Surprise Daddy!

I am trying to get all of last years pictures and videos organized and put into their folders and I came across these pictures of Matt finding out we were expecting again.  It was the week of his birthday so he got an early present from the kids. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Baby #3 - 28 Weeks

 
So I finally know what is causing me so much pain...I have Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction.  Ever heard of it?  Yeah, me either.  Apparently where the pubic bones meets in front there is a ligament and basically it becomes too relaxed and mobile due to hormones and starts to pull apart. 
The good side is that I'm not crazy and actually have a legit problem.  It's frustrating knowing something is wrong but not finding anyone else who has had it or finding out how or why it happens or what it's even called.  It's also frustrating having everyone (including your doctor) tell you it's a normal ache and pain of pregnancy.  It's not like this is the first time I have done this, I know what the "aches and pains" of pregnancy are...this is nothing like that. 
The bad side: there's not much you can do about it.  I really didn't think there would be though and more than anything I just hope it completely goes away after baby is born.  (I have read that in more severe cases like this there is a chance it doesn't totally heal itself right away but many women were able to continue treatment and that helps.)  Anyway, I am getting set up with Physical Therapy to see if they can help at all and we have also found a Chiropractor who has dealt with this, so maybe I can get a little relief for the next couple months. 


How far along: 28 weeks 1 day

Size of baby: About 15 inches long and 2-3 pounds

Weight Gain: 22 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Jeans are all maternity and a few tops are too.

Gender: BOY!  Just kidding, we still don't know, that's just my feeling this week. (Yes it changes weekly.)
We have been getting a lot of questions about names lately.  Was the A and B of the first two planned?  Are you going to use a C name this time?  Are you just working your way through the alphabet?
The answers: No, No and Maybe.  (Just kidding on that last one.)  Alexa and Braden were completely a fluke.  And it's not that we are against a C name for this one in fact I think it would be pretty cool if we could find something we like, but we aren't going to do it just for the sake of doing it.  So if you have any name suggestions (especially girls, we pretty much don't have any of those) we are definitely still taking them!  Bonus points for C names. :)

Movement: Lots of moving.  I can tell baby is getting bigger, there is a lot more pushing and rolling versus kicking. 

Sleep: What's that???  I try to lay in bed and get about 2-3 hours then (usually with Matt's help) I get up and move to the couch and try to get another hour or two reclined there.  It's sad when you're looking forward to having the baby so you can actually get some sleep!

What I miss: Sleep.

Cravings: Milk.  Before a couple weeks ago I can't even remember the last time I had a glass of milk, but now I have been having some almost every day.  Baby wants calcium! :)
Oh and also raspberry sparkling water.

Symptoms: I have been feeling pretty crampy already, some have even been painful and will last for hours.  I was checked today though at my appointment and they aren't doing anything thank goodness.  This baby is just sitting really low which I'm sure is a part of the cramping and pain and pelvis thing.

Best moment this week: Construction was started on the baby's room!  I can't wait to have it all done and start getting stuff in there and set up. 
I also found a blanket that I have been looking for since we pretty much found out we were pregnant.  It's the minty green version of the same blanket Alexa (pink) and Braden (blue) has.  Only problem was that is was discontinued almost 2 years ago.  Thank you Ebay!  I was able to get an almost brand new one and it was delivered last weekend.  It's perfect!


What I'm looking forward to: Getting the room set up and starting to get things all finished up and ready for the arrival. :)

What I Learned Over Christmas Break

Sledding is much more work than I remember it being as a kid.

Putting together a 1000 piece puzzle takes 2 people approximately 3 days of nap time and nights to put together.

Going to the Childrens Museum while school is out means that there will be approximately one million other people there.

When painting with young kids, make sure the paint you are using is not permanent.

Tiny bowling shoes are one of the cutest things ever.

Wordless Wednesday

Baby #3 - 26 Weeks

Okay I have to start off saying that I don't want to sound like I am complaining at all, buuuut this is pretty much my main place to journal this pregnancy so I want to get it all in.  Besides, Matt will need all the backup he can get once I start bugging him for another one. ;)

So where do I start...how about, I am so ready for this pregnancy to be over.  Remember when I said that I loved being pregnant?  Well I still do, it's definitely one of the coolest experiences a woman can have.  I love the kicking and moving and knowing that a tiny little person is growing in there.  It's such a miracle!  (Here comes the part where it might sound like I am complaining, but for the record I'm not...just stating facts.)  I am already so tired and achy...and tired...and achy.  I hardly remember getting to that point with Alexa and I know it was only a month or two from the end with Braden.  Is this how it works?  Does it just get sooner and sooner each time? 

