36 and 38 Weeks Baby Willms #3

Life has been crazy.  C-R-A-Z-Y!  We moved back to Iowa just two weeks ago.  I was 36 weeks pregnant during the move.  Kevin and I prayed the baby would stay put and I wouldn't start labor during our drive from Minnesota to Iowa.  Baby Willms stayed put, Phew!.  We prayed that labor would hold off during the first couple days of the move so we could get a bit settled first.  Baby Willms cooperated again and didn't arrive, Yay!.  Our last milestone was waiting until I had my first appointment with my new doctor group here in Iowa.  I had no idea where to go or who even to call if I had started labor so having that information beforehand would be nice to know.  And here we are, 2 weeks in our new house and 38 weeks pregnant!  Baby Willms is one awesome baby for listening to us already.  And we are thankful God has helped make things go smoothly (and answered lots of prayers) for us during this crazy, hectic time!

36 weeks - June 12, 2014

Before I left the Twin Cities, I had my 36 week appointment with my doctor.  It was an exciting appointment - marking a big milestone point for baby - but also sad to be my last appointment with Dr. Callanan whom has helped me throughout this pregnancy.  I felt comfortable with her, her advice, and liked the nurses.  Thinking about starting over with a new group of doctor's this late in the pregnancy was a bit scary.  I felt reassured that I was switching at 36 weeks and if I did go into labor the baby would be fine at this point.  

At this appointment she checked my cervix and I had just started to dilate to 1 cm.  She felt confident that I wouldn't go into labor and could make it a bit longer.  I just needed to take it easy unpacking during the move.

At 36 weeks I was measuring right on track at 35/36 weeks and the baby was in the head down position.

That weekend we moved on Friday and I went to my new doctor, Dr. Girardi, in Iowa right away on Monday.  I was just a few days over 36 weeks.  I was a little bit nervous at this appointment.  A lot had been going on with just moving and thinking about labor was a lot on my mind.  Would I make it to the hospital in time with our 35 minute drive?  When will I know when I need to head into the hospital?  What do the really strong contractions feel like?  Will my water break first like it did with the twins?  So many new and different emotions than what I experienced with the twins' labor.  I didn't have to worry about when to go to the hospital since I was already there.  My water broke on it's own and I didn't have strong contractions before receiving my epidural.  Thinking about labor still makes me nervous!  

*say some prayers all goes well*

Dr. Girardi was great at making me feel at ease.  She had looked at my chart (a lengthy one) from this pregnancy and the twins' and knew my history well when talking with her.  I had great recommendations from friends on this Ob Group, so I knew I was in great hands.  She checked my cervix and at 36 weeks 2 days I was dilated to 3 cm.  I was dilated a bit more from right before we moved, but I wasn't surprised since I had been busy all weekend moving/unpacking.

The next week I went back to Dr. Girardi for my 37 week appointment.  I was checked again and hadn't made much of a change - dilated between 3 and 4 cm.  The head had really dropped lower from the previous week.

38 weeks - June 28, 2014

Only two weeks left until baby's due date!  I can't believe I'm still 'waddling' around pregnant entering the month of July tomorrow!  My prediction all along was I wouldn't make it into July.  Definitely surprising me!

I started an online pool for people to guess baby's gender, due date, and stats.  If you'd like to make your prediction here's the website: http://www.untilithappens.com/babywillms3

The winner gets a really awesome prize!! ;)

Baby Willms is still in the head down position and moves a lot.  Some nights it feels like he/she is doing somersaults and kickboxing in my uterus!  I can feel and see his/her foot poking out during some of the kicks.

I've had a hard time getting a full night's sleep.  I toss and turn trying to find a comfortable position.  Poor Kevin having to put up with me and my big body pillow taking up most of the space!  I have been waking up a lot around 4/5ish and can't seem to really fall back asleep.

I've had some contractions off and on and now with some pretty strong ones that creep in there.  But nothing in a pattern enough to think about going into the hospital.  I go tomorrow for my 38 week check-up and am curious to see if I've had any cervical change.

I asked the twins what their prediction was for baby Willms - a boy or girl.  I made them each a sign, which they decorated, to hold for a picture.

Matthew says boy and either tells us we should name him baby Matthew or baby Bubble Guppies.

Princess Katers said girl and thinks we should name her Baby Sofia or Baby Kate.

Kate and Matthew are going to be great a Big Sister and Big Brother.  It will be fun to see them in the new role when the baby arrives.  Hopefully it will be a smooth transition for them.

And now we play the waiting game....

Morning Dance Party Video of K and M

Kate and Matthew are big fans of the song, 'Happy'!  We will frequently hear Kate break out in song singing this song at the top of her lungs.  This morning the twins had a dance party to the song - which was requested by them.  Kevin and I were cracking up the whole time watching these two goofballs!

 

Love their dance moves - all thought up on their own with no prompting from us.  My favorite moves are when Kate shakes it, Matthew's fast twist, the hops on one leg, and Matthew's "water fountain" arm motion (or whatever you want to call it...it makes me laugh!).

 

I hope you enjoy, and it makes you Happy! :)

 

 

Baby Willms #3 - 34 Weeks

34 weeks.  Wow!  I officially made it further this pregnancy than I did with the twins.  I delivered the twins just one day shy of 34 at 33 weeks 6 days.  It felt pretty darn good to hit this milestone still pregnant!!

 



May  31, 2014 - 34 Weeks

 

A baby at 34 weeks now weighs about 5 pounds - about the size of a cantaloupe - and is almost 18ish inches long. 

At my 34 week doctor's appointment baby's heartbeat was in the 150's.  The doctor felt the head is down at this point with baby's butt on my left and feet on my right.  Definitely made sense when she told me baby's position because I have been experiencing a lot of kicking and body parts pushing out on my right side.



