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Happy 27 weeks.

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Well I failed my 1 hour test by 4 points! 4 stinking points. 😞 So here I am today doing my 3 hour test. This actually happened to me one other time with baby Grace. I’m so glad I have blogged and have records of all this! I went back and looked and I was 7 points over on hers. My 3 hour test was then fine with hers so I’m really hoping and praying I get the same outcome this time. I was at 139 this time and I guess the cut off is 135. I know this is my last pregnancy and I just really really don’t want any extra issues. Either way I know I will be fine and I will do whatever I need to keep her as safe as I can but if you know me in real life you know how much I love bread and sweets! Plus knowing I would be more susceptible to getting it later in life is not what I want to hear or happen.

Other then this everything has been going good I think. I’m starting to feel a few Braxton hicks contractions. Nothing bad just if I move to fast or something. My hips are still hurting that sucks but it’s fine. Also stretching ligaments are still a thing sometimes. I’m sure that’s why my hips hurt my growing belly. Baby Mac is really enjoying kicking and playing these days and I’m also really enjoying it. I haven’t been sleeping well but she keeps me company and kicks and plays a lot at night. She’s so cute in there kicking and playing. I can’t help but wonder what her little brain is thinking about in there. Probably I wish this crazy lady would let me sleep and stop talking and poking me! Lol I just can’t help but to soak in all these little joyful moments I get.

I’m excited next week is Karen’s baby shower!!! I hope she gets to feel so loved and special for her day. In less then 12 weeks she’s going to finally get to hold and take this baby home. The end of pregnancy is just so exciting and so much fun. I’m so excited for us to experience all of it. At 32 weeks they said they will do a 3D ultrasound so I think Karen is going to try to come to that one too. Hopefully baby will give us some good angles to see her sweet little face. I also hopefully she gets head down and stays that way! I need her to know where the exit is. 😂

Let’s see what baby girl is up to this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is measuring in at about 14.2-15 inches, about the size of a bunch of bananas, and weighs just over two pounds. And your little one is now opening and closing their eyes with ease! Baby Mac’s brain continues to develop at a rapid pace, preparing to control their body and movements once they’re born. Their brain can even control their lungs and regulate her body temperature! And because Baby Mac can hear you now, if you haven’t done so already, try talking or singing to your baby! It never hurts to familiarize them with your voice — they’re already your biggest fan.

What’s new with you?

We know that most pregnant folks can engage in exercise and movement right up until they give birth, but staying active when carrying around all that extra weight — and some of the side effects that can come with it, like aches, pain, and increasing immobility — can become increasingly difficult. There are enough safe options though that you should be able to find something that feels good for you. Swimming, or other aquatic exercise, can be a good way to stay active while also momentarily taking some of the pressure off of your body. Yoga can help with things including back and hip pain. And aerobic exercises and light weight lifting can help boost both your mood and your strength for the major workout of labor and delivery. Pregnancy-specific exercise classes can also be a great way to connect with other soon-to-be-parents! To keep things simple, try to stay as active as you can with activities you enjoy without overextending yourself.

It’s also time to get started on some of the more practical details of getting your home and life ready for Baby Mac, like getting a crib, car seat, and other baby-related necessities. Getting Baby Mac’s nursery or sleep space set up or figuring out how to install a car seat can be a great way to get your loved ones more directly involved in preparing for Baby Mac’s arrival. And keep in mind that sometimes this preparation can be hard or frustrating (think confusing crib instructions or a car seat not fitting the way that it should), so leave yourself plenty of time and to be patient with yourselves and anyone you’re doing this prep with (whether a partner, parent, or best friend), especially if you’ve never done this before. Nobody is born knowing how to be a parent, or how to build a crib — there’s always a learning curve!  In terms of other practical prep work, this may also be the time you may want to look into adjusting any insurance policies as you see fit in order to best protect your family.

Your skin, hair, and nails could be getting brittle at this point. Stronger, thicker hair and nails are the pregnancy symptoms that get the most press, mostly because they’re more fun, but between all the hormones in your body and the extra demand for nutrients that your growing baby needs, plenty of folks experience the opposite. This is totally normal, and it doesn’t last forever. If you experience any major changes to your hair and nails, they should return to just about where they started a few months after you give birth. In the meantime, you can combat some of these less than stellar changes to your nails by keeping your hands well-moisturized and wearing gloves when you’re doing dishes.

There’s also a chance you might develop symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), or pelvic girdle pain, a disorder caused by the pregnancy hormone relaxin that makes your pelvic joint particularly unstable. SPD won’t hurt Baby Mac, but it could definitely make your life more uncomfortable. There are treatments available, so if you start to experience pain around your pubic bone, lower back, or perineum, check in with your healthcare provider so they can determine if it’s SPD and discuss possible treatments.

