want to do better on here about posting about the every day little things that occur in my life. Not just the things about my children (although they take up pretty much my entire life, and they are often times all that I really have to talk about), but if other things come up and I want to share my thoughts, feelings, cravings, or favorite pizza toppings - well then, I just might do that!

So...to begin...

Why don't we start with a little pregnancy update shall we??

I turned 18 weeks yesterday. I know this because I went to the Doctor and they told me. I have been so bad this time at keeping track of just how far along I am. With the boys I knew the exact week and the exact day, but this time I know a rough estimate of where I'm at, but then I let them tell me, just to make sure!

My cow shots are going along just fine. Chris's Mom is an R.N. and she taught Chris how to give me the shots. Nothing like having your rear end exposed in front of your husband and mother-in-law while they discuss where the upper right quadrant of my heinie is before plunging the needle in! I only have like 20 more shots to go, so the end is in sight. Ha!

I am continuing to feel fantastic. Heartburn has getting reaquainted with me again in the evenings around 9:00, but so far it hasn't been a problem for me to sleep at night and I'm not yet laying in bed with twenty pillows (give or take 15) propping me up to try and lessen the pain.

Just this past week I have started to feel the tiniest of little flutters. They are totally sporadic and very faint, but I'm just going to say that's what it is! I remember with the boys it wasn't until after 2o something weeks when I started feeling them.

And yes...we did find out the sex of baby #3! We weren't sure if we were going to or not, but Chris really wanted to, and I was on the fence. Well yesterday I had a quick ultrasound and the technician said that she could certainly get a good glimpse and picture if I wanted her to. I caved pretty quickly! She told me to turn away, so I did. She then took a picture of the little parts, put the picture in an envelope and sealed it up. I drove all the way home with that little while envelope staring back at me and I didn't even open it!

When I walked in the door after my appointment yesterday Chris, Ethan, Grayson, and myself sat down together on the couch and we opened it up. This is what we saw:

Chris and I both started to cry. We were completely thrilled and over the moon with the reality that a little girl would soon be entering our family! Ethan and Grayson just looked at us with these huge grins, and Ethan even covered his open mouth mimicking my response! Oh, if only they could understand what this means!!

I instantly had to call my Mother and all I could say was "It's a girl! It's a girl! It's a girl!!" She just cried along with me. What a gift a new little life is, especially during this difficult time of just losing her Mother and my Grandmother.

We would have been completely, completely, completely satisfied either way - but this to me is perfect for our little family. I'm excited to see who this little one is going to look like, will she have my lips like I share with my mother, will she have my sassy attitude that my parents used to love when I was a preteen, will she have dimples from her daddy?

I know that I am going to be a busy Mama. Trust me, I am already. I know that I will suffer from lack of sleep for a while. I will have moments where three under the age of two is going to seem like a bit more than I can handle...I am certain of it. But I am also certain that this little family of five is a HUGE blessing and gift. I am so thankful that I am being granted the privilege of raising and caring for three children! Bring on the houseful of laundry baskets, burp clothes, baby spoons, and teddy bears.

I can't imagine it any other way.