33 Weeks

We finished the nursery. It wasn't hard because we didn't change much. The furniture we chose when it was Magnolia's was pretty feminine because we thought we'd have at least two girls before having a boy. (Still learning that you just can't plan these things) So working around a very feminine crib, bookshelf, and chandelier, this is what I came up with it and I really like it! Someday he may ask for a room that's orange and blue with trucks and dinosaurs so for now this room is for me. Nurseries are always for us moms anyway, right? We replaced the little 1950s french provincial dresser that I had accented with pink paint because I just wasn't going to work around that. We replaced it with the dresser I bought at a thrift store for the triplets, not because I particularly liked it but because it was big, it was there, and I was desperate. I like it now and I like it in the nursery. Aside from the bedding and wall decals, I found the rest of the stuff around our house. I bought those beautiful hand colored prints years ago and found the frames at a thrift store and hung them with satin ribbon from W*almart. My sister (a former fly fishing guide living in Montana) sent me those beautiful wooden bears and buffaloes when she was living there. For a long time they were ornaments for our Christmas tree but I realized how perfect they would be for a mobile so I hung them on an embroidery hoop I painted white. Since I made Magnolia a growth chart I thought I should make one for this baby too. You can tell I was short on time and energy, his turned out pretty simple. :)

I can't believe I'm posting this photo but I really like it for the composition. I set the camera on a timer trying to capture shots of myself since George doesn't seem to have any interest in photographing me lately. I think my stomach is amazing so I want to document it and I feel like my days are getting numbered. Every Tuesday I wake up and read the chapter on what to expect this week. George asked what the baby was up to this week. I told him the baby should weigh 4.5lbs. Ha! The baby probably weighs 6lbs. by now! I'm feeling fine. My blood pressure has been good. My ankles are starting to swell if I'm on my feet too long and I'm absolutely exhausted. Oh and the acid reflux has been wonderful too. Other than that, I can't complain. I'm ready. I know I could still have another 6 weeks but I'm really hoping I go earlier. I confessed to George that if I start to have contractions I'm not going to the hospital for fear that they will stop them. I'd be happy to have this baby today. I know it's not rational and he thinks I'm a bit crazy but if he was carrying around this belly, he'd understand. There's more and more talk of "baby brother" around here with Magnolia. She does and doesn't like to feel my stomach. Last week she put her head to my belly and he really kicked her. She got so scared she covered her face and told me to "shut the door" (pull my shirt back down). I couldn't help but laugh which made my belly shake and scared her even more...poor thing, I must really be scary! What's amazing is that she's carrying a baby too and loves to pull up her shirt and show me! We've been washing lots of new clothes and putting them away in his room. I think she's getting used to the idea that it's his space now. I'm sure it will be a different story when he's actually here.

Thank you for all of your tips on things to bring to the hospital. I have my list going but have yet to pack my bag. I don't understand how to do it ahead of time when I use so much of the stuff I want to bring. I have a feeling I will be throwing it all together last minute...

I had the most wonderful day out last Friday when George and his dad gave me the day to myself. I spent my morning in the bookstore and the afternoon watching two movies. Both of which won Oscars so it was fun to see them beforehand.

Magnolia and I are touring the birth center at the hospital this evening. They've renovated it since I was there 4 years ago. I've debated whether or not to do this as I know it's going to be really hard but I realized I have to face it one way or another. I think we'll have a private tour which is good in case I break down.

My doctor's appointment this week is Thursday and I'll have my first non stress test. If there's anything to update after my appointment I will try to do so. Hopefully it will be non eventful.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

32 Weeks!

I thought this day would never come. I imagined it with all kinds of celebratory events. I imagined having my picture taken to document how far I've come. I imagined a delicious dinner with a decadent dessert. Well, the day's here but it was just like any other. I'm big, I'm tired, dinner was blah, and since I'm borderline diabetic I'm still debating what piece of fruit I'll have for dessert. I don't mean to sound ungrateful that I've gotten to our goal date, it's just at this point it was a little anti climatic.