Lol 😂 I couldn’t help but to post this one!
🤢
This girl was really getting crazy.
Blood draw 1
Blood draw 2
Blood draw 3
Blood draw 4!!! 🍾
My friend at bed time. 😂
Thank God they had this couch I got as comfortable as I could! 🤣

26 weeks

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Happy 26 weeks today! Today was our OB appointment and growth scan. I got to do the sugar test today also. I’ve never really hated taking the test. I personally don’t think the drink is really that bad at all. I always get the orange and kind of like it. 😆 It’s like a really sugary super flat orange soda. The hiccup today was once I got there they learned they were not going to have a person to take my blood! So I either needed to reschedule or drink it there and have my appointment then rush to the wentzville location so they could take my blood. Usually not a big deal but I also had to rush back for our growth scan too! I decided I was just going to make it work because I didn’t want to reschedule since I had already been fasting. Good news all went well and I made great time. Now I just wait on the results. They said under 130 is a good number so I’m hoping I come in under.

The growth scan went well and didn’t take too long. It’s always good to see this little girl. Today she was breach I wasn’t super surprised because she has been moving alot! I love it too. Even when she keeps me up at night I know this is it and I better enjoy all her kicks and wiggles. I’ll go back in four weeks and then I think we will start every two weeks!!! That’s when I know we are getting close.

I got another dress today for the baby shower that I think I’ll like better. Kailynn says it’s super stylish and chic. I’m currently in the bath with my bubbles and epsom salts. I do think it helps my hips feel better. Our house is almost done! The popcorn ceilings are gone and they are finishing up the touch ups and painting. I really do like it. I was wondering if I would really feel like it made a difference but it really did. It all feels so bright and fresh. They said they really hope to be done by tomorrow and now I’m praying they are done then too. I’m ready to have my house back and to get all this dusty mess out of here.

Now let’s see what baby is up to this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is almost fourteen inches tall (31.5 cm), and weighs about 2 pounds (913 g), the size of an adorable butternut squash!

Most of Baby Mac’s bodily systems and functions are now intact, and most of the rest of their development revolves around putting on height and weight. And while this may sound like a broken record, Baby Mac is still spending lots of time building fat that will help them regulate their body temperature.

Baby Mac’s eyes, which have been sealed for months, are finally starting to open, so they’ll be more responsive to light now. Baby Mac’s vision is yet another reason to make sure you’re gaining weight at a steady rate, as low birth weight has been linked with infant vision problems.

Your little one is also preparing their immune system for birth by borrowing some of your antibodies. One theory about the development of Baby Mac’s immune system is that because of this ‘share and share alike’ attitude, their immune system after birth will be well-suited to the environment that you’ve adapted to. This means that Baby Mac could be well adapted to live happily in your home!

What’s new with you?

As you move ever closer to your due date, you’ll gain more weight in the coming weeks before you give birth. You may also notice your breasts start to leak. And many folks experience restless leg syndrome (RLS) during the third trimester. If this affects you, you can try cutting down on caffeine, using compression stockings, or taking iron supplements (though be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about adding any supplements to your diet). You may also start to experience more difficulty sleeping as a result of hormones and the large physical newness that your growing womb now presents.

Braxton Hicks contractions are also going to continue as you move closer to your delivery day. They can be frustrating, but it’s important practice as your body gears up for delivery. As your delivery day grows closer, Braxton Hicks contractions may begin to mimic true labor more. However, this ‘false labor’ doesn’t progress and change your cervix the way true labor does. Braxton Hicks often includes irregular contractions, and can change or end if you shift your position or drink water. If you aren’t sure whether the contractions you’re feeling are the real thing, it’s better to be safe than sorry — give your healthcare provider a call and ask about it. Getting taken in by false labor is nothing to be embarrassed about, it just means you’re taking good care of yourself and Baby Mac!

Isn’t this little thing adorable
I sure am going to miss these little perks!
26 weeks 14 and likely less to go!

25 weeks and 4 days!

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We are still moving right along with not much big news. I like it that way! I can definitely tell I’m hitting the 3rd trimester my back and hips are hurting a bit more and I feel like my belly is getting pretty big now. 😆 Everyone says I’m tiny but I feel large and in charge! Taking a bath definitely helps with the uncomfortableness in my back and hips. I just wish they made bathtubs for regular size people. If I’m in there either my boobs and belly stick out or I’m trying to roll side to side to stay warm. I need a deep bath I can actually lay in. Plus I know I’m short and my legs barely fit I can’t imagine all the regular or tall people out there trying to get in. 😂

Home life has been good but busy. Bo got his staples out from his emergency surgery so that’s a huge relief. In the mean time our ceilings have been needed to be repaired. The popcorn ceiling was not repaired correctly and we just decided it would be better to have them ALL removed. Oh my is my house a mess. Dust and yuck everywhere. Not to mention these guys come to work on it at 7am! We all know I need my beauty rest. I’m hoping they will be all done by the end of this week. I’m sure it will be worth it once it’s done.

So much white dust!

