Pregnancy Update: Pregnancy Number 3 (baby number four) // Week 18

[How Far Along]

18 weeks as of yesterday (I know it's not an exact science but I like having a day of the week to look forward to, to mark my countdown as "officially" moving on, so...) Hello, month #5.

[Baby is the size of]

A can of soda or - if you're eating well (and I do believe I am) - a sweet potato. num num

[Weight Gain]

Up two pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm extremely pleased with how well my body is handling this baby. My first go-round produced 11 pounds 3 ounces of twins at 36 weeks gestation. That's a lot of baby. And I'm sure you remember the jaw-dropping weight of baby girl, Ayara, because it was 12 pounds 3 ounces, also at 36 weeks delivered. I sincerely believe that my mind and my body are working in harmony to grow a smaller baby. Fine by me.

[Movement]

I've felt the baby move on-and-off since Memorial Day weekend.Last week after Taylen lunged at me from the couch - planting his knee on top of the baby - I felt nervous not getting any movement. I made a last-minute appointment at the clinic and they were kind + found baby's heartbeat right away putting my anxious mama heart at immediate ease. 

[Sleep/Symptoms]

Sleep is textbook prenatal-style: exhausted, often fall asleep as soon as I lie down, sometimes can't sleep due to restless legs and arms (usually means I'm too too tired), and on and on. Bob's great about challenging me to a game of basketball, or motivating me to take an evening walk so rest comes easier. The number of times I wake in the night to pee remains ridiculous.

[Maternity Clothing]

Love it. Seriously. I enjoy the maternity pieces I've got, and I also enjoy the giant bump in non-maternity wares, too. 

[Craving]

Fresh and crispy still: grapes of all colors, carrots, apples, chopped salad, cucumbers... even oranges.

[Best Moment this week]

Watching Taylen, Dayr, and Ayara kiss the baby bump and say (although I may have coached them) "I cant wait to meet you", the smiles on their faces lets me know that they mean it.

[Looking forward to]
A scheduled doctor's appointment next Tuesday, 19 weeks, and setting up the "half-way" ultrasound at that time. Also, hopefully sharing some appointment attendance with Bob, its much more fun that way :)

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER THREE UPDATE: WEEK 9

 

[How Far Along]

9 weeks, only four more until second trimester aka my favorite, breezy time!

 

[Baby is the size of]

A fun-size candy bar you don't have any of those in your pocket, do you?

 

 

[Weight Gain]

Holding steady at my pre-preg weight for now.

 

 

[Movement]

No baby movements yet.

 

[Sleep/Symptoms]

Just like last week, nausea is in full swing. Funny story for you: I made the kids lunch, not myself very hungry, and sat down with them to pray. I curled myself up on the wooden table bench and held their little hands in my own. No sooner did Taylen finish the most beautiful bring-you-to-tears lunchtime prayer "thank you for my beautiful family..." did I feel an overwhelming need to vomit. Fortunately the first of this pregnancy. I bolted to the kitchen sink, wretched, and grabbed a slop bucket from the cupboard. I heard Dayr ask his sibs "What is mommy doing?" Taylen announced "I have to poop!" and raced off to the bathroom. I felt a little prairie doggish myself soooo I sat across the tiny, tiny bathroom from my son, nearly knee-to-knee while he pooped and I did the same, while puking into a bucket on my lap. Tears running down my face from the pressure I couldn't help but laugh a little when I wretched again in the bucket and Taylen, without thinking, imitated my noises back to me. I wiped his butt in between hurls and after it was all over I felt starved.  It was my hilarious moment for the week, and just another reason I love that boy. All of them, actually. They just make everything better.

 

 

[Maternity Clothing]

Yes, please. I love the roundness of a growing baby belly. For me it's comforting and beautiful. This week I'm playing with some new pieces from Belly Dance Maternity. Like the above-pictured NOM brand striped tank. It's made of pillowy-soft cotton that, even on my most irritable days, doesn't irritate my skin (or my mood!). If you've ever been preggo you know that's a win/win.  It's long enough that it'll last all nine months, cute enough that it'll last far beyond pregnancy days, and comfortable enough to wear while nursing I am sure. I typically wear a size XL and that's what this is. Often times those are snug on me, but not this piece. It feels a lot like wearing nothing, which feels pretty darn good to me. I guess what I'm trying to say is this is my new go-to piece. This morning it's cool enough to pair with jeans and a sweater, but I am looking forward to sporting this sleeveless with shorts in the (hopefully) near future, too!

