My birth story...finally!

Today’s post has been a long time coming. I know I have been silent since my 37 week post. Things have been hard. Really hard. I will get to all of that in due time. Right now I would like to focus on my birth story. At some point I will have the strength to post more about recent events but at this time I would like to post about one of the very best days of my entire life. Something happened to me that day. It was perfect. Of course the births of all of my children were amazing and perfect but there was something about May 18th 2010 that was more than perfect. It was amazing. I think my world was complete that day. My life was complete. I knew that what Jason and I were doing was right and what we were doing is what we meant to be doing. My family was complete. It is complete. I love my life.



I woke up feeling just like every day. Tired. The contractions were moving right along just like the last 4-5 days. They were there, they were strong but consistent, they were not. I called Jason several times to tell him that I was feeling like crap but I thought it was just pregnancy crap, not labor crap. I cannot tell you how many times I cursed my doctor for telling me that I would not make it to my next appt. I swear I wanted to give her a piece of my mind. My appointment at this point was less than 24 hours away. The clock was ticking in my head!


I had been monitoring my BP for the last week since we had a high reading at my last appointment so that day I decided to check before I showered. It was high. I took my shower and then took it again. It was still high. The machine I have at home is not always 100% reliable so I called Jason and told him I was heading to the store to have it checked again.

Once I arrived at the store I was greeted by several workers who I have come to know in my daily BP check trips. I talked for a few then I headed over the BP machine. It was high. I called the doc to give them the readings and then everything went SUPER FAST. I will the rest of this in timeline form to make it an easier read for you.

3:00- nurse at OB-GYN tells me to head to ER to be checked. I check the kids overnight bag to make sure everything is in there, check my hospital bag/suitcase for the one millionth time, JUST IN CASE….

At this point I was NOT thinking I was having a baby yet. I swear I wanted to stay home because I just knew I was going to miss the evening with the kids and be sent home babyless.

4:00 Jason is home and we head to ER to be checked. Contractions seem to be getting closer and stronger. I am crabbing the whole time about how I am going to get sent home and I am going to be one of those women that arrive and everything is fine, wasting everyone’s time.

5:00 We arrive at hospital after sitting in traffic due to an accident on the exit ramp. I almost pee my pants running to the bathroom. Get checked in to be monitored.

5:30 They check my BP and it is normal.
WHAT?? Normal? I did not just drive here for them to tell me it was normal and send me home. I KNEW IT!

5:35 they hook me up to the contraction monitor

6:00 the nurse tells me my contractions are 6 minutes apart.
WHAT? How come I do not realize this? How come I am not feeling 6 minutes apart???

6:10 the nurse comes in with some paperwork for me to sign. I thought I was going home. I asked her what they were and she said they were permission to treat papers and she said “You are not leaving here without a baby”. I started bawling. I was not ready for this. For some reason I was not mentally prepared to go through labor yet. I was MORE than ready to meet my Peanut but I was not ready for all the hard work that was required of me. I looked at Jason and he could tell I was not there all the way. He mouthed “I love you” and I saw a little tear drop down his cheek. He was ready to meet Peanut and he knew I could do it. He has seen me do it before and he was so confident in me. His confidence in me is the only thing that got me through!

6:30 they transferred me into another room and asked to hook me up to an IV. I refused the IV fluids but let them put a HepLock in for the just in case. They check me and I am dilated to 3-4cms and I am 90-95% effaced.

6:45 I got to get up and walk around to get the contractions going.

7:45 The contractions stopped. WHAT??? I was scared to tell them because I did not want to be sent home, HAHA! I told you I was scared that I was leaving without a baby!

8:00 back on the bed for monitoring. They promised they would not send me home. They wanted me to rest for a bit.

9:00 The nurse came in to tell me that the doctor wanted my water broken and asked how I felt about that. I told her I was ready to get the show on the road.

9:30 doctor came in to break my water

9:32 heavy contractions started and did not stop!

10:00 Jason can tell that the pain is getting worse for me and that I am not all there in focusing on the contractions. He asks everyone to leave the room (my mom, his mom, my dad and my dads girlfriend, Margo was on the way and his dad would have been there but he had the other kids).