In the meantime I’m soaking up all the baby wiggles and kicks I can get from this precious little girl. She’s so much fun and I’m loving every second of our time together! I know realistically we don’t have much more time and that makes me a little sad but so very happy for her mommy and daddy. I know they can’t wait to get their hands on her. She’s been so wanted and so loved for so long. She sure is going to be a lucky little girl with all the love and attention she’s about to be getting. I picked out a dress for the baby shower I think I like but I will keep my eyes open for anything else just in case. I’m excited to get away and go spend time with Molly and the family and of course Karen too in a few weeks. I have been feeling a little stir crazy lately with this winter weather. I miss sunshine and warmth. I want to go for walks outside and do fun things with family and friends. Winter is just not for me. I feel lonely and cold! I’ve not been exercising as much as I wish I was because it’s cold out. I need to at least get on the treadmill down stairs or something. Someone needs to get onto me so I will be more active!

This week on Thursday is my sugar test and regular ob appointment and another growth scan! Needless to say it will be a busy day. I have never had any issues with the glucose test except once I failed by a couple points and had to do the 3 hour one but I passed that. I think that was with Grace maybe. I’m crossing all my fingers and toes that this last pregnancy stays the same and everything will go just as smoothly. I feel so lucky that with 6 pregnancy’s everything has always been so smooth and basically easy for me. I just want to continue the last one that way! So everyone pray, send good vibes whatever you like to do. ❤️ All in all things are really going well here.

How’s Baby Mac?

Your little one is now 13-14 inches long, the size of a cabbage, and weighs about 1.7 pounds (785 grams). Baby Mac’s hair is thickening, just like yours. And even if you can’t see it, they probably have a hair color by now, though this can sometimes change after your baby is born. Baby Mac’s nostrils are starting to open and the air sacs in lungs continue to develop, priming them to breathe air in just a couple of short months.

What’s new with you?

As you approach the third trimester, this may be when some more unsavory symptoms of pregnancy begin to manifest, including gas, constipation, and hemorrhoids. 25-35% of pregnant women experience hemorrhoids because of their uterus pressing down on veins in the rectum. Kegels and avoiding constipation through exercise, hydration, and adequate fiber intake may help to prevent them. Gas is common, and may be harder to control than it normally would be, because pregnancy tends to slow down your gastrointestinal tract because of all the extra progesterone in your system and because your larger uterus has now grown to put more pressure on your abdominal cavity. Gas is inevitable for a lot of pregnant folks, but paying attention to your diet could help a bit — you may want to avoid fried foods, carbonated drinks, or any foods that you notice to be a particular trigger for you. You should also take care to hydrate, eat slowly, and chew thoroughly.

Your hormones may be acting up again, which could leave your whole body aching. These aches can be hard to avoid entirely, but there are some ways to limit them. Like a lot of things about pregnancy, when it comes to feeling good, sticking with the basics can really help: like eating a range of nutritious foods that help you feel your best, including fruits and vegetables, exercising or engaging in movement that you enjoy, and getting the rest that you need. It’s also time to start bending with your knees and engaging your core muscles instead of leaning over at your waist when you lean down to pick things up, because even simple motions like this can put a lot of extra strain on your back. And try to relax as much as you can. Maybe take a warm bath, listen to a meditation or favorite album, or ask a partner or loved one to give you a gentle massage — anything you can do to help yourself have a calm and relaxed pregnancy.

So cute!
How is this even possible! Only 14 weeks left 😍

24 weeks

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Happy viability week! Obviously we don’t anticipate baby coming any time soon but it’s at least a good milestone to know that she has made it this far. ❤️ I’ve been feeling great still. Large and in charge! She’s moving more and more and getting much stronger. So strong that now I can see her move from the outside. I got a couple cute videos too. She even woke me up in the middle of the night the other night from kicking me! This last pregnancy is just flying by at this point. She still seems to be head down and I know because I can definitely feel her in my vagina. 😆 She also likes to kick my bladder that’s always a surprise.

I’ve been trying harder at drinking more water. Some days are better then others but I have been doing it. I have added mint and lemon and even cucumbers and that helps me. I will say I’ve been having some crazy acid reflux. It feels terrible and weird. It’s like I’m going to throw up any second but nothing happens. So weird. Also I know I’m lucky I don’t experience this any other time. I know lots of people suffer with this all the time. So I’m really not complaining if this is as bad as things get for me. I know how lucky I am in pregnancy. I’m still eating my ice all the time also. I know I’m annoying to everyone around me and I feel bad about it but I can’t help it. 😆

We had a hard week this week with our dog needing emergency surgery because he ate a freaking sock! 😳 I was so mad at him but also felt bad because they had to cut his whole belly open. He looked so so sad for a couple days. Now he’s doing much better but he’s trying to be too active and he’s not supposed to be. Not easy to keep a puppy calm.

Let’s see what’s going on with baby Mac this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

By the end of this week, Baby Mac is probably about 12.5-13 inches long, the size of an eggplant, and weighs 1.5 lbs!

Baby Mac is starting to develop taste buds, which means that before too long, your little one will be able to taste some of the stronger flavors of the things you eat through the amniotic fluid they still swallow regularly. And according to a 2011 study, this could impact their food preferences later in life, so make sure to eat a range of nutritious, tasty, flavorful foods — it might mean you’ll have an easier time introducing your toddler to new dishes in just a few years.

