Hello, August!

***********************************************************
People...It's August!

You know what that means, right?
It means I am going to have a baby *THIS* month!
As of yesterday, I am officially 38 weeks pregnant which means the countdown is on.
In 2 weeks (or less!!!) I will be holding this baby & will not be pregnant anymore.
Can I get an Amen?
I am so excited to meet him/her and find out who the grand finale of our family is!

Don't mind how tired I look in these pictures, I haven't been getting much sleep lately.
Not because of anything pregnancy related, but because I have been staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning watching The Olympics! I am OBSESSED with the Olympics.
(You can read about when I went to the 1996 Olympics HERE)
And, 4 years ago during the 2008 Summer Olympics, I was 9 months pregnant with Claire, so I am having deja-vu.

Now, onto some pregnancy stats!

How Far Along:
38 Weeks

Size of baby:
About 7 lbs (my Dr thinks I will have another 8-9 lb baby)

Total Weight Gain:
Gained 42 lbs (YIKES!!!)

Gender:
I am leaning toward boy. I think.
But, we are having 2nd guesses about our girl name, so maybe that means It's a girl?!?!
I put up a poll on the side, so you can guess!

Movement:
Movement is slowing down. I think the baby is running out of room.
Most active at night when I am trying to go to sleep.

Sleep:
I am getting REALLY uncomfortable and having a hard time falling asleep (but that is also due to the Olympics! ha!) Once I am asleep, I am pretty much sleeping through the night. I don't have to pee in the middle of the night, but sometimes I wake up with leg cramps/charlie horses. Ouch!

What I miss:
Wine. Beer. Margaritas. Diet Coke.

Cravings:
I've lost my appetite lately - I think maybe my stomach has run out of room?

Symptoms:
I'm 9 months pregnant - I'm huge, I feel like I waddle. I can't bend over or get comfortable in any position. And, it's hot this week...in the high 90's. BUT I'm SO thankful for this pregnancy and I'm trying to enjoy the very end. And, I am trying to be patient and

Best Moment this week:
Having it become August 1st and knowing that I will be having this baby SOON!
So excited to find out if it is a boy or girl! And, this week I am trying to soak in the time with Kate & Claire because their world (and ours!) is going to be rocked shortly, so I am enjoying time with them & checking things off our Summer List!

Maternity Photoshoot for Baby #3

Since this is our last baby, I knew I wanted to have maternity photos taken.

At 34 weeks, I had a little maternity photo shoot with a friend from high school.
{All photos taken by Marcie Lynn Photography}

Will baby be a boy or a girl?!?!?!

Can't believe baby #3 will be here in less than 2 weeks!

This picture sums up how we feel about having another baby in couple weeks.....Ahhhh!!!!!

Thank you Marcie for capturing us for the final time as a family of 4!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these photos & will cherish them forever!

My dress: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Target
Bracelet: NY & Co
Earrings: Happy Days by WifeySinger

The girls dresses: Lil Blue Boo

On Being Team Green

There is a term for people like us who wait until the birth to find out the gender.

We are called "Team Green".

I have enjoyed people's reactions this pregnancy when I tell them we don't know what we are having. My favorite encounters have been with total strangers. They see me out with my girls and assume I know what I am having & say things like, "Did you get a boy this time?"
When I say we are waiting until birth, the look on people's face is classic.
I am finding out that being "Team Green" is a rare thing,
........especially with your 3rd child and
....especially when you have been Team Green with each pregnancy and
.....especially when you have 2 of the same gender!

I get a lot of questions when I tell people we are Team Green.
A common one is, "What about the nursery?"
This is what our nursery looks like now:
The walls are already a neutral color because it was our old Guest Room
(Fig Cookie by Kelly Moore)

There is no bedding in the crib because I am waiting until AFTER the baby is born.
I have Claire's old crib bedding that I will use if it is a girl. If it is a boy, I will buy boy bedding.
The rocker is the same one I used with the girls & it is also neutral.
If it's a girl, I will add a pink throw pillow & if it's a boy I will get a pillow to match the bedding I pick out.

And, the dresser which is white & can be used for a boy or a girl!