My last appointment didn't go as great as I would have liked.  I am already retaining way more water than I should be...as in, welcome to my daily life kankles.  (I also had to take off my wedding ring.  I just about cried. :( I can't remember ever taking it off for more than a couple minutes to have checked and cleaned.)  My blood pressure is normally pretty low so even though it has gone up a little bit it's still in the good range so far.  So basically I am going to start going in about every 2 weeks already so they can keep an eye on everything.  I had to laugh when my doctor told me to try and get my feet up when I could.  Yeah, try explaining that to my crazy children! :)  Anyway, I think everything will be fine and it's reassuring to know that whatever pain or problems I am having that the baby is doing good...he/she looked wonderful, great heartbeat (144) and is moving around like crazy. 

How far along: 26 weeks - starting month 7!

Size of baby: 14 inches long and 1 2/3 pounds

Weight Gain: About 19 pounds. (UGH!)  I just about died when my doc told me I had gained almost 10 pounds in 1 month but then after looking at my swelling I guess I could be carrying 5-10 pounds of water weight.  Thank goodness!  5-10 pounds of water will be much easier to drop than 5-10 pound of Christmas goodies. :)  

Maternity Clothes: Jeans are all maternity and a few tops are too.

Gender: Boy or Girl :) Speaking of...anyone have any good names?  We are open to suggestions.  Not finding out the gender makes it even harder! 

Movement: Lots of moving.  Love it!!

Sleep: Okay here we go again.  So the pelvic pain I talked about last time is in full effect.  I can't move while laying down without lots of pain.  I usually don't get more than a couple hours of sleep at a time and I have already spent quite a few nights sleeping reclined on the couch.  I remember complaining that I couldn't get comfortable in bed at the end with Alexa and now I would love to just be able to curl up in bed like that again, boy things change!

What I miss: Sleep.  Normal breathing.  My ankles.  Diet Coke. (Okay, I have a few sips here and there but I have been doing good!) :)

Cravings: This is really weird but I seem to want chili cheese burritos from Taco Bell.  Thankfully the closest one is 15+ minutes away so I have only indulged a few times.  Also, pickles!  Although I could sit and eat a half of jar not pregnant so it's not like one of those "crazy pregnancy pickle" things.

Symptoms: Aches, pains, lack of sleep, back hurts, blah blah blah.

Best moment this week: Having Matt home all last week.  And while I was typing this I think I might have felt hiccups for the first time!  I have been waiting for that feeling, I always loved it.

What I'm looking forward to: Ummm, can I put 'having the baby' yet or is it to early? :) 

Christmas 2010

It's only been a week since Christmas so I'm not too late getting these up, right!? :) 

I have said this a billion times but everything is so much better with kids.  It's so much fun watching them experience everything and see how excited they get about it all.  This year was by far my favorite with the kids! 

Christmas Eve...
My parents came down and went to church with us then we went back to our house for dinner and presents.  

Matt putting together one of Braden's favorite new toys he got...a Thomas the Train set.  He loves it!

Here's Alexa putting out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.  I have no idea what she was doing or saying here but I just thought this picture was hilarious.  It's so her.

Christmas Day...
We woke up and opened more presents and played with all the new toys the kids got.  It was so much fun just the 4 of us hanging out.

Alexa loved everything she got but this unicorn pillow pet was definitely one of her favorites.  She had been talking about getting one for months so I went out and got her the lady bug one.  It was wrapped and under the tree.  I figured I would be mother of the year for getting her the pillow pet she had to have.  About 2 days before Christmas she saw a commercial for them and kept saying how much she wanted the unicorn one.  I was like, "But aren't they all so cute?  It would be awesome to have any of them!"  She flat out said, "No.  Only the unicorn!"  So being the sucker I am off to the store I went looking for the "right" one, unwrapped the "wrong" one, returned it, and wrapped the new one.  After watching her open it, it was totally worth it.  She has been carrying that thing around with her everywhere.  (This picture is of her coming over to hug me right after she opened it...I love this girl!)

Braden on his new big boy bike.  I can't believe how grown up he looks!  He was pretty excited about his new hat (helmet) too.  After he opened it he wore it while he played with his new stuff.

And of course he found the one piece of chocolate that was at the bottom of his stocking. :)

We spent the rest of the day at my mom and stepdad's house with my brothers and sisters. 
And what would Christmas be without playing Wii in princess clothes. :)