35 weeks and counting!

Heralded myself to the OB again today.

With the three babes in tow.
 

It was rather routine.
As they usually are at this stage.
One of those "Hi. Bye." kinds.

Weight in. Check.
Blood pressure. Check.
Doppler heartbeat. Check.
Measure the belly with a thin retractable tape. Check.
Any questions?

Nope.
See you in two weeks.


The recent stats:

Weeks: 35
Gender: Boy
Position: Head Down
Aversions: Tomato/Vinegar based
Cravings: Sugar. Ice.
Complaints: Water weight. Ugh. As demonstrated in my face and {ahem} below the belly.
Heartburn: Of course. Even peanut butter can make me want to lose myself in a gallon of milk.
Feeling Baby Move: All. The. Time. This kid is very active.
Weight: 164
Gain: 34 pounds
Name: Nash Ryan!

And, the infamous...
Belly Pic:

Next preggie update in two weeks.
Then, it's every week after that, as we will be down to just three weeks left!

I probably should start thinking about getting the newborn boys clothes out, washed, put away.

 

Schools out for Summer!!

This boy.

Graduated from his 4 year old preschool class on Friday.

It was a fun year of class parties, letter identification and sounds, art projects, and new friends.

I have wrestled with sending him off to Kindergarten next year for a good couple months now, and finally just decided that I don't want to have him be young for his graduating class {in 13 years}.

Besides, I enjoy having him around.

And if that means he goes to half day next year, for four days a week to redo a lot of the things he already knows from preschool this year, then so be it.

First Day:

 

Last Day:

 

Graduation:

 

I just adore the guys in my life.

Anyways, on to summer. 

Which is already filled with T Ball games, golf tournaments, boating, the garden hose in the backyard, the park, splash pads, the zoo... oh, and having a baby.

Excited?

Definitely.

 

 

 

 

We planted...

Our garden.

Is planted.

After three days of being outside and raking the tilled ground we have out back, we made rows and sowed seeds. Nolan planted corn, zucchini, and garlic.

Nev planted green beans.

Nadie threw dirt. And trampled my rows with her little bare feet.

We have tomato, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, broccoli, and pumpkin starts sprouting from the dirt.

I planted the carrots.

Potatoes.

Yellow squash.

Cucumbers.

And, cilantro.

 

We put our blueberry plants in the raised bed up by the house.

 

I have yet to put in watermelon.

Eggplant.

And my celery and romaine starts from the kitchen.

And onion, as I use them. Since you just lop off the top 1 1/2" of the onion and plant it, I will be recycling from the kitchen, just like the celery and romaine.

 

Very enthusiastic about the garden this year.

Have paid great attention to companion plants, and procedure this year.

And am hoping for a productive harvest all summer into fall.

 

Anyone else put their green thumb to work recently?

 

 

Getting DOWN with #4!!

33 week appointment in the history books! Seven weeks to go!

{exhale.......}

I was reading Curious George Goes to the Chocolate Factory to the children, when the nurse called me to come back.

I gathered up the kids, and we marched to the scale.

First up, weigh in!

I set Nadie down.

And then my purse.

Then I removed my cardigan.

Then my right sandal, as I balanced my hand on the wall so I didn't tip over {literally}.

The nurse kind of looked at me like I was crazy. 

I gave her a quick smile, "I don't have a scale in my house... so I am trying to be as accurate as possible."

"That's fine..." she said, patiently waiting as I removed my left sandal.

Just as I was getting ready to step on...

My OB, who was sitting around the corner, proceeded to ask me if I had done all the typical pregnant weigh in tactics. Like taking off as much clothing as possible. {check} Shoes. {check} Emptying the bladder... {be right back!}

I emptied with Nadie in tow.

Came back, and laughed about how silly I was to the nurse again. 

{I had told My Sweet before he left this morning that I was probably going to tip the scale today! And that was NOT something to laugh about. Especially since I had seven more weeks to pack on the pounds yet.}

I stepped on. Reluctantly.

Exhaling as she slid the 150 pound weight over.

164. 

It stopped.

{You mean... I am not 170 yet?!}

Well... long live the snackapotamus! 

Because apparently, snacking all day every day like I was on some fancy cruise ship for the last two weeks... does NOT mean I will gain five pounds a week like you hear people complaining about after they get back from said vacation. 

My faves of recent have been: whole salted cashews, apples from the fridge, cereal, frozen grapes, or pineapple, guacamole and tortilla chips, pretzels, candy in the form of little orange peanut shapes that most people can't even smell without wanting to yak, yogurt, chocolate with toffee {so weird because I hate toffee}...

Anyways, I hopped off that scale, bare feet and all, and went to the exam room.

It was all routine from there.

Ten minute interview to talk about my heartburn, and how it is bad, but I power through it. Using Tums last night for the first time this pregnancy, because I was certain fire was going to come out of my nose or mouth at any given moment if I didn't.

