baby #3: 29 weeks

The last week of the 20’s! This is when it really starts going fast for me!29weeksBaby’s size: About 16 inches long and somewhere close to 2.75 pounds!
Maternity clothes?: Yes, and I’m starting to feel like even some of my smaller maternity shirts are getting a little short.
Gender: Girl!
Symptoms: By the end of the day, my belly just feels tight and uncomfortable. I’ve been wearing my support belt for running, but I might have to start using it more regularly during the day as well.
Sleep: I’m so grateful for naps! I’m usually out like a light as soon as I lie down, and I sleep very soundly.
Movement: Wild and crazy! She also LOVES to push HARD with her heels as high up in my belly as she can. If I touch my stomach where her feet are, sometimes it even hurts a little. This girl has heels of steel or something.
Cravings: Chocolate-chip cookies and spinach in my salad every day.
What I miss: Nothing really!
Anything making you queasy or sick?: Cereal, Italian salad dressing, and Kaelyn’s coconut-flavored Greek yogurts.
Belly Button in or out?: Kind of flat…and if I lie down, it pokes out a little. So weird.
Exercising?: Ran 21.8 miles. I haven’t been walking much because we’ve had 100% humidity (or close to it) every single day, so after I run, I just really want to stay inside! Fitbit total: 77,050 steps.
Mood: I love this little girl with my whole heart, and I daydream every day about who she’ll look like and how it’ll feel to hold her for the first time. Honestly though, I am a little nervous for labor this time for some reason. I could write a whole post on this alone… but hopefully I can calm my fears and have another empowering birth. I just keep feeling stressed about it, and I’m not really sure why when I’ve already done this twice.
Best moment this week: Visiting the Allens in Ohio and going to the temple!
Looking forward to: Hopefully getting some rest this week and still accomplishing some of the projects on my to-do list.
Big sisters: Kaelyn will put her hand on my belly now and excitedly say “Mommy!!!” I’ll tell her that there’s a baby in there, and she usually smiles and nods her head. She also loves to use my stomach as a pillow, haha.
Comparison: 29 weeks with Kaya; 29 weeks with Kaelyn.

little moments make it all worth it

I always say how grateful I am to be able to stay home with my kids, teach them, and watch them grow- but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy and fun.

Although they are generally well-behaved, my girls will still fight over the same hair bow on Sunday morning, refuse to eat their dinner, scream and squabble over toys, or end up in time-out several times in one day. It’s enough to wear down anyone’s patience and sense of accomplishment, and that’s when it really does me good to recognize and cherish the small moments in the every day.

Time isn’t going any slower, and even though I usually feel like I couldn’t be any more tired than I am now, I know that these are some of the very best days of my life.

These days, I love…

…knowing that they are best friends and will forever have each other._MG_3593

…watching their wonder and amazement at a big thunderstorm rolling through the neighborhood.IMG_20160727_161527

…a little baby who never seems to stop wiggling in my belly.

…finding surprising new flowers budding in my yard._MG_4188

forehead kisses from my best friend.

…early-morning sleepy hugs in the last few moments before Daddy heads off to work._MG_4182

handcrafted bracelets, gifted to me with the tightest around-the-neck hug that it almost takes my breath away.

…impromptu hilarious moments._MG_4238

… how she always has an armful of her favorite stuffed animals, and blurry pictures of her real smile.IMG_20160803_112852

… a classic George Strait song that speaks right to my soul and has me imagining what my babies might be like when they’re grown.

… pretend tiny tea parties with my littlest._MG_4248

…that Kaelyn answers every single question we ask her with a resounding “NOOOO!”, followed by a giant laugh.

…when Kaya randomly says “I’m so happy that we’re having another baby”. I know that as soon as they see her for the first time, they will forever protect her and love her._MG_4099

