Baby Belly #3 - Week 40

Never ever have I had to take a 40 week belly picture. Cannon was five days early and Cason was born on his due date. They say that subsequent babies come earlier and earlier. Not with me. We're going backwards over here.

And yes, I by all means covered up that huge belly with a scarf. 

Baby Belly #3 - Week 39

I'm totally worn out. I don't want to do anything. We haven't gone to any of our scheduled activities/play dates/events this week. I've had six days of intermittent prodromal labor at this point. I just want to have a baby!

We had our 39 week appointment with Leslie at the Allen Birthing Center this week. I'm 2.5 cm dilated on the inside and 3-4 cm dilated on the outside. I'm 50% effaced, but the baby's head is still high and has room to come down. It will most likely be a quick labor again.

Finally, on Thursday, I finally had a good day emotionally and mentally. I felt like I was finally coming to terms with the fact that this baby may take a few more days to come.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 38

Hello Fall! Hello leggings! Leggings and tunics are my new favorite pregnancy outfit - no stiff jeans, no awkward belly bands that don't stay up. Just soft cotton that I could live and sleep in all the time!

October is here and with it pretty much the "end" of my to-do list. Freezer meals have been swapped, baby items washed, nursery set up and lots of Christmas presents even purchased. This was our first unscheduled week just waiting for the baby enjoying life with two boys. I savored long, unplanned days and the boys and I made lots of trips to the park to play, feed the ducks and walk.

This is the week we thought you were coming. Friday morning I woke up after a horribly restless night with quite a few strong contractions. I felt sick, achy and crampy. I was having braxton hicks upon braxton hicks contractions and wave upon wave of this strange urge to throw up/pee/poop all at the same time. Danny stayed home from work and my Mom helped watch the boys. I rested . . . alot. I didn't eat much all day as any bites I took felt like they were going to come right back up. 

We sent the boys to Nana & Papa's for the night because we thought for sure I would go into labor in the middle of the night. We picked up Pei Wei for dinner and The Great Gatsby from the Redbox. Our labor team (photography/doula/midwife) were on high alert. 

From 3:00 am to 4:30 am I timed contractions (mild, but way more than Braxton Hicks) every 9-10 minutes. But by 4:30 am they were petering out and I feel asleep watching TV on the ipad. 

Saturday morning we picked the boys up from my parents and went for a ridiculously long walk at Bob Woodruff Park. I contracted the entire way to the point of needing to sit down and concentrate on breathing. Danny cancelled work at valet and we enjoyed a family day shopping at Trader Joes and eating lunch at Chic-fil-a. 

We're just waiting and wondering when you'll make your big entrance. 

Baby Belly #3 - Week 37

I feel like these little weekly reports are just turning into complaints about physical ailments! This week heartburn hit like a vengeance. No matter what I eat and especially when I lay down at night it seems like heartburn is there.

We are getting to go to weekly appointments at the birth center though, so that is fun. This week I'm measuring RIGHT ON TRACK! Did you read that? No more giant baby - I'm back to normal. I haven't gained weight in six weeks. I did try to cut down on empty carbs and sugar, but I'm still eating as much as want, so it appears everything just leveled itself out. I feel much better knowing I'll still fit in maternity clothes by the time this pregnancy is over. :-)

Baby Belly #3 - Week 36

This week was physically painful. Either my ab muscles split or my diastasis got way worse because my belly button hurts and is super sensitive to any movement and touch. I suppose that's what happens when you measure big and are growing a baby that's measuring two weeks ahead. I'm hoping to help heal my core thoroughly after this pregnancy with tummy safe exercises (see Fit2B Studio or Tupler technique).

Baby Belly #3 - Week 35

And just like that my little sweet spot of pregnancy is over. From about 28-35 weeks I feel great - no nausea, more energy, etc. Sure enough, just like clock work, my afternoon naps returned this week. After chasing the boys around all morning I'm just physically worn out. Not even sleepy tired, just drained and lethargic, so I take a nap with them. It cuts into my productivity, but I'm a much nicer person in the evening when I've rested a little bit. 

Baby Belly #3 - Week 34

I thought I'd give ya'll a more realistic picture of my daily wardrobe. These little photoshoots fall on a Sunday so I'm always dressed up for church. I dress like that NO other day of the week unless it's a special occasion. Normally I'm in tank tops and shorts with no make-up and hair in a pony tail. It's what I live in for play dates, park days and cleaning up after messy little boys. 

