It's A...

April 6th came and went and there was no sign of a baby arriving any time soon.  I felt really great, had energy, the house was clean and I was ready to meet our bundle of joy at any time.  But this little one had other plans...

By Wednesday, April 9th when there was still no baby, I had to go for an ultrasound to check my fluid levels and make sure baby was moving okay.  I was so nervous that I would accidentally see the sex of the baby during the ultrasound that I kept telling the technician, "tell me if I need to look away."  Since Danny wasn't with me for the appointment I really didn't want to have to go home and tell him that we waited 40+ weeks to find out the sex, but oops, I spotted it during the ultrasound.  The technician laughed because she said she couldn't even tell.

After the ultrasound I was seen by my midwife and her student.  I hadn't been checked since my 38 week appointment (where I was a "finger tip" dilated) so we figured we should go ahead and see if anything was going on.  I was not quite a 2 and about 60% effaced.  I decided to go ahead and get my membranes stripped.  I had it done (twice) with Marissa (didn't need it with Dylan) and I knew it would either put me in labor within the next 24 hours...or it would do nothing.  I figured it was worth a shot!

I went and picked the kids up from the sitter's and went home to make dinner.  I was definitely feeling crampy from the membrane sweep but I knew that was normal and not necessarily an indicator that labor was going to start.  A part of me knew that I would be going into early labor that night, though.  The kids and I chased each other around the house and we got everyone settled in for the night.  I finished packing my hospital bag and preparing just in case.

Around 1 AM I woke up with a pretty strong contraction, but nothing time-able or consistent.  I woke again at 2, 3 and finally decided to get up around 4 AM.  I took a shower, washed a load of diaper laundry, emptied the dish washer and text my mom that we would probably be having a baby today.  After I did some final nesting I laid down on the couch for a few hours to rest.

My contractions were coming anywhere between 9 and 40 minutes apart by 6 AM.  Not exactly hospital ready.  I figured I would call Danny's mom as a heads up since she would be watching Marissa and Dylan.  I was in no rush to get to the hospital, though.  My mom showed up a few hours later and Danny's mom took off of work early...and then we waited.  I thought maybe I had jumped the gun a little.  My contractions were few and far between, though when I got one it was pretty strong and intense.  Definitely stopped me in my tracks.

We gave the kids lunch and then they went to Grandma's house for naps.  We packed everything up and figured we would go ahead and head up to the hospital to see if anything was going on.  The whole drive up there I kept telling Danny "I hope they don't turn us away."  I don't know why that was such a fear of mine, but I thought this is my third baby, I should know what I'm doing by now!  We stopped at the UPS store and slowly made our way to the third floor of the hospital to the triage center.  They got me hooked up to the monitors and sure enough my contractions were registering!  The nurse checked me and I was already 5 cm.  This was turning out to be a lot like Dylan's arrival.  At 1:43 PM we were admitted to the hospital.  We were going to have a baby!

The hospital called my midwife to let her know that I was in labor.  She asked if we could walk the halls for a bit while we waited for her student to show up, as she wanted to deliver our baby.  My contractions were still not regular at this point, but obviously they were doing something.  Danny, my mom and I walked the halls for a little while.  There were a few contractions where I had to stop, squeeze Danny's hand and really concentrate and breathe through them.

By 3:10 PM the midwife's student had arrived. It was time for Danny and I to go solo at this point so my mom went to the waiting room.  The midwife student checked me and I was at 7 cm.  I guess the walking was helping!  We decided now was a good time to break my water.  She had a really hard time breaking it, she said it was more like pin holes rather than a full break because the lining was so thick.  After 15-20 minutes of monitoring the baby's heart rate and my contractions they let me get back up.  I sat on the birthing ball, walked and had Danny rub my back, squeeze my hips and wrap his arms around me when a really strong contraction came on.  The whole time he was coaching me, telling me how great I was doing and encouraging me to breathe and relax.

7 cm, ready for baby!  My very last bump picture...bittersweet!

An hour had passed and my contractions were very intense at this point.  I felt that my body was very tense while I was standing so I climbed back in the bed to try and relax for a few minutes.  Danny fed me ice chips and we talked about how excited we were to meet this little boy or girl.

