Thursday, March 30, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 21 Update


I'm behind in posting stuff because I am now a LipSense distributor! {I know, I know! However, I really love the product, and I wanted the discount more than anything ;)} So I took the pictures on the correct day, but I'm behind on posting. I'm sure I'll get a handle on everything soon ;)

Today's date: March 30, 2017

How far along: 21 Weeks 

Total weight gain: I'm at 3 pounds below my pre pregnancy weight.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a pomegranate, or baby bok choy! She is around 11 ounces and 10.5 inches long. Her digestive system is busy creating meconium, (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth :){via}

Baby is a: girl! Our little Lexie Grace :)

Maternity clothing: All day, err day. I have some new pj pants from my parents, so I'm enjoying them at home. (And they have pockets!)

Sleep: Not getting restful sleep lately, but I do sleep ok. I honestly need two naps a day, but I can't get one since I have other littles to attend to.

Movement: She is most active at night time, and I am feeling movement daily now!

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings are caramel, fruit, and chicken dishes. Aversions are still the smell of raw meat, cooking meat in a crockpot, and anything that smells/sounds bad at the time.

Morning Sickness: More of a low appetite than morning sickness. I'm thankful for that!

Symptoms: A little heartburn, sore breast, hip pain, headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: I'm not hungry very often, and I feel like my fuse is much shorter than it has been in the past. Otherwise, it's pretty similar to my other pregnancies.

The best moment of this past week: Having a productive weekend, spending time with Phil, and getting through the week.

What I miss: Nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: Easter, my SIL's baby shower, getting a storm shelter, and getting baby prep done!
Now to compare pictures :)
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Monday, March 27, 2017

{Announcing} Baby, One More Time

{Baby Mine}

Now that our family knows, we are more than happy to "spill the beans"

Without further ado...

Final Fourth....

is....

...

...

{Alexandra "Lexie" Grace}

We were a little surprised, because we were convinced that this would be Nathan. Not only that, but none of my methods of predicting the gender was correct for all 4 of our babies.

Nevertheless, we are beyond excited to have Lexie join our family this summer!

We did a short video of Jill and David finding out the gender. Clearly, David is more excited about the jelly beans, so I think he'll be ok with being the only boy :)

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 20 Update

{I look upset, but I'm not! I just fell asleep on the couch while Phil was reading. I am going straight to bed now!}

We had our big ultrasound on Tuesday morning. As far as we know, everything looked really great. However, baby was being a little stubborn, and they didn't get all of the pictures of the heart they like to have at my doctor's office. I get to go back next week, and try again! For now, I have a sense of peace that they just need better pictures because of baby's position. However, I'm always appreciative of prayers and good thoughts that I keep that peace, and that everything will look good. This is especially true since I do have some relatives with congenital heart issues.

Today's date: March 23, 2017

How far along: 20 Weeks 

Total weight gain: I'm at a loss of 5 pounds.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a banana, or Palmer cookie! They are working on developing taste buds, and swallowing more amniotic fluid both for practice and for nutrition.{via}

Baby is a: baby! We know, and some of our family knows. We'll be announcing at church this Sunday since we're teaching Sunday School, and then I'll do a post on Monday. Keep your eyes peeled!

Maternity clothing: All day, err day. You know how I do, baby boo.

Sleep: I am tossing and turning a lot right now. I may sleep the right number of hours, but it's not very restful sleep.

Movement: Feeling something just about everyday! Even if it's light, I'm thankful for it :)

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings are soft caramels, fruit, and Chinese. Aversions are still the smell of raw meat, cooking meat in a crockpot, and anything that smells/sounds bad at the time.

Morning Sickness: I've felt pretty decent this week. Thank goodness! I did get really hangry yesterday... 

Symptoms: A little heartburn, sore breast, very little nausea, hip pain, headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: I'm not gaining much weight because I rarely feel hungry, sensitive gag reflex that I didn't have before, I had a low-lying placenta with Jillian, and I'm the most tired I've ever been. 

The best moment of this past week: Having a good ultrasound, and a fun time with my Second Breakfast Club!

What I miss: Minus my parents, nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: Announcing who is completing our family soon, and my birthday!
Now to compare pictures :)
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Sunday, March 19, 2017

What Will Baby Be? Final Round

In a few days, I'm going to have our big ultrasound. As always, I'm anxious to know everything is fine. Congenital heart stuff runs on my dad's side of the family, and I'm also curious to see if I having a low-lying placenta like I did with Jillian. Also, I haven't felt as much movement with this baby, so I want to be reassured that all is well developmentally. Besides, I am so excited to learn who will complete our family :)

With Jillian, I did a fun post two days before the ultrasound with various old wives tales. The tally ended up favoring a boy, but that turned out to be wrong! I was so sure Jillian was a boy, but I was so happy with my surprise girl :) Then with David, I did another post two days before the ultrasound. The tally just barely favored boy, and that time it was right! I thought maybe I was having another girl, but my intuition was wrong. I've never been happier to be wrong! A year ago, I did another post before the ultrasound, even though we didn't announce the gender publicly. The tally favored a girl by one point, but it was correct! I finally got a correct guess, and we had our sweet little Lottie.