The walls are blank & I will just decorate them after the baby is born.
The baby will sleep in our room in a bassinet for the first few months,so I can work on the nursery then!
I don't like gender neutral nurseries, if it's a girl, I like pink & girly.
If it's a boy, I want it to look like a boys room.
I don't mind waiting to decorate until after it is born, that is what I did with the girls, and it worked out just fine!

Another question I have gotten is "What about the coming home outfit?"
This is what I did with Kate & Claire and I will do with this baby also.
I wash & bring 2 going home outfits to the hospital.
I have a pink blanket, pink outfit & pink hats that were both girls coming home outfits:

And, I have the boy version! A blue blanket, outfit & hats.

It's not a big deal to bring 2 outfits! It makes it fun!

Another common response I get about being Team Green is:
"Oh, I couldn't do that, I am too much of a planner"
Well, I am a TOTAL planner also.
Hello, I plan my girls birthday parties about 9 months before their birthdays!
I LOVE planning things.
But, for some reason, I am adamant about not knowing the gender.
I always rolled my eyes at people who didn't find out.
I thought Team Green people were SO annoying.
But, then I had my 2nd miscarriage & my focus shifted.
I had "planned" that pregnancy.
I was due in May 2006 and it was perfect planning/timing, because as a teacher, I would have the baby in May and then would be on maternity leave for May & the rest of the summer. It was a great "plan" I had. Well, that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage in October 2005 at 10 weeks. And, I was devastated.
I didn't get pregnant with Kate for 6 months after that.
It was my pregnancy with her when I decided that I wasn't going to find out what we were having because I was giving up control & trusting in God's plan.
I would wait and be patient to find out at the birth.
If you know me, patience is not my strong suit, but not knowing the gender really forces me to relax.
I don't spend time worrying about the nursery or buying clothes for the baby.
So, call me crazy, but I think Team Green is great.
I know it's not for everyone, but I am so glad we don't know and I am so glad Kevin goes along with being Team Green with me.
He wanted to find out with this one, but I wouldn't let him.
(He really wants to know if we can get rid of all those girls clothes that are in bins in our garage!)
The "It's A......" moment in the hospital is what gets me through the months & months of morning sickness. I look forward to that so much!

Being Team Green is also fun because you can do all the Gender Prediction games!
And, it's fun to have people guess what you are having!

Here are some of the gender predictions I have done:
The Chinese Gender Prediction Chart said girl with this pregnancy (and it said girl with Kate & Claire)
The old wives tale about heart rate (140s & higher is girl and below 139 is boy)
This baby (and also Kate & Claire's) were always above 140.
The wedding ring on a string gender prediction for this one said boy.
This pregnancy I have been more tired & more nauseous (It ended at 26 weeks with Kate & Claire and with this one I am STILL nauseous)

With Kate, I was 80% sure she was a girl.
With Claire, I was 99% sure she was a girl.
With this one, I am not sure...I am 50/50.
I am more drawn toward boy stuff at the stores with this one, but maybe that is because my sister is having a boy?

So, what is your guess? What do you think I am having?
Do you think we are crazy for being Team Green for the third time in a row?

A Shower for Baby #3

On Saturday, my friend Kelly threw me a beautiful Baby Shower!

I was a little hesitant about having a shower for Baby #3, but Kelly said every baby deserves a shower (and I have no baby items since I gave everything away 2 years ago!)
Since we don't know if it's a boy or girl, Kelly did the yellow/gray theme which is one of my favorite color combos! She did such a good job, the shower was beautiful!
She had a poll up for people to guess what Baby #3 is:
The drink station:
Complete with a mimosa bar (sigh!)

And, the yummy food:

Opening some presents:
Favor Bags:
Kelly & I, the wonderful hostess!
My sister Elyse & I:

My best friend AK from Colorado was in town for the shower!
Becky, me & Kelly:

Sisters picture:

With my mom & Kevin's mom:
The shower was perfect.
It was such a great day & I felt so loved and blessed.
It was fun to celebrate this Baby's upcoming arrival with some of my closest friends & family.
Baby #3 has everything it needs...it's waiting time now!
Less than 1 month to go!

34 Weeks!

34 weeks!
I can't believe it!
The past few weeks have flown by with the end of school & start of summer.

