a little sister

We found out today that Lily and Oli will have a baby sister come September and we are SO THANKFUL. She's measuring right on target and 100% healthy so far. Jesus, you give good gifts and lavish us with your grace. And a GIRL! Oh... my heart was hoping :)

illustration by Slovly, and such a ringer for Lily + her baby sister :)

Pregnancy Sweet Spot (aka middle of the 2nd trimester)

Guys. Life is GREAT. At any given time, sure, there are things a prego in my shoes could complain or worry about. The leg and foot cramps have begun. Already. Any day now I'll be too big to carry both of my toddlers down the stairs at the same time, and then how the heck are we supposed to leave the house? But those thoughts can wait. Because pregnancy is so sweet right now.

Why?

Baby is starting to kick, but not in a painful, annoying, ruin-your-sleep kind of way. More like in a sweet, gentle, reminding-you-I'm here kind of way. And I love it! It wasn't too long ago I was in the ER with a friend (Brad was out of town) with severe cramps, sure I was miscarrying. Those kicks are signs of life for me and I am so thankful for every.single.one.

Nausea and vomiting are gone, and I haven't felt those wicked symptoms in weeks. I also haven't had to take the anti-pregnancy-nausea pills in months, which made me even more exhausted than I already was. I can enjoy food as a result, and cooking and baking too.

I'm showing and maybe even glowing. I don't know about the last part - but I've heard it once or twice. Probably more the glow you get when you haven't showered in a couple days and your kids are making you laugh and it's finally hot outside and you've been chasing the toddlers around. That glow, that's not at all related to pregnancy, is probably more the one I have, but I'll take the compliment :) And showing is great because people always give me their seats on the metro and I get a lot of smiles and kindness from the general population at large.

Our kids can see I'm pregnant and they're excited. Lily didn't know what the heck was happening when she was 4.5 months old and I ran to tell her the good news that she was going to be a big sister. Obviously.  But now she's 2.5 years old and well aware, she's even told us without a doubt that the baby is a girl! And even Oli understands a bit - at least much more than she did when I was pregnant with him! He kisses my tummy and says "baby!" a lot and cuddles it too.

I have some energy again, so I'm enjoying it. The 1st trimester and 3rd are often just such a blur of exhaustion, but the 2nd trimester really is grand. Some moms I know say they've never had more energy, and while I can't relate to that, I am feeling so much better than before that it seems that way. I'm loving taking the kids out in this nice weather and getting things done during some naptimes if I'm feeling extra empowered.

I'm realizing that my 3rd child is coming... soon! The 1st trimester is all about survival. I don't think much beyond the toilet bowl. I can't pretend I spend those early weeks dreaming of the baby who is being knit together in my womb. I'm thinking about what I ate last and how it's making me want to vomit. But now, I'm in a place where I can prepare, dream, and long for our third little sapling. I've begun buying some things we need (some cloth diapers in size 1, a car seat, etc), and I've started to prepare and get excited even for breastfeeding. I know September will fly by (and baby could come any time that month too!) and we have a busy summer ahead so he'she will be here before we know it!

it's a sweet sweet time and I'm savouring every last drop.

The Drop Box

Here's a trailer for a documentary I'd just love to see. A pastor in South Korea started a ministry/orphanage based on babies dropped in a box by unwilling/unable mothers. In South Korea, like many places in the world, thousands of babies die from abandonment (often in the streets, hours after birth). This pastor wanted to provide another option. To be the salt and light and love of Jesus to these mothers and to their babies. What a man and what a legacy! I cried so much in the trailer, I think I need to re-watch it because I'm sure I missed parts.

"The Drop Box" - Documentary PROMO from Brian Ivie on Vimeo.

prego stats - week 17

How far along: 17 whole weeks!

Total weight gain: 5 lbs

How big is baby: an onion

Maternity Clothes: yes, sir! 