baby #3: 28 weeks

Third trimester! I almost can’t believe it. We are so close to meeting our baby girl!28weeksBaby’s size: About 2.5 pounds and 15.75 inches tall! Although, at my doctor appointment this week, my fundal height was measuring a week behind. My OB wasn’t worried- I might just have another very petite baby, like Kaelyn.
Maternity clothes?: Yes for sure!
Gender: Girl!
Symptoms: I’ve got an achy tailbone still, but that’s my own fault for slipping on the stairs last week. My hips are starting to loosen up, but nothing is painful yet.
Sleep: I don’t function well without a nap these days. I’m just grateful my kids still take a nap/rest in their room every afternoon! I’ve also been using my body pillow a lot more, much to Michael’s dismay, since it takes up almost half the bed!
Movement: Yeah… I’m pretty sure this kid never sleeps. Hopefully she gets it all out of her system now and is a calm, good sleeper when she arrives!
Cravings: Pepper Jack cheese and cookies. I feel like I have the most random cravings this pregnancy!
What I miss: Nothing really!
Anything making you queasy or sick?: I’m feeling pretty good this week, just a little nausea in the morning.
Belly Button in or out?: Kind of flat…
Exercising?: Ran 23.5 miles, walked 2 miles. Fitbit total: 80,625 steps.
Mood: Sometimes I feel super motivated to work on every project I want to do and get everything done… and then most of the time, I end up feeling too tired to actually finish anything. I’m definitely starting to feel the time crunch as far as having her room ready, hopefully making her a blanket, etc.
Best moment this week: Completing the glucose screening! I’m relieved to have it behind me.
Looking forward to: Visiting with some dear friends this week! 🙂
Big sisters: Kaelyn finally will admit that there’s a baby in my belly! I also forgot to mention it, but Kaya felt the baby kick for real a week or two ago- and she’s still the only one (besides me) that’s felt her! She’s also sure to kiss my belly before bed each night and says “goodnight baby”.
Comparison: 28 weeks with Kaya; 28 weeks with Kaelyn. Despite feeling like my belly is huge this pregnancy, I did some weight comparisons, and I’m actually the smallest I’ve been at this point with any my babies (4 pounds less than with Kaya, and 2 pounds less than with Kaelyn). I’m not sure how that happened, but I’ll take it!

baby #3: 27 weeks

27weeksBaby’s size: About 15 inches long and just over two pounds!
Maternity clothes?:
 Yes, plus some regular loosely-fitting tops. I’m pretty sure that non-maternity shirts actually make my belly look even bigger, though (see above)!
Gender:
Girl!
Symptoms:
 Well… clumsiness? Ever since we moved in to our house, I’ve been afraid of falling on the stairs, and this week it finally happened. Luckily, I caught myself after about 4 or 5 steps, but I bruised my tailbone. My hips have been a little sore too, but I think it’s just from falling. Thankfully, baby is just fine (and I’ve got a definite grip on the handrail every time I go up or down the stairs now)!
Sleep:
 Good-quality when I’m sleeping, but we stay up too late as usual. I’m napping all the time lately.
Movement:
She had a few days where she just didn’t seem as crazy… but lately, she’s made up for it by never stopping her dance party! I’ve been genuinely shocked by how strong her kicks can be! Sometimes, it even feels a little uncomfortable. This princess has some tough feet!
Cravings:
Whipped cream. I feel like that’s an odd craving to have, but I want to put it on everything sweet.
What I miss:
Nothing really!
Anything making you queasy or sick?:
I’ve had a good bit of nausea this week. My own morning breath can turn my stomach, and by dinnertime, I’m usually feeling sick again. It is what it is, so I try not to complain. I also seem to get shaky easily still.
Belly Button in or out?:
Weird-looking.
Exercising?:
Ran 22.6 miles, walked 4.2. Fitbit total: 93,004 steps.
Mood:
Loving all her movements and just trying to enjoy this time, because I know it’s going to go so fast!
Best moment this week:
 Enjoying so much time at the pool with my family! 🙂
Looking forward to:
Really working on the girls’ room and getting started on the nursery.
Big sisters: Kaya keeps asking me if my baby can come out in September (I think she wants to share a birthday month)! She will also sometimes tell me that she can’t eat a certain food because “her baby doesn’t like that” (she sometimes has a pretend baby in her belly, and other times, her baby has apparently already come out)! Kaelyn sometimes touches my belly with interest, but I’m not sure she really understands that there’s a real baby in there.
Comparison:
27 weeks with Kaya; 27 weeks with Kaelyn.