10:01 Jason and I decide that the epidural was needed. I had planned to just go with the flow and see if I could do it. My head was not in the game though. For some reason I just could not concentrate or focus on my breathing. We call the nurse and we are in luck, the anesthesiologist is on the floor already and will be in shortly.

10:10- the wonderful epi arrives.

10:30- I am feeling pretty dang good. The nurse checks me and I am an 8. WHAT? I could have done the 2 extra cm’s and pushed this kid out, dang it! Oh well. I fell great.


FEELING GOOD!

10:50- I feel lots of pressure. Call the nurse- they check me- its time to push.

11:07 doc arrives. I remember telling her she had 53 minutes to get this baby out because I needed to be released on Thursday (having the baby before midnight counts as day one for insurance purposes!). I needed to make it to Nylin’s kindergarten graduation!!!

11:10 doc tells me to practice pushing while she goes and gets the right size gloves.

11:12 baby nurse runs into the hallway to get my doctor because Peanut’s head is out!

11:14 Peanut is born!!!!! Jason yells- “IT’s A BOY!” the next thing I know there is a brand new baby boy on my chest!!





It was so amazing. I could not stop crying, kissing Jason and kissing Jackson John. It was amazing. I felt this amazing rush come over my entire body. You can call it hormones but I call it God showing me that everything is great and I am doing what I was intended to be doing, having amazing kids with my amazing husband. It was all, well, amazing.




We were cleaned up and sent up to our room where we just stared at Jackson and took pictures and just enjoyed our time. It was amazing.

Jackson John, 5-18-2010
7 pounds 11 ounces 20.5 inches

37 weeks

Reminder-- click above on the ExpectNet.com icon and guess Peanut’s Gender. There are other fun things like weight, time and date as well.

How far along?: 37wks 2days. I had Jace at 37wks3days. Nylin was 2 days late but we won’t even think about that.

Total weight gain: this week- 2 total pregnancy-31. The doctor thinks that Peanut gained about ½ lb and the other 1.5 is water. I was quite swollen. I cannot complain though. I have made it this far without swelling! That is good. With Jace and Nylin I swelled around 32 weeks.

Appointment update: Jason and Jace took me to my weekly appointment on Wednesday. They just love being able to hear Peanut’s heartbeat and I love that they can hear it. Peanut’s HB was steady at 140. That was just about the only normal thing that happened though.

They found a trace of protein in my urine, my HR was super high and my blood pressure was through the roof at 140/100. YIKES!
The doc thought it could have a lot to do with what has been going on around here this week. (Jason to the ER on Sunday, Jace surgery on Monday and then BACK to the ER with Jace on Tuesday night) When I got to my appt on Wednesday I had only had about 4 hours of sleep and I was worried about my boys).

The doctor loves me so much she let me come home to rest and monitor my BP myself. She could have sent me to the hospital and had me be monitored for 4+ hours. I am SO GLAD she let me come home. My BP is still high but not AS HIGH. If it goes over the previous numbers I have to call.

She also checked me and realized my mucous plug is gone. Gross I know. She also said that Peanut’s head was RIGHT THERE. I knew that. I have had to pee 1million plus times a day and I am feeling pressure. I am still dilated to 2 and she did not tell me about effacement.
She did tell me that she did not think I would make it to my 38 wk appt. You know that means I will go to 42 weeks right? LOL
Sleep: still sucks

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: Margarita’s

Labor signs: nothing worth while
What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my little Peanut!

Next appointment: May 19th. I am not going to go though. I swear if I am still pregnant I am protesting. LOL just kidding. Sorta.

Checking In

I am just doing a quick check in. It has been a long crazy week around here and I have no energy to write a full post.
Basically- Jason landed himself in the ER on Sunday night. He is fine but it was stressful. AND Jace had his tonsils and adenoids removed on Monday. He is also fine, but again, it was stressul. And on top of all that, I am still pregnant. Of course I knew I would still be pregnant and I WANT to still be pregnant since I am not exactly full term (will be on Wednesday). BUT being pregnant and dealing with all this stress has been pretty crazy. I need sleep. I need Peanut to get here so I can sleep again :)

Anyways- we are still here and we are all doing fine! I will update with pictures and a bunch of awesome stories about my Mother's day weekend (that's right my husband gives me the whole weekend!). I hope to do that update on Wednesday.