Sleep: It's funny. The 2nd trimester brings more energy, to be sure, but I still have the odd day where I can hardly scrape myself off the couch/bed/floor/laundry heap. Today was one of those days. I skipped napping this morning because I slept for a good 8 hours last night and felt rested. Plus someone was coming over to buy some old cloth diapers from me that I listed on craigslist, in the middle of nap time. And then I went out on a walk with Morgan and the kids and felt great. Until about 3:30pm. OH MY WORD. Morgan left around 4pm, and at 4:45 I woke up on the reading ottoman corner in the kids room, no idea how I got there. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is what you call tired.

Best moment this week: feeling baby movement and planning for baby #3 has been so fun!

Movement: YES! Occasionally I feel it, and I love it. It's so reassuring and I am reminded of the great gift I'm carrying each and every time. Need to remember that when the movement is less joyful and more painful and inconvenient in the 3rd trimester :)

Food cravings: I'm eating Lebanese take out right now. Does that answer your question?

Food aversions: Still some meats, but basically nothing anymore.

Gender: FIFTEEN MORE DAYS, PLAYERS! I can't wait to find out. Vote on the sidebar for the sex you think it'll be. Because it's fun, and for no other reason :)

Labor signs: n/a

Belly button in or out: Out.

What I miss: energy, my old clothes, the days before stretch marks (but that was 3 years ago...)

What I'm not loving: Constipation like woah. Is that TMI?

What I’m looking forward to: OK this deserves a post all to itself, and one is coming this week, but get this: NURSING. I know, me, who had two horrific experiences complete with poor latching, low supply, mama guilt like woah, evil laleche ladies telling me I'm a bad mom and all the rest of it.... I am excited to try nursing again. 

What I'm loving: Oli kissing my tummy and saying "baby!" all the time, and Lily asking if she can "hold" the baby (and then putting her two little hands on either side of my bump). These two are going to be great big siblings!

Milestone(s): 2nd trimester, movement, and breast tenderness and tingling (signs of milk production, we hope!).

prego stats - week 16

I am LOVING being pregnant this week. Of course, I'm tired, but the absence of nausea and vomiting are not lost on me. I am SO thankful to be at week 16 of a healthy pregnancy, past the terrible morning sickness and crippling fatigue, and still small enough to get around without a fork lift :) Life is good. And now, les stats.

How far along: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: 5 lbs (I was 4 lbs up last week at my appointment, so I'm estimating)

How big is baby: avocado

Maternity Clothes: I'm in a tough spot because a lot of maternity clothes I own are too big for me (from previous pregnancies, hand-me-downs, etc. I have two pair of skinny jeans (one blue one demin) and I love them both, but they're the only two that fit me, so I'm debating buying more. I would love to wear my other jeans but they're not fitting right, though they probably will later on in pregnancy (as if I'll need long pants in August, though!)

Sleep: Some days I don't nap, and that hasn't been the end of the world this week. I'm still trying to get more than 8 hours at night and 2 in the day, but that's not always happening with life and all.

Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move about in my womb. YES! BABY MOVEMENT! Earliest I've felt it yet, but that's not uncommon for a third pregnancy, I'm told.

Movement: holllllller.

Food cravings: Not really this week. I'm cutting back on sugar and trying to eat healthy since my appetite is finally resembling that of someone carrying another human. I'm HUNGRY.

Food aversions: still whole chicken, which we used to cook once a week! I'm not sure why, but it's the last aversion I can shake. Brad misses his favourite roast chicken, but I sure don't right now!

Gender: Guys, am I a bad mama if I hope it's a girl? I know if/when I find out it's a boy I'll eventually be thrilled (and Oli rocks my world), but right now it feels like so long since we've had a baby girl in the house and it's all I can think about. We'll find out April 30th! Get your vote on! (sidebar)

Labor signs: n/a

Belly button in or out: out and proud.

What I miss: having lots of clothes to wear! options in the closet!

What I'm not loving: heart burn + constipation are getting niiiice and comfy around here.

What I’m looking forward to: April 30th. Duh. And a check up I have on the 25th just before. I just love checking in with my fabulous doctor and hearing the heart beat :)

What I'm loving: every.single.week. Seriously, this pregnancy (maybe because we had to try longer than the first two, maybe because we had two scares early on, or maybe because we're grieved with many many friends who've miscarried during this pregnancy) is such a blessing. I am not taking it for granted and I am in awe of God.

