Well it's true.... we are expecting #3! Due July 16. We will find out if it's a boy or girl on Feb. 23rd.
First of all we are all SUPER excited. We really are, but this pregnancy has not been fun or easy in even the slightest bit. Even though I was sick for the first 17 or so weeks with Baron, his entire pregnancy was super easy compared to this and I was so healthy and exercising a ton and feeling great up until I went into labor while pushing Jackson in the BOB stroller on our workout walk up and down some rolling hills. It also seemed to go by super fast. Sure it helped that during that pregnancy was John's last term of school, I was super busy managing a complex while also watching another little boy a few months older than Jackson (so like having 18 month twins), we moved just before 20 weeks to Portland, went on a 3 week vacation, John started his job at a big 4 firm and so on. Lots of big changes in a small amount of time= time flying by.
I really took for granted how easy it was- I just assumed each pregnancy would be similar. #3 has been giving us a run for our money however. I have once again been super sick- dry heaving and throwing up throughout the day, day after day. Being pregnant last spring/summer and then having a 3 month break after the miscarriage before getting right back into the puking has made it seem like I've been pregnant already for 6 months and my body this time is breaking down majorly. I have never felt so weak and worn out. I am at 17 weeks now and just praying it stops soon so I can just get my strength and sanity back. The only good thing from being so sick and living on a diet of cereal and applesauce is that I have just now gained 1 pound from the weight I started at before getting pregnant again, even though I have a little belly. It makes me not feel so guilty for all those brownies and mashed potatoes and sorbet I've been pounding in those few moments there's been a break from the nauseousness.
To top that off, at 13 weeks I randomly had some heavy bleeding one night and we had to head into the ER. It was a very scary trip- we thought we were losing this baby too. Luckily, after 3 anxious hours of waiting, we finally were able to get an ultrasound at close to midnight and there was our little fighter, heart beating strong and punching away.... he/she was literally punching me in between summer salts on the ultrasound. We were sent home with this: "Well, the baby looks healthy and the right size and everything, but we don't know why you are bleeding, so we'll call it a 'threatened miscarriage.' Go home and stay in bed and call your OBGYN in the morning". We both just didn't know what to think. The next morning the OBGYN took a look at the pictures and had us come in and explained that what really happened was that I had a low lying placenta- which when it happens later on in pregnancy is called placenta previa. Baby was perfectly fine, I just needed to be on pelvic rest (not bed rest though!) and take it easy and come in ASAP for any other problems. Part of needing to take it easy is because I also have been already having braxton hicks contractions since 13 weeks, which isn't good because they push my placenta and everything even further down. Anyways, long story short, no exercise, heavy lifting and that other thing... and the hope is that by my 20 week appointment things will have moved back up and the rest of the pregnancy will go smoothly.
Alright, now time for the positive, right? I do feel very blessed through this though. One tender little mercy has been that I started feeling this baby move at about 15 weeks and have been feeling him/her more and more everyday since then. It has been a wonderful blessing... I really feel like it's this little fighter's way of calming my fears and letting me know, "I'm still here, going strong!" I also feel so blessed to be supported by so many good friends and our ward family. It's been nice to finally announce it so I didn't have to keep pretending I felt great and normal everyday. So many have been so excited for us and so helpful bringing dinners a few times and offering to watch the boys. My sweet friend Lisa, (who totally gets the daily and long lasting nausea), brought over a "survival kit" one night filled with all the things that are helpful and that I love... it was so sweet and so appreciated. I really do feel so loved and watched over.
Another blessing- Jackson and Baron have been so sweet and understanding.... and so good!! Jackson asks all the time if I need anything and if he can help me with something. Baron brings me treats (usually after he's already scrounged and eaten most of them himself first), and has even been more cuddly. They both have been so great with playing with toys and being self sufficient when needed. I am SO grateful they are older. I don't know what I would do if I had a 1 year old right now. I wouldn't even be allowed to pick them up... it would be a lot more difficult. Plus Jackson and Baron are so good... they are seriously so easy and good about going with the flow. They are the best. They keep me going. They are both also very excited about the baby and love to ask what the baby is hungry for and have already come up with all the different characters from Star Wars the baby could pretend to be and what color light saber we should get for him/her once their born.
Lastly, I cannot forget to mention how wonderful the hubs is. I know it can be annoying when other people get all mushy about their significant other, but this guy deserves a shout out. He has worked his little buns off (and I say little because the guy has managed to lose nearly 25 pounds in the last few months by running and eating healthier! woot woot!!). Seriously though, he has really stepped up and been a life saver, and all without a single complaint. He cooks, he cleans, grocery shops, entertains the boys and gets them to clean up their room, and even still finds time to rub my feet at the end of the day. And all this while still working his full time job bringing in the dough to provide for our little family. I love this guy. I am going to keep him around for forever for sure =).
This pregnancy really has seemed like forever and the longest pregnancy ever. Unfortunately I am just shy of half way there... sigh. I just really wish we could fast forward to July! But since we can't, I'll try to work on my patience and we'll keep going on the best we can, looking forward to the day when we finally get to meet our new little one and hold them in our arms.
