My Last Pregnacy: Month 5

Journaling Month 5: Weeks 19-22

Week 19: 10.9.12 - Showing The Kids Baby's First Pictures!

We introduced Carter and Addie to their new brother or sister, in pictures, October 8, 2012 when I was 19 weeks along.

 

Although, I desperately wanted to tell close family and friends that we were pregnant with a third, in person, just to see the shear SHOCK on their face, I was 19 weeks along and news was starting to get out. Our plans to spend the weekend with Pops and Lolli down at the beach had been cancelled two times due to weather, so the phone was all that was left!

 

Addie attempted to tell him the news first but he couldn't quite understand her or rather he was in disbelief.... so then Carter had to tell him! It was so much fun!

 

Week 20: 10.14.12 – Half Way & WAY Too Fast!

There is so much that Blake and I want to accomplish before our little bundle of joy arrives and while hitting the mid-point of this amazing pregnancy, we are in the SMACK middle of our biggest goal... buying an investment house, remodeling and getting it rented by the end of the year. We close on our new Forest Dew Investment house in Hidden Forest in four days and we are beyond proud of what we have accomplished... a goal we have had for over two years. Nothing like finding out you are pregnancy to make you put your foot on the gas peddle to make things happen.

As crazy busy as life it at this point, the priority is taking time to truly enjoy this last pregnancy and everything that goes along with it. I want to feel like I have no regrets and part of it is keeping up with this weekly journal.

As the baby moves more and more, I love being reminded of what is happening inside me. I have officially POPPED out and look very pregnant, compared to just two weeks ago.

Week 21: 10.21.12 - Taking Time With Addie and Carter

On the morning that I celebrated the completion of my 21st week, I woke up early around 6AM to read in my little reading nook I love to so much. About thirty minutes later I had my two babies joining my curled up on the over sized chair. I pulled out my phone and we watched the coolest videos of what the baby looks like inside me at 21 weeks. They thought it was so cool and kept wanting more and more. As much as I don't want the pregnancy to take center stage in our lives, I want to make sure that I am taking time in our week to show the kids the miracle of life that is growing inside me. This is very important to me since this is my last ever pregnancy.

21 weeks pregnant

Week 22: 10.31.12 - Your Daddy Felt You Kick

This past week was an exciting week for your dad. On the day I turned 22 weeks, while laying in bed at night watching TV, I felt like you might be kicking hard enough for him to feel and sure enough your daddy was quickly able to feel you kicking.

Yesterday, was your 22 week appointment at the doctor Your heart rate was in the 150’s and strong. My visits are really no different than with your brother or sister, Dr Gallagher makes them fun, easy and relaxed. We talked about how last time, during the 18 week sonogram, the placenta was blocking your exit and therefore we were going to have to do a 2^nd sonogram at 28 weeks. Dr. G seems to think there is a great likely hood you will move and everything will be okay for a natural delivery!

Today while I was waiting in Dr Lin’s office, I loved feeling your constant movement, it was almost like hiccups with how regular the bumps were against my tummy. I have really been thinking hard how I could describe what it feels like to feel you kicking inside me and I struggle with a written description... I will work of that this week!

Tonight is Halloween and I can't help but picture our Halloween next year with a you as a seven month old!! We can't wait!

My Last Pregnancy: Month 4

Journaling from Month 4: Weeks 14-18

14 Weeks: 9.2.12 – We Told The Kids!

I don't know why I was a little nervous to tell the kids, maybe it was I didn't know how they would react or maybe I was afraid they wouldn't have much reaction at all, being only four and five.

On Labor Day, September 3, 2012, when I fourteen weeks pregnant, we decided the time was right to tell the kids the big news. Of course, I had new t-shirts made for them and we have it all video taped but I won't bore you with that 6 1/2 minutes of our life. It was a super special time although Carter was in a super silly mood and giggled uncontrollably when he found out that he was going to be a big brother again. Addie was super emotional, so excited and filled with immediate questions like, "Is it going to be a boy or girl?" and "When is the baby coming?" The biggest and best memory Blake and I will have was the most amazing unprovoked hug from Addie, when it sunk in. She just hung on to me and then switched to Blake and then us both. It was such an memorable moment.

(This was taken just a few minutes after we told them.)

 

I am really starting to show now and left with only a handful of outfits that I can wear and hide the belly that is beginning to protrude. I am so excited thought, that my energy has finally returned and I feel 100% back to normal. yea!

