Baby #3 Week 33

This has been an interesting week. We learned that Shep may have an issue with his kidney. We have a doctor's appointment this afternoon to learn more. We continue to pray for this little guy and that the problem resolves itself. I'm anxious to learn more at our appointment today.

I'm feeling a little frazzled about delivery. I really wanted to try to go into labor on my own but have feeling they will try to schedule something early. I'm trying to hold out as long as Shep wants.

We made some major nursery progress last week and I'm excited that the crib is in place. I spoke with a lady that will be making his bumper pads yesterday and am excited to get the ball rolling on those! We're taking a break this weekend but will hit the nursery hard next weekend and hope to have it complete within the next four weeks.

I've ordered a bunch of personalized things for Shep this week and am so excited for the packages to start arriving!

I'm really finally feeling pregnant. I have to sit back in my chair to give Shep room to move. If I sit up straight he moves around a ton. I feel like he's trying to stretch out :) It is taking me a little more effort to roll over and bend over. After a long day I'm ready to hop into bed for some rest. I get a little out of breath when I lay on my back.

Again, it is crazy to compare this pregnancy to last time. At 33 weeks with the twins I was 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. I was sent to labor and delivery because my blood pressure was high, I was having pre-term labor and they thought that I might have preclampsia. The twins also got steroid shots at this point to mature their lungs for delivery. I am so thankful that this pregnancy continues to be uneventful, that I am able to continue caring for the twins, and able to be at work.

33 weeks with Shep

33 weeks with twins

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Friday, February 28th, 2014

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Pregnancy Countdown: 49 days or less

Size of babies: A Durian (what is that?) The babiy weighs between 4.2 to 5.8lbs (Measuring in at 5lbs as of Tuesday afternoon) and should be between 17.2 and 18.7 inches long. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still at 20lbs (I was up 44lbs at this time with the twins)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, the tops are getting tiny! I had a little belly hanging out incident at lowe's this past weekend. My poor mother was so embarrassed. I need to get a few new pieces to get me through!

Gender: Boy- Arthur Shepherd Carroll

Movement: A TON! Shepherd has become crazy! Especially during 9-11am. I have to sit far away from my desk or he'll kick it and it hurts! He flips and rolls and I can see body parts sticking out of my stomach.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well. I woke up last night in the middle of the night and it took me awhile to get back to sleep because Shep was so active. I am still staying up until 11 and waking up around 6:15.

What I miss: sushi... I cannot wait to have some!

Cravings: salads. It is so weird. I totally hate salad normally but that's all I've wanted recently (well that plus dessert). I've definitely not been eating as much because I get full really easy. I can eat a pretty big lunch and then just a small snack for dinner.

Symptoms: I am getting more frequent braxton hicks. the acid reflux let up for a little bit but comes back if I eat anything with tomatoes. I just start getting incredibly hot in the evenings and I had to dry my hair with the window open (it was 32 outside) this morning. I've been having some round ligament pain on my lower left side for the past two days.

Best Moment this week: all of the sweet prayers, comments, texts, and phone calls we've received from friends this week. Shep is one very loved little boy and everyone's concern for him has been heartwarming.

5 on Friday- Hospital Must Haves for Mama

I'm linking up again for 5 on Friday!

Considering that baby is due in 8 weeks I'm starting to think about my list of hospital must haves! Here are the things that I'll be bringing with me to deliver this sweet baby boy! These are just things for mama. I'll have to come up with another list of the items I brought for baby. These are in no particular order and are just fun things to have... not the necessities by ANY means!

1. Hospital Bags

I decided that I wanted us all to have matching hospital bags when the twins were born. I ordered everyone their own Land's End canvas tote. I ordered the babies in the medium size and mine and Jay's in large. I just ordered Shep's and was so excited when it came in. These have been great to take on overnights, use as school bags, and just to tote things around! Right now they are offering 25% off!

2. Matching hospital gown/baby outfit

I ordered a delivery gown, nursing gown, and matching babies layette gowns from gownies.com. The delivery gown was great for the day after my c-section. It snaps down for nursing and made it easy for the doctor to check up on my c-section scar. It felt so much better than being in the hospital gowns and gave more coverage :) The nursing gown was super comfy and soft and I LOVED the cute matching baby gowns!

3. My own pillow and pillow case

I LOVED having my own pillow at the hospital. I ordered new cases for Jay and I to use while there. Most hospital pillows are white so people warned me against using my own cases off of my bed because they might get put in the hospital laundry on accident during bedding changes. We ordered cute gingham cases in pink for me and blue for him. I'm planning to do the same for Shep. I found these cute striped oxford shirting ones from Lands End. I can't decide if I'll like the feel of the material so I may order a few different ones and see what I like. The one's we ordered for the twins were from PBK.

4. Treats

I had some cookies made to welcome the twins arrival. We had lots of visitors stop by and all the nurses who cared for us grabbed a few cookies. The nurses truly make your hospital experience and giving them a sweet snack doesn't hurt ;) My nurses were so sweet and thankful and I'm planning on doing cookies again to welcome Shep. We also had little cups made and brought some champs to toast the new babies!

5. A 50mm f/1.4 fixed lens for your DSLR camera. 

We took sooooo many pictures during our time in the hospital and I LOVED them. I got this lens shortly before the babies were here and it was perfect for capturing their first moments. It's super easy to use and very close up. It blurs the background perfectly and easily so anyone can use it. Here's the one I got. 

5. Just a few of the more necessity items:

1. comfortable granny panties that you have no problem throwing away. trust me. don't cheap out or try to get cute looking ones... comfort is key.

2. Nursing tanks. I loved the ones from target. Pack a bunch because they will get soaked once your milk comes in. sorry for TMI.

3. Nursing pads. They had these at the hospital but I really liked the reusable ones. So much softer than the disposable kind.

4. Camera charger, computer, ipad, cords to connect camera to computer. Every few hours I would download the pictures from my camera to my computer and sync it with my picasa web albums. I did not want ANYTHING happening to those pictures!

5. Slippers and comfy socks. Due to my c-section, I did a lot of walking around the hospital to try and help my muscles feel better. Slippers were key! Find a good pair with a grippy bottom. The hospital provides socks but I wasn't a fan. I was all about being comfortable in my own stuff.

6. Make up, hair dryer, bath products from home. Call me high maintenance but I don't even use the shampoo in nice hotels. I prefer my purology to everything else. I love the smell and it made me feel so good to get all cleaned up after giving birth. 

7. I kept my hands manicured regularly before giving birth but also brought some nail polish with me for touch ups in the hospital. I wanted pretty fingers in all the pictures that were taken of me holding the babies. I went with a very light pink (Essie Ballet Slipper).

8. Robes! I loved having robes to throw on over my nursing tanks. I found some great ones at JC Penny for cheap! They had this great waffle robe that I still use today. I just checked online but couldn't find it. 

9. I went with Olian PJs for the twins delivery. They are soft and awesome but the tops are WAY to revealing. They were great for nursing at home afterwards but I'm not planning on bringing them to the hospital with me this time. I'm on the hunt for some men's style button down classic jammies that provide way more coverage. I've found some cute ones at victoria secret and brooks brothers. 

10. Your blog or journal. I tried to blog everyday from the hospital while the babies were sleeping. Some of my posts are not coherent at all but I love rereading the emotions I felt that day. There are certain parts that I would have NEVER remembered had I not written them down. It was also a great place to share little stories that family told me about the birth from their perspective.