Baby Mac’s lungs are developing significantly after all of the breathing they’ve been getting, and they’re now making cells that will produce surfactant, a material that will help them breathe and get the oxygen they need once they’re born. Surfactant is a liquid that helps keep the tiny air sacs in the lungs, the alveoli, from sticking together as a baby breathes.

Your growing baby has also gained about a quarter of a pound last week (110 g) in bones, muscle, and fat, so they’re finally beginning to really fill out. And even though Baby Mac’s eyebrows, lashes, and hair are coming in, they still lack pigment and appear white. Your little one’s skin is beginning to glow a bit pinker now, due to the appearance of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. And their ears and fingernails are also fully formed now.

What’s new with you?

Between the linea nigra, stretch marks, and an itchy belly, your skin might be driving you nuts this week. Topical creams meant for stretch marks or dry skin may help reduce the itchiness, check with your provider about the best and safest options for you. Using unscented, mild lotions and soaps can help too, as can avoiding baths and showers that are too hot, which can dry out your skin. Constipation or dry eyes may also prove to be issues for you right now. And sometime in the next couple of weeks, you’ll likely take a glucose challenge test (GCT) to screen for gestational diabetes.

Your ankles and fingers might be swollen as well, due in part to fluid retention, and the pressure of your growing uterus on your veins. For relief, try elevating your feet or icing the swollen areas to help alleviate some of the pain. Headaches and vision changes are also not uncommon at this time. Sometimes these symptoms — swelling, headaches, and vision changes — are not a problem, but they can also be signs of preeclampsia, which can be serious for both you and your baby. So if you experience any of these issues, be sure to tell your healthcare provider right away so they can determine if you’re dealing with normal symptoms or something more serious.

Cute overalls! 😍
I will forever miss my pregnant belly.
😍😍😍
Sweet little baby kicks!!! Don’t mind my stretch marks.

22 weeks is she still a girl???

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Yesterday we had had our big ultrasound! Karen and Rodger came in Wednesday for the festivities. We had a wonderful dinner at Charlie Gittos my favorite St. Louis restaurant. My family dressed nice even the kids! We didn’t even get a picture. Surprise surprise. Sometimes I think not having pictures means we had even more fun because we are so wrapped up in conversation and fun that we don’t think of anything else. So it’s memory pictures we will have to remember. ❤️ Ricky was stopped and asked if he was a famous star from Top chef! 😂 Our waiter was incredible and just swore it was him. We looked the guy up and there was a resemblance! The kids thought that was just great. I really wanted baby Mac to move so Karen could try to feel because the other night Ricky said he could feel it! Apparently baby Mac enjoyed dinner so much that it was straight to bed! I was so excited to get home to sleep I was beyond full and sleepy.

So Thursday morning our appointment was at 9:30 am. I don’t really like early appointments. I feel more rushed but it was fine. Baby Mac was moving and kicking like CRAZY during my ultrasound even the tech could feel it. They went ahead to re check and make sure she was still a girl and she definitely was! That would have been quite a surprise and shock if we had seen something different lol. She was moving so much she put on a great show. She was so precious and perfect. We even saw her sucking her fingers! They said her size was perfect and right on track. She was estimated at one pound and 3 ounces. ❤️❤️❤️

You guys are not going to believe this but it looks like I have a two vessel cord AGAIN this time! How weird is that. Thankfully I know because of last time that it’s nothing to worry about it just means I get more ultrasounds and appointments to go to. I won’t complain about getting to see her cute face more often. I’m honestly wondering if this is more common in ivf or it really can just be a fluke and happed to me two times in a row?

They also said at 36 weeks they want me to do non stress tests. Basically I will go in once a week and be hooked up to monitors and they will just watch her I guess and make sure we are all good to go. It was funny though because she said it was because of ivf pregnancy but as we know my last 5 pregnancy’s were ivf and I have never had these before. 😆 Weird but I’ll be there. After the appointment we left and went to the hospital for a hospital tour. They showed us the birthing room and told us they will do their best to get us rooms close together. I made sure to get a cup of that great ice before I left! All in all we had a great time. It’s so exciting to be getting so close. Today I have a regular appointment with Dr Sammons. Oh I almost forgot to mention baby is also already head down. Well at least so far! She obviously has lots of wiggle room and can be switching it up any time but I hope for my sake she stays like this.

Let’s see what baby Mac is doing this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is now just under a foot long — about the size of an ear of corn — and weighs just over a pound (478 grams). 

When Baby Mac isn’t sleeping the day away (which at this point is 12-14 hours a day), they’re trying to touch anything they can. Whether it’s their face, body, or umbilical cord, your baby is working on their physical abilities and motor skills by practicing movement and getting a feel for things. Your little one’s inner ear is also developing their sense of balance. While Baby Mac may not be using that sense of balance on any gymnastics equipment yet, the more their ears develop, the better the chance that your baby is hearing you when you talk, and learning your voice, so that when they arrive, they’ll recognize you!