15 weeks – 9.8.12 - Over A Third Of The Way

No more hiding. This weekend at the lake, we are going to tell my mom and Joe and Mema. Then I will call my manager on Monday to tell him the big news and it will be a free for all from there. I have told most of my close friends like Megan P, Alli, Cindy, Jennifer and just this past week Terri and of course the kids just last weekend.

Blake bought some "bumpers" yesterday at Pottery Barn, so that purchase served as our very first purchase for the new baby. I still have absolutely zero desire to find out if it's a boy or girl. With Carter's first two weeks of Kindergarten under our belts, I try to imagine our routine having a newborn in the morning. Good thing, if all goes as planned, my first week back to work in June will be the first week of summer for Carter and Addie so I  won't have to do a full 7AM out of the house ready to work with all three until the baby is over five months old. That would be nice.

This is a big week telling my family and work people but I feel like it is the biggest step to really making this new baby feel real! I can't wait.

On September 8, almost 15 weeks along, we were finally with Ya-Ya and Grandpa for the entire weekend at the lake. When dinner was almost over on Saturday night, we gave Carter and Addie the signal that they could share big news. (These pictures are so blurry as I was totally caught in the moment and not caring what I was doing with the camera but I love having every single one!)

This was the kids telling the most important person, Mema!!! I love how she asked me a few weeks later if this was planned?

16 weeks: 9.15.12 - Such a big week!

Wow... it is really starting to feel more and more real. I told my boss this week which was definitely the biggest stressor I had around this whole pregnancy. It felt good to get it off my shoulders. We still have my dad and Nancy, Danielle, Erin (whom I called and she didn't return my call), Julie and Sean (which we really want to tell them in person). Hopefully this week, it will be 100% out.

I'm officially showing and there's no way around it!!! I wore my first wrap dress on Thursday with no effort to hide the belly but still feel like I have just gained weight and don't look pregnant.

Another big event, is Blake got all the baby stuff down from the attic this week. We are thrilled to have kept most of the good stuff we really need but now I feel a little overwhelmed with all the duplicate boy and girl crates of infant clothes just sitting in our game room... one waiting to be opened and used and the other to be sold or donated. Which will it be??? I still have no desire to find out the sex, which it is so nice to not feel conflicted about that.

The kids are talking about the baby more and more and Carter even woke up Saturday morning and walked over and gave my tummy a kiss... that was so unexpected and sweet. I've been told of an old wives tales about the sex of the baby being decided on what children of the opposite sex are more affectionate towards you during your pregnancy. Over the last several months, both kids have been equally super loving and affectionate with me, so it makes it hard to tell by that.

I think we have decided on a room color for the nursery a basic light gray so I am going to call and set up painters to come soon.

16 weeks with Miss Addie at the pool!

17 weeks: 9.22.12 - Letting It All Hang Out!

This past week was the first time I wasn't trying to hide my belly. I wore fitted wrap dresses but I am at that point in pregnancy where I really don't look pregnant but could easily be confused with being really bloated. I started telling a few of my offices and told my sisters - Erin and Julie and my two good girl friends, Regan and Alison, this week. Erin already knew because she had been snooping while she babysat the kids for a couple of days in July and saw the Father's Day card I had given Blake sitting on my dresser where I had mentioned being excited about deciding to have a 3rd child together.

I physically feel great and am back to working out 2-3 times a week. My ideal goal is four times but I am elated with three. This was a super tough week emotionally as we found out this Thursday morning that my beloved "Mema" has been diagnosed with terminal esophageal and stomach cancer and has been given just six months to live. I can't help but pray she stays around to meet her newest grandchild but I don't want her in any pain. This weekend has been filled with multiple meetings with hospice and setting up around the clock care for her. I just pray for her spirit and mood and what she is going through, now that she has been told she has cancer. We are doing everything in our power to keep her in her own apartment and as comfortable as possible.

18 weeks: 10.1.12 - Did I Stay Strong During The Sonogram?!?!

We just got home from your BIG screen debut, the 18 week sonogram and I have to say I did have an urge to find out what you were... a boy or girl. I found myself thinking silly and suddenly remembering of the two sonogram rooms they have, we were in one when we found out we were having a BOY and in the other one, across the hall, when we were told it was a GIRL! 

