31 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #3

Lainey (left), Cambry (right)

How Far Along:  31 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Coconut

Maternity Clothes: Of course. And people are starting to comment like "you are about to pop" or "you are about to explode". Got both comments this week. Nope, not exactly about to pop or explode. 2 more months people. Yes my belly is huge but it is going to get even huge-er. I can also see people trying to hide their shock when I tell them I am due in October. And I leave of the "30th" because otherwise I might as well say November which would really leave their jaw dropping.

Movement: He is very active. Sometimes it almost makes me nauseous when it feels like he is doing somersaults. At my appointment this past week the doctor said he was head down. Yay! I hope he stays that way.

Sleep: Great. Although hard to flip sides and get out of bed.

Symptoms: Always tired and pretty much always uncomfortable. Charlie horses in the mornings sometimes. Always a pleasant way to wake up :) It is also getting extremely hard to bend over and pick things up. Braxton hicks are getting stronger. Sometimes I feel like I should do some hee-hee-hoo breathing to get through them. Not that they are painful, but just uncomfortable. I also feel like I need to lean WAY back when walking. The weight of my belly feels like it will just pull me over if I do not lean back and do a big waddle. I'm sure it looks really awesome.

Food Aversions/Cravings: Milk. Mmm give me more milk.

Best Moment this Week / Baby Prep Progress: Best part of the week was having a fun game night with friends this weekend and also meeting other families from Cambry's preschool. I started organizing baby boy clothes and putting them in drawers too. I can't wait to have a tiny newborn to put them on!

What I miss: Feeling normal and having energy.

What I am Looking Forward to: We have the sweetest and most thoughtful neighbors who have had a special dinner for us each pregnancy and we are going to their house this week to celebrate baby #3.

Baby Moon

Last weekend Greg and I went on a babymoon to Austin. This was our first getaway without kids! Actually we had been away from Cambry several times before, but it was always to go on trips with the youth group. Greg's parents we so sweet in taking the girls for 3 nights. Cambry was so excited to go spend time in Waco. She talks about Nana and Pops and her cousins all the time. But then poor thing ended up having strep throat while she was there. They took good care of her though and she still enjoyed time with family. Lainey did great and did not even miss us. 

Cambry with her cousins and friends putting together a lemonade stand

We stayed at Lakeway one night which was right on Lake Travis. The hotel was really nice and had a great pool. Unfortunately that was the one evening/morning where it was a little cool and overcast so the water was actually kind of chilly to get in.

We played Topgolf one day and it was really neat. Greg had played several times before but this was my first time. I also got a massage which was amazing. It was my second time to ever get a massage and it was great. I had heard that prenatal massages are not that great because they go so light for fear they may put you in labor or something. But that was no the case at all.

We stayed at a hotel downtown for 2 nights and enjoyed walking around shops and restaurants.

One day we went swimming in Barton Springs. It was a beautiful day and made for good people watching. The average water temp is 68-70 degrees year round. In other words FREEZING. But we did get in and enjoy a little swim. It was also hilarious to watch people get in the water for the first time and yell things like I CANNOT FEEL MY LEGS, I AM DYING, 

It was amazing how fast we could get ready to go somewhere without kids! It was also wonderful to travel so light. No 30 lb. diaper bag to carry, no sippy cups to refill, etc. But we definitely missed the girls and were happy to see them when we got back. I'm thankful we got to have a relaxing getaway before baby boy joins our family!

30 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #3

Hotel room belly pic!

Lainey (left), Cambry (right)

How Far Along:  30 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Large Cabbage

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I need to dig through my remaining maternity clothes stash (hand me downs) to find the "big" stuff. You know, those shirts that look so big and baggy early. Now I have hit the point where so many clothes no longer fit and I need to bring out the big timers.

Movement: Lots of big moves. I have an OB appointment tomorrow so maybe my doctor can tell me what position he is in. I really have no idea. I feel crazy movement all over.

Sleep: Great. Although hard to flip sides and get out of bed.