To keep things as fair between the siblings as possible, here is a post to see what Baby C: Final Fourth might be!

Morning Sickness
The tale here is, the sicker you are, the more likely it's a girl. Why? Your hormones are battling with baby girl's hormones, causing you to have an upset stomach. If you have hardly any sickness, it's a boy.

Verdict: While I wasn't super sick like I was with Jillian or David, my gag reflex has been incredibly sensitive this time. I've had lots more gagging than I ever have. I also threw up more than I ever did with Lottie. According to this tale, I'm having a girl.

Carrying Baby
The tale deals with how you carry baby. High will be a girl and low will be a boy.

Verdict: It's my opinion that, while my last 3 pregnancies have been lower than with Jillian, this time is a bit lower than with Lottie. I feel like I look more similar to carrying when I did with David than Jillian or Lottie. According to this tale, I'm having a boy.

Acne
This tale says the more acne you have, you're having a girl. If you have hardly any acne, it's a boy. Why? Again, it involves a battle of the hormones.

Verdict: My face has not had many pimples this time. I feel like it does look a little less glow-y, but that could just be my age. According to this tale, I'm having a boy.

Chinese Gender Chart
I'm not entirely sure how they determine it, but it is a chart that you can find here that takes the mother's age at time of conception and the month in which baby was conceived.

Verdict: According to this tale, I'm having a boy.

Mayan Gender Calendar
This is the same concept of the Chinese Gender. The difference is, it takes the age of the mother at time of conception and the year the child is conceived. If both are odd or even numbers, it's a girl. If it's an odd plus an even number, it's a boy.

Verdict: According to this tale, I'm having a girl.

Cravings
This tale says if you crave sweets/fruits, it's a girl. However, if you crave meats and salty foods, it's a boy.

Verdict: I had an aversion to most meat, (the exception being chicken), but that was true for all my other pregnancies. I have craved more fruit than chocolate this pregnancy, and like sea salt and vinegar chips. According to this tale, I'm having a boy.

Voting
I've had my little poll on the sidebar with a total of 6 votes.

Verdict: According to y'all, I'm having a boy.

Mother's Intuition
I only have a slight preference for David's sake. While I love having him as my one and only little boy, I would love for him to have a brother. Plus, I don't know how he'll feel being completely surrounded by women. As of now, his soon-to-be born cousin is a girl, so he'd be the only boy if we have a girl. However, if it is a girl, we'll be just as happy. Jillian did tell me that I'm allowed to have a boy since we already have a girl baby. While I won't post his official guess, Phil most likely wants it to be a boy just so we don't have to have anymore name discussions. We have the full name for a boy picked out, but have the first name for our girl choice. I'm sure he'd love to drop all those options for what we have ;)
Not having any real clues with pregnancy symptoms/cravings, I'm going out on a limb with my guess. Between having a decent amount of heartburn, and the fact that I get annoyed/angry much faster, I have made my choice. {Bear in mind, Lottie was the only baby I was right with for mother's intuition. We'll see...}

Verdict: According to this, I'm having a boy.

The final tally...
Boy - 6
Girl - 2

By a landslide, it looks like Final Fourth is a boy! We'll find out for sure on the 21st :) The only thing besides Phil's guess that's been correct every single pregnancy has been the Chinese Gender Chart from thebump. I can't wait to find out for sure!

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 19 Update


As of right now, the kids and I are in Wisconsin for Spring Break! We're having fun, but will be heading home soon. It'll be good to see Phil again :) Otherwise, I feel so blessed to have my wonderful parents who are willing to put up with us for a full week! I'm taking my weekly picture, but won't be able to post it until I get home.

Also, don't forget to vote for your gender guess on the side!

Today's date: March 16, 2017

How far along: 19 Weeks 

Total weight gain: I'm sure I've gained from my trip, but I don't know the exact number. I'll guess that I'm at 4 pounds above prepregnancy weight.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a mango, heirloom tomato, or (original) Gameboy! They are developing the protective coating of vernix. They also are working on developing all 5 senses this week {via}

Baby is a: baby! This is how I've decided we'll do things. Phil and I are finding out on Tuesday. We'll be sending gifts to our immediate families to tell them the gender the following day. We'll also have a gift for our kids to unwrap on my birthday, which is the 26th. Once they know, we'll be spilling the beans online :) I'd keep my eyes out for a gender reveal post on the 27th ;)

Maternity clothing: Maternity or lounge clothes all the time. Some of my maternity clothes are looking a little shabby, but I'd really like to make it to the end of this pregnancy without buying anymore maternity things. If need be, I'll replace one or two items. Other than that, I just want to make it to the end with what I've got!

