42 weeks & 1 week

Here I am at 42 weeks pregnant on the left. And me and 1 week old Blaise on the right.
*please note that I have not yet learned to maintain proper posture since having the baby. Hello arched back and slumped shoulders! It's a weird feeling not to have that little guy inside me anymore!*

We are slowly adjusting but I think the slow-paced lifestyle that we live here in Uganda has been a very positive thing. That and Jamie is on paternity leave for a month {so thankful!}.
My parents arrive in less than 2 weeks and they'll be staying for a month {again - SO thankful!}.
This is likely my last post on this blog and you can find any other baby-related posts on my main blog, Strickly Speaking.
Thanks for following along with me on this journey of being pregnant here in Uganda! Blaise's birth story will be posted on my main blog {tomorrow!} so make sure to check that out.

hello world!

he's here! he's finally here!

we're so in love and thrilled to welcome blaise jonathan to our family!

he arrived september 17th {last night} at 11pm weighing 9lbs 4oz with a full head of hair!
i'm absolutely smitten.

more to come when more sleep has been had and we're settled in...

forty two

Dear B,

I guess I've made a pretty comfy space for you, eh? At least, I hope you're comfortable. One of us should be.
We are really, really excited to meet you, but at this point it's hard to believe that you're actually going to join us and make us a family of 5!
We aren't a perfect family. We yell. And fight. And sometimes we're loud and rude. But your oldest brother, Noah? He's incredibly helpful. He'll teach you how to build amazing things out of Lego and give you lots of really big pushes on the swing when you're big enough. He's also really ticklish so I'm just giving you a heads up when the wrestling matches begin with him.
And your other big brother Jude? He's funny. And silly. And he's the one who's been telling you lots of stories while you've been cooking inside of me.
Both of your brothers are great cuddlers and will give you lots of hugs and kisses and are so incredibly excited to meet you and show you all of the new toys you have!
Your Daddy is the best man I have ever known. He loves Jesus. And sports. And he'll teach you all the Manchester United anthems as well as every and any sports statistic you're interested in hearing about. I can't think of a better role model for you to aspire to be like.
And me? Well, I'm your Mama. I've been wishing and hoping and praying for you for a long time. Even before I knew you were inside of me. I have a feeling you are to be the last child I'll have grown inside my belly and so while this waiting and waiting and waiting for you has at times been really frustrating, I've also tried to savour every kick and punch and flip-flop that you've made inside of me. Because you have been moving a lot and I know I'll miss these feelings that only I get to experience with you once you make your appearance in this big, wide world.
I will cuddle and kiss you and breathe you in and sing you sweet songs. I will rock you and nurse you in the middle of the night. I will pray sweet blessings over you as well as warrior prayers.

However and whenever you come, I'm trusting God to protect you and bring you to us in the exact time and way He has planned.
Above all, I want you to know that you are loved. Not just by us, but by Jesus. I will do everything I can to share with you how much He loves you and what a joy it is to know Him and live your life following after Him.
I love you, baby B.
Please come soon!

with a heart that continues to grow with love for you,
Mama

the gong show

oh Uganda.

so I woke up this morning, armed with my plan to call the clinic that has done my ultrasounds before. unfortunately, Alice (the technician) wasn't in until 5pm today so I couldn't go into the clinic in time to get to my 11:30am appointment.
we decided to go to the hospital and pulled in at around 10am. I had called shortly before we left and was assured that I just needed to bring in my requisition and could get an ultrasound shortly thereafter.
when we got there, there was another (very) pregnant woman talking to a nurse and I could hear her saying something about something not being available.
I talked to the receptionist and she motioned that I also talk to this nurse. the nurse then told me that they had taken the ultrasound machine up to the NICU for an emergency and it was unavailable. but she assured me that I would be able to make my 11:30am appointment in time.
so we sat. about 5 minutes later we did see the ultrasound machine being wheeled back into the room.
I was pregnant lady #3 waiting.
eventually it was my turn and the technician was very nice and friendly and we joked about the size and lateness of this baby. he told me the baby's estimated weight was 8.5lbs but I think we all know he'll be bigger. but baby B looked good, the fluid levels looked good and he's head down and ready.
hooray!
this was great news and lovely to see my little man (all squished up in there!).
then we went over to the other part of the hospital to sign in to see the doctor (right at 11:30!) and after I had already paid and gone through triage (with HIGH blood pressure. sigh. the nurse didn't mention anything to me, though.) a nurse then decided to tell me that the doctor had been called into an emergency and was in "theater" (aka, surgery) and that he wouldn't be out until maybe around 1pm.
again, I was third on the list to see him. so Jamie and I decided to go out for lunch and come back around 1. it was a nice lunch out together and we got back to the hospital around 1:15pm.
at this point we're informed that the doctor has been called into another surgery and won't be out for maybe another 1.5 to 2 hours.
I opt to reschedule for tomorrow morning.
goodness.
so we know baby B is doing well.
which made all the driving around and everything else completely worth it.

and then...? well, Jamie and I decided to give it another shot (you know what I mean) so we put on a movie for the kids and gave them snacks and since about 5ish I've been having some mild contractions.
which is good.
but I'm not assuming anything is going to happen. but it's (again) encouraging to me to know that my body is doing something to get this kid out!

so that's the update. my appointment with the doctor is 7:30am tomorrow morning - or sooner if things actually start happening!

41 weeks

one gorgeous week overdue.
I admit. I went through many phases this week. acceptance. grouchiness. anger. frustration. desperation.
I've walked up and down our gigantic hill in our compound a bunch of times. I ate bowls of pineapple. I've paced and swayed and had lovely hot showers and crawled around on my hands and knees. I've done the "needful" with jamie.

if you don't like words like "mucus" and "blood" stop reading now. you've been warned.

I was getting a bit discouraged because unlike my other two pregnancies, I hadn't lost my mucus plug yet or lost much mucus at all. with noah I lost my mucus plug 4 days before he was born. with jude I think it was 2 days. to me, it's been somewhat of a "sign" that things are happening. so to not see it is discouraging.
this morning I've lost a bit of mucus which is a good thing. hopefully things will pick up.

right now there's a student meeting/retreat going on in our living room today; I can hear the clapping and singing and laughter and it makes me smile. baby B may not show up today, but if he does, he'll have a warm reception, that's for sure.

my latest plan that will likely not come to fruition;
if I am still pregnant on Monday, I will go to the hospital a couple hours early, get my ultrasound scan done and then meet with my doctor for my appointment with him at 11:30. as long as all is well with me and baby B I am going to push for the doctor to give me a stretch and sweep, since I've completed my full dosage of antibiotics {as he was concerned that I was GBS+ and didn't want to possibly push any bacteria further up and infect baby B}. I'm also going to push that I am not induced by any drugs until at least 42 weeks, as long as baby is okay. and depending on which dates he is going by, this could be either next Saturday (the 15th) or as late as the following Wednesday (the 19th!) depending on which dates my doctor is going by.

But let's all hope and pray that I announce the arrival of baby B before Monday at 11:30!

pretty feet

Last night I ate a huge bowl of pineapple after reading online that it contains some sort of something that can induce labour {I'm full of useful information, eh?}. A long shot, but worth a try seeing as we had an ice cream tub full of cut, fresh, delicious, Ugandan pineapple. I had another bowl this morning, too.
It's taking me longer to fall asleep these nights. I toss and turn and get up and pee and go back to bed and toss and turn some more before I have to go pee again and then finally fall asleep at some point.
And baby B is still moving a fair bit, but after googling it, babies don't necessarily stop or slow down in movements, but rather the type of movement can change. From kicking and punching to more shifting and "scuffling" is what one website called it. Well, I have both. The punching and the shifting. So there's that.
And almost always while I'm trying to fall asleep.
Today we went out for lunch and then me and Lisa got pedicures.
*insert sigh of relief*
My tootsies were in dire need of a pedi and they look fabulous now. Also I heard foot massage {although the place we went could use a little lesson in giving  l o n g e r  foot massages} can be good for inducing labour?
I also took my last antibiotic pill this morning so yep. Any time now, baby.
Perhaps I'll even have a shower tonight and then blow dry my hair in the hopes that he'll come tonight/tomorrow and I'll be all perty and fresh.
Also? There's a baby pool set up on the side bar. Feel free to enter a guess if you haven't already!
Lots of people guessed September 3rd which would be LOVELY.
My mango {all four of them!} is all cut up and in the freezer {it's become a favourite ice-cream alternative for me - plus it helps with, er, digestive issues I've been experiencing lately}.
Maybe I should start crocheting a baby blanket or something.
Hmmm, that's not a bad idea!
So that's my rambling for today. No baby. Just pretty feet.

forty weeks

Here we are. Forty weeks. I decided to see if this shirt would fit me. Hooray for another shirt to add to my repertoire. And not a moment too late.

