Umm…. What the what? 28 weeks already? Time for another baby update!
My belly button is staring at you…
I’m in denial, but really there’s no denying it — I’m now in the 3rd trimester!
Remember how I was all cheerful and happy at 24 weeks? Talking about how I was loving life and things were’s just SOOOOO wonderful? Well, that went away quickly. Around 26 weeks it all changed and things got real. I had a few really bad days in particular where I think the baby was having a huge growth spurt. I was super crampy and achy. I could NOT get comfortable. I thought – HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE IT??? Thankfully, it’s gotten a little better since then!
I don’t think it’s as noticeable in the dress I am wearing today – but yeah, this baby is growing!
As much I complain – this is seriously THE BEST I can recall feeling at this stage of my pregnancy. If you have known back problems (or scoliosis like me!) and you are contemplating going to a chiropractor during pregnancy — DO IT. I don’t feel like my chiropractor does much – he cracks my back/neck, uses a handheld adjustment tool on my lower back/sacral joint, and I do hip exercises on a wobble chair that helps me loosen up my ligaments… But it’s the small adjustments that help. And it is GLORIOUS.
I went to my 28 week appointment yesterday and it was a busy one! It started out with a tasty bottle of glucola (I picked fruit punch – my other options were lemon/lime and orange):
Down the hatch…
Then I had my follow-up ultrasound.
Do you see the face (nose and the cheek)?
The baby was jamming out in there, thanks to the glucose – and trying put his/her hands in it’s mouth. Another thumbsucker, perhaps? (maybe I should start saving for the orthodontist now!)
The purpose of the ultrasound was to check on the echogenic focus on the baby’s heart. Sometimes it goes away. Sometimes it grows into the heart. Sometimes it’s still there. In our case, it was still there – clear as day. Our tech (who I know very well from my infertility days!) reassured us (again) that most of the time it’s absolutely nothing (the Dr. I saw afterwards agreed and took no futher action).
In other news, we are STILL team green (it was seriously hard not to look!) and the baby is measuring about 2 weeks ahead. S/he was laying with it’s head on my right hip with it’s butt near my ribs. It’s feet are kicking out on the right side (frequently, lol). At least I know they are feet now! The baby is not technically head down yet – but hopefully on it’s way. Oh, and his/her rate was 131 bpm (PS – I’m still thinking boy!).
Mmmmm…hands.
Although this was not news to me, this is not a small baby(I’m expecting a 9 pounder). S/he currently is estimated at 2.5lbs and in the 75% for size or something. Eh, that’s nothing I can’t handle.
After the u/s, I waited about 25 minutes and then went in for my glucose blood draw (they had to get it an hour after I drank the glucola) – and then was immediately ushered to my Dr. appointment (they were actually looking for me as I was hiding in the lab!). The appt with the Dr. was uneventful and the baby’s heartbeat sounded nice and strong. We did talk about the baby’s size, but as I told the Dr. I know people smaller than me who have had bigger babies, so I’m it’s not even on my radar as a concern! Thankfully, the Dr. I will be seeing for the remainder of my pregnancy is fairly laid back and not intervention happy — so I’m still planning on this baby making is far past it’s due date. Lol.
As I was checking out (and setting up ALL of my remaining Doctor. appointments — EEK!!), the Dr. rushed out to ask if I had received my Rhogam shot. Ooops – nope! I have O negative blood, so this is a MUST. So, the last thing I did was get shot in the ass. Fun times!
I go back in 3 weeks, then 2, and then I start going every week. But don’t worry, I’m not going to start recapping every (unexciting) Dr. appointment. It’s just crazy to me that I’ve already hit this point!
Here’s my pregnancy comparison…
I know you can’t tell in the first picture – but it will become clear soon that I carry my babies exactly the same. And yes, there is now nowhere left to go but out.
As for everything else:
Exercise: Still at it, but no longer running. I have started walking twice a week (20-30 minutes) and taking spin twice a week (45 minutes) – and fitting in 2-3 strength training workouts. Not running blows, and I’m tempted to try at least 500 times during my walk, but I know the pain I feel after is not worth it! I do feel out of breath very easily when on the spin bike – but the position of the bike doesn’t help. I need longer arms or something (the ONLY time I will ever say that!).
