Happy due date

Happy due date to me. 

If you remember, everyone of my pregnancies has gotten longer and longer. 

Ryann 38.1 weeks

Cara 39.5 weeks

Mac 40.3

Baby 4 ???? But guessing 41?

Here are my 20 thoughts at the end of pregnancy. 

1. Contractions are annoying. Every hour I have 1 or 2 and have had them for the past couple weeks

2. So much mucus. Ugh. 

3. It is getting very exciting

4. It is fun to tell people you are due today. They kind of look panicked. Like you might have the baby right there at target. 

5. People are so sweet and kind

6. People like to feed you, unfortunately there isn't a lot of room left in there so I can't eat as much as I want to. 

7. Most of the pregnancy I have hoped and thought it was a boy. But now I have no idea!!

8. I have an awesome waddle. This baby's head is low. 

8. I have gained about the same amount as I did with Cara. Which is tied for first place with the most weight gain. 55lbs. 

9. Swelling in my ankles comes and goes. But overall not too bad. 

10. I just planned a date night for Saturday, cause this lady will go crazy if there is nothing to do.  

11. Mac has been very clingy lately but I don't mind sitting and watching tv because hats all I really want to do. 

12. We think we have names. Still a workman progress, but probably Shelby or Jesse. 

13. I get a lot of heartburn and headaches that I fix with essential oils. They work every time.

14. I am getting lazier in the mornings so I am telling my girls that I am "teaching" them for when the baby comes on how to make their own breakfast. Really that is nice, but I am really just making them make their own breakfast. 

15. I yell a lot. It is depressing and I don't want to, but I get cranky. 

16. I am really super okay today and I am okay with this baby cooking as long as it needs to. But that could change at any minute and I might start freaking out. I think that will happen like Tuesday if I don't have the baby by then. 

17. I have been massaging my belly with coconut oil and clary sage essential oil--- which is supposed to make you have contractions. But it hasn't done anything for me. 

18.  My parents leave for Colorado tonight hand don't get back until Monday. My parents have been at every birth so far and I am oddly calm with hem leaving. I guess if it is supposed to happen when they are gone then it will, but if they are supposed to be there then my body will wait. 

19. If I go into labor on an odd day I think it is a girl, if I do into labor on an even day then I think it is a boy. 😅 the boys are the 20th and 10th. And the girls are the 29th, 14th, and 29th. So we shall see if it continues. 

20. My babies have been born around 730pm, then 830pm, then 930pm. So wouldn't it be cool if this baby was at 1030pm??  I think so. 

Henna tattoo

When I was 36 weeks pregnant with Mac I had a blessingway to celebrate me and my pregnancy. It is kind of hippie and my friends and midwives pampered me and did a henna tattoo on my belly. This was around 36 weeks so it faded by the time Mac arrived. This time around, without my circle of hippie friends I decided to do my own tattoo. I think it turned out pretty awesome. 

Yes the belly is crazy white. I get it. Scary. Also crazy huge. 

After I took the first picture I turned around and saw Mac sleeping. He fought his nap that day, but sleep always wins, right? Haha. I wish. 

Countdown

Not much longer until we meet this baby on the outside!!

Cara wanted to take a picture with me and then a picture with the baby. 

This was also a pose of her own creation. 

Her hair is getting a lot of bleached out strands from all the swimming we are doing. She likes it but makes me reassure her that the red hair won't all go away. I sure love my pretty girl. 

34 weeks

So this week my body decided to get huge. The belly is large and the rest of me is following suit. However, the baby is happy, I am happy, the baby moves a lot, I stay active by riding my bike with the girls and waking a lot back and forth between my house and grandma greats house. (Not far, but up and down the hill is killer)

I am more tired now and when I eat too much salt my feet start to swell. This week has been quite relaxing since I wake up close to 830 every morning. 

We are missing rich and Mac this week but we know they are having fun on their trip to Arizona. 

30 weeks

A little pregnancy update here. 

I am 30 weeks. Wow. This is going by incredibly fast. I stopped checking my weight once I hit 30 lbs of weight gain. Too depressing. I gained 35lbs with ryann, 55 with Cara, and 40 something with Mac. So as long as I fall in somewhere around there i figure I am okay. 

I haven't run/ jogged in a week, my last run was 3 miles at a 10 min pace and that about did me in. My pelvis and hips hurt too bad after that. I have done some prenatal yoga and waking, but the past few days I have been lying on the couch "resting" away my Braxton hicks contractions and back pain. Ugh. 

Each of my pregnancies have had a period of fun reminders that I am pregnant and have to slow down. Fortunately now I don't panic because I know the contractions don't make me go into preterm labor. But I am good and I do rest and drink tons of water. It has been helping a lot though. 

The baby has been moving a lot more the past few weeks. Definitely more active than before, but still less movement than the other 3. I am hoping his means it will be a more mellow baby. We shall see though. 