The last few days have been better in terms of how I've been feeling physically. Which is good. But no signs that baby B is coming any time soon, unfortunately. {specifically I'm talking the loss of a mucus plug, but that's only because I lost it both times before I went into labour with Noah and Jude, but I guess every labour is different.}
I had a bit of cramping/contractions off and on this past week, but nothing regular or frequent.

I really just want to have this baby by the end of next week so that I don't have to get my blood pressure taken {doctor's orders/recommendations}. I know it will be high. I can feel my heart racing right now and I'm sitting down. I haven't had any caffeine and I've been making sure I'm resting throughout the day, but I know it'll only be resolved once this baby is born. So come on, baby! Come already!

In the meantime, we're all stuck in this holding pattern of w a i t i n g for something - anything - to happen. I tossed and turned last night and dreamed that I gave birth to baby B at home and it was wonderful and lovely and he was just chilling on the bed after the birth and Noah wanted to hold him and it was perfect.

Then in the morning Jamie got up with the boys and I fell back to sleep until 9:15.

So here's to hoping this is my last weekly bump pic and the next picture I post is of baby B in my arms.

ps. baby B is now apparently the size of a jackfruit. which I find completely ironic as jackfruit is aplenty here in Uganda. If you've never tried it, I liken it to tasting similar to an apple, yet having a consistency of...lychee or something weird. I'm not particularly a fan, but I agree. baby B is definitely the size of a jackfruit right now. Those things are massive!

swelling

It's official. My feet are swelling. Not huge like when I was pregnant with Noah, but they are definitely swelling.
So right now the boys are getting some tv freebie time so I can put my feet UP. Jamie is also bringing dinner home tonight. I may have to lay off the dinner prep until baby comes. We'll see.
Also I can feel my heart racing off and on throughout the day. Sigh. So I'm trying to keep chill and lie down when I need to.
This baby needs to come STAT.

some disappointment and some good stuff

So Jamie and I met with Dr. B today. After waiting over an hour to see him {and hoping it's my last appointment before we meet baby B} we finally sat down across from him in his office.
My blood pressure was high from when the nurse took it, so he took it again. When the nurse took it, it was 148/90 and then when the doctor took it, it was 130/80. The top number was slightly high for him so he said I need to get my blood pressure taken again next week and then we'll see where we go from there. In hindsight I shouldn't have had that cup of coffee this morning.

So no more caffeine for me, cutting back on sugar and trying to just take lots of deep breaths when my boys are both yelling at each other and me at the same time and I'm about to blow a gasket.
Hopefully that will help.

He didn't really have the doppler turned up so we couldn't really hear baby B's heartbeat very loudly, but he did keep moving it around as I knew B was moving quite a bit prior to the appointment.
He said the baby's head is down and engaged {hooray!} and he's more to my left side, than my right, but not posterior anymore {I figured he wouldn't be as he moves SO MUCH!}.

He said he could prescribe me some oral antibiotics to take care of the GBS so I don't have to get hooked up to an IV - hooray! That was definite good news and relieves some of the pressure I was feeling about getting to the hospital ASAP. I took my first pill tonight.

Unfortunately when I inquired about possibly getting a stretch and sweep he declined due to me being GBS+. I didn't want to be one of those know-it-all pregnant women and say that my midwives did 3 on me when I was pregnant and GBS+ with Jude. It's his prerogative and he just didn't feel like it was a good option with the GBS and the possibility of the bacteria creeping further up or being spread around or something. Now I'm just praying that God makes this baby come in good time and that I don't need any interventions.

He also prescribed me iron supplements which of course the pharmacy didn't have at the hospital so I'll have to get Jamie to pick me up some at another pharmacy. Hopefully tomorrow so I can start taking them.

And then I found out he's not counting my due date as September 1st!!! He's going by the day of my last period {as opposed to the ultrasound scan} which would put me at September 5th being my due date. WHAT?!? Psh. I'm still going by the 1st.
Anyway, so he mentioned at September 15th as a possible induction date {yech.} but if I'm still pregnant by September 15th I'll give myself a stretch and sweep.

Anyway so we booked my next appointment with him for the 10th and I told him I hope to meet him in the labour ward the next time I see him and not his office.

So I secretly was hoping for a stretch and sweep today, but no dice.
But I am encouraged to know that B's head is down and ready.

Oh and the doctor also asked how big my last baby was and said that this one is going to be a bigger one as well. My personal thoughts are that he's going to be 8lbs something, but I'm praying no more than that. I just think I was so much bigger when I was pregnant with Jude! But maybe I'll weigh myself after this because I'm pretty sure I have put on {or baby B has, at least!} more weight in the last couple weeks.

Anyway, so that's that. My 39 week + 3 day appointment. Or if you're going by the doctor's calculations, my 38 week + 6 day appointment. Psh.

baby B's room

But it's really our room. Luckily our room is quite large and we have the space. We just had to shuffle around Jamie's desk and our make-shift change table and add the pack 'n play. Babies really don't need much. All our boys started off their lives sleeping in our room. Noah lasted a mere 3 days {o hello Darth Vader-like sleeper!} but Jude was with us for a good 5 or 6 months!
We only ever decorated one nursery {for Noah} and we moved Jude and Noah into the same room when Jude was 9-10 months {the months that he didn't spend with us or Noah were in our office}.
It's up to each family to decide what works best for your kids and you {and your bank account!}, but for us we've found that saving space {room sharing} and money {by using hand-me-downs, borrowing items from friends or buying used} is the best way to make use of the things we've been given.

Right now we've got a bookshelf right by the door way. The top shelf has a banana fiber basket/tray with 0-3 month clothing including onesies, sleepers, socks, a few shirts and some comfy pants. The next shelf down has another banana fiber basket with things like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, q-tips and other little bottles of baby-type stuff.
Beside the bookshelf is our high-desk turned into a change table. Right now it just has a small change pad and some other ornamental-type stuff on it {my pretty lavender roses!} but I think I may end up moving the tray of diapers/wipes up beside the change pad as right now there's enough room. Baby B may quickly outgrow this tiny change pad {it was a freebie from another expat here in Kampala} but for now it'll work.
There is a pull-out drawer beneath that has things like diaper garbage bags, extra sleepers and a large tin of "bag balm".
Beneath the drawer is a cupboard that I have a small basket of toys that have been given to us from friends here and in Canada for baby B. I think there may also be a small stack of receiving blankets and burp cloths.
Beside the change table is our beloved pack 'n play that we had sent over with some students who came here in May/June. We got this brand new as a gift when I was pregnant with Noah so it's been well-loved and is now onto its third child! There is a bassinet insert which we'll use for as long as we can with baby B and a mosquito net that's hanging above.
I may move a chair into our room at some point to nurse in, but we'll see how things go. Initially we may have baby B in our bed with us for the first week or so to make things easier for nighttime nursing since it will require me getting out of our mosquito net, lifting up the baby's mosquito net and then bringing him back to our bed to nurse {back under the mosquito net} and then putting him back when I'm done nursing. It's tiring just writing it all out!
So that's all our baby stuff. Aside from the infant car seat we were given by our friends whose son has outgrown it, we just have one of those baby rocker-seats and a bumbo {don't even get me started on the recall. please. just watch your kids and stop putting the stupid chairs up high on top of things! honestly.} that we bought off our same friends.
We've been blessed with much and I am so thankful.
Here's to hoping baby B is a quieter sleeper like Jude and not another Darth Noah sleeper. :)
{the long-term plan is to keep baby B in our room with us until we move back to Canada - he'll be almost 10 months by that time - and then depending on our living arrangements to move all three boys into the same room! we'll see, though.}

