M – Page 5 – Jocelyn Rau

June 19, 2015June 21, 2015

It’s a boy?!?

Ok, yes, here I am, weeks late again with this post, but you’ve probably come to expect that from me by now, haven’t you? And I’m sure most of you know, or have assumed by my absence, that #3 has arrived!!!

So, without further ado, here’s the birth story of our adorable #3…

***

Sunday morning, May 31, 2015, started off fairly normal for being 9 months pregnant. I told Ryan around 9:00 or so that I was putting him on alert because I was feeling very slightly crampy, but I had also just pooped twice. Glad you know that now, aren’t you?

Thankfully the girls had slept in until about 8:00 if I remember correctly, so at least we got a good night’s sleep before there were 3. So anyway, I got the girls showered, got dressed, and set out to run some errands. I also texted my mom telling her that I was putting her on high alert as well, just in case, but that I hadn’t actually had any contractions. Then off I went.

At 10:40 AM, the first real contraction hit, right as I was pulling off the highway to go pick up a spare high chair for my mom’s house. I let Ryan know and started to think that maybe labor was actually going to happen that day. Up to that point that morning, I wasn’t convinced that the cramping was a signal of anything, since I was having zero other labor signs.

However, the next contraction didn’t come for about an hour, so I still wasn’t fully convinced. I thought maybe things would pick up later that night or even the next day, if they continued at all. But when I got home I texted my mom again anyway, then she called and we assessed the situation. I told her I’d had a couple contractions at that point, but nothing regular, long, or terribly painful, so she didn’t need to hurry to get up here. I did decide to ask her to come up, though, because I figured if I was feeling some contractions at that point, we’d probably need her sometime within the next 24 hours anyway. So she said she’d finish up what she was doing there then start getting ready to hit the road that afternoon sometime. My sister was in town that weekend, too, another reason why she didn’t need to speed up the pike. Arianne could watch the girls if we ended up needing to leave, although she was flying home Sunday night.

So we just hung around that afternoon, nothing special or feeling too urgent about anything. I put Lana down for her nap around 1:00, and contractions had started to pick up a little and were getting more painful. So by then I was pretty sure labor had, in fact, started with that first contraction at 10:40. I called the after hours line to my doctor’s office, since, once again, I was in labor on a Sunday. My doctor was not on call that day (again!), and the doctor who was was actually in labor and delivery with other patients, so the nurse with whom I spoke said that since I was past 38 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and thinking I might be in labor, I needed to go in to be assessed no matter what.

Say what?!?!

I wasn’t ready, we didn’t have anyone set for sure to watch the girls since Arianne had to fly home that night (and how was she getting to the airport if we were at the hospital??), and I was totally caught off guard. And THEN, in typical universe vs. Rau fashion, my mom sent me a text saying she had a flat tire and was dealing with it.

WTF?!?! I thought she was joking, trying to make me nervous, but once I spoke with her on the phone I realized that no, she really did have a flat tire and was only minutes from their house. So, after having to wait for AAA for what was going to be about an hour, she wasn’t going to be to our house until after 5:00. Crap!

So I quickly began texting our neighbors to see if anyone was around since things were starting to speed up and I was beginning to get really anxious. Fortunately a couple of them were, so I was put at ease that we wouldn’t have to abandon our kids in order to have another one.

At 2:00 I decided I’d better get in the shower, and told Della she could skip her nap that day to stay up with Auntie Arianne before she left. I didn’t want to get her all worried that I was getting to be in more and more pain and that Daddy and I were going to have to leave soon, so I just let her play. All she knew was that Grandma was coming and we might have to go get the baby that day.

While in the shower, I honestly thought I might not make it to the hospital. Contractions had started coming out of nowhere fast and furious, then they’d slow down for a while or stop all together. But by the time I got out of the bathroom, dressed, and finished getting the last things in the hospital bag, I knew it was time to go. NOW.

Thank heavens one of our neighbors had come over while I was showering, so both she and Arianne were there when we had to leave. I gathered up my bag and pillow, Ryan packed up all the camera gear, we gave everyone hugs and gave Della extra kisses, I thanked Arianne for coming into town for a surprise visit and wished her safe travels home, then we set off down the lake to await #3’s arrival.