Their eyes are still developing, and right now your little one still lacks pigment in their iris, so doesn’t have an eye color just yet. And his pancreas is already busy creating its own hormones, which helps alleviate all of the hormonal heavy-lifting you’ve been doing. 

What’s new with you?

Your feet and hands may be some of the next places to feel pregnancy’s side effects, as some swelling is not uncommon during these months. You might notice that any rings you wear on your fingers might start to feel tighter, and your feet could grow a whole size bigger. Wearing maternity compression stockings may help improve your circulation and reduce swelling in your feet and legs, in addition to helping with varicose veins if those have been an issue for you. 

And your expanding womb may have turned your “innie” into an “outie” by now. Don’t worry, it’ll go back to normal after you give birth. Your newly out-facing belly button might be a little sensitive, especially as it rubs against your clothes, but that’s generally nothing to worry about. If, on the other hand, it’s causing you pain, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure that you’re not dealing with an umbilical hernia. 

Really, as any strange symptoms or discomforts pop up for you, be sure to ask your provider about it. Even if there’s nothing wrong, it never hurts to know exactly what’s going on in your body, and it can help you feel better knowing that whatever’s going on is normal.

We celebrated Bo’s first birthday yesterday!
We needed a picture by the expectant mothers sign!
Mr. Shawn Brock from top chef. Who they thought Ricky was. 😆

17weeks!

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This is our last day at the beach and I’m sad to say the least! I’m trying to figure out a way to buy a beach condo so we can use it whenever we want. It’s been so much fun just lounging and enjoying the sun and sand. The weather has been so perfect every day. 80 plus degrees in December I’ll take it! We did disney too and I can say disney pregnant is hard work. 😂 I did have a great time though. I’m so excited to start feeling little miss Mac move. Sometimes I think maybe I feel her but then I’m not sure so I’m not counting it yet. I did lots of snack eating at Disney and that was so much fun. The Disney weather was also great. Usually when we go it’s so darn hot! I think if we go back now it will be a January or February trip!

Tomorrow we fly out in the afternoon so we have to pack up today but I’m putting it off for as long as I can. I love that I can hear the ocean waves and the kids counting loudly on the beach. They are trying to play hide and seek on the beach…. 😂 At least they are getting along. Ricky is out in the ocean looking for treasures. I’m just happy to lay in a beach chair in the sunshine. Still no weight gain. My ice craving is going great! My teeth hurt but it’s worth it. We found a ice machine in the club house here and I get like 3 cups a day! The fish tacos here are also so good. I love all the fresh fish when I’m in Florida. We have had such a great time here and I love that I got to see Jen, KC and the Boys. They are getting so big. Let’s see what baby Mac is up to now!

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is almost 8 inches long, and the soft cartilage that makes up your little one’s skeleton is ossifying, or laying the foundation for bones. You can help Baby Mac out with the bone-hardening process by making sure you’re getting all the right nutrients: calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, C, and D, as well as riboflavin and phosphorous.

Baby Mac’s heart is now beating 120-160 times a minute and is controlled by their brain rather than beating at random intervals. Furthermore, your little one’s brain is continuing to develop their senses of sight, smell, sound and touch! The umbilical cord is strengthening this week too. Your baby’s arms and legs will also have reached normal proportions around now and will continue to grow at this constant rate from here on out. And Baby Mac is developing their coordination, so that they’ll be ready to take on the world in just a little more than a trimester and a half! If your little one is female, they are also already producing millions of eggs in their ovaries that they could use to have a baby themselves someday! 

What’s new with you?

One notable pregnancy symptom for a lot of folks right around week 17 is round ligament pain, which is discomfort felt in the lower stomach and pelvis as the uterus expands and puts pressure on nearby ligaments. To alleviate these pains, try lying on your left side rather than your back in order to most reduce the amount of pressure that your uterus puts on its surroundings. You may also want to pick up something called a maternity belt, which can help support your belly and baby and ease some of the discomfort that’s normal as your body continues to grow but certainly doesn’t feel great. 

You may continue to notice bodily fluids like vaginal discharge, sweat, and mucous flowing a bit more than normal, as a result of the increased blood circulating in your body. Your appetite is probably going to pick up soon as well, because your growing baby needs more and more nutrients each day to keep their development on course.

You might also start experiencing strange or vivid dreams, which is often due to a disrupted sleep schedule. Pregnancy hormones and the fact that you’re going through a major life change may play a part, but it could also be the case that you’re just remembering your dreams more vividly than before. If you’re waking up a few times each night for a bathroom run, because of new aches and pains, or due to insomnia, you have a better chance of remembering the dreams you were having right before that wake up than you do of remembering dreams from the middle of the night when you sleep through the night until morning. Jotting down a few notes on your dreams, especially if they’re particularly vivid, can be an interesting way to track your state of mind as your due date approaches. While your sleep schedule might look different these days, if it’s negatively impacting your day, there are lots of options that can help. Talk to your provider about pregnancy-safe options including meditation, routine exercise, therapy, and certain medications.

