Getting The Nursery Ready For Baby #3

Remember one of my biggest original goals with this pregnancy was to keep everything simple. This is a huge change from doing both Carter's and Addie's nurseries but none-the-less it was very important to me. Not knowing the sex has really helped this goal of mine but at the same time I wanted to be ready and to have the kids involved as much as they wanted to be. The first thing was the color of the walls had to be changed so we did that very early last September. Instead of choosing a labor intensive do-it-our-self crazy paint scheme that we are known for, we hired it out! Remember - SIMPLICITY! So all Blake had to do was get the room ready for the painters this time. That same weekend, we decided to take inventory of what we had kept, baby-wise, in the attic.

Carter and Addie buying the paint.

 For four months, we didn't do a thing but in early January, we decided to was time to start the guest room's transition to our final nursery. Blake and Carter worked hard clearing out the room. The same weekend they put together a simple rocking chair and small dresser that will serve at the changing

 A few weeks later, I found a bookshelf that I loved and Carter and Blake had it together in no time. All that was left was a few book ledges and everything else will be added after we know if we have a little girl or boy addition to our family!

Although it is simple and uncharacteristic of my previous nurseries, we love it and are looking forward to filling it with love and other fun items once we meet our little "bambino."

So, this is what "Baby Brown's" super simple nursery looks like until we meet him or her... 

 The kids and I had fun putting out all their favorite "baby books" which brought back so many great memories of when they were little.

My Last Pregnacy: Month 8

Journaling From Weeks 32-36

Week 32: 1.6.13
Today I had my doctor's appointment with Dr. Gallagher. Blake joined me and when the baby's heart rate measured in the mid to high 150's again nearing or at 160, I asked her if she believed in heart rate gender wives tale... where a girl's heart rate is much higher than a boy's. They say 130's and 140's is a boy. She said no, she didn't believe it but our baby definitely is super fast!

I only have 3 more weeks of work before my maternity leave begins and we finally cleared out your nursery just yesterday! It still doesn't feel real, that you will actually be living in this house in less than 2 months. Not knowing if you are boy or girl, I can't get inspired to decorate your room since I don't want to super neutral forever, so decided to keep it overly basic until your BIG arrival. I love the room though, filled with hard wood floors and so much light from the large bay windows.

This week, Addie was laying on my belly to belly after I had braided her hair, giving me a big hug, when the baby kicked her belly and the expression on her face was priceless as she hasn't been quite as patient waiting to feel the baby kick, as her older brother has been!

Week 33: 1.13.13
For the very first time last night I found myself counting down the nights of having to sleep this pregnant. 98 percent of the time I love being pregnant but last night getting table in bed combined with the insane amount of times I have to get up from bed in order to go to the bathroom yet resulting in having to get comfortable again have left me counting down the days. (Update on above paragraph three days later: I figured out that that extreme uncomfortableness was due to a half mile rapid walk I took with Blake that Monday afternoon before dinner.)

For the last several days I have been consumed with planning a girls nursery... yep I've decided since last Monday that I'm having a girl in part by being frustrated about not having a design plan in my head at all and I decided that at least I have a 50 percent chance that the ideas I ski map will be correct I even started buying things but yet when I realize there's only a 30 day return. I decided I'm going to have to start purchasing things the first week of February in case my guess is incorrect so I can return them.

This week, Blake did some "scientific research" on wives tales, especially the one about heart rates and after reading two scientific journals where women took home fetal heart rate monitors to monitor their babies heart rates every couple of hours throughout the days, he says that there is absolutely no truth to it. The articles say that all babies fluctuate between 130-160's depending on how awake and active they are. He did a ton of the gender prediction tests while in an airport one night and majority of them did come back with the results that we are having a GIRL. We will see!



Man... I am so lucky to be married to a man so open and willing to help out with my silly ideas!



This weekend Blake and I were able to get out for a nice date night and yummy steak dinner. We talked about our goals for the future and everything we have accomplished thus far together.