baby #3: 26 weeks

26weeks

Baby’s size: Over 14 inches tall and about 2 pounds! Apparently, this is the equivalent of a bowling pin, haha.
Maternity clothes?:
Yes. At the end of the day, I look forward to stealing one of Michael’s big t-shirts for bed. I also got a maternity belt this week to wear while running, and it is awesome. I’ve only used it once so far, but I can’t wait to see how much it helps on longer runs next week.
Gender:
Girl!
Symptoms:
 My face has been breaking out more… and I had one day where my hips were achey, but only while I was lying down. I used my body pillow (but only for the second time this whole pregnancy)!
Sleep:
 I’m napping whenever I can and still having crazy dreams. I’m really just tired a lot, but that’s to be expected.
Movement:
Seriously… does she ever sleep? I have been amazed this week at how strong she’s getting. She’s kicked me hard, and I very distinctly felt her foot against my hand a few nights ago. I also think she has turned… maybe not completely head down, but I’m feeling a lot more kicking high up in my belly. I absolutely love waking up to her wiggles in the morning and find it funny when she seems to “dance” to the radio.
Cravings:
Double chocolate muffins and pizza.
What I miss:
 
Nothing really!
Anything making you queasy or sick?:
I’ve been feeling good this week, for the most part! I even used Italian salad dressing for the first time in ages (although it might just be the Kroger-brand dressing that my stomach dislikes)…
Belly Button in or out?:
Weird-looking.
Exercising?:
Ran 24.2 miles; walked 2.2 miles. My longest run was 6 miles. Fitbit total steps: 94,154.
Mood:
Happy! It’s starting to feel real that we’ll really be holding a baby girl in a few months. Sometimes, it feels like I have FOREVER left to be pregnant- it just seems like I’ve already been waiting to meet her for so long! Other days (usually when I’m adding things to my pre-baby to-do list or realizing that summer is more than halfway over), it feels like she’ll be here in no time at all!
Best moment this week:
Spending time with Ben and Brittany and holding their new baby girl!
Looking forward to:
Getting some painting done this week!
Big sisters: Kaya always tells me that the baby is kicking her hand, but I’m still the only one who has actually felt her move. Kaelyn seemed to notice my big belly for the very first time this week, too!
Comparison:
26 weeks with Kaya; 26 weeks with Kaelyn.

baby #3: 25 weeks

Heyyyy big belly! I’m definitely seeing (and feeling) a difference in size this week!25weeksBaby’s size: About 13.5 inches long and 1.5 pounds.
Maternity clothes?:
Yes yes yes… and the only non-maternity tops I’m wearing are things that used to be long and tunic-like on me before!
Gender:
Girl!
Symptoms:
Just some ligament soreness on the right side of my belly. I’m looking into hopefully getting a support band, mostly just for when I run.
Sleep:
I am napping almost every day… it actually feels strange if I stay awake in the afternoon now. Even Kaya is perplexed if I tell her I wasn’t sleeping while she was! Usually exhaustion hits me hard in the third trimester, so hopefully I don’t get much more fatigued than this.

Pregnancy also gives me some pretty realistic-feeling dreams- this week I truly thought I was riding a horse, and another day, I was a real princess in a forsaken castle. Crazy and fun! Last week, I was dreaming something that made me actually punch Michael in the arm. Luckily, he said it was a soft punch, but in my half-asleep state, I thought I hit as hard as I could!
Movement:
Moving moving moving ALL DAY LONG! She kicks my front, my side, my backside, up high, down low… you name it. She is all over the place. I’ve really noticed her getting stronger this week, and can distinctly feel her pushing her feet into my side.
Cravings:
Double chocolate muffins and pizza.
What I miss:
 
Nothing really!
Anything making you queasy or sick?:
I’ve mostly been feeling great, but I had a day this week where I just felt nauseous all day long. I also have started noticing that I often feel shaky/weak by lunchtime, but after I eat, I’m fine.
Belly Button in or out?:
Getting flatter, but I’d be surprised if it actually pokes out.
Exercising?:
Ran 26.3 miles; walked 3.2 miles. My longest run was 7.53 miles. Fitbit total steps: 96,640.
Mood:
Good, just not sure I feel ready to actually give birth again. I still have some time to prepare, so I should probably start doing that…
Best moment this week: 
Celebrating the Fourth of July with my family!
Looking forward to:
Ben and Brittany visiting from Texas!
Big sisters: Kaya always kisses the baby goodnight! So sweet.
Comparison:
25 weeks with Kaya; 25 weeks with Kaelyn.

baby #3: 24 weeks

24weeksBaby’s size: She’s about a foot long and 1.33 pounds, which is the equivalent of an eggplant or a G.I. Joe action figure. I love these random comparisons! Haha.