At 4:15 PM the midwife came back to check me and I was only at a measly 8 cm.  This was not turning out to be like my birth with Marissa or Dylan.  It was taking longer!  I told myself to take one contraction at a time and that it would all be over soon.

The midwife nurse showed me some squatting techniques on the side of the bed and said that this would help to move the baby down.  The nurses and the midwives left the room and said they would be back in a bit to check on me.  They hooked me back up to the monitors but they kept falling off since I was standing/squatting.  The monitors were making me feel very edgy and I begged Danny to take them off me as fast as he could.  The last thing I wanted was a monitor on my stomach during these intense contractions.  A few contractions later and things were starting to become a blur.  The nurse popped back in and quickly ran to get the midwives.  I was standing on the side of the bed and I told the nurse that I need to use the bathroom.  She advised against it and suggested that I go ahead and get back in the bed.

The midwives came back in and I literally could not lift my legs to get back in the bed.  I thought Danny was going to have to lift me.  I was finally able to get one leg on the bed when the nurse said "she's crowning!!!"  Okay, I didn't have a choice at this point, it was either get back in the bed or have this baby on the floor.  I mustered up enough energy to climb in the bed.  I was on all fours and couldn't stop my body from pushing.  The midwife asked if I wanted to birth on my hands and knees or if I wanted to get in the traditional position for pushing.  I said I didn't care, whichever was easier.  Somehow I managed to get in the traditional sitting position.  The midwife told me to push and about 15 seconds later, at 4:34 PM, our little bundle of joy arrived.  The midwife grabbed my hands and directed me to pull our baby out and onto my chest.  Whew!  It was over.  I did it!

Danny and I awed over this little person.  The long fingers, the long nails and black hair.  The sweet sound of the first outside world cry. It was amazing that we had created this life.  The cord was still attached and pulsing.  After a few minutes it dawned on us that we hadn't seen the sex yet.  I held the baby up from my chest, with the cord between their legs and I was about to announce it's a boy.  Then I lifted the cord and I turned to Danny standing behind my right shoulder and whispered to him "It's a baby girl!"  I couldn't believe it.

Our little Leila Rose was perfect.  I nursed her for the first time while Danny cut the cord after it had stopped pulsing.  She weighed in at 6 pounds 6 ounces and 18.25 inches long.  She was such a dainty thing; our smallest baby yet.  The midwives and nurse didn't even know that it was a baby girl; they didn't hear me announce it.  It was truly a special moment just between Danny and I.  While it wasn't how I pictured it playing out in my mind, or how they depict it in the movies, it was more than I could have ever imagined.  It was perfect!

Does that not look like one proud papa!?  Love him so much!

At first I felt bad that Danny didn't get to announce the sex.  All along our plan was to let him announce, but in the heat of the moment I couldn't stop myself.  He said that right at the time that I turned to him he saw that it was a baby girl.  I guess you can't exactly plan for these things.  It was still one of the most amazing experiences and I am so happy we decided to wait.

While I know that Danny wanted another little boy, whose name would have been Archer Douglas, we were so elated with Leila and we were just happy that she was healthy and as close to perfect as you could get.  She scored a 9 and 9 on her 1 and 5 minute APGARS.  Danny went out and announced to my parents that it was a baby girl.  Then he called his parents and family to tell them the news.  From what I heard, Marissa was so very excited that she got a baby sister.  I will never forget the sound of her voice as she came into the hospital room announcing "Leila Rose."  It was the cutest thing ever.

We've settled in to our new family of 5 and Leila has been the perfect addition to our family.  While I would probably have another baby (or two) if Danny said let's do it...I feel that my family is complete with Leila.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  We are so blessed to have 3 healthy, beautiful children.

Daddy holding Leila for the first time.

Our first family photo.

Single Digits

I am officially down to the single digits until my due date!  The time has flown by so fast. We've already been in the new house for a month!  I have been nesting like crazy trying to get everything ready around the house, but I feel like I still have a lot to do.

I'm feeling pretty good, mostly just tired and this little baby is getting heavy!  I have a lot of swelling in my feet and ankles and it hurts to roll over at night and to even walk sometimes.  I don't think we will be having our third 30th of the month baby, considering it is in 2 days and I have zero activity going on.

