Baby Girl #4, Week 34

How far along: 34 weeks!
Weeks to go: 3 to 6 weeks!

Baby is the size of: a cantaloupe!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: Forgot to weigh myself! Probably more than 22 pounds total after this weekend!

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! I'm finally wearing my maternity clothes full time! Adeline likes to sit towards my front, so I feel like I'm constantly being pushed outwards! Adeline has "popped" out! My t-shirts still fit, but I'm uncomfortable in them. I like for my shirts to drape over me more than be form fitting! 

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out! Sometimes it's a flattie!

Sleep: Good! I'm exhausted, and I tend to wake up every few hours, but the sleep that I'm getting is restful! Some mornings I've woken up not feeling quite "rested" enough, but for the most part, I'm rested!

Movement: Adeline gets the hiccups quite often! She is constantly moving and nudging me! But when someone else tries to feel her, she'll stop! Unless she's got hiccups! Then my loved ones can feel her moving! I feel like the last week she's breech. But I'm not sure as of today. I think she has flipped! *Praying she's head down and STAYS THAT WAY!*

Best moment this week: Rosalie's fourth birthday! Crazy to think that I have a four year old! Again! We had her party this weekend and it turned out wonderfully! I made her two cakes, even though I told her I would only do one... She was very happy with her Rosetta and Tinker Bell cakes! She got a TON of gifts and is very, very loved! It was a wonderful day!

The picture of her on the left is her opening the new Tinker Bell movie!
I made both cakes with marshmallow fondant!

Worst moment this week: I had regular contractions Thursday night. Contractions every five minutes for almost three hours. It was scary... but all was well. My hormones have been making me feel like my rope is very short. I get so upset so quickly with my girls... even over little things that wouldn't normally upset me. I've cried and cried and cried this past week. Mostly just to let my extra hormones go. I've found that it's best to not keep the tears in, but just to let them go! *insert the Frozen song "Let It Go" here...*

Miss anything: Smaller boobs. The part of my upper torso where my bra is suppose to rest against. Right now, Adeline is so far out and up that my bras have been cutting into my sides and ribs. I have bruising from it on the top of my belly. I've switched from under-wire bras to non-under-wires and have had some relief. 

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Watermelon, Strawberries, Grapes
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: I still feel like eating ALL THE THINGS. So I've been drinking TONS of water and hoping that it will curb the constant "hungry" feeling. 

Queasy or sick: Nope! But my heart is still on FIRE!
Workouts: Walking, cleaning, and yard work.

Emotionally: Like I said above, my hormones have me feeling very quick-tempered with my girls. Which makes me feel horrible, so I cry. And cry. And cry. But I have chosen to just let the tears come and not stop them. Because 10 times out of 10, I feel 100% better after a good ugly-cry! I'm starting to find comfort in praying that all will go well when the time comes for Adeline to be born. I don't like the unknown, but with every birth that I've ever had, came the unknown. I had to think back about what I did to get through all the emotions and fears that went along with them... and I realized that I prayed. Which is something that I do daily, but I've put praying about my labor and delivery off. No more! With my consistent contractions the other day, I prayed almost the entire time. And I was comforted. Which is why I never went to the hospital. Which is something I would've done before... something I have done with my other pregnancies (Rosalie and Vivian's). But I felt like everything was going to be fine. So I relaxed and my contractions eventually stopped!
Physically: I. Feel. Huge. And I seriously think it's the way Adeline has been positioned in my belly! I am still having some pelvic pain, and I've started waddling more, so I've been working on walking/sitting/standing properly! It's helped! My support tanks help with this, too! I have started swelling more in my calves/ankles/feet. I have been staying away from too much sodium and drinking lots of water in order to reduce the swelling. It goes away by the morning, so no worries! But it's always worse right before I go to bed. No pain or anything, just elephant feet. And I'm seriously ready for some smaller boobs. I know it'll be a while until that happens, but I feel SO top-heavy. And with the way Adeline has been sitting, I feel like I'm falling forwards all the time! And I find it somewhat hilarious when someone will ask me, "Can I squeeze by?", which has been asked of me about 100 times over the weekend, and I respond, "No. No you can't! I can't suck this thing in!" And I have to move out of the way! But it's always funny! 