We left for the hospital at 3:00, and, for the 2nd time, that drive down Lake Dr. was the most utterly painful experience. Why do those potholes never get filled?? I knew I was pressing my luck with time, because I had to hold onto the oh-shit handle again to deal with the pain. I was just scared I was going to miss the window to get the IV pain medication again that I so desperately wanted. This trip was not nearly as leisurely as it was when I was in labor with Lana, but it wasn’t quite as frantic as it was with Della. It was definitely closer to Della on the pain scale, though.

So we got to the hospital probably around 3:15, I went into the lobby and got in a wheelchair while Ryan parked and brought all the baggage in, then he wheeled me up to L&D one more time. When we got up to the check-in desk, it was like I instantly became invisible. I’m not sure if the nurse at the window wasn’t used to looking for laboring women in wheelchairs or what, but I swear she would not have seen me even if I’d had a rotating disco ball on my head. Dude, what is taking so long?? Can’t you see a baby is about to fall out into this wheelchair?!?

I felt so bad, too. Another woman had come up to the window, not in labor but presumably to find someone’s room, and she was saying how tiny I was and how big she had been with her girls, and yadda yadda yadda. I was trying to be polite and smile and nod at her, but I know all I was doing was grimacing at her as the pain in my gut worsened by the second.

After what seemed to be an eternity, Ryan finally wheeled me through the giant doors when some other random person came out, not even because the nurse had waved us in. Seriously, people, do you not understand the urgency of LABOR? That’s what the L in your L&D moniker stands for!

We then waited. Some more. When our nurse finally came out to take us back to the triage room, I was about ready to punch someone. That poor woman. I’m sure I was horribly rude when she was asking me how I was doing, etc., etc. But come on – I’m having a baby. That’s why I’m here! Why does everyone keep asking me? I’m not taking the tour again so I can see it from the vantage point of a wheelchair!

Into the triage room we went, she asked if I can leave a urine specimen, I told her she’s crazy (not really, but i wanted to), then I got my beautiful hospital garb on. Now here comes the best part. I got hooked up to an IV pretty quickly since I was group B strep positive again and needed penicillin before delivery (ideally 4 hours before again, as with Lana, but, oops), and she asked if she can check me to determine the progress. Well yes. Again, that’s why I’m here people! And I’m certainly not able to do that myself. So. Drumroll please…

“Well, Jocelyn, you’re 8 cm.”

What. The. F*ck. I did it again!! I waited too long. AGAIN! Did I not learn my lesson with Della? Apparently not. So now I knew that I was too late to get the IV pain meds that I wanted so badly and was going to have to do this all by myself. AGAIN! Motherf*cker!!

Ryan can attest to this because he saw the look on my face when she told me how far along I was – it was a simultaneous mixture of shock, horror, and utter sadness. I wanted to cry and hit somebody all at the same time. The last thing I wanted to do was have a 100% unmedicated delivery again, because experiencing that pain once in a lifetime was plenty for me. I’m not proud.

So anyway, they wheeled me down to the delivery room, where a bunch of other nurses, residents, and who-knows-whats came in and started asking me more questions. I think I glared at them all and answered no to everything, especially to the resident with the high, squeaky voice, who so sickeningly sweetly told me, “No, I’m sorry!” when I said, “So I can’t have the IV pain medication?” Ooo. She I wanted to save a really special punch for.

At one point, one of the nurses spoke with the doctor who was on her way in for delivery, and she gave the go-ahead for me to get a lower-potency pain medicine in my IV than what I had with Lana, but something that would still take the edge off the contractions. And the angels sang HALLELUJAH!!! I almost cried again, this time from elation and relief. Yes! Put that bad boy in my IV please, and STAT! And this one I could have every half hour, so you bet I had my eye on the clock. I got 2 doses before #3 was born.

Interestingly enough, I would have still been able to get an epidural at 8 cm dilated, which I almost ordered. The only thing that stopped me was the time factor – it would have been almost an hour before the anesthesiologist was there, got me prepped, got the epidural administered, and the medicine to kick in, all the while I would still have to deal with the pain of quickly intensifying contractions. I asked why I could do that but not get the IV meds, and it was because the epidural would affect only my body, whereas the IV stuff could cause sluggishness and respiratory problems in the baby when administered too close to delivery. But fortunately this substitute painkiller was low enough to not have that effect on #3. So there we go.