Sleep: It's been harder this week to get much sleep. Not just because of traveling/being in a different place. It's because Jillian's having some drainage issues, and needs to be steamed/helped most nights. All the coughing is hard to hear, and I know she hates it too. Hopefully things'll improve for everyone.

Movement: I feel things from time to time, and sometimes as often as every other day. I'm hoping it's just because I'm starting this pregnancy at my highest starting weight. I pray baby moves lots on the ultrasound so I will feel better :)

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings were mostly soft caramel again. Aversions are still the smell of raw meat, cooking meat in a crockpot, mushrooms, and anything that smells/sounds bad at the time.

Morning Sickness: Minus a spell in Denny's where I couldn't eat my food, I've felt ok. 

Symptoms: A little heartburn, sore breast, very little nausea, hip pain, headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: I'm gaining weight the slowest with this pregnancy, which is good because I started at the highest, sensitive gag reflex that I didn't have before, and I'm the most tired I've ever been. 

The best moment of this past week: Being with my folks for spring break!

What I miss: Minus Phil this week, nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: Finding out who will be completing our family really soon, seeing Phil again/being home, and my birthday!
Now to compare pictures :)
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 18 Update


Now that I have an ultrasound date, I have a poll up for gender guesses for Final Fourth! Be sure to submit your guess :)

Today's date: March 9, 2017

How far along: 18 Weeks 

Total weight gain: I finally gained this week! I am at 6 pounds lost.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a sweet potato or bell pepper! Final Fourth is becoming amazingly mobile, passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. They also have unique finger and toe prints {via}

Baby is a: baby! Less than 2 weeks for us to find out :D

Maternity clothing: Maternity or lounge clothes all the time. 

Sleep: I toss and turn a lot right now. I don't know if I'm not getting restful sleep or what, but I am still just as tired. I must have slept on my right hip funny because I woke up to some major soreness this morning!

Movement: I had 3 separate days where I felt some good movement. Phil was even able to feel a little too! Keep it up, baby!

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings were mostly soft caramel. I even asked Phil for some apples and caramel dip this week! Aversions did not change this week.

Morning Sickness: Better than before. I do gag a bit more when brushing my teeth, and I still can't be around crock-pot meat. 

Symptoms: A little heartburn, sore breast, little nausea, hip pain, headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: Aside from my sensitive gag reflex, it's similar to one or more pregnancies.

The best moment of this past week: Getting our new couch, and getting some support I desperately needed from Phil and my folks.

What I miss: Nothing at all!

I'm looking forward to: Spring break, my kids' attitudes getting better, and finding out who will be completing our family really soon!
Now to compare pictures :)
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 17 Update


I had a good appointment at the doctor today! Not only was my BP 120/88, but Final Fourth's heart rate was 135 :) I'm surprised my BP was so low because we had an exciting morning. David decided to taste some powder laundry detergent that was on top of the dryer. Luckily, it was hardly any so he was fine. However, lots of water and a frantic call to Poison Control was not how I wanted to spend my morning. Did I mention this happened as we were walking out the door to go to preschool? Yep, it definitely did.

Today's date: March 2, 2017

How far along: 17 Weeks 

Total weight gain: It's hard to gauge when I get weighed at the dr because my scale says something different. According my my at home measurements, I am at a loss of 6-7 pounds.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of an onion or a pomegranate! Cartilage is hardening into bone, fat is starting to accumulate, and the umbilical chord is getting thicker and stronger :) {via}

Baby is a: baby! My appointment is scheduled, and I'm ready to find out!

Maternity clothing: Maternity or lounge clothes all the time. 

Sleep: I passed out last night way earlier than I planned! I must be even more tired than I realize. That's the problem with chasing 3 others while pregnant!

Movement: I felt some good movement the other night when I ate some spicy chips! Not much besides that, but my doctor told me it's still technically early to feel lots of movement.

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings and aversions did not change this week.

Morning Sickness: Much better. I even got to eat catfish the other night! I think as long as I don't smell the meat before it's cooked, or have it cooked in the crockpot, I can eat it ok!

Symptoms: A little heartburn, sore breast, little nausea, headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: I've not really gained much weight back. I've held pretty steady, which is different by this point with the other pregnancies. My temper is much harder to control. Gag reflex still sensitive, though getting better. I don't feel like I do a great job eating and drinking water this time.