My fundal height measured perfectly at my appointment this week, which makes me extra happy, since I was already measuring small with Kaelyn at this point (obviously, she turned out healthy, but it prompted a lot of extra concern and several more ultrasounds. I’d rather not do that again this time)!
Maternity clothes?:
Yes to shorts, but still mixing both maternity and non-maternity tops throughout the week.
Gender:
Girl!
Symptoms:
I’ve had a couple of nights where my belly just feels uncomfortable… isn’t it too soon for that? I also highly suspect that I have some sensitivity to dairy, so I should probably cut back on milk and ice cream. I experienced this with my other pregnancies, but I definitely seem to have it worse this time around.
Sleep:
I had a couple of good naps this week, but even when I plan to stay awake during the girls’ nap time, I end up dozing off. Oops.
Movement:
This girl is going to be a kickboxer… she’s always beating me up! I’m a little afraid of how it’s going to feel when she’s even bigger! She likes to stay up late and wake up early, too. 🙂
Cravings:
Double chocolate muffins and chocolate malt ice cream.
What I miss:
 
Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for this baby girl and the blessing it is to grow her… but I am kind of missing my old body. I know I’m still strong, but I miss running fast and having a waistline sometimes lately.
Anything making you queasy or sick?:
I’m still nauseous at times, but I really think that getting outside and moving my body helps tremendously.
Belly Button in or out?:
 It’s starting to look a little weird… I’m hoping that doesn’t mean my abdominal muscles are separating again like they did with Kaelyn.
Exercising?:
Ran 20.8 miles; walked 4.9 miles. Fitbit total steps: 83,466. My mileage was a little lower this week since Michael was out of town for business (read: less running), but I did have a great 7.5-mile run with Lelia that somewhat made up for it. 🙂
Mood:
Feeling motivated to work on house projects, and sometimes wishing it was already October so that I can hold this princess in my arms and see who she looks like!
Best moment this week:
Spending time with my babies outside, running in our yard with them, and going swimming.
Looking forward to:
Fourth of July and spending time with family!
Big sisters: Kaya loves to pray for our baby. She asks that she will “get here safely”, and frequently tells me that the baby loves her. I love how she already seems to know and have a bond with her baby sister. Kaelyn is still completely clueless!
Comparison:
24 weeks with Kaya; 24 weeks with Kaelyn. I am feeling so huge this time around… but looking at the pictures, my belly doesn’t seem to be any bigger than with my other girls. I’m currently weighing a couple of pounds less this time, so I don’t know why I feel so big.

baby #3: 23 weeks

23weeksBaby’s size: Just over a foot long, and she weighs about 1.25 pounds! Apparently, this is the equivalent of a chinchilla or a large mango. I kind of can’t believe she’s so big already!

Maternity clothes?: I switched to maternity pants this week… ahhhhh-mazing. I’m still wearing some regular tops, but I’m mostly going for comfort these days, so loose shirts (maternity or not) are my favorites.

Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: Just feeling my belly stretching and growing.

Sleep: Good, it just seems like I never get enough! I nap whenever I get the chance.

Movement: Her craziness continues. There’s no way I could forget she’s in there because she makes herself well-known with all the kicking and punching! Michael and Kaya have both tried to feel her move, but haven’t had any luck so far. She’ll stop kicking as soon as any hand other than mine tries to feel her._MG_3248Cravings: Nothing in particular this week.

What I miss: Just running faster!

Anything making you queasy or sick?: I’ve had quite a bit of nausea this week. There aren’t any specific triggers, but I just don’t feel so great at certain times of the day. Usually I wake up and my stomach is already turning.
Belly Button in or out?: In.

Exercising?: Ran 30.8 miles, walked 2.2 miles. My longest run was 6 miles. Fitbit total steps: 103,790 steps.

Mood: This week was a little crazy with getting ready for the birthday party and hosting guests, so I was a little stressed at times, but overall, feeling good.

Best moment this week: Celebrating Kaelyn’s second birthday!

Looking forward to: Fourth of July and seeing more family!

