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?!

Amelia's Birth Story - 1 Year Late!

 WARNING:  This is long!  If you aren't family, you probably won't care about the majority of any of this.  Even if you are family, you still may not care to read any of this...but in case you do - here it is!  This TOTALLY doesn't seem  like a year ago!  It was a CRAZY day that *could* have ended in a very different way.  :)  Enjoy...or don't...

It really all started on Monday, December 13, 2010.  I had been having some fairly mild contractions but I was a little worried because they occasionally felt like “real” ones.  Monday marked 35 weeks and I really wanted to hold her in just a little longer!  My first appointment to have my cervix checked was on Wednesday the 15^th but Judd and I were planning on going to visit family out of town.  I called my doctor to see if he could squeeze me in (just to make sure we could travel safely) that afternoon and he said that was fine.  I need to point out here that I have the most awesome doctor, ever.  He’s a close family friend and I couldn’t be comfortable in his care.

 So off to town we went to go to the doctor and then run some errands.  I checked in and got in my little big gown and waited.  My sweet nurse first said, “Ya know you technically don’t have to get checked this time.  You can wait until next time if you want.” And I told her, “I just want to make sure we can travel safely so I’m okay with being checked.”  When the doctor came in I told him that I just wanted to make sure that everything was okay before I left since my labor and delivery with Caroline was rather quick and at 35 weeks with her, I was already 3cm, 50%.  I was being checked when I saw him glance at the nurse with “something’s up” eyes.  Then he asked me, “Have you been having a lot of pains?”  I wasn’t really sure how to answer because I had had some contractions, but nothing regular or unbearable or anything.  “I’m not sure…I’ve had some, but not a lot. Why?” to which he replied, “No reason…” which was clearly to keep me from panicking. Ha!

  When it was over, he had this look on his face like he was trying to decide whether or not I could go out of town.  I got a little nervous waiting to hear what he was going to say.  He’s the most laid back doctor ever, and if he said I couldn’t go…that definitely meant something was up.  He was writing in my chart and not saying anything to me yet (this lasted about 5 seconds but felt like 5 years) so I said, “What am I?  3cm? 4cm? 2cm?”  And his reply was, “Oh you’re definitely 3cm. (He said this with a voice almost indicating that I might be more than 3cm..)  I don’t normally tell people that they can’t go out of town if they feel up to it, but you REALLY don’t need to go on this trip.”  So after talking a few minutes he assured me everything was fine but since my labor with Caroline lasted 5 hours from start to finish, it wouldn’t be wise to make a 2 hour trip away from home.  I was 3cm, 50%, -2 station.  I knew it felt like she was low...sometimes it felt like she was pushing on my pelvic bones! 

I went out and told Judd the news.  He was so shocked.  We both just knew that I would end up going to 41 weeks this time….just because I was spoiled with delivering Caroline at 37 weeks.  That was still possible!  Women walk around dilated for weeks before they have their babies!  But for some reason, I could tell my doctor didn’t think that was going to be the case with me.

We went to Walmart and bought groceries and let me just tell you…don’t go grocery shopping after getting checked when you’re fairly dilated and effaced.  Seriously.  I was cramping and totally uncomfortable.  I finally couldn’t stand it anymore so Judd finished checking out and I took Caroline and myself to the car.  When we got home I took a warm bath trying to get the cramps to stop.  Well, these cramps/contractions basically went on for 2 days.  All day Tuesday I stayed in the bed and the bathtub, hurting.  I kept telling myself that when it got unbearable or the contractions got regular or closer together, I’d call the doctor.  That never happened.  I think I took 5 baths that day because they made the pain feel better.  Thankfully, Judd took care of Caroline for me.  That night, I wanted to put her to bed.  I had an itching feeling that that might be my last night to have her as my only child.  She put her head on my shoulder and I stood there for longer than usual trying to soak it all in.  (As a sidenote, when I came out, I told Judd that I wanted him to throw his clothes in a bag just in case this was it.  Did he do that?  Of course not.  Such a man.)  

I had contractions all night long, but nothing was ever regular.  I timed them over and over and they were all over the place.  I’d have 8min, 5min, 10min, 6min, 12min, and so on.  They were definitely hurting, but nothing I couldn’t tolerate or made me cry out in pain.  I got up around 3:30am and got in the bathtub and ended up falling asleep in there for almost 45 minutes.  I woke up with more pains, and more uncomfortable.  Well Judd was planning on going duck hunting with my doctor (I told you he’s a family friend!) that morning at 5:45am.  I told Judd that after their duck hunt, maybe my doctor could run by and check me.  Judd said that was fine and he would tell him for me.  Around 4:45am my contractions started hurting a little more and I was feeling some contractions in my back.  A few minutes later after another painful contraction, I started grabbing my back (back labor!) and had tears in my eyes.  Judd said, “Are you sure you don’t want him to come by first?”  and I said, “Maybe so.  Yeah, let’s get him to come now.” (In hindsight, I’m SO glad that I changed my mind!) So Judd called him and asked him to stop by and he said that was fine. 