 

[Craving]

Carbs. I can't. stop. thinking about the next town over's ooey, gooey Parmesan bread sticks. Roman Wheel, looks it up, they're the best in the world. I just know it.  

 

 

[Best Moment this week]

See sleep/symptoms above ^

 

[Looking forward to]

Knocking some more off my Spring Bucket List!

    You might also like: pregnancy number three  update: week 4, week 5,  update: week 8, the announcement

PREGNANCY // DIY FORTUNE COOKIES + THE ANNOUNCEMENT

When we found out on March 16th that we are going to be welcoming a littlest Hebel into our family one of my first thoughts was "How can we announce this pregnancy, pregnancy number three / baby number four, in a way that's fun? When we found out we were pregnant with the twins in Nevada we were so stoked we called everyone that same day. When we realized Ayara was on her way, just five short months after the boys were born, we were in a tiny bit of shock (even though she was definitely planned!) and called everyone with that news, too.

 

We don't know how many babies or pregnancies we'll be blessed with, it's time to have a little fun with this one! To tell my mom I tried to place a sprinkle in her hand. At that time baby was the size of a candy sprinkle, she and I love sweets - it seemed cute. She was so anxious about my putting it in her hand, however, that I almost gave up! When we told her the sprinkle was the size of the baby in my belly she said "Are you crappin' me?". Words I never want to forget.

 

That all happened with my mom on March 24th, the eve of my Birthday and the day before baby's first ultrasound. We decided that we wanted to share the news with whomever was coming the next day, my Birthday, to an impromptu Birthday Potluck. I googled pregnancy announcements, played around on pinterest a while and became inspired to try homemade paper fortune cookies. I'm so glad I did! They're super easy to make and obviously totally adorbs.

 

 

In attendance at the Potluck was: my dad + his wife, my brother + his gf, some of our close friends: Meredith, the Klein's (about 36 weeks pregnant, too!), and that's about it. Some of the greatest and most loved people in our lives. It all seemed surreal. We made giant sub sandwiches (I'm craving Subway BIG time) and I attempted a "tie dye" cake. It was buko fun.

 

The ultrasound in the morning revealed one baby with a strong heartbeat. What a huge blessing! I was measuring right where I should be at that time: 6 weeks, and everything looked great! 

 

To make you need: cardstock, a circle to trace (cup, bowl, protractor, etc.), pencil to mark, fortunes for inside and a hot glue gun (with glue).

• Cut out a circle and gently fold in half, but don't crease yet
• Crease just the center inch of the fold
• Unfold and refold so the crease is perpendicular to the new fold
• Push in the crease until paper starts to bend and fold
• Reopen and place fortune inside
• Gently close and glue shut using one drop of hot glue
• Hold for a moment while it dries

That's it! Get creative in the ways you use these, they're adorable and so so fun!

PS- I back-posted some preggo updates, if you're interested:

Preggo Week Number 4

+

Preggo Week Number 5

xo

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER THREE (BABY NUMBER FOUR): UPDATE WEEK 5

[How Far Along]

Currently 5 weeks pregnant. I have diastasis recti from carrying twins, and then a baby with polyhydramnios just five months after that delivery SO I have the gift of forever appearing about six months preggo. It'll be interesting to see when the new baby starts to show. Whatever though... I love my bump!!
 

[Baby is the size of]

An apple seed - so tiny!

 

 

[Weight Gain]

None so far. Hoping for less than 20.

 

[Movement]

No baby movements yet.

 

[Sleep/Symptoms]

I'm a big ball of emotions. Current gripes: I miss my iPhone, I hate my hair, and I don't look good in anything. My poor husband!

 

 

[Maternity Clothing]

My clothes feel tight, should that be happening already? Also I have some fun reviews/features lined up for you- stay tuned! I'm stoked to share my maternity wears.

 

 

[Craving]

Last week was broccoli, this week pineapple.

 

 

[Best Moment this week]

Taking the first "belly shot" ... think I love my bump? see "How Far Along" above.

 

 

[Looking forward to]

Having that first ultrasound - will it be one baby, two, three? I can't wait to see!

