Monday, June 9, 2014

Baby Girl #4, Week 36


How far along: 36 weeks!
Weeks to go: 1 to 4 weeks!
Baby is the size of: a head of romaine lettuce!
Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl
Weight gain: 30 pounds total according to my doctor's scale
Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!
Maternity clothes: Yes! I am LOVING them right now since I feel HUGE. I'm only wearing my black maternity yoga pants and my large maternity tops 98% of the time! I'll put on my maternity shorts/capris when I leave the house, but it's comfy clothes during the day when I'm home!
Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones! Keeping my eyes peeled to spot any new ones, but none yet!
Belly button in or out: I have a flattie! It looks like my belly button has popped out, but it's just my hernia!
Sleep: Wonderful. Won-der-ful! It's been great! Probably all the walking/working out! I still wake up to turn over, but I have no issues falling back asleep! And my body has started waking up around 2:00 a.m. every morning so that I can go pee! I debate with myself about getting out of bed and going... but I always end up going! There's only been one night where I couldn't really sleep, not sure why!
Movement: I am starting to notice a sleeping cycle for Adeline! As of right now, she's got her days and nights in sync with mine! I can really feel her moving around now that she's officially out of room in my womb. So I know when she's resting and when she's awake! It does scare me at times when she rests for a while, but she always lets me know when she's woken up! And she gets the hiccups all the time! It's so fun to watch my belly move with her when she hiccups! 
Best moment this week: Seeing my best friend from High School, Alyce! She is in town for a few days and stopped by to see me, catch up, and so that I could meet her son! I have missed her so much and having her in my home made me miss her even more when she left! I will be sad when she goes back home!
I also had an amazing time going shopping for the last of the stuff needed to make Caity's quilt! I am SO excited to finish it and show her! It was a "girls night" in the city with Jen, Jodi, and Rhea! And Jen's son Gabe tagged along for the HuHot! I love my friends!
Worst moment this week: General hormones and pre-labor/delivery anxieties. I seriously have to actively NOT think about everything that could go wrong during labor and delivery. I know it's normal to think about those kinds of things, but those thoughts make me upset and weepy. I have been praying to be comforted.
Miss anything: Smaller boobs. NOT going pee at night. My runner's legs. People NOT commenting on just how big I've gotten. There is one lady who constantly asks me, "Are you sure there aren't twins in there?", and while I realize she's probably joking, it does hurt my feelings. I feel huge enough as it is. I am a little self-conscious about it... so when I hear that I'm huge from other people, it tends to hurt my feelings. I don't really need anyone commenting on my weight/largeness at this point in my pregnancy! Adeline will gain a pound a week until I have her... so NEWS FLASH: I'm only going to get bigger from here on out! But this should be no surprise since I've been getting bigger and bigger each day! I just really don't need to be reminded. I already feel like a fat panda...
Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.
Cravings: Crushed Ice (being careful about my teeth, but I have REALLY been craving ice chips to chew on.), Fresh Fruit (Cantaloupe, Grapes, Bananas), Salad with Ranch Dressing
Aversions: Raw Meat (really bad this week for some reason)
Appetite: Normal! I don't feel like eating ALL THE THINGS! Not sure if it's due to my shrinking stomach or not, but it also depends on how Adeline is positioned! If she's all up in my ribs, I have no appetite. When she shifts away, I feel like I'm starving! Pregnant bodies are so funny sometimes!
Queasy or sick: Neither! But my heart is still ON FIRE. Constantly. There is no relief.
Workouts: Zumba and walking! I made it to TWO Zumba classes this week! That hasn't happened in a while!
Emotionally: I've officially started nesting! I tend to be OCD about some things, but this week has been worse than before! My house is clean as a result of my nesting, but I still have a few big projects that I want to try and tackle before Adeline arrives! But for the most part, if she were to come in a week or two, we'd be ready for her! This puts my mind at ease! Which is a welcome thing right now considering how I get with my anxieties about her pending arrival. Knowing that however she comes, and whenever she comes, she will have clean clothes and a place to sleep! I am still feeling better about my emotions. I still tend to get mad quickly, but I've been praying each day that I'm able to calm down and relax before just flipping out over little things. My girls have been so patient with me. I am truly blessed. I've been making sure to get some solid snuggle time with each girl before Adeline arrives, too. It fills my heart with so much joy that the Lord has already blessed my life with three gorgeous little ladies! I am excited to be blessed with another! And my girls are READY to meet their sister!
Physically: I am feeling good! Maybe it's the endorphins from working out, but I'm sleeping better at night and I have more energy during the day. I do get tired a lot, but I'm able to pick myself up and push through it all! I feel huge. My stomach is super tender in some spots, which apparently is normal. But I've never experienced it before. It's my muscles/tendons being stretched. I'm just praying that they don't separate too much and give me another hernia! I am feeling more pain in my ligaments, but I know that comes with the last month of pregnancy! Thank goodness for my support tanks! Those things are worth the money I spent!
Looking forward to: My 36 week prenatal appointment tomorrow! Excited to start going in for an OB appointment every week from here on out! Getting some maternity photos taken! My labor and Adeline's delivery! Breastfeeding! Snuggling my sweet baby!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Baby Girl #4, Week 35