 

We are still trying to figure out a name for this little baby #3. We do have a few that we've narrowed it down to for our boy and girl list. We ask the twins a lot what they think we should name him/her.  Kate says Baby Sofia like her baby doll and from her favorite TV show, Sofia the First.  After Kate's response we asked Matthew.  He said it should be Baby Bubble Guppies - from his favorite TV show, too!  So looks like our girl and boy name is picked out - Baby Sofia and Baby Bubble Guppies! 

 

Kate and Matthew have been able to feel the baby move around in my tummy.  Matthew was all concerned because baby was kicking me. 

 

Matthew told me he wants to have a baby sister.  We will see if he wishes he would have picked differently down the road if this little one is a girl. :)

I haven't really enjoyed these hot, humid days we have had.  Pregnancy and heat isn't my favorite....especially while trying to sleep at night.  



 

As many of you know, we are preparing to move to Iowa next week.  (I'll post a seperate post about that later.)  I already have my first appointment set up for 37 weeks with my new group of doctors for after we make the move.  Feels really crazy to be switching doctors right at the end of my pregnancy, but I feel very comfortable with the group of Obgyn's that I've picked.  Kevin and I just hope baby W. decides to stay put until we get to Iowa - much easier to move him/her still being pregnant that's for sure! 

Guess I should think about actually packing a 'hospital bag' to be prepared for this little one's arrival any day.  I have started to get stuff washed and a few necessity baby items ready.  Starting to feel pretty real!

 

Tomorrow, June 7th, marks another weekly change over date and baby Willms will be 35 weeks!

32 Weeks!

It feels so good to say that I have made it to 32 weeks of this pregnancy on May 17th!  I'm so thrilled to be in the 30's and hanging in there!

Surprised by who was the willing kid to take pictures with me this week?! :)  I'm glad the her princess tiara was able to make the pictures, too!

At my 32 week appointment I was measuring right on track.

This little kiddo loves to become active right around bedtime.  It's like clock-work.  Right when I go to relax in the evening or lay in bed he/she starts doing somersaults moving and kicking all around.

This past week I had more contractions happening each day.  Because of that my doctor checked me at my 32 week appointment - happy to report my cervix is still closed and seemed long.  Phew!  Happy to hear with all of those contractions I didn't have any cervical change.

I only have 4 more weekly progesterone shots left!!!  (my last one I will receive will be at 36 weeks)

I definitely feel tired during the day now being now in the third trimester.  I try and take a quick cat nap when Kate and Matthew nap if I am able.  By the middle of the day I just feel wiped!  Plus taking my contraction medicine - which is used also for lowering blood pressure - really makes me tired and slow down.

Kevin and I are still working on picking out our girl and boy name for this little one.  Finding it harder this time around.  But we aren't sharing any names...sorry. :)

Feeling excited that in 2 months or less we will get to meet you Baby Willms! <3 p="">

Baby Willms #3 is 30 Weeks!

Saturday, May 3rd, marked 30 weeks for little Baby Willms #3!  Thirty weeks is awesome!  I'm so excited to be in the 30's.  Only 2.5 months away from baby's full term due date of July 12th!   

At 30 weeks baby is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (about the size of a large cabbage).

At my 30 week doctor's check-up I was still measuring right on track and the baby's heartbeat was in the 160's bpm.  My Obgyn still thinks the baby is head down at this time.  (fingers crossed he/she stays in that position!)

What a goofball!  He loves to be Mr. Funny and place the sign over his face!

As I'm getting closer to the due date, I'm getting more anxious and excited to find out if this little one is a girl or a boy!  It's going to be fun to have that moment when we find out...I'm so glad we are leaving it a surprise!

my photographer got creative, lol! :)

bubbles!

We finally had a short time of real spring weather the week after Easter.  The twins and I enjoy being outside and miss it after being stuck inside all week with this non-stop rainy weather!

Miss Katherine has been inseparable from her skirt (from her Easter outfit) and Tangled (Disney movie) tiara.  She sports these two items all.of.the.time!  From the minute she wakes up it goes over her jammie pants and continues with any outfit whether it matches or not.  So pretty much the only time she's not wearing either of them is nap and bedtime.  It's pretty cute and I can't lie - it's fun to finally see a little girly side come out. 

A saying "Cheese!" smile

The twins loved blowing bubbles for each other to run and try and catch.  

trying to catch the bubbles 

Hopefully we can get back outside real soon!  

28 Weeks!

Twenty-eight weeks marks the start of the third trimester!  I can't believe I'm in the final trimester already!!  I feel that so far this pregnancy has gone by fairly quickly.  Probably a lot to do with that comes from staying busy with taking care of Kate and Matthew.

At 28 weeks the baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a large eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his/her head to his/her heels.

I continue to receive the weekly progesterone shots to help minimize my contractions.  I have these shots until 36 weeks pregnant...only 9 times left!

At my 28 week doctor's appointment this past week I had the glucose testing done.  Every one's favorite - drinking the really, really sugary orange drink.  I was happy to hear I passed!

My uterus is measuring right on track at 28 weeks and the baby's heart rate was ranging in the 140's. 

The little one moves around A LOT!  Always love these movements and watching my stomach move around.



Check out cute Princess Kate's tiara and fancy Minnie Mouse shoes!

Overall, I am feeling pretty good!  I do notice I get winded more easily and am beat by the end of the night.  I have been sleeping well at night but do have to wake up at least once to use the bathroom and wake up to switch positions from side to side.  Thankfully the twins still take naps so I am able to take a little cat nap with them in the middle of the day.

The two things I really miss are sleeping on my stomach and being able to bend at the waist, lol! :)

We are getting more and more excited to meet you little one!