Week 34: 1.20.13
Can we talk about the incredible amount of times per day of having to use the restroom!??!? My bladder, with out a doubt, must be the size of a pea. One night starting at 9PM, I lost count after EIGHT times of getting up (and that was before my alarm clock went off at 5:40AM.) Another morning recently, I counted from the time my alarm went off at 5:40AM to the EIGHTH time I was walking into a bathroom just after 1PM that day in one of my office buildings. I have quickly learned, especially at night, not to even fight the urge or resist and instead pop out of bed (which probably looks much more like rolling to my feet) and accept the fact that I only will get an hour increments of good sleep for here on out. I understand that its mother nature's way of getting you ready for having a newborn but both of my newborns were on three hour sleep cycles in the very early weeks at the very worst.

I can't believe we have just SIX weeks or possibly less until we find out if a boy or girl has joined our family.

Again, wow, thanks family for appeasing all my silly desires to document this last pregnancy together!

This week was another check up with Dr. Gallagher and this baby has officially thrown us for a HUGE loop. I had been getting very comfortable with expecting a sweet little girl simply by the racing heart rate at EVERY SINGLE appointment since conception! However today, the heart rate for the first time ever at an appointment was in the high 120's and low 130's, thus proving Blake's research from last week. So now, who knows!!!! I do know that I only have four more days of work and as I type this my three awesome helpers are in the baby's room putting together a new bookshelf and I am waiting the arrival of Alli, my best friend, from Houston to start a little relaxing girls'/spa weekend!

(As a memory, I decided to snap a picture of what it's like to wait in my OB's office the 14 times or so you go while you are pregnant!)

Week 35: 1.27.13
Last week ever of maternity work clothes! Yea! I'm excited about possibilities of having either sex. I would love for Carter to be the only big brother to two younger sisters and be able to coordinate the two girls' outfits. On the boy side, I would love for Addie to be the only girl and have her ultimately have her own bathroom with her room at the front of the house as the 2 boys own the back of the house. Who knows and I am at total piece that God will give us what our family needs!

Week 36: 2.3.13
Yesterday, marks my first day of official Maternity Leave. (I am very blessed to have been given off the four weeks before my due date all three pregnancies.) Just four weeks from two days ago is your due date.

About a million times a day, people ask me if I'm ready for you to be here? To each person, I answer, "not quite." See I'm looking forward to these four short weeks that I know are going to fly by just to prepare our home and life for you. I'm on a huge de-cluttering and simplification run and loving it.

Looking back, I haven't had any significant back pain in over a month. I haven't even used the heating bad since New Year's. Although I know I'm huge, I am alarmingly comfortable at 36 weeks and still in awe just feeling you move all over. Carter described it perfectly this past weekend when he said, "The baby feels like a giant wave in your tummy when it move!"

This week, I start my weekly doctor visits and getting "checked." Although I don't anticipate anything yet, I do think a lot about a what initial at-home stages of labor will be like. Considering in two full pregnancies and now at 36 weeks of my third, I haven't even felt a Braxton Hick contraction... But maybe that is a good thing as I don't seem to have any history of false contractions or early labor. So the race is on to get a bunch of stuff done while I wait to meet you!

Early in the week, Carter decided he wanted to "measure" how big you are right now...

At 36 weeks, my sweet girl and I were having fun showing off our bellies!

My Last Pregnancy: Month 7

Journaling from Month 7: Weeks 28-31

Week 28: 12.10.12
At this early stage of my 3rd trimester I want to write a letter to myself to read towards the end of my pregnancy when I am unbelievably uncomfortable and begging Blake and/or my doctor to take this baby out.

Dear Very Pregnant Megan,

I know your back hurts and I know you are probably mad at yourself for having a shorter fuse with Blake or the kids but I beg you to remember to stop and really soak in this amazing time in your life that you won't experience again. Inside you, you have a miracle growing and remember what you wished and prayed for since before you found out you were pregnant. You wanted to go into labor naturally with out being induced. You laugh but remember, you have NEVER felt a real contraction and you want to feel at least a couple. Where will you be when it happens? How fast or slow will he or she come? It's all up to your body and you have to relax and just be lazy and enjoy what could be the last days or even hours of being pregnant in your lifetime.