You see, I made lasagna with organic noodles, ricotta, mozz, a garden variety jarred sauce, and grass fed beef. It was amazing. 

And, honestly, I was ready to bear that cross for consuming it. Until the cross came in the light of reflux I could taste for hours. Chomping ice as quickly as possible before bed, to try and alleviate it. 

Before scavenging the cabinet in the kitchen for a half empty bottle of TUMS from last pregnancy.

But, me being me... I still refused a scrip for any medications to treat it.

I know that tomato/vinegar/acid based foods will burn a hole in my chest nearly all day {or night} if consumed. 

So for the most part, I steer clear. 

Only once in a while do I give in and drink that glass of lemonade or OJ, or have the spaghetti. 

Funny thing about my heartburn is, I can eat buffalo style wings and not have as bad of heartburn, as if I have a sip of lemonade.

Next topic: veins, and how they are bulbous and very blue and running a very large map all over my body. They say pregnany women have 30-50% more blood while pregnant.

I'm pretty sure mine is closer to 75%.

Seriously.

But you know what, I still wear dresses. And shorts.

No one seems to be bothered by my leg map system... yet.

We got a heartbeat on the doppler. And found out Nash is head DOWN again!

Prayers have been answered.

I will not have to add anxiety to the last couple weeks of this pregnancy, wondering if a c section is a must because I have a breech baby that refuses to turn.

So.

As if this short story isn't enough of an update, here are the most recent stats:

Weeks: 33

Gender: BOY!

Aversions: Acidic foods. As described above.

Cravings: Ice!!! I wake up at 2-3am most mornings and can't go back to sleep for at least an hour for uncomfortability reasons such as hot, itchy feet, restless legs, ect. And I alleviate it by walking around the living room and den, eating {chomping} ice from the freezer. My Sweet got up the other night, and crept into the kitchen as I was digging some from the ice maker, he peered into the doorway and said, "I thought I heard a little rat out here..." It made me laugh so hard, because I could just imagine what I sounded like to him. 

Heartburn: Of course! It has been the majority of this pregnancy. I live it.

Feeling Baby Move: Yep! And I am certain I felt him "flip" earlier this week {one of those early morning wake ups when I was just laying there wide eyed}. And then, I had a hunch he was down later that week, because he had hiccups really bad the other night and it felt like he had a tick. Crazy. And they lasted a good ten minutes.

Weight: 163 {because I assimilate the remaining clothing I kept on to be a pound}

Gain: 33 pounds thus far!

Name: Still Nash Ryan. We continue to pray for him by name and talk about him frequently. Nevaly at this point is most excited about Nashy {as she calls him} coming in the next month and a half. Hugging my belly often. And saying she loves him too much. {Melt my heart!}

And, finally, a belly pic:

 

Next appointment in two weeks!

Ketchup.

Ketchup.

Catsup.

Whatever it is.

It makes my youngest go bananas for just about anything you dip in it.

Like tonight for instance.

I made a beef roast.

Not the kids favorite, if I am being honest. But we are not a short order restaurant around here.

And, My Sweet and I enjoy a good adult meal every once in a while...

Nev will eat the heck out of all the carrots.

Nolan will eat any sides that accompany it, like cottage cheese or fresh orange slices.

And Nadie... well, until I got the ketchup out and squirted some on her plate, she was yelling at me with great displeasure at the meal I had placed in front of her.

I took a carrot and said "dip" to her.

She picked it up with her pudgy little fingers, and dipped the carrot in. Immersing it in the red "miracle" sauce.

"Bites" I told her.

And, that was it.

They were gone before I knew it.

I have never had a child I had to disguise food with ketchup before, but I am not ashamed to allow it to continue... 

into her teens.

 

31 weeks...

31 week visit to the OB yesterday.

Revealed via ultrasound that the amniotic fluid levels are back to normal. {yay!!}

And that he is still measuring about a week bigger than his gestational age.

In a breech position...

Yeah, you read that right, we are dealing with a wrong side up child. Again.

It is likely that by 38 weeks I will be fretting over getting this one to turn by using measures such as moxibustion as well.

The stats:

Weeks: 31 {he is however, measuring 32}

Position: Breech {!!!}

Cravings: None.

Aversions: None.

Complaints: The usual...

Insatiable heartburn. Big belly that seems to be growing uncontrollably. Swollen veins {looking more like Spiderwoman than I would like}. 3am wake ups to pee, and then not being able to fall back to sleep for at least an hour because my feet itch and are hot. Braxton Hicks contractions. Occurring at will.

Weight: 163

Gain: 33

A Belly pic:

Be back sooner rather than later, since I am onto 2 week appointments!

Celebrating YOU!

Five years ago today, we were anxiously in labor and waiting to see your sweet little face for the first time.

I remember so many things about that day.