How far along: 35 weeks!
Weeks to go: 2 to 5 weeks!
Baby is the size of: a honeydew melon!
Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl
Weight gain: 30 pounds total (according to my doctor's 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! Sometimes a flattie!
Sleep: Wonderful! Aside from having to wake up to turn over, I'm sleeping really hard in between!
Movement: Adeline is still going crazy most days! I love this point in my pregnancy! She's running out of room in there, so when she moves, I can REALLY tell! Other people watch my belly move, too! It's awesome! And Adeline constantly has the hiccups! It's SO fun to see/feel!
Best moment this week: Getting a surprise ultrasound at my 34 week appointment! I hadn't gained any weight and was measuring three to four centimeters large, so Dr. Miller wanted to be sure that all was well with me and baby! The ultrasound went perfect and I was told that baby was most definitely a GIRL!
Adeline is also head-down at the moment! I've been praying non-stop that she stays that way! I got to see her hair on the ultrasound, too! Maybe all of my heartburn will pay off?! I have a feeling that she is going to be a large baby (in the 8+ pound range), so I'm hoping that she's too big to flip, but small enough to birth easily! I feel like my prayers are turning into some sort of order at a restaurant! "I would like one baby girl, head down, not too big or small, facing the correct way. And one short labor and delivery! Thank you!"
Worst moment this week: Measuring large at my ultrasound! I wasn't too worried, but the fact that my doctor wanted me to have the ultrasound right away made me a little nervous. 
Miss anything: Smaller boobs... I feel like a broken record here! But for reals... I miss them!
Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.
Cravings: Gardettos, Fresh Fruit (Watermelon, Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Bananas, etc), Fresh Veggies (Carrots, Celery, Bell Peppers, etc.)
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: I still feel like eating at all times... So I've kept up drinking tons of water in hopes of not gaining too much weight. But apparently, my body is using up everything I've been giving it! I'm not going to go crazy with food, but I find that fresh fruit and veggies are PERFECT to curb my in-between-meals hunger!
Queasy or sick: Neither! But I am still dealing with major heart burn. Still haven't found anything that really helps it to go away... so I've been toughing it out. Only 5 more weeks... Only 5 more weeks...
Workouts: Zumba, walking, and jogging! I am excited for this pregnancy to be over so that I can get into the new songs at Zumba! I want to jump and move like I use to! And the new songs are SO much fun! I ran/jogged/walked the DAM to DAM's 5K with my friend Karen on Saturday! We wanted to finish in under an hour, and I knew we would! We did a walk/jog pattern and even though it was super humid/hot, we finished strong! I was SO happy to have a friend to walk/jog with and that my family was there with me!
Then we came home for my niece's graduation party. Afterwards, I went back to the city to do the Glow Run with my friend Amanda! We made plans to enjoy ourselves and speed walk the 5K together! We waited in line for almost an hour to get our faces painted! We literally had our faces painted minutes before the first wave of runners went! The humidity hadn't gone away and there was hardly a breeze, so it was super hot, but we finished in an hour! I ended up sweating off most of my glowing face paint, but we had a ton of fun!
Emotionally: I've been keeping up with my house and laundry, and surprisingly, I'm MUCH more calm/relaxed. I didn't realize how much having a cluttered house was getting to me. I've been much more relaxed with the girls. I don't yell/shout as much. You'd think that after all of my years here on this Earth I would've come up with a method to keep up on my house, but I haven't until now! And even though it's only been a week, I can tell a huge difference in me, my girls, and Charles! We have more time to play, paint, watch movies, etc, without the guilt of needing to clean the house! It's quite liberating!
Physically: I feel huge still, but I'm feeling good! I'm unaware of just how large I am, too! I accidentally knocked over Rosie the other day when I was turning around because I couldn't see her past my belly. And my belly was what knocked her over! It was funny, and we both laughed, but I kinda felt bad! I try to reach things that I just simply cannot reach anymore! I have to stand sideways to cook so that I can be close to the food and see! It's funny! I just feel like Adeline sits SO FAR OUT from me! And I know that she doesn't, not really, but I FEEL like she does! I am ready to have her outside of my belly! There are days when I'm just DONE with this pregnancy, and then other days when I just LOOOOVE being pregnant and feeling her move! It just depends on how I'm feeling that day! I am ready to not have elephant feet at night. I am ready to turn over without waking up. But then I remember what it means to have her out: waking up every 2 hours to nurse, nursing her, all the pains associated with nursing, huge/swollen/tender boobs, general tiredness, etc. But it is all worth it! And I am looking forward to getting past the first few initial breastfeeding weeks. Those are the hardest. I've been praying that my body handles it well and that Adeline has a good latch!
Looking forward to: Holding this baby girl soon! (But not too soon!) Going to the Zoo with my family this weekend!  Seeing my best friend, Alyce! Enjoying the first official week of summer vacation with my girls!