Friday Funny

Conversation from last night:

Me: Honey I have a list of demands for before Peanut gets here.

Jason: ***very nervous*** Uh ok.

Me: Do you want to hear them?

Jason: Not really, this sounds expensive.

Me: It is not too bad, I promise.

Jason: OK

Me: Mexican, Chinese, Chic Fil-A and Fenton Bar and Grill trashed wings.

Jason: ***laughing*** ok honey. I will take care of your list of demands.

I love my husband.

36 Week Update

Reminder-- click above on the ExpectNet.com icon and guess Peanut’s Gender. There are other fun things like weight, time and date as well.



How far along?: 36w1d

Total weight gain: this week- 0 total pregnancy-29

Appointment update: My doc decided to check me today since I had an episode with contractions the other night.
The contractions actually did something this week! Not that this means a dang thing- except, this is less pregress I ened to make when I actually go into “real” labor.

I am 2CM dilated and 50% effaced. Peanut is still @ a -3 station though. The baby still has to come down A LOT.

Peanut’s growth:
Peanut is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. S/he now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. Peanut is now shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his/her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected the skin during the nine-month amniotic bath. Peanut swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of the first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, Peanut will be considered full-term.



Sleep: still sucks

Best moment of the week: spending the day with my little family at the park. Just watching my husband with my kids makes me so happy. He is such a great father. I just loved watching him push the babies on the swing and play Frisbee with Nylin. I can’t lie, I shed a little tear.

Worst moment of the week: waking up to bad contractions on Tuesday night. It is possible that I am having gallbladder issues as well. I have all the symptoms. Yuck.
Now I have to watch what I eat to avoid episodes. Who am I kidding? I am so not watching what I eat. I shall deal with the pain. This is my last pregnancy and I am going to eat, I mean live it up.

Movement: More rolling around this week. Not so many kicks and jabs anymore. A tale tell sign of running out of room!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: Margarita’s

Labor signs: lots of contractions
What I miss most: not getting tired from walking to the fridge.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my little Peanut!

Next appointment: May 12th.

35 weeks

NEW THIS WEEK--- click above on the ExpectNet.com icon and guess Peanut’s Gender. There are other fun things like weight, time and date as well.

How far along?: 35 wks 1d

No picture today. My mom has my camera and my phone SUCKS. I am definitely sticking out more this week so I will be sure to post a picture over the weekend.

35 weeks means 35 days till EDD. And I know I have been saying this for a few weeks but OH. MY. GOSH.

We can actually countdown now. Let the countdown begin!!!



Total weight gain: 30 lbs total. That means I gained 1 lb in 2 weeks. I told you guys that would happen. All that walking at Disney hid the fact that scarfed an entire package of Oreo’s in 4 days.

Appointment update: This is a new thing I will do every week since I am weekly appointments. >gulp<

Today I had the Group B Strep test. While I had my pants off the doctor decided to do a quick little exam to see if the contractions are doing anything.

They aren’t. Damn.

I am not dilated at all,-3 station and 30% effaced.
In order to push the baby out I need to be:
Dilated to a 10, +4 and 100% effaced.

The doctor said it is up to me to be checked at my next appointments. I think I will skip it at my 36 wk appt and have her check me @ my 37 wk appt. If there is no progress then I will skip the internals all together. They are just a tease anyway. I walked around dilated to a 3 and 50% effaced for 3 weeks with Nylin!

Good news though- Peanut is head down! It is still possible for Peanut to flip but it would hurt like hell for me and be hard for him or her. I am hoping Peanut is down to stay.

Peanut’s growth:

Peanut doesn't have much room to maneuver now that s/he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds, which is about the weight of a honeydew melon. These nest few weeks are super important for lung development and fat growth. Peanut will be packing on the pounds, which is going to kill Momma’s back!!!!


Sleep: still sucks

Best moment of the week: hearing Peanut’s little heartbeat. Love it!

Worst moment of the week: back lower back is KILLING me.