I've been feeling the baby very low in my pelvis (lots of pinching, aching, etc) and that was confirmed at our 34 week appointment when the midwife went to feel for the head and said it was WAY down there. Glad this baby is getting into position, locked, loaded and ready to go!

Baby Belly #3 - Week 33

Well, this was the week that Cannon decided you were a girl. He's been adamant that he's getting a brother this whole time, but this week he changed his mind. We went down the list of potential names and he wouldn't even entertain the the boys names. He kept saying, "No, it's not Calvin, it's a girl."

Cannon also landed on the name Marlow. He tells everyone that he's having a sister named Marlow. Not wanting to be left out, Cason echos the sentiments and calls the baby "Lolo." I about die from the cuteness of it and wonder if I can't pick my daughter's name based on how her big brother pronounces it. Needless to say, we're rooting for a girl this week and the front runner in names is Marlow Gracen.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 32

It's a quiet week in the life of our third child. We had our 32 week appointment at the birth center and everything looked good. I'm not measure "as far ahead" as before, but still measuring a good week, week and a half ahead. I think I'm just trying to mentally prepare for the fact that this might be our biggest baby yet. 

Baby Belly #3 - Week 31

There is no news on the baby bump this week. 

The big brothers are gearing up and ready to meet this baby. Cannon asks at least every other day if "the baby is coming out today?" 

Cason will voluntarily give the baby hugs and kisses, and when we're pretend playing in the kitchen the baby ALWAYS gets a bite after Mommy, complete with lip smacking from Cason. Cason was also very interested in the baby when we were going over body parts. I'd ask him where his ears were, then we'd point to Mommy's ears, and then out of the blue he started saying, "Baby? Ears?" And so we went through all of the baby's little features and I assured Cason that the baby would have all of those. I'm still not sure he fully understands that there's a real baby in my belly but it's fun nonetheless.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 30

This is the no make-up, let's get this photo over with, picture. 

We received the most gorgeous, itty bitty dress in the mail, handmade by my childhood best friend, Lindsey. If we have a girl it will be the first thing she'll wear. It's adorable and almost made me want to cry at the thought that we might have a boy and I might not get to use it. It's probably the most well-made article of clothing any of my children have ever owned. Lindsey does custom orders, so if you ever need anything sewn for any kind of clothing or gift, she's your gal. You can check her out at Lindsey T Custom Quilts & Sewing.

So, after receiving that adorable little dress in the mail, I'm really thinking this baby is a girl. We've been trying out our favorite girl names all week on my belly. 

Towards the end of the week we had our 30 week check up at the birthing center. I'm measuring 32 weeks, which is in the normal range and only gained a pound in two weeks, so the midwife was happy with where I'm at. After measuring so large on our last visit though, I wanted a sonogram just for my peace of mind. I went in on Friday and got to see Baby Stiller. Everything looks fabulous, although he/she is measuring a good two weeks ahead, including that precious little head. Oy. 

After seeing sonogram (pictures of which are coming) I'm now convinced it's a boy. The little nose/chin /pouty lips look just like Cason. 

We were initially told that the birth center was going to bump my due date UP so that if I went into labor early I could still deliver there (you can only deliver at the birth center after 37 weeks). But then a phone call on Monday confirmed that my due date would stay the same, I was just to avoid sugars and carbs to curtail the growth of this not-so-small baby. So veggies and meat for me and baby for another 10 weeks because goodness knows I'm terrified of delivering a 10 lb baby.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 29

Hello Belly.

Not much going on this week in the world of Stiller Baby #3. Lots of growing and lots of sleepless nights. I'm consistently waking up around 3 or 4 am and having trouble falling back asleep. Usually I'll drift off around 5 am, which is just about when Danny's alarm starts going off. So, it's been one tiring week.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 28

Braxton Hicks contractions are getting stronger and more uncomfortable this week. I'm starting to make Cason walk and hold my hand more and more because carrying this belly along with a 30 pound toddler is a bit much. Call it my work out of the day. 

We had our 28 week appointment with Carol at the Allen Birthing Center. I passed my glucose test, but my bloodwork came back slightly anemic. I suppose that would explain the blood sugar drops and fatigue I get all of a sudden when I just must sit down and eat something. So red meat and kale smoothies were on the menu this week to remedy that problem.

