Pregnancy: 3-8 months

When we found out we were pregnant I knew weekly pictures were most likely out of the question for the third child. I am now more sympathetic as to why there are fewer pictures of me as a baby/toddler. We were in the process of moving, planning to live with my in-laws, I was experiencing morning sickness and winter was approaching. I basically live in leggings and sweatshirts for 5 months and rarely had the energy or desire to play dress up. I did tell myself that I would want to document this pregnancy so I could look back on it one day and treasure the good times. 

As we get closer to the end (38W 3D) and I look forward to holding my little one, I'm also trying to savor these last few days of pregnancy. This is most likely our last one and even though it's been the toughest of the 3 I know that someday I might miss having this little guy all to myself and feeling him move around. The human body is incredible and our God created a vehicle for bringing new life into this world that is comparable to nothing else. 

Here are the moments from this pregnancy.

3 Months

How far along? 13 Weeks
Total weight gain: I don't recall. We had my first appointment about a week ago.
Maternity clothes? Not yet. All of my stuff is in storage for the time being.
Stretch marks? None yet.
Sleep: A lot. Naps are my friend
Best moment this Month: Hearing the baby's heartbeat and celebrating E's 1st birthday!
Miss Anything? Feeling normal
Movement: Not yet
Food cravings: No
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing specific, but I'm nauseous every day.
Gender: Too soon to tell.
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: nauseous
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but very tired

4 Months

How far along? 17 Weeks
Total weight gain: 4 lbs.
Maternity clothes? The BE band and leggings
Stretch marks? None yet.
Sleep: Sleep at night is hit or miss and I'm still taking lots of naps during the day.
Best moment this Month: Celebrating Christmas with our families. It's been a long time since we've done that.
Miss Anything? Sleeping at night.
Movement: Small flutters
Food cravings: No, but I've been eating a lot of chocolate.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nauseous has mostly subsided.
Gender: Not yet and we are still deciding if we want to find out this time.
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: small aches and pains
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy


C and E's comparisons

5 Months

How far along? 22 Weeks
Total weight gain: 11 lbs
Maternity clothes? Some, but I mostly live in pjs, leggings and sweatshirts
Stretch marks? No idea
Sleep: Waking up almost nightly to pee and being woken up by E's sleep regression.
Best moment this Month: Visiting friends in SD and finding out the gender
Miss Anything? Sleeping
Movement: Yes
Food cravings: No
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not right now
Gender: BOY! We waited a week before looking.
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: movements, siactica pain
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

C and E's comparison

6 Months

How far along? 27 Weeks
Total weight gain: 21 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes. Still wearing sweats while at home.
Stretch marks? I can't tell
Sleep: Sleeping at night is hit or miss. I'm uncomfortable and hot.
Best moment this Month: We bought a HOUSE!
Miss Anything? Not feeling winded walking up stairs of carrying my kids.
Movement: Lots
Food cravings: No
Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm having a lot of heartburn. I wonder if this one will have hair??
Gender: Boy!
Labor Signs: No and hopefully not for awhile.
Symptoms: Heartburn, acid reflux peeing all the time
Belly Button in or out? it's starting to pop out
Wedding rings on or off? on, but tight at times.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm not going to lie, moody and somewhat crabby

C and E's comparison

7 Months

How far along? 30 Weeks
Total weight gain: 25 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes, it's nice to have them back, but they definitely fit differently this time.
Stretch marks? Still can't tell, but hopefully not.
Sleep: I definitely don't sleep much at night
Best moment this Month: Settling into our house and hosting our first guests
Miss Anything? Being able to get around easily, not peeing every 5 minutes
Movement: Yes, mainly at night and on my right side.
Food cravings: No, but that hasn't stopped me from eating. I also had to re-take the GD test, but thankfully I passed.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this month
Gender: Team Blue
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: Painful siactica pain and congestion
Belly Button in or out? out
Wedding rings on or off? on, but tight
Happy or Moody most of the time: A combination