Even with the medication dripping into my IV, the pain in my lower back was killing me. So the nurse helped me roll onto my side to alleviate that pain from the baby pushing on my back. For as much as I could not heave myself into a different position, doing so really did help. Plus I was able to grab onto the bed railing to breathe through the contractions, for the pain wasn’t completely gone. I was facing Ryan once I rolled over but couldn’t see the contractions monitor, so it was funny to see his face during the big ones. Thank god and everything holy I had that little bit of pain help to get through those.

Ok, so. The doctor finally arrived and got decked out to catch a baby, and it was showtime. I kept saying I was starting to feel “pushy” with the contractions, so she checked me, my cervix was gone, and it was time to break my water. She even let me stay kind of on my side to fend off that back agony, which was great.

This particular delivery was really nice, because it was just the doctor, our same L&D nurse who’d I’d been such a bitch to at the start (i did apologize to her once i’d gotten the pain meds and she just laughed, saying that was nothing compared to some and they feel bad having to ask us all those stupid questions when we’re in such pain), one other nurse/helper/nasty bed sheet changer who was really just in the background the whole time, and us. They didn’t even turn the room overhead lights on all the way either. Very zen and much calmer than the utter whirlwind and room full of a circus that was Della’s delivery.

When my water was broken and it was time to start pushing, the nurse held one leg, Ryan had to hold the other this time, and I set to getting that kid out. My body was starting to fail me again, though, and the pain and body shakes made it hard for me to be able to hold the backs of my legs to push. But somehow I did. The first round I pushed 3 times, then waited for the next contraction. The next round I pushed 3 more times, the baby’s head was almost all the way out but I was spent and running out of air so I had to take a pause to muster more strength, then one final start/stop/start/stop/start/stop set of a push, and we had a head. As far as I was concerned, my job was done.

Then the shoulders were maneuvered out, the rest of that squirmy little body appeared, and I heard the doctor ask Ryan if he wanted to tell me what we had. His reply came, “It’s a boy!”

Ho-ly shit. It was over! And we had a little boy?! Wow.

They showed us the umbilical cord, because it was fully tied in a knot. The doctor said that’s really rare, so it was pretty cool to see. She slid the knot right up and down the cord, too. It wasn’t stuck in place like a knot in a piece of string. I talked Ryan into cutting the cord this time, too. Last chance and all.

But as for having a boy, I was completely shocked. By the end I was starting to assume we’d have all girls, so this beautiful little bundle of boy totally threw me for a loop.

But come on – this face just melts hearts.

Morrison John Rau

Born Sunday, May 31, 2015

4:54 PM

8 lbs., 20″

We did take a little while to decide on his name for sure, just to make certain it was the one we wanted (again, not really preparing for a boy), but it was the only boy name we’d had picked since I was pregnant with Della. So we finally put it into play. And yes, it’s musical – from Jim and Van.

So from first contraction to baby born, this was by far my shortest labor at 6 hours total. Looking back and knowing now that I was, in fact, in the early stages of labor with Della much earlier than I thought at the time, her labor was 12 hours total, and Lana’s was about 16 hours total. So this one being only 6 was another thing throwing me off – it progressed so quickly!

There it is. The birth story of our 3rd little Goonie. And our first little boy. I’m still not completely used to the fact that we do, indeed, have a son, but I’m sure it will sink in in time. I sure hope it does anyway! Morrison is the snuggliest little guy, and so far proving to be a pretty great sleeper and eater. He has started to wake up cranky, but I’m pretty sure that’s normal for a two week old. And that newborn smell is divine.

Welcome to our family, Morrison! You have made us 5, and we love you and all your little grunts and snuffles so much!!

