Baby #3 Week 36

Well here we are... uncharted territory. I didn't have an old 36 week post to reference because the twins were making their debut at this exactly point 21 months ago. I'm still feeling pretty good and energetic. We didn't have any appointments this week so things are pretty much the same.

I can say that I am definitely feeling pregnant now. I'm large and in charge. I am having a hard time fitting into maternity clothes because my belly is BIG. My trusty old navy tanks from last time are still fitting with room and as soon as I get home I pair one of those with comfy leggings. I'm still not at the point where I want to deliver, actually quite the opposite. I've got less than four weeks to go and so far so good!

I'm feeling lots of pressure and would guess that baby is head down. I'm feeling a lot of movement/kicks in my hips and it's a weird sensation. At 5 foot 2 there is not a ton of room for baby in my belly. He seems much happier when I am standing up or laying down vs. sitting.

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Friday, March 21, 2014

How Far Along: 36 weeks 

Pregnancy Countdown: 35 days until due date!

Size of babies: A Coconut. The baby weigh between 4.2 to 5.8lbs and should be between 17.2 and 18.7 inches long.  I'm guessing S is measuring at a good 6lbs by now

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I'm up a pound this week making the total 25 lbs. Not too bad. I am still feeling swollen but not NEARLY as bad as with the twins. Rings are still on but shoes are a little snug. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes, all maternity

Gender: Boy- Arthur Shepherd Carroll

Movement: Lots of movement.

Sleep: The heartburn is creeping back in and I've woken up twice for tums (could be the fact that I had spicy food and oj before bed too)

What I miss: drinking a beer on the deck

Cravings: Seriously craving sweets. Dinner is not complete without dessert. I've also had a think for oj lately.

Symptoms: Heartburn and lots of contractions. Some that stop me in my tracks but nothing consistent. Also lots of round ligament pain getting in and out of the car or standing up too quickly.

Best Moment this week: sunny days playing outside with my kids! This sunshine has made us all sooo happy!

Baby #3 Week 34

This has been one of my most uneventful pregnancy weeks and I'm am so thankful for that. I'm still in a little bit of shock that this baby will be here in 6 weeks or less. Pregnancy is still going really well and I am not to the point where I am begging the doctor to get him out :)

I am feeling the pressure of getting the nursery together and washing baby clothes. Little Shep has a pretty good selection of newborn stuff and I've been ordering lots of 3 month stuff to match his siblings. I've got a bunch of gowns and hats to monogram. 

I ordered Shep some baby blankets and they just arrived! I'm so excited to see his name in the room. We also brought his glider home this weekend and I love how it looks in his nursery! We also brought home a side table from Jay's house. The table is Jay's grandmother's grandmother's (Granny Massey). I guess that would make it Shep's great (Helen) great (Helen's mother that passed away during childbirth) great (Helen's grandmother) Grandmother. The twins LOVE going in "sep's" room. They try to scale the crib and climb in his rocker. I think they might be a little jealous of little brother's room.

new chair! the wall color on the left is the color of the room. the color on the right is the old color of the room. we're putting the pallet wall up on the right wall this weekend and didn't want to waste time painting it. Jay is painting the trim tonight and hopefully spraying the closet doors if the weather is good this weekend.

This room is pretty teeny tiny so I can't wait to get all this extra stuff down (anyone want a random leaf hanging thing or an asian inspired floor lamp? Jay will randomly decide to be a decorator and will bring stuff like this home AND will put it up. I think he does it to see how long it will take me to notice. Most of the time it's been up long enough that I don't do anything about it but often I make him take it down... we also have a random CAFE clock in our bedroom)

can't wait to rock my baby in this chair!

Last pregnancy I didn't really worry about going into labor on my own. I was out of school when the babies were due and thought, if it happened at all, it would happen at home. This year my plan is to work until my due date. All of a sudden I had a very real fear that my water would break in the middle of class. I teach business and computer technology classes and my classes are pretty male dominated. That would totally FREAK them out. My plan is to stay seated behind my desk as much as possible. I'm also keeping a towel and change of clothes just in case. To add to it, one of my students actually brought it up the other day so I'm guessing they are wondering about the same thing I am! 