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: Oreo’s!

Labor signs: lots of contractions

What I miss most: bending over without grunting

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my little Peanut!

Next appointment: May 6th.
Look at this month. IT IS CRAZY!!!!!! So much to do and somewhere in there I am going to have a newborn baby. Wow.

Wordless Wednesday

Must have....

34 weeks

How far along?: 34 wks 1d

Picture taken this morning:


Peanut could be here in as little as 3 weeks. OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jason told me this at the dinner table the other night and I freaked. I knew it. I have known it for a while but for some reason when he said it, it hit me. THREE WEEKS??????????

Oh. My.

Total weight gain: not sure right now. I bet I have lost a lb or 2 since being in Florida. I have walked A LOT. I think I walked 3 miles in the freaking airport alone! Then the night we were at Epcot I probably walked 5-6 miles. No joke.
My feet and ankles are so swollen I look like

Peanut’s growth:


Peanut now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds like the average cantaloupe and is about 18 inches long. I know you are looking and my belly thinking- uh that is WAY bigger than a cantaloupe, I know I know. Don’t forget there are several other things in there protecting little Peanut and those things grow as Peanut grows- that is some of my big belly, the rest is chocolate doughnuts.

Peanut’s fat layers — which will help regulate body temperature once s/he's born — are filling him/her out, making Peanut nice and round. Peanut’s skin is also smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and the lungs are continuing to mature as well.


Sleep: nothing new here. I am tired. Sleeping sucks. I wake up about every 2 hours. Sometimes I fall right back asleep and sometimes I don’t. I try to sleep on my belly every night and every night I fail. Why I thought it was going to get easier as I got bigger is beyond me!

Best moment of the week: talking to Jason on the phone until 11:30. It was like we were teenagers again!

Worst moment of the week: missing my husband and kids!

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: nothing really.

Labor signs: nothing at all.
What I miss most: sleeping on my belly

What I'm looking forward to: getting my bag packed for the hospital.

Next appointment: April 28th.

33 WEEKS!

How far along?: 33wks 1d- No picture today. My belly is the same as it was last week. Maybe a little more poked out but it is still big and round ;) I will be sure to take a nice picture next week. I am even thinking of bribing my sister in law to take a couple of nice shots for me. --Hint hint Bridget!--

Peanut will be full term in just 4 short weeks. Oh. My. Gosh.
I had Jace at 37w3d. I am hoping to make it to 38w4d with this one. No sooner. No later.
That is the day after Nylin’s recital. Even if I go into labor right afterwards I will be ok with that J

Total weight gain: 29 lbs YIKES!!!!! The doc only wanted me to gain 34 total so I only get 6 more lbs…. Although I hate that I am gaining a little more than planned I am not going to cry about it. This is my LAST pregnancy. This is the LAST time I get to eat whatever I want and not feel guilty about it. The rest of my life I will be watching what I eat. For the next 4-7 wks I am going to eat whatever the heck I want.

Peanut’s growth:
This week Paenut weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark…think a pineapple. Peanut is rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his/her skeleton is hardening.


Sleep: Nothing new here, trying to sleep sucks. I am tired about 98% of the time.

Best moment of the week: having my boys with me at my doctor appt today. I just loved looking into Jason’s eyes and holding Jace’s hand while we listened to little Peanut’s heartbeat. One word: Amazing.

Worst moment of the week: realizing that this pregnancy is the last for me. I have known the entire pregnancy but it kind of hit me this week. Some things about pregnancy REALLY suck but then there is the good. Oh the wonderful good. Feeling my Peanut move around inside my body, knowing that I am carting around a little tiny human, knowing that I am 100% responsible for the growth and health of this little human just makes me feel so good. And it is the last time I will feel this. Wah!

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: SnoCones. Weird huh?

Labor signs: I had a few REAL contractions this week. Nothing timeable but they hurt like hell so I am 99% sure they were real.

What I miss most: sleeping on my belly

What I'm looking forward to: The weekend- surprised? LOL My work is having an event at Forest Park that looks like a lot of fun for the whole family.
I am also going to Florida for work next week. I am excited on one hand because I know it will be nice to sleep without kids snoring in my ear BUT I am going to miss my family, a lot. I miss them already thinking about it. WAH WAH!

