Fourth Baby Bumpdate: 28 Weeks
Helllooo 3rd trimester! It's the final countdown. Only 10 more weeks and some change to go (if I deliver at 39 weeks again) but who's really counting? Me, of course!
I'll be honest. My nerves just about outweigh my excitement for this baby right now. Or maybe it's just the exhaustion talking?
Parenting is so much work. Three boys are keeping me hopping and wearing my patience thin. I feel like every afternoon is a battle with these kids. They have the same responsibilities every day, and yet every afternoon, I'm harping on them to do their tasks and to do a decent job. A certain child is whiny and can spiral over the simplest disappointments. (Hint: it's not the three year old.) Another child is a bulldozer -- both when it comes to getting his way and as he moves throughout the house. Slow down, kid! At dinner, someone inevitably doesn't like what I prepare, someone falls off his seat, and someone can't keep his hands to himself. Conrad still poops his pants a full year after being completely pee trained. It is so frustrating. I clean, coordinate, plan, and shop ahead of time. I run kids to their activities and never sit to watch (or chat with anyone) because I'm chasing the madman Conrad. Life is messy and noisy; someone is almost always yelling. (A lot of times it's Conrad bossing his big brothers around.) Heaven help us; we are one hot mess of a family.
And I'm supposed to juggle a baby on top of all this chaos? HOW?!? You bet I'm nervous! And utterly physically and mentally and emotionally exhausted.
But somehow, I'm still swooning over baby images I see on social media and dreaming of the day I'll have one in my own home. I can't wait to soak up all those baby snuggles and kiss those soft cheeks! I cannot wait to see what little personality is going to complete our family. Pinch me! I still cannot believe that my dream of raising four children is about to come true!
So yup, that's about how pregnancy at 28 weeks is going.
Let's dive into the monthly questionnaire.
How Far Along: 28 weeks and a few days
Size of Baby Boy: He's the size of an eggplant, about 15 inches in length, and over 2.2 pounds heavy.
Stretch Marks: Got 'em! But I don't think I've gained any new ones since the last post.
Weight Gain: Plenty. Enough said. The good news is that the doctor's office never mentions it at my appointments. They must be wise.
Maternity Clothes: Fitting tighter. I'm afraid many of my shirts have just a month left of wear until they no longer cover my tummy anymore!
Sleep: Those third trimester hormones are in full swing! Some nights I sleep like a rock. Other nights, I sleep well for a few hours and then I'm wide awake. Between the inconsistent sleep and my big belly making it harder to move and breathe, those afternoon naps are beginning to turn into a habit again. The bed is just so soft and comfy!
Belly Button In or Out: Poking out! Did you know an outie can actually wear a hole in your shirts? True story.
Food Cravings: Sweets like candy and girl scout cookies are a must have in the house right now. I'm afraid I'm not regulating myself very well. Also, I still want to make waffles for breakfast every morning. I don't, but I want to!
However, I also find myself craving fruit and a big fat fancy salad. So maybe there's some balance?
Symptoms: I still have a couple of toes dipped into the golden honeymoon phase of pregnancy, but the uncomfortable third trimester symptoms are definitely beginning to beg for attention.
You guys, the nausea is back! Albeit inconsistent and mild, but it's there all the same. Sometimes it makes water taste disgusting, so I've begun adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to my purple water bottle... that goes everywhere with me.
It took four days for my body to completely rid my ankles of the extra fluids it was holding onto after our flight back from Flordia.
My hips are getting loose and out of whack. I will probably break down and see a chiropractor (recommended by my doctor, of course) to set them straight. It's causing me occasional pain in the left lower side of my back/butt. It feels like a pinched nerve. One afternoon, I laid on the floor. It hurt so good. But then I could not get back up again! Ouch. Bron had to help me up and even then I wanted to cry for a hot minute. So lesson learned: never lay on the floor. Lol.
Other symptoms are the normal common ones: It's getting harder to breathe and bend over. Braxton hicks are happening. And it feels really good to get off my feet because being on them for any extended period of time just hurts down there.
Movement: I feel Baby Boy move all the time now! Sometimes he's tickling down low, other times he has the hiccups, but my favorite is when I can press my hand onto his tiny foot. His feet like to hang out on either side of my belly button. It's the sweetest and makes him feel so real!
Nesting: I've done all the frivolous shopping I can justify. But really, we can all agree that a new coming home outfit and a moses basket for pictures are necessary items, right? The remaining things on our list are items like a new crib mattress, car seat, diapers, wipes, and toiletries. We so got this.
This is most definitely our fourth child. I don't feel a real urgency to get anything prepared at the moment. (But maybe that will change in a few weeks?) It will take just one afternoon to wash all those tiny clothes hidden away in the attic and to rearrange a few things in the bedrooms. I teased Bron that he will probably set up the crib and buy a carseat all while I'm at the hospital. He laughed and agreed.
Favorite Moments This Month: Using my belly as a tabletop! It's an awesome perk.
Also, going snorkeling in the ocean and feeling Baby Boy kick away. I'm not sure what he thought of it! My belly also served as an ice breaker meeting new people during Bron's work trip in Miami. It was a fun conversation starter.
As much as I struggle with my body and hormones during pregnancy, I also secretly love it. The opportunity to grow a baby is such a privilege! I wear this big round belly out front as a badge of honor. There is nothing on earth quite like the anticipation of new life. I already love this baby with all my heart and soul.
What I'm Looking Forward to: Warmer weather and spring flowers! I'm also looking forward to not being limited by my pregnant body. Some hot yoga and a mountain bike ride sound so good right now!
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