Pregnancy Highlights:

Today's Date: Friday, March 7th, 2014

How Far Along: 34 weeks 

Pregnancy Countdown: 42 days or less (OMG)

Size of babies: A butternut squash. The baby weigh between 4.2 to 5.8lbs and should be between 17.2 and 18.7 inches long. Shep was measuring in at 5 lbs 12oz last Friday so I'm assuming we've reached the 6lb mark this week. Whoa Baby!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still up 20lbs. I assume I should be gaining more weight in the next few weeks but keeping it under 25lbs would be fabulous. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes, the shirts are getting shorter and shorter. I LOVE my old navy maternity tanks because they keep everything covered. I am resisting buying shirts with all my might and just keeping the 5 shirts I have in a rotation. Come on spring weather!

Gender: Boy- Arthur Shepherd Carroll

Movement: Yes but it has calmed some since he flipped head down last week. Before I had arms and legs jabbing me but now its just legs. He loves smoothies. The bump tells me that the baby has started to descend a little making it easier to breath but harder on my bladder, bringing me too...

Sleep: It is getting rougher. I've woken up twice each night. Once to tinkle and once because my arm is killing me. I am still recovering from tearing my ac joint and the pain has actually gotten worse as my arm has become more mobile. I find myself sleeping with my arm above my head and then waking up in excruciating pain. I've got to keep up with the PT exercises my sister gave me. I'm still taking a tums before bed to keep things in check.

What I miss: red wine! We went out with H & EC's preschool class last night and I would have LOVED a glass of red!

Cravings: none really this week. my eating has slowed down. I try to eat a big lunch and then a smaller meal at dinner to keep my reflux in check. 

Symptoms: braxton hicks like WHOA. I'm not sure if it's round ligament pain or what but getting in and out of Jay's car is PAINFUL. I have to use the restroom more frequently and my skin just broke out :( 

Best Moment this week: date night with my husband.

Happenings

oh the drama...

this week has been CRAZY and I'm so ready for the weekend. We have plans to spend a LOT of time in the nursery. I'm so ready for it to be done. We just got all of the fabric yesterday and the lady that is making the bumper pads and crib skirt is coming by this weekend to get measurements and start creating! I am so excited! I've been an etsy addict and have to keep my finger away from the add to cart button. I am looking for baskets and artwork to finish the room. I want to create something ourselves but fear we are running out of time. I'd like to hang some artwork over the crib but am not sure which way to go. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I really love sayings and letters. I'm also thinking a cool collection of wall clocks but not sure that I have enough time to curate that. I'm craving a day spent antique hunting for cool nursery accessories. 

I'm feeling more and more pregnant and had my first wake up to tinkle last night. I was so confused when I looked at the clock and realized it was 3am. I went to bed at 9:30 and felt completely rested when I woke up. I really needed some catch up on sleep. It can't believe that baby will be here in 6 weeks omg. I'm working on scheduling newborn pictures and just ordered some outfits for the family to wear. We haven't had professional pics made since September and it's time to capture these crazy toddlers with their sweet little brother. I'm having internal debates over what to spend on newborn pictures. I want quality photos and all of the digital negatives but don't want to spend what we did on the twins. I found an amazing photographer (she is shooting my sister's wedding) but unfortunately, she isn't taking new lifestyle clients right now. Any suggestions for a natural-light photographer in Charlotte?

I guess I can officially declare that I decided to give up "highly" processed foods for lent. I originally was going to give up all processed foods but mama ain't got time for that right now :) I'm basically giving up fast food and sweets that I didn't make myself. People have accused me of using lent as a kick off to a diet but really it is amazing how many times I reach for a piece of candy or other processed treat and I think about why I can't have it. Each time I think about Jesus and the sacrifice he made. So far (only day 2) I like how this is working out for me. I'm also planning to try a Sunday School class. Attending church is great but I'm really feeling a need to get plugged in with our church and not be just another body in the pew. 