I have been having an (almost) nightly ice cream cone.  I don't know why but they have been so tasty!  We still haven't picked out names.  Or installed the car seat. Or finished packing my hospital bag.  Time is really getting away from me these days.  It is especially hard working full time and caring for 2 other kids.

Marissa is so, so excited to meet baby, though.  She is 100% convinced she is getting a baby sister.  And her name has gone from "Rapunzel" to "Elsa" from the movie Frozen.  I've tried preparing her that she may get another baby brother but the girl just isn't having it.

And Dylan...poor Dylan.  I think he is going to have a hard time adjusting to not being the "baby" anymore.  He is sweet and will kiss my belly and say "hi" to baby, but I don't think he is ready to give up the spotlight just yet.  I have a feeling he will have middle child syndrome.  Daddy will have to show him the way. ;)

38 Weeks. Giving baby kisses and saying hi!

Yes, that is a comb in Marissa's hair. 

Snuggling with my babies watching Frozen after we devoured a bowl of popcorn. Love these two! :)

Slacker 101

Where do I even begin?  To say I have been slacking on the blog front would be an understatement.  It's a good thing my New Year's resolution wasn't to blog more; because I would have failed miserably so far.

Life has just been busy.  We've had ups and downs with the new year.  We are getting so close to closing on our house.  And as we get closer to closing on the house, we get closer to welcoming baby #3.  The fact that we are not settled has me feeling all kinds of anxious.  I feel like a rubber band that is about to snap!  I feel like I've reached the end of my rope.  Someone the other day told me to tie a knot and hang on.  Easier said than done!  

I just need to get my home in order before chaos consumes us.  I will be a complete basket case if I am not ready to bring the baby home.  Who am I kidding?  I'm a basket case postpartum anyway, I don't need additional help.  I'm not looking forward to the crazy hormones the first few weeks after bringing the baby home.  As much as I know people want to help and see the baby, sometimes I just need some breathing room.  

Last night Danny played video games and I just shut off the TV; settled down with some chips and salsa (note, not a good bedtime snack at 33 weeks pregnant; I needed a few tums) and just enjoyed the quiet.  Dylan was up at 5 AM yesterday; neither kid napped and I was just feeling run down and exhausted.  It was nice to just sit and hear nothing!  I know our time of putting the kids to bed and (mostly) sleeping through the night is dwindling down; so I am trying to enjoy it.

So since I have been slacking on documenting the house progress and pregnancy; here's a quick re-cap of what the new year has entailed...

Baby #3:

• I am currently 33w2d along.
• We are still team green!
• I have absolutely no idea what we are having.  At first I was sure it was a boy. But lately I've been thinking it could be a girl.  Hopefully it is one or the other. ;) 
• I've had a sweet tooth lately; whereas the beginning of my pregnancy I was craving more meat.
• I have a new love of Arby's Reuben sandwiches.  Hmm...maybe if it is a boy we will name him Reuben.  Mmm...I've decided what I am having for lunch today!
• For the first time in 3 pregnancies, I failed my 1 hour glucose test.  I had a Reuben that day.  
• I passed the 3 hour glucose test with flying colors.  My fasting sugar level was 76.  I was not happy that I had to go through that!
• I'm currently measuring a week behind but my midwife is not concerned.
• I've gained approximately 16 pounds so far this pregnancy which is the least amount of weight between the 3 pregnancies but everyone says I look bigger. Gee, thanks!
• My sciatic nerve pain is flaring up again and it is near impossible to get comfortable at night.  I keep wanting to sleep on my back which of course is a no-no.
• I'm still wearing my wedding rings but my hands have been swelling at night.  I really have to watch my sodium intake and drink lots of water.  
• Danny was nice enough to take some maternity pictures for me for Valentine's day. I still want to get a few of us together, though.  He's quite the photographer! :o)

House Update:

