32 Weeks- Baby #3

32 Weeks with Donny:

32 Weeks with Baby #3:

Just so you know, I HATE the way I look in this pic. For fun, I decided to wear the same shirt so you can see the difference. It may not look that different until you see how the shirt fits. Obviously, it stretched much easier over my belly with Donny's pregnancy.

I keep putting off this post, waiting for more information on a few things, but for my own record, I thought I'd give a small update.
First of all, I feel about as good as you can feel at this point, I suppose. I feel very heavy and tired a lot of the time, but that's my only major complaint. I've been a lot more "hormonal" (aka grumpy) this pregnancy, so points to my family, especially Kevin, for putting up with that! I have gained 35 pounds so far and I'm only 5-6 pounds away from my highest with Donny. Tests have all been fine. I'll do the strep b test in a few weeks and I'll probably be positive.....again....ugh. I'd like to not need antibiotics in labor, but I guess it's not the end of the world.

As of now, we aren't really sure where this baby will be born and who will be delivering it. From the beginning, we have been hoping to have this baby at home. (More about that later.) Things have been up in the air ever since our first ultrasound. We have been very cautious, and I can tell my midwife is wanting to be especially cautious. As I reported in my last pregnancy post, all was well with the baby and everything was great. Well, as far as we can tell, everything is still just peachy with the baby and it seems perfectly healthy and normal. The major bummer that is holding our plans up is that pesky placenta. After close examination of the ultrasound, it seems I still have marginal placenta previa (as of 29 weeks). This totally sucks. I haven't had any bleeding at all which is really positive.  The good news is that it moved from a complete previa at 20 weeks to just a marginal at 29, so there is the hope that it will be plenty far away by full term that we wont even need to worry anymore.  My midwife has recommended (and I agree) that if it hasn't moved to at least 2-3 cm away (the distance needed for it not to be a higher risk) we will transfer to an OB in the hospital. She can still attend the birth, but an OB would need to be in charge.
Again, since everything else seemed fine and there have been no other complications, I am continuing care with my midwife but we are being extra cautious. We have another scan scheduled in the next couple weeks to check and see if anything has moved. If it still hasn't, I will likely start looking for a physician to transfer to. We will still continue to check until I'm 37-38 weeks since I don't want to schedule or change anything if it ends up fixing itself at the last minute.
So, home birth? Hospital birth? I wish I knew. Hopefully, we will know before I go into labor, lol! I am thankful I have options. And while I like things pretty "natural," I'm so glad we have the medical technology if we need it.

I'm sure there will be a bigger post on this subject after I have my ultrasound and know more about what we are doing. The one thing I keep going back to is the discussion Kev and I had after he gave me a blessing. We both felt very calm and sure about our decision to plan a home birth. After many prayers on the subject, it still feels like the right plan for us. Given the *possible* complication, it would be foolish to not be cautious and open to changing our plans. Overall, I still feel like this will all be one big, fat worry over nothing! Hopefully, we will know in the next couple weeks!

Easter 2012

Easter weekend was a little rough in our home. I'm not sure why, but everyone seemed on edge and grumpy most of the time. I know I was. There was a fair amount of crying, whining, and tantrum throwing. I'm not sure if the kids were throwing tantrums so much cause Kev and I were on edge or if we were on edge cause they were throwing so many tantrums. Either way, I wish we had had more Easter spirit. 

Saturday, we did a little egg hunt after naptime. Josie obviously had experience with this and needed no directions. This was Donny's first hunt so he needed a bit of persuasion. It was all over when he picked up the first egg and noticed it was filled with candy. Treats are somewhat rare in our home : )

I took lots of pics, but rather than post them, I'll just present you with the live action version. This was about as content as they were all weekend.

Just so you know, this video totally makes me look and sound super impatient and not fun at all. In truth, I was sort of was. I was super tired and feeling stressed about who knows what. I do usually try to be nicer : ) Ok, who am I kidding. This has been me for the last few weeks, lol. I really do love my kids to death, but this pregnancy is really getting to me now!

A little something about Josie: I literally think she finds it impossible to both LOOK at the camera and SMILE at the same time. I'm not kidding. I've tried everything. When I do catch her smiling at the camera, it's always on accident. 

"Josie, smile!!"

                                                     "Ok, nice smile. Now look at the camera!"

                                       Me: "Josie, just smile normal........and look at me!"
                                    Josie: "I AM looking at you, mom. I'm smiling!"

            "Ok, nevermind. Let's just try something different........"

Daddy making faces sometimes helps, but not with eye contact.

This pretty much sums up what happened most of Easter weekend.

But it's all forgotten with moments like this..........

Ok, now that Donny "kissed it better," let's try this again!

"Josie, look at me!! Look at the CAMERA!!"

                                         "YAY!! Ok, now smile. Smile big!"

                                         I guess this is as close as we get : )

I've been told that in Primary, Josie finds it very hard to sing without getting up and dancing. I have explained to her that it is irreverent to get up and dance during singing time, but secretly I love that she's got the music in her : )

Is that not the weirdest stance?? How did she get her legs like that?? Toddlers.....

                  Okay, last chance!!

                                               *Sigh*..............we'll work on it.

At least she has a really pretty profile : )

This guy was done taking pictures pretty much from the beginning. Tired and grumpy.

The day ended with egg coloring. We didn't do anything cool or arty and honestly at this point, I just wanted to let the kids have some messy fun, throw them in the bath and into bed. It was sort of a hastily prepared craft. Oh well. They actually had lots of fun and we ended up with a dozen colorful eggs!

It got pretty messy. Messy fun is the best : )

New ride

Uncle Jesse (Kev's best friend from high school) came to visit and taught us a new thrill ride for the kids. It was a big hit. It's also easier than the blanket ride. Win-win.

P.S. uploading Easter pics now : )

Park Season!

Before this blog is taken over by newborn pictures, I figured I better post some recent pics of the kids! I'm excited to take Easter pics of them this weekend. Until then, here are some from our recent park days. The kids are happiest when they are out exploring and climbing. They have become so independent at the park lately. I love it!! It gives me a nice break. They both are pretty adventurous and daring when it comes to the equipment. I pretty much just let them climb and try anything they want and I rarely help them. I figure the ground is usually pretty padded : ) 

Josie will gladly smile for the camera. Unfortunately, she rarely LOOKS at the camera while smiling, lol.

Doesn't she look so grown up??

Just fyi, I have no idea how Snuggly made it onto the playground. He rarely comes with us anywhere these days. I guess she snuck him. I didn't even notice till I saw these pictures : )

No more baby swings for this girl.....

Donny is a slide-a-holic. This is why we currently have one in our living room.

Oh, that smile!!! Best everrrr : )

 

You know it's nap time and time to go home when the thumb comes out.....

Different day, different park. My little climbers....

I was actually really proud of Donny for climbing all the way up and down this wall by himself. It's actually somewhat slippery, so I thought for sure he would slip or get stuck.

Josie (our resident flower hoarder) is SUPER excited about all the blossoms and buds that are growing everywhere. She can't resist all the flowers crying out to be picked. She ends up with handfuls every day. I have to remember to check her pockets cause they are always filled with dried flowers : )

These two are becoming such good friends. It completely melts my heart : )

Next up: Easter and 32 Week baby update!!