Saturday, April 30, 2016

April Highlights

I knew going into April that it would be a busy month. However, things got really crazy starting in the middle. Here are the highlights of the month:

{We started the month with Phil in Pittsburgh for work. He technically left in March, but didn't return until April. It's always sad to see so many states between us!}

{I was craving a strawberry shake, so I treated myself. However, I got so cold that I had to put on socks and wrap myself in a blanket to finish the shake. #pregoprobs}

{My skin has been really crazy thanks to hormones, so I also treated myself to a LUSH face mask! It not only helped a bit, it smelled delicious.}
{This is the obligatory duck face selfie}

{And a normal one just for kicks :)}

{This boy <3}
{2 is such a hard age, and he is really crabby/cranky some days. However, he'll have moments where cuddling and giggling while taking selfies is a thing. I love those moments :)}

{Another special booth test for Jillian in hopes of helping with a cochlear implant surgery. It didn't tell us anything we didn't already know. This time, we tried using a loaner hearing aid from the clinic. It did not work on any level. We knew it wouldn't, but it was something we needed to test for insurance purposes. Jillian was such a trooper, and I was super proud of her}

{Poor Olive had a rough start to the month. I fed her dinner one night, and she proceeded to throw up several times. She even threw up her breakfast the next morning. I wasn't sure what to make of it, so I called my mom on the way to take Jillian to preschool. While I was explaining to my mom what was going on, Jillian said nonchalantly that "Maybe I fed her too many gummy worms." Turns out, she had taken the nearly 1/2 pound bag of gummy worms into her bedroom, and let Olive eat as much as her little heart desired. Oh boy. So we called the vet who gave us some advice. Luckily we were able to treat her at home, and we didn't need to pump her stomach or pay for a stomach surgery. She is a lucky dog for sure. And FYI, gummy worms are banned from the house for now}

{I found this map someone made of the OKC Metro. It cracked me up!}

{Apparently my cheese block was too hard for this poor knife. We may need to start saving for a new set now...}
{No bodily harm was caused by the breakage}

{David found Jillian's eye patch I bought her when she was really into Octonauts. He wanted to be a pirate too! This is his "Arrrr!" face :)}

{I love that he kind of looks like a Goonie in this one!}

{Jillian was invited to a birthday party for a friend at school. She was excited ALL morning to go. They had pony rides the first hour of the party!}

{Jillian had a fun time at the party, but she was definitely mostly in love with this pony, Oreo}

{Got my hair done the weekend before my brother's wedding. The goal is eventually all blonde, but I'm taking it nice and slow ;)}

{I've gotten this soup twice from Panera and I really like it! I only took a picture because Phil handed me a fork. Thanks to Scrubs, all I could think of was "Fork! Me no eat soup!"}

{The kiddos waiting for my parents' late arrival. They drove all day Thursday from Wisconsin for the wedding, so I insisted that they come and sleep in our king sized bed. This is blurry, but it was so true to form. The kids were beyond excited to see Jemma and Gee-Chaz since our last face-to-face meeting was Thanksgiving}

{I already shared a post about my brother's wedding, but I did take this screenshot on my phone. I remember putting in their wedding date on this event countdown months and months ago. It was awesome to finally see it was the day!}

{We all took Jillian to her soccer class, then we had a special morning snack at Krispy Kreme. I love that it's a snack AND entertainment :)}

{My grandma passed away 3 days before my brother's wedding. Because of that, my mom and I drove with the kids to Iowa 3 days after the wedding to go to her funeral. My dad left a day earlier because my folks had rented a car and needed to return it before joining us in Iowa. The first full day we were there, my mom found this cool children's museum that opened recently. David LOVED the food area. They had crops, chickens, cows, pigs, a market, and an ice cream parlor that were all interactive. It was a neat place! Jillian has already asked to go back :)}

{This is Jillian during one of the few times we got her away from a water table. She was soaking wet! However, she had a blast, which is what was important. Minus the meltdowns when it was time to leave, we had a great time. Plus, with my mom there, we could both focus on one kid and gave them some individual attention, which is rare nowadays}