Next appointment: April 28th.

32 Weeks

How far along?: 32wks 1d
OMG 8 weeks. 55 days. Wow.

8 weeks is NOTHING. I cannot believe my little Peanut will be in here in 8 weeks or maybe even less! Jace is having his surgery on May 10th, anytime after that and before May 20th is good for me. I know that is wishful thinking though. I want Peanut to stay in there at least 37 wks too so really anytime after the 12th of May.

The emotions that come along with being 32 weeks pregnant are pretty overwhelming. All I can think about it how in just a few weeks we will meet the newest member of the Webb family. I cannot wait to lay eyes on my little Peanut. Wonder who s/he will look like? Most likely Jason but could I get a red headed baby? Please? Just one? That is all I am asking for!!! I have three gorgeous children (if I may say so myself!) and they are all perfect, but none of them have red hair. I secretly want a redheaded little girl named Rose. How cute is that???

Total weight gain: 24 lbs

Peanut’s growth: By now, Peanut weighs around 3.75 pounds and is about 17 inches long, think a large jicama.



Peanut is roughly gaining about a ½ of a pound a week (which shows on Mommy!). In fact, Peanut will gain a third to half of his/her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as s/he fattens up for survival outside the womb. S/he now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Peanuts skin is becoming soft and smooth as s/he plumps up in preparation for birth.

Maternity clothes: I need more short sleeve shirts. I feel like I wear the same 3 shirts every day. Old Navy and I are becoming close friends.

Sleep: Sleeping sucks. How is it that I am so tired but I am barely sleeping? I will tell you--- My big fat belly is all in the way. I am a belly sleeper and I cannot wait to sleep on my belly again (although sleeping oversized leaking boobs does not sound good either!). I think I will just cut a hole or two into my mattress and call it a day. Seriously.

Best moment of the week: Having Jason “nest”.
No joke. He is nesting. He is like a cleaning machine. His reason? His kids and pregnant wife should not have to live in a mess, nice! I am not talking about just cleaning the kitchen either here folks. He is DEEP cleaning! He is cleaning windows, vacuuming everything that can be vacuumed, dusting, doing laundry and whatever else you can think of. No closet, nook or cranny is safe around him this week. Although there will be nothing left for me to do when I am nesting, I am not complaining! Love him!

Worst moment of the week: realizing that 84 degrees is actually 93 degrees for a pregnant woman. My feet are swelling and I am sweating like a pig in July. Gross.

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: chocolate. I think that is only because it is in the house. Dang Easter Bunny!

Labor signs: I am having contractions but I am sure they are all braxton hicks.

What I miss most: sleeping on my belly

What I'm looking forward to: The weekend. HAHA I know I say this every week but come on, who does not love the weekend? Nylin starts Spring Soccer this weekend and I LOVE being a soccer mama!!!

Next appointment: April 14th.

Wordless Wednesday, sorta

My First and My Last

You know you are pregnant when…..

You wake up tired.

You think that 83 degrees is just too hot!

Your feet are so swollen that you make fun of them yourself.

You get stuck in your outdoor chair on Easter Sunday and laugh so hard about it that you end up crying.

When finally getting out of said chair you pee yourself, just a little.

You cry when one of your kid says I love you.

You almost cry when your husband accidently passes the last McDonalds when you
really want an ice tea. (he turned around- that stopped the tears!)

You think that one cake is just not enough on Easter Sunday.

Your six year old starts making excuses for you. "Daddy, she DOES have a baby in her belly you know?"

Zantac is considered a side dish.

You forget half of the funny things you thought of to write in this post.

You remember the really funny stuff later and cry because you forgot to add that to the post.

You come back twice to post something you forgot earlier. The second time you come back you actually forget what it was you wanted to post.

31 weeks

How far along?: 31 wks 1 day

63 days until my due date! I am hoping for more like 45 days, haha!

Total weight gain: 24 lbs

Peanut’s growth: Peanut should measure about 18 inches long from head to toe and weighs about 3.5 pounds. Rather than hearing vibrations, baby's nerve endings in his/her ears are connected now so that s/he can hear distinct sounds, like familiar voices and music.