Symptoms: Always tired and pretty much always uncomfortable. I was on my feet a ton today getting stuff done around the house (grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, baking, etc) and now things are feeling very unpleasant. I do not plan to move the rest of the night. 

Food Aversions/Cravings: Milk. Mmm give me more milk.

Best Moment this Week / Baby Prep Progress: Best part of the week was our baby moon to Austin! I'll have to do a separate post on that later. My SIL, Jill, let me borrow a ton of baby boy clothes so I need to get those organized at some point. I really want to get the nursery completely ready but at the same time I don't really want to move Lainey into Cambry's room yet. I guess there is no rush to finish the nursery right now since I still have 10 weeks left, but the nesting instinct just wants it done. Maybe in a couple more weeks we will make the move. 

What I miss: Feeling normal and having energy.

What I am Looking Forward to: Play date for Cambry's preschool this weekend. I am looking forward to meeting other families and kids that will be at her school this year. It seems like everyone had their first day of school today, but Cambry's school doesn't start for a few more weeks.

29 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #3

Lainey (left), Cambry (right)

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Butternut Squash

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I feel like I have less and less to choose from as many of my maternity shirts are getting short and/or tight.

Movement: Lots of big moves. At my last appointment the doctor thought he wasn't head down. She thought he may be sideways. I hope he gets in his exit position soon.

Sleep: Great. Although hard to flip sides and get out of bed.

Symptoms: Always tired. I need naps most days. I have to sit down all the time. The belly feels big and heavy. I want to waddle everywhere but I control it in public.

Food Aversions/Cravings: Milk. Mmm give me more milk.

Best Moment this Week / Baby Prep Progress: Best part of the week was triple date for parents night out! We didn't end up making reservations in time for restaurant week so we went to the original Ninfas and then Downhouse for dessert. The girls did good in childcare except that poor little Lainey got bit! I know the teachers cannot control every little thing like that but it just makes me feel so sad for her! And of course mad at the kid who did it but I know one day it could be one of our kids who is the biter. Another highlight of the week was finding out I passed my glucose test - yay so thankful!

What I miss: Feeling normal and having energy.

What I am Looking Forward to: Baby moon coming up!

Thoughts on Third Labor

I have about 11 weeks left (give or take) until D day. In a way it seems FOREVER long. 2 1/2 more months of my ginormous belly getting ginormous-er. But in a way it seems close. I filled out the paperwork online to pre-register and I felt nervous doing it! Then I took the girls with me this week to sign the rest of the pre registration forms and I was so nervous just pulling into that parking garage that it was bringing on Braxton Hicks. It brings back a flood of memories of the pain of contractions and the nerves and the excitement about getting to meet a new baby. There is nothing else like it. Magical, terrifying, emotional, overwhelming, joyful, painful, thrilling, all at once.

Please note Cambry is wearing her Easter dress. Typical. After I signed all the forms I asked her what additional forms would I have to fill out once I was in labor and in painful contractions. She said none. LIAR. I know there are more forms. I told her I have done this twice before I know there are more just slip them to me now. She acted like she didn't know what I was talking about. Alrighty my friend, we shall see. I'll give an update in 11 weeks. 

When will this baby come? Cambry = 9 days late and Lainey = 5 days late. So of course my thoughts are that this baby will also come late and therefore a November due date. But maybe not. What if he came weeks early? One can dream, right? The anticipation over when he will come is so high!

What if my water breaks....at Kroger? Or Target? Or during a therapy session? Or while at a restaurant? Or church? My water broke with Cambry at 2am. No prior warning or contractions. About 45 gallons of water came out, and continued to come out for some time. With Lainey it did not break until I was already in labor and had my epidural and all of a sudden we all heard a POP and I was like, um, was that my water somebody please check. So I still have the fear that my water might possibly break while out and about. It would make for an interesting story though!

Will this baby come fast? Both Cambry and Lainey came in the same amount of time. Both labors were about 6 hours from start of 1st contraction (or water breaking) until baby was in my arms. Will this baby be the same? Or hopefully not way longer?! Or will it be faster and all of a sudden I am like that youtube video where the mom delivers the baby in the car while her husband is driving?

