10 Weeks–a little late!

How far along: 10 (1/2) weeks!

How big is baby:  The size of a prune!

Weight gain/loss: –1lb per my doctor’s office scale.  I’ll take it. 

Stretch marks: Except for previous ones, nothing yet.

Maternity clothes: Some.  The pants are way more comfortable if I can find the few pair that fit.  I really need to go get some jeans and a few tops.

Sleep: Pretty great! Getting up 1-2x to pee but that’s totally doable!

Food cravings or aversions: I crave anything with grease.  Horrible, I know.  Burgers, fries, pizza, chips, you name it.  If it’s greasy, I’m all over it.

Gender: Not sure yet, but everyone is calling boy.  They have a 50/50 shot of being right!

Movement: Not yet!

Belly button: Positively innie.

Exercise/Diet: Can I just delete this question? Don’t be surprised if it’s not here next (ahem…this) week.

What I'm loving: My super awesome doc gave me a quick impromptu ultrasound last week at my appointment because the stubborn baby wouldn’t let us hear the heartbeat with the doppler.  He took me back there super fast and showed him/her to me! Adorable!  Little arms and legs and a wonderfully beating heart. 

What I miss:  My new clothes that I had just purchased before I found out I was pregnant.  I look super fat in them now.  Bummer.

What's different this time:  Holy cow THE BLOAT.  With Caroline at this point, absolutely nothing had changed except I maybe needed a belly band after a large meal.  You couldn’t even begin to tell I was pregnant with her until almost 20 weeks.  Although I still look somewhat “just fat” right now, it’s definitely happening faster than the last two times.  Wonder if it means I’ll be bigger in the end or if I’ll hit some sort of plateau? 

9 Weeks

How big is baby:  The size of a large grape! 

Weight gain/loss: –1

Stretch marks: Not unless you count the ones still there from the last 2 babies… ;)

Maternity clothes: I tried getting out my maternity pants.  It was a no go.  Also, maternity clothes are just pieces of junk/disposable clothes.  All the pants have holes at the waistband and look terrible.  New jeans?  Yes, thank you.

Sleep: Feeling much better in the energy department lately.  I actually feel like getting up and doing something rather than trying to sleep every free chance I get!

Food cravings or aversions: Definitely craving sweets.  Lots of sweets.  And Mexican – as usual. 

Gender: Not sure yet, but everyone is calling boy.  They have a 50/50 shot of being right!

Movement: I wish!  Not yet, though.

Belly button: Positively innie.

Exercise/Diet: See my cravings.  That will tell you about diet/exercise.

What I'm loving: Everyone finally knowing! It’s better not having to worry about sucking in all the time.   

What I miss: Not looking fat in my clothes.  I’m at that “is she fat or pregnant?” stage and it’s not fun. 

What's different this time:  Honestly, I’ve usually gained some weight by now with my other 2 pregnancies.  Not a lot, but some.  Actually, with Caroline I had already gained a lot by now…I did better with Amelia.  Ha!  Also, I’m surviving without caffeine.  THAT is different.  Very, very different.

Maybe I’ll start pictures next week?  We’ll see….

The Power of Prayer

I usually write my posts in Windows Live Writer then it uploads them into Blogger for me.  I found this draft that I had written back in the beginning of August but never published for some reason.  I read over it and decided that I would post it now – even though it’s talking about Amelia and her crying issues.  

Do you ever underestimate the power of prayer?  I know I do.  Sometimes I catch myself going through something difficult or worrying about something just to realize that I haven’t really, truly prayed about it.  The Lord cares about even our smallest desires!  Even things that we think of as “not worth a prayer” are worth something to God.  He cares about us! 

If you have kids, this is even easier for you to apply.  When your children want something small – like a $0.25 piece of gum out of the machine, don’t you usually hand them a quarter to get the gum?  You care about even the little things that they want!  The Lord cares about you more than you can even fathom!  This means that we need to put our trust in Him and KNOW that He is going to take care of us! 