Looking forward to: My 34 week OB appointment tomorrow morning! The girls' last day of school on Wednesday! The DAM to DAM, the Glow Run, and my niece's graduation party this Saturday!

Baby Girl #4, Week 33

How far along: 33 weeks!
Weeks to go: 4 to 7 weeks!

Baby is the size of: a pineapple!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 22 pounds total (on my scale)

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! 

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out! Although I'm starting to have a "flattie" where my actual belly button is! My hernia is still popping out, but my belly button is flat! It also depends on if I'm standing, sitting, or laying down!

Sleep: Much better! I woke up during the night a few nights ago and while turning over, I popped my hips and have had SO much more relief while sleeping! Not sure what I did, but I have had an easier time sleeping, turning over, and walking since! 

Movement: I'm not sure if Adeline will be a dancer, runner, or boxer! Or all?! This little lady is a MOVER! I downloaded the Count the Kicks app on Charles' phone to help me keep track of her movements. I am not worried about her, but I think the Count the Kicks campaign is a wonderful thing! There have been a few times where I've been worried that she wasn't moving very much, but she was probably just sleeping/resting!

Best moment this week: Having nothing going on! I needed a down week! It gave me time to clean, sort, and get things checked off of my "Before Adeline Arrives" list! Our whole family also went to the Winter Quarters Temple! Our girls were WAY excited to go to the temple! We brought Charles' Dad along with us so that he could take the girls to the Visitor's Center while Charles and I went through an endowment session! We wanted to take the girls before Adeline arrives! I'll be 38 weeks at the next temple trip, so she might be here! Or not! Probably not... but you just never know!

Worst moment this week: I didn't have one! Which makes me incredibly happy! 

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly! I haven't for quite a while, but it hit me the other day... even after Adeline gets here, I still won't be able to sleep on my belly for a while. Any breastfeeding mothers know what I'm talking about! I probably won't be able to for another few months... but at least I'll be able to sleep on my back!

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Eggs with buttered toast, Fresh Fruit (Grapes, Strawberries, Cantaloupe, etc.), Gardetto's (especially the rye chips!)
Aversions: Raw Meat, anything with a lot of salt/sodium
Appetite: Depends on the day, but hearty most days! I've been watching what I'm eating and drinking lots of water, but most days I feel like I can't get enough food/water! I think Adeline must be growing or something because I want to eat ALL THE THINGS!

Queasy or sick: Nope! But my heartburn is so bad at times that it makes me feel a little sick.
Workouts: After a few rest days (since pregnant bodies take longer to heal/recoup after a lot of physical activity), I started walking!

Emotionally: Feeling good! I've been getting a little stressed, but that's normal! I don't know when Adeline will arrive... I can see why some people like having a scheduled induction date or c-section! They know the day that they are going to go into the hospital and have their baby! And it's not like I haven't done this three times before! Not know what day my baby would come... but I think what makes it more stressful is the fact that I have three little ones already! What if I go into labor at 3 a.m. and NO ONE answers their phone to come watch our other girls? Would I have to go to the hospital alone? Would I have to take and ambulance? I can't let my mind go too far with different scenarios... it stresses me out! But I've been praying that God will bless my labor to be somewhat convenient for our family! Like, I go into labor during the day, or during the weekend, etc. I'm all for going naturally (not being induced), but my last two pregnancies, my doctors wouldn't let me go over my due date. So I had to be induced (both times by having my water broken for me). And that is what my current doctor has said... he doesn't want me to go over my due date. But it still depends. My health is different this time around, yes, but there are still some medical concerns.
Physically: Although I've been very tired, I also feel very alive and strong! I think that it's the running/working out that I've kept up with this entire pregnancy! Most of my normal "30 weeks and up" pains that I had with my other pregnancies aren't bothering me this time around. My pelvis hurts, I feel like my stomach cannot stretch anymore, I have all the normal aches and pains that come with being this pregnant, but I feel like it's not as bad as it was before. I can manage my pain more this time around. I think it's because I'm stronger! Sure, my ligaments hurt from time to time, but they are already strong from before my pregnancy! I don't want to brag, but I'm SO proud of my body! It is an amazing thing! Now my only request is for Adeline; Head down is the way to be! That way I can birth her naturally and safely into the world! I don't think it's a secret that I am terrified of having a c-section. And I pray constantly that I will be able to birth this little lady naturally!