I get heartburn, a little swollen if I eat a lot of salt, pee a ton, and I have a great midwife picked out. I also think I found a birth photographer which makes me super excited because I really want someone to be there just for pictures. 

Laughing Tears

I laughed so hard I almost cried. I will admit that pregnancy makes me a little... ummm... Gassy.

But I figured the girls didn't notice that much. 

Here is a picture Cara drew of me, pregnant, with me tooting and gas coming out of my butt. 

Embarrassing, yes, but too funny not to post. 

26 weeks

Cara and ryann each got to take a picture of my belly this week. I got a new dress from the loft outlet. It wasn't maternity but I love it. 

This baby occasionally gives me heartburn. Doesn't move very much so I love to sit and feel when it does move   The most movement is in the evening or at night. This week my longest run was 3 miles. I am usually doing 2.5-3 miles 4 days a week. I also started wearing a support belt when I run. 

I am definitely getting more tired but overall still feeling really good. 

19 + weeks

I think I look pretty much the same in my belly that I did with Mac for this baby. My weight is on target... No thanks to my diet of salt... But largely because I am still running 3 to 5.5 miles most days of the week. 

The salt thing is weird for me because I usually hate salt but right now I love popcorn and pretzels. Popcorn?! For anyone who knows me that is crazy because popcorn is the all time worst snack food I my book. 

The baby only moves a couple times a day but I have felt it start to move through my belly which is always fun. So far it moves way less than the other kids, so we'll see if it keeps it up. 

Past Due Date

 Waiting waiting waiting isn't very fun. Having your due date come and go also isn't very fun. Being 40+ lbs heavier than normal isn't very fun. Having contractions every night before bed while bouncing on an exercise ball that lead to nothing isn't very fun. Swollen feet and hands aren't fun either... okay I am done complaining for now. Except one more thing... My parents are in town and my dad leaves tonight, which is not exciting because I really wanted him to be here for the birth. 

So here are some things I have been doing in my last few days.  I bought a big hat to distract everyone from my big belly... does it help?

 I have also put some of the finishing touches on my "labor space" with my birth affirmations, pregnancy photos, and pictures from the girls. 

I am also spending time imagining myself giving birth in this labor/ birth tub... when the actual event takes place there sure won't be stuffed horses and unicorns, but for now the girls think it is their place to play. 

Labor Blessings

I have been wearing these beads around for the past week. They are from my blessing way. Everyone who came was able to give me a one word "wish" for my birth. Things like Peace, calm, smooth, fast, etc. that was associated with each bead. So I have worn this around to remind me of all the people who are hoping that I have an amazing birth.  

 I also ordered a couple little clay hearts to give to my birth team. They have a special little message on the back of them. The lady who I ordered them from made an extra one for me and that is also sitting in my birth space at home waiting for me. 

This pregnancy has been a lot of fun but I am sure excited to see it come to an end so I can meet our sweet baby boy.

Progress

Basically the only things I have ready for Mac is ummmm... a crib with a crib sheet. 

Poor guy, stinks to be a third child who is going to share his room with Daddy's office. 

It is okay though, because he is sure loved.

Here I hung a small banner with well wishes from friends who came to my baby shower. 

 His big sisters sure love him too.  Ryann decided to make him a sign so everyone can know where his room is. 

 Rich also hung some pictures, so now I have some decorations, and a crib with a crib sheet. 

 Hurry out here mommy!  I need help making some bedding and a mobile for him.

Summer Time

Now that it is officially "Summer" (haha... that's a joke here in Phoenix) I have decided that I want sonic drinks almost every day. Fruit slushes are the choice drink, but we have also done cream slushes, milk shakes, cherry limeades, and ice cream sundaes. 

Delicious. Happy hour is the best time. 

And I did take all these pictures at stop lights. 

To Do List

As I get closer and closer to my due date I am trying to check things off my list. 

Of course pedicure is one of those things on the list.

These toes are post work and post call... so they aren't always this swollen, but I guess I am almost always on call or after work so in reality they are usually this swollen.

 Ryann was able to join me for a polish change.

Family Pictures

Typical Cara

Blessing Way

This past weekend my midwife and doula threw me a "blessing way."

It isn't a typical baby shower. It was a celebration of me and my pregnancy and this journey to becoming a mother of 3. I had some sweet friends come and share this with me. The majority of us (myself included) had never been to a blessing way. 

Really I had no idea what to expect except they were going to pain my belly with a henna tattoo. 

 It turned out to be a lot of fun. We all got to feel my belly and listen to his heart beat. Then we all made collages of pictures from magazines that I am going to put in my "birth space" at home. They are gorgeous and each one has quotes about pregnancy, motherhood, childbirth, and things to help motivate and encourage me during my labor and birth. 

After that I got pampered. Henna on my belly, a foot massage, braids and flowers in my hair, strawberries, and much more. 

 We also had beads that will be turned into a necklace for me. These beads all represent one word that my sweet friends wished to bless me with for the birth... words like, "love, peace, flow, energy, happiness, etc." it was really fun to see what my friends were hoping for me and my birth experience. 