I am going to try to view my hospital time as a hospital staycation this time. With Cambry, everything was new and exciting and we had (and wanted) lots of visitors. Family was in and out, lots of friends came up to meet Cambry, and it was a busy and exhausting hospital stay. With Lainey, we had less visitors but it was still exhausting. First off, my contractions started that night around 9pm. So I had not yet gone to bed. We got to the hospital some time after 11pm and Lainey was born around 3am. Then of course there is the whole after-delivery stuff and then trying to nurse her and get her cleaned up and grandparents meeting her and then all of a sudden they are handing me a breakfast menu and telling me to order something. NO NO NO it cannot be a new day because I NEVER WENT TO BED. So we just started a new day without a night of sleep. Then it was nurses in and out and family visits and even though we didn't have friends come this time we were still completely exhausted and they discouraged us sending Lainey to the nursery at night. I am just hoping this time it will be a little more restful. I am planning to put that sign on the door at night that asks them not to disturb you (which I never used before). Unfortunately they still want the baby to stay in the room with you at night. Gone are those magical wonderful days where the sweet nurses watch over your angel all night while you sleep peacefully and they bring the baby in when its time to nurse. Anyway, good things about hospital = free flowing pain medicine, cable tv, and unlimited room service food ordering. Also, we won't have the girls to take care of so it is practically a date/vacation!

I can't wait for baby boy to be here!!

Life Lately

1. About a month ago we went to a friend's 2nd birthday party and the girls got to come dressed up as princesses. It was such a cute theme. I think I was more excited to dress up the girls than they were. Cambry did not want her hair in a bun but I insisted she would look adorable and she did. This is my new favorite picture of the 2 of them. Beautiful girls!

2. Cambry finally likes swim lessons! I am so proud of her. We are going to do lessons for 1 more month and then stop when preschool starts. Hopefully we can start up again sometime in the spring.

3. Cambry is also starting to get really excited about baby brother coming. When I was pregnant with Lainey she wasn't even 2 so she had no idea what was coming. This time though she gets it. She has been wanting to watch the Daniel Tiger episode where Daniel gets a baby sister. She has also been wanting to hold Lainey like a baby (which Lainey does not like or cooperate for, ha!). Cambry will kiss my belly or put her hands on it and ask if he is moving. She gets really excited to feel him kick. She told me today she is so excited to meet her baby brother. It melts my heart to see her excitement. Although I try to explain that we still have about 2 1/2 months but I know she probably doesn't understand how long that is.

4. I took Lainey to the allergist today and she is not allergic to milk or soy, so that is good news. However, that only tests for a true allergic reaction, and can't test if it upsets her tummy. All we can do is trial and error. So mac&cheese is for lunch today and we'll see what happens.

5. Cambry has been asking about the Trinity lately and I have no idea how to explain it. I love to see how God is working in her heart and her curiosity over deep questions. She will ask how is Jesus God's son but also God? She will ask if Jesus got hurt on the cross and if God got hurt too. I mean...wow. I don't think any adult even fully understands the Trinity so how in the world do I try to put it in 3 year old terms?

6. It has been HOT in Houston lately. This is no surprise obviously because it is August but wow every day in the triple digits. We have been going to mall play areas and other indoor play areas and just doing play dates at friend's houses because I cannot even handle stepping outside for more than a few minutes.

Grosse Family Vacation 2015 - South Padre

This year for the Grosse family vacation my parents rented a beach house on South Padre Island. It was my first time there and it was so much nicer than Galveston! It was about a 6 hour drive there (more with stops) but it wasn't too bad. We had a blast hanging out at the beach all week and the girls really loved it. They loved spending lots of time with cousins and family too.

Every morning after breakfast we would slowly start getting ready to go to the beach. It took HOURS to get everyone in their swim suits, lathered with sunscreen from head to toe, all the gear packed, lots of snacks and water, and then finally haul all of our stuff to the beach. We would spend a few hours playing in the sand and the water and then head back to the house for lunch and a nap for Lainey.