I've been tutoring a LOT after school and it's wearing on me. I miss seeing my babies and keep them up a little later just for some quality time. I have sweet students that have requested tutoring and it's hard to say no (and the money doesn't suck either). I feel like we're going balls to the wall knowing that come April 18th we will have a MAJOR slow down (I know most people are thinking that a newborn will not slow our lives down but I'm pumped to be at home everyday and hanging out with my babies... not being at work will majorly slow our lives down) and I am so excited for it!

Jay and I are trying to plan a staycation babymoon for sometime within the next 4 weeks. We have dreams of sleeping in the heavenly bed at the Westin and going to a nice dinner uptown. I'm trying to decide if a night uptown, or a weekend at the Ballantyne Spa would be a better bet. Anyone been to the spa for an overnight? Any suggestions of other great Charlotte staycation ideas? My main goal is to eat great food, relax, and spend some quality time with Jay.

Happy Early Birthday Jay!

After an insanely busy week, we set off for Asheboro last Friday night to visit for the weekend and celebrate Jay's birthday. We were supposed to go this weekend but I'll be 34 weeks and the doctor has recommended that I not go on any overnight travel so we rescheduled.

Its easiest to leave around bedtime so at 8pm we loaded up. We turned on Nemo and this guy stayed up til we turned it off at 9. He LOVES Nemo. The other day we were driving and he kept whining and pointing and I couldn't figure out what he wanted. My mom realized that he was pointing at the DVD player. I don't let them watch movies on it unless we are traveling so he was pretty disappointed! 

I'm not a fast food person but this is one of my exceptions. I LOVE biscuit company's chicken biscuits. After feeding the kids breakfast, Jay and I ran a few quick errands and stopped by biscuit company for breakfast.

we came back and gave the kids a bath. does anyone else's child drink the water (yuck)? We cannot get them to stop and it grosses me out.

Jay's mom wanted to taked us out for a Chick-fil-a lunch so we headed to the *booming* Randolph Mall. The kids met some of Jay's mom's friends at lunch and then enjoyed playing in the play area. They had a little obsession going on with this hippo!

me in my 8 month pregnant glory

we put the kids to bed and Jay and I went on a little date to grab some froyo. They had woken up by the time we got back and we found this monkey waiting for us at the door!

Jay's family and his mom's friends came over to celebrate his birthday! Holden and Emma Cate loved playing with their Aunt Ivey!

Happy Early 29th Daddy!

We went out to brunch on Sunday and the kids were in really good moods. Uncle Dean was playing hide and seek with Holden and had him giggling and smiling soooo good that I had to snap a few pictures!

i hate that my baby looks so adorable in light blue...

We drove home during nap time and the babies were just waking up as we pulled into Charlotte. My Dad was in town for the weekend so Jay suggested we stop by my parents' house to visit before going home. They had some tasty Mardi Gras treats for the babies and unfortunately, they ended up all over them! The weather was sooo gorg and the babies were begging to go outside. They loved playing in diapers in the warm sunshine.

this is his ah-pane (airplane) face. he stops whatever he is doing when he hears an airplane

such a fun weekend celebrating our favorite Daddy!

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.

A look at the week

A look at our week

Our Monday started off crazy! My mom was walking the kids to her car to head to preschool and lost her keys in the process of putting Emma Cate in the car. Luckily I was running late for school so I was able to help her look. We searched and searched and couldn't find them anywhere (and still can't). She ended up driving my car to work and dropping me off in carpool line. She had a doctor appointment after school so she picked me up and we dropped her at the doctor and the babies and I killed some time at target while we waited.

This girl is loving accessories lately. She kept these ears on the whole time we were at target.

