This Weekend...

We're spending quality time together- just the 4 of us. I feel certain there will be a little boy in the house very soon and I want all the time with my girls I can get!

40 w 6 d

Drew and I go for an ultrasound and fetal stress test today at 1 pm.

The pressure is so intense at this point that I'm walking funny.

Can't be long now, right?

40 w 6 days

No Baby Yet...

Just contractions to nowhere ;)

I'll keep you posted!

40 w 1 d....

Guess Baby Boy is taking after Miss Moo. She arrived earth side at 40 w 3 d.

 I head to the midwife today around 1 pm. Hoping they'll have some ideas on how to regulate these contractions and get this party started!

Still Pregnant

But contractions, though irregular, are more noticeable and I've been STARVING all day long.

So. maybe Thursday or Friday?

Out of the Mouthes of Babes

"Mommy, when is my Brother coming OUT?!?! He's been in there a long time!" said Miss Moo to me this morning.

I agree kiddo. I agree.

39 weeks 1 day

Things are going well. Still pregnant. Measuring 40 cm again this week with a head down baby. Baby Boy's heart rate was in the 130s again and my blood pressure was great.

I have gained about 42 pounds this pregnancy.

We've passed the full moon. Moo was 4 days after and Roo was 6. Perhaps my prediction of a March baby was off and Baby Boy is planning on an April arrival.

Either way, I'm ready to meet him and patiently trying to stay busy.

Still Pregnant..

...at 39 weeks today. I see my midwives tomorrow and will give you a report/update and share some Maternity pictures!

Oh, and NanaPop are here, just in case ;)

Photos on the Wall

We have lived in this house for almost 3 years, and it's been our house, but it hasn't ever really felt like home. In all honesty, it's always been a WRECK. I could keep maybe one room together at a time, but not a whole house. Ever.

This pregnancy I decided we were going to GET this house together. And finally, it is! Andrew's office, the guest room, and the sun room are still a bit cluttered from baby prep and overall household overhaul.  But, the house as a whole is together and can be picked up in 20-30 minutes at any given time. Pictures are on the walls; rooms are decorated and arranged. I feel like this house will become a home when my son is born.

Today's projects were picture related.  I worked when I could around nap and games of Cootie, and this was the result.

The Family Room now has a wall of photos of our girls as it's centerpiece.

Family Room

Our bedroom wall is halfway done. Right now it houses 3 frames: a photo of a family of 3, a photo of a family of 4, and a frame for a photo of a family of 5.  It will soon have a wedding photo, a honeymoon photo, and photos of each of our 3 children.

Over our bed.

In the 3rd frame is a note to our little boy:

Note for Baby Boy.

Miss Roo was born at this point in my pregnancy with her - 38w 4d. He could come any time. I think we're finally ready to see that sweet face- and add it to our wall.

Sweet Sundays

None of us like the Sunday mornings after Drew has to work the night before. It means a tired Mama, two rambunctious girls, and a Daddy that really needs to sleep.  Add over 38 weeks of pregnancy to that and its a LONG day. Especially when I can't stop nesting instead of resting.

It also means that we didn't have our big family breakfast this morning.

But it DOES mean that for dinner we had Daddy's pancakes, bacon, eggs, and fruit - and I got to sit and play puzzles in the floor with my girls while he cooked.

So Sunday was sweet after all.

Hope you had a great day! Happy Sunday!

REPORT - 38 weeks!!

Yesterday I hit the 38 week mark and Baby Boy is doing GREAT!

We went for our weekly check today. Here's where we are:

• He's still head down- looks like we're safe there.
•  He still lives on my right side and loves to kick my bladder.
•  His heart rate was in the steady 130s- the lowest it has been.
•  I'm measuring 40 cm this week (and for the first time ever!) instead of the 38 cm I measured the last two weeks.
•  Contractions and Braxton Hicks come and go, but nothing steady yet.

We'll see how the weekend goes as we creep towards the full moon on the 27th.

Like Father, Like Daughter....

If there is ANY question who Miss Moo favors, look NO further.

Daddy sent this to her:

And she sent this back:

Is there any wonder why I love them so? Happy Friday! Wer're off to the Midwives this afternoon- will there be a baby this weekend? Updates tonight :)

I Had a Post Planned....

But after gymnastics, a trip to the dentist for both girls at the same time, and a run to Wal-Mart (of ALL places), my morning wore me out. I spent the afternoon resting, hanging pictures, doing laundry, and cleaning a tiny bit when I could. We even WENT to dinner because I just couldn't cook.

