The Final Bumpdate

I was hopeful that by this point, I would no longer be writing about my baby bump, and that I would have willingly moved on to posting about an actual baby... one that we had happily welcomed into the outside world, and that I was finally able to hold in my arms as I tried to type away on my laptop.

By this time in my first two pregnancies, I was already back home with my sweet little bundles, so naturally I assumed that baby number three would be making an early entrance into the world as well... however, seeing as I am a day away from being 40 weeks pregnant, it has become obvious, that that will not be the case this time around.

I have been trying anything and everything in terms of inducing labor... old wives tales, things that seemed to work for me in the past, and what the medical professionals have told me to do in order to get things "moving along".  Spicy food, long walks, squats, bouncing on an exercise ball, among other things... you name it, I've tried it, and yet this baby still seems content to remain on the inside.

So, here I am, writing my final "bumpdate", and what I'm hoping will be my last blog post Pre-Baby K3 (as my witty cousin has so appropriately nicknamed him).

It's probably pretty obvious at this point that I feel beyond HUGE.  The fact that my 3 year old has to help me put my socks on, and that my maternity shirts are all quickly becoming crop tops, are clear indicators of that. I can no longer wear my wedding rings to bed, because if I do, I wake up with sausage fingers that feel like they are being strangled by pretty diamond bands.  My feet and legs have not yet become swollen, so at least there's that (glass is half full perspective).

As far as cravings go at this point... there aren't many.  My appetite is quickly dwindling due to lack of space for food.  I'm living off of popsicles and cereal these days, and hopeful that this diet will help jumpstart some sort of post-baby weight loss.  I am forcing myself to eat some incredibly spicy, heartburn inducing, foods though, since I swear to this day, that chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are what put me into labor with Max.  No such luck thus far.

A good night's sleep is getting harder and harder to come by, as it's nearly impossible to get comfortable, and I am up every few hours to use the restroom.  As you can imagine, my husband is loving being roommates these days!

At my last Doctor's appointment (almost a week ago now), I was still sitting pretty at 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, where I had been for the past 2 appointments... however I feel confident in saying that if I do make it to my appointment this coming Friday, I have a good feeling that things have progressed at least a little bit (pray for me).

In all seriousness though... complaining, whining and moaning aside... as much as I would prefer for this pregnancy to reach an end point, I am trying to be patient.  I'm savoring the kicks (even though I am enduring some pretty swift blows as of late), loving the sweet belly kisses from M&E, and relishing the joys of growing a human, because I am fully aware from experience, that once this bump is gone, I will long for it again in the future.

From here on out, I am putting my faith in God and His timing, and know full well, that when our little guy is ready to arrive, he undoubtedly will.  I am certain that as soon as he does, the frequent bathroom trips, dreadful heartburn, and overall discomfort will all be a distant memory.

Baby K3, we are so ready to meet you... whenever you decide you are ready!

30 Week Bumpdate | 3rd Pregnancy Woes

So I stumbled upon this post the other day, entitled 10 Reasons the Third Pregnancy is the Best, and I had to laugh a little bit.  While there were actually many points in the post that I could relate too and identify with, I have a confession to make... I DO NOT think that my third pregnancy has been my best.

Please don't misunderstand, or take what I am saying out of context.  As someone who has suffered a pregnancy loss and watched numerous friends suffer through pregnancy struggles, I can say with certainty, that I have treasured every flutter, karate kick, and hiccup over the last several months.  I am fully aware that I am blessed beyond words to be carrying yet another healthy baby, and I totally agree that the female body is amazing, in what it can do and what it is capable of... but here's the thing, my third pregnancy has without a doubt, been the hardest for me.

I had my 30 week check up yesterday, and was shocked when the doctor told me that I have only gained 19 pounds during this pregnancy.  If my memory serves me correctly, so far, this is significantly less than I gained during both of my previous pregnancies, yet this time around, I feel huge.  So huge in fact, that the other night I had what I will refer to, as a total hormonal breakdown... like sobbing, ugly cry, mascara-running-down-my-face, scaring-my-husband, breakdown.

I don't know what it is, but this time I just feel so uncomfortable.  EVERYTHING seems hard to me lately... putting on socks, picking up my kids, cleaning up toys, all of it.