We got home and the babies discovered Shep's room. They both ran to the crib and begged for me to put them in. They were having a ball in there. They bounced like crazy. We went for a different mattress this time around and it is soo much bouncier. I was afraid the kids would fly out of the crib. We will definitely be lowering this one earlier than last time. 

I told them to take a nap and this is what they did.

The week has been crazy with Jay being at baseball every night until 7. This leaves me with getting dinner cooked and feeding and bathing the kids all with a healing arm and shoulder. Holden found our scrub brush under the sink and went to town. This is their new favorite activity. It kept them busy for 45 minutes. I need to buy another scrub brush. Jay laughed at me for turning out children into housekeepers. 

On Tuesday we headed to the doctor for our ultrasound. I know it's silly but I asked Jay to take a selfie before we went. We don't have a lot of pictures of us during this pregnancy. This is also the day we learned that Shep has an issue with his kidney. We are off the specialist today to learn more. 

Back at home we played outside while dinner cooked away in the crockpot. It was a little chilly but I'm so glad we are able to start getting outside to play.

The lawnmower is a twin favorite and might be one of those items that I purchase two of!

This guy was such an explorer. He loves everything around him. He was into leaves, sticks, grass, you name it. He is a great listener and always stayed close to me (unlike his sister). We practiced throwing and kicking the ball. Both babies got a huge kick out of mommy passing them the ball. Maybe we've got some future soccer players :) 

I look crazy in the pictures below but I'm trying to get in more pictures with the babies. We have an old wooden bench swing and the babies love to climb in my lap and swing. I took advantage of the closeness to take a few pictures.

Wednesday was another crazy day! I didn't get home from work until 5:15 and Jay had baseball until 7. We scrapped dinner plans and went to Flying Biscuit with my mom instead. Wednesday nights are 1.99 kids meals and the restaurant was not busy at all. The servers were soooo accommodating and brought my hungry kids biscuits to munch on while they waited for their food. 

Jay met us at Flying Biscuit and took the kids home to do naps and bedtime. My mom and I met my sister for dessert at Nan and Byron's (the most yummiest brownie ever) and then went back to her house to sew for a bit! I got home just in time to watch the State vs. UNC game. It was a nail bitter! I was sooo sad we lost. Watching State games can take years off your lives. Jay is so adorable and found these sweet babies in their state pjs when I went in to check on them. 

Thursday was another LONG day. I got home just in time to make dinner for the twins and had to run to pick up some clothing from the alteration placed before they closed. I got a call from my husband who had just went to his class and found that class was cancelled. We decided to go on an impromtu date to Good Food on Montford. Seriously, their mushrooms were amazing and my soup was pretty yummy. I love going for small plates because it spreads out the meal and lets you have a pretty good conversation. It was so nice to connect for just a bit after the hectic week we've had!

We came home to find this one all cuddled up to her bumper pads!

This guy was given this doggie lovey from one of my mom's friends. He has 3 other loveys so this one has just sat in his closet. He found it the other day and has been obsessed with it. It was so sweet to find him sleeping all curled up with his puppy lovey.

Scenes from the Weekend

I can't believe it is Thursday afternoon and I'm just getting around to updating pictures from our weekend. Better late than never. 

This girl woke up on Friday with some curls going on! We're having a bit of a hair dilemma. Her hair can be totally crazy because it is getting longer in the back but the front is still really short and she is just now starting to grow a little hair where her hairline was receding. The humidity is bringing out her curls and I'm thinking that keeping it longer will be better for this summer and her little ringlets.

We went out to eat at Brixx on Friday night with my mom, my friend Sara, and my sister Bo. This one was hamming it up at the table like usual.

Not to be outdone by his little sis, Holden was running around and giving us goofy grins. He notices the attention that EC gets when she falls or makes a funny face or coughs (or anything really) and he imitates her to get the same reaction from mom. His fake cough (followed by a devilish grin) is pretty much my favorite.

not the most flattering picture but a few of my best college girlfriends got together on Friday night. I was so tired but made it until 12:30 chatting with these girls over drinks at Nan and Byrons. I had the BEST time.  I have missed my friends sooooo much lately. I'm working on being more intentional with my friendships. It's so easy to let friendships slide, especially because none of my very best friends are in the same stage of life as me (i.e. have children). I have some good "mom" friends but nothing like this group of my college besties. Because of work, I spend most of my free time at home with my family but I have got to start making an effort to get together with friends old and new!