So, I'm propped up on the bed - working through the back pain and trying to maximize my time tomorrow in a manner that WON'T exhaust me. I've got a chicken to roast defrosted in the fridge and some lamb to make into a dinner so that I can kill two nights at once. I have an appointment at my fantastic Chiropractor at noon.  And, I'm going to bed early.

Today I Felt Pregnant.....

Really, REALLY pregnant. 

How can I tell?

• I did errands this morning with the girls at 11 AM- to acquire the rest of their Easter stuff and gather art supplies for the next few weeks to entertain them.
• I fixed leftovers for lunch.
• I decided NOT to nap and go to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods ALONE rather than push the girls in a cart.
• I looked up a new recipe to try for dinner and started bookmarking pages.
• I let Drew do ALL the dinner prep cutting.
• I sat down and watched TV with the girls while Drew did said cutting.
• I double checked Miss Roo's birthday list to be sure it was done. (Her birthday is the END of April.)
• I DIDN'T make my planned dessert.
• I DID think "I might be done being pregnant."

So I'm propped up listening to Daddy do bedtime with Lady Loo snuggled by my side. Daddy has to work tonight starting at midnight so I may be solo for a big chunk of tomorrow.

Thank GOD I bought art supplies.

Fun Friday - Vantage Point

Today, the girls and I head for my now weekly check-in with my midwives. Yesterday, I was 37 weeks - full term. Baby Boy is now "officially" fully baked and can come anytime. I've been having contractions on and off for a few weeks. They've been more noticeable in the past 5 days so we're starting to make progress toward birth.

I still think he won't make it to April, but no one knows for sure. I'm ready to meet him but trying to enjoy BEING pregnant while I still am. We tried to get Miss Roo out so that I was able to deliver her while my midwife was in the country and I didn't take time to savor the last few weeks as a duo. I don't want to cheat myself of that this go around.

So right now, I'm trying to keep the house clean and straight, make sure I cook for us as much as I can, and spend time with my two beautiful daughters. Easter goodies are being gathered, just in case. Miss Roo's 2nd birthday is just around the corner in April (how could that be?!?!?) so her gifts are being made/gathered so that we are able to celebrate a full day of her when it arrives.

Drew and I had what may be our last date night tonight. We went for sushi and had just as much fun as we did when we were first dating. I don't know what life would be like if we hadn't gone for sushi the first time, but I'm thankful daily that we did. He is my other half and I wouldn't be the woman I am without him.

So, we're waiting. And spending time together. Our family is about to change, and I can't wait to see what this vantage point will look like once I'm wearing my son on the outside.

Explaining Homebirth to the Girls

Image by K. Mochel.

When Drew and I made the decision to have this little boy at home, there were a lot of discussions to be had. We had to be sure we were both okay with the decision. We had both sets of parents to tell and answer a few questions. We had some friends that we wanted to tell in person due to our feeling they might be a tad  - apprehensive -  about the idea. And, of course, we had two little girls to tell.

I struggled with how to tell the girls that Mommy was having a baby at home. We started with Miss Moo, who at 3 has a better understanding of the physiology of the birth process than her sister. She has also experienced a sibling addition before- although I don't know if she truly remembers it or not.  Miss Roo has been present for all the discussions and questions. We've also done a lot of talking to her about her Baby Brother in my belly and his inevitable arrival in our home.

I wanted a little more support in our education process, so I purchased the book We're Having a Homebirth! This fantastic little book is written by the fantastic Kelly Mochel and is available through her website as well as Amazon. If you don't know about it, check out her site and keep reading!

We're Having a Homebirth! is a fantastic little book, narrated by a little girl who's mama is about to have a baby. It explains concepts such as prenatal visits, early labor, transition and delivery, as well as the initial postpartum hours in a simple, concise way that is easy for little children to understand. The images are vivid, modern, eye catching, and simple. (More sample pages can be found here.)

The size of the book is PERFECT for little hands that want to "read" it on their own or closely investigate the action in the illustrations. Moo often asks to read our copy after breakfast and before "school" time starts. She loves pointing out that the new Baby Brother is eating the Mommy's boobies like she and her sister did. She also asks new questions every time we read it,
"Will my baby brother cry a lot?"
"Can I help you take care of him?"
"Will my Baby Brother want to cuddle with me?"

This book has been instrumental in helping her understand what is going on with my body, her Baby Brother's body, and the steps of the impending birth happening in our home. It also gives her a way to be involved "I can make him a birthday cake!!" and the opportunity to ask questions in a comfortable setting by sitting with us to read it.