16 weeks!

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We’ll really almost 17 weeks now but I’m late so… Things are going just great. We are moving right along and I’m anxiously awaiting one of my favorite things feeling this sweet baby girl moving. It will start out as tiny little fluttering then soon it will be big kicks, jabs and rolls. She can hear now the app says! Hopefully she doesn’t mind out loud house with kids and dogs.

We are at the beach this week visiting Jen and KC and the Boys! Let me say Florida in December is AMAZING! It’s 80 plus degrees here still. But the perk is no crowds. We are staying in a condo this time on siesta beach the sand is gorgeous and the water is so nice too. The ocean is a bit chilly to actually get in for me but the kids don’t mind and there is a heated pool. I will enjoy that and just laying on the beach enjoying the sounds of the waves. Well scratch that Kailynn just got me in the cold ocean 😂. It wasn’t awful but it wasn’t warm.

Good news I still haven’t gained any weight! Woohoo not that I diet, exercise or anything really but it’s nice to know. I’ve never really gained much weight with any of my pregnancies. I’m sure that also why I enjoy being pregnant. I usually lose weight after baby is born and then fluff back up every time. 😂 My low iron is back and so is my ice cravings. I need to find softer ice to chew with my braces. I’m so worried I’m going to start snapping brackets but I also just can’t stop eating the ice! It’s a NEED. I just crunch it all day and night. Poor Ricky has woken up to me eating it in the middle of the night! I don’t feel to bad for him though because honestly I’m always awake from his awful snoring so I really get the short end of the stick.

I can’t believe how big the boys are. I seriously love so much that I get to see and spend time with the families I was lucky enough to help. This is the biggest gift and perk for me. I have best friends that I hope to know and love forever. Greenleaf and Oliver are the cutest and sweetest boys. Greenleaf loves playing with Kailynn and Everett. Oliver let me hold him! I was worried he wouldn’t.

As I lay on the beach typing all this I can’t help but wish we lived here. Or at least had a condo we could come to like this multiple times a year! That’s what I need more beach in my life. Now I’ll post some pics and put what baby Mac is up to this week.

If the reality of your pregnancy doesn’t quite feel real yet, it may after your little one starts kick, kick, kicking away. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel Baby Mac kick for another few weeks, so if you don’t feel that “quickening” just yet, don’t worry. Those kicks will be coming soon enough! At just over 7 inches long, and weighing 5.2 ounces, your little kicking bundle of joy just keeps getting bigger and bigger. The ears that have been moving to the sides of Baby Mac’s head over the last few weeks are now developed enough that your little one can probably hear all the sounds that you do, which is yet another way that they are preparing for life after their big arrival. And even though your baby’s eyelids are still sealed, they have also matured and developed enough that can detect light through your belly.

How cute 🥰 I love me pregnant
These days are my favorite
If I can’t take shots I will make them! 😆
Greenleaf is getting too big!

Ricky acts like he doesn’t like babies. 😂

Happy 14 weeks

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Great news everything pregnancy wise has been so great. I’m not having any bleeding and my energy is coming back so I don’t need naps every day! I did get sick with what I thought was Ricky’s cold and my Dr had me go to my primary just to get tested to make sure I didn’t have the flu or Covid. I was positive I just had a cold I felt fine other then my nose was so stuffy I couldn’t breathe or sleep. The Dr came back in to tell me I had Covid! I was seriously in shock I really didn’t feel that sick. So needless to say I had a week off work. I wasn’t happy about that and I know my clients weren’t either. Everyone was extremely kind and wished me well. Thankfully I was only pretty sick for 2 ish days. Nothing awful though. Just a hangover headache and super stuffy. Now that I’m on the mend let’s do the fun stuff! Cravings: still fruit and I did have two buffalo chicken salads this week! I surprisingly am not craving ice yet. 😂 We all know it’s coming though. Im nervous for that now that I have braces I’m sure my orthodontist would say to not chew ice all day but seriously what am I supposed to do! I have to have it. I haven’t gained any weight yet woohoo!!! I am having stretching ligament pains. They always hurt. My best way to explain it if you haven’t had them is someone stabs you with a knife and each time move or breathe it feels like they twist it. I know that seems extreme but that’s kind of what it’s like. 😂

I wanted to go back to the Covid story because the kids were so sweet about me being sick and wanting to make sure baby was safe and not sick with Covid. Everett is learning in science about all the good blood cells. How they chase down the bad germs and fight them off. Everett said if he could see in my belly he bets that all my good strong fighting cells just lined up around baby Mac to keep her the safest since she needs it most. I’m not really sure how it all works but I really like Everett’s pick! It sounds like a heroic story to save a princess. Maybe I’ll ask him to write me a book on it and see what he comes up with. ❤️

We are leaving in 2 ish weeks for the beach! I’m so excited to get away and hopefully sit in some sunshine and listen to the waves. We also get to visit Jen, KC and the BOYS!!! 🥰🥰 They are so big already. While we are there Karen wanted to do something for the kids and us for Christmas and so we decided/I tricked Ricky into driving to Disney for a much needed magical experience! It was that or the Tampa zoo. Disney was only 30 mins further so you can see the choice was easy! We are incredibly grateful for such a wonderful generous gift! We were going to skip disney this year and now we will keep our streak going 4 years in a row now. So I guess we can say Karen and Rodger officially win Christmas this year! 🎄 kailynn said I bet Karen and Rodger can’t wait to take their baby to Disney a lot too. ❤️ I’m so proud that my kids get to experience all of this they see how it works and how wonderful it can be!