Maternity clothes: Just bought some new ones for Florida and I am glad I did. We are having a "heat wave" here in STL! It is 85 today!

Sleep: I am sleeping ok. If I wake in the middle of the night it is sometimes hard fo rme to fall back asleep.

Best moment of the week: hearing Peanut's heartbeat at the doctors office

Worst moment of the week: Finding out that Jace will for sure need to have his tonsils and adenoids removed. They want him to have it done ASAP since it is so bad. ASAP to them is May 10th, which happens to be his 3rd birthday. He won't know but I will :( The month of May is going to be crazy with soccer games, surgery, weekly appointments, dance recital, school ending and POSSIBLY Peanuts arrival! AHHHH!

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: Ice cream :)

Labor signs: nothing at all!

What I miss most: sleeping on my belly

What I'm looking forward to: The weekend. We are going to get the garden set up as much as we can and get our yard cleaned up. A clean yard=a happy mama!!!

Next appointment: April 14th.

30 Weeks!

How far along?: 30 wks 1 day
69 days until my due date! I am hoping for more like 50 days, haha!
This I am shocked at myself for posting this but it is part of pregnancy so whatever. Here is my bare belly, stretchies and all! I have Nylin to thank for all the stretchies! No new ones from Jace or Peanut!






Total weight gain: still at 21 lbs

Peanut’s growth: Peanut is just about 3 pounds and may be as much as 17 inches long! Peanut continues to grow remarkably fast in the next several weeks. Peanut is working hard to fill out his or her tiny body.

During the next couple of weeks the amount of amniotic fluid I am carrying around decreases a little as your Peanut takes up more of the space inside my uterus.




Maternity clothes: Everything I wear is maternity now (expect my undergarments, haha!) I am actually shopping for some summer looks right now. I know I will not be pregnant in the summer BUT I am going to Florida for 2 days in a few weeks (for work) and I need some cute summer stuff! I figure 1 dress and then a cute outfit (maybe capri's and a flowy tank??).

Sleep: Sleep is a little better this week. I am so tired at night that I just CRASH into the bed. I think I am asleep within 2 minutes of my head hitting the pillow. I have never been like that. It always takes me at least 30 minutes to fall asleep. Not anymore, lol. Jace and Nylin are still coming into my room sometime in the night but at least Jace has an excuse now.
Jace was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea yesterday. He will most likely need to have his tonsils and adenoids removed soon. I am going to try and push for while I am on maternity leave. Doctor W thinks he is waking himself up at night with his breathing and that is when he comes into my room.

Best moment of the week: being able to sleep!

Worst moment of the week: Finding out my baby boy will most likely have to have his tonsils out. Can you say sleep deprived mama with a newborn and a baby that can't eat anything more than jello and ice cream?? yikes.

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: still peanut butter and jelly. I have also been thinking about a chocolate bar for about 3 days. I should probably just cave and get it huh?

Labor signs: some crazy BH but not actual labor.

What I miss most: sleeping on my belly

What I'm looking forward to: spending the weekend with my husband and kids. We have a lot to do but I am really looking forward to it all!

Next appointment: March 31st.

29 Week Update

How far along?: 29 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain: 21 lbs which means I am up only 1 lb in the last 4 weeks. I am not sure if that is truly accurate. I had a different nurse check me in when I had my huge weight gain. I am wondering if she messed up somehow and we are back on track now (with my awesome nurse Phyllis checking me in this week). Regardless I have gained 21 lbs which puts me right on track for the 30-35my doctor and I discussed at my first appointment.


Peanut’s growth: Peanut now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Peanut’s muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his/her head is growing bigger to make room for the developing brain. This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in Peanut’s hardening skeleton each day so it is recommended that I eat and drink lots of calcium This is great considering my craving, see below).




Maternity clothes: Everything I wear is maternity now (expect my undergarments, haha!) I tried to wear a non maternity shirt for St. Patty's day and it went to my belly button, lol. I threw a maternity cardigan over it and called it cute. Not sure if it really was but my dear sweet husband said I looked hot. It made my day.

