Let me tell you, hormones have not been kind to my skin after my third pregnancy (and they say the third time is the charm).

I have been breaking out so often that i’m starting to wonder if I need to invest in some expensive over the counter treatment in order to help get rid of acne. I know that most of what is happening is a result of changing hormones. I can’t wait until things get regular again!

Did your skin change for the better or worse after your pregnancy?

and I have absolutely nothing to wear. I’ve come into my own after having kids and want very much to look fabulous no matter what I am doing. Whether i’m blogging, doing web stuff, shopping or sleeping I must. look. cute.

I have to admit that i’m sort of over looking frumpy. That was the look I sported during the last two of my three pregnancies. I knew the game had changed and no matter what I did, I would grow. So I figured comfort won out over fashion. Makes sense even now… ya know?

But now… NOW… I want to look fabulous (and functional). I found some cute Dansko clogs that I think would look amazing with jeans? yes? A skirt? From these questions you can tell that i’m not sure what the clogs would look good with.

Any suggestions? What is one fabulous thing you did for yourself after your pregnancy(s)?

As you can imagine, I am so stoked for baby B to be here already!  5 more days and counting!  I feel like i’m just trying to get through everyday as fast as I can so that it can be the weekend already!  Husb is taking Friday off (woohoo!) so we’re going to do some fun stuff with the kids this weekend.  I have been nesting like CRAZY so I know that the house will be in tip top shape for when my mom gets here on Sunday.

Other than that… time seems to be dragging by as SLOOOW as possible.  Of course, that’s always the way it goes when you’re looking forward to something, right?

The only thing i’m worried about is being away from my little ones.  Especially Sophiekat.  She’s a momma’s girl through and through.  I do realize though that this time is for bonding with baby B.  That makes it a little easier…. but still.  Also, i’m stoked that the kids will have some much needed time with my mom!  She’s got a whole list of fun things planned for them!

5 days and counting…

I FINALLY have a C-section date!  Woot!  Monday, June 30th!  How cool is that?  The fact that reality inches closer and baby Brody’s arrival within a week makes me extremely ecstatic!  I feel like i’m floating on cloud 9!

My week has been rather good.  We didn’t do a whole heck of a lot other than more baby prep, finishing up my final project for school (which I got an A on!) and spending as much snuggle time/ 1 on 1 as I can with the kids!

On Saturday, my amazing friends threw me the best darn babyshower ever!  Seriously… when one of the prizes is an aqua bra and the other is a squishy bag of fun that looks like a penis, and you laugh so hard that you cry… you know it’s a good one!  Thanks guys!  I love you all so much!  I had a rockin’ good time!  Jodi, I think we’ll need to wear our bras at the next porch party!

Today was both good and not-so-good.  It was relaxing to say the least. I sorted through baby clothes and tomorrow will wash and put them away.  Things seem to be going together nicely so far (with the preparation) and that’s awesome!  It was a little dreary and cooler today so we (husb and I) decided it would be nice to take a family nap!  We all took a 3 hour nap and felt refreshed afterward!

Husb and I are talking about experiencing some Chicago travel later on this summer. I want to visit IKEA and take the kids to the museum of science!

And finally…

This evening, I logged onto myspace and got a message from one of my best friends from high school.  She has recently been diagnosed with bone cancer and has a 40% survival rate according to her doctor.  She has 2 small children at home (ages 4 and 1).  She is not a religious person persay, but is asking for a lot of prayers.  So please, if you read this… pray for her.  She is a good person and deserves to see her children grow up!

Life has been strangely quiet and serene in our neck of the woods.  I have been having lots of braxton hicks contractions over the last couple of weeks.  The baby is moving less and less.  We had our first “official” ultrasound on Tuesday!  I am currently 36 weeks along!  The baby is heads down (not that it matters because i’ll end up with a c-section anyway) and getting cramped in there!  The ultrasound tech could even detect some hair on his head!  Seeing my little one on screen made me so happy and excited for D-day!

So, admittedly all I can think about lately is getting through the next two weeks or so.  Everything baby-related is on my mind!  I’ve been diligently watching “Deliver me” and “A Baby Story”  as well as another hour-long baby show on Discovery Health channel (for the life of me I can’t remember the name… I only know that “babies” is in the title!).  Seriously…I can’t get enough!