Love,

"You-much-more-comfortable-28-week-pregnant-self"

Megan on the day she turned 28 weeks pregnant.

Week 29: 12.17.12 - What a great week it was being pregnant and finding the back relieving remedy of wearing flats all week. It's amazing what being diligent about not wearing heels to work each day can do. Even with some slight back pain at the end of the day, I really can't complain one iota about being pregnant. I hope I pass these genetics onto Addie and perhaps her younger sister but I am one of those rare blessed women who doesn't have a day of morning sickness or really any other bad symptom of pregnancy. I absolutely LOVE the way I feel pretty much the entire time. This particular pregnancy I have been super laid back, calm and collected and I remind Blake all the time how lucky of a man he is! This week has been unbelievable movement... I can 100% call it CONSTANT ... While I am sleeping, driving, standing or talking to a physician... It's amazing. I'm not even 30 weeks and you feel so strong. Once a day, at least, you take my breath away moving. For a long time, I've been trying to put into words what having a baby inside you feels like and I've had real trouble articulating it until now. This morning you felt like a small gold fish flipping around. Yesterday, it felt like you were just sitting inside me "thumping me" non stop. I layered figured out with Blake's help that those were your hiccups. And right now at 8 AM as I am sitting in my car, it literally feels like popcorn popping. I would love to have a sonogram machine on you this very second just to have an idea of what you are doing inside me to make this amazing feeling!

The view of the feet at 29 weeks!

Week 30: 12.23.12- Christmas week.
This week was Christmas and I couldn't help but constantly think about what next Christmas will look like with you starting to crawl around everywhere. As I laid on the couch late Christmas morning, I could see you crawling all over the toys and paper and laughed thinking how much more careful we will have be with Carter and Addie's little parts to their toys.
A cute story to remember from this week... Even though I haven't had as bad of back pain this time compared to last time, it feels so good to turn on the heating pad and lay on it for a little while each night. Well, the last two nights, I have found Addie curled up in my spot while watching a movie, before bed. I tell her to scoot over so I can crawl in bed next to her and I find she has already turned my heating pad on, laughing and says, "Mom.... I love it, it's so cozy!"

Week 31: 12.30.12
Time is flying and you are flipping around like crazy... I'm just taking it all in loving it. You definitely like to remind me constantly that you are there. This week, we embarked on our very last vacation as a family of four.

While in Breckenridge, I was constantly picturing our next vacation or travel as a family of five. I am anticipating craziness and your dad agreed that beautiful lake trips and trips to Port A will be our main vacation itineraries for a couple of years and we are so excited by that. When the four of us are eating dinner at home or out at a restaurant, I always ask the kids, "Where do you think the baby sit?" We were in a booth recently and Addie said, "I want baby to sit in between Carter and I."

While in Breckenridge, Megan snapped some pictures of me at 31 weeks pregnant.

My Last Pregnancy: Month 6

Journaling From Month 6: 23-27 weeks

23 Weeks: 11.5.12 – The Circle Of Life

Very late last night, your amazing 97 year old great grandmother, Mema, passed away. Otherwise, the picture of perfect health for her age, she was diagnosed just seven weeks ago with stomach and esophageal cancer. After the diagnosis, she had somewhat stabilized and we thought the doctor's prognosis of less than six months left was crazy. I was certain that she was going to meet you.

Well, God had another plan, and after seeing her in such pain the last week and especially the last 48 hours, I am confident she is in a much better place with Him.

People often talk about the "circle of life" and sweet baby boy or girl, I saw that clear as ever yesterday. As your grandmother, Ya-Ya, sat there at her bedside trying to comfort her as she was filled with pain and frustration of not even being able to communicate with us, besides her gorgeous crystal blue eyes staring into ours, I saw what life is all about. I could feel you kicking inside me as I sat beside Ya-Ya and Mema, telling her what an amazing person she was and that it was okay not to let go.

Yes, I'm sad that you will never meet her in person but I diligently plan to make sure that you truly know how amazing she was and how much she did for my mom, sister and myself our entire lives.