{We had a lovely memorial service for my grandma. I really wanted to drive past my grandparents' old house before I went back to the hotel. My grandma moved out years ago, but I have such fond memories of that house. I had to take a quick picture before we left <3}

{Davey surprised us all and took a 2-1/2 hour nap after the service! We didn't question it, and I think it really helped him not be so cranky at the family dinner we had at my aunt's house that evening. I just love how he slept with one foot in the air for an hour}

{I was allowed to take a yellow rose from the arrangement on my grandma's casket before they took it away. She'll be buried next to my grandpa in California. She may not have been perfect, but she was a wonderful woman. She and I will be connected as long as I live, and I'm so thankful for the time I had with her. It also makes me very thankful for the relationship I have with my mom}

{Jillian told me she had to draw a cross on her forehead so she could "remember that Jesus died on the cross for her." While I applaud that answer, I told her to use her finger from now on. What a smart cookie she is!}

{This just cracked me up! HAHAHA}

{We got our first round of severe weather for the season. For whatever reason, the station I usually watch was really over-emphasizing the fact that our tornado watch came with a PDS (potentially dangerous situation). While most severe storms are potentially dangerous in my opinion, we went from worrying about hail and strong winds to being told there'd be a large, (EF-4), tornado most likely in our area. I tuned in to Channel 9, and they were being much calmer, and more straight-forward with what was going on. I felt much more at ease watching them, so I did. This was just before things got really ramped up}

{View of some really nasty clouds headed our way}

{There was a small tornado just west of us that ended up just spinning in the clouds above our neighborhood. To be safe, we went into the closet, where I told the kids we'd be watching "Little Bear" on the iPad while wearing our special helmets. They didn't seemed bothered, except when the lights flickered a few times. We didn't hear much thunder while we were in the closet, which was good for them. There was a small tornado that popped up once the storms moved past us, but we were safe. I'm not looking forward to doing this much more. I told Phil that I really want a storm shelter for next season. We'll see what happens :)}

{This week, Jillian had her Mother's Day Program at preschool! She did a great job with singing, and other surprises she gave me. However, I learned some new things about myself, (like my favorite restaurant is Wendy's?). Overall, it was a good day, I was happy to be with my girl!}

{This was a tweet from me the other day. I think it is self-explanatory! HAHAHA}

{I have a few different apps on my phone for BB-3. I really love this feature on the Ovia app, and I point it out to Phil every week. It's been so cool to watch the hand size go from a super tiny dot to this! I can't wait to hold those sweet hands in person soon <3}

Friday, April 29, 2016

BB-3 Week 26 Update

We've had some exciting weather since I've been home. Also, parenting has been quite a challenge this week as well. As much as I'm glad we're home, I'm glad to see this week go. Let's try again, shall we?
Also, I've been thinking about how much my weight gain has bothered me, but not my doctor. I realized that I did not lose any weight this pregnancy, whereas I lost 12 lbs with Jillian and 6 lbs with David. That means, if you take into account the weight I gained back, I'm only 4 pounds ahead from either of them at this point. Now I feel much better about it! Plus, I need to keep in mind that, once my milk supply is gone, I can go back to carb-cycling. It was very successful for me before, so I just have to keep in mind that I can, (and will!), do it again!
I've decided for my pregnancy project that, instead of my usual cross-stitching, I'll be crocheting a blanket! I'm excited to get the materials and stay soon :)

Today's date: April 29, 2016

How far along: 26 Weeks (98 days until due date! AHH!)

Total weight gain: 18 pounds

Size and growth of baby: BB-3 is the size of kale, an eggplant, or butternut squash! They are around 2 pounds, and 14 inches long. Eyes will soon open and eyelashes are fully formed! Their immune system is strengthening for life outside of the womb, and is continuing to practice breathing with amniotic fluid. {via}

Baby is a: baby!