We had been having so many problems with my sweet Amelia.  There were so many days when I just thought I couldn’t take it anymore and I frequently thought of 1 Corinthians 10:13 – that the Lord wouldn’t give me more than I could handle.  She cried so much.  So, so, so much.  For nearly 7 months we listened to her cry and had no idea how to soothe her.  Obviously, I had prayed about it and asked God to help US help HER.  One night, after finally getting her to sleep, I cried in my bedroom floor begging and pleading with God to please help my baby.  She refused a bottle and I couldn’t even try to offer her anything other than breastmilk to try to help her sensitive tummy.  I begged God to please let her take a bottle so I could see if it would help her.  The next morning, on a whim, I tried a bottle.  She refused like usual but I kept trying.  All of sudden, out of nowhere, she started taking that bottle like she’d done it her entire life.  I stood there holding her and feeding her that bottle with tears rolling down my face.  God heard my prayer!  I was so thankful.  A week later, we had a new baby.  She was happier, calmer, and slept better.  

I understand that sometimes God lets us go through trials because they make us stronger.  Listening to your baby scream for 7 months is incredibly trying – especially when you have no idea why she’s screaming or hurting.  I never doubted that God was hearing my prayers, but I knew in my heart that He would help when the time was right.  

I say all of this to say, how wonderful is our God?! That we can call on him for even the most trivial things happening in our lives and know that he cares for us…it’s an amazing feeling.  When your heart is troubled, for whatever reason, call on Him.  Call on Him and KNOW that He will answer your prayer!  I try now to pray for “whatever is best” because in the last several years of my life, I have realized that I really do not know anything and he knows everything.  Instead of praying for what I want, I pray for whatever is best.  That’s a tough prayer to pray, but I’ve decided that if He feels something is best for me that I don’t, I trust Him.  My prayer life has turned from “I need ___” to “Thank you so much for ___” and when I feel like I need something, I simply say, “Lord, whatever is best in this situation, please help me figure out what that is.”  It has changed my prayer life and my relationship with Him tremendously.  I’ve become so much more thankful for my blessings.  

So give it a shot and try praying for whatever is best – and pray continually – then sit back and be patient.  God cares about even the birds in the sky!  If He cares for them, how much more then, does He care for you?  

It’s funny to read this now because I used this same “whatever is best” method when we decided we might want to have another baby.  I was worried about the timing, that they might all be too close together.  I prayed about it a lot, and finally came to the conclusion that we wouldn’t try or prevent and just let it happen when God knew it was right.  Here we are now, expecting #3 and I’m not really nervous at all.  I prayed that whenever He felt was the best time for us to get pregnant again, that He would let that happen.  So I’m not worried one bit.  I know that He is looking out for us and has plans for us! 

The Crud.

Our family – has The Crud.  You know exactly what I’m talking about.  Someone in our family has been sickly since the beginning of December.  It started with Caroline, then moved to Amelia.  It seemed to last forever with them.  Shortly after they seemed to be on the mend, I got sick, followed promptly by Judd.  Somehow, Caroline is sick again.  Ha!  I’ve also been nauseated to the point of throwing up a few times (I’m guessing it’s pregnancy related?) and that’s on top of being sick.  BLAH! We need some general wellness around here.  I say all of this with the total realization that your family is probably sick, too.  Everyone is sick right now!  I think it’s the crazy weather that gets warm then freezing then warm again.  I’ll be happy when Spring finally gets here and the weather is juuuust right.   

Y’all, the fatigue.  The. Fatigue.  I keep waiting for the day that I wake up with a little more energy and a little more the day after that.  It’s not here yet, but I’m waiting on it!  This is such a different tired than I’ve ever experienced.  I’m sleepy…so, so, so sleepy.  I LONG for naptime and bedtime (for the kids AND myself) because I know I might can close my eyes for just a few seconds.  Multiple times in the last week I have gone to bed before 9pm which is unheard of for me.  I’m such a night owl!  But lately, I’m not a night owl OR an early riser.  The more sleep, the better.  Anyone want to come keep my kids for a while?  No?  They’re cute….are you sure?  Fine. 