I highly recommend this little book for your own collection, your midwife's, your doula's, and any (and all ;) ) of your friends! Please feel free to ask any questions you have - but most importantly grab this book!  Although the homebirth community is growing, it's still a small one. We all need to support one another and pass along all the help and information we can!

Baby Stats

At 29 w 4 d:

32 cm fundal height
turning head down
HR in 140s
No Anemia


He also doesn't like getting messed with by anyone :)

Hello Sciatica- I HAVEN'T Missed You!

At around week 27, Miss Moo decided to turn breech and park on my sciatic nerve. She turned head down at 36 weeks, but still liked my sciatic and decided to stay until about 24 hours before I went into labor. I'm 28w4d and Baby Boy decided to park on my sciatic yesterday afternoon. I'm hoping it means he has turned in the correct direction from my Chiropractor adjustment last week when she thought he was transverse.

Although Sciatica was pretty awful with Moo, it was manageable because I was only taking care of myself. This time I'm taking care of two little girls and myself. Thankfully NanaPop are still here for a few more days!

What is Sciatica?

There is a nerve in your lower back called the sciatic. As your uterus expands, it can put pressure on the nerve and cause pain, numbness, and tingling in your lower back, rear, and down your leg. It can also be a result of the baby getting into a head down position and putting pressure on the nerve. It can come and go, or be constant. Either way, it can be uncomfortable and can last through the end of third trimester and into the first few weeks of the postpartum period.

What I'm Doing for Relief

I'm not one to take any medicines other than herbs of vitamins- even when I'm not pregnant. Here are a few things I have done to try to get some relief from this condition.

• Heating Pad- I sit on a heating pad on the lowest setting with a blanket between me and the pad. This helps relieve the pain temporarily and makes getting up and walking/standing for a few minutes less of a challenge. Heat isn't something I can do for a long period of time without feeling warm all over and then feeling sick. Changes in body temperature must be done slowly for me and managed to keep everyone okay.
• Warm Baths- This one helps me relax and gives some temporary relief, much like the heating pad. Getting in and out of a warm bath before bed helps me get a little more comfortable in order to sleep before I have to get up for the first potty run of the night.
• Stretching/Pelvic Tilts- This one worked with Moo, not so much with Baby Boy. Sometimes, stretching, squatting, and doing tilts would shift her momentarily and I could get 10-15 mints pain free. This little guy seems pretty set in where he wants to be right now.
• Getting off my feet - This helps because pressure off my legs takes a little pressure off the nerve. I'm trying to force myself to sit down every 45 minutes to an hour- much more difficult this time around.
• Water- I have noticed that the more I hydrate, the less I notice the pain. Maybe I'm just telling myself that one ;) 

Moving Forward

I go back to the Chiropractor on Wednesday, so hopefully that will help some. Given my history, though, I'm resolving myself to living out the rest of this pregnancy with some pain, lots of heat, and a limp. At least the end result is worth it!

Have you ever had Sciatica during pregnancy? What worked for you to get some relief?

A Few Pregnancy Tips

Unsurprisingly, this pregnancy is completely different that my first two. I'm craving savory instead of sweet, I have a LOT of water retention, I'm not constipated, and I still occasionally feel yucky in the afternoons.

I had a jump in weight gain over the last 6 weeks in numbers, but not in how my clothes fit or what I look like (other than the belly). My midwife wasn't terribly concerned, she just asked me to drink more water and pregnancy tea (mine comes from Totem Herbal ) and to keep an eye on it.  When I got home I asked Drew if I looked bigger. We both decided I didn't I just looked, well, puffy.

So, the water drinking began. Wanna know what happened? 9 lbs GONE in 2 days. NINE!! Guess I need to drink more water, huh?

I've also been having a lot of leg cramps and general sluggishness this time around. I know that I'm caring for two girls full time and keeping a house going (can anyone hear Drew snicker at that one?) but I feel worn out even past that. I've done some research and here are some things I've learned.

• I need more sleep - I'm not getting much more than 6 hours a night and my body and my baby need rest.
• I need more water - Other than the retention realization of this week, I have been really lacking in the water department. 8-10 glasses, DAILY - at least.
• I need to snack - I need to get protein rich snacks in when I can and not stuff myself to misery at meals.
• I need more potassium - This particular need is a difficult one because most people use bananas as a go to and I really, REALLY dislike them. A lot. So, I looked up some alternatives and I'm adding them to my routine and shopping list. My top 5 right now are: avocado  spinach, yogurt, brussel sprouts, and tomato juice.

Do you have any tips for pregnancy fatigue and water retention? What are your favorite snacks?