Maternity clothing: All maternity, minus a few shirts

Sleep: I am still low energy, but mostly because I'm chasing 2 kiddos around. Also, it seems like our life has been non-stop for a few weeks now. It's hard to catch up on sleep! Luckily, I am finally sleeping in my own bed, which is helping. I am starting to have a little more trouble going back to sleep if I wake up, but it's nothing too bad yet. Also, my body seems more sore when I wake up now. Either I'm sleeping really hard, or my body is just at that point in pregnancy.

Movement: This is around the time BB-3 will be most active due to their size, strength, and how much room there is. Lots of rolling, kicking, squirming, and a few hiccups. It's so much fun to watch my whole belly shift and move sometimes :)


Cravings/Aversions: I craved strawberries, watermelon, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Cheesy Gordita Crunches, and Coke Icees.. Aversions are raw meat, pork, rice, peanut butter, and mushrooms.

Morning Sickness: I had a little bit of time yesterday where I didn't feel so hot, but I never worried about throwing up. A little queasy, but it was an emotionally tough day, so I think that was it. The thought of having rice or peanut butter in my mouth makes me gag a little. I'm really surprised by this, but I don't test it!

Symptoms: Baby kicks, sore boobs, round ligament pain, thirsty, pimples, gassy, emotional, peeing a fair amount, nesting, tired feet, a little lower back pain, swollen gums, feet are starting to disappear thanks to the bump, nasal sensitivity, and feeling really tired.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first two: Less morning sickness, no medicine, no BH at this point, more weight gain, more anxiety, more out-of-breath feelings due to BB-3's favorite spot, crazy mix of cravings and aversions from both previous pregnancies, more nasal issues, more dental issues, more exhaustion, less activity level in utero... for now ;)

The best moment of this past week: Getting home, hearing my folks and brother/SIL got home safe, getting through some scary weather, and just getting back into our normal routine before summer messes our schedule up!

What I miss: Nothing at all

I'm looking forward to: Doing my glucose test over and doner with soon, planning our trip for France/Spain, and knowing we are less than 100 days away from holding BB-3!


Bump Comparison:
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle: David 2013 Right: BB-3 2016}

BB-3 Bump Comparison:

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Letter to My Future Pregnant Self

Dear Future Pregnant Me,

If we are blessed enough to have a Final Fourth baby, then first of all, congratulations! This is a big event :) This will be your last baby for sure, because after much prayer and discussion between you and hubby, there will be a permanent way to ensure this is your last baby. {Don't even start questioning it. You've talked ad nauseam about it, so I don't want to hear your whining!} Know that you can do this! Even if we have another loss between BB-3 and this one, you and baby will be ok! You will make it to the finish line with a baby in your arms. You've done it 3 times before, and you can do it one more time.

First of all, let me go ahead a reassure you about some things.
1) You conceived and carried a healthy baby without Metformin. Currently, you are just past the viability milestone for BB-3, so I can't confirm that there is no gestational diabetes. However, cravings aside, you are still eating relatively well, so even your doctor is not overly concerned about it developing. Yes, we were very scared to think that we could conceive and carry a baby without it, but you can, and you did. Trust your body, trust your doctor, and most importantly, trust God.
2) Yes, you did feel all those weird aches and pains. It's true they can get pretty painful. Sure it's hard to remember all those little sensations after lots of sleep deprived moments of terror/joy/frustration that is parenting a child. However, I promise whatever you're feeling is normal. And having a 4th baby, body may just be about done. {Hey, we're not Michelle Duggar after all!} Having gone through this three other times, it may even be slightly more painful. Again, this is normal! If it is not normal, I guarantee it that you will know. Even if I've panicked before, I've never felt like there was something truly wrong with myself or the baby.
3) You did have some brown spotting with BB-3. As long as it's brown, and not filling up a pad in an hour, there is no reason to fully panic. Let your doctor know, but don't rush to the phone or the hospital. Take a deep breath, drink more water, and wait. Of course I know this is extremely hard for you, especially with all those pregnancy hormones in your body. Trust me, I've been there. Unless it's bright red and period-like, no panicking.
4) You will be tired. I mean, you will be a mom zombie that will never get a chance to truly relax during this pregnancy. You will have 3 kiddos running your life around, and yelling gleefully as you try to keep your sanity until Phil gets home. Hopefully BB-3 will not give up naps on you during pregnancy like David did. If they do, you will get through it. Phil is a very merciful and gracious man, who knows your greatest job, aside from keeping your current children alive, is to grow that human being inside of you. Take advantage of his gracious spirit, and escape to the bedroom. Don't feel guilty. Don't worry he secretly resents you. He does not. He wants you to do whatever it takes to take care of yourself and your baby. {And yes, he does still find you very attractive. Please don't cry/bring it up with this pregnancy!!}
5) You can and will lose any and all baby weight you gain. Even if you gain way more this pregnancy than you ever did, you can worry about that later. Focus on eating as healthy as possible with a treat every day. Even if the scale makes you want to cry, go with it. This is your last chance to use the excuse "The baby needs it!"