Guess which one we went into this time?!?!? It was the same room as.... Carter... I do wonder if that means anything? It was nice that Jan, the sonogram tech, looked to see the sex without us even noticing so I didn't even have to concentrate on being good and not looking at the screen at that point. Your heart rate was 142 and besides being ALL over the place, you looked incredibly healthy! We saw all ten fingers and ten toes, four chambers of your heart, your healthy lip to chin, your blood flow, your kidney's and brain, just to name a few.

Waiting together to see the doctor just after your first photo shoot at 18 weeks.



We painted your nursery this past week and it looks perfect. The simplicity of hiring it out and us only having to move the furniture and take things off the walls was very indicative of this pregnancy.... relaxed, happy and easy. Those have been my goals for you, me and the family and thus far, it has worked beautifully! Your dad keeps commenting on how we have to keep this relaxed, at-ease Megan around, once you come!

Do I feel you? That is the question I keep asking myself. When I am quiet and still, reading in the early mornings, sitting right now here at the computer in silence journaling, I feel these little tiny pieces of popcorn popping occasionally. No gas... so I'm pretty sure it's you saying, "hello." I just love it.

Soon, we will show the kids your first pictures from the sonogram. I know they will love it too!

18 weeks

My Last Pregnacy: Month 3

Journaling from MONTH 3: Weeks 10-13

10 weeks: 8.3.12 – I Can’t Believe We’re Already Telling People…

Last weekend, Blake and I were in South Beach, Miami for my quota trip. It wasn't too hard to hide the fact I was pregnant but this coming Saturday we leave for Hilton Head, South Carolina with The Lays and we know we will have to tell them, in anticipation of being together for six days under one roof.

I still feel very much at peace not finding out the sex and didn't even ask what the heart rate was when we were there over a week ago. Although I'm not sad I didn't even think to ask the speed, I wonder if we should have been able to listen to it because now I am sad I didn't get to hear it.

The names are still "Hallie Blake" or "Brooks?", we threw around "William" as a middle name.

I did break down here at 10 weeks and tell Jennifer and Cindy this week. They were both super excited. So now, pretty much, all four of my very best friends know!

 

At 10 weeks on vacation in Hilton Head.

11 Weeks: 8.10.12 – Gaining A TON Of Weight Now!

We are home from vacation and it's good to be 100 percent back to a normal routine. The nausea is all gone now that I have changed vitamins to the soft purple ones I had used with both pregnancies. Yea! We still haven't told anyone except the Lays since we spent 7 days with them in Hilton Head this week. Other than that, it's been a low key and fantastic week other than I have put on entirely too much weight in a 1 month time frame. All from over eating from feeling slightly nauseous all the time in July and then being on vacation for 7 days and having absolutely zero urge to work out!

12 Weeks: 8.17.12 – Feeling So Great!

Aug 17 2012: This week was fantastic. I decided to meet with a great nutritionist to make sure I have some ideas to heart well during pregnancy, I feel great. I'm still on track to meet on my goals of not gaining a tremendous amount of weight with this pregnancy, unlike the last 2 pregnancies.... but we'll see!

My belly is definitely protruding and hiding this in another 2 weeks will be near impossible.

13 Weeks: 8.24.12 – 2^nd Doctor’s Visit

Our 2nd doctors visit was this week. The heart beat was in the 160's and everything was fine! I have been fighting a bad cough for nearly 2 weeks but I have been resistant to take anything. The past month has been rough starting to being so tired. I don't know if it's just the first semester or trying to cut back some on caffeine or the combination. But besides that, this week we are focused on Carter and starting his very first day of Kindergarten this Monday! Everything I do now, I imagine three!!!!

In other exciting news this 13th week of pregnancy, since having a company car for 10 years, I have never had a new (used) personal car and after four months of searching for the perfect one, this week we made the leap in anticipation of three car seats to come. I love how it isn't as enormous has a suburban or huge SUV but still easily fits seven with room in the back. The kids have named her "Blanca" and we are all in love.

My Last Pregnacy: Month 2

Journaling from MONTH 2: Weeks 5-9

Week 5: 7.2.12

Yesterday, on our way up to the lake, we pulled up names on the smart phone. Yes, gone are the days of buying the five-inch thick books and scouring them... we didn't even have to pull up girls' names, as we both agreed instantly that "Hallie," a back up name from four years ago while awaiting Addie's arrival, was still "the one." So that was easy but what about if it was a boy? Jokingly we said, well maybe we should have a A, B and C, so we googled "boys names that start with B" and the only one we both instantly agreed upon was "Brooks." I doubt if it will be that easy... but for now, we will just play with those two and see how goes!