I had an ultrasound today with my perinatologist who I love seeing because he always gives me the reassurance and optimism that I lack with my ob. He said right away that our baby has a big head. Then he took the measurements and said this baby is BIG, he's in the 97th percentile weighing in at a whopping 5 and half pounds. He smiled and told me that if I get preeclampsia in the next couple of weeks, I'll have a nice healthy boy to deliver. Not sure what's worse at this point...getting preeclampsia and having to deliver a little early or waiting close to my due date and having to deliver a huge baby...

I saw my ob after the ultrasound and it was a rushed visit because Magnolia was not on her best behavior. Blood pressure was good, no protein, and I lost a pound! I also measured pretty much on target. I told her I cut out all simple carbs in my diet so that must have had an effect. She quickly looked at my ultrasound report from the perinatologist and said, "wow, your baby has a big head." Honestly? Enough already! I even asked her last week if she'd do a c-section, she said no, not if she doesn't have to. I may start to have more of a reason to convince her otherwise...

All else is good with me. Since I cut out sugar, I'm drinking far less water which is a really nice break. I think I was drinking up to a gallon of water a day. Now I'm back to much more normal amounts. I've been getting incredibly strong movements (go figure) and what I thought was his bottom I kept pushing on is actually his head. He's breech. I wonder if it's too late to flip???

We made great progress on his nursery and everything is washed and ready to go. I was adjusting the curtains under the heavy wooden valence that George made and it fell on my head. It broke, dented the side table, and left me seeing stars. So, needless to say the curtains are not hung as George has to fix everything and make sure they are completely attached to the wall. After that's done, I may have pictures to post.

I've been thinking I should pack my bag for the hospital but think I'll do it at the last minute. Instead I'll keep a check list on my dresser for reference when the time comes. I will pack the baby's bag as I know what I want to bring for him. I would love any tips on things I should bring!

George's dad is coming this weekend and I'm getting a full day to myself while they take Magnolia. I can't believe this will be the first time I'll have an entire day to myself. I've been dreaming up all the things I'm going to do. So far I plan to go to the bookstore with a good cup of coffee, have lunch at a fancy restaurant, and see two movies. Ah, can't wait!

I want to say thank everyone who takes the time to stop by my blog. There are some of you who have left me comments and I never responded back to say thank you for your kind words and thank you for taking the time to share in my journey!

Here's to 32 weeks and hoping for a few more! :)

Update

I was naive. The 3 hour gestational diabetes screen was awful. I felt so nauseous and weak all day long. I couldn't read or sew for those 3 hours, I was so dizzy. At least I did the test with another girl and she felt the same way. I ended up chatting with all the other pregnant moms coming and going in the office. They ALL told me I was huge, that they thought they were big. Well, I'm glad I could make them feel better. I just can't believe my size has become the focal point of this pregnancy. Big deal, I'm big. I passed the test by the way. Barely. When I went in to see my doctor this morning I told her right away that I would follow the GD diet anyway because I DID NOT want to repeat yesterday's screen. I'm sure it's just the hormones but man am I sick of feeling bad for being so big. As I measured 34 weeks today I asked if she doesn't think carrying the triplets had anything to do with this. Like the goldfish theory. A goldfish will only grow as big as the bowl you put it in. I have a big bowl so to speak. I mean come on, how many women come in pregnant again after having triplets, think about it. I'll bet I'm the first for her. She said she thinks that MAY have something to do with it. Baby's heart rate was super fast today. So much so that she had me sit up and waited for it to go down. She finally clocked him at 150. I felt like saying he didn't like coming in either...

31 Weeks

I'm starting to really live for every Tuesday as I inch my way closer to this baby. I've been less anxious this week and actually excited. I'm ready to get this show on the road. I know I could potentially have 8 more weeks but I'm definitely in the home stretch and he could always make his appearance sooner. His movements are different now as he grows bigger and runs out of room. They are no longer sudden and sporadic. They feel like a big long stretch as I feel and see his foot move across my stomach. When he makes a bigger move or maybe even tumble, it really takes my breath away because he just feels SO big. This, as you can tell, never ceases to fascinate me. This week is a big week as far as his breathing goes, his lungs are really working hard now. I think this is also the week his brain has finished developing which is why getting to week 32 is so important. I believe I'm going to make it and hopefully even beyond. He's getting hiccups every now and then which is fun to feel, they are so much quicker than ours!