So, with all of my complaining aside – I’m super excited about my doctor’s appointment next Wednesday (the 25th) because we should hopefully be able to hear the heartbeat with a doppler!  When I was pregnant with the girls, I had a doppler that I borrowed from someone and I literally used it every day.  I LOVED finding their heartbeats and it was so amazing to me how quickly they moved from one side to the other and I’d go find their heartbeat again.  I don’t have access to one this time so I’ll really be looking forward to my appointments. 

I’m totally thinking that the 3rd time around (especially all so close together?) REALLY makes a difference in how quickly things seem to change physically.  I definitely have a major bloat all the time, but even when I suck in at an uncomfortable level, there is still a small pooch below my bellybutton.  The problem is, I look fat – not pregnant.  My clothes make me look like a I have a gut, but my maternity clothes from this season with Amelia are all huge because not only was I in my last trimester, but I also started out almost 10lbs heavier with her than I am this time.  So everything I already have swallows me.  I say all of that to say, if you see me with a gross looking gut, I promise, if it wasn’t so painful to suck it in, I totally would.  Also, BOO for my tailbone pain already being back!  I didn’t have it with Caroline and it didn’t start with Amelia until 16 weeks(ish) and I’m almost 9 weeks right now.  Whew!  I hope I can find ways to curb the pain this time since I know what to expect.  So again, if you see me with a donut pillow, just pretend like you didn’t see it.  Thanks.

ALL of that being said, I really do enjoy pregnancy.  Obviously the first trimester junk isn’t my favorite – but it’s necessary to get to the good parts!  I feel guilty because when I was pregnant with Caroline, I constantly thought to myself about how much I was not a fan of pregnancy itself.  I didn’t know what to expect, I was impatient, etc.  With Amelia it FLEW by and I totally wasn’t ready for it to be over just yet.  Granted, she was 5 weeks early, but I really was enjoying it for the most part.  This time, I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as possible.  As soon as the nausea and fatigue get better, this will be much easier to practice.    My absolute favorite part of pregnancy (as is most women’s) is feeling the baby move.  I didn’t feel Caroline for a long time (around 21 weeks) but I felt Amelia REALLY early (around 12 weeks) but it was only because I knew what I was looking for and it was very, very faint flutters.  They never went away and gradually got stronger and stronger so I have no doubt it was her!  I hope I feel this one early, too.  It’s such an amazing thing! 

I have no idea why I even typed this random post, but I know at least Deda will enjoy reading my nothingness.   

Hope you all have a BLESSED week!  Count your blessings and remember to thank God specifically for each one! 

8 Weeks

How far along: 8 weeks!
How big is baby:  The size of a gummi bear!  Awwwww...
Weight gain/loss: 0ish. I say ish because it goes up and down every day. 
Stretch marks: Not unless you count the ones still there from the last 2 babies…
Maternity clothes: Pulling out the pants this week.  Most of it is bloat, but why be uncomfortable when I already have the clothes? 
Sleep: Not so great.  Last night I got up 4 times to pee.  That is with me restricting my water intake before bed.  Ridiculous.  I am, however, incredibly sleepy...all the time.
Food cravings or aversions: Still don't want to eat/smell/talk about chili.  I have been craving a lot of pizza, but I tend to crave pizza all the time - pregnant or not. 
Gender: Not sure yet, but everyone is calling boy.  They have a 50/50 shot of being right!
Movement: Not yet!
Belly button: Positively innie.
Exercise/Diet: Pretty much 0 exercise right now!  My diet is whatever doesn't make me nauseated.
What I'm loving: Caroline sitting in my lap and saying, "Twoooooo babies!" 
What I miss:  Feeling like I had even a touch of energy.
What's different this time:  Well I have a horrible cold this week.  I haven't felt like doing much of anything.  First trimester yuckiness + a cold = miserable!  Also, maybe it's the insane amount of water I drink nowadays (compared to the last 2 pregnancies) but getting up to pee 4 times in one night is just unacceptable!  I kept waking up with a painfully full bladder.  Another thing that has been different - I've had some CRAZY nightmares.  This whole week I've had terrible dreams involving being chased, having a bomb strapped to me, being raped, being stabbed, having my friends blown up, etc.  Last night I actually PRAYED that God would intervene and please let me have a night without nightmares.  Thankfully, He took pity on me and I had regular ole dreams.  I am thankful!