Sleep: Barely sleeping these days. I wake up several times a night to potty, have carpel tunnel and 3 other people in the bed with me. I am thinking about moving into Nylin's room for the rest of the pregnancy.
It also does not help that I am battling a cold or something right now, ergh.

Best moment of the week: pregnancy wise? My doctor’s appointment. I was reassured that everything is going fine with me and with Peanut. I was glad to hear that! It made my day/week! My doctor is awesome. I also found out I passed my glucose test. I celebrated with a DQ blizzard.
non-pregnancy wise: spending time with my husband and kids this week. It has been a good week!!!!

Worst moment of the week: besides having the pains and going to L&D....I feel like an idiot. I am making a lot of little mistakes at work, at home, with my calendar, etc. I feel DUMB! I have talked about this before and I am really starting to wonder if it will EVER get better or if I am doomed to idiocy for the rest of my life.

Movement: A LOT!!

Gender: Surprise

Food cravings: Peanut butter and jelly on wheat with a glass of milk. YUM-O!



















Labor signs: some crazy BH but not actual labor.

What I miss most: sleeping comfortably

What I'm looking forward to: getting my room re-organized and all of Peanut's stuff set up! I hope I can do that soon, it is driving me batty. We do not have a tiny room but it is not HUGE either. We really have to be creative in there since we are adding a baby bed, bassinet, changing table and rocking chair! That is A LOT. We currently have a king size bed, a dresser, 2 end tables and a built in desk (that is attached so there is no moving it!). It will be challenging to get it all set up to my liking but once it is done I will be able to breathe better (emotionally not physically, haha!).

Next appointment: March 31st. I am on every 2 week appointments now! WOWZA!!!!!

My short trip to L&D

I spent part of my day at the hospital on Sunday. Nothing too serious but I was slightly freaked out.

I was having contractions, constant stomach pain and low back pain. I also could not feel Peanut as much. I was starting to freak out. I know too many people that have gone into labor this early or have lost babies this late.

My cervix is not dilating so they are thinking the contractions are just braxton hicks. They are STRONG braxton hicks though. Enough for me to think they were real (and remember I had pitocin and no epi!). They took a urine sample (via catheter- YUCK!) to see if I have a urinary tract infection or any other type of girly infection. The UTI came back negative and we are waiting on the other results. It takes 36-48 hours for those.

I have an appt on Wednesday and they will probably give me my results then. The hospital I went to is connected to my doctor so they have my chart when I get to the hospital and then back at the office they have everything the hospital does- that is SO NICE for me!

They hooked me up to the monitors and we got to hear Peanut's heartbeat- that made me feel SO MUCH better.
(for those interested the HB was in between 140-150 the whole time)

I am still having stomach and low back pain but no contractions at all. I really just feel like I am getting ready for my monthly friend. NOT FAIR! If I have a human kicking the crap outta me for all this time I should AT LEAST get the satisfaction of not feeling those pains.
I have been feeling Peanut more so that is always reassuring.
I hope this will be my last trip to L&D in the next 12 weeks- except when I get to take my tiny little peanut home with me.

My dear sweet husband is so excited for a 3 day stay at the hospital when Peanut arrives. All he can think about is a vacation from the 3 bigger kids and the awesome cafeteria. I am pretty sure he is excited about Peanut too but the cafeteria might have Peanut and I both beat, hahaha!

12 more weeks!

Pregnant- 28 weeks- 3rd TRIMESTER!!!!!

Gender: Still a surprise.

Size of the baby-
By 28 weeks pregnant Peanut is about 14.8 inches or more! S/he weighs in at about 2.2 pounds.
The body is now getting rounder, of which, 3% is composed of the body fats. Muscle tones are also starting to develop. Aside from the ability to blink, the little one has now eyebrows and eyelashes and the eyes are now formed. Hairs in the head are also starting to grow.
The brain has now billions of active neurons. It is now possible for Peanut to start dreaming during sleep. Brain wave activities can now be measured and may now show the different sleep cycles like the rapid eye movement phase - a stage indicating that a dream is taking place. Peanut also has ability to cough and to suck intensively now.
The lungs are now more developed than before. Premature babies born during this week have the capability to breathe. But of course, since the lungs are not fully developed yet, they will need medical support and devices. If Peanut was born today s/he would have a 90% chance of survival. Amazing!
Sleep: Sleeping is becoming more and more difficult. I wake up about every 3 hours to go to the bathroom. Usually when I get up to do that I lie there for 10 or minutes before I can fall back asleep. It is crazy and so not fun!!!!! Rolling over in bed is also quite a sight to see.