Monday, May 26, 2014

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!

Monday, May 19, 2014

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!

Monday, May 12, 2014

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!

Monday, May 5, 2014

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!

Monday, April 28, 2014

Baby Girl #4, Week 30


How far along: 30 weeks!
Weeks to go: 10 weeks (technically, anywhere from 7 to 10! Or more... )
Baby is the size of: a large head of cabbage!
Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl
Weight gain: Not sure, my appointment is tomorrow!
Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!
Maternity clothes: Yes! Sticking to my norm of capris and large t-shirts, but the nicer weather this past week had me breaking out my maternity shorts! I am LOVING the Spring weather! I want it to stay for a while! 
Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!
Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!
Sleep: Decent! I'm getting better at falling back asleep quickly after my night-time bathroom runs!
Movement: Tons of movement! I'm at the point in my pregnancy where everyone can see Adeline kicking me from the outside! I will put things on my belly and my girls will watch them move! Things like: books, bowls, cups, etc!
Best moment this week: FINALLY getting my root canal done!
Worst moment this week: Almost going into labor because of a yeast infection... which I didn't even know was possible. The antibiotic I was on for my abscess tooth caused me to have a yeast infection. After a few days of not knowing what was going on with myself, some contractions and (TMI Warning!) bloody discharge had me panicked enough to call my doctor. He saw me within a few hours, checked my downstairs, monitored me, and all was well! This is my second yeast infection, ever. So I really had no idea what was going on. Now I know. And also, getting my root canal done. It wasn't so much the getting it done as it was the fact that I was in a dentist's chair for 2 hours and 45 minutes! I alternated sides every 15 minutes or so, but I still had some major back pain afterwards. The back pain lasted for a few days, but is better now.
Miss anything: Racing. All of my friends are running and racing every weekend and I miss it terribly! I do have a few running events coming up, though!
Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.
Cravings: Fresh Fruit (Apples, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Peaches, Strawberries, etc.)
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal
Queasy or sick: Nope! But raging heartburn, still.
Workouts: Walking, Jogging, and gardening!
Emotionally: Having moments where I can't control my emotions. Which either leads to me crying and crying, or me laughing and laughing. And not all the time, just usually when I'm super tired or out of it!
Physically: Doing much better! My tooth is now fixed and my abscess is gone! But in it's wake, I got a yeast infection. Which is now being treated, hooray! I feel like this last week, my body hasn't been my own. I had no control over what was happening, and I didn't, but I don't like feeling that way. I am glad that I am starting to feel normal again! Well... as normal as a 30 week pregnant person possibly can! 
Looking forward to: My 30 week OB appointment tomorrow! New Beginnings at church this Wednesday! Quilting with friends this weekend!

I've started getting things for my hospital bag ready! Seems crazy that I'm at that point, but Caitlin came early  (I was 35 weeks, 6 days pregnant) and I wasn't really prepared! I had my bag packed before she was born and I had it with me when I went to her 36 week appointment in Omaha. Thank goodness! But we brought her home to an unfinished nursery! So I've learned that I need to start preparing now and have my bag packed because I don't know what's going to happen between now and the time Adeline arrives! I've also been getting all of my newborn/0-3 month girl clothes totes out to wash before she arrives! The same take-home outfit that our other girls wore will go into my hospital bag! Though Charles and I are still trying to find some take-home shoes that we like for Miss Adeline!