If I could change how I experienced the other pregnancies, this is what I would change:
-Enjoy this pregnancy. Touch that belly every day, even when no one else knows there's a baby in there. Smile every day, even if/when you're puking because you are about to close a chapter of your life. You will not be experiencing child bearing again.
-Try your hardest to not dwell on the babies you've lost along the way. They are still part of your family, but their stories are not the story of the baby inside you now.
-Wear maternity pants/underwear/whatever as soon as you want to. No one will be policing what you wear, so do it whenever you feel. Even if that means 8 weeks along, more power to ya, mama!
-Don't make everything about you. Other women losing babies halfway through their pregnancies, women who deliver at 24 weeks, those are not your stories. You can support and pray for those women, but don't worry that it will happen to you.
-End every day listing off something that made you smile that involved someone in your family. In fact, do it for each person in your family, including that baby in your belly. Find the joy. This will save you from a lot of guilt later!
-Find a way to be as present as possible. The first half may crawl by, but the second half of pregnancy has always flown by for you. Before you know it, that precious little one who will complete your family will be in your arms.

Girl or boy, they will be the perfect fit in this crazy family you love!

Congrats again, and enjoy :)

Friday, April 22, 2016

BB-3 Week 25 Update

{Cell phone picture this week #thirdkidprobs}

Today is the funeral for my grandma. (I'll probably have to add a photo later and back post this particular entry.) It's been good to talk about, and celebrate my grandma who lived a long, and good life. Despite the circumstances, I've had fun seeing family I don't see very often. For the most part, the kiddos have been good sports with everything we've done over the last week. I can tell I'm a little dehydrated because I haven't been able to keep up with water intake the last few days. Also, I've had to eat out so much lately, I'm a little worried about my weight gain :-/ One positive is being with my folks a little bit longer. Granted, we don't get much time to just hang out, and our large family is a little crazy. However, just being around them is worth it :)

Today's date: April 22, 2016

How far along: 25 Weeks

Total weight gain: 16 pounds {Too much eating out lately! Hopefully I can watch this!}

Size and growth of baby: BB-3 is the size of a rutabaga, napa cabbage, or Tarte Tatin! They are over 1 1/2 pounds, and 13 1/2 inches long. Although they flip around everyday, BB-3 is learning the difference between being upside down and right side up! Hair is starting to show in the color it will be at birth. {Will they be a red head? Blonde? Brown?} BB-3 is continuing to gain weight so that they won't be so wrinkled at birth. {via & via}

Baby is a: baby!

Maternity clothing: All maternity, minus a few shirts

Sleep: It was a rough sleep week for me. Not only did we have lots of fun and exciting things going on, I also have been sharing a hotel room with the kiddos. They are not going to bed until after 10:30, waking around 7:30, and no naps. I can't wait to sleep a little better soon without a small person in bed with me!

Movement: I feel movement everyday, but it's not always big movements. Some kicks, and a little shifting around. They are most active around bedtime for now!

Cravings/Aversions: I mostly wanted a strawberry shake again this week, but did not get it, (which is probably best!). Aversions are raw meat, pork, rice, peanut butter, and mushrooms.

