Baby #3: 22 Weeks!

Today I had my prenatal appointment. I met the OB, Dr. Spalding, for the first time. (I've been seeing his midwives for all the previous visits). He's nice and all, but let's just say I REALLY hope and pray he is not on call when I go into labor. He has three midwives who generally do the delivering unless he happens to be the one on call or their is an emergency or scheduled C-section. Even though he knows I've had two boring pregnancies and two easy, intervention-free labors (one in a birth center) he still had the audacity to suggest getting induced at 39 weeks just for the heck of it. Ya know, since I transition and push fast and don't want to risk having a home birth/car birth/rushing to the hospital. I said NO THANK YOU and laughed a bit at that statement. I mean really?! Why. I don't get it. I'm thankful that my OB for Julian was pretty hands off and never even mentioned such a thing and thankful for my wonderful birth center birth with Genevieve. I told Jordan if this man ends up being the one to deliver this baby then he needs to watch him like a hawk. No scissors near my lady bits and no funny business!

ANYHOW, other than that, my appointment was just fine. Baby boy's heart rate was 145bpm. My fundal height is measuring at 22cm, which coincides with my 22 weeks for once. With my other 2 I always measured a week or 2 "behind" (and yet my babies till came right around their due dates at 8.2lbs and 7.6lbs). Oddly enough, my midwife put my estimated due date at September 9th which would technically put me at 21 weeks, 4 days instead of 22 weeks. I'm not sure why she did that because that date doesn't line up with anything. I truly think she just used the little spinny wheel thing wrong. Haha! (And I say this because the baby is measuring at 22 weeks, my fundus is measuring at 22 weeks, and according to my non-professional calculations, I'm 22 weeks.) But oh well, whatever. A week or two off really does not matter in the grand scheme of things! Mostly, it just gets annoying when they say things like "oh, baby is going to be big/small, we can induce, we need to check your cervix at this date, blah blah blah."

So, that's the latest update! Just pluggin along over here at the Rossi household. Kids are happy and I'm feeling good. Julian just turned 5, which is crazy! Genevieve officially weaned about 3 weeks ago with a lot of prompting from me. I'm completely open to letting her nurse again when the baby comes, but for now it's just too painful. Jordan is busy with work (being a 24 hour caregiver to his grandma in Parkfield), studying for getting licensed (which is hopefully happening this Friday when he goes to Presbytery!) and writing sermons. I'm just doing my thing - trying to keep the house in order, organize park play dates, getting Julian ready for Kindergarten this fall, doing some major nesting, and trying to stay generally healthy and active.

22 Weeks! Baby boy is approx 15 ounces and 11 inches.

Baby #3: 14 Week Appointment

I love my OB appointments. The gals in the office are fabulous, it's small and quaint, and my midwife is great! Today's appointment was the usual: pee in a cup, take my blood pressure, listen to the heartbeat. Sounds chill, but I get nervous every single time until I hear that strong, fast beating of my baby's heart. We weren't able to hear it at my first appointment 4 weeks ago so when Megan (my awesome midwife) located it right away and we heard a LOUD, STRONG boom boom boom! at 150bpm we both laughed at how cooperative baby was today! She said she'd be shocked if I couldn't feel the baby moving already, if not soon. Well, sure enough, I definitely feel this baby moving! I started feeling movement around 13 weeks and it's just getting stronger and stronger. Crazy how in tune we are as we have more pregnancies! Also? The top of my uterus is totally almost to my belly button already. First time pregnanies it's a good few inches below at this point, but hey, my uterus knows what's up by now. 

How I'm feeling: 

I'm feeling good! I'm officially in my second trimester and, praise God, I have energy most days! Of course, if I get less than 8 hours of sleep I have nausea and the sleepies, but for the most part I'm loving this "magical" second tri thing. 

What I'm craving: 

No real cravings, but thankful that I'm not into sugar too much, other than chocolate bars. ;) I'm digging fruits, veggies, salty soups and my morning cup of joe. 