Movement: I feel Peanut all the time. Nylin has been pestering me every day to feel Peanut so we have been trying to catch the little booger moving around. S/he is VERY stubborn though!

My Belly- I think I am about the same as the last few weeks.

Next Appointment: I am having my glucose tolerance test on March 10th. YUCK!
OB-March 17th- I will be 29 wks. After this I will go every 2 wks.

Friday Funny

27 Weeks and Counting.....

Pregnant- 27wks 1 day

Gender: Still a surprise. I have a weird feeling that Peanut might be a girl though.
Side note: every time we call the baby Peanut Nylin CRACKS up and says “Little baby Peanut”. It is quite possibly the cutest thing ever.

Size of the baby- Wow! By pregnancy week 27 Peanut is over 2 pounds and is almost 15 inches long! That's HUGE considering Peanuts original size was smaller than a grain of rice! Peanut is now perfectly formed, though s/he still has a lot of growing to do in the upcoming weeks.

Sleep: I am sleeping pretty well, in between the 3-4 bathroom breaks I need every night that is. I think this is God’s funny way of preparing me for the 3-4 times I will have to wake up in the night when Peanut actually arrives.
Feeling: pretty good. My pubic bone hurts if I do too much but it is really much better than last week. I am hoping that this is a good sign. I am just taking it as easy as I can with 3 kids and praying that I can make it all the way to 40 weeks without having to be banned to my bed.
I am getting short of breath a lot, ick. Seriously who gets out of breath from walking to the bathroom? Me. Peanut is all up on my lungs or organs or something.
I am also nesting. No closet is safe anymore and I am crocheting every baby item I can think of. I am going to be overrun with crochet items before we know it. I hope to put some more pictures of MY actual crochet work up next week.

Movement: I feel Peanut all the time. Jason finally got to feel him or her last night too. I was pretty excited about that!

My Belly- I think I am about the same as last week. I will take a pic next week when there is some change.

Next Appointment: March 17th- I will be 29 wks. After this I will go every 2 wks. I am in total shock that it is time for that already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The love of crochet!

A few weeks ago I got a wild hair somewhere and decided to learn to crochet.
Kristal had her cute baby Issac a month ago and she posted a pic of her son in a VERY cute hat she made for him. That inspired me to pick up the knitting needles and go to work. Only that is not what I did. I actually looked up a million and one websites, talked to a few people and decided crocheting would be a better fit for me. I actually bought knitting needles and one crochet hook. I ended up going back and getting a smaller hook since I did not like the look of the bigger hook for the baby hats. If and when I ever make myself or my older kids a hat I will use th elarger hook.

With the help of Teresa at Crochet Mania I learned how to single crochet, double crochet and half double crochet. So far I have only made a hat with single crochet.
Here is pic of Baby Carson showing off my first finished hat---




He is a handsome little guy huh? Hat or no hat, I love this little guy. He made me want to meet Peanut a lot more though. I am more anxious than ever and I still have a little over 13 wks. AHHH!

So I am working on hat number 2 for Carson. I think when I am done with that one I will make one for Peanut. I am hoping that the one I am making now turns out like this one-


Those are not the colors I am using though- I am using a green and blue that I LOVE. I hope it turns out ok. I kind of tweaked a pattern that I found online. I think it is looking pretty good so far but I am not inclined to share, yet. Carson's mom (who no longer has a name, just Jacob and Carson's mom, haha!) reads this site and I do not want her to see it before I give it to him.

I want to make something for Peanut but since we are unsure of the sex I will make something like this for a girl-



and something like this for a boy-





I will also make a few unisex hats as well.





It feels so good for me to make something with my own two hands. I love it. It makes me feel GREAT about myself and seeing little babies in my creations just melts my heart.