When he got there, Judd was getting ready to go hunting and my doctor was decked out in his camo.  When he came in, I told him – “If this isn’t it, y’all are going to have to sedate me for the next 2 weeks because I’m exhausted and can’t take any more.”  I had been contracting for 3 days and hadn’t slept a total of 7 hours.  I was SO TIRED.  That was an exhaustion I had never known.  He checked me, then the words I’ll never forget came out of his mouth.  “Yeah, you’re about 8cm…”  to which I said, “That’s not funny.”  I thought he was joking and was going to say, “Just kidding – you’re the same…just tough it out.”  But no…he said, “I’m not joking – you’re 8cm! Get up and get dressed and let’s go to the hospital! You’re having a baby today!”  I started crying out of sheer fear that Amelia wouldn’t be able to breathe on her own (she was only 35wks).  He assured me everything was going to be fine…but that I REALLY needed to get up and come on!  Judd was in the hallway when my doctor walked out and I heard my doc say, “We gotta go to the hospital!” and Judd’s surprised expression when he said, “REALLY?”  So of course he comes in the room throwing stuff in a bag and I’m putting my last minute things in my bag.  I stopped by the edge of the bed with a contraction and my doctor was standing in the doorway watching me like a hawk.  He said, “You okay?” and I said, “I hope so.”   We got my mother in law to come stay with Caroline (thank goodness she only lives a mile away!) and we got in the car.  Best part – Judd looked at my doctor and said, “Sooo…are you gonna go hunting or come straight to the hospital?”  We still laugh about that one!  “Yeah Judd, I’m gonna go see if I can get my limit in, then I’ll be up there!”  Ha!

On the way to the hospital, Judd looked over at me and said, “Happy Anniversary!” with a huge smile on his face.  Then it hit me that it was our 3 year anniversary and was soon to be our daughter’s birthday!  That was a special moment!  If we’re being honest, I was terrified I was going to have her in the car.  I just knew Judd needed to be putting on flashers and running red lights – however, he felt like he needed to wait for each light to turn green.  I may or may not have yelled at him.

When we got to the hospital, they were waiting on me at the front door.  My nurse said, “Girl you were trying to wait it out weren’t you?” and I said, “I really wasn’t!  I honestly didn’t know I was in labor!” And in all honesty, I would’ve gone in a lot sooner and gotten that epidural had I known!

 Judd parked the car while I went up and got situated in the room.  I was waiting on my epidural.  I can handle the contractions, obviously, but never do I want to feel the baby come out.  EVER.  So I filled out my paperwork and waited on the anesthesiologist to come in.  I was so happy to see him because I was in a good bit of pain.  I hugged Judd and they told me to “be still” which was almost laughable.  I felt the stick and propped back up in bed.  After the epidural, we just kind of sat around for a couple of minutes soaking in what was happening.  We had called family, but obviously none of them would make it in time!  A few minutes later the nurse said, “I’m going to check you and see where you are.”  So she came over and sat down and barely did anything.  Then she got up and just walked out without saying a word.  I looked at Judd and said, “Did she check me?”  “Yeah” he said.  I said, “No she didn’t.  I didn’t feel anything….hmm…I feel like I might need to push.”  Judd got up to tell someone and they met him at the door.  A crew of people were already coming in!  Judd looked down and said, “Whoa…her head is right there!”  Apparently there was no need to check me, she was crowning! (Thank you, epidural!) So we got set up and and my nurse said, “Okay on this next contraction we can push” and my doctor said, “You can push whenever you want, she’s coming out regardless!”  Three intense pushes later, Amelia was born at 8:11am.  We didn’t get to the hospital until 6:30am!  I couldn’t believe she was here!  Judd cut the cord, and she let out a big cry!  When she cried, I cried!  I was never so happy to hear a newborn scream her head off.  Her lungs were working perfectly and she was as healthy as possible!  She weighed 6lb 8.4oz, that’s just one ounce shy of Caroline’s birth weight at 37 weeks!  She made it just in time for Christmas!  The Lord has blessed our family with more than we deserve! 

Amelia Harper Davis

December 15, 2010

8:11am

6lbs 8.4oz

Minutes after arriving - and MINUTES before delivering!