This is the LAST official week of classes until summer break!  YAY!  I’m working hard on my site and no doubt will be finished on time.  It will be so nice to be done next week!  I am really looking forward to summer vacation!

No date for the C-section as of yet.  My doctor was sick on the day of my appointment and wanted to move the time up.  Unfortunately, my husband could not accommodate the time with his work schedule.  So, next week on Monday I see him again.  I will be officially 37 weeks then!  I really hope he sets up a date this time!  I think I was spoiled by my last OB (no longer practicing in my state).  She hooked me up with a date at 28 weeks!  So admittedly, i’m a bit more impatient with this one.  I have good reasoning though.  My mom needs a date so that she can schedule off time from work to be here to watch the kids for us.

Anyway, that’s pretty much what is going on in my life right now.   I hope everyone is doing well!

Well folks, I will officially be 36 weeks on Monday.  This means I have approximately three weeks to go before I meet the final addition to our family.  I cannot even begin to tell you how this pregnancy has brought about so much joy and sadness, making it bittersweet.

I have to admit that when I first found out I was pregnant with this little one I was in shock, disbelief and completely wrought with feelings of devastation.  Sophiekat at the time was only 9 months old and had just begun sleeping through the night about one month prior.  I wasn’t ready.  What’s more, my husband and I had figured that we were done cultivating our family.  Like stick a fork in us done.  The only thing is, I chose not to get my tubes tied when Sophiekat was born.  Something deep within told me that I would regret it and the timing wasn’t right for it.

I love being a mom and I LOVE my children so much!  Though this pregnancy definitely took some getting used to (I was fine after a month).  Because even though I knew in my heart of hearts that I did want one more; 9 months after my second baby was not an ideal time.  Or maybe it was.  Looking back, I think this was the best time for it to happen.

Now my husband and I are so excited about this new addition to our family!  This little one will make us feel “complete”.

Though in a way it is a happy-sad time for me.  I signed the forms to get my tubes tied this time.  I am 150% sure that I am done having kids.  Still, putting an end to this chapter in my life is kind of sad.  I’ll never feel another life growing inside of me.  I’ll never have the excitement of “what should we name him/her?” or the excitement of going to the hospital to meet the newest love of my life.  It’s amazing all of the wonderful things pregnancy and having children bring to someone’s life!  It is truly a blessing and a miracle!  For a time, I was apart of that miracle!  I was blessed by God.

The other half of this period is that I am excited.  I will have my little family and raise my children with my husband.  We can move forward with other things now.  I can get my body back to the way I want it. Now, we can enjoy being a completed family!

So, i’m going to enjoy the last few weeks of my pregnancy.  I’m going to cherish every moment!

I can’t think anymore.  My brain is mush right now.

So here’s the deal, I have quite a bit of homework to do for my html class and my motivation at the moment is zip, zilch, nada.  It is 9:53p.m. and my brain is starting to shut down.  I keep reading the same code over and over again and like a confused monkey I keep scratching my head over the same sentence.  Wha?!

So yeah.  I’ve been spending the bulk of my mind (and time) wandering around the web reading new and fascinating blogs.  I just came across one called Theology Mama. If you haven’t read it yet, you should definitely check it out! She recounts the tale of going into Motherhood Maternity to find a pair of jeans and comfy undies. What she ended up getting were two sales women who were on her like cheap suits.

Anyway… where was I…? Distraction… oh yeah. So basically, I have lost my mind this evening.

Does someone want to help me find it?    When you find it, just look for the confused (extremely large) preggo sitting at her computer reading blogs.  Thanks.

Isn’t it amazing how each pregnancy treats your skin differently? When I was pregnant with my son, my skin was glowing and looked better when pregnant than it did when I wasn’t pregnant! When pregnant with my daughter, I suffered a few more breakouts but nothing out of the ordinary. Now, with this little one, i’m feeling like a teenager again! So, i’m constantly on the prowl to find natural acne treatments. I’m so nervous about using anything while pregnant, even Tylenol! However, I am beginning to find the merit in organic items!

What do you use on your skin? Do you like it?