Looking forward to: Rosalie's fourth birthday on Wednesday! Rosalie's party on Saturday!

Baby Girl #4, Week 32

How far along: 32 weeks!
Weeks to go: anywhere from 5 to 8 weeks!

Baby is the size of: a jicama! 

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 21 pounds total (on my scale)

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes! Although I'm still more comfortable in capris and large t-shirts! I love being comfy and cozy! Especially since I feel so HUGE lately!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones! But I've been checking for new ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Really good! Probably because of all the gardening and working out!

Movement: Adeline is SUPER active! All the time! She is becoming more and more cramped, so it's cool to have my family watch her move from the outside!

Best moment this week: Running the Market to Market Relay! I was on a team of seven women! And I went into the day only knowing three other women, but ended the day with new friends! Our team name was "Runners of Oz" and we dressed up as Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow, Glinda, the Tin (wo)Man, the Wicked Witch (ME!), and Toto!

My first leg of the race was 2.9 miles and I ended up doing a run/walk pattern. More running than walking, surprisingly! But the running was slow! I finished it in just over 38 minutes, which was a pace of 13:00 minute miles. I got a LOT of compliments on my socks and make-up! And also on being a pregnant runner! My second leg of the race was 4.6 miles and I sadly ended up walking more than running that, but I kept it at a speed walk. I had to do a walk/run pattern again, but my pelvis started hurting about 1.5 miles in. It was excruciating up the hills, but I kept moving forward. I got rained on and there were some scary clouds behind me, so I prayed that Heavenly Father would protect me and Adeline! The last .5, three of my teammates came and helped me finish! They were worried because I figured it'd take me an hour to finish the 4.6 miles, and it took me and hour and sixteen minutes! Which is a pace of 16:30ish per mile. S-L-O-W.... but I finished the thing! Then we all finished the last 0.2 together as a team! I saw another group of runners from my hometown and ran into my friend Jenny, who I met during the Wabash Trace Marathon last year! I even got a picture with her and one of our matching Garmin watches!

I love how you can see my bump in the watch picture!

My other favorite day was Mother's Day yesterday! My girls picked me some lilacs from our back yard and filled the house with them! And then I got some homemade cards from them, too! It was wonderful!
Worst moment this week: My pelvic pain since Saturday. Yes, I'm sore! But my pelvis just plain hurts! I think it was because I haven't really gone over 3 miles in a while and I went 7.7 miles on the course and that doesn't even count how much walking around there was going from exchange point to exchange point! Aside from that, this week has been wonderful!

Miss anything: Smaller boobs! Especially while running! I had to buy a new sports bra that kept my ladies strapped DOWN!

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Fresh Fruit, Chex Mix, Chocolate Milk
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal

Queasy or sick: Nope! My heart is still on fire, though!
Workouts: Zumba, the Market to Market, walking, and gardening!

Emotionally: I've had a wonderful week! I was a little nervous/stressed about driving to my friend Jordan's house on Friday. I don't like traveling alone, but I said a prayer and made it safely there! Then all day Saturday was just fantastic! I was sad when the day was over, but I was happy to be back home with my loves!
Physically: I. Am. Exhausted! I am also officially done running this pregnancy! My pelvis has had enough! And I don't want to stress it out right before this baby is due! I am going to keep walking and going to Zumba, but I am done running until after sweet Adeline arrives! I am still going to do the Dam to Dam's 5K. I will be able to finish it in under an hour while speed walking!

