It's About That Time...

Woah, baby!  It's hard to believe we've come this far...even farther now actually as this was taken  at least a couple weeks ago.  The weird part is that some days I feel like I'm still getting used to the idea of being pregnant with baby #3, and here I sit less than one week to go before welcoming him/her into this world!

Taken at 37 weeks

As I've mentioned before, the preparation and planning throughout this pregnancy has certainly been quite different.  One major difference is the lack of a nursery to plan for and decorate.  Eventually, two of our kids will end up sharing a room.  We haven't decided if we'll definitely do it by gender or not, but for now we're just waiting it out and going to play it by ear.  In the past, we've typically kept our kids in our rooms, as newborns, for those first 4-6 weeks.  This time, I'm guessing it will probably be longer until we get him/her into a good sleeping routine and have time to prep a room for two.  In the meantime, we have a nice little setup in our room.  Our bedroom isn't huge, but it's arranged pretty nicely with an alcove type area that's a bit separate from our bed area.  It's finally set up and pretty well good to go...

 

 

This is looking at the area, and then it goes to the left as well where the baby will sleep. 

 We've set up this rock and play for the baby to sleep in, which can easily be moved right next to our bed for that first week or so when it seems I'm constantly peeking in on them. 

 I had all this "Alphabet Soup" bedding and décor that I'd purchased a few years ago when we were preparing a nursery for a foster baby.  I was in love with this set at the time and thought it would be gender neutral since we obviously had no idea if we'd be placed with a boy or a girl.  Then, was when our big surprise came and we got pregnant with Charlotte, I just had to have a girly girl room.  I tried to sell the Alphabet Soup bedding a couple times, but just couldn't bring myself to part with it.  It's been sitting in storage for a couple years, but now seems like the perfect time to put it to use.  I'm so glad I held onto it.  Even if I only use it for a few months, it will serve this baby well, and it still makes me feel like I have a bit of a "nursery" for this baby to call his/her own. 

 Changing table set up next to our dresser.  This was my $20 online find!

My favorite chair where I'll soon be rocking my new baby.  Who knew when we purchased this comfy glider on Craig's List years ago for MJ's nursery, it would follow us to Iowa, and then be used for two more babies.  

 

 

 

 



Not the greatest of pictures, but this is how my belly looks a lot of the time lately.  My odd shaped uterus lends itself to some weird stuff going on in there.  At our 36 week ultrasound, the baby was head down, but by the time I went in for my 37 week appointment, my doctor suspected the head was up and did a quick ultrasound to confirm.  Sure enough, he was right.  That big pointy bulge right there would be the head.  It's quite uncomfortable when I have those contractions and the baby is positioned like that.  Such a weird feeling!  I still feel like he/she is flipping and turning though.  I feel like baby goes from being completely sideways to trying to maneuver to head up or head down but just doesn't have the room.  At my 38 week appointment, the doctor mentioned that if the baby stays breech, they would have pediatrics on hand in the operation room "just in case."  I'm sure all will be fine, and he certainly didn't act nervous or worried in any way, but of course in our own minds knowing that MJ was breech and how his deliver went, I'd be lying if I said it didn't make us a bit nervous.  I'm glad we'd decided on the C-section, so that the baby is delivered at 39 weeks and we hopefully avoid any potential problems by going past due date or baby getting too big. 

Last weekend, we stopped by E.B. Lyons to take a few pictures of the kids and I, at 37.5 weeks, with the baby belly so that we could remember this time.  Here's a few favorites...

It's pretty cute how Charlotte is lifting her dress here.  She tried to do this in many pictures in order to show us her belly.  She's definitely aware that mommy's belly has changed, and when I ask her where mommy's baby is, she'll point to my belly or touch it.  She then immediately pats her own belly or lifts her shirt to show us her tummy. 


It's been a really busy past few weeks trying to get the house in order to welcome our new little one.  The biggest challenge was reconfiguring our basement due to water issues.  It's a looooong story, but we ended up switching the storage room and guest bedroom around.  This meant gutting two rooms and then rebuilding one.  Mat has been busy, busy working down there the last few weekends, which in turn means I've been busy, busy taking care of the kiddos.  It's been tiring for both of us, but as of today, it's finally just about done.  Certainly with not much time to spare, as my parents arrive in 4 days.  I'm so glad this baby didn't come early!  My parents, and any future guests, will now have a room to sleep in. 

If all goes as planned, this time next year our newest addition should be about 24 hours old and hopefully cuddling in our arms.  I am so excited to find out if it's Chloe or Cooper who will be our third child.  I'm so looking forward to holding him or her in my arms.  I feel like my expectations this time are a bit more realistic.  I definitely want everyone there after the birth to meet the new baby and enjoy special time as big brother and big sister, but after that I'm kind of looking forward to some quiet time with just the new baby and almost thinking of a few nights in the hospital as a mini vaca.  Ha!  I know it certainly won't be all that restful, but just the quietness and calmness is sounding nice before returning home to begin life as a mommy of three.  This baby will get thrown right into the mix!  I'm thinking he or she won't know the meaning of quiet much and will probably be used to the laughter and crying of their bigger siblings.  I'm sure it will be an interesting adjustment for ALL of us, but we are really looking forward to expanding our family in the coming week. 

Prayers and blessings appreciated for a safe delivery and healthy baby!