C and E's comparison

8 Months

How far along? 34 Weeks
Total weight gain: 29 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes and some of them feel tight.
Stretch marks? Hopefully not
Sleep: I still try to sneak a nap in when I can, but sleeping at night has been difficult. I'm constantly hot.
Best moment this Month: Getting things ready for baby and organizing the house. And joining a gym. It feels good to work out again.
Miss Anything? Getting up and down easily, not having to roll out of bed
Movement: Yes, he's very active
Food cravings: Still none.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Gender: Team Blue
Labor Signs: pelvic pain and back pain
Symptoms: BH contractions
Belly Button in or out? definitely out, heartburn, congestion
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: I've been pretty crabby and short with the kids this month

C and E's comparison

Maternity Pics

This year we opted to take our own maternity pics, because I really wanted newborn and/or family pics after the baby arrives. Capturing that moment in time is priceless and pricey. Here are several of my favorites. I am 37 weeks. I'll be the first to admit, this pregnancy has been different from my other two. I haven't felt great about myself and have rarely had my picture taken, but I'm so thankful to my hubby for indulging me and taking these. I know that I will treasure looking back at them.

Thoughts on Motherhood

With Mother's Day right around the corner I wanted to share a few thoughts on motherhood. With the arrival of our third quickly approaching, I'm realizing how sacred, unprepared and excited I am. I know things are about to change AGAIN.

First, motherhood is hard. I would venture to say it's the hardest job out there. You're responsible for raising little humans, teaching them basics - letters, numbers, colors, shapes etc. to building respect, caring for others and learning empathy and humility. It's not for the faint of heart. There are many days when I am physically, mentally and emotionally worn out before the end of the day. Some days are filled with tears from both me and the kids (we don't have too many of those days, but they do happen.) There are also so many joys that accompany motherhood. Watching your baby smile at you for the first time, the hugs and "i love yous" to name a few.

Motherhood has become some what of sport over the years. With the presence of social media everything is documented the good and the bad. There have been times, when I've had to take a break from social media in order to allow myself to make mistakes and not feel like a total failure. Most of us post only the good stuff because it's embarrassing to share our failures. We silently judge each other intentionally or unintentionally. The worst part is we are forcing our kids to grow up faster these days and put undue pressure on our toddlers. Instead of letting them play and use their imaginations we have them scheduled from the time they wake up until bedtime. I lose my temper all.the.time, but I try and make sure they know they are loved at the end of the day.

I feel like I have been through both extremes. It can drive you crazy. I love to decorate and plan parties etc, but I have found myself worrying more how I'm pulling off the party instead of enjoying it. So, over the past year I've tried to live more in the moment and not document everything. It's been freeing. I still enjoy taking pics of my kids and want to have cute shots, but I'm enjoying the not so perfect ones too. I also love to decorate the house for holidays but I realize life will still go on if that one project doesn't get finished. Plus my kids (and husband) could care less.

I am constantly in awe of how my mom did motherhood without the technology we have today. She had to be creative with her days and how to keep us entertained. We did have a tv but no cable, so that left us with PBS as really the only station with children's programming. I remember my mom always planning fun activities to engage us and Pinterest didn't even exist. Looking back I realize how much she sacrificed for us - time, sleep and her own interests. That's definitely something I took for granted until I had my own kids. It's something I hope to do with my own kids, but rarely find the time.

This Mother's Day I think we should cut each other some slack. We are all trying our best to survive and create the best childhoods we can. With that said here are a few ideas to spoil all the moms out there.

Bourbon and Boweties Bracelet
Bourbon and Boweties Necklace
Bourbon and Boweties Pearl Bracelet
Tory Birch Sandals
Nars Illuminator
Gold Boyfriend Watch
Crossbody Bag

I hope all the moms out there feel spoiled and loved on Sunday, no matter what they do.