cramping and other stuff

Last night I had some massive cramping/pain/twinges/contractions (whatever you want to call them) and baby B was moving like CRAZY. Eventually baby stopped moving as much but the cramping was still coming and going. I started thinking about my options;
In the morning Jamie and Nick were going to be leaving to drive an hour away to the airport to pick up Lisa. What would happen if I seriously went into labour?
I pictured myself giving birth at home unassisted.
I pictured Nick going to the airport by himself. But then what about the boys? So I figured out that I could probably call my friend Aletha to come and watch the boys.

Well eventually I fell asleep thinking about these things and didn't wake up until Jamie's alarm went off. No more cramping.

Now everyone is on the way (or at) the airport picking up Lisa and I sit in an empty house.
It's glorious. And it's likely to be the last time I will be alone like this for awhile.
The thought occurred to me that I could go into labour at any moment and give birth at home by myself. It sounds peaceful (really!) and given that everything went normally, it could be done. But then what if something went wrong?
I'm not sitting here freaking out. I'm actually assessing each situation with a clear mind and just pondering all the different outcomes that could happen and wondering...how (and when) will this baby actually make his entrance into this big, wide world?

In the end, I am not anticipating Mr. Uganda arriving before next weekend although he definitely could. Anything's possible, I suppose. But I am happy to know that my body continues to prepare and get ready to have this baby. I won't be this gigantor for forever! Hooray!

Stay tuned for a picture and explanation of the hows and whys of our room set-up in preparation for baby B.  Coming tomorrow!
Cheers!

THIRTY NINE

sorry about the white on white. makes it hard to tell how big the "bump" is. but holy moley! 39 weeks! how did i get here!?

also I'm trying to get creative with my outfits. my t-shirt options are limited as I don't really want to be showing off "under belly" or be constantly pulling down my shirt. so I've been rotating through about 4 or 5 shirts.
my scarf I purchased in Spain and I love it. It's often cool enough in the morning for trousers and a scarf, although this morning went straight to shorts (or short-pants as they're often called here) as I usually end up changing into shorts or a skirt by mid-day anyway.

I've been feeling lots of movement still! a few twinges earlier this week, but nothing since. my legs and feet feel heavy by the end of the days but thankfully no noticeable swelling - hooray! this is my first pregnancy that neither my feet nor my hands have swollen. absolutely amazing.
sleep has been a bit harder to come by, but once I'm asleep, I'm usually good until the morning.
I've been feeling quite a bit more tired during the later afternoon/evening but then often toss and turn once I go to bed. I must be still clocking about 6ish hours of sleep, though. which is more than I will be in a week or so.
I'm feeling fine with waiting until Mr. Uganda arrives on his own - although I am seeing my doctor on Tuesday and may inquire into a stretch and sweep as I had multiple (2.5!) s&s with Jude and that seemed to help things along.
I haven't lost my mucous plug (sorry if that's TMI) yet so I'm taking that as a sign that this baby is hanging in there 'til at least my due date. Jamie keeps hoping he'll arrive earlier. I feel confident that he won't. but whatevs.
I've been following a handful of bloggers who are also pregnant (or were pregnant) and due right around this time and it's been fun and exciting reading their birth stories (the ones who have had their babies recently) and making me excited for what's to come!
not much else is new other than I'm glad Nick is here so that if Jamie and I need to go to the hospital, we've got someone here to watch the boys. and Lisa arrives tomorrow morning so that's two people to help with the boys (which at this point is probably the thing I'm most anxious/concerned about) while I deliver at the hospital.
everything is coming together.

will update after my Tuesday appointment with more details of how that all goes.

ready, set, GO

So the pack 'n play is set up.
Lisa {our other STINTer} is arriving on Sunday morning with the missing piece that didn't get sent with Nick {just a small pole that helps to give the bassinet section of the pack 'n play more support}. She's also arriving with this that arrived at my parents this week:

It's a nursing-friendly kaftan that I bought off Etsy! How gorgeous and comfy does that look? I thought that since I'll be just hanging out around the house for the first few days/weeks, it might be nice to wear something comfy but not shlubby or too revealing. I'm excited.

My friend Aletha dropped off the car seat that her son has outgrown and now we are ready.

Mr. Uganda can come any time he wants now. Not that I'm feeling grouchy or grumpy or impatient. I'm feeling more content like I was with Noah. Except with no fear of parenthood. Since I'm already sorta doing that. I mean, I hear horror stories of how going from 2 to 3 kids is so hard, but then in some ways, it's got to be easier, right?

After he's born there's tons of paperwork. Paperwork for our organization and healthcare in Canada. Paperwork to get him a Canadian passport. Oh paperwork. I dislike paperwork.
But we've finally got Jamie's paternity leave sorted out and I feel so much better about all that and I think it's going to work out splendidly.

Didn't end up meeting or hearing back from the doctor so I guess we're just going with my appointment next week.

And now I need to rest. I tossed and turned until 12:30 last night when I just decided to get up and play solitaire on Jamie's iPad until my eyes got heavy {it only took about 10 or so minutes. I'm so addicted to that game on his iPad, but it makes me so sleepy.}

again...

So I heard back from Dr. B.
Unfortunately I have low iron and am GBS+. Again.
And he wants to see me tomorrow (but despite my text asking him when tomorrow, I haven't heard back, so it might be deferred until my appointment with him next week? not sure.) so in the meantime I'm probably going to get onto iron supplements which is not going to help with the C-train that I've been riding off and on for the last couple weeks. Boo.
Fiber is my new best friend.

But I'm still getting tons of movement from Mr. Uganda (as our friend James refers to him which I think is hilarious). And yesterday and today I had a couple bouts of some pretty intense "twinges". I hesitate to call them contractions as I don't want to make you think that labour is imminent, but more that my body is just getting ready. Makes me wonder if I'll go pretty fast once he does decide to come. At one point I put my head on the back of the couch, stuck my butt out, and swayed back and forth for a minute or two.

Jude and Noah wanted to know what I was doing. They thought I was being funny. Perhaps I did look it.

It also made me think that I needed to talk more to them about what will happen when Jamie and I go to the hospital, but I don't want them to think I'm going to the hospital every time I walk out the door (which they already do and Noah thought I was telling him because tomorrow I'm going to the hospital to have the baby).  But we went through what would happen if we had to leave in the middle of the night and how Nick/Lisa would be staying with them and helping them with getting dressed and eating breakfast/lunch/dinner, etc.

I even made "Big Brother Bags" last night for fun and put in a few snacks, stickers and a new card game for each of them (Memory for Jude and Crazy 8's for Noah) which they'll get at some point - either once we're gone or if they come to visit us in the hospital (depending on how long I'm there for).

A couple nights ago I lay in bed thinking, "I'm not ready!" Not that I'm scared, but more just a realization of how far along I am already! I'm 38.5 weeks! How did I get here so quickly?!?
But the bassinet/pack 'n play is set up and my bags are packed and Nick is here, so...I guess it's just a matter of time although I'm fully expecting to go over due again and not feeling so grumpy about waiting as I was with Jude.

There's the update! Today was our one year anniversary of living in Uganda. We all went out for breakfast. I had a delicious latte and a waffle with ice cream. Ya that's right. Ice cream for breakfast. Boo yah.

