Grady's Baby Shower and 9 months

My wonderful Momma hosted a beautiful beachy baby shower for Grady and I at our home recently. We invited family and a few friends to celebrate our son. My mom impressed everyone with her delicious food and we played a few fun games, and of course I was showered GENEROUSLY with blue and green gifts galore! We couldn't be more touched by everyone's excitement for little Grady's arrival and it makes the whole experience of having a third baby much more thrilling than one would think. We still can't believe we are having the little boy that we both have dreamed of and won't fully believe it until he is in our arms in LESS THAN A MONTH!

Enjoy some pictures from the shower!

 

Amazing spread made with love by Nana

Best and prettiest group of moms ever!

So fortunate to have them in my and my kids lives

Nana and her 4th grandchild, first grandson!

My Aunt Kathy, cousin Danielle and her daughter Hailey, Sis in Law Lauren and baby Penny, and my brother Corey.

"I'm the Little Brother"

Little boy's closet is the envy of his sisters! STUFFED!

 

 

As of 9/20 I am 36 weeks pregnant, technically 9 months. But as you may remember from my explanation when I was this far along with Harper, women are actually pregnant for 40 weeks which is 10 months. So we are 1 month away, let the count down begin! I have 4 doctors appointments left on the books, though I am hoping to not make it to my last one scheduled the day before my due date.

I am feeling fine still, though big and hot. I am still sleeping ok as far as comfort goes, but the "baby insomnia" is kicking in a bit. My mind is full of thoughts of my baby-to-be and how anxious I am to meet him and check things off my list before his arrival.

Aside from him and I both measuring a few weeks ahead, there haven't really been any signs of him coming early, unfortunately. I have had Braxton Hicks contractions, but normally when I am doing something I shouldn't like lifting a giant toddler, hauling grocery bags in and out of the car, and bending down excessively to pick up stuff off the floor.  Ah the joys of a third pregnancy! I am starting to get mild swelling in my feet and hands by the end of the day, but nothing too bad.

My hospital bag is packed and I am currently washing all the bed and bassinet linens, and getting the car seat ready.

 

 

When I hit 37 weeks after my next appointment, in which I should get another ultrasound to check his position and my fluid levels, (he has been head down for weeks and my fluid has been in the high range of normal) I intend to start drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea (which is supposed to bring on contractions which "tone" the uterus for labor) and taking Evening Primrose Oil supplements (which is supposed to aid in cervical dilation and make labor easier). I will also stop being lazy (ha! I wish) and start to walk as often as I can and bounce on the ab ball to try and get things going!

In summary, we are ready. Ready to welcome the newest and last addition to our family. Ready to introduce our son to our wonderful daughters. Ready to not be pregnant anymore or EVER AGAIN!

 

Nursery Progess and 7 months!

Grady's surfer room is almost done! We have removed the futon, added the glider, put up some more wall art and have displayed his name on a custom decorative surfboard we got from Splinters Wood Surfboards on Etsy.

 

I have plans to add a decorative valance above the small window in this pic. Also want to add a canvas hamper to the left of the crib for toys and get a pouf to rest my feet on while sitting on the glider.

 

 28 weeks!

I am now officially 7 months pregnant and feeling large and in charge. I am dolled up for Alex's 32 birthday dinner in this shot, and discovered that that will be the last time I wear those pants as they are uncomfortably tight! Oh the joys...

 

Some updates: I have passed 2 glucose tests so it is safe to say I do not have gestational diabetes.

 

At my last appointment, I was measuring 3 weeks ahead, so my OB did an ultrasound to check baby's growth. He was measuring right on track, estimated at 2.5 pounds. My fluid levels were on the high end of the normal range which may explain my measuring ahead. The fluids fluctuate throughout pregnancy and neither the doc or I are concerned.

 

I am planning a natural hospital birth this time. While my drug-free delivery with Harper wasn't intentional, and while I swore I wouldn't do that again, I have changed my mind (as we women frequently do!) The delivery was terrifying and painful but also empowering and incredible. The recovery was so fast and simple that alone is worth a few hours of pain. I have read a few books and have plans to take a hypnobirthing class in Sept to prepare myself for labor. Harper's labor was 4 hours from when my eyes opened at 5:30am with my first contraction to when she was born in the hospital at 9:31am, so I am betting on the good chance that this one will be just as fast if not faster. We changed my insurance this time so we will deliver at Scripps Encinitas and we tour the hospital on Aug 5.

 

Being pregnant in the summer, I am hot most of the time. I have had some pretty uncomfortable bouts with acid reflux and take Tums daily. I have tested low for Vitamin D throughout this pregnancy and my doc has recommended I take 3500 uls of vitamin D supplement, which I do daily.

 

More updates next month!

 

 

 

36 Weeks!

So I am officially 9 months pregnant! For those of you who are thinking, "Wait, isn't 9 months all there is?"  Don't we wish! Your due date is actually calculated to 40 weeks of pregnancy (which equates to 10 months, for the mathematically challenged).  This means that I have 4 weeks left if she comes on her due date, which is still set for July 5th. The big question is, How am I feeling?  Well, aside from the feet swollen to twice their size, the sporadic back pain, the ligament pains low in my belly and the constantly interrupted sleep (changing positions, going pee, racing mind), I am trying to enjoy these last weeks of pregnancy. I am definitely feeling like we still have SO MUCH to do to prepare for her arrival, the Honey Do List grows by the day (poor Alex) but I know it will all get done and we will welcome her whenever she decides she is ready!