the day we came home, after della got home from school

May 27, 2015October 5, 2015

38 weeks

Will this be the last update? …

How far along? 38 weeks. Della was born 6 days from now; Lana was born 8 days from now.
Total weight gain: Like 40 pounds. I was actually down 3 lbs. from last week’s visit at my appointment yesterday afternoon, so who knows what that’s all about. I’ll take it, though. Probably some swelling that had just gone down.
Maternity clothes? I’ll just make this easy. Yes. I’m having a baby in a matter of days; of course I’m wearing maternity clothes.
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet. And the third time around better not be when those suckers rear their ugly heads, either.
Sleep: Terrible. I’m uncomfortable all the time. I did get one of those big curly pregnancy pillows, which isn’t bad. I’ve begun sleeping on top of all the covers with just a blanket on me, though, because trying to position that thing and roll over while under all the sheets and comforter was a battle that I’m done fighting. And now my fingers have begun to swell just enough so that my hands hurt all the time, especially at night. Yippee!
Best moment this week: Finding out yesterday that there actually hasn’t been any more progression. Still 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Just lets me know that some of the pains I’ve been feeling aren’t anything to worry about. Yet. And hearing that the baby looked great on the monitors at my first non-stress test yesterday before my actual appointment. They hook me up to the monitors you wear during labor to track the baby’s heartbeat and movement, and we passed with flying colors. They want to see 2 heartbeat accelerations due to the baby moving around in a half hour span (the most boring half hour ever, i may add), and we did just fine. And the long weekend we just had. It was so much fun. We really didn’t do much, but it was nice just being home all together for a couple days while we’re still 4. Ryan got the swing up on the girls’ new swing set, and they had an absolute blast on there.
Miss anything? Being comfortable in my own body. I’ve reached that point, and unfortunately it arrived much earlier this time than I expected. Add to that being able to tie shoes comfortably, go for a walk without fear of peeing myself, and being able to stand up without feeling like my hips are going to give out on me because this kid is sitting right on them.
Movement: Yes, since 1 day before week 15. That’s the earliest of all 3 – D was 20 weeks and L was around 16 weeks.
Cravings: Not right now.
Aversions: Now that the first trimester is over, again, not really anything. Those first couple weeks, though, wow – life in general was an aversion of mine. Scents are still stronger than normal, but nothing like when I was pregnant with D and my entire sense of smell got turned upside down.
Gender: Did not find out. I’m still sure it’s a boy.
Labor signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Wonderful. And the dilation progression. Obvs.
Symptoms: Horrible daily heartburn, frequent pressure and tightening in my abdomen (the braxton hicks), my hair barely sheds at all when I brush and wash it, my stomach constantly “gets in the way” when I’m trying to do things like put on my socks and shoes, my back gets inordinately tired and hurts often, and there’s an almost constant stabbing pain in the back of my left sacroiliac joint. I literally get stuck getting out of a seated position it hurts so badly. My hands have also begun to swell just a tiny bit, which is resulting in constant aching. It’s not too noticeable when you look at them, but I can certainly feel it. I think the baby has dropped, too, because I get frequent shooting pains down the tops of my legs, which my doctor said are definitely coming from the baby’s head sitting right on my cervix. I know you wanted to hear that, didn’t you?
Belly button in or out? It’s out and it’s gross.
Wedding rings on or off? On. We’ll see for how much longer, though.
Looking forward to: Maybe making it to my hair appointment on Saturday? Also, finding out if little #3 is a boy or a girl. Also again, I’m very curious as to when he/she is going to make an appearance. For as much as I’m ready to be done being pregnant, it would be nice to finish most of the school year without having a newborn in the mix. Della’s last day is June 11 and my due date is June 10, so it’s a total crap shoot at this point. I would love to just make it until June. Stay tuned!

Possibly the last comparison shot? We shall see. I didn’t bother with exact dates this time, but left is around 38 weeks and the last picture with Della; middle is around 38 weeks and the second-to-last picture with Lana; and right is today, 38 weeks exactly with #3. How many more will he/she get?

May 20, 2015October 5, 2015

37 weeks

FULL TERM!! And in other news, my fingers have begun to feel like sausages. Excellent.