Looking forward to: My 32 week prenatal appointment tomorrow! And having a week to CLEAN my house! There is nothing planned this week, so I have some time to get the house ready before Rosalie's fourth birthday party on the 24th! And my house needs some major Spring cleaning! That, and I'm getting more of Adeline's clothes out, so I need a clean house to sort all of her stuff and get all the baby things out of storage! Crazy to think that she'll be here so soon!

Baby Girl #4, Week 31

How far along: 31 weeks
Weeks to go: 9 weeks

Baby is the size of: a coconut!

Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl

Weight gain: 28 pounds total on my doctor's scale, 20 pounds total on my scale (I weigh myself first thing in the morning, whereas my appointments are during the day and sometimes in the afternoons.). 

Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!

Maternity clothes: Yes!

Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!

Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!

Sleep: Really good, surprisingly! I still have moments when my pelvis hurts when turning, but I have been sleeping very hard in between waking up to turn and falling back asleep. 

Movement: Adeline isn't as active as she has been, but I think it's because she's starting to run out of room! She is still very, very active, but she rests longer in between kicking fests! Yesterday after supper, she was going CRAZY! I should have recorded it! You could watch my belly move from across the room!

Best moment this week: Finally having a Saturday off! I went to my quilting group and got a lot done for Caity's quilt! It's coming together beautifully! I am SO excited to finish it! All I need to finish it (aside from the actual sewing) is the batting and fabric for the underside! I am going to be buying those soon!

Charles and I were invited to a farmer's pond for some fishing shortly after I got home from quilting! We agreed and had a blast fishing with the girls! Charles took photos with his phone, but each girl caught at least 3 fish each! And it was nice to hang out with our good friends Mike and Karmen!

Worst moment this week: The weather. There was virtually NO sunshine all week long. It made it terribly depressing for me. My mood does reflect the weather. I was super bummed all week... The sun FINALLY arrived by Friday!

Miss anything: Training. I have been, yes, but I miss training for speed! I miss surprising myself on runs! I mean, I have surprised myself being able to run up until this point in my pregnancy! And I am super proud of this body! But I miss running fast! Or at least feeling fast while running!

Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.

Cravings: Fresh Fruit, Eggs, Pico de Gallo, Tortilla Chips
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal

Queasy or sick: Nope! But my heart is still burning...
Workouts: Zumba and Walking/Jogging

Emotionally: Feeling down with the weather being so gloomy. It hasn't helped. But I have been focusing on the positive! A lot of fun/exciting things are happening soon and I'm directing all of my happy feelings towards those things! I love having things to look forward to!
Physically: I. Am. Tired. I think the walking and jogging is catching up to my system! I am constantly tired! My inner clock is telling me that bed time is between 8 and 8:30 every night and my wake up time is between 5:30 and 6! TEN hours! I cannot fight my body. I will tell myself that I need to stay up a little longer, and end up falling asleep on the couch! I have lost count of the times I've woken up on the couch and had to move to my bed upstairs! And it's making my mid-night bathroom trips harder to wake-up for. I will lay in bed debating on if I have to go bad enough to actually get out of bed or if I can sleep a little longer and wake up when I have to go really bad. #SleepLogic 

Looking forward to: The Market to Market relay this weekend! I will be the slowest runner there, but I don't care! It's all about the experience and finishing the thing! I have been given the shortest distance of the group I'm in, so even though I'll be hella slow, we should all finish with a pretty decent time! NEXT year, I'll be faster!

Aside from packing my hospital bags, I've also started making my birth plan! I am getting more and more calm thinking about Adeline's arrival! Usually I start freaking out, but having gone through three different labor/birth days with my other girls, I am calm knowing that the Lord will be there by my side to help strengthen me and allow my body to bring this baby girl into the world! Oh! And Charles will be by my side, too! He's just as important! I know labor is going to hurt. But I also know the sweet reward at the end of labor! I am looking forward to holding my sweet Adeline and telling her I love her!