Weight Gain: I’m up 16 pounds. This is pretty much the same as my previous pregnancies. If all follows suit I will gain for a few more weeks and then the last few weeks I start to lose (mainly because there is no room for food!).
Cravings: JUICE! I love grapefruit juice and orange juice (in that order). Otherwise, I really can’t say I’m craving anything in particular.
Sleep: Sleep is getting less restful, but I am still fairly comfortable. It’s hurts to roll over and well, that’s not going to change any time soon.
Movement: This kids most active between 9-11am and 8-10pm — and I am not complaining about that (L used to wake me up in the middle of the night)! I get a lot jabs in the upper right or left side of my belly and I feel a lot of hiccups down low (mostly on my right hip – so I wasn’t surprised to learn where the baby’s head is located!). Overall, this baby seems kinda chill. I know that indicates nothing, but a girl can dream, right?
Baby prep: I need to pick out a paint color this weekend. I also need to go through my newborn clothes (boy and girl) and do some laundry prep. I figure I just need to have a few outfits of each sex picked out and then I can worry about the rest once we know if it’s a boy or a girl (we do have a few neutral items as well).
Coming home outfit: Ordered!
It’s kinda funny that it’s bees (I am seriously afraid), but this looked sweet and soft and PERFECT for a coming home outfit. (plus I love that the zipper is diagonal and I don’t have to worry about it being under the baby’s neck).
Baby items: I just want to pick up a few swaddling blankets (these Ultimate Receiving Blankets are my favorite, although I’m tempted to try the Miracle Blanket as well) and I still need to decide on a bouncer. I feel pretty good about where we are 3 months out!
Kids: A lot of people have asked me how the kids are doing with the idea of another sibling — and as of right now they are still pretty excited! For the record, they both think they are getting a baby sister.
I want to pick out some “Big Brother/Big Sister” t-shirts for them (I might just go with Carter’s) — and find small gifts “from the baby.” I got B a fun tool set “from L” when she was born and I think it helped a little with the adjustment. I’m not AS worried this time because both of them have a pretty good idea of what’s going on (B was clueless!), but who doesn’t love gifts? 
And that pretty much sums up all of the excitement going on here in Babyland. Just 3 more months!!
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Yay for the third trimester! Or maybe “yay” isn’t the right word? I feel ya, I have not been all butterflies and roses myself lately. I complain A LOT. Mostly to my poor best friend who has not yet had kids herself so I feel terrible but she is a good listener and doesn’t judge!
I agree with the chiropractor! I just went on Monday and although I have some lingering hip pain the pinching in my shoulders is completely gone. I love him. My guy is low key too, basic adjustments no fancy tools but that’s why I love it, in, out, paid and gone. I already scheduled my next appt!
Carissa Dukes recently posted..Baby Fun Fact – Week 31
You look amazing!!! I could never wait to find out the gender. The over-controlling person in me could not stand the surprise. I am looking forward to hearing how your kids do when the baby comes home. When I had my 2nd, my oldest was only 1 so I feel like she had no idea. Now, I can only imagine what would happen brining another one home.
Robin recently posted..Race Day Nutrition–Why I Run with SaltSticks
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE HAVING! How can you be so chill about it? I think I would say something about not wanting to know and after ultrasound 2 I’d be “Oh damn, I can’t wait, just tell me.”
We are selling our crib right now… I’m scared. I’ve known way too many people that got knocked up after selling all their stuff and deciding not to have any more.
Tara @ texasrunnergirl.com recently posted..A lingering marathon injury?
I agree with the kiddos–thinking girl, too, just based on belly comparisons
You are all belly, though! So funny that that little babe is just hangin there all popped out, but you’re right, there’s no where else to go. Love the homecoming outfit. If it’s a girl, you should name her Melissa because it means “honeybee” in Greek. Fo realz, yo.
Melissa recently posted..What I’m Eating
Wow Michelle you look great take care of that little guy // you are doing so good think of a boys name ok and have a great Valentine’s Day behave
You look so good! Is it weird that I think time is flying for you (seems like just a couple weeks ago you told us you were pregnant!)…but it is absolutely dragging for me? I just hit 16 weeks but I swear it takes 2 weeks for every week to pass.