My doctor appointment went well last Thursday, everything was fine as far as preeclampsia goes. I did, however, fail my Gestational Diabetes test. I passed it the first time I took it so I was surprised I failed it this time. I go in tomorrow for a more intensive screening to determine if I actually have it or not. This time I'll have to fast tonight, drink double the amount of glucoa, and have my blood drawn 4 times over a 3-4 hour period. This is really sad but I'm actually excited to do this because George will watch Magnolia and I'll get to bring a book and sewing and have 4 hours to myself! I'm still in doubt that I have gestational diabetes but it will be good to know if I do. It's treatable if caught but the only thing that worries me about it is that it's another risk factor for preeclampsia.

On another note, things are coming together in the nursery and I like the way it's turning out. I would love to order a new rocking chair since the one we have is so old with a throw covering it. I swear I should have listened to that person who told me to spend the money on the rocking chair and not so much on the crib. I didn't listen. We have a pretty crib but truthfully, a crib's a crib, and it would be so nice to have a super comfy rocking chair instead. Why do they have to cost so much? Just not sure it makes much sense to spend so much on one... still deciding...

We got the car seat. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We were sold on the Chicco Key Fit and happy we got it. I just picked up the last things I needed; burp cloths, white onesies, and glass bottles. The only thing left is a bouncer or swing. I know we'll want that right away so maybe we'll get one this weekend. I have some slings I used for Magnolia and will be excited to have a baby small enough to use them again.

With a good report on my last doctor visit, she okayed me to make the trip to see my sisters and parents. While it was WONDERFUL to get away, it was exhausting and it took me a whole day of doing nothing before I regained any energy. Here's a photo of me with my little sister who is also pregnant. She is expecting in June!

30 Weeks

I can't believe I'm 30 weeks! Being in the thirties makes me feel like this is so very real. That and seeing his feet poke through my stomach. He's a big boy, he's active, and I pray he's healthy. I've begun to think a lot about delivery and that's causing me a lot of anxiety. I see my doctor on Thursday so hopefully I can get some answers and maybe some relief from the anxiety attacks. I'm trying to remember that this will be a happy experience...that I will get a baby in the end. Last time I had to labor knowing the labor was going to kill my babies. That's a pretty hard thing to do but I'm trying to remind myself that this WILL be different. I said to my doctor last month that I hope she doesn't make me go 40 weeks. She said she'll induce me at 39 so at this point I only have 9 weeks left! I'm feeling fine. I'm getting more tired but overall I can't believe I've made it this far without bed rest, without swelling, and without many other discomforts. My discomforts have been emotional, I'm constantly battling anxiety attacks. I obviously still have some post traumatic stress but I'm trying to imagine how great I'll feel when I get through this! And to meet this little life growing inside me! His movements have been by far the greatest joy on this journey. It has made me think about Magnolia and her birth mother. I know she kicked the same and I imagine the joy it brought her.

Magnolia knows she's having a little brother. She knows my lap has gotten smaller and we have to read books side by side now. She knows the baby kicks and likes to show me that she can kick her legs too. She sometimes gives me kisses on my belly and tells me he's awake. She thinks his name is Magnolia too. She knows my doctor's name and says hello to her every visit. She knows she has to sit on the chair in the doctor's office and be very quiet. She covers her eyes every time we hear the heartbeat because the sound scares her. She takes my blood pressure all of the time. Usually with a tape measure. That's all she really knows. The concept is far too abstract and I really don't think she'll put two and two together when he arrives.

Speaking of names, we have a couple we like. We're going to wait until he arrives to see what suits him the best.

The bassinet is ready to go in our room. I added the ribbon on the bumper to spruce it up a bit.

I made this little outfit out of a recycled cashmere sweater. I didn't use a pattern, I just cut and hand sewed it all. It has a million flaws, who knows if he'll every wear it but it was fun to make. The model is not a real baby, it's Magnolia's life-like baby boy doll. He's so real that he's anatomically correct, wears a hospital bracelet, and is 21 inches long. I carry him around trying to imagine delivering a baby that big! Yikes.

My order arrived today, here's a peak at what I got.

A bumper, a crib skirt, a changing pad cover, and towel.

I came across a couple of blogs this past week that have been fun to look at. They both post about great things for moms and kids. I have yet to buy anything. For me it's just really good window shopping. Take a peek here and here if you're interested.