It was great that the house had a pool in the back so we could use that in the afternoons. The kids couldn't get enough of the water. They wore themselves out each day playing hard.

We took turns cooking in the evenings and after the kids went to bed we either watched tv or just chatted. One night we had a very competitive and hilarious game of pictionary.

It was really fun that Lauren and I had matching baby bumps. People already tell us we look so much alike so it is funny that we are both pregnant at the same time (again).

Lainey got great practice walking all week on the uneven sand. She seemed to have better balance and stability after the trip!

One day Ashley treated the kids to play on these huge foam mats. It was really neat looking. You could get up and run or jump or whatever you want on them. Cambry was pretty scared of them but she did get on for a few minutes.

Thanks Gigi and Pa for another awesome vacation! We had a blast!

28 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #3

Lainey (left), Cambry (right)

I am definitely much bigger than my first pregnancy. Some weeks (like this week) I look the same size as I did with Lainey but then other weeks I look bigger. It does give me a slight panic attack knowing that my belly is going to keep growing for THREE more months, but at least when I am at my largest point I won't be like that for long.

How Far Along: 28 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Large Eggplant

Maternity Clothes: Yes. Regular t-shirts are too short although I still try to squeeze into them. I am going to have to start sleeping in Greg's shirts soon.

Movement: Lots of big moves. I love that Cambry gets excited to feel baby boy move.

Sleep: Great. Although hard to flip sides and get out of bed.

Symptoms: Always tired. I take naps most days. I have to sit down all the time. The belly feels big and heavy. Braxton hicks are getting a little more frequent each day. Sometimes I daydream that he will come several weeks early. But then I remember how the girls made me wait and wait and wait.

Food Aversions/Cravings: Milk. Mmm give me more milk.

Best Moment this Week / Baby Prep Progress: Getting my glucose test over with! I was kind of dreading it. I don't have the results yet but I am praying I passed and that I don't have to take the 3 hr test like I did with Cambry. This weekend I worked a lot on organizing kids clothes. It is a constant effort to keep things organized because they are always growing out of sizes and needing the next size up. Thankfully we have tons of hand me downs. We don't have a ton of space so I have to constantly switch out the current fitting clothes and find places for the other clothes. I moved a bunch of Lainey's stuff into the girls room to start making room for baby boy's clothes. The dresser is finished and I also did a lamp makeover. 

What I miss: Feeling normal and having energy.

What I am Looking Forward to: Parents Night Out next weekend!

27 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #3

Lainey (left), Cambry (right)

How Far Along: 27 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Cauliflower

Maternity Clothes: Yes. Regular t-shirts are too short although I still try to squeeze into them.

Movement: Lots of big moves and body rolls. Cambry has even gotten to see and feel brother move. Lainey likes to pat/slap my tummy when she is sitting on my lap.

Sleep: Great. Although hard to flip sides and get out of bed.

Symptoms: Always tired. I take naps most days. The belly feels big and heavy. I feel more like 37 weeks pregnant, ha! I have several Braxton Hicks each day. The charlie horses just started in the mornings some times. I get restless legs fairly often but only in the evenings. My hair and skin are really dry. It is great that I only have to wash my hair every few days!

Food Aversions/Cravings: Milk. Mmm give me more milk.

Best Moment this Week / Baby Prep Progress: We went to dinner with the Ramseys and Perots last weekend and it was really fun. We have been friends with them since we were all in the singles class together and all got married close to the same time. We also hung things on the wall in the girls' room and started painting the chest of drawers in there. The chest should be finished this week. I also booked a fall mini session for us...and it is after my due date! Or at least I hope it is after my due date. It is mid November so you never know baby boy could be just days old. I am a little nervous about that because he will be tiny and I will still look 6 months pregnant and how the heck are we going to get it together but I love family pics so we gotta try!

What I miss: Feeling normal and having energy.

What I am Looking Forward to: Cooler weather! This pregnant mama is dying.