How far along? 37 weeks. Full term, kids. This baby could literally come at any time now.
Total weight gain: Like 40 pounds. I’ve had 2 appointments since last week’s update, so I can’t hide from the scale. I’m now just a little over where I ended with the girls, but my doctor says I’m just fine. I’ll still weigh myself again that very last day to see how much total poundage I packed on, but I think it’s safe to say it’ll be between 40-45 lbs. at this point. Hopefully no more! And hopefully it comes off as easily as it did the first 2 times since there’s that much more of it now, ugh.
Maternity clothes? I’ll just make this easy. Yes. I’m 37 weeks along; of course I’m wearing maternity clothes.
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet. And the third time around better not be when those suckers rear their ugly heads, either.
Sleep: Terrible. I’m uncomfortable all the time. I did get one of those big curly pregnancy pillows, which isn’t bad. I’ve begun sleeping on top of all the covers with just a blanket on me, though, because trying to position that thing and roll over while under all the sheets and comforter was a battle that I’m done fighting. And now my fingers have begun to swell just enough so that my hands hurt all the time, especially at night. Yippee!
Best moment this week: Having 2 doctor appointments and finding out that progression toward labor is actually happening. Friday I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced with the baby definitely head down, and today (Wednesday) I’m up to 2 cm and 80%. To me, that sounds like a ton of progress in 5 days, but my doctor said the exam has no bearing whatsoever on predicting labor. It could happen tonight (SAY WHAT?!?) or 2 weeks from now. She said that even though it sounds like a big jump, it isn’t really that much and not to worry. Obviously if I start having painful contractions, it’s probably go time, though. I can’t remember exactly, but I think I was right around these measurements at my last appointments before the girls were born. I also asked if she could tell how big the baby is right now pounds-wise, and she felt it and thinks right between 6.5-7 lbs. at this point. She’s pretty confident it’ll be born under 8 lbs. She also said that’s pretty common – for babies to get a little bit bigger each time. Why, who knows? So just in case, the car seat is in, the hospital bag is packed save the last-minute stuff, the baby swing/chair is clean and in the living room, the bed and baby clothes are all washed and ready to go, and I’m getting the house cleaned and lawn mowed so we’re ready to put the girls’ new swing set in place. I’m also debating trying to move my hair appointment up from next Saturday to this weekend just to make sure I can get it done in time… Such a life-changing decision, I know.
Miss anything? Being comfortable in my own body. I’ve reached that point, and unfortunately it arrived much earlier this time than I expected. Add to that being able to tie shoes comfortably, go for a walk without fear of peeing myself, and being able to stand up without feeling like my hips are going to give out on me because this kid is sitting right on them.
Movement: Yes, since 1 day before week 15. That’s the earliest of all 3 – D was 20 weeks and L was around 16 weeks.
Cravings: Not right now.
Aversions: Now that the first trimester is over, again, not really anything. Those first couple weeks, though, wow – life in general was an aversion of mine. Scents are still stronger than normal, but nothing like when I was pregnant with D and my entire sense of smell got turned upside down.
Gender: Did not find out. I’m still sure it’s a boy.
Labor signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Wonderful.
Symptoms: Horrible daily heartburn, frequent pressure and tightening in my abdomen (the braxton hicks), my hair barely sheds at all when I brush and wash it, my stomach constantly “gets in the way” when I’m trying to do things like put on my socks and shoes, my back gets inordinately tired and hurts often, and there’s an almost constant stabbing pain in the back of my left sacroiliac joint. I literally get stuck getting out of a seated position it hurts so badly. My hands have also begun to swell just a tiny bit, which is resulting in constant aching. I asked my doctor about it this morning, and she said that’s exactly what’s causing it. It’s not too noticeable when you look at them, but I can certainly feel it. I think the baby has dropped, too, because I get frequent shooting pains down the tops of my legs, which my doctor said are definitely coming from the baby’s head sitting right on my cervix. I know you wanted to hear that, didn’t you?
Belly button in or out? It’s out and it’s gross.
Wedding rings on or off? On. We’ll see for how much longer, though.
Looking forward to: Finding out if little #3 is a boy or a girl. I’m also very curious as to when he/she is going to make an appearance. For as much as I’m ready to be done being pregnant, it would be nice to finish most of the school year without having a newborn in the mix. Della’s last day is June 11 and my due date is June 10, so it’s a total crap shoot at this point. After these last 2 appointments, however, I am becoming less and less confident that I’ll even make it until June. Stay tuned!

Now for the full-term comparison. I had my date for Lana’s picture totally wrong last week, because it’s actually from 37 weeks. So you have to see the same one for her twice. Left is Della at I think 37 weeks 1 day; middle is Lana at 37 w exactly; and right is #3 today at 37 w exactly. Oh look, I’m smiling again.

May 13, 2015October 5, 2015

36 weeks

You guys? Almost full term. !?! Sorry for the 3-week lapse, too. No, I didn’t go into preterm labor; I’m just lazy. I mean busy.