How Far Along:

34 Weeks

Size of baby:
Baby is the size of a cantaloupe

Total Weight Gain/Loss:
I have gained 35 lbs
( I gained 50 lbs with Kate & Claire, so hopefully I don't gain 15 lbs in the next 6 weeks!)

Maternity Clothes:

I wear pretty much all maternity
Gender:
Don't know...It's a Surprise!

Movement:
Lots of kicks & rolls. Baby is most active at night (like the girls were)

Sleep:
I'm sleeping pretty good, but according to Kevin I thrash around all night in my sleep. I am having a hard time getting comfortable at night. And, for the past few weeks, I have been waking up almost once a night because I get a Charlie Horse in my calf. Ouch!
What I miss:
Coffee. Wine. Diet Coke. Margaritas.

Cravings:
Steak. Panini Sandwiches. Ice Cream.

Symptoms:
Still have all day sickness & nausea. I am still nauseous all day. Shoot me now. With the girls, that ended at 26 weeks, and here I am with 6 weeks to go and I still feel sick. I am assuming this is going to last until I deliver. At least I am not puking anymore.
And, I am tired...so, so, so, tired which I think makes me feel even more nauseous.
Kevin let me sleep in until 10 am on Saturday. It was amazing.

Best Moment this week:
Lots of fun things have happened this week...

• We set the crib up over the weekend...it is becoming more real that we are having another baby!
• I had my 34 week appointment yesterday & the baby is head down! I am measuring slightly ahead & my doctor thinks I am going to have another 9 lb baby. W
  
• Today, I had a maternity photo shoot! Can't wait to see the pics! (And, because of that, today was the first time since summer started that I have worn make up. ha! I love summer!)
  

Can't believe we are getting down to the final stages of this pregnancy!
Stay tuned for a guessing game on the baby's gender & arrival.

Hope you all have a safe & fun 4th of July tomorrow!
We have a fun filled day planned including hosting our annual 4th of July Pool Party & BBQ!
It's one of my favorite days of the year!

Keeping it Real: Pregnancy Edition

Here's the deal.

I am almost 34 weeks pregnant with Baby #3 and I have a confession.
I DO NOT LIKE BEING PREGNANT.
Never have, never will.
Do I love babies & children? YES.
Do I love being pregnant? NO. Not even close.

Yes, I know that pregnancy is a miracle.
Yes, I am so incredibly thankful to be able to have children.
And, yes, I know children are a blessing....
BUT....
Being pregnant is not my favorite thing.
(This is one of the first times I feel like I can admit that without feeling like a terrible person)

I think of pregnancy as a means to an end.
You have to suffer for 9 months & then you get a beautiful reward at the end, a newborn baby.
I have said this before & I will say it again....I would rather give birth everyday than be pregnant.

One of the reasons I am not a fan of pregnancy is because I get horrible morning sickness.
From the moment I hit 6 weeks, I am nauseous 24/7 and it feels like I am hungover.
At almost 34 weeks, my nausea still hasn't gone away.
Thankfully, I haven't puked since 26 weeks, but from 6 weeks until 26 weeks I was barfing multiple times a day. That is not fun. Especially when I am teaching and especially when I have 2 little girls at home to take care of.
And, I can't tell you how many times I peed my pants while barfing. What is up with that?!?! Please tell me I am not the only one who this happens to.
Even though I get bad morning sickness, I know it could be worse.
I am thankful that I don't puke all 9 months and I am thankful that I never had to be hospitalized for nausea/dehydration.
I am thankful I never had to be on bed rest.
For the women who have had to deal with all of that, you are my heroes.

When I am pregnant, I am not a good wife or mother.
I am too sick to cook the first 5 months, so my poor girls lived on mac & cheese, chicken nuggets and PB&J for dinner because all I could eat was cereal. The act of opening the fridge & smelling it would send me running for the bathroom.
I am not joking when I say that the iPad literally babysat my girls for weeks on end.
My motto for this pregnancy has been,
"Survival of this pregnancy has been brought to you by the iPad"
My worst time was from 4 o'clock on. I would be exhausted from teaching & my nausea would peak in the late afternoon. The girls would play with the iPad while I laid on the couch trying not to barf. Not my best parenting months, but it was survival mode.
You gotta do what you gotta do to get through it, right?