Let’s see what sweet baby Girl Mac is up to now!

Baby Mac’s growing like wild — they’re between 3 and 3.5 inches long, the size of a beet! Your baby’s weight is only going to start increasing even more as they begin to add fat to their skinny little frame over the next few months. And the fur-like lanugo that’s covering most of their body will keep your little one warm until their baby fat comes in. 

Baby Mac is also moving like crazy in there, though you probably can’t feel it quite yet. By week 14, your little one can squint, frown, and even suck their thumb! And your baby’s liver, spleen, and kidneys continue to develop and function better every day. 

Another big development as you embark on the second trimester is Baby Mac’S immune system. The beginnings of your little one’s immune system started developing weeks ago with early immune system cells, but while Baby Mac is in your womb, they’re protected by the sterile womb environment — meaning that their immune system  won’t need to protect against pathogens just yet. And He is now producing white blood cells too, which will come in handy when your baby needs to fight infection on their own after birth, when your immune system will no longer be able to send strong, adult cells along. Your baby’s immune system will continue to develop for several months or years after birth, but they’re well on their way! Once they’re here make sure to follow guidance from their provider to stay on a recommended vaccine schedule. 

What’s new with you?

The second trimester is worth celebrating! Most folks report this trimester to be the most enjoyable of their pregnancy. There are, of course, some new symptoms that may be popping up, including headaches and dizziness. But sandwiched between the nausea of the first and adjusting to a very different, very pregnant body in the third, during the second trimester there’s a good chance you may feel more comfortable. Your breasts are going to continue to grow, but the soreness is likely to decrease, as will the fatigue. Doesn’t the second trimester sound a little more lovely?

Round ligament pain is common during the second trimester too, which occurs when your growing womb puts added pressure on the ligaments running from your lower abdomen to your groin. It sounds simple, but one of the best ways to deal with round ligament pain is to give yourself time to rest and to avoid sudden movement. In the longer term, performing pregnancy-safe exercises to strengthen your core can also help you avoid round ligament pain. If, however, you feel intense pain in your abdomen, or if your pain doesn’t go away after resting, you should call your healthcare provider. 

As you move full steam ahead into trimester two, it’s important that you continue to care for yourself in ways that allow you to feel your best and promote a healthy pregnancy. It can help to stay active with movement or exercise that you enjoy, eat nutritious foods that help you feel satiated and good, and get enough rest. And it’s important to start taking a prenatal vitamin high in folic acid if you haven’t yet started doing so.

The screams and girly squeals make my mom heart overwhelmed with joy 🥹 

(Huge thanks to karen and Rodger for helping make our trip even more exciting and fun!!! I can’t wait to show you a million pictures you probably don’t really want to see! 😂 )

I think if she has blue hair I should get some special hairstylist achievement award! Like an Emmy or something along those lines. 😂
I know we don’t want real mice in our homes but this little one is so wonderful she’s just tearing up stuff inside me and using it all for her bedding nest. It’s ok I want her to get extra cozy. I want her to pull all the extra fat from the walls and just use that stuff most. 😂

12 weeks!

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Next week I will officially be in the second trimester and I’m sooooo happy and excited for it. This is when I love pregnancy most. No more shots or drugs. Baby girl is going to be moving around a lot and soon I’ll get to start feeling it! That’s my most favorite. I seriously can’t imagine a better feeling in the world. I hope I never ever forget the joy and happiness I feel when I get to play with all these babies I’ve had rolling around inside me.

I have had a crazy last week. We unfortunately had a big scare last Friday. I went the the bathroom and there was so much blood. As crazy as it sounds I was confused on where the blood was coming from. Ricky of course was great and jumped into action. He called my mom and my dad came straight over and got Everett and also got our pizzas we had just ordered. We got to hospital and of course they took forever. 3 hours later we finally got in a room and the drs came in. They did the ultrasound and he was super secretive with it and that made me more nervous. Thankfully though he finally said he could see her and she was moving a lot! So I asked to see and he showed me. The ultrasound looked awful lol it looked like it was from 1972 lol. The quality was just so bad. I didn’t think she had a head. He assured me it was there. 😆 So Saturday I stayed in bed all day and did nothing. Thankfully I had no more bleeding all weekend. Monday I went back to my OB and we did another check. Baby girl still looks great. Praise Jesus! I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved and happy to she her sweet little hands moving all around. She was touching her face and just wiggling all over. It was so great.