38 weeks

Well I may or may not be experiencing a sugar high/coma due to inhaling two glazed donut muffins that I made this morning. Whoo, someone's got the shakes.

Anyway, so I'm 38 weeks! My bags are packed. I've got some fun ideas to make up small little "fun" bags for both the boys to either enjoy at the hospital {if we're stuck there for awhile. Please Lord, no.} or at home before or after we get back.
Nick arrives on Monday morning and then we'll have our built-in person to watch the boys when we need to go to the hospital. I'll breathe a sigh of relief when he does arrive.

What else? I'm actually feeling quite well. Not feeling too impatient although in the evenings I'm feeling pretty tired {I looked at the clock at 8:45pm last night because I felt so tired and wondered what time it was! I did end up going to be around 9:30ish.}. I wake up to pee lots at night but usually can fall right back to sleep.

I'm happy to wait until this baby shows up on his own time. Not feeling so grumpy and expecting that he'll come early like I felt with Jude {which made being even more overdue than Noah exceptionally more of a letdown.}. Just content to wait - a bit because I'm slightly nervous of the labour/birth in a hospital and would rather just skip over that part and meet baby B already.
But it's good.

Oh I texted Dr. B again {yes. I have his cell phone number and he told me to text him for the lab results.} and haven't yet heard back about the GBS or the iron levels {correction on last time's post. apparently my hemoglobin levels were low but he hadn't heard back about my iron? I don't really know the difference, but whatever.}, so I'll just wait and see and maybe I'll hear back sometime this weekend.

No weight gain lately. Still hovering around the 16lb mark as total weight gain. Hoping for a regular sized baby this time around. No behemoths, please.

Okay, I should eat a piece of cheese or something to combat these sugar shakes!

test results

I sent Dr. Busingye a text today asking if he had received my lab results.

Low iron. Boo. 

He hasn't received any of the other results yet {like the GBS or urine analysis}. 

So we'll see. 

I'll probably have to go on some sort of iron supplements, but in the meantime, I should probably be more diligent to take my prenatal vitamins, yes? Yes. 

My bad.

appointment with Dr. B

So I met up with Dr. Busingye today. I waited for a bit, but was eventually able to see him about 30 minutes after the appointment was set.
While I was waiting, I could hear a woman moaning and crying out and screaming in pain - I didn't actually see her - likely she was in labour on her way up to the maternity ward? It kinda made me smile and kinda made me freak out. As if I need or want to hear anyone else in labour...sigh. Another reason to be a bit sad that I'll not be having a home birth.

But anyway, the appointment went fine. He seems nice, he went through my birth plan with me and re-took my blood pressure; the numbers had gone down from when the nurse took it so that seemed more acceptable to him.
Now I've never had a male doctor since I was little and no men {apart from my husband of course} have ever seen my nether regions but he did a swab to test for GBS and was very professional about it all. I guess it was bound to happen eventually if he's going to be delivering my baby!

Baby's heartbeat sounded good. I'm measuring at 37 inches (cm? I think it's inches) which is right on for 37 weeks and his head is down although he's slightly off-center though Dr. B said that's nothing to be concerned about. He moves a heckuva lot anyway so I'm not worried.

Afterward I went to the lab to get my blood work done {to test for HIV - apparently it's routine here, my iron levels and something else which I forget} as well as urine testing for my sugar levels I think and to take the swab in for testing. Unfortunately I hadn't brought enough cash with me so I had to leave and come back. Thankfully I didn't have to wait and was able to just go in and get it done right after.
There are definitely times I miss using my debit card to pay directly but for the most part, paying in cash is fine. As long as you have enough.

I got the updated price list for how much it costs to deliver at the hospital. We'll pay up front but then our insurance will reimburse us. 1.9 million shillings sounds like a lot, right? It's not. $775. To have a baby! That's crazy. And that's one of the pricier hospitals here in Kampala. When I think of my American friends who pay thousands of dollars to have their baby in the hospital, several hundred dollars is chump change. Sorta.

Now I need to lie down and rest. It's been a decent but slightly stressful morning - my first appointment that I drove myself to! I feel so independent. Ha.

thirtySEVEN

full-term! I can't hardly believe it! it feels so good to get to full-term. it's like i've really done it. i'm pregnant and having my baby in africa. crazy. but oh-so-good.

I've got heartburn {so thankful for the super sized package of TUMs my mother-in-law brought over for me} and this little guy moves SO MUCH {like he was keeping me awake with his crazy antics!}. i don't remember the other two moving so much and so late in the pregnancy, but really? i'm not complaining. it's reassuring that he's there and okay and very much an active, healthy little guy. and that is a good thing.

I love this sundress. I bought another just like it from the craft market a few months ago. you really can't go wrong with a dress for less than $10! and so.stinkin.comfy.

and the earrings are my newest purchase made by the young ladies of an organization here called Girl Child supporting young girls who are at risk for abuse and prostitution.

I have my first appointment with Dr. Busingye on Tuesday and will probably do the GBS test/swab then as well as getting more blood work done to see how my iron levels are. here's hoping that I don't test positive for GBS this time around, but even if I do, I'll be in the hospital regardless so getting the antibiotics are less of an issue than they were when I was planning on a home birth for Jude. still, I'd like to avoid an IV if at all possible. that was probably my least favourite part of Jude's birth!

my weight gain is about 16lbs so far so I'm quite pleased. here's hoping it'll come off pretty easily {although I'm not counting on it with me being older and it being my third baby, but ya never know!}.

off to MishMash's farmer's market again to buy another baby present and peruse the produce selection.

**pelvic pain has lessened. I have to be careful about my movements and ease into things, but it's not excruciating at this point. just uncomfortable. which is mostly to be expected.

***the fruit at 37 weeks is called a winter melon - apparently.

pelvic pain

I really hate to complain about pregnancy related things for 2 reasons;
1. my pregnancies are generally really easy and straight-forward and I don't usually have much to complain about!
2. woman everywhere struggle to become pregnant and I am thrilled to be pregnant.
That being said, I am in pain.
My pelvic/hip joints are causing a lot of pain. I walk like a 94 year old and going from sitting to standing to walking is quite painful. It's mostly on my left side but I think because it's pelvic, it's now causing a bit of back/butt pain as well. I don't remember having this kind of pain with either of my other two pregnancies. When I was carrying Jude, I do remember it being a more difficult and cumbersome than it was with Noah near the end, but it was nothing like this. I don't know if it's better for me to lie down or sit down or walk it out.
I did a bit of research {surprise, surprise} and it's not unusual to have this kind of joint pain. Generally "walking it out" does nothing to help and usually only serves to exacerbate the condition. So for now I'm going to take it easy and not feel guilty about putting on a few more tv shows or movies for the boys {although right now they are playing quite well together} if I need to. Thankfully, Jamie's around for the next little while and we don't have anything on the agenda.
I'm not one to complain about pain in general but I am hoping that yesterday and today are just bad days and that it's not like this for the next 4 weeks or else I'm in for a rough month.

thirty six

Thirty six weeks today!
A bit of heart burn. Feeling big. A bit more discomfort during sleeping, but my crappy foam mattress is working in my favour as it molds to my body and is more comfortable on my side. Lots of movement still from Baby B.
The boys are liking reading this book that Jamie's Nana & Grandpa sent over. It's cute and talks about some of the more common questions kids ask during pregnancy. At the end there's a page which shows the development of the baby and Noah really likes looking at this page.
It's our last day with Jamie's family before they head off tonight. It's been a combination of busy and relaxed and it's been great to have them here. I'm sure the boys will miss them as much as they'll miss the boys when they leave.
My belly is getting so big that I really only vary between a few shirts now as most show off the "under belly" that's really not at all that attractive.
We're heading out for some last minute errands like buying illegal DVDs and for Jamie and I to get some passport pictures to accompany the renewal of our International Drivers Permits that we'll send back with his parents.
It's crazy-town in here right now!