And, poor, poor, Kevin. I think he ate chips/salsa for dinner for months.
He has done SO much around the house & with the girls because I just don't/didn't have the energy. While he got them ready for bed & read them books, I would already be in bed (or puking in the bathroom) He put/puts up with a lot when I am pregnant.
We always joked that when I was pregnant with Claire that it was our last pregnancy because our marriage couldn't survive another pregnancy. Ha! Well, here we are almost 34 weeks into this one and we survived...so far! :) He is a good, good, man for dealing with Pregnant Mel.

I am also a paranoid freak show when I am pregnant.
I refuse to take anti-nausea meds because I am a paranoid that it will harm the baby. You would think that by this 3rd baby, I would have mellowed out with the paranoia, but no, it hasn't.
I am a worrier and pregnancy just escalates that.
I worry about what I eat because "Is that safe to eat when pregnant?!?"
I google WAY too much. I even googled if it was safe to have a slurpee when pregnant because after I had one, I thought for sure it was on the do not have when pregnant list & I was worried that slurpee would harm my baby.
I told you I was a freak show.
I have many, many more ridiculous things that I have googled, but I will spare you (and spare myself the embarrassment of being so ridiculous)

During my pregnancies with Kate & Claire I never really admitted to people how much I loathed being pregnant, it made me feel guilty. But, I feel like I need to be honest & admit freely that I do not like being pregnant. And, I think that is okay.
I have never said (nor will I ever say) "I miss being pregnant, I just love it"

I wish I could be one of those pregnant women who just love being pregnant & don't freak out about every little thing, but that is not me. Each day, I pray that God will take over my fears about being pregnant, calm my heart and keep my baby healthy.
It is a daily battle for me not to worry and think something is wrong.
Maybe I am this way because I had 2 miscarriages before I had Kate, but maybe I am naturally a worrier. Either way, my worry is amplified during pregnancy. I don't like feeling anxious & stressed. That is not who I am (except when pregnant).

To the women who LOVE being pregnant and love every aspect of it, ROCK ON!
To the women who are surrogate mothers, and willingly carry a baby for someone, you are my FREAKING HERO.
To the women who don't like being pregnant, you are NOT ALONE.

For the next 6.5 weeks until this baby is born, I am going to *try* and change my attitude.
I will try to enjoy this time because it is FOR SURE my last pregnancy.
I will celebrate each day that gets me closer to not being pregnant EVER again.
Each day that passes means I am one day closer to meeting this precious one (boy or girl?!?!) that completes our little family and I just can't wait until he/she is in my arms and not my uterus.

Hello, 3rd Trimester!

Today I enter my 3rd (and FINAL!!!) Trimester.

Thank you, Jesus. There is an end in sight!
How Far Along:
28 Weeks

Size of baby:
Baby is the size of an eggplant

Total Weight Gain/Loss:
I have gained 22 lbs
( I gained 50 lbs with Kate & Claire! Yikes!)

Maternity Clothes:
I wear pretty much all maternity
Gender:
Don't know...It's a Surprise!

Movement:
Lots of kicks & rolls. Baby is most active at night (like the girls were)

Sleep:
I'm sleeping pretty good, but I am still SO, SO tired.

What I miss:
Coffee & Wine.

Cravings:
Steak

Symptoms:
Still have all day sickness & nausea. Yes, you read that right. I am still nauseous all day. Shoot me now. With the girls, that ended at 26 weeks, and here I am in my THIRD trimester and I still feel sick. I haven't thrown up in over a month, but I still feel yucky.
And, I am tired...so, so, so, tired which I think makes me feel even more nauseous.

Best Moment this week:
I found out I passed my glucose test! Yay!
Now, I just hope the all day nausea goes away.
With the girls, it went away at about 26-28 weeks.
Why, oh why, do I still feel still feel yucky? *sigh*

Kate wanted a belly shot also with her doll stuffed in her shirt :)
I can't believe that I only have 12 weeks left, but at the same time, I feel like this pregnancy has gone by so slowly! I know once school gets out in a few weeks & summer arrives then time is going to fly by! We are going to start working on the nursery this weekend...it is becoming real that we are going to have another baby!