• We should be closing no later than February 26th.  Which puts us at 10 months since we sold our house last April.  Such a long process!
• The house is looking really good. I am so happy with our color choices.  It feels like home already.  I can't wait to get settled in.
• I am in love with my kitchen (yes, I get to say my kitchen because Danny doesn't cook). ;)  It is the heart of the home and it is everything I imagined it would be.  
• We had a few set backs with weather, the loan and just getting the small details finished.  Our first appraisal with Bank of America came back low; which really put us in a bind.  So we had to get a second opinion which came back much better.  I was really stressing about the appraisal and it was a huge sigh of relief to get the second opinion back.  I officially would not recommend Bank of America to anyone.  Their customer service is terrible!
• We should be doing our final walk through soon.  I feel like I have a mile long list of small touch ups and things that need to be completed.  I just know that it is best for the builder to fix these things before closing because from what I've heard, it is hard to get them back out after you've closed.

They need to take out the two dead trees on the left. They still have to do the final grade and put in the front sidewalk, but we have to wait for this weather to break first.  The columns and the trim on the front door need to be painted white.  Lots of little details that still need to come together, but it's looking good!  I love the bay window; it lets in so much light.

Family Room off of the kitchen.  I'm hoping Danny can get the built in bookshelves on either side of the fireplace built before the baby comes, but that might be asking too much of him. 

::Swoon::

His and Hers Master Shower 

Bringing in the New Year with Third Tri Exhaustion!

If anyone is wondering where I've been, it is obvious to say I have not been in the blogger world.  Life is absolutely crazy and hectic for us right now.  And we're adding in another baby in approximately 3 months...what were we thinking?! ;)

Christmas has come and gone.  To say we were busy is an understatement.  We traveled 6 hours south to visit my brother in law.  Then traveled to my parent's house on Christmas Eve-Eve and stayed until Christmas day.  Then we headed back home to have lots of family (5 nephews!) come to visit for Dylan's birthday and our family Christmas celebrations.  Last night when everyone had gone home and the kids were in bed I felt like I had been hit by a ton of bricks.  I think all of the travel, excitement, cooking, cleaning, wrapping presents, lack of sleep, opening presents, more cleaning, colds for the kids, birthday parties and Christmas celebrations caught up to me.  I am coming into the third trimester next week and I can definitely tell that the baby is growing and I am getting tired more easily.  I know I am going to need energy for when we move into the new house, but right now it just feels so far away.

Other than exhaustion, I have been feeling pretty good.  My sciatic nerve pain has flared back up again, though.  I think from sleeping on different beds, being in the car too long, on my feet for too long and just not taking my normal precautions has caused it to start hurting again.  Hopefully things can settle down for a few weeks and I can get it under control before moving.  The baby feels like he/she is sitting so low already; I am hoping the little one decides to move up soon.  I am still getting lots of movement, though Danny hasn't really felt the baby much.  I am still leaning towards it being a boy.  We haven't even really discussed names yet, we should probably get on that soon!  I'm officially down to the double digits; 96 days until my EDD! Eeeek!

In other news, the house is slowly coming along.  Things were really rolling there for awhile but due to the holidays it seems like things have really slowed down.  It is kind of disappointing, as it feels like they've forgotten about us, but hopefully by the end of January we will be new home owner's.  It has been such a headache and just one thing after another from getting the home loan, to staying on top of the builder, to finalizing everything from cabinets, floors, paint colors, etc.  I will be happy to put this behind us and start 2014 in a new home with our new family.  The 120 days from "start to finish" has almost come and gone and it is a little disappointing to not be in our house yet.  I know it will all come in due time.

Danny and I are going to go check things out today, but last we saw the dry wall was up and primed, the trim was done and the interior doors were in.  Floors will start on the 2nd and they said they should be done by the 9th.  Then they will install all of the electrical outlets, lights and fixtures.  Cabinets will go in once the floors are complete, plumbing has to be finished and then we will be almost ready to call it home!  The siding still needs to be finished on the front of the house and the garage doors need to be installed.  I know there is still a lot left to do, but it should be coming together soon.

I have tons of pictures to share from the last few weeks!

The birthday boy! Dylan turns 2.

Christmas morning at MiMi and PupPups

Making Christmas cookies for Santa. 

 Fun at Bristol Raceway

Visiting Santa

Christmas parade with friends 

No updated house pictures...hopefully once the siding is done. :)

Thanksgiving and December Already?!