Comparison: 23 weeks with Kaya; 23 weeks with Kaelyn. I’m thinking that my belly looks pretty much the same across all three pregnancies so far (even though I have felt a lot bigger this time around)!

baby #3: 22 weeks

22weeks

Baby’s size: About one foot long and almost one whole pound! Apparently, her facial features are done forming, and she looks like a miniature version of the baby we’ll meet in four months!
Maternity clothes?:
 I wore a few more maternity tops this week because they are typically much more comfortable than regular clothes… so why not? I can’t believe that some of these shirts fit me right up until the end of my last pregnancy… my belly already feels humongous at times, and I’m worried I’m going to outgrow everything! My shorts still fit but are a little tight when they’re fresh out of the dryer… maternity bottoms coming soon, I think.
Gender:
Sweet baby girl!
Symptoms:
Nothing major… sometimes my belly feels a little sore, but I suppose it’s just growing pains!
Sleep:
I’m getting good rest when I’m actually sleeping…
Movement:
 Her craziness continues! My pregnancy app says she’s asleep for 12-14 hours of the day… well, I don’t have a clue when this girl gets any rest, because she’s already moving when I wake up in the morning, she has dance parties throughout the day, and she’s always kicking again right before I fall asleep. I cannot wait to meet this wild kid!
Cravings:
Cookies, milk, and pizza.
What I miss:
Running faster! I am getting slower and slower by the week.
Anything making you queasy or sick?:
I’ve been waking up nauseous, and then feeling sickish again around dinner time… For the most part, my appetite has been down and many dinnertime foods don’t sound appetizing to me. I feel like it’s so weird for me to feel this way again when I’m already so far along.
Belly Button in or out?: In.
Exercising?: 24.9 miles of running; 8.5 miles of walking. My longest run was 6.5 miles, and my Fitbit total step count was 103,071.
Mood:
I cried reading the news this week… but there have been some very sad stories.
Best moment this week:
Going to the pool for the first time this summer!
Looking forward to:
 
Kaelyn’s birthday party next weekend!
Comparison: 
22 weeks with Kaya; 22 weeks with Kaelyn

baby #3: 21 weeks

21weeksBaby’s size: 10.5 inches long and almost 3/4 of a pound! Apparently, the same size as a baseball cap.
Maternity clothes?:
I did wear one of my smaller maternity shirts this week, just to see how it fit. It wasn’t ridiculously large, but I still have some room to grow into it. I’m still wearing my non-maternity shorts, but my belly is getting big enough that if I’m not paying attention, my shorts are sliding down and my shirt is riding up… 
Gender:
Our third little princess!
Symptoms:
Nothing really, but I’m still nursing Kaelyn, and that is starting to feel a little uncomfortable.
Sleep:
Sleep has been sporadic this week… partly because Michael has been up late working on a project, and I try to wait up with him, and partly just because I seem to keep having nightmares about her coming too early.
Movement:
It’s official- this baby is CRAZY! She seriously spends most of the day kickboxing in there. I can clearly feel fists and feet flailing and have already seen my belly shaking from the outside. Also, I finally felt her kick my hand on the outside!
Cravings:
Chocolate-chip cookies, Nutella, donuts.
What I miss:
Not necessarily pregnancy-related, but with 90-degree temperatures, I’m missing having pool access in our old neighborhood.
Anything making you queasy or sick?:
I’ve had a few nauseous moments this weak, but nothing debilitating.
Belly Button in or out?: In.
Exercising?: Ran 24.2 miles, walked 4.1 miles with the kids. Fitbit step total: 92,170. I’m really feeling great, without any sort of hip pain so far, so I’ve been taking advantage of this absolutely perfect weather. My pace isn’t fast, but I’m getting it done, and that is good enough for me right now.IMG_20160604_100100Mood: I’m really falling more and more in love with this little girl with every little wiggle and kick that she makes. It has been a very busy week though, so honestly, my stress level has been up, and I know it won’t go down until I get things checked off of my to-do list.
Best moment this week: Hearing that my friend Brittany had her baby girl! I only wish they still lived closer!
Looking forward to:
I’m really excited (and almost feeling impatient) to meet our little girl now that Brittany had her baby. I just want her to be here already so I can cuddle and kiss her!
Big sisters:
Kaya wanted to get in a picture with me this week! She loves the baby, tells her she’s “so cute”, and kisses my belly. I asked Kaelyn if there is a baby in mommy’s tummy this week, and she clearly said “no”! Haha. I think she’s in for a surprise in a few months._MG_3005Comparison: 21 weeks with Kaya; 21 weeks with Kaelyn