Still can't believe that we'll be welcoming a 3rd baby in August!  It seems unreal...until I remember peeing 4 times in one night.  :)

7 Weeks

How big is baby:  The size of a blueberry! 
Weight gain/loss: 0ish.  I say ish because it goes up and down every day.
Stretch marks: Not unless you count the ones still there from the last 2 babies…
Maternity clothes: Not yet, but I'm totally in my fat jeans.
Sleep: ALL. THE. TIME.  Okay, I don't actually get to sleep all the time, but I want to.  I'm so sleepy - regardless of how much sleep I've had.  I always look napping opportunities!
Food cravings or aversions: Aversion to chili.  We made chili the other night and I didn't eat much of mine.  When it came time to store the leftovers, I had Judd throw them all away.  The smell of chili was making me nauseated.  Yuck.  It's going to make me gag just writing about it.   
Gender: Not sure yet, but everyone is calling boy.  They have a 50/50 shot of being right!
Movement: I wish!  Not yet, though.
Belly button: Positively innie.
Exercise/Diet: What's a diet?  What on earth is exercise?
What I'm loving: Seeing the baby's heartbeat on Monday!  It was just fluttering away!  I loved it!
What I miss: Not feeling queasy all the time.
What's different this time:  The tiredness is very different this time.  It blows my mind how sleepy I am after just sleeping 10 straight hours.  It's so different.  With the last two, I was definitely tired, but I was nothing like this.  This is pure exhaustion. 
I'll start doing pictures when I look less bloated and it's actually baby and not disgustingness.

Baby #3!

Well, we made it “official” by announcing it on Facebook, so I figure for those of you that I’m not friends with on FB but still read my blog – WE’RE PREGNANT! 

We also had an ultrasound today and got to see baby’s heartbeat!!  Seeing the heartbeat made me more excited and definitely made it feel real, finally.  The little heart was just beating away and we even got to hear it!  Best sound in the world, I tell ya.  Love it. 
The whole thing really came about in a funny way.  Judd and I decided we’d not try, but not prevent for a few months then start trying in Feb or March.  Well, that one month of not preventing did the trick! 
Two days before I got my positive test (I was pretty sure I was pregnant, but didn’t have the stick to prove it at that point.)  my sister and I were chatting on the phone like usual.  We hung up and said goodnight.  A few minutes later I get a text that says, “Call me for a second.”  When I called, all in one breath she said, “I have something to tell you…I’m pregnant.”  My mouth hit the floor like a rock.  I couldn’t believe she was pregnant!  She had just taken a test that night!  Obviously my first question was the personal one of “Were you trying?!” and she said, “No!” She blew my mind!  That was Friday night.
(Less than) Two days later, on Sunday morning, I got up early that morning to get ready for church and took a test.  I stared at it for a while but couldn’t see anything and as I went to throw it away I saw something.  There it was.  A faint, faint 2nd line.  I ran into the bedroom and woke Judd up and told him the news!  We were really excited!  I called Audra that afternoon and as we talked about Hannah trying to climb the stairs, I said, “Audra, I’m pregnant.”  to which she replied, “Shut up.  No you’re not.”  to which I said, “No, I really am.  I’m serious.”  Audra said, “Whatever Kacie.”  Finally she caught the seriousness in my voice when I said, “No, I really am pregnant! I took a test this morning!”  She laughed hysterically!  She thought I was making fun of her for blurting it out two nights ago!  Neither of us had any idea that the other was pregnant or entertaining the idea of getting pregnant!  It really is quite funny!
My due date is August 22, 2012.  I’m 6 weeks 5 days today.  We’re still really early, so PLEASE pray for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby with continued growth!  I’ve felt pretty good so far.  I’m SO, so, so, so, so sleepy.  By 5pm, I have a headache because I’m so tired.  I’ve had some nausea, but it could definitely be worse.  So far everything is really tolerable.  I just hope I get some energy soon!
It boggles my mind that God has blessed us with another sweet baby!  Being a mom is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I’m so blessed to be able to stay home with them.  I love them all…all three of them!  Let’s not even mention my wonderful husband!  HOW am I this blessed?!