We headed to gymnastics bright and early on Saturday morning. I was sooo exhausted after being out late on Saturday night. I was so pumped that we got this parking spot. Anyone that works out at Harris Y knows the spots around the circle are coveted. I've tried for 5 weeks to land an expectant mother spot and we finally did. Parking here makes it SOOO much easier to wrangle the kids into class rather than walking a mile from the back lot while carrying a toddler. There is no room for the stroller in the gymnastics space so carrying them is the only way to go.

these babies were obsessed with the beam this week.

Holden was flirting MAJOR with these two sweet gymnasts. He would run on the trampoline by where they were sitting and bat his eyelashes at them and give them little smirks. They asked if they could help the twins during class and of course I agreed. I had to take pictures of them walking the beam with their "big girl" helpers.

we ran some errands and had our weekly chick-fil-a lunch before heading home for naps. We bought EC some sunnies at target because she ALWAYS wants to wear mine. She will leave them on until they fall off or we take them off of her. We tried to get Holden a pair but he wanted nothing to do with them. She will put them on whenever she can! 

My mom and Bo came over for Chinese on Saturday night and we bathed the babies and put them to bed before dinner. Emma Cate was petting Holden in this pic.

And by the way- the kids are pretty much taking all of their baths in the bath tub (finally). We still stick them in the sink when we need to do it super quick!

She loved putting her feet in when he was bathing!

i know i know... this will totally embarrass him later but this pic was too cute of his little tush and his outgrown robe.

She isn't potty trained yet but loves to sit on the potty. 

We barely made it to church on Sunday morning. Jay dropped me off with the kids and I checked them into Sunday school while he went to park the car. I headed back to the lobby to wait on him. There was another family that did the same thing and after I saw her husband walk in I assumed Jay would be there shortly after. I waited another 5 minutes and by this time we were so late that I figured we'd just go try a Sunday school class because there was going to be no way we'd get a seat in the sanctuary. I continued to wait. I finally went to the twins' Sunday school classroom and checked to see if Jay had been by there. Of course, he had (about 5 minutes ago). I had no clue where he would be so I headed to the sanctuary and found him sitting in the last pew. UGH! I was so frustrated and didn't know how we had missed each other. I settled down during the service and enjoyed worshiping. 

We met Gigi for breakfast at Eddie's Place after church.

We got home from brunch and Jay and I dove into Operation Nursery. I really wanted a grey Jenny Lind style crib and couldn't find any for sale so we decided to buy a white one and paint it. I went with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey and Graphite. I mixed 1 cup of Paris Grey with 4 tablespoons of Graphite for the perfect mid-grey color. 

mixology

we bought a paint sprayer and OMG I LOVED it! We tried hanging the pieces at first but decided it was better if I held them and Jay sprayed. We mixed the paint with 10% water to thin it before spraying.

I sprayed one little bit and it came out chunky so I gave up.

excuse my adorable painting outfit.

It took us around 2.5 hours to paint the crib. We did one coat and then touched up the spots that we missed. The paint covered soooo well! I want to give a HUGE shout out to my mom who came over to help me get started (Jay was working on refinishing the dresser behind him above) and then once we had it under control she left. Around 4:45 the kids started to wake up from nap and she came rushing over to babysit so we could finish up. SOOO thankful for her. We would have never gotten it done without her help!

Daddy assembling the crib!

Crib and mattress! Can't wait for all the bedding and the baby to put in it! I'm also planning on sealing it with Annie Sloan clear wax! I'll update when I get some new pictures.

We totally crashed Sunday night after an exhausting but fun weekend!