How far along? 36 weeks. Which means that in about 1 more week the baby could be born and basically be fine. I’m still predicting around 39 weeks for the actual birth day, however.
Total weight gain: Eh, who cares at this point? From here on out I’ll stick with my theory that I’ll end all 3 pregnancies at approximately the same weight; I’ll just have gained more with these last 2 than with the first, since I started at a lower weight each time. I’ll weigh myself the day I go into labor to check that theory, but not before.
Maternity clothes? Pants, capris, shorts (on those days that have actually been warm enough to wear them), some dresses and skirts, and some tops. Fortunately a lot of my long- and 3/4-sleeved shirts are stretchy enough to cover the bulge so I haven’t had to empty my wallet on another maternity wardrobe. And I have enough stuff from the previous 2 that isn’t unbearably hideous so I can wear it again this time.
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet. And the third time around better not be when those suckers rear their ugly heads, either.
Sleep: Terrible. I’m uncomfortable all the time, and my dreams have turned into nightmares. I did get one of those big curly pregnancy pillows, which isn’t bad. I’ve begun sleeping on top of all the covers with just a blanket on me, though, because trying to position that thing and roll over while under all the sheets and comforter was a battle each time that I’m done fighting.
Best moment this week: Getting everything crossed off my baby to-do list. Hooray!
Miss anything? Being comfortable in my own body. I’ve reached that point, and unfortunately it arrived much earlier this time than I expected. Add to that being able to tie shoes comfortably, go for a walk without fear of peeing myself, and being able to stand up without feeling like my hips are going to give out on me because this kid is sitting right on them.
Movement: Yes, since 1 day before week 15. That’s the earliest of all 3 – D was 20 weeks and L was around 16 weeks.
Cravings: Not right now.
Aversions: Now that the first trimester is over, again, not really anything. Those first couple weeks, though, wow – life in general was an aversion of mine. Scents are still stronger than normal, but nothing like when I was pregnant with D and my entire sense of smell got turned upside down.
Gender: Did not find out. I’m still sure it’s a boy.
Labor signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Wonderful.
Symptoms: Horrible daily heartburn now, frequent pressure and tightening in my abdomen (the braxton hicks), my hair is barely sheds at all when I brush and wash it, my stomach constantly “gets in the way” when I’m trying to do things like put on my socks and shoes, my back gets inordinately tired and hurts often, and there’s an almost constant stabbing pain in the back of my left sacroiliac joint. I literally get stuck getting out of a seated position it hurts so badly.
Belly button in or out? It’s out and it’s gross.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Looking forward to: Finding out if little #3 is a boy or a girl. I’m also very curious as to when he/she is going to make an appearance. For as much as I’m ready to be done being pregnant, it would be nice to finish most of the school year without having a newborn in the mix. Della’s last day is June 11 and my due date is June 10, so it’s a total crap shoot at this point. Stay tuned!

Ok, I am definitely back to winning the biggest belly award with this one. Boo. Left is 36 weeks 1 day with Della; middle is 36 weeks 3 days with Lana; right is 36 weeks exactly (today) with #3. I just hope there isn’t a 12 lb. kid growing in there, ugh.

April 22, 2015October 5, 2015

33 weeks

Ok, I’m just getting lazy now. I won’t even try to lie about it. If every other week is as often as I can make myself take a picture and sit down here, then so be it. But that means you get to see an even bigger belly each time. Lucky ducks you are!