{1 week 'til I'm full-term. 4 weeks 'til my due date. At least 4 weeks until Baby B arrives! Hopefully no more than 5.}

35 week appointment

Today was my last appointment with Michele. It was supposed to have been at 9am this morning but at 7:15am I got a text saying she was attending the birth of a woman who had gone into early labour and if I could just wait for her text to come in.
So at around mid-day (noon) I got a text asking if I'd prefer 2:30pm today or 10:30am tomorrow. We went for the 2:30 slot and arrived shortly after 2:30 due to massive rain storms and just being late in leaving the house.
Classic.
Everything looks and sounds good. The heartbeat sounds good - no ectopic beats today but we'll keep an eye/ear out for things there.
My blood pressure was (of course) a little higher than she likes to see, but I think it's just me being in Uganda - higher elevation levels? I have no idea. I'm personally not worried, but we'll keep an eye on things to be sure.
I'm measuring 33 inches so as big as I feel, I am still smaller than I've been with both other pregnancies so here's hoping for a smaller baby! He's not small by any means, but I'm hoping this means that I can expect an under 9lb baby. *crossed fingers*
We talked about where I go when I am coming in to deliver, how long they'll let me go over due (there's no rush but will likely book a 41 week physiological scan if no baby has arrived by then) and then a crazy lady walked into our room and interrupted our conversation. Awesome. Michele escorted her out and found a nurse to keep an eye out for her.
My thoughts on everything is that it may just be better to have my baby at a hospital here rather than a hospital in Canada. They seem a bit more laid back, less likely to administer or push drugs or a C-section and as I tend to be more of an independent labour-er the doctor will just be there for the end of things while the nurses/midwives will do routine checks on me (if I'm in the hospital with enough time to be labouring instead of pushing out a baby!).
So I've got my next appointment with the doctor in 2 weeks and we'll see how he is, how the appointment goes and I'm just trusting that God's plan is best and it's yet another opportunity to trust in Him to take care of me and this baby.
And now to submit my receipts (oh how I miss "free" healthcare - sure it all gets refunded back to us, but we have to pay up front here and then submit paperwork to our insurance. ugh. I hate paperwork.).

35 weeks

Whew. I'm feeling it. Last night I noticed the swelling has begun. It's just minor but it's there. I can feel it and only just barely see it. So here we go. Putting the feet up. Making extra sure to drink lots of water.

Yesterday at the craft market I was sitting in the shade with Noah & Jude and another little {white} boy came up to us and started playing with the boys. Instant friendship. Eventually I got talking to his dad and found out that this family of 2 boys and a baby girl live in Gulu. The mother just had a home birth a week ago with a midwife and had a fantastic experience! I was so encouraged {and a wee bit jealous} to hear about it! I was also encouraged to hear that while they were in Kampala, she was receiving care from Dr. Busingye - the same doctor I will have. The father had nothing but good things to say about him which was so reassuring and such a sweet blessing to my heart. {thank you, Jesus!}

I got a new pair of earrings at the urging of my friend Kelly who was also at the craft market but you can't see them in the above picture, so I made Jamie take a picture so I could show them off to you.

Lovely mint green. I love 'em.

Right now there's another party next door so we can count on blasting loud music with some sweet bass until at least 11pm tonight. Good times!

Well, we're off with Jamie's family to MishMash at yet another attempt for me to buy tortilla chips and bagels. Still no luck.
Tomorrow is Jude's birthday party and I'll be making the cake later on today and possibly some of the other food that I can prep ahead of time.
Baby B is a butternut squash! Can't wait to meet this little guy.

34 weeks!

amazing. 34 weeks already! 3 weeks until I'm full-term. at least 6 weeks until baby B comes. {at least. probably 7ish. this is what I tell myself so I can be fully prepared for another overdue baby.}

I got a free baby changing pad the other day from another mom here in Kampala. I love the interwebs. Connecting people. Gettin' free stuff. She also gave me a few baby clothes and some swaddles. Hurrah for free stuff!

on Tuesday my in-laws arrive and we're all really excited! we've been trying to make the most of "just us" family time. today we're going to MishMash again to see if my bagel and tortilla ladies are there. crossing my fingers, but not getting my hopes up. we'll see. this is africa. :)

*also check out how big baby B is! the size of durian fruit! this seems random to me, but I like it. :)

portrait by Jude

So Jude drew this. Do you see? It's me with baby B in my belly! I almost died from the cuteness and amazement when I saw this. Apparently I have 4 legs, but who cares? This is so cute!

thirtyTHREE

So I splurged a bit and bought this dress at MishMash last weekend. I love it. I've been looking for a dress similar to this and it's ridiculously comfy. So after looking at it last Saturday, I went back on Sunday and tried it on. I loved it. And I hope I'll be able to wear it post-baby as well!

Lots of movement but still not any weight gain since last week. I'm hoping this means a smaller baby than at least Jude {9lbs12oz!}.

I cannot believe I'm 33 weeks pregnant! That means only about 6 or 7 weeks left {I'm giving myself a week overdue and hoping that he won't go any later than that.}! That's crazy.

This morning we got a money transfer from Jamie's grandparents with birthday money for Jude's birthday and Baby B's. I think with B's money we'll buy some sort of comfy chair to put in our room for me to nurse him in. As long as it's comfy, I don't mind if it rocks or not. 


So this week I'm hoping we'll get the "party house" painted and some furniture moved around as well as setting up the house for guests. And last night I couldn't sleep as I was thinking about a bajillion things so I made a list of {among other things} things I'd like to get for the party house {ie. garbage bins, night tables, book shelf of some sort, maybe some sort of pretty decor to hang up, etc.}. And with Jamie home tomorrow {hurrah!} we really only have a week together before his family arrives and after they leave we'll likely have a week or two to get things ready for when Nick & Lisa arrive back in country. 
Before we know it, the wee babe will be here, my brother and his girlfriend will be visiting and then my parents will be here for a month!

Time is just a-flyin' by!

32 weeks

My sweet and talented friend Beth took some maternity shots for me on Thursday. They all turned out oh-so-lovely. Except for the little black dot that is not on my lens, but actually inside my camera and appears on every.single.picture {and which we lovingly referred to as the "traveling mole" when it appeared on my face}, I love them all!
I figured I would use one for my bump pic this week.

I'm feeling pretty good. I have braxton hicks many times a week now and lots and lots of movement which is quite good although can be quite sudden and jumpy.

I got a ton of baby clothes from my sweet friend Aletha last weekend {on Canada Day} and sorted through them all into sizes. I'm dying to start rearranging the room and I may start rearranging furniture after Beth leaves. And by "I", I mean probably James taking a part the bunk beds at the very least and moving them up into the "party house". I'll probably use my nesting energy to clean up and clean out the "party house" for when Jamie's family arrives - on the 24th! So soon!

Only 8 more days until Jamie returns from the Philippines, but it seems like he's have a really good time there. Wish I could be there with him...perhaps Jamie and I will have to have an overnight getaway when his family is here. Maybe?

We're about to head out in a bit to MishMash even though it's a cool, cloudy day. I need to get me some bagels, tortilla chips and possibly an avocado or two to make some guacamole.

*oh and an assortment of the pictures that Beth took can be found here.

**so I weighed myself today hesitantly. still only at 11lbs gained! hoorah! but perhaps now is the time i should lay off the brownies and reece's pb cups, eh?