24 weeks: 11.12.12 - The Name Game 

I can't recall if I've journaled to you about us trying to figure out what your name will be. Very early on, it was "Hallie" for a girl, a name we had liked back when Addie was born and "Brooks" for a boy. Brooks was the random one "B" name we both loved when someone said you should name the second one with a "B" name and have a, "A," "B" and "C."

We haven't talked much about it in the last 12 weeks but for me I have started to second guess both names. Now, I really like "Delaney" for a girl and "Corbin" for a boy.

Addie likes "Seashell" for a girl!

So for now, the discussion continues. I have no doubt we will find you the perfect name.

On a second note, this week for some reason, a ton of people have started telling me what they think I am having and asking me what I think I am carrying. Although, I truly have NO idea, one thing that makes me think more of a boy is how I haven't had any surges of hormonal feelings like I think I had more with Addie. I have felt pretty stable over the entire pregnancy even in times of pretty severe stress. The other part of me that thinks we may have a boy is that since your Mema passed away, God knows that our "female generational picture" we took back in 2009 would be incomplete if it is another sweet girl. However, He may have another plan.

Either way, I am more than good and can't wait to meet he or she!

24 weeks and showing!

25 Weeks: 11.19.12 - Constant Movement & Taking It All In 

Wow... this week, a lot of stressors have been eliminated and it feels so good. There has been a lot on our plate the last couple of months and now things are slowing down just in time for the holidays and more importantly, in time to enjoy being pregnant with you. 

It's like I can almost feel you all the time, especially in the evening and early morning when I am laying down or when I am up real close to my desk, typing on my computer, you will start kicking against the edge of the desk. This past Saturday night, I was at a rare movie with Megan Perkins watching the last installment of Twilight, a teeny pop love story movie, and we were kicking and moving the ENTIRE time! Maybe it was just that I really wasn't into the movie, but I all I could do was feel you the entire time. I joke and said that you were used to me being horizontal in bed by 8:30PM every night instead of sitting up in a loud movie theater.

The other thing I have really been thinking about this week is making sure that I am really taking in these last 15 weeks of being pregnant ever in my life. For a woman, that is a big deal and I am very cognisant of it. I want to really soak it up, the way I feel... the way you feel inside me. I have tried to articulate how you feel moving inside me and it's hard. It really is just magical... it feels like I am growing a little human inside me who is getting stronger and stronger by each passing day.

25 weeks on a family vacation to Flagstaff and The Grand Canyon over Thanksgiving weekend.

26 weeks: 11.26.12 Gender Prediction

(Just for fun and our record)

Old Wives Tale #1: Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy. (At 26 week week appointment=158 bpm) Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #2: Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy. (I seem to definitely be BIG AND ROUND lol) (late in pregnancy still enormous but I feel like more pointy but still high!) Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #3: Ring Test (Need to do!)
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.  Prediction outcome:
Old Wives Tale #4: Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones. I also haven't noticed, even late in pregnacy any darkening skin spots above eyes and under nose like I had so badly with Addie. Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #5: Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl. (definitely been eating sweets but I did with both others too... Just about the only thing I WILL eat!) Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #6: Skin under Left Eye
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl. I have a “V”, so one more point for a girl. (Who came up with this question who ... kinda odd) Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #7: Time of Conception
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be. (Ummmm... this is a little confusing depending on your definition of aggressive,) Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #8: Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl. I think it’s too early for me to tell on this one. (Well, as far as I know I'm only gaining in the torso, legs seem to be the same which is always big.)Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #9: Moodiness and a Little Pecker (this one is odd, but funny)
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you. (I have felt great with absolutely NO MOOD swings)Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #10: Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #11: Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, a little boy it is. (I feel okay still, at 26 weeks, at least! Update at 25 weeks, this is the wives tail that I hear the most from all my nurses and staff members and doctors, they think I still look great for being so darn HUGE... we'll see.) Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #12: Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having. (I've had absolutely NO DREAMS!) Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #13: Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy. (I'm pretty clumsy, have yet to fall but I'm running into things all the time) Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #14: Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #15: Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.(At least throgh 26 weeks Blake has stayed thin this time.) Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #16: Breast Test
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy. (I think my right is always slightly bigger) Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #17: What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having. (Just slight feeling based mainly on lack of mood swings) Prediction outcome: BOY 