Also, here is my 10 week, 20 week, and 30 week comparison!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Baby Girl #4, Week 29


How far along: 29 weeks!
Weeks to go: 11 weeks
Baby is the size of: a butternut squash!
Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl
Weight gain: 20 pounds total (Adeline weighs about 2.5 pounds!)
Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!
Maternity clothes: Yes! Even though I'm still having issues being between sizes. Some medium's are too small... some medium's are too big. Some large's are too small... some large's are too big. I think it has something to do with the brand of maternity clothes. It's just frustrating for me! I've been sticking to my normal attire of capris and large t-shirts!
Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones! 
Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!
Sleep: Still having pain in my groin area when I turn over, but it is getting better! Thank goodness! 
Movement: Adeline is crazy active, as always! And she has her days/nights on schedule! I'm hoping that she stays this way!
Best moment this week: My 28 week check-up! Everything is looking good! I'm still measuring big, but no concerns! I always enjoy hearing Miss Adeline's heartbeat! I'm switching over to having appointments every two weeks! Getting closer and closer to meeting Miss Adeline! Going to the temple this past weekend with Charles! I love our alone time and attending the temple! Easter Sunday with my family! Grandma Debbie made our girls matching dresses! I'm thinking about getting some bonnets to go with them! My little pioneers!
Worst moment this week: I had a slight anxiety attack Wednesday night at a Church Easter activity for the Primary. Not sure what happened, but I felt very crowded and claustrophobic. Probably doesn't help that I'm hugely pregnant... I ended up walking/jogging home in my clothes (jeans, shirt, flip flops, etc.). I was alone on the trail, so it helped tremendously to allow me to calm down. 
Miss anything: Pain-free groin. Smaller boobs. Sushi.
Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.
Cravings: Fresh Fruit (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Pears, Strawberries, etc.)
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal
Queasy or sick: Nope! Still having issues with severe heartburn.
Workouts: Zumba, jogging, gardening, walking, and strength training! Felt REALLY good this week, too! The weather was gorgeous!
Emotionally: Aside from dealing with feeling claustrophobic, I felt much better this week! Probably the endorphins from working out!
Physically: I feel like Adeline is all out front most days! Thank goodness for my support tanks! I honestly feel like I should be stretch-marking from as far out as I feel she is! Maybe I'm just not use to being this small while pregnant? My other pregnancies I was over 200 pounds before I got pregnant. So by the time I started really showing, I was pretty far along already. Whatever it is, I feel huge. Torpedo-Belly. Watermelon-Belly. GIANT-Belly. And I still have eleven weeks to go! I am getting my root canal this Friday. Thank goodness. The rest of my temporary filling fell out yesterday. I've been praying that I don't get another infection. I've been on an antibiotic since last week, so I'm hoping all is well the day we show up for my appointment. I am SO ready to get this taken care of. I take care of my teeth, which frustrates me about this whole situation. I think it's my genetics that are working against me. I apologize to my current and future children, you will probably have terrible teeth because of my genetics. I am sorry.
Looking forward to: Watching the 2014 Boston Marathon today! #BostonStrong Getting my tooth fixed on Friday. Seeing my Mommy and family Thursday and Friday! Young Women Leadership training on Saturday! And I'm going to see a play in Des Monies with my friend Brooke Saturday night! 