It was a lot of fun and I am having a blast with my giant belly being all henna tattooed!

36 Weeks

This entire pregnancy I have felt that this baby will be born very close to his due date. I am hot and tired and swollen, but I really do want him to stay in until July. There are so many things to do and so many things to get done and I know that babies are so much harder on the outside than they are on the inside!

Plus, the lack of sleep I am not looking forward to. 

Don't get me wrong, I am very excited for Baby Mac to join our family and everyone else is too.

 With that being said, I thought it would be really fun to remind Rich that anytime after next week, he is safe to join our family, since he will be "full term".

Rich didn't think it was so fun. After church all he could ask about what what was left to get ready for him, what did we need, is there some sort of checklist I can put together for him, etc. 

Ready or not, the countdown has begun. 

Anxiously Awaiting

I am anxiously awaiting the rest of my maternity photos!  Well, family pictures really, but throw a few in of my big belly and I am excited!

Anxious for baby Mac? Nah, he can wait inside and cook a little longer. I might be changing my mood come some 110+ degree weather, but for now, we both will stay inside.

Baby Mac's Room

My sweet cousin Mallory is a graphic designer. I love what she does and makes. I found some samples of cute monster prints on etsy and told her what I wanted and this is what she came up with!

 I love them and I printed them out last night and framed them. 

Now I just need Rich to hang them on the wall. I normally would do it, but the furniture is all in the way and my big ole belly won't let me reach that far. 

After that is done I have to do it get his bedding together and we will be set.

 The countdown has started.

About 5 weeks to go!

Pregnancy Update

I haven't been the best pregnant lady recently. I don't want this to be a pity party even though it might sound like it. I really just want to remember what is going on in this pregnancy in case I think I want to get pregnant ever again (???)  Remember when I got pneumonia? And I knew that I needed to rest in order for myself to recover from it fully?  Yeah, well I did and didn't and it came back.

I started on a second dose of antibiotics and WOW! those things kicked my butt. Now I hate prescribing antibiotics for most of my patients because I know that it can have some negative effects on the body. However, I do prescribe them when needed.  

I had no idea what the antibiotics would do to my body. Around day 3 of the antibiotics I started to get a weird rash on my legs. It didn't itch, wasn't raised, no one else in the family had it. I ignored it. Then the next day my ankles started hurting. Both of them. I figured I walked wrong or strained myself some how. The next day my wrists started hurting. 

Now I know I have put on some weight, like 30 lbs,  (YIKES), but not like the 55lbs I put on with Cara, and this had me confused on why I was hurting so bad. Over the next few days my knees, finger joints, elbows, and finger joints started to hurt. It hurt to walk, open doors, write in patients charts, and especially going up and down the stairs. I was in tears some days because of this. Since I was moving so much less my feet and ankles started to get swollen which added to the pain. 

During this time Devyn came to stay with us. She was a life saver. She rubbed my feet and ankles, she pampered me, she made sure I didn't cook or clean, she got me water, and basically she gave Rich a break from having to do all of these things. I also tried everything I could think of to feel better. Heat, ice, baths, massage, chiropractor, and rest. Nothing was making this better. I also have tried to eliminate the sugar from my diet (hardest thing in my life!!) but no relief in sight. 

 I consulted with some other midwives, my dad, and the OB that I work with. While I still thought it was the way the antibiotics were reacting with my body, I was a little scared that it was something else. I haven't ever dealt with a patient who has had this severe of joint pain... I mean I have patients with back pain, sciatica, round ligament, headaches, calf cramps, carpal tunnel, swelling, etc... but not bilateral joint pain all over their body. We ran some tests for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and thankfully it all came back negative. I did have some elevated white blood cells which show I am trying to fight some sort of infection, but we just haven't figured it out yet. And I don't know if we ever will.

So for more than 2 weeks I have been having this pain and I am starting to accept the fact that it isn't going away during this pregnancy. I have had a blessing and I know I will be fine, but for now I am just doing palliative treatment. Before I can get out of bed every day I massage my feet, knees, wrists and sometimes elbows (some days they don't hurt)

~~~~I wrote this post a few days ago and now today I am happy to update that I am starting to feel better!!  I have been still using my essential oils, massages, and stretching a lot, but the past 3 days I can say I have improved. Still not 100%, but so much better than I was. Finally I think the antibiotics are clearing out of my system and my body is starting to get back to its normal pregnant 35 week self. ~~~

Maternity Pictures

This week we went and got our family pictures taken. 

Including maternity pictures!

 I have never done maternity pictures. Just like I never did bridal pictures. I think pictures of just me are crazy and ridiculous. However, this pregnancy I am trying to do things a little differently and I took the plunge and got my pictures taken. 

(don't worry, there are no naked belly wraped in a scarf kind of pictures... not that those aren't beautiful, I just wouldn't take that plunge)

 Until I get those pictures back, these cute ones of my girls will have to work in its place.