I have finally entered into the 3rd trimester!  The home stretch is so near that I can just feel it!  Of course, there are a few things I still need to get for bebe.  Mainly onsies and sleepers; perhaps even an outfit or two.  He (at least I still think it is a “he” — as we were told it “looked” like a he at 14 weeks) will probably only rock out in onesies for the first few months.  I will be having him in the summer.  If this summer is anything like the last few summers… he might only be rocking out in a diaper.  LOL!

In other news…. I hurt.  I’m finally at the point where I waddle 24/7.  My pelvic and hip joints are a bit out of whack at this point.  I’m going to need a girdle and a bath lift. It’s amazing the amount of pressure pregnancy can put on your joints especially in the last remaining months.

I got my lovely glucose test today as well as a shot in the arse (Rhogham).  My Dr. assured me that we will schedule an ultrasound and my c-section within the next 4 weeks.  I am finally at 2-week visits to the Dr.!  Hip-hip-Hooray!!!  3 pregnancies in 4 years has been a bit much for me.  This may sound a little assnine, but I will be ever so glad when i’m done baking my baby bun and he can come out and get flogged with lots of kisses and love from his family!

I am so excited for his arrival!!  It almost feels as if there is a certain air of completion that is surrounding his birth!

I am on a roll tonight with the pregnancy posts! ;o)

So, my gal pals and I have been throwing “baby celebrations” for the pregnant moms on our board. We feel that every baby deserves a celebration! Even if it isn’t laden with baby stuff. Let’s face it, 2nd and 3rd time moms usually have most of what they need.

Anyway, we (the gal pals and I) decided that instead of giving the moms more baby stuff, we would give something that is just for momma. In the previous post you heard me whining about my pelvic pain and back pressure right? Knowing that most pregnant women experience some kind of discomfort during their 2nd and 3rd trimesters, we decided to pool together to get the moms-to-be-part-deux a gift certificate for a prenatal massage! How heavenly to be able to receive a little massage therapy when you need it most, right?

What do you do for friends who are on their second and third children? Do you help them celebrate in any way?

Now that i’m about 25 weeks along, I have noticed that I am having major back aches! It’s almost ridiculous really! One minute, i’ll be standing up cooking dinner or folding clothes (mind you my back is slightly bent) and the next minute, I look like i’m walking on sandwiches. My back starts to spasm to the point where i’m practically crawling on the floor. The good thing is, it has happened so frequently, that I know *when* it will happen as the muscles in my back will tense up with a certain familiarity. That’s when I know it’s a good time to sit down and let my muscles relax a bit. Times like these, I wish I had one of those cool zero gravity recliners. My soon-to-be father-in-law has one! It is amazing! Whenever the fam and I go over to his house I make a mad dash for the chair! hehe

Now, in other news… my pelvic bones feel like they are pulling apart. Oh the joys of being pregnant!

If any of you preggos are in pain as well, share your discomfort with comment! Lots of ((((HUGS))) to you!

I am proud to say that I have not gained any weight thus far in my pregnancy journey.  The scale seems stuck at my current weight and has not yet moved up or down in WEEKs… weeks I tell ya!  My doctor says that everything looks good and to keep doing what I am doing!

I wonder if it is possible to come out lighter after this than I went in?  I keep grasping onto that HOPING that’s the case!  I would be so geeked if that happened!

I can feel the baby kick more now.  I will always cherish this feeling!  I loved feeling O kick and S kick and now this little guy!  It’s the most amazing feeling anyone can experience.

We are still unpacking here.  My mother-in-law (bless her heart) has helped us out today and will continue to help tomorrow.  As much as I wanted to do it myself, she really has been a wonder!  Sometimes I can be so stubborn at accepting help.  Other times, i’m better at it.  I guess it just depends on the situation.  I think it has to do with a woman’s territory.  I know i’m always marking mine! LOL!

Well, we did it.  We moved.  Two kids and all.  We were supposed to move today but decided to move yesterday to avoid the impending snowstorm on the horizon (gotta love Michigan weather).  We moved well into the wee hours of the morning, uh 12:30 am to be exact, which is way past this preggo’s bed time.  Despite the last minute plans to move early, things went along smoothly.  Even upon waking this morning (with only 6 hours of sleep under our belts) everyone was fairly cheerful.