Old Wives Tale #18: Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. (But I didn't have a day of sickness while pregnant with Addie last time!) Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #19: Areolae
If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy. If they haven't, its a girl. Prediction outcome: BOY

Old Wives Tale #20: Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy. (Sweets is all that is on my mind but I do love a great steak and always cheese) Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE/BOY

Old Wives Tale #21: Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl. (My feet are always freezing!) Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #22: Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy. Prediction outcome: GIRL

Old Wives Tale #23: Baby Names
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby. (We are back and forth on both names)Prediction outcome: INCONCLUSIVE

Old Wives Tale #24: Urine
What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl. (It is defintley darker than normal) Prediction outcome: BOY

Addie thinks it's a girl.
Carter thinks it's a boy.
Daddy is undetermined.
Mommy slightly thinks it's a boy. (Later in the pregnancy, around 32 weeks, she switches it to GIRL due to very high heart rate.
Regan P thinks a girl.
Andrea thinks a girl.

Almost all strangers think it's a girl.

Almost all office staff around 25 weeks said girl but at 35 many changed suddenly to boy.

Megan Perkins thinks a girl.

My mom thinks it's a girl.

Carter changed his mind at 36 weeks to a GIRL because there are already 3 boys in the family (Daddy, Carter and Smokey) and only 2 girls. So we need a girl to be even.



26 weeks... a night out with the hubby!

On November 29, my 34th birthday, after a long day in heels I layed down in bed to rest for a few minutes and the kids surprised me with my ultimate favorite chocolate pie from The Barn Door.



27 weeks: 12.3.12 - The Last Sonogram EVER!

Day one of my 3rd trimester... Wow, this is it' the last 13 weeks (or less) of being pregnant.... EVER! As I type these words with the iPad resting on my stomach, you are able to kick so hard, it moves the iPad, which brings a huge smile to my face.

For the first time this pregnancy, I feel VERY pregnant this past week and the dull back pain has officially started in the mid afternoon and evenings. But I'm still carrying heavy bags and wearing 3 inch high heels at least 4 days each week. I can't imagine what I would do without this heating pad and Temperpedic mattress. Thank goodness I am still sleeping like a rock most every night.

This past week was our follow up sonogram due to the placenta blocking the cervix or exit back at the 17 week sonogram. The great news is that the placenta has completely moved up and completely out of the way leaving no issues and most importantly no set induction or C-section needed. Yea! Your heart rate was around 156, so staying around the same.

While waiting, in the actual sonogram room and even walking out with my twenty-five plus sonogram pictures in hand (for the 3rd time this pregnancy), I concentrated on taking in the whole experience... laying in that chair chair with the lights turned down, feeling the warm gel squeezed upon my tummy, staring ahead at the big screen TV, laughing with Blake when the baby yawned over 15 times in the same amount of minutes. The baby was SO active and we couldn't believe how limber "Baby Brown" is with their extended legs folded completely over the top of their head. He/she was breach during the sonogram and one of my favorite parts was when the technician pushed the camera against the front of their face and we could see their little smushed piggy nose and mouth.

Another last was drinking the super sweet red juice for the glucose test. I didn't really mind drinking it since I have such a sweet tooth but it definitely was the tastiest thing I have ever had. The results came back less than a day later saying everything was perfect and I wasn't even anemic this pregnany.

All is progressing beautifully with this pregnancy and I'm just waiting for the "nesting" to kick in and the urge to get your room ready!

And just for kicks, I want to document the reason I gained 60 pounds with both Carter and Addie.... these Oreo and cookie dough blizzards. With my first two pregnancies, I probably had four a week. With this third, I am trying to limit to one after each monthly doctor's appointment and one more a couple of weeks later when I am in Kerrville for work! I have NO WILL POWER against these things when I am pregnant!!!