What's going on:

Just busy doing our thing! Kids have dance class twice a week, I've organized a weekly park day with friends. Still watching my friend's 3 year old 2 or 3 half days a week. We have our Community Group through the church every other week and church on Sundays (Jordan teaches the adult Sunday School class, ocassionaly does Childen's church and preaches every 6th week). I was recently blessed with a free double jogging stroller - just need to replace the tubes and then I'll start walking again! Genevieve is officially day and night potty trained. No diapers for the next 6 months, woo!! Oh, and today I picked up the kindergarten registration packet for Julian (SAY WHAT?!).

Pregnancy Stats:

Weight gain to date: 10 pounds of loooove.

Blood pressure: 135/80

Blood tests: all good! No anemia thus far! Healthy as a horse. 

And I leave for you a belly shot and a cute photo bomber:

 

Baby #3: 12 Weeks

A couple of weeks ago we announced on Facebook (aka "The Whole World") that we are expecting baby #3! Our estimated due date (edd) is September 9th. Our other 2 were born right around their due dates, give or a take a couple of days. Here's to hoping this baby follows suit! The kids are pretty excited about having a new baby siblings. I bet they'll get impatient waiting another 7 months, and I don't blame them! Pregnancy seems to last forever...

When I ask Julian if wants a brother or a sister, he's adamant about wanting it to be a boy because "I need a partner so I can be Batman. He can be Robin!" When I ask the same question to Genevieve she says she wants a "girl baby." Her reason? "Because." So there you have it. My midwife does the gender scan between 19-21 weeks, so 7 more weeks and we'll see which kid gets their desired gender!

Fast forward to today and I'm 12 weeks along! Anyone who's gone through pregnancies and losses know that reaching 12 weeks helps calm the nerves! I'm not quite second trimester yet (one more week to go) but it's still an accomplishment. Praying that all continues to go well and baby stays healthy! 

How I'm feeling: 

Pretty good, for the most part. I have good days and bad. Evenings and nights aren't so great. I'm worn out by 4pm and definitely feeling the nausea. (Not nearly as bad as the first few weeks, though.) Braxton Hicks are very noticeable this time around. Nothing really seems to prevent them so I've decided to just consider them a normal part of this pregnancy. 

What I'm craving: 

Nothing in particular. Proteins, fruits, salty things. I'm not having any major sugar cravings yet. Most foods leave a bad taste in my mouth and I'm having to chew a lot of gum to mask it. (Not good for my TMJ,btw!)

What's going on:

I'm watching just one child part time these days and still doing a little Thirty-One here and there. (Mostly for fun and to give friends discounts!) My kids have dance class twice a week which is pretty funny to watch! We don't get out of the house too much...but we do have a big backyard so that helps a ton! I make sure they spend at least an hour or more out there a day. Genevieve has been totally awesome and taking TWO HOUR NAPS daily! A serious life saver. Julian quit napping at 2 so I didn't have the luxery of a "break" while I was preagnant with Genevieve (in hot and sweaty Florida, nonetheless.) I'm thrilled to be able to plop Julian in front of a movie, put G down for a nap, and take a 1 or 2 hours rest. It helps SO much!

Weight? 

Okay ya, I'm posting this. Kind of...so third pregnancy you guys! I was definitely not where I wanted to be health-wise when I started this pregnancy. It was unexpected and I had just decided I was going to join and gym and start exercising. I'm still going to work out, but it's going to have to be a slower, gradual, gentle process now that I'm already pregnant and I haven't exercised in almost 2 years. (So bad, I know.) My past labors have been 12-24 hours long and I NEVER slept during them and end up so exhausted. In order to have successful, smooth, natural/unmedicated labor and a fast/easy recovery I must be in shape, healthy, and have energy. So anyhow, I'm posting this super unglamourous pic of me from today, at 12 weeks, for the sake of tradition.