Monday, April 14, 2014

Baby Girl #4, Week 28


How far along: 28 weeks! THIRD TRIMESTER!
Weeks to go: 12 weeks
Baby is the size of: an eggplant!
Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl
Weight gain: 20 pounds
Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!
Maternity clothes: Yes! Lots of capris and large t-shirts!
Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!
Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!
Sleep: Depends on the night. After my sprinting-after-my-2-year-old incident, I've had a hard time sleeping. I have a lot of pain in my groin area (TMI, sorry...) and it makes turning over hurt.
Movement: Adeline is crazy active! She moves almost constantly! So when she is resting and not moving very much, I start to panic!
Best moment this week: Passing my glucose test and the Hope Glows 5K! I had no worries about the glucose test! And I had an amazing time at the local glow run this past weekend! I made a "Glow Baby" and it got a lot of raves! I also got a lot of positive comments about being a pregnant runner!
Worst moment this week: Vivian almost running into a parking lot. I had to sprint after her to catch her in time. It was terribly scary for me. I had some contractions afterwards. And I have had some groin pain since. It gets better when I stretch, but it hasn't gone away yet. 
Miss anything: Pain-free turning at night!
Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.
Cravings: Cantaloupe, Fresh Fruit, Avocados, Pasta
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal
Queasy or sick: Neither! But I've been getting some MAJOR heartburn. I'm going to talk to my Doctor about it at my appointment this week. Nothing is helping. Not tums, milk, crackers, eating slowly, sleeping propped up... nothing. I don't want to have to take anything, but I'm going to have to cave on this one.
Workouts: With the gorgeous weather this week, I got a lot of walking, jogging, and gardening in! Going back to Zumba tonight now that things have quieted down with my family's schedule!
Emotionally: I'm finding it harder and harder to NOT cry when I get frustrated, upset, or mad. And I've decided to just let myself cry it out. I know it's better for my body to release those emotions/hormones. But I feel like I'm crying more than I should. I think some of it is that I'm closing in on actually meeting this little lady! She will be here in 12 weeks or less! I am not freaking out about it, but I am getting nervous. I worry about how my other girls will act... mostly Vivian. I am trying to remain calm and NOT over-think anything. I am focusing on each day and getting through them one at a time!
Physically: Aside from the normal aches and pains of being this pregnant, I feel wonderful! I feel huge! I've been told that I'm "all baby" and I am really starting to feel it! I feel like my body is stretching out to the max and I have no new stretch marks to prove it! I had to go to the dentist because I have a temporary filling that has fallen out. It fell out over a month ago and I now have an abscess in my gums. I have to see a root-canal specialist later this month to get it taken care of. Why a specialist? 1. I am pregnant. 2. My tooth roots are about 90 degrees. The temporary filling was suppose to last my entire pregnancy... but that didn't happen. Now I HAVE to get this taken care of because it puts both me and baby at risk having an infection/abscess like I do. I am taking an antibiotic to clear up the infection, my Endodontist appointment is April 25th. I have decent overall tooth health. I do have four small cavities and I need my wisdom teeth removed. I am going to have all this done by the end of the year! I am beyond excited!
Looking forward to: My 28 week prenatal appointment tomorrow! Easter! Getting my tooth taken care of!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Baby Girl #4, Week 27


How far along: 27 weeks!
Weeks to go: 13 weeks
Baby is the size of: a head of cauliflower!
Gender Prediction: Boy
Gender Reveal: Girl
Weight gain: I forgot to weigh myself...
Starting to show yet?: Oh yes!
Maternity clothes: Yes! I am enjoying being able to wear some stretchy maternity capris now that the weather is finally warming up!
Stretch marks: Just a lot of old ones!
Belly button in or out: Half in and half out!
Sleep: Depends on the night. I've been getting crazy heartburn at night and it makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Movement: LOTS of kicks, punches, and nudges! Adeline is super active!
Best moment this week: General Conference!
Worst moment this week: Having some sort of stomach flu for three days. It really put me out. I was very tired and very dehydrated. I almost had to go into the ER because of it... 
Miss anything: Sleeping the entire night! Smaller boobs!
Wedding rings on or off?: On during the day. Off at night.
Cravings: Crab, Fresh Fruit (especially cantaloupe!), Pasta
Aversions: Raw Meat
Appetite: Normal! Aside from staying away from anything that could have given me heart burn! 
Queasy or sick: Stomach flu for three days... NOT FUN! Although my morning sickness hasn't bothered me this week!
Workouts: Lots of walks! 
Emotionally: Feeling good! I am still getting emotional when I think about meeting Adeline for the first time! It's such a powerful moment! I have these dreams where I deliver her outside on the side walk or at a store... it scares me because I know it's happened to other people in the world! Will I get one of those stories? "Hi! My name is Carie and I delivered my fourth child in the produce section of my local HyVee!" I sure hope not! I think I have these dreams because of how quickly Vivian came after my water broke with her. I wouldn't have had time to go anywhere if I wasn't already at the hospital! And now I panic that if my water breaks in public, I will have my baby within minutes?!?!... I just pray that if something like that happens, that I'm at home or in the car on the way to the hospital! I've even started educating myself on how to deliver my own child... which is sort of empowering and terrifying at the same time!
Physically: I feel great! I am starting to get the aches and pains that come with carrying such a large load out in front of my body! But I will remain positive! Carrying a baby is such a blessing! Yes, it's hard on my body! But I trust my body completely!
Looking forward to:  Getting some much needed dental work done (yes... while pregnant. And no, it can't wait...). The local 5K glow run this weekend! Warmer weather! All of the fun activities the girls have at school this week!