 

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER THREE: UPDATE WEEK 4

[How Far Along]

Currently 4 weeks pregnant. We found out the day before St. Patrick's Day! Baby's Due Date is November 19, 2014 - my dad's Birthday!

 

[Baby is the size of]

A poppy seed, or a sprinkle - if you're a junk foodie like me.

 

[Weight Gain]

None so far. Hoping for less than 20.

 

 

[Movement]

No baby movements yet.

 

 

[Sleep/Symptoms]

I feel extra tired, semi-queasy and achy. Tossing and turning at night - probably because I'm so EXCITED!

 

[Maternity Clothing]

Pulled out my favorite maternity jeans that had just last week gone into hybernation, not because I need them yet, but because all my other pants were in the wash and I figured hey, at this point -  why not?

 

[Craving]

One so far: broccoli with cheese

 

[Hating]

gelatinous food (grits, jello, goopy sides of eggs) but that's nothing new

 

 

[Best Moment this week]

Finding out we're going to get to be parents, again!

 

[Looking forward to]

Staying on top of pregancy weight-gain/health, meeting with a potential midwife next week and telling ev-er-y-one!

 

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER TWO UPDATE: 36 WEEKS [She's HERE!]

Baby Ayara has arrived! And about a month ahead of schedule, too! She entered the world on Easter Sunday, April 8th, at about 1:30 p.m. via ceserean section. She tipped the scales at 12 pounds 3 ounces, was 21 inches long and had a full head of beautiful feather-like hair. Her birth story is a long, interesting one (for another day). For now enjoy her super cute chubby photos!

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER TWO UPDATE: 33 WEEKS [and an ultrasound]

Time has FLOWN! Already we're at 33 weeks pregnant and rolling forward... fast!

Yesterday was Ultrasound day since Baby G seemed "large" to our midwife. Ultrasound's at this point can be off +/- one pound and so I wasn't concerned with the numbers; I was just glad to see her!

She "weighed in" at 7 pounds-ish (so somewhere between 6-8) and is head down and buried as low as she can go. No wonder I've been feeling so much pain and pressure down there!

It sure would be nice if she stayed head down from now on... we shall see.

[Other news: she's still a girl and there's still just one. No twins.]

Today I have an appointment at the Women's Clinic. So far I've met only my midwife but today I will meet an OB/GYN (and on every other alternating visit from here on out) in order to ready myself should Jan (midwife) not be available when Baby G decides to come.

Hopefully the Ultrasounds will have been read professionally so we have something to talk about other than the pros/cons of attempting a VBAC (vaginal birth after ceserean). I just know something in this afternoon's chat will make me cry.

For now, the difficult-to-decipher footage:

 

The funny thing is that Bob and I were both SO tired that we nearly fell asleep during this ultrasound! (It was daddy's first time seeing Baby G live!)

It's comical that we were so excited about the experience and then realizing we had a quiet moment without the twins nearly took advantage and zonked out.

And of course a pregnancy update wouldn't be complete without a belly shot, or two:

Compared to two weeks ago, the difference is definitely noticable!

The time has come where I care less about styling my hair/applying make-up and more about simply staying awake and comfortable. You're welcome.

PREGNANCY // HOME VS. HOSPITAL BIRTHING: PRENATAL CARE

There are a few things I miss about the experience I had with my midwife in Nevada. Okay, there are many things I miss, but the thing I notice is the most different between then and now is the sense of warmth and comfort I felt.

I had taken a photo of the room where my midwife held her appointments, but have since lost it. I found an image that looks and feels similar here.

Replace the wing back chair with an older, more modest office chair, stack papers and tea all around, hang personalized birthing art on the walls and insert an old school ultrasound machine (that doesn't get used) at the foot of the bed and this is pretty much it:

I always felt like I was hanging out at a friend's house, relaxing and talking natural birth. There wasn't a need for much medical intervention throughout this pregnancy (ultrasounds wouldn't have been necessary at all if I wasn't carrying twins).

Fast-forward to pregnancy #2, the now. Without the funds to cover the cost of having a home birth with a midwife again, we were left with one option: Medicaid.

I am so thankful that something is available but this would not be my choice.

Here I am at 8-weeks-pregnant with baby #2, all ready to have ultrasound #1. (In Nevada) 

Über fancy prenatal technology (Nevada)

More fancy ultrasound equipment (12 weeks pregnant- Michigan)

As you can see there is a sense of connectedness and comfort in the first photo that cannot be obtained in any of the subsequent shots.