I’m just so happy and relieved we have made it this far. I know it’s all going to just fly by from here now. I’m happy for Karen and Rodger of course but oh so sad for me. I wish human pregnancies could last longer. 😂 I know most people don’t feel the way I do about that. I’m just going to do my very best to soak it all in and enjoy each day with sweet baby Mac! I can only imagine how sweet and perfect she is going to be. ❤️❤️❤️

How’s Baby Mac?

Your sweet baby continues to grow rapidly, measuring just over two inches long, about the size of an apricot.

Right now, Baby Mac is starting to develop reflexes as their brain continues to grow and their body to curl their fingers and toes. Your baby’s nerve endings are developing right along with their reflexes, and at this point, if you poke your abdomen, Baby Mac will respond by wriggling (though you almost certainly won’t feel it). And your wee one’s neck, which they’ve only just started to form in the last few weeks or so, has already begun to straighten as they lift their chin off of their chest.

Baby Mac is also just starting to practice breathing by inhaling and exhaling the amniotic fluid that surrounds them, which is made up of mostly water, their skin cells, and their waste. This may seem a little icky, to be sure, but it’s also just one of the many incredible ways your little one is preparing for life on the outside.

Pretty soon, your little one’s intestines are going to  move into their abdomen. Baby Mac is beginning to form the waste that will become their first poop, a tarry substance known as meconium.

What’s new with you?

The good news? As you move toward the end of the first trimester, it’s likely that many of the more unfortunate symptoms you experienced in the first trimester may be behind you, like fatigue and nausea. You may, though, have a few new symptoms popping up. Symptoms like increased vaginal discharge, headaches, saliva, and flatulence along with a heightened sense of smell are all common symptoms right now.

Heartburn is another notable symptom that causes many pregnant folks a lot of discomfort. This is because the same hormones that relax your muscles to make it easier to give birth also relax the valve that keeps the stomach acid out of your esophagus. Your expanding uterus, which by now has grown to the size of a softball, doesn’t help either. As your uterus grows, it puts pressure on your stomach, which can push acid into the esophagus. Thankfully, there are a number of steps you can take to try and reduce your heartburn. You can eat nutritious food in smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, and take your time when eating. You can also avoid food and drink that increases heartburn for you (for many people this can include spicy foods, caffeine, greasy or fatty foods, acidic foods like citrus or tomatoes, and carbonated beverages), and avoid lying down right after eating or eating shortly before going to sleep. And while staying hydrated is important and you should be drinking water throughout the day, some people find it helps to drink water between meals but not during meals. It may take some trial and error to find what works for you, but hopefully some of these will help. And don’t feel that you have to go it alone — speak to your healthcare provider if your heartburn is persistent so they can help you find some relief.

I just love acting crazy. 😂

Happy 9 weeks and 3 days

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How’s Baby Mac?

Happy 9 weeks. Things are going along pretty well. I’ve still been feeling pretty good. I have had a few days were I felt nauseous and just not good. But it hasn’t been to bad. My legs are also super crazy itchy from the meds I guess. So much so that I accidentally bruised myself pretty bad. I swear I didn’t think I was scratching that hard. Just 12 more days of meds. Not that I have a count down. 😂 I get asked alot how I’m feeling and I generally always say I feel good and fine. Because that’s generally true. We did have a scare last week though I had some slight spotting of brown blood. It’s never a good thing to see blood when you are pregnant. I tried to relax and not worry. I went to the dr and thankfully baby Mac was just fine in there. We didn’t get an explanation for what or why the bleeding happened. Thankfully since then I have had nothing though so that makes things much better!

I’ve had a couple people also ask about cravings. I guess I would say I am maybe craving soups? Lol I have been eating lots of soup the last week or two. I also always crave fruit in the beginning of my pregnancy’s. I’ve always loved fruit but, with each pregnancy I feel like I just want yummy ripe fruit all the time. Our next appointment is November 3rd. Karen is going to be in town for this one. I’m excited for her to be here. It feels like it’s been forever since I have seen her now. I’m thinking of all the fun St. Louis things to show her. Mostly food! 😆

Baby Mac is now almost an inch long (.9 inches), the size of a pecan, and though they’re not fully developed, all of their essential muscles and body parts are present. Your little one’s kidneys, liver, brain and lungs that are all starting to function on their own too, and they’re even starting to develop taste buds! Although Baby Mac’s eyes are forming more complex structures, their eyelids will shortly fuse shut for another four months or so. Your baby’s inner ear is also beginning to form the fluid that will allow them to develop a sense of balance. Baby Mac also has toes, bones in their arms, and joints that bend in their elbows.

Perhaps the most exciting part about week 9 is the increased likelihood that you may be able to hear Baby Mac’s heartbeat using a fetal doppler, a super special first for you and your little one. Baby Mac’s heart has been beating for a while now, but now it’s really starting to develop, forming distinct chambers and valves. They grow up so fast, don’t they?

My poor leg!