How far along? 33 weeks. So it’s very literally 6 weeks until this kid appears outside my body. !?!?!!?
Total weight gain: I’m changing my tune and calling it right on track now. I just had my next appointment today, and I haven’t gained any weight in the last 2 weeks. Go me, go me. So I think my theory may end up being correct – I’ll end all 3 pregnancies at approximately the same weight; I’ll just have gained more with these last 2 than with the first, since I started at a lower weight each time. So pass me a large DQ Blizzard!! I’ll take cookie dough and peanut butter cups, please. (and no, all my glucose stab tests came back completely normal, so i’m not even close to having gestational diabetes. damn skittles)
Maternity clothes? Pants, yes, and a couple maternity tops. One good thing about being pregnant in cold weather is I can cover up in all my sweatshirts and sweaters and not worry about finding shirts to fit. Because apparently the gorgeous weather of last week was a total fake-out and we are doomed to endure winter FOREVER.
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet. And the third time around better not be when those suckers rear their ugly heads, either.
Sleep: Terrible. I’m uncomfortable all the time, and my dreams have all turned into nightmares.
Best moment this week: Another good checkup today, and getting a ton done in the baby readiness department. I sorted all the newborn and tiny-sized baby clothes, pulled out all the gender neutral ones, and got them washed and put in a drawer so the kid has clean clothes, blankets, bibs, burp rags, etc. Fortunately I was able to fit almost everything in 1 dresser drawer after moving some of Lana’s stuff into her under-bed storage drawers. Poor #3, only gets 1 drawer right now. I also have pretty much everything else crossed off my “baby stuff to get out and wash list” except for 1 major thing – cleaning and setting up the pack n play in which he/she will sleep in our room for the foreseeable future. I just want to get our closet situation finalized in there before I do so. And I’ve also found some amazing deals on stuff for the baby and the girls on a local Facebook page. Extreme budgeting. That’s how I roll these days.
Miss anything? Being comfortable in my own body. I’ve reached that point, and unfortunately it arrived much earlier this time than I expected.
Movement: Yes, since 1 day before week 15. That’s the earliest of all 3 – D was 20 weeks and L was around 16 weeks.
Cravings: Not right now.
Aversions: Now that the first trimester is over, again, not really anything. Those first couple weeks, though, wow – life in general was an aversion of mine. Scents are still stronger than normal, but nothing like when I was pregnant with D and my entire sense of smell got turned upside down.
Gender: Did not find out. I’m still sure it’s a boy.
Labor signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Wonderful.
Symptoms: Horrible daily heartburn now, frequent pressure and tightening in my abdomen (the braxton hicks), my hair is definitely shedding less when I brush and wash it, my stomach “gets in the way” when I’m trying to do things like put on my socks and shoes now, my back gets inordinately tired and hurts often, and there’s an almost constant stabbing pain in the back of my left sacroiliac joint. I literally get stuck getting out of a seated position it hurts so badly.
Belly button in or out? Oh screw it, it’s out. I can’t even pretend that it isn’t anymore. Thanks, kid.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Looking forward to: Finishing up getting all the baby stuff washed and ready and, oddly, getting back to running once my body allows this summer.

All right, now. I may be biased, and feel free to call me out if I’m wrong, but I think I actually don’t look that much bigger than my Lana pregnancy picture from the same time this week. The 3 below are Della at 33 weeks on the left; Lana at 33 weeks 4 days in the middle; and #3 today at 33 weeks.

April 8, 2015October 5, 2015

31 weeks

Sorry I skipped the 30 week update last week, which I considered to be a fairly big one, but I am just so tired all the time lately. I know that comes with being in my 3rd trimester with my 3rd baby, but still. I kid you not, if I simply don’t feel like doing something these days, there are very few things that can even get me to attempt to do it. And those things only start with dollar signs and contain 7 figures or more. I’m really that tired. It’s a wonder our children aren’t filthy and running around in rags due to my lack of ability to bathe or properly dress them. Ok, it’s not quite that bad, but almost.

How far along? 31 weeks. So it’s very literally 8 weeks until this kid appears outside my body. !?!?!!?
Total weight gain: Too much. Actually I’m starting to think maybe not; I just gained too much too early. From last month’s appointment to today’s, I was only up 4 lbs. And like I said, only 1 lb. before that one. So it’s evening out. I have a feeling I might end up right around the same weight where I ended with the other 2. It’s just that since I started lower, I’ll be gaining more total. So not too bad.
Maternity clothes? Pants, yes, and a couple maternity tops. One good thing about being pregnant in winter is since it’s cold, I can cover up in all my sweatshirts and sweaters and not worry about finding shirts to fit.
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet. And the third time around better not be when those suckers rear their ugly heads, either.
Sleep: Terrible. I’m uncomfortable all the time, and my dreams have all turned into nightmares.
Best moment this week: A couple: Lana finally pooping on the toilet and now actually telling us when she has to go pee and poop instead of me asking every other minute. The Badgers coming thisclose to winning the NCAA National Championship in basketball. Oh, and today being our 9th anniversary. 🙂
Miss anything? Being comfortable in my own body. I’ve reached that point, and unfortunately it arrived much earlier this time than I expected.
Movement: Yes, since 1 day before week 15. That’s the earliest of all 3 – D was 20 weeks and L was around 16 weeks.
Cravings: Not right now.
Aversions: Now that the first trimester is over, again, not really anything. Those first couple weeks, though, wow – life in general was an aversion of mine. Scents are still stronger than normal, but nothing like when I was pregnant with D and my entire sense of smell got turned upside down.
Gender: Did not find out. I’m still sure it’s a boy.
Labor signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Wonderful.
Symptoms: Daily heartburn now, frequent pressure and tightening in my lower abdomen (the braxton hicks), my hair is definitely shedding less and less when I brush and wash it, my stomach “gets in the way” when I’m trying to do things like put on my socks and shoes now, my back gets inordinately tired and hurts often, and there’s an almost constant pain in the back of my left sacroiliac joint. Guess it’s all that weight I’m gaining.
Belly button in or out? Oh screw it, it’s out. I don’t think I can even pretend that it isn’t anymore. Thanks, kid.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Looking forward to: Finishing up getting all the baby stuff washed and ready and, oddly, getting back to running once my body allows this summer.

