20 weeks

Yay!  I am over half way there!  I say over because I will have a scheduled c-section around 39 weeks if baby doesn't decide coming out sooner is a better idea.

How far along?: 20 weeks

How big is baby?: Baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel, about the length of a banana.
Weight gain/loss?: I've gained nothing in the last 4 weeks!
Stretch marks?: No new ones.  I have plenty from the other pregnancies.
Maternity clothes?: I can still wear my normal pants and shirts, but I prefer my maternity clothes for sure!
Sleep?: Getting less and less as time goes on and heartburn has been really annoying these last few weeks.  Sleeping {which is really lying in bed and napping a few times a night} with an extra pillow or two under my head is not my favorite.
Food cravings?: Oreos - so I am surprised I've gained no weight!
Gender?: We will find out when the little Mr or Miss arrives hopefully in October!  The only reason I would like to know ahead of time is so I can have a garage sale and sell all these boy clothes I have acquired if we are expecting a girl, but I have decided to go through them and shrink my stash anyway.  I can always shop sales/second hand stores if I am running low. (:
Movement?: As I am typing this there are little kicks and movements going none stop!  I love feeling baby move!  It helps it seem more real.
What are you looking forward to this week?: Our sonogram is next Thursday!  And Alan has Thursday, Friday, Saturday off from the j.o.b. 
Notables: I had my first appointment with my new doctor today and what a refreshing difference!  Not only was the receptionist happy to see me, but the nurse was very pleasant!  I knew the doctor, he did both cesareans for the boys, so I was not nervous to meet him.  He was so kind {and funny}, interacted with the boys, let Noah and Taylor help find the baby's heartbeat, and seemed genuinely interested in all of us.  I am so pleased I switched practices! 
Oh, and no belly pic today.  Soon though...I promise!

summer...i mean, spring time fun!

Mr. Taylor playing on a beautiful spring day. 

{Can you see his crazy bed hair?}

Not quite sure what the boys are doing here.  

They always find new ways to play.

This is my nephew, Elyas, whom I adore!  Taylor was so excited to hold the baby while we visited my family last weekend.  I think Mr. T is going to be a wonderful big brother!

This day felt like summer for sure!  I believe it reached 90F outside so it was perfect for the little pool...

...and the water guns!  Noah was kind enough to share some of the water from his water gun with my shirt.  Don't worry...Mommy got him back!

 Of course it was most fun to squirt each other.

 I like this picture.  Taylor splashing Noah and Noah squirting Taylor...brothers.

 The next day was another hot summer-like day.  We spent the morning building things with wood...

...and the afternoon playing in the pool and sprinkler.  

I adore this picture!!  This will be hanging on my wall some where.  They are just too cute!

When Daddy got home we grilled hotdogs and corn on the cob {best way to have corn!}.  

We also had salad, baked beans, fresh fruit, and pasta salad...so good and we were so full!  

{Isn't he cute!?}

 Less than a dollar for this all day entertainment.

This is a little blurry, but I love how much they love each other!  Makes my heart sing with joy.  We were outside from 4ish to 8pm that day.  It was beautiful!

What a perfect couple of days.  I love the sun shine and I love the warm weather!  Sadly, today the high is in the 50's but that makes me appreciate the sunshine even more.  

I can't wait to make more summer or spring memories!

Side note:photos are compliments of my phone.  I am never very good at grabbing our actual camera, but I must say, they didn't turn out half bad! 

nearly 17 weeks

 Sorry, no belly pictures yet.  I just cannot get myself to take them and share them with the world.  Because honestly, I feel huge for not very far along.  I just tell myself this is baby #3 and my stomach muscles are just really stretched out.  To hear that I lost a pound helps to know that I am eating well and not going crazy 'eating for two.'  So, maybe if you beg, I will post a belly pic soon.

How far along?: 16 weeks 6 days

How big is baby?: Baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and is around 5 inches long from head to bottom.
Weight gain/loss?: So far this pregnancy I have lost 1 lb.  But don't worry, with the weight I started at this is no harm to baby.
Stretch marks?: No new ones.  I have plenty from the other pregnancies.
Maternity clothes?: I can still wear my normal pants and shirts, but I prefer my maternity clothes for sure!
Sleep?: Getting less and less as time goes on but I am thankful for that my boys let me sleep in till at least 7am.
Food cravings?: Lettuce and hard boiled eggs.  I cannot get enough salads with cheese, egg, sun flower seeds, and ranch dressing.  Yum!!
Gender?: Don't know yet and I am not sure if we will find out or not.  So torn this time!  What do you all think we should do?
Movement?: Definitely feeling this little one jumping around.  I love that feeling!
What are you looking forward to this week?: It is Mother's Day on Sunday!
Notables: I think I have eaten at least 12 hard boiled eggs in the past few days.  And one day I had 2 with a cup of coffee.  My stomach was happy after that.

Also, last week I had my dr appointment and everything seems to be going fine.  Only issue was...my doctor.  This week he talked about the test that I could take to find out if our baby may have certain disabilities or disorders.  I had heard about all this before but was never interested in taking them.  For Alan and I, the outcome will not matter and we will love this baby either way.  I understand the benefit from knowing ahead of time and being able to prepare yourself before baby arrives but with the increased risk of miscarriage it is just not worth it to us.  

After he {the dr} finished explaining the tests, never asking if that would be something we would even consider doing, he proceeded to tell us that if the results came back that our baby had a disability we had an options to end the pregnancy.  I check out as soon as he said that, trying to not cry but I know my face turned bright red.  I was thinking, did you seriously just mention abortion to me?  With my two boys in the room?!  And the reason that it would be an option is because to you our child wouldn't be 'normal'?!!  To say that his comments rubbed me the wrong way is an understatement.  I was furious and very uncomfortable.  

After talking Alan, friends, and my Mom, I decided switching doctors was a must.  I am so relieve to say that we will be going to the OB who performed the caesarians that delivered both of my boys in Olathe.  *Sigh*  Familiarity is comforting.  I did not have my prenatal care with him but I know he is a Christian and every interaction I have had with him I felt very comfortable.  Sure, I won't have the convenience of the hospital and doctor's office being 10 minutes away {it is about 30 minutes} but I will for sure have peace of mind, which for this pregnant lady is a necessity!  I am so thankful that my hubby was supportive of this change in every way.  He is willing to drive farther to go with me to my appointments and that makes my heart smile.

Oh, and because I forgot to post this  3 weeks ago, here is our little person at 14 weeks:

Profile view - This Momma is in love!

easter