Here we are, Thanksgiving has come and gone and we're 25 days from Christmas.  It just doesn't feel like the holidays this year since we don't have our own home.  We will be traveling near and far to visit with family over the holidays; so hopefully that gets us in the spirit!  I know it will all be worth it in the end, but we are ever so ready to turn our new house into a home.  I want to fill it with love, laughter, hearty meals with my family, snuggles and the crazy train that is our life.  We are getting so close I can almost taste it.  Seeing progress on the house each day gets us one step closer to being home.  We're very thankful for having a place to live the last 7(ish) months, but it is time to get back to our family of four and settle into our new home before our world is rocked once again with a new baby.

We had our 20 week ultrasound almost two weeks ago.  I don't know how I managed to go almost 3 weeks without posting.  I guess we have been so busy that it really hasn't been on my mind lately.   Anyway, we remained team green during our ultrasound.  When the tech could have told us what the sex of the baby is, he or she (I'm thinking he, you'll see why...) had his/her hand between his/her legs.  Just like a boy!  So the tech said it must have been a sign that we weren't supposed to find out what we're having.

I'm 22 weeks along today.  I've been feeling relatively well.  I have had some insomnia the past week or so.  I seem to be waking around 4 AM and I'm wide awake until about 6 AM.  Then the kids are up around 7 or 8; so I've been feeling a bit tired.  I haven't been having any cravings or many symptoms.  I've had a little indigestion here and there.  The baby moves quite a bit throughout the day.  I felt his or her hiccups for the first time this week.  Pretty uneventful; which I'll gladly take.

I'm trying to soak it all in as this will be my last pregnancy but honestly, I've been so busy that the days are just flying by.  I was looking at my pregnancy app and at the end of the month I will be in the double digits until my due date.  It's hard to focus on how my body is changing, all of the movements and typical pregnancy ups and downs when you already have two children to care for.

This pregnancy will be over before I know it and we will have a new squishy baby to care for.  I'm a little nervous about being outnumbered and I'm not looking forward to the postpartum stage.  While I know that people want to see the baby and visit, I tend to want some alone time after bringing the baby home (unless of course they are dropping off dinner). ;)  Or to have visitors in small spurts.    I want time to "get to know" the baby, read their cues and to frankly just be able to veg out on the couch, nurse when/where I want, nap, or even cry when I feel like I need to and not feel like I have to entertain.  My personality doesn't really allow me to just relax when people are over.  It takes a little while for my hormones and emotions to level out and I just have a hard time when I feel like I have to bottle up my feelings for other people.  I know Danny and I will need help with Marissa and Dylan, though.  It's such a double edged sword.  As Danny says, I over think everything and anticipation seems to be my worst enemy, but he doesn't quite get postpartum hormones, either.  Such a conundrum.

Well, the kiddo's are up; there's laundry to do and juice cups to fill. Happy Sunday!

Moving Right Along

It's November!  I'm not quite sure how that happened.  It has been almost 7 months since we sold our first house and each day that passes gets us closer to our new home.  The back and left elevation is completely finished with siding.  All of the windows are in (except one transom in the Jack & Jill bath) and our front porch was poured last Friday.  The roof to the porch should also go up sometime this week or next.  The electrician is coming in this week and plumbing is wrapping up.  Our builder told us yesterday that we are on track for the 120 days from start to finish; so if everything goes smoothly we should be closing early to mid January.  It has been a lot of fun picking out everything for the house.  We finalized our cabinets and we should be picking out floors soon.

I am in love with the bay window!  I think it is going to let in a lot of natural light, which was definitely lacking in our last house.  Maybe I can do a little newborn photo shoot once we're all settled in and the new baby comes!

Speaking of the new baby...in one week we will have our 20 week ultrasound.  This is normally the big ultrasound that every pregnant woman waits for because they get to find out what sex they are having.  However, Danny and I are still holding to our guns that we want this one to be a surprise on D(elivery)-Day!  It's fun telling people that we're team green because we usually get one of two reactions.  1) Good for you, there are very few surprises in life! or 2) Are you crazy?  