The best moment of this past week: Hearing the heartbeat today, getting some good news officially about Jillian's Kindergarten enrollment, and getting a new couch for 75% off!

What I miss: Nothing at all!

I'm looking forward to: Making the ultrasound appointment, feeling more movement, and visiting my folks soon :)
Now to compare pictures :)
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Lottie: {Seven Months}

Lottie –

You are seven months old today! These months seem to get faster and faster. You are growing and changing so much, and we just love it!

According to our measurements at home, you are 16 lbs, 13 oz and 26-1/4 inches long.

Size 6 Month and 6-9 Month clothes are what you are wearing these days. There are a few 3-6 Months that still fit, but not by much. You wear size 3 diapers, though we'll need to get you some overnight specific ones soon. You tend to really fill up your diaper overnight! You can wear size 1 shoes, but you don't really like them on your feet right now ;)

You are eating 5 bottles, and 3 solid meals a day. You drink Similac formula, with a little mix of Similac AR to help with spit up. We're trying to slowly wean you off the AR, but you have enough spit up that we can't completely stop it yet. You like solid food, but you are picky about the texture! You like most of the food mama made, as well as Gerber brand food. Any other brand we either have to thin out with formula, or you will just store it in your cheeks and spit it out on your arm. Prunes, green beans and corn, and sweet potatoes seem to be what you like best. You tried some chicken, and seem to be ok with it. Aside from texture, there does not seem to be a food you dislike the taste of.

You had a viral things last weekend, so your appetite is a little low from that. It also gave you a viral rash on your tummy, and the nape of your neck. Luckily, that only lasted about 72 hours. You also have a rash on your neck from drool/food we're trying to clear up. Other than that, you're a healthy baby! You narrowly missed getting a flu shot this year. By the time you were old enough, flu season would have been just about over by the time it started to take effect. With this in mind, your daddy and I decided to just be extra careful with you. So far, so good!

You sleep from about 8:30 pm to 7 or 7:30 am. You take one good nap in the afternoon in your swing, and 1-2 other shorter naps. We don't have to swaddle you, but some nights you like having your arms wrapped in a light blanket. You love having a blanket on you for your long nap in the swing. In fact, when I put you in the swing, you start reaching out for the blanket because you know it's coming! HAHA

Bath time is a little more fun now that you can sit up in your tub! Sometimes you try to pop the bubbles in the water, and other times you're just ready to be done so you can have your last bottle of the day.

You have a tooth! It finally came out about 2 weeks ago. It is your bottom right tooth, with no other signs of the left one coming. It's pretty sharp, but luckily you haven't hurt yourself with it :) You like to chew on soft items more than teething rings. Still no pacifiers for you. That's fine with us!

We are constantly complimented about beautiful and sweet you are! You are very serious, but you will give the sweetest smiles when you want to :) You don't laugh often, but it's the best sound when you do! Sometimes you do this Frankenstein-style laugh where you're just grunting happily at daddy or mommy. It's pretty cute :) You adore your siblings, and really love to hold your daddy's face when he give you kisses. You like mama's hair in your mouth at all times! You get really chatting when you're the only kiddo around, but have had a few moments where you yell over the noise when everyone is home. You make sure you are heard! That's a good quality to have, my love!

Things you love: the jumperoo (if you're in the mood), being tickled, food (especially your bottle), watching brother make silly faces, getting attention from sissy, the octopus on your playmat, your bear lovie, your sound machine giraffe, and being held. You don't enjoy: being hungry, being tired, being in a chair or swing when you want to be held instead, and loud barking.

You can roll both directions, and can get to the other side of the room pretty quickly. No crawling yet, but you are getting better at lifting up your pelvis! Sitting up is still a little wobbly for you, but that won't be for much longer! You like to make raspberries, especially when daddy is trying to feed you ;)

Lottie, we are so thankful that you are our little ray of sunshine! You make us happy, proud, and remind us just how lucky we are to have this family of ours. We can't wait to see what the next month will bring :) Love you, Vanilla Bean Latte!

And now a few outtakes:
{Those eyes <3}
{Also, I FINALLY got a smile!}

{She was laughing in this one}

{She was having fun rocking in the chair, but it was making mama really nervous...}

{Posing with her bear}

{I adore this!}

{Happy Girl <3}

{A few things: 1) David is not about to hit Lottie, I promise! 2) I feel like this is going to be an album cover for whichever child decides to be a musician. 3) This is my life y'all, and I'm so glad :)}

And a few comparisons :)
{Months 1-3}
{Months 4 & 5}
{Months 6 & 7}

{Left: Jillian 7/2012 Middle: David 7/2014 Right: Lottie 3/2017}

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 ...