6 weeks: 7.5.12

... and I just called today to make my first appointment with Dr. Gallaghar for the new pregnancy appointment, complete with he/she's very first photo shoot a.k.a. sonogram. Wednesday 7/25 at 10AM.

Other random thoughts: I really don't understand how people don't know they are pregnant. With these super sore boobs, I would be at the doctor getting them checked out if they suddenly hurt when I simply put my bra on each morning. Being at the lake this weekend was easy with my light drinking family of 14 however laying out on my tummy getting some sun and putting a life vest on to go skiing, was not so easy with these super sore girls!

7 weeks: 7.13.12

We told Blake's side of the family this past week. Being under the same roof with the 14 of them for almost a week made it difficult to hide the fact I wasn't drinking while on our beach vacation and although it was insanely early, we knew this would be the last time the 14 of us would be together until Thanksgiving. It was important to Blake and I, it being our last time to share this kind of over the top exciting news, to do it in person and not over the phone. We wanted to document their reactions and make it memorable for us. We last minute decided to do it one evening, after dinner, when we ALL went down to the beach together for an evening swim/walk. After a group family picture, Blake started talking to the group about where we were going to go next year for our family reunion and how no matter where we went, we just needed to make it for 15 instead of just 14. Everyone was SO confused and thought Blake was saying that Diane had to bring a boyfriend. (That's how unexpected this announcement was from us.) About 30 seconds later, someone said, "Who's pregnant???" but still not expecting us, Blake had to say, "Look who is telling you!" it was too funny and I was busy snapping pictures of the responses, which was so much fun.

This is Blake starting to tell them the news... everyone listening but not quite understanding....



This is the moment Diane got it...



Then Jessy.

It happened in such a blur, I am just glad I was clicking away with the camera!



Just moments after sharing the big news.

Diane continued look if shock!

 

 Group shot!

8 Weeks: 7.20.12 – What Is This… NAUSEA?!?!?

I love how it feels like I have been pregnant for so long already but in reality I still have 32 more weeks to savor. Savor is exactly what I am trying to do. For the first time ever, I had a little bit of nausea. I was praying for the type that totally kills your appetite.... But no such luck. It's the kind that causes me to eat every two hours. This past Tuesday driving three hours to Victoria for work was the worst... Just this "sick to my stomach, I know I'm not hungry but the only thing that may help is some food," feeling. Wednesday and Thursday were significantly better and Friday when it returned made me realize that I had forgotten to take my prenatal vitamins the 2 days I had felt good.... so maybe we found the culprit in these nutrient filled horse pill. We'll see. I've really been taking it easy the last couple of weeks, going to bed very early and even taking occasional naps, before dinner, in the late afternoon when I am really dragging like last Tuesday.

9 Weeks: 7.25.12 - Our Very First Doctor’s Visit!

Our first doctor visit with Dr. Gallagher. It was kinda neat because it did feel a little "new" since it was at a brand new office at Westover Hills that she is at one day per week. I quickly was reminded how long the waits can be for these monthly OB appointments but knowing this was our last go around at it, we tried to enjoy the wait.

Based on the doctor's calculations, our due date is 3.3.13 (pretty cool date) however "Baby Brown" was measuring multiple times at seven weeks five days, which perfectly correlates to what I was expecting of 3.9.13. Dr. Gallagher feels more comfortable keeping with the 3.3.13 due date but I may mentally be about a week behind.

A funny memory while Dr. G was doing the sonogram was the sight of a similar circular area to what we already knew was the baby. I kinda freaked out when I kept catching a glimpse of it and was quick to ask, "What in the heck is that over there?!?!" In ended up being the "yolk sack" which will disappear soon. That was a scare enough to start thinking about tying the tubes. ;)

Everything looked healthy and good. I told her about the little bit of nausea that I was having and we decided to change my prenatals, which has pretty much 100% alleviated the issue, thank goodness.

We've known that we are pregnant for over four weeks put it feels like four months. It's crazy how early we found out. We still are up in the air about when we are going to tell family and the kids. I am thinking we will wait until twelve weeks, if we can.