My apologies for the pity party, but I am literally struggling to accept how I will make it through the next 10 weeks or so.  I mean deep down, I know that I will, not that I really have a choice.  I am wise enough now to understand that every pregnancy is different and that this time will pass, and I will likely look back on it and not remember how awful I feel in this moment, in the same way that women often forget about the pain of labor and go on to put themselves through it over and over again... it's just that right now, I am struggling.

I generally like to keep things pretty lighthearted around here, but I really appreciate it when people write about how they are honestly feeling, so if I sat here and tried to pretend that everything was rainbows and butterflies, I would not only be lying to myself, but to all of you.

Pregnancy is tough... it's beautiful and wonderful, and the reward in the end is worth every struggle, but that doesn't mean it comes without hardships.

I'm yearning so badly to meet our little guy, but I'm also yearning to have my body back to myself, to sleep comfortably, to wear normal clothes again, and to be able to tie my shoes.

So... for my "30 week bumpdate", I will share the following stats...

1.  I have been pregnant for 211 days.... It feels like 211 years.

2.  Baby is supposedly the size of 4 naval oranges... Baby feels like he is the size of 4 watermelons.

3.  Baby weighs around 3.3 pounds... It feels like baby weighs 33.3 pounds.

4.  I should be craving apples, carrot sticks, and quinoa... I'm actually craving cupcakes, donuts, and pretty much anything covered in sprinkles.

5.  Is my belly button in or out?... I don't know, I can't see it.

6.  The overall truth... This baby is so deeply and truly loved already, so the rest of this really doesn't matter.

And there you have it.  Truthfully though, I just felt the need to get that off of my chest, and wanted any of you who are, or have felt the same way, to know, that you are not alone.  Now I'm off to slip into my yoga pants, and my feet are freezing because I can't put my own socks on... but happiest of Fridays to all of you!

27 Week Bumpdate

True to form, I am WAY behind on documenting this pregnancy (#thirdbabyproblems).  It has been quite awhile since my last "bumpdate", and though not much has changed since then, I was feeling like a little documentation was long overdue.

We have officially hit the 27 week mark, which according to my baby tracking app, means our little mister is about the size of a head of cauliflower and weighs approximately 2 pounds.

The reality that I will soon be a mom of three is starting to hit me, hard.  To say that I'm beginning to feel a little bit anxious about how the heck I am going to wrangle all of these tiny humans on a day to day basis, would be the understatement of the century... I am freaking out!!!  Deep down, I know that I can, and will manage, but the fear of the unknown is always a little scary.

This little guy loves to kickbox me from the inside, and seems to have the hiccups on the regular.

I'm hoping that he can hear, and already knows, just how much he is loved and adored by his big brother and sister, as they are constantly asking about him.  Ella likes to pull up my shirt, say "hi baby!", and give him kisses.  Max asks me, almost daily, when his "baby bruder" will be done growing or cooking so that he can sit with him and hold him.  The excitement I feel about seeing the 3 of them together for the first time is mounting daily.

As expected, I am feeling HUGE this time around.  My weight gain has actually been pretty in check, but as previously mentioned, I began this pregnancy heavier than I would have liked, so daily tasks, such as putting on socks and shoes, have become a full blown Olympic sport leaving me out of breath and exhausted.  I can no longer paint/trim my own toes nails... so I guess a pedicure is in order.

As far as cravings go, my two go-to meals lately have been a multi-grain waffle topped with peanut butter, banana, and honey... I could pretty much eat PB on everything right now... and Caprese sandwiches.  Something about the combination of fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar on a baguette, just makes me really, really happy.

I have my next doctor's appointment next week, where I will have to endure the dreaded glucose test, but otherwise, I am feeling really good.  Thankfully I am still able to sleep at night, and have only experienced a few of those absolutely horrible middle-of-the-night leg cramps that pregnant women are prone to, thus far.  My goodness do those hurt!

The weeks seem to be flying by, and though in many ways, that is good... I don't think I will be upset if the last trimester drags a little.  I really want to enjoy these finally months as a family of four, before we jump headfirst into the wonderful world of newborn-dome again.  Still, it goes without saying, that I can't wait to meet this little man for the first time!