Milestone(s): movement!

prego stats - week 14

After weeks of silence, today I'm catching up. You can read about week's 12 and 13 in one big post below, and I'll do this week separately, since it's still in real time. Guys, week 14 has been GOOD. My nausea is almost gone (still only slight bits but usually only in the morning or if my stomach is empty) and I'm feeling loads better and eating regularly now. I'm still tired like no tomorrow though. Thank goodness for naps!!

How far along: 14 weeks

Total weight gain: Not sure, maybe 5lbs? Will find out on Thursday at my appointment. 

How big is baby: lemon

Maternity Clothes: yep! or yoga gear or pjs...

Sleep: naps are my best friend. 2-3 hours daily or ELSE! (seriously "else" means going to bed shortly after the kids do...)

Best moment this week: Brad told me he was open to one of my FAV girl's names that he has previously refused... I am over the moon! And so hoping we have a girl now so we can use it :)

Movement: I thought I may have felt something this week! It's early, but they say when it's your 3rd or 4th baby you feel things sooner (and also know the feeling apart from gas, etc). So I don't know for sure, but I *may* have!

Food cravings: still sea food! I made salmon on Saturday (don't worry, I'm within my weekly allowances for it!) and last night I made the most delicious fish tacos! Here's a link to the recipe. We added tons of guacamole instead of sour cream and didn't add cheese. 

Food aversions: still meat a little bit...

Gender: too soon. we find out April 30th! vote on the sidebar!!

Labor signs: too early

Belly button in or out: OUT!

What I miss: energy...

What I'm not loving: fatigue

What I’m looking forward to: finding out the gender, hearing the heart beat on Thursday again.

What I'm loving: the 2nd trimester!

Milestone(s): see answer previous ;)

prego stats - week 11

Ok, time is flying! I thought I was 10 weeks and then double checked and I'm ALMOST 12. what a blessing when that happens, right? So let me get y'all caught up.


How far along: 11 weeks
 

Total weight gain: 0-3lbs? I really don't think it's been more, but fret not. I'm eating LOTS now and baby is the perfect size. I just am the type to gain less at the start and then a lot later on. Stretch marks are proof :)

How big is baby: a lime!

Maternity Clothes: sometimes yes, sometimes no. depends if I even get dressed, ok? but I'm going to Florida next week and picking up my stash from Gap.com!

Sleep: preg-somnia has reared her ugly head and I've definitely had a few nights where it doesn't matter how tired I am, I can't sleep. I should be thankful for the extra energy, but it's coming at the worst times of day!

Best moment this week: meeting my BFF's newborn daughter in Ontario. It reminded me of everything I'm doing right now, which is easy to forget. A baby is cooking in ME! What a joy. I may have even been slightly motivated to breastfeed a third time seeing her tackle it. 

Movement: too early

Food cravings: oh, it depends on the say! right now, chocolate, so I'm making microwave molton lava cake in a mug. Check Pinterest for my recently pinned recipe!

Food aversions: I still don't want much meat, but it's getting better.

Gender: too early, but I think it's a girl since I'm puking more this time around (similar to with Lily). Sure I have wild nausea for pregnancy ALWAYS, but actual vomiting was a lot more for Lily than with Oli. And this time too :)

Labor signs: too early.

Belly button in or out: In, but like I said, hovering! It'll be out in a couple weeks for sure as my bump grows.

What I miss: energy, wine, beer, cider, gin and tonics, sushi. Lately since I have my appetite back, I'm actually craving things on the naughty list unlike before.

What I'm not loving: still have some nagging nausea, being tired, lower back pain slowly coming back.

What I’m looking forward to: finding out the gender (April 30th!). Does anyone else love finding out the gender because it totally breaks up the LONG 40 week wait of pregnancy? Thankful to have something to look forward to that is sooner than September!

What I'm loving: Lily prays for the baby now, Oli kisses my tummy, I am starting to feel better and eating good food again!

Milestone(s):none that I can think of this week...