31 weeks + 3 days

I had my 2nd last midwife appointment with Michele today. It went well.
Jamie dropped me off because he had to go pick up our camera that I left at a friend's house on Saturday for his trip to Manila.
Of course this was the one time I sat waiting for Michele to finish up with her previous appointment. But it did give me enough time to chill, relax and almost doze off as I waited. Because of this, my blood pressure was nice and low. So we laughed about that. I should probably come to all my appointments early enough to sit and relax for a few minutes.
We heard the heartbeat and it sounded great and we only caught the ectopic beat at the very beginning and then the heartbeat sounded perfectly fine and regular. Again, she reassured me this was nothing to worry about and I'm not. I feel good and at peace about it.
I had her go through my birth plan and help me with wording and taking things out that are irrelevant and highlighting things that will be important for me and Jamie and the baby.
I also got the results of my blood work and for the first time in 3 pregnancies, my blood levels are within a normal range! Amazing. Perhaps I'm eating more red meat living here? I'm not sure. But I'm pleased.
I'll get blood work done once more around 36 weeks to double check as well as get tested for GBS and here's hoping it's negative. But we'll see.

Jamie got off to the airport okay and we all said good-bye to him after lunch.

I think that's it. I'll have one more appointment with Michele before she leaves for the UK and I'll meet Dr. Busingye (boo-sin-jee) at that time.

My next appointment is on Jude's birthday - July 31st.

thirty ONE

o canada!
breaking out my patriotic side with this shirt. i finally gave in and bought some maternity clothes. this shirt is not "maternity" but it's long. so it works.
there are some strawberry cupcakes sitting on my counter awaiting slatherings of icing and hungry bellies. tomorrow. i will likely eat at least two.
tuesday i have my next midwife appointment. i think i'll run through my birth plan with her to see if and what i need to change if they are things that are just not applicable. we'll see.
and it may be my last appointment with michele. i'm not sure but i'll find out on tuesday morning.
and now? i will sleep. and hope that jude does not wake up for the third night in a row with a tantrum because he doesn't want to be in his bed any more and that he wants to eat. um, no. we do not each at 3am. just because you chose not to eat your dinner, does not mean you get to make the rest of us pay the consequences.
that's all.
{31 weeks! crazy!}

moving, moving, moving

It's a fun stage right now. {in a lot of ways.}
Mr. B is moving a LOT. In fact, sometimes I feel like he rarely stops moving. Often it's quite spazzy, sharp movements, but recently he's introduced a lot of large-scale movements. Like turning. Or stretching. Or something. I grabbed Jamie's hand today and put it on my belly and he was all, "he's going crazy in there!" and that wasn't even an extremely active moment. 
Part of me wonders, what does this mean? is he going to be hyperactive? out of control? super active and sporty? but most of me is just enjoying this reassuring movement and not really reading into it at all.
I asked the boys if they wanted to feel the baby move and Noah said, "um no. not right now." haha. 
Jude said he wanted to put his face on my belly which is hilarious and so Jude-like. Eventually he put his hand on my belly but Mr. B did not acquiesce to Jude's presence and was quite still. 
Either way, I am enjoying feeling him move although at times he can stretch out and it's quite painful. 
I will miss this feeling some day. I am trying to bottle it up so I can remember this on those days...

30

I'm thirty years old. I'm thirty weeks pregnant. With my third child.
Pretty cool.
Thought I'd do one of these nifty little pregnancy questionnaires. In case you care.


How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain: 10ish lbs.
Maternity clothes? Am I wearing them? Some. Mostly my regular clothes because I'm too cheap to buy anything new here. I am itching to find a couple more sundresses, though. That may be in the works this week.
Stretch marks? Probably. If the past has taught me anything, I find them after I give birth. Nothing major, though.
Sleep: Surprisingly good. Last night was a dreamy sleep except for the ridiculous birds on our roof this morning that sounded like animals in our attic. My kids of course slept in 'til 7:40 and the birds woke me up at 7am.
Best moment of the week: I'm not sure if it was the best of the whole week, but the other night I lay on the couch watching a movie and "holding" my belly. Mr. B was kicking and moving and it was a sweet thought to think that in less than 3 months I'll be holding him in my arms. Outside my belly.
Miss anything? My stretchy maternity brown culotte pants.
Movement: So.Much.Movement. Sometimes it feels like he's doing an Irish Jig inside of me. Sometimes I wonder if this is normal. Such spazzy movements.
Food cravings: Sugar. Peanut butter & chocolate.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I eat 6 homemade "timbits" in a row.
Gender prediction: I'm no gypsy, but I'm pretty sure the ultrasound revealed Mr. B in all his glory. {boy.}
Labor signs: Starting to get a lot more Braxton Hicks. Achy joints.
Symptoms: Heartburn has arrived. Slight shortness of breath these days.
Belly button in or out? Out/flat
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time? Mostly content. I do have two little boys running around here wreaking havoc. It's good. We're cool. I cope with humour.
Looking forward to: Nesting! Organizing our bedroom and setting up the baby furniture in our room.

That's it for the most part. My next midwife appointment is July 3rd I think.
30 weeks! I feel like once I hit the 30's I'm on the home stretch. Still at least 10 more weeks, but still. Crazy!
Also? I adore these earrings. I've never seen anything like them since I bought them at the craft market back in November.

twenty9

Good gracious I feel large and ungainly.
This morning I told Jamie that I have nothing to wear. Which is a lie. I just have nothing that feels comfortable. I'm big. And I still have at least 11 more weeks to go.
Sob.
No, it's not all bad. I just have some days where I wake up and I feel huge. And achy. And tired.
We're headed out to MishMash and I'm going to treat myself to some delicious cinnamon raisin bagels.
Maybe I'll weigh myself first because "hello rolls of fat on my back."

**weight gain so far is 10lbs**

if it's not one thing, it's another

I know. I missed this week's baby bump picture. But Jamie was away. But he's home. Hooray!
I had a midwife appointment yesterday. The good news is my blood pressure has gone back down to what it was, despite it still being higher than Michele would like to see {134/85}. But still. It went down! I'm happy with that.
The other news is that when we were listening to baby B's heartbeat Michele mentioned that she had thought she heard it last time and that this time she was pretty sure that the little "blip" sound that was coming at the same time as the "whooshing" of his heartbeat is what they call an ectopic heartbeat. She quickly reassured me that it's nothing to worry about and it can happen but usually resolves itself. She wasn't entirely clear on what it was as she said she didn't know too much about it, but again reassured me that women are told not to worry about it.
Which of course means nothing to a pregnant lady.
So I googled it when I got home. There's not too much info out there except lots of other worried mommies who end up having perfectly healthy babies.
So we'll keep monitoring it and praying for healthy growth for baby B.
I can't believe I'm in my third trimester! Where has all the time gone!?
I'm getting really excited to meet this little guy and also reading lots of stories online of accidental unassisted home births. Which I probably shouldn't. But I find them less terrifying now and more fascinating.
Who knows what this delivery will be like? I just hope it's quick and we're out of the hospital ASAP.

26 weeks

After eating something that didn't sit right I haven't really felt like eating for the past day. I lay in bed for the last part of yesterday afternoon and all night feeling my stomach clench and unclench. I thought I was better but then it started again today.
Hopefully it's nothing serious and will pass on its own.
Just resting and looking forward to swimming in Jinja tomorrow until Wednesday.
My stomach looks weird because of the capris waistband pressing into my belly. Awesome.

under pressure

I met with Michele today for another appointment at the hospital. This time we brought the boys as well. It's always fun when people get to meet my kids. She said they were like two peas in a pod. In her British accent, of course. :)
The appointment went well apart from one thing. I have slightly high blood pressure. I've never had high blood pressure. In fact, I think my blood pressure may have once been on the minorly low side with one of my other pregnancies. I always heard my midwives say, "Oh lovely." or "Perfect." when they took my blood pressure before. But even from my first appointment with Michele, it was never even close to being "low". I started around 132/83 and stayed around that number, went down for my last appointment to something over 79 but today's was 134/93. Not good.
I admit I googled "high blood pressure in pregnancy" a few weeks ago - probably after my last appointment with Michele.
The good thing is that there is no trace of protein in my urine (a significant warning sign of pre-eclampsia) and I have no swelling thus far. I did have a bit of swelling in my hands with Jude and significant swelling in my feet with Noah so I'm just hoping for no swelling at all.
I'm not freaking out, but I am mildly concerned and trying to stay calm and just chill out. Part of me also wonders if I have mild white-coat syndrome or if being out on the roads here is just generally stressful for my body as I don't feel quite relaxed or myself when I'm at the hospital. It could also be that the boys were there too, although they weren't acting out our misbehaving or anything.
Either way, I would appreciate your prayers that my blood pressure comes down a bit and that nothing serious would arise from this.