I think its so fun that you are waiting to find out if BW3 is a boy or girl. I actually thought it was going to be a boy all along…but now that I see the pictures and ultrasounds in this post I just might think it’s a girl! We can’t wait to find out what we are having…even at our 13 week visit we jumped at the chance to hear what the tech and doctor both thought…they were only 85%…but now I pretty much have my heart set on what they told us!
Theresa recently posted..Tuesday Truths
You look great! I wasn’t a fan of the miracle blanket. As soon as our baby could break out it was a mess. At almost 5 months we use an Adan & Anais sleep sack. He loves it, so soft.
Yay for not finding out! I didn’t with any of mine and I think it’s more fun that way. You look so good too! I actually had the option this last time to do jelly beans instead of the weird drink for the glucos test. I thought my choice was a fantastic one until I bit down on a black jelly bean. Blech!
Hugh Jass recently posted..Cross Timbers com’s up!
I love reading these posts, Michelle! I’m excited to see what you’re having! I can’t believe you’re waiting to find out – I couldn’t handle the suspense!
Ashley@cupcakesncrunches recently posted..The Little Things
How about butter yellow in yhe room? So msny ways to decorate with it.
Oh, we’re definitely doing grey! Then I can either pick turqoise/green or purple accents and bedding depending on the sex
I just had to pick the shade of grey (ha ha ha).
My brother’s room was grey (when he as a kid) accented with RED. Very cowboy cool.
What is the purpose of a Rhogam shot? It’s so fun to see the ultrasound pics of your baby! S/he will be here before you know it!
Ara recently posted..Meals to Prep
Rhogam basically prevents my blood from being sensitized during the birth. If I end up having a baby with a positive blood type our blood can mix during birth and I could become exposed to positive antibodies. The chances of any of this happening are slim (both B & L ended up O negative like me and blood only mixes during a traumatic birth), so it’s really just a precaution.
Is your hubby Rh-Positive? I thought that’s the only time you have to have the shot.
I’m O-neg too, so I planned on getting FH tested when the time comes.
Yeah – he is! Thankfully, I have had only o-negative babies — so I’ve had to get the shot after delivery too! Just before, to be on the safe side.
If you’re hesitating with the miracle blanket I would just say go for it. I bought one in the US (you don’t really find them in Europe) for C and used it right after birth. She loved to be swaddled in and feel like she was still in the belly where there wasn’t much space to move. This made her a very calm baby. I think it’s very nice for the baby’s first months…
I think they’re getting a baby sister too.
I drank my glucola today and get my Rhogam shot on the 26th. Woo Hoo! Getting closer!
What do you think YOUR having? It’s funny how many girl votes I have. I would be SO shocked (but at least we have some names).
The glucola gave me SUCH heartburn (and I haven’t had any this pregnancy). It was horrible. I feel like that part was 900 times than getting the shot and giving blood!
At my last ultrasound, they told us. I was so disappointed. I had a follow up one to check the heart and the tech was training a new girl. The tech was saying “your baby” this and “your baby” that and the girl whispered “shouldn’t you say she” to the tech. I guess it was written in my file (which I didn’t know they did that). The tech immediately said “you guys know the sex, right?” Um, NO but we do now, thanks a lot. So, it’s a girl. Not as exciting as finding out at the end but at least we are set on a name. We were having a heck of a time with boy names. Plus, everyone was telling me girl.
My other friend who is pregnant now (due May 3rd) found out by the tech too, even after reminding her many times that they didn’t want to know.
Oh wow – that sucks!! I am so angry for you (and your friend). I mean, it’s not like you aren’t excited about the baby (and yes, it does help with naming!), but ARGH. I’ve been so paranoid at the u/s because I don’t want to know that I obsessively talk about it with the tech before we start. During this last one we did, once we saw that everything was healthy, I kinda wanted it to be over – but the tech wanted to show us stuff! I was like – where was this ultrasound during my first pregnancy (when I got ONE u/s at 20 weeks). It sounds weird, but I’m hoping we don’t have to go to any more. Not knowing is stressful. Ha ha.