It's For Real...

 

 

20 week ultrasound-baby playing with its umbilical cord

 

 

This sweet baby is headed our way in just 10 weeks!!!  I can hardly believe it, but it certainly is making this all seem more real.  It's not without some mommy guilt, but I will admit that the third pregnancy is even more different than the second.  It's not that this baby isn't just as huge of a blessing, and we aren't just as grateful as ever, but I guess it's just normal day-to-day life with two little ones that keeps us so busy that it seems like time just flies without really focusing on the upcoming arrival of our next child. 

 

With MJ, every little thing was focused on our first baby.  Registering, lots of showers, setting up a nursery, preparing our home, putting together all the baby supplies, purchasing clothes, etc.  Then, with Charlotte, she was our first girl, so it meant making some new purchases, preparing MJ to no longer being an only sibling, preparing a new room for her, and the overall excitement that we were somehow miraculous blessed with a healthy pregnancy that didn't include fertility treatments! This time I think not knowing the gender makes the preparation a bit different.  I've pulled the newborn boy and girl clothes out of storage and washed them, but besides that there hasn't been much prep yet.  This baby will not have its own room, but will be rooming in with us for at least a few months until we decide which two kiddos will be room sharing.  We'll have to prepare a new/updated room at that time.  We pretty much have most of the necessities we need, and this time it feels more like "winging it" rather than any hardcore preparations.  It feels much more relaxed, but just different. 

 

 I sometimes feel guilty like I'm not doing enough to enjoy this pregnancy or this special time.  I think I've finally hit the point in the pregnancy though where I feel well enough to enjoy the beauty of pregnancy and the beautiful life growing inside.  I'm looking forward to these next 10 weeks as summer begins to wind down, we approach fall, and I can enjoy some special time with MJ and Charlotte as we excitedly await little brother or sister's arrival!

 

This was my roughest pregnancy yet.  I started feeling rather nauseous around 10 weeks.  This was my first pregnancy taking Zofran to help with the nausea and it did seem to help some, but then things started to get worse.  I began having these horrible attacks, very similar to what I had while pregnant with Charlotte, but this time they seemed even a bit worse and longer lasting.  It brought about lots of pain, vomiting, and uncomfortableness.  After several weeks of trying to ride it out, it was determined that I had gallstones and that combined with heartburn was most likely causing the pain.  With some diet changes, medication, and I think just time, it has improved greatly!  Also, the extreme tiredness from the beginning has worn off.  Now I think I'm just normal mama of two tired.  Ha! 

 

Here are a few fun pics and moments to capture the pregnancy thus far...

 

 12 weeks and sporting a new bump!  It happened really fast this time it seemed. 

 

17 weeks

 

 While in St. Louis on vacation in late June, early July, I was able to spend time with two of my best friends who are also pregnant!  Mindy is pregnant with her first and due on August 5th, and Stephanie is pregnant with her second and due just a week after me.  Love sharing these special times with my girlfriends!

 

26 weeks and dressed up for a wedding

 

 

Mom just came for a visit at the end of July and was able to attend my 28 week appointment.  MJ was at Bible Camp at church, but Mat and Charlotte attended the appointment as well.  It was pretty special to have my mom there, holding Charlotte, and listening to the beautiful heartbeat inside!  It was one of those life moments I will always treasure. 

 

This isn't the most flattering of pictures, but mom snapped this on her visit while in Dubuque.  I was 28 weeks, and we'd been on a walk up to AJ's for a little treat.  I like seeing my baby girl next to my baby belly, and of course Charlotte is totally oblivious that she has a new sibling on the way!

 



 

 

So, I just turned 29 weeks.  Our C-section will be scheduled at our next appointment.  I just passed the 28 week gestational diabetes test, so that's always a nice relief!  I'm measuring exactly at 28 cm., so baby is right on track.  The heartbeat at this last appointment was 140, but typically tends to run a bit higher than that.  At this point, the baby should be about 2 1/2 pounds.  He or she can hear our voices.  The baby is pretty active in the evenings, but seems pretty quiet during the days. 

 

Annnnnnd, we have officially decided on baby names.  Little Chloe or Cooper will be making us Keyes, Party of 5 before long!  :)