**oh and I've now gained 9lbs! whew, growth spurt indeed!**

25 weeks

So I got a big surprise last night. A surprise baby shower! We had been planning for a girls spa night in for all the students on project here. It was a success - and just as it was all wrapping up, I was pulled into another room by Kelley to talk to me about something only to walk back out to the living room and all the girls were standing there with that gorgeous sign you see in the picture above with a bunch of gifts for me and le bebe. So sweet! I feel so blessed by these awesome girls.

So I'm 25 weeks and according to the fruit picture on the side bar I'm 6 months pregnant now and I'm carrying an eggplant baby! So cute.

I have another midwife appointment on Tuesday so I'll probably do a mid-week update this week as well!

24 weeks

This morning it was wet and rainy and cold and I wore jeans and a 3/4 sleeve shirt {is that what they're called?}. Then the sun came out and the shorts went on and the hair went up. 

Not much baby action to report on here. I feel him moving lots and lots and I'm just trying to get enough sleep and drink enough water and I've just come to accept that this baby will likely be another big baby. I just make 'em big. 

I bought a pair of black tights today to go underneath dresses & skirts that are a bit on the short side. They'll mostly be worn on cooler rainy days. 

And yesterday I pulled out all of the clothes my friend Irene gave {back} to me. It was cute going through all the tiny clothes that Noah and Jude both wore. 

I might acquire a baby swing depending on the swing and the price through a friend of a friend in the next few days. We'll see.

Other than that...not much else to report. Still growing. Still feeling pretty good. Can't wait to meet this little guy. 

23 weeks

So I missed last week. Sorry about that. It's been zany with all the Canadian staff & students arriving last week. But so good. I love having a full house! {As well as the ability to shut off our side of the house and go to bed when I feel tired while still allowing people to chill and have fun in our house.}

And apparently it's growth-spurt city around here! Holy moley I feel so big and my belly feels tight and a bit uncomfortable.

The whole team {Jamie, the staff and the students} left the house today before 8am so this picture had to be on a timer and then the lighting didn't turn out so hence the fancy edit. {I love PicMonkey!}

Anyway, clearly I am stalling the inevitable - working out.
The boys have their drinks, they're watching Toy Story, my workout mat and weights are out and ready to go...and I'm sitting here blogging a bump update.

I also just weighed myself although I was feeling a bit hesitant because of the growth spurt and all, but it seems I've only gained just under 4lbs. I have no idea how that's possible, but I'm not complaining.

I've been drinking a cup of coffee every day which is mostly unusual for me {I like coffee, but I'm not at the "have-to-have-my-cup-of-joe-before-you-talk-to-me" point yet}, but these days it's needed. This morning I didn't want to brew a whole pot {as it's only me, sometimes Jamie and Hannah - one of our staff - who drink it} so I made up a cup of Starbucks Via from my lovely friend Bekki who sent some over in a care package with the students. So delicious. Thanks, Bekki!

So that's that.
The wee babe is moving LOTS these days. Usually it was just in the afternoon/evening/nighttime, but lately it's been all throughout the day. Love it!

heart beat

We {Jamie came this time!} met with our midwife today and got to hear our sweet boy's heartbeat. It's always so sweet to hear the heartbeat.
I had a bunch of questions written down this time like, *gasp* circumcision {how much, procedure, who does it?} and how much it will cost to deliver here {around 2 million....shillings. ha. this is just under $1000 CAD} and when will I meet Dr. Busingye {the doctor who will likely be delivering this baby since our midwife will be going back to the UK when I'm due} and what if I had to deliver the baby at home {we got a good set of instructions for if I felt I couldn't make it in time - Jamie thinks this would be cool. I kinda do, too.} and a bunch of other things.
Phew. Having a baby in a hospital seems to add a whole other set of additional details to consider that I've never had to think about before {my biggest concern at this point is someone to watch our boys & getting to the hospital in time}!
I am sad that I won't be able to attempt a third home birth, but I'm not freaking out about it {anymore} and I'm really just feeling a peace surrounding this entire pregnancy and birth regarding all the details. God's in control and this baby, while his arrival is unknown to us, is entirely known and planned by God. I love that.

21 weeks

21 weeks on the 21st!
I feel about twice as big as this picture makes me look.

I've been having some really wild {and unpleasant} dreams lately. Mostly just vivid, but last night I had two dreams about my boys either being mistreated or trying to get to them. And I went absolutely nuts on someone when I found out they had hurt Jude. Like, physically violent. I woke up and cried. It was intense.

I've been trying to exercise regularly, it usually ends up being 3-4 times a week although I try for 5. Usually just a good 30 minutes on the bike {although my belly is getting in the way of my knees moving back and forth now} or 30 minutes of my prenatal pilates. Today I managed 10 minutes on the bike before giving up.
Sigh.

But on the upside I've only gained about 2 lbs so far. This is a good thing as I started this pregnancy about 10lbs heavier than I started with at least Noah's pregnancy, possibly Jude's as well {I can't remember}.

20 weeks

halfway to meeting our sweet little boy!

I can't believe i forgot to post it here. Yes we found out on Wednesday that we are adding a third boy to our family! I'm so excited and happy and it's just funny how it's actually happening. "It" being the family I always pictured myself having for some reason. I could just see me and a bunch of little boys. And it's not that I'm a tomboy or anything. No, I love nail polish and dressing up {hence the picture, you better believe I'm now wearing shorts and a t-shirt now} and make-up, but for some reason...I just pictured a whole troop of boys!

My friend Kelly commented to me the other day {after I said that I actually know quite a few families with three boys in them} that she believes that God is raising up a generation of Godly men. The same thought had occured to me and I thought, what an absolute honour and privilege of being chosen to be a Mom to these little boys - one day to be men who I pray love and follow Jesus and lead others to do the same thing.
So cool.

So anyway, this dress is a second-hand one I picked up a couple weeks ago and it is a little short to wear here without leggings {anyone have maternity leggings you want to send me?} but I love and it and it makes me feel pretty. It's not a maternity dress, so I'll be able to wear it post-preggo too.

We still haven't decided on a name yet. I have one I really like. Jamie's warming up to it. But it's hard, ya know. After picking two other boys' names that you love and now having to think of a third. Once we do decide, though, we'll call the baby by his name. {I love being able to write "he" and "his"!}

the journey to three

Throughout this pregnancy and even before, I've had this distinct impression that this pregnancy is different. Not different like "pregnant with a boy" vs. "pregnant with a girl", but something that's far deeper and significant than gender.
I've wanted to put it into words for quite some time and so I find myself unable to sleep and why not write it down?

When Jamie first proposed to me the idea of moving to Uganda and I knew in my heart it was something we should do, a lot of dreams died within me.
Namely, the dream of trying for a baby several months before we would be leaving. I knew I did not want to move to a different country while pregnant. Moving to a different house (with both pregnancies) was crazy enough, much less to a different continent.
And so I surrendered that dream to God's timing. I knew I wanted more kids and entertained the "crazy" idea of having a baby while in Uganda, but didn't put any stock in it as I knew I needed to allow myself time to adjust to moving our family overseas and didn't want to commit my heart or my head to any set "schedule" of when we'd start trying for a third.

Within a couple months of arriving in Uganda, I felt the desire to start trying for a third. Jamie and I talked about it briefly and then a couple of weeks later in more depth and prayed about it and agreed to start trying.
(If you are a guy, you might want to skip this next part...)