It was cloudy, and rainy outside as I walked around L&D peering through the windows with your daddy.

Stopping to breathe through my contractions about every 40 feet or so.

I was induced, and was experiencing labor through forced contractions.

Your daddy and I were getting so excited.

It was really happening!

We were having our first baby.

YOU.

You entered this world at exactly 11:23pm on May 2, 2008.

Eyes wide open.

And grunting.

I didn't get to hold you right away because they wanted to suction you really good.

{You had some meconium when they broke my water and you had swallowed a bit.}

But daddy stood there at the warmer, and watched as they rubbed your pink skin dry, and suctioned your nose and mouth.

You were perfect.

A solid seven pounds and two ounces and twenty one inches long.

Huge hands.

And even bigger feet!

A full head of dark hair.

Big dark eyes.

Cherry lips.

We were officially a family.

And, it felt so good.

Everyday since then, you have made all of my wildest dreams come true.

I never knew the love I could have for someone other than your daddy, until you were born.

I love to just drink you in.

All of you.

Your silliness, your intelligence, your bad mood when you don't get what you want, your early morning smile, your giggle, your superhero imagination, your creativity.

Some of my favorite things about you within the last year have been, seeing you play with your sisters in full superhero character{s}. Which in recent days has turned into Raphael from the teenage mutant ninja turtles. Running from one room to the next. Calling out commands in disguised voices.

Flying through the air after jumping from five stairs up and landing on your feet. Climbing on furniture. Tippy toeing on the back on the couch most often.

Taking the couch cushions off and creating obstacles.

With lava. And snakes.

Or creating 3D images like boats, bat cages, race tracks, Superman, Robin, Cat Woman {for sis} out of a flat piece of paper.

I am completely amazed by your ability to use a pair of scissors.

And markers.

With your snipits of paper scattered all over the kitchen floor, countless times a day.

I love that you remember our vacations, and will recreate them at will with your sister.

Claiming to be at places like Kalahari.

All.the.time.

And even asking to call daddy on the phone to tell him to have fifty bundles of wood delivered, just so you can build one in the backyard.

I love your enthusiasm for golf.

Swinging your clubs in the front yard. Hitting balls a good ten yards with your Driver.

And "putting" on the carpet in the den.

Clipping your ball marker on the loop of your jeans.

And asking your daddy to take you to Magic Hills {your favorite course to play at because we told you how they have lights to play at night, although... you have never played at night} whenever the opportunity presents.

I love that you put your shoes in their "cubby" in the hall closet, as soon as you get home.

And prefer slip ons, because you don't have to tie them.

I love that you take a bath, and often forget to wash up, because you are having "too much fun".

I love that your favorite lunch is still a turkey sandwich. With Mayo. No Miracle Whip. 

Can I have one of both?

To which I usually oblige, cutting a whole sandwich into two halves, and buttering each with a slather of mayo on one, and Miracle Whip on the other.

I love that you like to sound out words now. Identifying the first letters.

And asking me how to spell this and that.

So much so, that we often do it while riding along in the car, while I am making dinner, before bed...

And that you like to tell me words that "rhyme".

I love that you wrestle with your sister, and your dad. Screeching with delight when you "beat them".

And tickle Nadie's neck to make her belly laugh. Chasing her around. Calling her your "Zooey".

That you sleep with the hall light and the closet light on.

 And will sometimes ask to sleep in sissy's bed, even though she touches your feet at night.

Just because.

I love that you will sweep the floor, help me dig up plants, pick up clutter, take your pile of folded laundry to your room, and then ask how much "dollars" you get for it.

I love that you love the chickens.

Wanting to go into their house, just to see them. Or help dad clean it out on the weekend.

That you will pick them up, just to pet them.

Or help corral them when the sun sets, and there are two left just sitting outside under the house.

I love that you fight brushing your teeth, but will oblige if there is a chance of having a treat at some point beforehand.

I love that you look forward to Friday and Saturday nights, just so you can bring your pillow and blanket downstairs, and sleep on the floor in the living room.

I love that you ask what day it is, just to count down until it is Friday. Or Saturday.

I love that your favorite color is still blue.

I love that you are growing up. Becoming such a sweet young man.

Respectful.

Holding the door "for the ladies".

And saying your please and thank you's.

And that your little heart is so on fire for our God.

Praying out loud to Him at night. Thanking Him for things like clothes, and our house, and praying for those people that have cancer or are sick.

I have to say, that I am most fond of the fact that you love me like you do.

I can do no wrong in your eyes.

Even when my patience is short.

Or I make you mad because I have rejected your request for something, such as candy first thing in the morning, or a toy at the dollar store, or because it is bedtime.

Your heart for me, is as big as the moon.

And I love that. 

So today, as we celebrate you.

I want you to know that these have been the best five years.

Having you in my life.

And I look forward to many, many more my sweet angel.

 Love,

Momma