I have to admit though, it’s almost 11 pm and my body is ready to QUIT.  QUIT I say!  Every bone is protesting and yelling at me to lay down.

I went to the store slid my way to the grocery store this morning and bought food for the house.  We had been living off of McDonalds and Pizza for the past 2 weeks; concentrating mainly on the move and less on eating healthy.  I actually felt great planning my little menu!  I absolutely love the fact that we have a grocery store just around the corner!  It made my slide in a little easier. ;o)

We are loving the new house and ready to embark upon a new journey!

In pregnancy news:  Since last week, I have been feeling the baby move regularly.  Sometimes he hiccups after I drink orange juice.  I had a scare with some contractions and a UTI last Sunday night but it was nothing that a trip to the ER couldn’t cure.  Little Lightening McQueen didn’t care for the ultrasound tech poking and prodding at his space.  He proceeded to move away from and/or kick at the wand every chance he got.  78 pictures later, he began to cooperate.  Our ultrasound tech was a little crabby, so I guess I don’t blame him.  Though, how anyone can remain cheerful at 4:30 in the morning is beyond me.  So I guess I understood her… a little.

Until Next Time….

This is my last pregnancy.  My last pregnancy ever.  So, I feel like writing down every emotion and kick.  Even running to the toilet sick was kind of endearing.  I feel so incredibly lucky to have been blessed with two babies.  Of couse, I hope that the pregnancy goes well and that I am blessed with one more!  You don’t have to have a near-death experience to realize how precious life is.  I guess that’s where I am at right now.  I am embracing all that life has to offer and I thank God for all of the gifts he has blessed me with.

So… here I am at 18 weeks.  I feel good.  My nausea has gone away and my energy level has upped itself just a bit.  One notable thing that has been happening is the spreading apart of my pelvic bones (or should I say the softening of them).  This happens in preparation of birth.   This gets me excited as I know that I am only 2 weeks away from being half way to the finish line!

Until the next update….

I met with my new OBGYN today.  I was really impressed and immediately took a liking to him.  He gave me a pap smear, took down my past pregnancy history (births, etc.) and asked me my birth preferences.  I chose another c-section.  I prefer not to try a VBAC as even a 1% chance of a uterine rupture is too big of a risk.  I would rather not risk the baby’s health in any way and so a third c-section it is.

Before he entered the office, I got to see the pictures of some of the babies he delivered.  He had them fastened up on a decorative cork board.  This put me at ease immediately because it was evident that he connected with his patients and cared enough to have that little collage of photos.

One thing that did not come from this initial appointment was a due date.  I haven’t had a period since March of last year, so i’m not sure exactly how far along I am.  An ultrasound was scheduled for four weeks out!  Perhaps they’ll be able to tell me the sex of the baby then!

My friends joke that i’ll be giving birth any day now!  If that’s the case, then I must say I have maintained my body exceptionally well this time.  I actually lost 6 1/2 pounds so far!  Being a big girl, i’m not too sad about losing the weight.  The baby gets the nutrients first and my body last.  I am eating enough to sustain but not over doing it and certainly not starving myself.  I take my prenatals everyday and I stay away from fast food.  I also cut soda pop out of my life (diet and regular).

The great thing about this baby (he or she is a Godsend really), is that my attitude has changed.  I used to eat out of emotion.  Or if I was hungry, I would choose the most unhealthy foods to stuff in my mouth.  Since the baby, I have been given the gift of reality.  I realize that if I don’t take care of myself, something unsavory could happen to me on that operating table.  Also, I now have three kids to think about.  They deserve more from me.  Every time I put McDonalds (or insert other crap food of choice.  I’ve had them all it seems.) into my mouth, I was choosing food over an active and healthy life with my husband and children.  I was cheating the people who I love most and I just can’t do it anymore.  I can’t and I won’t.  It’s not fair to them or to me.

Anyway, I had a very uncomplicated last 1st doctor’s visit and found that I will enjoy working with Dr. Pete!  He seemed confident that since my first two pregnancies were relatively uncomplicated, that this one would be as well.  I am praying that all turns out well and that the baby is healthy.

He asked whether I wanted a girl or a boy or if I had any feelings about this baby.  I told him that I didn’t feel either way.  Children are a blessing.

I will continue to keep you all updated! )