Now I'm usually a 28 day cycle kinda girl. My periods are regular and dependable. But until November, my cycle was all over the map - and only getting shorter and shorter so that at one point it was only 21 days long. Which makes trying to conceive very difficult, if not near impossible. So after trying for a few months and many more cycles than that (5 or 6?) I was feeling discouraged after every cycle.
I started to feel (after about 3 cycles?) that something wasn't right and maybe it just wasn't God's timing for us. So I prayed. And I started feeling more peace about it. I stopped trying to read my body's "signs" (I don't really get any pregnancy symptoms so it was ridiculous each month trying to tell if I felt sick in the mornings or my breasts felt tender, etc.) and just left it with God. Then in November I had a 28 day cycle and the next month (December) I got pregnant.
I felt the most peace during December before I even knew we had conceived.
When I didn't get my period on Boxing Day I knew. I didn't even have to take a test. In fact, I didn't take a test for another couple weeks!

I know my story is nothing compared to the women who have waited and tried and researched and cried and begged and have been desperate to have one child, let alone be trying for number three! But it is my story. And with Noah and Jude I got pregnant pretty much right away so this was a different sort of journey to expand our family.

I know that "children are a gift from God" but I think this journey to three has been unlike the other two - perhaps because I feel it's my last time being pregnant, perhaps it's because God's been doing something in my heart so painful and real that it's unlike entering motherhood for the first time (which was a scary and painful thing on its own) or for the second time (where the challenges came a little later for me) but  that this baby and this pregnancy are unique and for that I am so thankful. Each child different. Each journey different.

I still struggle to claim this peace. I still worry. I've worried in each of my pregnancies. It's a continual "handing over" I find myself doing of worries and things out of my control. It begins in pregnancy and I don't think it ever ends. But there is a peace to be claimed - regardless of the outcome.

19 weeks

It's cold. Last night there was a HUGE rainstorm. I was up with the boys for a bit. Jude was so funny. I lay down with him for a bit and we talked about the "fundas" {thunder}.
Some things Jude said,
Mom! The fundas is getting away! Pank {spank} them! 
I think the birds can handle the fundas. They have knives. They can CUT the fundas into pieces.
Jesus is with us. 
I think Lightning McQueen can handle the funda.


There were a few other things which I can't remember now that I'm more awake.

I didn't feel the baby moving yesterday so I drank some OJ before Jamie and I sat down to watch an episode of Community after putting the boys to bed and waited. Sure enough, small little movements.
But then later that night I didn't feel like sleeping so I stayed up and read and surfed the interwebs for a bit. Then finally felt tired around midnight. And then the baby started kicking up a storm. I could picture it in a teeny, tiny karate uniform doing chops and kicks to my uterus.

Also? These are my only pair of skinny jeans. I've resigned myself to using the elastic band through the button hole. I can still button them, it's just too much pressure right now, though.

This is the week we find out - boy or girl! Exciting!!!

**FYI this blog is no longer private so if you're like my sister or husband, you can now subscribe to this blog via your blog reader. 

announcement

things totally didn't work out as i had envisioned they would. noah refused to cooperate with the "three on the third" pregnancy announcement. but {honestly} what else is new? he often refuses to cooperate with pictures and this was no different. i had to breathe {very, very deeply} and choke down the irrational rage at my plans not working out how i wanted them to {and also to resist the urge to be physically or emotionally out of control - man these pregnancy hormones can be whack}. i did shed a few tears as i stomped walked to my bedroom to upload the pictures. {again with the pregnancy hormones.}
jamie did a fantastic job with what he was given and jude was such a sweetie kissing the belly, touching the belly and smiling for the camera.

but it's out. it's official. the interwebs are now "in the know" about this sweet gift of a pregnancy.

18 weeks

Lots of movement this week and I've drank more pop {that is going to change, don't worry} than I think I have in the past several years.
I told the boys that the baby can now hear things and if they put their mouth to my tummy they can talk to the baby. Noah's a bit shy, but Jude requested to "put my mouth on yo' tummy" and talk to the baby.
I'm getting really excited to find out if this baby is a boy or a girl. I've got my top four names of each gender. Currently they are unapproved by Jamie at this time. But it's really only a matter of time and persistence on my end before they are approved.
We're announcing the pregnancy this week via my other blog so that should be fun. I've got a super cute idea on how to do it. I'll post it here too of course. Stay tuned...

cutest thing I've heard all week

The boys were sitting at the table having a snack and then Noah looks up at me and says,

Mom, do some crumbs fall down into your stomach and the baby just opens his mouth and eats them? Is that how he eats?


I died. So ridiculously cute. I think he found my explanation of the baby eating through the umbilical cord a lot more unbelievable than his idea of crumbs, but perhaps that just goes to show that really, it is quite amazing how God's designed pregnancy.

organizing

I've been doing a bit of organizing lately. I organized my closet, Jude's closet and Noah's closet. I pulled out the suitcase sitting in the closet in our bathroom {we have a lot of closets} and took out all the baby clothes I brought over here with the intention of either using them {should we have a baby here} or donating them. It looks like I will probably be doing both {use them first, then donate}.
I ooohed and aaaahed over how adorable and tiny they all are and it turns out I've got a good set of sleepers from 0-6 months and a few onesies.

look how cute they are!

our house helper has been going on and on and on about how much she hopes it's a girl and how it will be like having her own daughter {um...not so much, but okay.} and gushes and gushes and part of me hopes it's a boy. Actually I would be thrilled to have another boy. I would be happy for a girl too, but I almost feel like I have to explain that in all honesty, I would LOVE to have a third boy. I just picture it for us. But a girl would be lovely and sweet so I feel excited to find out either way. I booked the ultrasound for April 11th at 9:30am and that's when we'll hopefully be able to find out if this little baby is a boy or a girl! Make sure to vote {on the side bar} for what you think/hope the baby will be.

I've also been doing decently on exercising several times a week. I aim for every week day, but usually it's more like 3-4 times a week. Today I did a prenatal pilates video and afterward felt good, but so so so tired and almost felt faint about an hour later when I was chopping up fruit and quickly ate it in the hopes that it would help. It did. Lesson learned. Eat something after working out.

pregnant friends

I've always said I wanted to be pregnant at the same as a friend (or sister) and it just hasn't really happened that I've had someone growing right around the same time as me.
But this time?
There are THREE other close friends of mine who are also expecting within a month or two of me! AND there's a friend in Guelph who's expecting within a few weeks of me and another friend who is expecting almost a month after I am. And I'm sure there are others too!
I'm jumping for joy but also trying not to be insanely frustrated with the timing of me being here and them being there. No baby showers to throw for them, no cute photo shoots together, nothing. I'm here. They're there.
But what I am excited for is coming home in just over a year and all of us having our 7-9 month olds to introduce to each other. So I cling to that and the knowledge that God's timing is perfect and He has put me here and them there for a reason.

17 weeks

17 weeks and a haircut! Gosh it feels great not to have incredibly damaged ends. The guy did a good job of the cut although at times I was a bit nervous of his approach, but all in all, I like it. And he didn't take too much off although I keep worrying it looks a lot shorter, but that's probably just coming from someone with too-long hair anyway.
The blow dry was a different story. In fact, the cut itself must have only taken about 5 minutes but he took about 40 with the blow dry. And he didn't blow dry at the roots so my roots look a little flat but then there was a slight bump coming up after the roots where he used that barrel-type brush. I fixed it up after ruffling up my roots once I left.
Jamie and I went for an afternoon date at the mall and so while I was getting my haircut he decided to get a massage. Once I finished, I went up to the massage place and the woman said he still have 45 minutes more. So I wandered around, found a bra that fits me (glory hallelujah!), went from shop to shop, texting Jamie as I went to let him know where I was and ended up buying myself a soft-serve ice cream after waiting for an hour and a half for him. It turned out to be a self-date which was kinda funny, and of course I'm not objecting to some alone time, but definitely a couple date FAIL.
I feel the baby every day and sometimes s/he is dancing (or so it feels like). It's so sweet.