I'm also measuring about 31 weeks, which is much larger than normal for me. I'm usually measuring right on track (IE: 28 cm at 28 weeks). I spent one day worrying about this and then decided to just pray that everything was okay. We start visiting the midwives every two weeks now, so we'll be back to check things out soon. Hopefully I'll be measuring more on track by then.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 27

In world news, Prince William and Kate had their royal baby this week! Prince George was born, and I'll probably always remember being pregnant at the same time as Kate.

Not much else was happening this week. I think we have the baby names narrowed down to four. It's not finalized yet, but I'm pretty sure a baby name post will be hitting the blog soon! Keep your eyes peeled. If we pick boy/girls names before 36 weeks we'll be ahead of the game.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 26

We're getting some fun, and much needed summer showers this week. This weekend we also started diving into the office in preparation for turning it into the nursery. My parents watched the boys for the entire day while Danny and I sorted through boxes of memories, crafts, office supplies and other random things we had stuffed into the office closet. We basically tore the room apart, sold our big desk, moved the computer into our bedroom, and got rid of a bunch of stuff. It's getting more real every day that we're going to be bringing a little one home in just a few short months!

In other news Little Munchkin found my ribs this week and found great pleasure in kicking them over and over. I've heard tales that girls are especially fond of kicking ribs, so maybe she's letting us know she's in there? ;-)

Baby Belly #3 - Week 25

I didn't mean to coordinate getting Cason in this belly shot with what happened this week - but how perfectly appropriate. We talk to the boys daily about the baby in Mommy's tummy but this week Cason started to pat my belly and say "Bebe" over and over. He even loves to give my belly kisses. He is our cuddler, hugger and kisser so hopefully he'll shower the baby with just as much love once he/she gets here.

The big news this week is that the nausea is finally gone, for the most part. I'm finally eating dinner and enjoying my veggies and meat again. It only took six months.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 24

My sweet friend Julia let me borrow a big bag of her summer maternity clothes. It's been AWESOME some cute tops to freshen up my wardrobe. I do love being pregnant in that you get to wear all new clothes. I think us gals should swap clothes on a regular basis. My non-pregnant wardrobe is old and out of style (although what do I expect when I haven't purchased anything new in four years because I keep getting pregnant!).

Sweet Baby gets hiccups almost daily now. They don't last very long, but I feel little rhythmic jolts at least once a day. We had our 24 week appointment with Carol at the Allen Birthing Center. It was good to see her again (she helped deliver Cason) and catch up. My belly is measuring 24/25 weeks, right on track which surprised me because I feel so much bigger this time around.

Finally, we're starting to be able to see the baby's movements on the outside of my belly now. It's fun comparing how different my children act in utero. Cannon had slow, fluid movements. Cason always felt like he was trying to straighten his legs and stretch out, and this child throws the jerkiest punches and kicks of them all.

Baby Belly #3 - Week 23

Really nothing new this week. Little Bit is still growing, stretching and kicking away. So far this has been the mildest summer ever, so we unintentionally picked the best year to have an October baby!

Baby Belly #3 - Week 22

No news this week other than I'm starting to feel huge. I'm a little scared this is going to be the biggest Stiller baby yet. I think I just get paranoid when I think about having 18 more weeks to go. 

Danny and I had a "baby planning" date this weekend. We went over finances, my "baby bucket list," put work days on the calendar, and talked baby names (which I'll be sharing shortly). It was a relief to this mommy brain to get a few things on the calendar so we can start knocking out the to-do list. 

Cason's Baby Bump (Week 22)

Cannon's Baby Bump (Week 22)

Baby Belly #3 - Week 21

Well, we bought a mini van this week! We can officially ride around town as a family of five. No more worrying where we'll put this child.

We weren't really planning on purchasing a car until August or September, but Danny's been watching Craigslist and saw a great deal on a Honda Odyssey. The boys now get to enjoy rear A/C, I get to enjoy doors that open/close with the push of a button, and Danny got to upgrade his ride to the good old Jeep. We're all happy campers. 

I took the boys swimming for the first time this year. I am still squeezing into an old Lime Ricki bathing suit, but quickly decided that in order to survive this summer pregnant I am going to have to break down and buy a maternity suit. Somehow I have avoided needing one the first two times around, but Texas summers are just too hot not to be in the pool!

Cason's Baby Bump (Week 21)

Cannon's Baby Bump (Week 22) - Again, we didn't take Week 21 photos for Cannon