I realize that the choice of where and how to birth is personal for every woman. My only hope is that you might remain open to the calm, tender, enjoyable experience of midwifery and home birth.

I'm more than happy to discuss my experiences further with anyone interested.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER TWO UPDATE: 31 WEEKS

Okay, WHOA! I was thinking that it would be fun to do a comparison of my twin pregnancy to the "singleton" I'm carrying now, but when I posted the results side-by-side I freaked a little. Especially after today's appointment where my midwife told me we're scheduling a second ultrasound due to measuring big... WHAT?!

Sidenote: other than that everything's going GREAT! She even told me I have easy pregnancies, nah nah!

I don't know about you but when I look at the two pictures below, I don't see a lot of size difference!

I can feel my pulse quicken as I type.

I was told the ultrasound will be in the next two weeks. What else will they tell me?... It's not really a girl!?

 I guess until then I (and probably you now, too) will just wait in agonizing suspense!

GULP.

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER TWO UPDATE: 28 WEEKS

Welcome, me, to my second go-round at the THIRD TRIMESTER! This is such an exciting time. There are names to be discussed (we're notorious for waiting until the last minute), clothes to wash and put away, a nursery to reorganize and not to mention plenty of sleep to be stored for the days when baby G is finally in our arms and we can't even remember what sleep is.

I'm excited to be nearing the end, but also am so anxious for what to expect in the Hospital. With the twins we always knew we were going to birth at home and so this is my first time preparing for a Hospital birth. I will admit I am not so thrilled about that. At home I loved: being able to walk around the block with my husband, eating and drinking as I pleased, not being tethered to a bed or monitor and most of all I loved having the big water tub for labor right in the comfort of our bedroom. I wore anything I wanted (or didn't want) and called most of the shots... it was very peaceful and pleasant.

For the Hospital I've already been warned of some of the key differences such as constant fetal monitoring and visits from a variety of staff for various reasons. Right now I'm keeping my mind focused on doing the best that I can do. I'm trying not to get my hopes up for one thing or another and simply remain calm and know that everything is going to be okay. After all that's all that I can do, right?

On a pregnancy related note I've been having AWFUL nightmares for weeks now. Has anyone else experienced this with pregnancy? With the twins I remember having vivid dreams but now I am waking up sweating, crying, and shoving my husband. After a quick check on the boys I can usually get back to sleep but they're always the same nightmare and lately they've been increasing in intensity.

At the start of this third trimester I find that I'm feeling surprisingly well. Besides some minor body aches (mostly in the back) and going to the bathroom 100x/night, things are going smooth. We managed to throw a Birthday Party for the twins (more from that to come SOON!) and so have been busy, busy cleaning, organizing, and visiting galore.

Happy Hump Day, all! Or if you're pregnant... BUMP day!

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER TWO UPDATE: 25 WEEKS

Baby G:

About 1" in length

About 1.5 pounds

very active at all times day & night

Craves:

Sushi (the fully-cooked kind, of course!)

Ice Water

Sweets

Cold Crisp Fruit

Caffeine

PREGNANCY // PREGNANCY NUMBER TWO UPDATE: 23 WEEKS

Baby G (as I've come to lovingly refer to the lil' lady inside) has been SO active lately, I feel she may be needing some additional attention. Not only that, but I cannot get her off my mind due to her constant poking, wiggling and hiccuping.

THEREFORE I'm posting a baby G update.

She does have an appointment on January 23rd so she must be like her mama - impatient - she doesn't want to wait until then to let everyone know she's doing well!

Dear Baby G,

For the past three days you've been kicking up a storm! Every time mommy tries to help daddy feel your cool moves, you stop! I was starting to feel a bit crazy until we were laying in bed this morning and BLOOP we both saw a ripple go across my tummy! It was you... we BOTH caught you! Then daddy gently laid his hand on mommy's belly and voila, he felt your powerful punch!

If it's true what they say about babies then you're developing your own sleeping patterns right about now. Your brothers were awake ALL night while mommy tried to sleep but you, sweet little girl, let mommy sleep and wake up in the morning! (But not too early, today was about 10 am! Good girl!)

Here are some recent pics of your cozy home: 

23 weeks

Love that goofy pregnant shape <3