Morning Sickness: I felt good all week in terms of sickness. No real complaints :)

Symptoms: Baby kicks, sore boobs, round ligament pain, thirsty, pimples, gassy, emotional, peeing a fair amount, nesting is starting to kick in, tired feet, a little lower back pain, swollen gums, nasal sensitivity, and feeling really tired.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first two: Less morning sickness, no medicine, more weight gain, more anxiety, crazy mix of cravings and aversions from both previous pregnancies, more nasal issues, more dental issues, more exhaustion, less activity level in utero... for now ;)

The best moment of this past week: My brother's wedding, road tripping with my mom, and exploring a museum with the kids in Sioux City.

What I miss: Nothing at all

I'm looking forward to: Getting home and being with Phil again, and knowing our trip to France is about 30 days away!


Bump Comparison:
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle: David 2013 Right: BB-3 2016}

BB-3 Bump Comparison:

Monday, April 18, 2016

My Brother's Wedding

It was such a privilege to be a part of my brother's wedding! Not only did everything go well, but I'm beyond excited to officially, (legally that is), welcome Julia into our family. She is wonderful, and I'm so glad they found each other. They are clearly very happy, and anyone can sense the love they have just by being around them. It makes my heart elated to see my brother married to someone he adores.

I don't have many pictures from my phone, but I have so many mental pictures that I will treasure forever. {I am really excited to see the wedding photographer's pictures though!} Phil was such a wonderful sport wrangling the kids during the various festivities. I am sad though, because I never got a picture with him because of it :( Well, him or the kids! Like I said, I do have lots of mental pictures I'll cherish. Here are the few photos I took from the weekend:
{My folks drove all day Thursday to get into town. They stayed with us Thursday evening. Friday involved lots of errands. This was in between my mom and I getting mani/pedis, and my dad getting a haircut. They were able to have a leisurely lunch and some grandkid time}

{My nails! I did get fake nails for the length, but they didn't last long after the wedding. Moms can't do much with fake nails... at least this mom can't!}

{My toes. Not only did I like the color, but I liked the name - Son of a Peach ;)}

{The morning of the wedding called for a big (decaf) caramel iced latte from DD}
{I knew I needed 3 things to get me through the wedding day: Grace, Jesus, and caffeine}

{I decided very last minute what to do with my hair. I'm so glad mom and I got hair appointments because I probably would have given up on the braid and just did a ponytail. I think the lady did a great job!}

{I was invited to get ready at the B&B where most of the bride's friends, (and the bride) were staying. We were trying to recreate a photo with the bridesmaid dresses before we got dressed. The photographer is the bride herself :)}

{All the dresses ready to go}
{The bride's dream was a spectrum of pink with various textures, and she was very happy with the end results!}

{These are photos Julia sent me the day after the wedding. Her mom took these photos as we waited to line up for the big entrance. She looked gorgeous, and Jillian was so excited to be the flower girl :)}

{Beautiful girls and disappearing bouquets}

{The ceremony was sweet and sentimental. Also, it wasn't terribly long ;) Before we knew it, it was time to party at the reception! I got to talk to a long-time childhood friend and meet his girlfriend. Phil ended up taking the kids home around 8, but I stuck around to make sure everything was cleaned up. Once family started making their way back to their hotels, I got a little time to hang out with my folks. I asked to take a selfie with them, and my dad decided to be goofy ;)}

{That's better!}

{My big bro <3}

It's weird to think of my brother as a married man, and it was weird to see him wearing a wedding band on his finger! However, I'm sure he felt the same way nearly 8 years ago when I got married. It really was one of the smoothest weddings I've ever been around, and you could just feel the love and happiness radiating. I'm so glad we can call Julia's family and friends ours. They are all great people, and I feel so lucky to have met them. 

May Mike and Julia have many happy years ahead of them!

But I Know What It Feels Like

This post is going to be awfully vulnerable and hard for me, but I really want to finally say it out loud. I got permission for my daughter ...