I really want that special moment in the delivery room where Danny tells me "It's a ...!"  I feel like it will make the whole birthing experience that much more exciting and really give me that extra incentive to meet our baby and get through labor.  This will be a moment that only Danny and I will get to share together and in the past we've bonded during labor and delivery in such intimate ways that he's the only person I want to share this with (well, except for the doctor and nurses, of course). Plus, it will be exciting for Danny to come out and tell our families that we've been blessed with another boy or another girl.  They say patience is a virtue, so I suggest every one puts on their waiting hats for the next 20 weeks!

Not much else is going on with the baby front.  So far I've gained about 3 pounds.  Not craving much at all; though I have almost gone through an entire bag of deer jerky since Sunday!  My sciatic nerve pain is mostly under control as long as I avoid sitting or lying down in certain positions and I am not on my feet or sitting for too long at one time.  My head aches have subsided and overall I am feeling really good.  A little more tired than normal but I can't complain too much.

Marissa and Dylan both know that there's a baby in my belly and it's pretty cute to ask Dylan where the baby is.  He is talking so much more now and his little personality is really showing.  It is hard to believe next month he will be 2!

17 Week Update

I haven't been the best at tracking this pregnancy.  I had my 16 week appointment last Tuesday and everything is looking great.  The baby's heartbeat was in the 140's.  I had a period of about two weeks where I was getting really bad headaches but things seem to be settling down again.  My midwife confirmed that I likely have sciatic nerve pain on my left side.  She gave me some tips to help relieve the pain and if all else fails she suggested a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy and sciatic nerve relief.  I swear I think sciatic nerve pain is more painful than labor!

So far I have gained 2 pounds.  I am hoping to keep my weight gain to a minimum this time, we'll see how that goes.  No real cravings.  Sometimes I crave chocolate, sometimes I crave salty foods and sometimes I crave cheeseburgers or air heads or milk.  I'm all over the place.  I am still thinking this one is a boy, though a few people have guessed girl.  My next appointment is November 19th and that is when we could find out the sex of the baby.  If we can both keep strong, we will keep that surprise for delivery day, though. :)

I've had a few Braxton hicks contractions.  I seem to have about one a day.  Nothing serious; but I guess my body remembers what to do.

Marissa has changed from "We're having a baby girl and her name will be Gracie" to "we're having another DD (Dylan)" to "we're having a boy AND a girl."  Silly girl!

I want to keep track of a few old wives tales; just so I can look back and see if any are accurate.

-Chinese Gender Chart says - boy

-Cravings - I've craved sweet, salty and meat so it could go boy or girl

-Morning sickness with Dylan, morning sickness this time - boy

-Face breaking out - girl

-Carrying high - girl

-Heartbeat in the 150's at the 12 week appointment - boy (Dylan's was also in the 150's)

-Moody - girl

It will be so exciting to hear Danny announce "it's a..." 

I can't believe I am almost half way through.  Pure craziness!

16w3d 

Hello, 2nd Trimester & Fall

Sunday I was 14 weeks and I've entered the second trimester.  This pregnancy seems to be flying by.  My morning sickness has subsided and I am mostly feeling normal again.  I've been getting headaches in the evenings and I've been having some sciatic nerve pain when I sit for too long, but otherwise I'm feeling pretty good.  My appetite is back and I have more energy!

I have felt a few tiny flutters here and there.  While some may argue that it's too early for that, this is my third ride on this merry-go-round and I think I know what a flutter feels like. I officially cannot button my pants so I've borrowed a belly band from a friend.  I thought I had packed all of my maternity clothes together in storage but apparently I separated them from casual and dress clothes.  Unfortunately, I was only able to find my dress clothes for work, so hopefully I can hold out until the house is finished for my maternity jeans.

My first bump picture: 13w3d

We went to the pumpkin patch with the kids this weekend.  We went for a tractor/hay ride and we each got a pumpkin.  Hopefully we will have time to carve them in a few weeks!  It was way too hot for picking pumpkins (hello, 90 degrees in October!) but a storm came through yesterday and really cooled things off.  So it is starting to feel like fall!

Our little pumpkin family.  One of the small ones came from PupPup's garden.  It's hard to believe we will soon be a family of 5.