So of course now I’m missing a 31 week shot with Della, but here are the other 2. Lana on the left, #3 on the right; look how much bigger this kid appears and how much lower it’s sitting! And I must really like purple.

March 27, 2015October 5, 2015

29 weeks

Wednesday marked 29 weeks. Which means next week is 30 weeks. Which means we are on the verge of only 2 months away from meeting this kid. Which means there will soon be 3 tiny humans in this house! Holy shit, where’s the Tylenol? (name that movie. and i just realized i say “holy shit” a lot. sorry about that. i think as a parent of almost 3 children i’m entitled, though.)

How far along? 29 weeks, 2 days
Total weight gain: Too much. I was happy, however, that at my last appointment I’d only gained 1 lb. that entire month. I’m sure this next one won’t have such a nice result, though, after all the delicious food I ate when we were in Arizona last week.
Maternity clothes? Pants, yes, and a couple maternity tops. One good thing about being pregnant in winter is since it’s cold, I can cover up in all my sweatshirts and sweaters and not worry about finding shirts to fit.
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet. And the third time around better not be when those suckers rear their ugly heads, either.
Sleep: Definitely getting worse. The pillow I use between my knees rarely stays put, I wake up a lot, and it’s getting harder and harder to roll myself over.
Best moment this week: Lana actually starting to potty train and doing it well. I think I’ve been just as scared to start this process as she has been, but she’s been an absolute rock star so far. We’re only on day 2, mind you, but she’s done better than I ever expected. Fingers crossed!
Miss anything? Beer, especially with Bucky still alive in the NCAA tournament. I did have a couple drinks when we were in AZ, and they were scrumptious. I might have to try a Leinie’s Grapefruit Shandy tonight, too, if Ryan picks some up for me on his way home.
Movement: Yes, since 1 day before week 15. That’s the earliest of all 3 – D was 20 weeks and L was around 16 weeks.
Cravings: Not right now.
Aversions: Now that the first trimester is over, again, not really anything. Those first couple weeks, though, wow – life in general was an aversion of mine. Scents are still stronger than normal, but nothing like when I was pregnant with D and my entire sense of smell got turned upside down.
Gender: Did not find out. I’m still sure it’s a boy.
Labor signs: I think Braxton Hicks contractions have started. Yikes!
Symptoms: Heartburn now more evenings than not, abdominal tweaks as the baby tries to permanently ruin my abs (sorry, little one. i didn’t let your sisters do that, and i won’t let you either), frequent pressure and tightening in my lower abdomen (i’m guessing those are the braxton hicks), my hair is definitely shedding less and less when I brush and wash it, my stomach “gets in the way” when I’m trying to do things like put on my socks and shoes now, more aches and pains in my pelvic and hip joints, my back hurts often, and there’s an almost constant pain in the back of my left sacroiliac joint. Guess it’s all that weight I’m gaining.
Belly button in or out? Out on one side, so I’m sure it will go the full monty again since it did with Lana. This is exactly how it started with her.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Looking forward to: This weekend – girls’ night tomorrow night and my all-day spa day on Sunday. Wahoo!!

Since it’s now quite obvious that this baby is the lowest and has made me gain the most weight of the 3, let’s see how they compare visually at this point. I don’t have one from 29 weeks with Della, so these are 27 weeks with D on the left, 29 weeks with Lana in the middle, and 29 weeks 1 day with #3 on the right. They’ll all match up time-wise next time, don’t worry.